Graduation!

On June 20th, we had my hooding ceremony for my doctorate at Northwestern University. My parents came out for the celebration. And thanks to Robert for coming out and taking all the photos!

The regalia is quite hot for June!

The President of the Grad School did my hooding. He's awesome!

This is where I worked for two years at Northwestern with undergraduates: Willard Residential College

Showing off the blue velvet hood, which signifies that my doctoral degree is in the humanities.

I finally decided that I'd had enough of the regalia! I still can't believe that they charged me $70 to use it for an hour! Of course, to purchase it was nearly $700...... sheesh!

Dr. Gretchen!!

Yes, after more time than I care to count, I have finally passed the defense of my dissertation and been granted my doctorate from Northwestern University!!
All signs point to my joining the faculty as a Visiting Professor of French at Sonoma State University next year. It will be nice to escape the Chicago winters for some balmy weather-- not to mention enjoy living in the gorgeous Napa Valley.

(P.S. The photo is from a "Polka Party" down in the city. Notice the skirt made entirely of men's ties! :-)

Xmas in Kauai

I forgot to upload a few pics from the brief week in Kauai visiting the 'rents over Christmas! We took a family trip sailing around the Napali Coast (like we did back with Galena!); we saw lots of dolphins, but I was an idiot and didn't get my camera out in time. Actually, I just wanted to jump off the boat and play with them!

Alberta - Columbia Icefield

Robert made friends with a Mountie.

The Columbia Icefield (and one of the glaciers) from the lodge.

Walking on the glacier (Robert said I should pose!)

One of the dangerous crevasses on the glacier. There were lots of warnings posted about all the people who have died after falling in a crevasse. Yikes!

On our last night at the condo, we saw a herd of elk!

And a buck!

Driving with our fearless leader! Robert found Captain Jack in the parking lot.

Alberta - Kananaskis Park

We finally saw a moose!

Alberta - Banff Park

Robert and I took our new Volvo wagon up to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. We spent the first night at a state park outside Sandpoint, Idaho and then drove the next day to Canmore, Alberta. Robert has a timeshare there where we are staying.

Our first steps on Banff National Park.

Bow River Falls

We found a castle-like room inside the Fairmont Banff Hotel.

Castle Mountain

Alberta - Banff Park (Moraine Lake)

Moraine Lake is another glacier filled lake in the park. We got here later in the day, and so the water was reflecting the light, making it a vibrant blue.

That's me standing at the bottom of the rocks and logs. Robert took it from on top.

There is Robert on top of the rock hill taking pictures.

Alberta - Banff Park (Lake Louise)

Lake Louise is a glacier-fed lake. The colors are really vibrant aqua blue. Robert and I walked along the Lakeshore up to the mountains at the back. Throughout the day, the colors of the lake kept changing. Gorgeous!