Lincoln Park

Hace un par de semanas tuvimos un dia de fiesta, ya que se celebraba "Labor day" aqui en los Estados Unidos, asi que ese dia lo teniamos libre! Oh Dios mio! tres dias libres, un fin de semana entero sin trabajar! que ibamos a hacer? habia que planear algo, jeje!! aunque relajado, eso si! Asi que planeamos una visita a Lincoln Park en Chicago, un parque donde hay un zoo y un jardin botanico, todo ello gratis :). Ese dia fuimos a comer a una casa de pancakes aqui en Evanston (lo reservo para el texto de comida/restaurantes) y una vez con fuerzas, jeje! cogimos el tren en direccion Lincoln Park.
Labor day was celebrated two weeks ago here in the US, so we had a free Monday! OMG! three free days! one whole weekend without working! what were we going to do? we needed to plan something to do, hehe!! but still, something relaxing. Finally, we decided to go to Lincoln Park in Chicago, a public park with a botanic garden and a zoo, everything free :). That day we went for lunch to a pancake house (I'll write about it in a post dedicated to food/restaurants) here in Evanston and once we ate, we took the train to Lincoln Park.


Primero visitamos el jardin botanico, mucho mas grande de lo que yo esperaba y con una variedad increible de flores y plantas exoticas. Thomas hizo unas fotos geniales con su camara, asi que por favor, no olvideis visitar su blog: tmhermans.blogspot.com.
Aqui podeis ver algunas de las fotos que yo hice con mi camara digital, es una pena que no se pueda captar toda la belleza de las flores, eran preciosas.
We first visited the botanic garden which was a lot bigger than what I expected and with an incredible variety of exotic flowers and plants. Thomas took many great pictures with his camera, so please don't forget to visit his blog: tmhermans.blogspot.com.
Here you can see some of the pictures I took with my digital camera. It's a pity I couldn't catch all the beauty of the flowers, they were really awesome.


Despues de ver las flores fuimos al zoo y la verdad es que me sorprendio ver todos esos animales en un parque publico. Aqui podeis ver algunos de los preciosos animales que hay alli, aunque para ser sincera, siempre me da mucha pena ver a los animales en cautividad... Despues de esta visita a Lincoln Park volvimos a casa contentos y relajados, preparados para empezar otra dura semana :)
After looking at the beautiful flowers and plants we went to the zoo that was next to the botanic garden and to be honest, I was very surprised to find all those animals in a public park. Here I show you some of the species that can be found there, even though it is always sad to see animals in a closed space and not in their natural habitat. After this visit we went back home happy and relaxed, ready to start another hard week :)

Jazz Festival

Hace dos fines de semana se celebro el 32 festival de jazz de Chicago y por supuesto, teniendo a Thomas como apasionado de la musica, teniamos que hacer una visita obligatoria :) Cogimos el tren por la manana deseosos de llegar a Grant Park y disfrutar de la musica, llegamos a la ciudad y caminamos hasta el parque, donde empezamos a explorar todos los escenarios y bandas que estaban tocando. Al principio pensamos que la primera banda que vimos no era nuestro tipo de musica y no nos gusto mucho, por lo que seguimos buscando otras bandas, sin tener mucho exito...algunas bandas eran buenas, el problema era el sonido, los tecnicos podrian haber optimizado el sonido mucho mas, pero bueno, vimos varios conciertos que no estuvieron nada mal :)
The 32nd Chicago's Jazz festival was celebrated two weekends ago and since Thomas is a real fan of jazz music we headed to the city to attend the festival :)
We took the train in the morning looking forward to arrive in Grant Park and enjoy the music. We finally arrived in the city and walked to the park, where we started exploring the area with all the different band and stages. We thought that we were just a bit unlucky because we didn't like much the first band we listened to, so we kept on looking for other better ones without success...some of the bands were nice, the problem was the sound. The technicians could have done a better job, but still we could listen to some nice bands :)




Seguimos explorando la zona buscando algo de comer, pero solo encontramos comida rapida, entre los tenderetes, uno de churros :)) habia que probarlos, claro!
We kept on exploring the place looking for something to eat, but we only found some fast food. Among the tents we found a "churros" tent, so we had to try them!

American bbq. Barbacoa americana

Churros tent. Puesto de churros

Thomas with our churros. Thomas con nuestros churros

Con el estomago lleno, seguimos explorando la zona, esperando a los conciertos que habia por la noche en un escenario gigante. Mientras tanto, pasamos el rato viendo algunos conciertos que iban desde el jazz mas alternativo a lo mas comercial del mundo y yo, para ser sincera, me aburri bastante :)
We filled our stomachs and wait for the concerts late at night which were supposed to be nicer and in a huge stage. While waiting, we listened to some of the bands playing finding really alternative jazz and the other extreme, very commercial music. To be honest, I was very bored :)

Big stage. Escenario grande para los conciertos de la noche

Estabamos todo esperanzados pensando que un concierto en un escenario como ese no podia ser decepcionante. Nos reunimos con nuestros amigos Patricia e Igor y nos dirigimos al gran concierto, pero de nuevo...un rollo, jeje! para nuestro gusto, claro. Hay que remarcar que el lugar estaba abarrotado y que habia musica para todos los gustos, eso si, no del nuestro. Pero como la noche es joven, nosotros no tiramos la toalla y decidimos ir a un club de jazz donde se podia cenar y ver conciertos. Ademas, esa noche habia "jam session". Nos dirigimos a "Andy's Jazz Chicago", donde disfrutamos de una buena cena y un concierto mucho mejor que lo que habiamos visto hasta el momento.
We thought the concerts at night would be better, so we met our friends Patricia and Igor and all together went to the big concert. Once again...it was boring! for our taste, of course. I have to say that the place was crowded and there was music for all kind of people.
At that point we really wanted to listen to nice jazz music, so we didn't give up and decided to go to a nice jazz club where you can eat and listen to live music :). Moreover, that night there was a jam session. After walking for 30 minutes we arrived in "Chicago Andy's Jazz", where we enjoyed dinner and a very cool concert, a lot better than what we had seen before.

Lo mejor de la noche llego cuando empezo la jam session y tres "abueletes" con todo el carino y respeto de la palabra, se subieron al escenario. Fue increible, tocaban genial y ademas, varios saxofonistas y trompetistas se unieron, entre ellos un chaval muy joven que tocaba el saxofon que se ponian los pelos como escarpias :). La verdad es que la experiencia merecio la pena y el dia acabo genial, dejandonos un buen sabor de boca. Repetiremos!!
The best part of the night was the jam session. Three "granpas" (with all my love and respect for them) went on the stage and it was really incredible once they started playing, they sounded amazing! some sax and trumpet players joined the session and one of them was a very young guy who played like a real professional, we were really gobsmacked! To be honest it was really worth it and a great day was had by all. We will repeat!!

"The granpas" band. La banda de "los abuelos" que tocaban genial!!

Comida espanola!! Spanish food!! lekker!

La semana pasada tuve unas ganas enormes de todo tipo de comida espanola, especialmente arroz con pollo (mi comida casera favorita) y tortilla de patatas, que rica!! En casa solemos hacerla de vez en cuando, pero aun no habiamos preparado ninguna desde que llegamos a USA y ya era hora ;) Asi que la semana pasada, intentando conseguir el mejor de los sabores prepare arroz con pollo, sin llegar a conseguir el sabor que le da mi madre, eso es imposible...y al dia siguiente tortilla. La hicimos super grande porque queria que mis companeros la probasen, asi que me la lleve al dia siguiente y todos aquellos que quisieron y vinieron a comer, pudieron probarla. Creo que les gusto bastante :), si estais leyendo esto manifestaos, jaja!!
La tortilla era bastante grande y no teniamos un plato tan grande para darle la vuelta, pero al final tuvimos exito y nos quedo...preciosa!! y deliciosa!!
Por si alguien aun no sabe la receta, os voy a escribir aqui el procedimiento y los ingredientes. Merece la pena probarla!!

Last week I really felt like eating and preparing Spanish food, especially chicken with rice (my favourite home made meal) and tortilla de patatas, so delicious!! We use to prepare tortilla from time to time, but we hadn't prepared it since we arrived in USA so it was about time to do it :), so last week and trying to get the genuine flavour I prepared chicken with rice and of course, I didn't get my mother's incredible flavour and the next day we prepared tortilla. We made a pretty big one because I wanted to take it next day for my colleagues to taste it, so everyone who joined for lunch could eat a piece. I think they really liked it, so if any of you is reading this just tell the rest of the world :)
The tortilla was quite big and we didn't have a plate big enough to turn it, but we succeeded and it was beautiful!! and delicious!!
Just in case someone still doesn't know how to prepare it and wants to try, I'll write here the ingredients and how to make it. Enjoy it!!



-Patatas Potatoes
-Huevos Eggs
-Cebolla (opcional)
-Onion (optional
-Aceite de oliva (olive oil)

Se cortan las patatas en trocitos pequenos y tambien la cebolla. Se anade una buena cantidad de aceite de oliva en la sarten y se sofrie la cebolla. Se anaden las patatas y se doran, no deben estar completamente fritas.
The first thing is cut the potatoes in small pieces and chop the onions. Put a generous amount of olive oil in the pan and first fry a little bit the onions and then add the potatoes. Leave them in the pan until they are golden, not completely fried.


Se baten los huevos. Hay que poner una numero de huevos suficiente para que la tortilla no se quede seca. En este mismo bowl donde se han batido los huevos, se anaden las patatas y se mezclan con el huevo.
Wisk the eggs. The amount of eggs should be big enough to avoid the tortilla to be dry. In the same bowl where the eggs were wisked, the potatos can be added and mixed with the egg.


Todo junto se pone ahora en la sarten y se deja que se cuaje para poder darle la vuelta sin peligro. Como se le da la vuelta? Se pone un plato encima de la sarten, lo suficientemente grande para abarcar toda la superficie de la sarten: se agarra el plato y la sarten y se le da la vuelta a la tortilla. Con cuidado se pone de nuevo la tortilla en la sarten, esta vez por la otra cara y se deja que se cuaje por completo. Lista!
Now we can put everything altogether in the pan and leave it until it becomes a bit consisten so it is possible to turn it without danger :) How can we turn the tortilla? We need a plate that covers the surface of the pan, we put it on top of the pan and then grab the plate with one hand, the pan with the other and turn the tortilla. Now it should be on the plate and from here, back to the pan. After a couple of minutes it should be cooked and ready!!



Espero que os haya gustado y que la probeis!!
I hope you try it and you like it!!

Lab romance

Un video divertido para empezar manana a trabajar, especialmente para todos aquellos que trabajan en un laboratorio :). Que tengais buena semana!!!

Today I have a funny movie to show you, especially for those ones who work in a lab. I hope you have a great week!! :)

The doggie bag, analogy with the Spanish weddings. "La bolsa del perrito" y la analogia con la bolsa de las bodas :)

Despues de un dia estresante y cansado, hemos llegado a casa sin muchas ganas de cocina, con lo que solo cruzando la carretera hemos ido a "Dave's Italian kitchen", un restaurante donde por un precio muy economico puedes comerte un gigante plato de pasta. Esta vez no tengo fotos...lo bueno de todo esto es que te puedes llevar a casa todo lo que te sobra, asi que despues de hartarnos a comer, nos hemos llevado nuestros dos tuppers con la pasta sobrante, lista para comer manana! Esta idea me parece genial, no hay ninguna necesidad de tirar la comida y ademas, si te gusta lo que has pedido, lo puedes comer dos veces :) Espero que esta costumbre se extienda poco a poco en otros paises, aunque las porciones quiza no sean tan grandes como para llevarte lo que queda ;).
Toda esta historia me ha hecho recordar las tipicas "bolsas de las bodas", lo que es considerado paleto y de pueblo en Espana. Lo cierto es que yo prefiero las bodas en las que las cantidades de comida no son desorbitadas, pero ante una boda de las de entrante, primero, segundo, sorbete, carne, pescado, postre y repostre, donde es imposible comerse todo...que mejor que llevarse la bolsa?? La sabiduria de la gente de pueblo es infinita y lo que alli es considerado "paleto", aqui es de lo mas normal, solo que aqui lo hace todo el mundo y en Espana son las senoras de pueblo, las mas listas sin duda! Lo que mas me gusta de todo es que no hay que tirar nada!! nada de desperdiciar!! eso es genial!
Today after a busy and stressful day we arrived home and we didn't feel like cooking at all, so we just crossed the street to to to "Dave's Italian kitchen". It is a very cheap place where you can eat a huge plate of pasta for a few bucks. This time I don't have pictures...the good thing of these places is that you can take home the rest of the food you can't eat, so after stuffing ourselves with pasta bolognesa and carbonara we took two boxes with the rest of the pasta, ready for tomorrow lunch! This idea is really great because there is no need of throwing anything away! and also, if you like what you have ordered you can eat it twice :) I hope this concept can be extended in other countries, even though the portions in other countries are not so big.
This story reminds me of some Spanish weddings, especially the ones of people from small villages. The weddings in Spain are normally huge, lots of guests and also long and big dinners, 5 courses dinners or more. Some people take a plastic bag in their handbags and take things they can't eat anymore (stuff you can put inside a handbag, of course). This is not considered very "refined", but actually these people are right, why are they going to throw away all that food when you can take it home? What in Spain is considered "things that village people do" here is the most common thing. The most important thing is not throwing all the food away and waste it!!

Tour de nuestro apartamento. Tour of our apartment

Hoy me gustaria ensenaros a todos nuestro apartamento en Evanston. Creo que la mayoria de vosotros ha visto algunas fotos, pero ahora tenemos los muebles y parece una casa :)
Aun no tenemos nada de decoracion, las paredes estan vacias y no hay nada en las mesas o en el dormitorio, por lo que ire pensando en un par de cosas pequenas que alegren la casa y tambien pondre fotos de la familia y amigos.
En este video os enseno el apartamento en si, aunque tambien tenemos otras zonas comunes como la piscina, el gimnasio, la sala de reuniones, tintoreria y arreglo de ropa, garage para bicis, etc. El edificio ademas tiene la sala de lavadoras y secadoras, una habitacion de invitados, ascensores especiales para hacer mudanzas y un portero las 24 horas del dia, bueno en realidad 3 porteros, jeje!
Espero que os guste la casa y sobre todo que sepais que estais invitados a venir y disfrutar de Evanston y de Chicago!!! uooohhh!!!
Today I'd like to show you our new apartment in Evanston. I think most of you have already seen some pictures, but now we have all the furniture and it looks like a real house :)
We still don't have any decorative items around, the walls are empty, the tables, etc, so I have to think of a couple of small things to give some light to the house. I also would like to have pictures of my family and friends around the house.
In this movie I show you the apartment, but we also have some other common places like the swimming pool, the gym, the meetings room, the laundy room, valet, guest room, special elevators for movings, a 24 hours door person (actually 3, hehe!)...
I hope you like our house and I want you to know that you all are invited to come and enjoy Evanston and Chicago with us!!! uoooohhh!!!


Aqui teneis el link del video y algunas fotos. Here you have the link to watch the movie and some pictures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA1u2BZ4QDw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Entrada al edificio. Entrance to the building

Mesa del portero. Door person's desk

Pasillo hacia los ascensores. Going to the elevators

Sala de lavadoras y secadoras. Laundry room

Gimnasio. Gym

Gimasio. Gym

Piscina. Swimming pool

Vistas desde la piscina, al fondo Chicago. View from the swimming pool, Chicago in the distance.

Prof. Stupp and Lady Gaga

Prof. Stupp

Lady Gaga

Que tienen en comun? What do they have in common?

Hola a todos! No os asusteis por el titulo de este texto, de momento mi jefe Prof. Stupp no va a hacer un duo con Lady Gaga. Desafortunadamente, ella no es tan buena investigando :) Pero si que tienen algo en comun y es que ambos estan en la lista de las 100 personas mas creativas en los negocios del agno 2010. El puesto numero uno ha recaido en la excentrica cantante y Prof. Stupp esta en el numero 32, no esta nada mal!!
Durante nuestra reunion de grupo, habia una escritora del "New York times" entre nosotros. Ella es la encargada de escribir sobre las actividades en el grupo, etc y dar una vision de la originalidad de los proyectos y del motivo por el cual se considera a Samuel Stupp una de las personas mas creativas. Me encanta llevarme sorpresas durante estas reuniones!!
Os dejo los links para que veais la lista de las 100 personas mas creativas de este agno y el link del numero 32, es decir, Prof. Stupp. Espero que tengais tiempo para verlo :) Hi!! Don't be scared about the title! It is not that Lady Gaga and Stupp are going to make a duo. Unfortunately, she is not so good at research :) but they both have something in common: they are among the 100 most creative people in business in 2010. Number one is for the excentric singer and number 32 for Prof. Stupp, that's not bad!! During our group meeting in Chicago campus, there was a writer working for NY times and she is the responsible of writing about Prof. Stupp, so she came to the meeting to have an idea about the originality of the projects, how he works and to have a clear idea about the reason why he is considered one of the most creative persons in US. I like how I'm surprised every time we have a group meeting!! Here you have the links to the list of the 100 most creative people in 2010 and the link for the 32nd position, Prof. Stupp. I hope you have time to look at it :)

http://www.fastcompany.com/100/2010/32/samuel-stupp http://www.fastcompany.com/100/2010