Erik continues to work with scholars from the former Soviet region, and this led him to the Bay Area. The OSI Faculty Development Program annual conference was held at the University of California - Berkeley, a community Erik had not visited for twenty years. OSI's program brings scholars from the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Mongolia to US universities for three semesters. Erik led a panel on integrating research, teaching, and service activities, and participated in all of the conference events. The final day included lunch in San Francisco, and an opportunity to explore the city. San Francisco is a favorite destination (Erik and Lea were last there around five years ago), and one afternoon was not enough. But, a few photos from the adventure follow (A photo of Erik and Elchin on the pier, followed by some obligatory tourist shots of Lombard Street and Alcatraz...)
Nyamgerel, Elchin, Faridun, and Lyudmila
Lyudmila, Nyamgerel, Faridun, and Elchin
As he has done for most of the last 12 years, Erik participated in the Midwest Political Science Association conference held annually in Chicago. Because his major obligations were on Thursday and Saturday, requiring a trip of several days, Lea and Carter decided to come along. In addition to Erik fulfilling professional responsibilities, the whole family was able to visit with friends and family, celebrate Lea's birthday (a day or so late), and see some sights.Carter's favorite spot was the Museum of Science and Industry. He decided that he wanted to live in the museum (an idea suggested to him by Erik's colleague Ron, whose son made the same pronouncement decades ago). Carter insisted on asking a staff member if he could move his bed to the museum, and was told no. However, the museum has a sleepover that we may attend sometime in the future. Several pictures of the adventure follow.
One of Erik's favorite Chicago buildings.
Lea, Carter, and Parasaurolophus Rop.
Carter and Parasaurolophus Rop.
Carter, Parasaurolophus Rop, and some dinosaur friends.
A science experiment gone wrong at the Museum of Science & Industry.
More from the museum.
Carter has recently discovered a love of gardening. He has been planting seeds, watering, and digging holes for flowers. Recently, Lea has found him standing and just smelling the flowers. Today, he wanted to use his camera to take pictures in the yard. Below is a portion of his photo essay.
Erik continues to work with scholars from the former Soviet region, and this led him to the Bay Area. The OSI Faculty Development Program annual conference was held at the University of California - Berkeley, a community Erik had not visited for twenty years. OSI's program brings scholars from the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Mongolia to US universities for three semesters. Erik led a panel on integrating research, teaching, and service activities, and participated in all of the conference events. The final day included lunch in San Francisco, and an opportunity to explore the city. San Francisco is a favorite destination (Erik and Lea were last there around five years ago), and one afternoon was not enough. But, a few photos from the adventure follow (A photo of Erik and Elchin on the pier, followed by some obligatory tourist shots of Lombard Street and Alcatraz...)
We shared the Easter holiday with Lea's parents and sister. We also celebrated Lea's birthday for the third time, enjoying her favorite cake (note the creative placement of candles, courtesy of Carter, in the photo below).
As he has done for most of the last 12 years, Erik participated in the Midwest Political Science Association conference held annually in Chicago. Because his major obligations were on Thursday and Saturday, requiring a trip of several days, Lea and Carter decided to come along. In addition to Erik fulfilling professional responsibilities, the whole family was able to visit with friends and family, celebrate Lea's birthday (a day or so late), and see some sights.
