120lbs of fun and joy...
Tuesday, February 28
Seeing the world through glasses...
I have been spending about 15 hours a day in front of a computer for the last 4 years or so, so I knew that it had to happen sooner or later. Rocky says that I'm now looking like a real geek... :( But I have to admit that I can really "see" the difference. Not need to write in 14 anymore and I can read without having the book 5cm from my nose. Now, I guess that I'm going to be like all these persons spending half of their day looking for their glasses ;)
Saturday, February 25
Kentucky dead chicken...
I'm thinking on becoming vegetarian... as long as it is till ok to eat M&Ms and drink beer.
It was expected and it is now confirmed. Foie Gras is going to become REALLY cheap...
It was expected and it is now confirmed. Foie Gras is going to become REALLY cheap...
Tuesday, February 21
Need a lot of $$$$$
The good news: I'm admitted to Penn State and University of Michigan for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering (still waiting to hear from other schools)
The bad news: UofM clearly said that I won't have any financial support and Penn State didn't make any funding offer yet.
So I'm looking for money to cover for the tuitions ($36000 for a year at Michigan). Honestly I don't know where I'm going to find the money. I applied for different scholarships but I won't get any answer before the summer. So I setup a Paypal donation account just in case you would be interested in helping a cool workaholic Frenchy financing her PhD ;) You just have to click on the "Make a Donation" button on the right... Thanxxxxxx
The bad news: UofM clearly said that I won't have any financial support and Penn State didn't make any funding offer yet.
So I'm looking for money to cover for the tuitions ($36000 for a year at Michigan). Honestly I don't know where I'm going to find the money. I applied for different scholarships but I won't get any answer before the summer. So I setup a Paypal donation account just in case you would be interested in helping a cool workaholic Frenchy financing her PhD ;) You just have to click on the "Make a Donation" button on the right... Thanxxxxxx
Monday, February 20
Saturday, February 18
Thursday, February 16
Legos, CE and new home
This afternoon we had our Robotics competition. It was definitely a lot of fun to work on the robots and to watch them running. To make it short, we had problems with a light sensor so our robot was kind of blind. However we did reasonably good given the circumstances. Pics are here.
That pic was taken by Rocky this evening. We are currently working on Concurrent Engineering and the goal of this assignment (the last one of the year!) is to try to apply CE when planning/defining an Earth observation mission. A lot of trade-offs but definitely a very interesting assignment and nice people to work with.
Finally here is my new home. It is just a large empty room with 2 tables but at least I have a place where I can leave my books and work quietly. It would be just perfect if they could turn the heat on a bit more ;) I actually never understood why labs are just so cold. Are they afraid that our brains overheat? Anyway, this is where I'm enjoying my time studying orbits and trajectories. And no internet there so the few breaks I take are just for the purpose of supporting the coffee industry... Reminds me of somebody...
That pic was taken by Rocky this evening. We are currently working on Concurrent Engineering and the goal of this assignment (the last one of the year!) is to try to apply CE when planning/defining an Earth observation mission. A lot of trade-offs but definitely a very interesting assignment and nice people to work with.
Finally here is my new home. It is just a large empty room with 2 tables but at least I have a place where I can leave my books and work quietly. It would be just perfect if they could turn the heat on a bit more ;) I actually never understood why labs are just so cold. Are they afraid that our brains overheat? Anyway, this is where I'm enjoying my time studying orbits and trajectories. And no internet there so the few breaks I take are just for the purpose of supporting the coffee industry... Reminds me of somebody...
Tuesday, February 14
26 years old and still playing with Legos ;)
Most of this week, we are working on the design and programmation of a robot which will be using 2 touching sensors, 1 light sensor and 3 motors to collect samples dissiminated among obstacles in a 7m by 7m square. There are 4 teams so 4 robots and we are going to compete against each other this coming thursday afternoon. It promises to be a lot of fun. Stay tuned for the pics!
MY tips for surviving Valentine's Day as a single
1. Lock yourself in a lab with no internet/cellphone/radio and work, work, work, work.....
2. Avoid guys who don't know what they want.
3. Clean your room, again and again.
4. Cook for you, your roomie, your neighbour, ...
5. Go to bed... tomorrow it will over!
2. Avoid guys who don't know what they want.
3. Clean your room, again and again.
4. Cook for you, your roomie, your neighbour, ...
5. Go to bed... tomorrow it will over!
So today is Valentine day...
First time in the last 7 years that I'll be single for Valentine's day. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not depressed or bitter. However, as far as I'm concerned, I'll probably be enjoying that "special" day somewhere in TP1, with Matlab...
Sunday, February 12
Monday is going to be a long day...
MSS/MSM 05 Professional Visit Itinerary
(DLR-Lampoldshausen/Institute of Space Systems-Stuttgart)
(DLR-Lampoldshausen/Institute of Space Systems-Stuttgart)
05:50 Meet in Place d’Austerlitz (Centre Ville)
06:00 Bus departs
09:00 Arrive DLR – Lampoldshausen
Presentation & tour of the facilities
DLR advises participants of the following:
• Wear warm clothing and bring a rain resistant coat and/or an umbrella
• It is forbidden to take pictures or to film at DLR-Lampoldshausen
• It is also forbidden to smoke (due to the fuels which are handled in the facilities)
11:30 Depart from DLR
13:00 Arrive University of Stuttgart (Institute of Space Systems)
Lunch
14:00 Tour of the facilities
18:00 Dinner in nearby restaurant
20:00 Depart from Stuttgart
23:00 Arrive Strasbourg Centre Ville (Place d’Austerlitz)
I don't have any questions just comments. Question #1: can I drive?????
Saturday, February 11
A saturday in Strasbourg...
Saturday morning: Kurdish people demonstrating for the release of Abdullah Öcalan, ex-chief of the PKK and currently jailed in Turkey.
AFP / Olivier Morin
AFP / Olivier MorinFollowed by the Muslim protests against the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad