Today was my first "ordinary" day at the Technological University of Panama (Universidad Tecnologica de Panama or UTP for short) Although it was hardly "ordinary" because, as is becoming clearer and clearer, "ordinary" is not a word that describes life in Panama. Perhaps one day, it will seem "ordinary" to me but not now. Not yet.
Wonderful Elba (who I will be profiling - I've been working on it but I can't quite capture her specialness so I will continue working on it) picked me up and whisked me to campus. We had a quick lunch together - and discussed the way that Panamanians eat: their main meal is at noontime. This makes a ton of sense and I plan to change my ways from a rice cake and a handful of almonds to a real meal. I cooked tonight to make that possible.
She had to go teach and I had a call with a Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech, one of Beki Grinter's students who had had Gary Marsden on her committee. She asked me to step in - not to fill his shoes because I can't (nor can anyone), but to be part of her dissertation committee in lieu of Gary, given his extremely untimely death late last year. I am touched that she asked me yet also humbled. As I read over Deana's proposal, I was struck by how perfect Gary would have been for this role, and I felt the waves of sadness rush over me again. It seems so strange to contemplate a world without Gary - yet here we are. Deana and I had what felt to me like a great conversation - she's another fabulous young scientist who's going to make the world a better place!
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting the key to "my" office - it's actually an office I'm borrowing from another faculty member who has 2 offices - this is her "coordinator" office and she's now using her "faculty" office more. Geralis, the other Dean, went down to the UTP store to help me find and buy a UTP shirt - and I also got a UTP hat to use during my upcoming rap at CHI. Or, should I say, "the other Dr. Dray's" upcoming rap. Yo!
And now, after cooking dinner (the first one that I've cooked so far that you could actually call tasty), cleaning up, and working on a letter of reference for another amazing young scientist as well as on editing an article for Interactions, I'm pooped. David will be calling when he gets back from his piano lesson - and, for the first time since I arrived, I'm really tired and may end up taking the call in my night gown, ready to leap into bed as soon as we finish talking.
So, although it was, by many measures, an "ordinary" day, it was filled with wonderful people, interesting ideas, and the exciting enthusiasm of students.
Sweet dreams to all! Buena noche!
