News has it, that is snowing back home. Dad has been playing with his new camera and sent through a couple of photos of my home in Christchurch, New Zealand. We are set to head to Spain at the end of the week, so while you are in minus temperatures we will be in the 30 degree region. We will roll over while tanning for you. :+)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARC!
Well my little brother is growing up - today is his 19th birthday. Hopefully he hasn't kept it too quiet, and some of his work mates will make sure he hits the town! Although he might not have the energy... I also have to congratulate him on a great start to the season in Formula Fords after getting pole at the weekend at Manfield then driving fantastically (so I'm told) to finish the day with a win and 2 seconds. (Carmen)
THE PRESS STORY
WINNER: Christchurch student Andrew Rudge stole the limelight at the prestigious MacDiarmid Awards in Auckland last night.
Young Canterbury scientists win top awards 23 June 2004
By PAUL GORMAN
Canterbury's young scientists have stolen the limelight at the prestigious MacDiarmid Awards in Auckland. Young Christchurch researchers won most of the top awards at last night's Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) gala event.
University of Canterbury mechanical engineering doctoral student Andrew Rudge was named the inaugural MacDiarmid Young Scientist, with Lincoln University master of science student and Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) scientist Nicola Turner runner-up to the title. Rudge and Turner also won the biotechnology and environmental sciences research categories respectively.
Four other Christchurch researchers also grabbed awards – Brett Davis won the agriculture, forestry and fishing section; Aaron Grey, manufacturing and materials; Kelly Barnes, Maori innovation; and Audrey McKinley, people and society (first equal).
Rudge was recognised for his work developing world-leading technology which determines the amount of sedative and painkilling drugs needed to comfort critically ill hospital patients. The innovative new system uses patient monitoring devices to gauge the condition, or agitation of the patient. An algorithm formulated by Rudge uses the collected information to determine an exact pain medication dosage.
Rudge said he was overwhelmed at winning the title, presented by renowned scientist Alan MacDiarmid. Rudge received $2000, the inaugural gold MacDiarmid medal and will travel to Washington in August.
Turner, 27, was runner-up for her study of xenoestrogens in cockles she collected in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary and inside Otago Harbour. Carried out in partnership with the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation, she developed new biological tests for monitoring the levels of these pollutant chemicals.
I pocketed a $2000 prize. But I believe the big congratulations go to Andrew Rudge.
Party...
Last night we had our farewell party at the Avebury House. Pretty good turn out, with roughly 70-80 people popping in and out. Highlights of the evening included various examples of good and bad dancing, too much food, a fantastic venue and a good chance to catch up with people we may not see for a while. Huge thanks to those who travelled some distance to make it, i.e Corde from Auckland, Mike from Dunners, Lisa and Andy from the deep south and those we have forgot.
There are a couple of photos from the party.
Plans...
Things are getting pretty exciting (and nerve-racking), with only two weeks until we go. Everything is for sale on trademe.co.nz, and we are slowly whittling our possesions down to the bare essentials.
We have given some more thoughts on what to do in Thailand, we are currently looking at spending the first week in Bangkok, we'll be seeing the sights, doing the tourist things, bartering at the markets and at some stage I'll (Aaron) be getting a business suit tailored. Then for about a week, we are planning on travelling down south to soak up some rays on some islands in and around Krabi. We are looking forward to doing some snorkling, scuba diving, sleeping and of course shopping.
Upon arriving in England, we are getting picked up from the airport by a cousin of mine. From there we will try our luck at a couple of job interviews in the first week, before establishing any further plans.
Well thats it from us, next time we make a posting will be from overseas. Hopefully from Thailand somewhere, to keep you guys all updated. You guys can leave comments on these posts, contact us (Aaron + Carmen) from the links on the right or sign our guestbook.
Well word has got out that Aaron and I are off to 'PommyLand', and everyone keeps asking what the plan is... So far, we have one-way tickets to Heathrow airport via Bangkok and that's about it.
The important details:
May 9th 2004 -> leave Chch, NZ for Bangkok, Thailand
2 weeks in Thailand, seeing the sights and winding down after the mad rush to finish both of our Masters degrees (by March 31st)
May 25th 2004 -> arrive in England, find somewhere to live and somewhere to work, probably in London
Of course, the plan is to look for a job before we get there, thru recruitment agencies and the web etc, but in reality, we'll probably only have interviews lined up...
