I’m back!

I moved into my new apartment a week ago! I haven’t had access to the internet at home (other than on my phone) until today and have been a bit too busy at work. So, now let me catch you up! 

It is hard to believe that I haven’t quite been in Portugal for three weeks. I secured my apartment, set up utilities, got a cell phone, and a bank account! Though those all seem like straight forward tasks, everything takes a bit longer when you have no idea where everything is and how it all works. I think I’ve managed ok. The real test of my Portuguese reading skills will be to figure out how to record using the HD DVR thingy.

Well, I survived the coldest European winter in six years. Temperatures dropped below freezing. The local news was broadcasting photos of Spanish beaches with snow on the palm trees. Very weird. I know Colorado folks, it isn’t that cold, but for a place where apartments/houses aren’t built to handle it, it was seriously cold. I must say that I was the recipient of some karmic payback. I used to bad mouth UGGS, but I would have killed for a pair this past weekend. I could not find decent slippers anywhere. I ended up with these gems from H&M – yes, those are pompoms and they are totally cozy warm and ridiculous looking.

I have been enjoying the sales though…I got some great black boots to make up for the silly slippers. 

I’ve learned more about what the Portuguese refer to as “a crise” (the financial crisis). I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I have found that in general there isn’t much outwardly obvious to indicate the state of Portugal’s economy. There are a lot of iPhones walking around, the cars are relatively new and maintained (though taxi cabs are always dented), the metro is clean, and even the streets are relatively clean.  There are homeless, but less than I would expect – definitely less than you see in San Francisco.

I’ve been told that for most people, the crisis means they can’t get a loan so they won’t be buying a new car or house. People are also probably scaling back vacation plans. Of course, there are people who have lost their jobs and have been personally devastated, but at a societal level it isn’t very obvious.

I have started at ICS. Lab meetings are in Portuguese (though those of us who aren’t great Portuguese speakers are given license to switch to English when necessary).  I’ll be presenting my research to the group next Friday. Thankfully, presentations are in English.

However, I have for the first time in my life begun to think in Portuguese sometimes. Very weird. It still freaks me out a bit.

I’ve started analyzing the data that I collected before I left the states. I hope there's something publishable in there.

 I love my temporary office. It’s a corner office. It is unlikely I will remain in this office, but until they can figure out space for me, this is where I am J

Okay – until next time!