The Chemist

I feel your pain. When somebody starts asking about what - specifically - Chris is doing in Germany, what kind of chemistry he's working on...it's just a tough situation. Here is a {wordy} description of Chris' current workplace and research. You may plagiarize at will. This post should have come last year, but better late than never!

The Max Planck Society maintains over 80 institutes and facilities. They all pursue basic research (a loaded term) in the natural and social sciences. This is something special that attracted Chris to Max Planck Institutes. As opposed to research groups at American universities, which need to focus on the applications of research in order to get funding, these MPI's are already financed by the government and can examine the smallest particulars, making fundamental, textbook-worthy discoveries. Chris' group is in the middle of a controversy because they claim that something exists (singlet diradicals) - at the molecular level - that others say is not there. (And I will have to let Chris write his own post to flesh that one out.)

Pictures make everything better. The attractive (ha) white building is Chris' MPI for Bioinorganic Chemistry in Mülheim. About 150 scientists and support staff work here. (Around the corner is another institute, the much larger MPI für Kohlenforschung. A huge research complex plopped into a quiet residential area. We don't understand.) The support staff is its own issue; it is supposedly nice for Chris to just drop off a sample to the NMR tech guy instead of running it himself. However, it is something that he could have done in 10 minutes himself at UW, and here he sometimes has to wait until the next day to get his results back! It took a while to get into the slower rhythm here. He has compensated by always having simultaneous projects going on, so he's never waiting on one result.

In the Bioinorganic institute, there are 2 directors. Here is a picture of Chris' soon-to-be-retiring director, Prof. Dr. Karl Wieghardt. (Yes, to be formal, you would address him as Herr Professor Doctor Wieghardt.) About 12 scientists work under him, and he freely collaborates with many people around the world. Just last month, he invited 3 professors over from the US who had never worked together before, and they all discussed their research and traded favors ("oh, yes, I have equipment that can do that for you") and ideas.
Ok, now for the details I promised, directly from the Institute's English-language brochure that I picked up just for you:
The Institute is dedicated to basic research in selected fields of bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry. Currently in focus are topics like the coordination chemistry of the essential trace elements, the structure and function of metallo-proteins (non-heme iron and manganese proteins), artificial photosynthesis, the photolytic water oxidation, hydrogen production by biological systems, synthesis of protein structure motifs, structure determination by spectroscopic techniques, as well as the computer-assisted calculation of structures and spectroscopic parameters.


If you remember what Chris used to talk about while studying in Madison, it was something like carbenes, catalysis, palladium, and aerobic oxidation. He then took the "high risk-high reward" path and jumped to a new field for his post-doc. I can testify that he was scared. Now, he confidently talks about electronic coupling and spin-states, singlet diradicals, redox-noninnocent ligands, running calculations, magnetism, and spectroscopy. He's become a leader in the group, even though just last year he was a beginner. Chemistry ideas just spill out of him, which excites me because that will be his currency as a research professor, a job that more and more seems to be made for him. He is currently reading chemistry books as bedtime reading, dreaming up research proposals which he'll send out this fall. He'll send out an application to whoever is hiring, maybe about 30 schools, and then we'll see what we're left with. Exciting times ahead for our chemist!

Furthermore, I posted this without consulting Chris, a during-Daisy's-nap-time-activity. (Chris, I hope this shows that I've been listening during those dinnertime conversations!) Please look under "comments" to find any corrections he may have!

February pictures - Greece and Birthday

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1 + 1 = 2!!!

Although this was Daisy's 2nd birthday, it seemed like a big First: first time blowing out the candles, first time building the anticipation - and sustaining the excitement - for the big day, first birthday party with friends. Thanks to all for your cards, gifts, and emails - they boosted the day out of the ordinary and into a celebration, full of reminders of love. We miss you!!!

Here is a "storyboard" of the birthday (Thurs, 2/25) and our breakfast party (Sat, 2/27).

Daisy achieved this graceful pose by trying to climb up onto the piano bench. I love the way it shows off the ruffles on her new dress from Mama and Dada! She likes it because we call it a "tutu dress."

Prepping the chocolate chip teddy bear pancakes. This yellow chair is her home in the kitchen.

Present time!

We had fun at Spielgruppe. More 1-year-olds have joined, and this upcoming month will be our last before graduating to "Maxigruppe," which will be at a different location and with a different teacher. We've been with Silke for about 9 months now, and it will be sad to say goodbye. We sang German birthday songs, they lit a birthday candle for Daisy, and they had brought gifts and balloons for her. Very sweet.

With relatively mild weather, we were able to go to the park after her nap.

Back home to play and make tacos for dinner. It was a "Daddy-Daisy" night since Mama had German class.

Silliness. She's actually been doing this tongue thing quite a bit.

PARTYPARTYPARTY

A cake in the shape of a "2" that I ordered from a bakery in the city center. I think that I mentally rehearsed a cutting procedure about 7 times throughout the morning. The little animals who were driving cars on top were edible, much to the delight of the children. Daisy could hardly wait to dig in!

The adults at the party, eating breakfast. Trixi is in green (Konstantin's mom), Megan in yellow (wife of Neil from lab), and Heather and Dave, Bryanna's parents, are sitting across from them. We got to know them through an English church in Dusseldorf, and now I regularly see Heather and Bryanna during the week for "Mums Group."

One of the few shots of the kids together: the oldest is Lily, my piano student. Closest to her is her brother, Konstantin. Bryanna is leaning over the table, and Daisy is about to go sprint down the hallway. Lily was so delightfully playful and helpful with the toddlers that Chris suggested that we also have our kids 9 years apart.

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Daisy Charlotte!

Greek Food

Warning: Do not read if hungry.
This is by no means all of our dishes, just the ones we had enough sense to photograph.

Wild Citrus

Lamb in Tomatoes, Rice

Baklava

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Spanikopita Minis

Yogurt with Honey

Olives

Sea Bass

Tomato Keftedes

Greek Salad. No lettuce.

Tzatziki

Santorini

One of the largest volcanic explosions in recorded history, ~1600 B.C. , left behind this crescent-shaped island with water-filled caldera. You can see layers of lava and ash along its inner cliffs, and bringing agriculture to this volcanic soil produces world-renowned wine and tomatoes. Our hotel room was bored into the soft volcanic rock, cave-style. The picturesque towns spotted with massive blue domes perch atop (or in) these cliffs, making the island unique among the Greek islands. For you who enjoy trivia: there are over 2,000 islands that belong to Greece, 227 of which are actually inhabited. Of these, only 78 islands have more than 100 inhabitants. Santorini's tourist areas were deserted at this time of year, and we've never felt so far away from the rest of the world.

The Red Beach near Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan civilization. Black and white beaches are also scattered around the island. The weather was so changeable. While here, we sought shelter during a downpour and were rewarded by this wonderful glow of light afterward. Daisy loved throwing rocks into the water and we took a lot of pictures. Some of the best items in Athens' archaeological museum are remains from the ancient sites here.

For such a tiny island, the streets are frustratingly confusing. As we pursued a (wrong) path through warehouses and deserted lots, we stumbled upon a pretty view over a classic blue dome and white bell tower in front of the caldera. We eventually had to backtrack and find a new street to get us to where we wanted to go. But we had apparently found the iconic photo spot! A deck of cards we bought the next day featured the same shot on the back. Just another reminder about life - sometimes it is when plans go wrong that the best things happen! Also featured in this picture is my new olive broach that Chris helped me shop for while in Athens. I love what it adds to my coat!

A stormy night turns into morning:

On night after dinner, we tried walking home along the cliff path. After a while, it got so windy that we were actually frightened about getting knocked down into the sea, or that some nailed-down shutters would fly off and hit us. Giggling nervously, we turned around and took a different route. As the rain started to come down, we happily took out our umbrellas we remembered to pack. Instantaneously - "Pwump" - inside-out umbrellas, soaked clothes, a shivering 2-year-old, and squishy shoes. At first, we tried to avoid the big puddles, but as the sloping streets became rivers, we gave up. We finally made it home, gave thanks for the impulse that made us pack 2nd pairs of pants, and stayed dry for the rest of the night. What happened next will remain a mystery for the rest of our lives.

A woman called, saying that she was from our hotel's front desk and that she needed to inform us that a typhoon was headed towards the island, and that nothing could arrive at or leave from the island until Thursday - 2 days after we were scheduled to leave by ferry! We bemoaned our decision to come to an island in the winter, made a list of the cancellations we would need to do online the next day, and slept fitfully that night. However, the next morning (seeing the rainbows and blue sky), we went to the office and inquired about the weather. The man working there brushed off our question, which made us bring up our previous night's messenger. He tilted his head and explained that no woman was even on staff at the hotel! We either had someone trying to make a profit off of us (if more tourists aren't coming, just try to keep the ones who ARE here stay longer!) or else just enjoyed causing trouble. Can you believe it?

The "John Constable turns cubist" scenery in the village of Oia. We took a city bus, packed with rowdy middle school students, through windy cliff-side roads. School must have just gotten out. Imagine growing up here! It made me think of my uncle, aunt, and cousins living on Kauai. Chris spotted some kids opening up a science book and noticed a periodic table. He was itching to know how they represented the elements in Greek textbooks...but never got a conversation going. Daisy stayed occupied on the bus by opening up our passports and looking at the photographs. And then throwing the passports on the floor of the bus. At least it wasn't out the window...

We said farewell to the beauty and quiet solitude and rode a ferry for 7 hours all the way back to Athens, weaving between islands the whole route. It was comfortable with the buffet restaurant, empty outdoor deck for playing, and bedroom we had rented for nap time. I had planned ahead and brought some motion-sickness-combating chewing gum with me, which did the job.

This yellow circle that you see Daisy walking on was a huge hit. We sang "Kinderzug" (Kids Train) and the Hokey Pokey around it many, many times.

Later on, back in Athens, we learned that the airports in the whole country were shut down for a strike on the day we were supposed to fly home. Because of our serious reaction to the prank call on Santorini, it already felt like we had been delayed, and we despaired of ever being able to leave the country! I also felt like I had "wised up" to this sort of "tourist trap" and did my own internet research. Alas, this one was for real. (Admittedly, I felt like a paranoiac for not believing our nice hotel clerk.) An extra day in Athens! It could have been worse *wink*.

Eye of Greece

Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts / And eloquence.
- John Milton

The Ancient Agora: Marketplace and center for Athenian government since the 6th century BC. Socrates dialogued here. The apostle Paul did, too. I loved how green everything was - our reward for coming in the winter! There was tons of fresh citrus on trees all throughout the city, and wildflowers everywhere.

We had the playground - I mean, the ancient ruins - to ourselves.

We are posing with a view of the Areopagus (aka Mars Hill), the rock that you can see tiny people on. It used to have big buildings on it. Paul delivered his "To an Unknown God" sermon here (Acts 17), and there's now a large plaque commemorating the speech.

The Acropolis: There is evidence of habitation here since the early neolithic era (6,000 BC). Most of the buildings remaining were constructed under Pericles' reign during Athens' "Golden Age," 460-430 BC. The Erechtheion, Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaia still adorn the top of the rock of the acropolis.

The famous "Porch of the Caryatids" at the Erechtheion, a temple worshipping both Athena and Poseidon. This location was, according to myth, "the site on which Athena and Poseidon held a contest, judged by their fellow Olympian gods, to determine who would possess Athens At the touch of Athena's spear, the first ever olive tree sprang from the ground, while Poseidon summoned forth a fountain of sea water Athena won, and became patron of the city." I have actually always loved Greek/Roman mythology, and I'm inspired to read up on it again. (As an aside, one of these Caryatid-women was taken by Lord Elgin and is one of the controversial "Elgin Marbles" in the British Museum.)

A Daddy column with an Ionic Daisy capital:

The Parthenon: famous and architecturally interesting, as I'll try to show by quoting my guidebook: "To achieve the Parthenon's extraordinary and unequaled harmony of design, its architect, Iktinos, used every trick known to the Doric order of architecture. The building's proportions maintain a universal 9:4 ratio, not only in the calculations of length to width, or width to height, but in such relationships as the distances between the columns and their diameter; many other proportions apparently follow the so-called "Golden Ratio" of 1:1.618. Additionally, any possible appearance of disproportion is corrected - all seemingly straight lines are in fact slightly curved, an optical illusion known as "entasis" (intensification). For example, the columns (their profile bowed slightly to avoid seeming concave) are slanted inwards by 6cm..."

The Theatre of Dionysus: This was likely the most exciting place for me to visit. When it was rebuilt in the 4th century BC, it could hold 17,000 spectators. One third of its original 64 tiers of seats survive. Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Sophocles, and Euripides all premiered their masterpieces here, on the hillside of the acropolis. The important people (magistrates, priests) had designated seats with names engraved. There was an especially prominent throne for the representative of the Delphic oracle, who would come for the festivals. I also learned that the citizens (men) of Athens would take turns being members of the chorus. An interesting part of one's civic duty!

The National Archaeological Museum: They transported this entire (beautiful springtime blossomed-frescoed) room-with-shelf from Akrotiri on Santorini Island (where we had just been) to the national museum in Athens. Some propose that Akrotiri was the legendary lost city of Atlantis, devastated by the enormous volcanic explosion in around 1600 BC. Layered in ash for centuries, this is exceptionally preserved (akin to Pompeii/Vesuvius) and I thought it was beautiful.

We also had time to visit the museum of ancient Greek folk instruments, an attractive display in a converted mansion. They had headphones with great listenings and we had the place to ourselves.

I bound over generations as I trace my heritage and land in Athens. It seems like most aspects of my life can be traced to the ancient Greeks - with their political, architectural, artistic, philosophical, and scientific mode of life. This trip was like visiting a newborn Western world who was marveling at its hands, cooing in its bassinet.

Sollen wir das Klavier spielen? - Ja, gerne

A hypothetical situation imagined over a year ago has come to fruition: I am friends with a neighboring family, bring Daisy over to play with 2-year-old Konstantin, and get to teach 10-year-old Lily piano. They are even paying me.

The only thing different from my original plan is that...are you ready for this? Our lessons are in German.

Ha. We just finished our second lesson this week, and I am scrambling to memorize the different terminology, much less simple commands like, "Let's start again at the beginning."

Here is a recent mortifying experience: I taught Lily what sharps and flats were. In the book, a sharp is labeled as "das Kreuz" and a flat is "das B" (***which is maybe why the note "B" is actually "H" in German?). Not knowing what else to do, I started calling notes "A Kreuz, D Kreuz, H B" you get the picture. I was shocked when I found out the real naming system. In Germany, a "C" is "C," "ces" is Cb, and "cis" is C#. Wow, I need to remedy that next week. I actually think that the German naming system makes more sense and is less confusing. You know, when you're singing note names it's often hard to balance two syllables on a single note. How many times have I tried to sing "Bb" as a whole note? (A thousand.)

As a background for how I came to know this family - I met Trixi at a tram stop here in the city as we conversed about our similar baby carriers. She is an English teacher at a local college, but is from here. (Actually, her first husband was Irish, so her English is actually Irish. It's funny to listen to her.) She is the one who told me about the Spielgruppe that we go to, helped me with German questions, invited me to special events at her church, and we've arranged meetings periodically throughout the year. She lives with her husband, 18-year-old Zabby, Lily, and Konstantin just up the hill from us. She and Zabby speak English, but not Lily or Konstantin. Lily needed a music teacher after hers ended maternity leave, so voila. I was employed, with the full limits of my language abilities exposed, and something very fun to look forward to on Monday afternoons. Daisy loves playing with K - they run down the hallway holding hands, love giving hugs and kisses, and D always asks for me to draw "autos" after they go home.