2-week visit in Australia

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originally uploaded by _bernd_.

A week of relaxing, cooking, eating, drinking, writing, presenting, shopping, bike-riding, swimming, sunbathing and then getting rained on in Melbourne. Then a week of meeting, presenting, networking, more eating and getting rained on even more in Sydney.

Cambodia, Thailand & Vietnam

bamboo bridge,
originally uploaded by _bernd_.

My first trip to Asia was incredible: lovely people, great food, amazing nature and scenery, and some pretty crazy traffic. When I first arrived in Ho Chi Minh City I wasn't sure how to cross the street without running into a motor bike, but I've learnt to just walk slowly and at a steady pace and the bikes just drive around you.

My personal highlights were Angkor Wat at sunrise, a relaxed bike ride on an island in the Mekong river, and a swim at the bottom of a waterfall. I also learned more about the war in Vietnam and the the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Many a time I was reminded how lucky I have been to grow up in Austria.

It was certainly a memorable trip. I've started to share photos on Flickr and will add more over the next week.

short trip to San Francisco

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originally uploaded by _bernd_.

Another conference, another trip to the US. This time the conference was in the Silicon Valley, organised by the research branch of a large web search company.
I had a few days off prior to the conference, which I used to visit the main sights in San Francisco, catch up with a friend, and for a short trip to the Yosemite National Park. This is a really wonderful part of the world and I hope to come back to enjoy it for a bit longer at some stage.

Austin, Texas

waiting for a café latte,
originally uploaded by _bernd_.

A conference trip to Austin, Texas gave me a chance to escape the winter in Melbourne and to catch up with friends from Europe.
I can't help but feel strangely fascinated by the confidence and pride that Texas displays. After only a week I got to like the omnipresent lone star flag, but also fashion items like cowboy boots and hats.

Christmas in Austria

Family,
originally uploaded by _bernd_.

Lisa and I spent a few wonderful weeks over Christmas in Austria. We spent some time at home near Feldbach, and we also travelled to Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, and Linz to catch up with friends and family. Needless to say that we never had enough time, but I treasure these moments as I go through my photos and reminisce.

Netball grand final

I didn't make it to finals with my volleyball team this year, but for the last few weeks I've tried to help out with Lisa's netball team. Until a few years ago I didn't even know netball existed, and until a few months ago I had no idea how to play it, but I'm slowly getting into it. We've got a great team and it's quite a pleasant game (not as much fun as volleyball though ;)
We made it into the grand final and we fought hard. We played not just 1, not just 2, but 3 overtimes. Unfortunately we lost. At least we received little trophy, and it gives us room to improve for the next season.

Graduation

graduation 2,
originally uploaded by _bernd_.

It was a very special day thanks to my family, friends, and colleagues, who joined the ceremony and (Austrian) dinner afterwards. Thank you for all the messages from back home in Europe, and a big THANKS to Lisa, who organised everything in between moving to a new place and playing tour guide.

In case you are wondering what my thesis is all about (or if you want to look at photos of bodybuilders, or just to check whether I did not forget you in my acknowledgements)—you can download the whole thing on http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/9798