| December 14, 2002 Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all my friends and family, This has been a year full of decisions and changes for me. My postdoctoral position at the USGS in Denver ended in October, so I spent much of the year searching for a new job and home. I had interviews with Merck Pharmaceuticals in Rahway, NJ, the Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, MS, and the Environmental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park, NC. Since I have wanted to move to the RTP area for some time, the job is exactly what I want to do, and it is permanent (instead of another postdoc), I decided on the last employment option, found a house, and moved to North Carolina. Ok, so it wasn't quite that simple since I had another person in my life to consider (and a dog too). Matt and Maggie (the Welsh Corgi) trekked for three days across the country from Denver to the east coast leaving family and friends behind. We are buying a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2 story house with a fenced in back yard together in the lovely town of Durham. Come visit! We've got plenty of room! Matt and I are engaged, and are planning to set a wedding date after things settle down from the move and new jobs. Matt works at Sir Walter Chevrolet in Raleigh as a GM certified mechanic. Maggie works very hard all day chasing the laser pointer, the flashlight, balls, shedding fur, and barking at everything she hears. I am working in the Methods Development and Application Branch (MDAB) in the Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (HEASD) at the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) in the Office of Research and Development (ORD). One of my biggest tasks to date is trying to remember all of the acronyms! My official job is to develop analytical methods for pesticides. We are still awaiting a budget, but I have made some progress. My prior experiences and education should be very helpful in completing my tasks. I've had some interesting car experiences this year too. Late in July I got rear ended and was pushed into the car in front of me. The collision center had my car for 49 days. I had some water leakage issues even after I moved to NC, but I think that damage is all taken care of. During the move, my recently painted front bumper got scratched up by a ladder. I got that repaired while I was in Salt Lake City for a conference. Then on Thanksgiving, a back window in my car was broken out and the radio was stolen. I just got it back yesterday, and I'm hoping that was three strikes and I won't have more problems. At least it didn't get smashed by a tree in our recent ice storm! Matt and I have had many fun experience this year as well. We have been to see No Doubt, Garbage, 3rd Eye Blind, Goo Goo Dolls, Aerosmith, and Kid Rock in concert. We did some skiing/snowboarding last winter, hiking in both CO and NC, spent a weekend in Estes Park, vacationed at the Lake of the Ozarks for the 4th of July, and cheered the Broncos to victory at the new Mile High stadium. Many of these events have been extensively documented by photography. If you've got a few hours, go check them out! The rest of my family is doing well. Grandma Ulrich had a stroke around Easter, but is residing in an assisted living center and doing great. Mom, Grandma Bolton and Luke were here for Thanksgiving. We ate a lot of yummy food, relaxed, and made Christmas ornaments that I remember from my younger days. Luke (age 23) graduated from Illinois State in May, and has also joined the workforce at a YMCA camp near Lafayette, IN. Shaun (age 26) is still in the army, but when he is stateside, he's only about 1.5 hours from me. My garage is currently hosting his car and motorcycle while he is deployed... AGAIN! Both of my brothers have girlfriends, and I can't figure out how they put up with 'em. My dad and Mary Catherine recently moved to the Upper Penisula of Michigan. I don't get it... they're moving further north, while I'm moving south to get out of the cold! I hope that you have many joyous experiences this holiday season and throughout the new year. May God bless you and your families with happiness and peace. Please keep in touch. Elin Elin Ulrich & Matt Cook 406 Burrell Rd. Durham, NC 27703 ulrichem@alumni.indiana.edu |