So, apparently we're just not born bloggers since our last post was in February! But we've amassed some pictures and some video since then so I figured it worth posting. Life is quite happy here. We've recently moved to Somerville and love our new hood. It's lively and diverse and easy to get around. We've all been happily riding public transportation to and from school/work (something we only barely and unhappily could do from our last place). My cork research is going slowly, but I'm enjoying it a lot-- mostly because I get to play with weird substances all day long. Eric has been taking advantage of his privileges as a NESOP employee by using their computers and printers and taking one class. He's of course itching (no pun intended, Eric) to go fishing, and will be heading back down Martha's Vineyard this weekend. Mica and I will be going north to Vermont to visit Grandpa Peter.

The pictures below go in reverse chronological order: starting with a recent hiking trip and trip to the zoo, then on to Mica's and my trip to Colorado. Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!

Colorado, June 2009

New Fun Video!

Movie for Bob from Sarah Reed on Vimeo.

New Year

So, after some gentle pushing, it is time to update the blog. Its a new year and so far its been a bit of a mixed bag. The holidays were a great time and thanks to all who came to Mica's b-day party and sent presents. We've all headed back to school, although I've mostly been doing research this month since my spring classes don't start until next tuesday. I've finally chosen a research project: An Investigation into the Feasibility of Using Cork Composite in Wind Turbine Blades. Yes, it's a bit random, but I think it will be interesting. My professor has funding from the Govn't of Portugal, where apparently 53% of the worlds cork is grown.
The financial crisis you all have been hearing about, and many have started to personally feel, has hit home here, so some changes are in the works. We'll let you know when they're finalized. Otherwise Mica is awesome and working hard on her sentences. We attempted some potty training over break but didn't get too far. Try again later.
The photos are compliments of Michelle Reed, thanks! They were taken during a wonderful weekend away in Sunday River Maine.

Love to all.

Vacation!

So the presentation went as expected... the stove didn't actually "work", in that it didn't heat or sense, but it looked great so the presentation went well, considering. The audience was very forgiving and seemed to understand the complexity of the problem and therefore rated us high (we came in third out of seven). You can watch a video of the presentation at: http://web.mit.edu/2.009/www/index.html (click on "infinite range"). You can also check out the other teams' projects there.
I'm officially on vacation now and loving it. Eric has is final critiques this week. Then on thurs. we head to LA for my brother, Sandy's wedding. It's promising to be a swanky, fun time! I even bought new makeup!
Merry Christmas to all....

Sarah

Looking forward to tomorrow

So tomorrow is the final presentation for the undergraduate product design class I'm in. This class has been absolutely mad. The team I'm in seems to have aimed for the stars and barely reached the treetops. We are making (with emphasis on STILL MAKING 24 hrs before the presentation) an electric stovetop the can sense and heat a pot anywhere on the surface. As of right now we have some mild heat. No sensing, no water boiling. We have been working basically round the clock for the past month. Apparently we should have been working round the clock for the past three months. The worst part has been that only two out of the sixteen of us have much experience with electronics. I am not one of them. I imagine that I have learned a lot from this class but it might take a semester, or lifetime, to get a sense of what that was. I really think the expectations for this class are ridiculously high for the time we're expected to accomplish them. But that's just me. I'll post photos of the final product (it does actually LOOK really cool, even if it doesn't work) after tomorrow.

new video!

So, as Eric said in his post life here is hectic. Graduate school at MIT with a baby at home is exactly as stressful as everyone said it would be. The shear vastness of knowledge that people at this school have (and that I don't have) is humbling and has taken a bit of a toll on the ol' ego. BUT, I persevere. I'm in a undergrad senior level design class and these kids are crazy. All plan on going out and making at least $100 grand after graduation-- compared to the kids I graduated with who's main concern was which ski mountain they planned to take up residence in after graduation. The overall culture shock is a bit more than I expected. But, despite all that bad stuff I am learning A LOT, which is something I like to do. Mica, of course, is doing great. Singing, talking, running, peeing in the potty. All that good stuff. She loves her daycare and only sits on other kids occationally (or so we're told). Enjoy the film!


more mica from Sarah Reed on Vimeo.


Mica 1 from Sarah Reed on Vimeo.


p.s. I would LOVE some advice on how to get these videos to not be so blurry and pixelated if anyone can tell me!

Shots of importance.

Pictures and words for November 1st.

So I am writing and putting up pictures because we have neglected to do so since last month. Wild to think that we are already into November. I have already been in school for five weeks and I am loving it. I haven't taken that many pictures with the Digital camera this term because we are really working exclusively with film. Black & White and color film. I really like color printing but it looks and sounds as if it is on its way out. To be replaced with digital soon. I have been getting alot of great feed back from the professors and the other students. Great to be in a creative and supportive environment. But they really treat this school like a job. Very strict policies regarding being on time, deadlines, and equipment usage. Really not a problem for me but for the folks that had never had a job in the past. It has been tough for them. Enough about me. The ladies are great and continue to become more amazing every day. Mica just had here first Halloween that she could really walk around and trick or treat. Mommy and daddy have lots of candy now.