Iceland

I've been attempting to update this post for over a week! Thanks Tish for the original note and posting the pictures from the trip.

So first the pics...the Blue Lagoon is filled with 110 degree water from the geothermal plant up the hill. This is clean but contains hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide along with trace amounts of arsenic, zinc and others when it comes out of the ground. The Icelanders have some very good remediation projects that we looked at during the trip, BTW. Next is a shot from the city airport during a rare moment of sun. Then a shot right after we landed in Akureyri (northern Iceland) during a snow storm. Next is one of the town squares and then the "I did eat a whale steak" pic.

We started the trip with whale steak...not quite as good as American beef, but filling. Next day began with meetings at the University of Iceland. We spent at least 6 hours a day meeting with academic and corporate staff to discuss on-going research projects. Then I spent another 3-4 hours "in the books" to further understand what we talked about :) Seriously, this has been a great move, work-wise. I've not had to do much technical work in the past 15 years, outside of civil or "very light" mechanical engineering. I knew a fuel cell generated electricity and not much more...so you can imagine the learning curve. So I read 2 texts and a dissertation during the trip to get up to speed. Enough whining, I am glad for the challenge and am enjoying the education.

I will be in Egypt, Turkey (x2), Israel, the US and several places in the UK between now and our 4th of July party here. We are throwing an Independence Day Party for the neighbors :) They think it is a bit strange, but are on board as it is a "free" holiday for them. We're planning to be as obnoxiously American as possible by fully enjoying some fried chicken, baked beans, firecrackers, lawn games without being the slightest bit posh. We MIGHT even get the Brits to get sweaty during some of the games...yeah, I still haven't figured out a way to explain the subtle differences between a redneck, a hillbilly and a southerner. So I guess a bit of all 3 is required :0

Still don't have the reserve assignment worked out, but think we will within 2 months. I anticipate a deployment coming and would like to plan it vice get stuck in the xyz battalion for a 15 month tour.

Joe and Ana are doing great - Ana came in with Tish today for lunch in Ruislip where I work. Joe has really become a good Battlefield 1942 player and has the two-handed coordination down now. He found a couple of lawn darts the previous occupants left in the bushes and the 3 of us have been playing those. The gardner came this week and mowed the few springs of grass that we have down even with the moss. The lawn is 80% moss so we slide around quite nicely during ball games.

Tish is ahead of plane in class, laundry and the 40 other things she has to do...she has been a great administrator and has the foreign systems nailed. Her social butterfly skills have been a great source of "Mom info" from the other moms at Dropmore; her intel gathering has really been key to getting settled.

Just wanted to provide a quick update as I don't get to call as often - Tish normally keeps the highlights updated here. Thanks for taking time to read them.

Tom