Ok, well, obviously a lot has happened since my last post, but I'm going to ignore all that for now, and just talk about the last few days:
Monday: Left for the Azores! My flight to Newark got delayed, so I missed my flight to Lisbon and had to take the next flight, which left an hour late also.
Tuesday: Missed my flight from Lisbon to the Azores by about 15 min, which meant that I was stuck there for 24 hours. Somehow I managed to get my credit cards into my checked luggage, (which I didn't get until the Azores), so I had $25 to last me the day - which I exchanged for 13.20 euro. So, I hopped on the AeroBus (free airport shuttle to downtown), and just rode that until we got to a stop that looked interesting, which happened to be at the "Parque de Eduardo VII." It was a really beautiful day out, sunny, about 65 degrees or so, it felt like spring. Great day to go to the park :). So I wandered around in there for an hour or so (photos to come), and then headed out into the neighborhood. I walked by a lot of little shops, and a car dealership - where I saw them selling smart cars, Naomi! In case you were wondering, they cost 8000 euro. I also visited a church, which was very beautiful, I wish I could have been around long enough to go to a service. Upon leaving the church, I made a critical discovery - Lisbon has a subway system! I also found out that I can read Portuguese, well, at least enough to figure out the rate system and buy a one-trip ticket. So I rode the metro down to a stop called "Restauratadores" (that's probably spelled wrong) and went hunting for some lunch. I found this cool cobblestone street, lined on both sides with little restaurants and cafes, and walked up and down it for a while, just looking and trying to pick somewhere to eat. Since I didn't have a whole lot of money, I ended up just getting a sandwich, and then going to another place and getting a coffee (which is actually espresso there, yum). So, there I was, sitting out in the warm sunshine, sipping espresso, looking around and thinking about how lucky it was to miss my flight! After I finished my coffee, I just set out wandering again. Found a plaza with some fountains and the requisite man on horse statue :), an area with fancy stores that reminded me of State street (lots of Christmas decorations up and Christmas music being played from speakers on the buildings), and roast chestnut sellers! Then I walked down to the waterfront, saw the Stock Exchange building, and somewhere in there visited another couple of churches. Next I set out to try to get to the castle. I had seen it from the plaza, way up high on a hill, and wanted to get closer. Along the way to the castle, I came across a 12th century cathedral! It was really magnificent. The area around the castle is the oldest part of the city, so the streets were very narrow, with interesting old buildings on both sides. It was a fun walk, but tiring, since the roads were also quite steep and I was carrying around my pillow and had an enormous FE study manual in my backpack! Admission to the castle was 3 euro, and it was totally worth it. My favorite part was climbing up into the towers and looking out over the city sitting between those big square blocks, just like the ones I used to draw on my castle towers when I was little. It was just way too cool.
After all that fun, it was time to head back to the airport, where I camped out until the next morning.
Wednesday: I finally make it to the Azores! Even more amazing, is that all my luggage made it there too :). After Robbie picked me up he brought me to the base and showed me around a bit. I met way too many people to remember, and got to see his office - it's really big (kind of plain, but large). After that, he dropped me off at his house and I took a nap while he went back to work. When he got back, we went to a Halo2 party, at one of the captains' houses. That was fun, I sort of know how to play Halo now :P. We came back kind of late from that, and went right to sleep. Which brings me up to the present, since all I've done yet today was to get up and get on the computer :).
Adventures in Portugal, to be continued...

sox1

sox1
Originally uploaded by Robertp17.

Birthday Sox game photo... it was Half-way to St. Paddy's day at the White Sox!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated. Sorry folks, but the reason for that is simple: I haven't had time. Seriously. In particular, for the last 4 days or so, I had so little time that I was sleeping about 4 hours a night and skipping meals to have more time to work! But now it's over...

I had two final projects due this weekend, you know, the kind that are worth 30% of your grade and take the place of a final? Yeah, that kind. And when I say due this weekend - I meant it. I had class Thurs night - Sun night, every night from 6:25 to 9 or later (10 both Friday and Sunday). So, having finished this weekend, those two classes are over! That means I've only got two classes left... more like a regular grad student :P. So it's a very happy day, although I do still have some work to get done. My presentation yesterday espeically, was awesome, I am so good (little celebratory dance). So I'm pretty sure I have at least 2 A's nailed down, and one more that is probably an A, and two that are at least solild B's. I have survived! And Ucci said I should shoot myself.. HA!