Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Activities/Actions:

Our trip began on June 15th flying out from Chicago to Nashville, TN, driving to Knoxville, traversing through mountain ridges of the Great Smoky ending at point of Blue Ridge National Parkway, before heading back to Nashville and flying in to Chicago on the 18th.

Note and reflections:

A brief reflection on this trip was that, the four minds crossed and learned of the others. Thank to Meng-shin, Chia-ming and Yeong-shin as we planed this trip since Midst May! A note on this trip will be written later on.

the First meal at the camp

Our living space.. Luxury ones!

Many of these U-turn signs have been spot along the way.
Fun because I am the driver--trust me!

Dad, I hike AT!

We will hike down the ridges!

The tallest peak in East Coast.

Refreshing after a shower!

Yummy!!

Continue reading the rest...

Convocation!

Note and reflections:

Receiving the degree is not only for me but also for "you" who have been giving me support and encouragement. Even though often you are not physically by my side, your thought and encouragement have pushed me forward; therefore, this success is yours. And, especially to my grandma, her believe of seeing her grandsons and daughters' success lives on. Thank you.

Graduation

June 7th
BSD graduate dinner

The University of Chicago
490th Convocation
June 8th, 2007

June 8th
Kimmy and mommy

June 8th
My advisor and I

June 8th
Mom and Dad

June 8th
My Lovely family.

June 8th
Wen-Hsiung and Suejean treat us for dinner at a Tapas resturant.

June 8th
Tan and Kimmy

June 8th
Mom and Dad proud of their son.

June 8th
Prae flew from Boston to visit. Ricky also came but not in the picture.

June 8th
Seen Meng! Your turn is next.

June 8th
Toey

June 8th
P' Rungporn and I

June 8th
Jake and Geoff

June 9th
Mom and Dad with the Bean!

June 9th
Kids wheeling around with Globe.
Cool Globe Project featured throughout the city this summer.

June 9th
Mom and Dad at the Aquarium.

June 10th
At Botanic Garden

Continue reading the rest...

End of May

Note and reflections:
After the defense I have a little break... now it is time to start running again. Yes, I start running as the weather becomes nicer. :)

May 29th
Bleeding heart at the Chicago Botanic Garden

May 29th
Happy Birthday Meng-Shin!
(left-right: Yeong-shin, Kevin, Ying, Meng-shin and Chia-ming)

June 2nd
I Run You Bike (IRUB) to downtown!

June 2nd
Enjoying...

June 2nd
In front of Soldier Field

June 2nd
Nice touch!

Continue reading the rest...

Thesis defense

Note and reflections:
Pictures say thousand words... I finally did it! Thank you everyone for taking time to come to my defense. You are very true supporters!

Presentation...

Thesis Committee members

Thanks, Meng-shin!

Thank you, P' Por for coming to my talk!

Reception.
I am writing my name, year on Champaign cork!

Kevin is opening the cieling.

Wider?

Tradition.
You must put the cork into the ceiling... otherwise, no degree. And, I did it!! or Did, I?

Dr. Rest

The gang! Thank you..

Sue-jean, my advisor's wife, Wen-Hsiung, prepare all the food.

Thank you for my friends who have helped me get through this. Thank you so much!

Continue reading the rest...

the first quarter of 2007 - many friends visiting

I still keep up with exercise, but recently pressure on the thesis is very high... I have to finish it! But friends' visit made me feel better. Thanks to you all!

Bow flew from Berkly to attend a conference in downtown, and she stopped by for a campus tour.

Jeng, aka Jenny, flew from LA for a visit in Winter month of Chicago!
She wrote a note in snow in front of Crown Fountain, "Jenny visits Ay."

Jeng standing in front of Crown Fountain in the Millennium Park.

Por and Nong Nut visiting me.
I am wearing "M" for Michigan T-shirt given by Por.

Kan flew from Arlington, TX, for the St. Pratrick weekend visit.
She is standing in front of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Aon visited at the end of March during his ACS meeting in downtown.
As I was too busy; I did not get a chance to travel with him much.

Ying's Birthday Party!!

Our V-day Dinner
Yeong-shin, Lingling, Meng-shin, I

Our V-day Dinner
Lingling, Meng-shin, I and Ying

Continue reading the rest...