pogoism

Lake Tahoe

Apologies for taking ages to put up a new post, but it’s been a really hectic week and my chances to get to the internet have been somewhat limited.

Started off last Sunday morning, bright and early, to get the bus to Dublin. We drove through the country, marvelling at how ill-prepared the UK is for flooding, and got to the airport way ahead of time. Boarded a trusty Aer Lingus flight to Los Angeles and tried to settle into my new home for the next 10 hours. Unfortunately I didn’t get one of the planes with the in-seat screens, so I had to make do with craning my neck around my neighbour’s rather large broadsheet – not that the films were worth watching anyway. Managed to doze off once or twice, and forced down some yummy airplane food, but otherwise a very long and uneventful flight. I can’t imagine how people do transatlantic flights so often though, it’s not the nicest experience. Arrived in LA early, so had an even longer wait for my connecting flight to Reno, but spent the time trying to find the ever elusive terminal 8 (which they decided not to signpost for some reason), and wandering around trying to find something to eat that wasn’t going to give me a coronary.

And then, after 27 hours travelling, I arrived in Reno! I was greeted by a poilce office on a Sedgeway and met Emily and Fiona.

Up early on Monday to go to Lake Tahoe for the annual department picinc. The drive up there is spectacular. Reno itself is at 4500ft, but the drive to Tahoe takes you right over the mountains at 8000ft and down a bit to the lake. The scenery on the drive and the lake is some of the most dramatic I’ve seen.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent filling out the mountain of forms we’d been given, making sure that they all got to the correct offices, and getting orientated about the School and the campus. The campus is huge, with the School of Medicine being at the far north end. Also had to do all the dull stuff, like setting up bank accounts so I can actually get paid, getting social security…

Friday saw the start of work. I was assigned to a project studying interstitial cells of Cajal and type 2 diabetes, so it should be an enjoyable year! Also managed to get an apartment sorted out – free gym and pool for $850/month – bargain

So, a fantastic start to what looks like is going to be a great year in Reno. Keep checking back for more photos and posts :)