Goodbye Europe (for now)

I'll be leaving Saarbruecken for the Frankfurt in a few hours. I'll be arriving in FRA about six hours before my flight, so I'll probably leave my bags at the Flughafen and walk around the city for a while.

I'm really going to miss Germany again, but I hope my return will be soon.

I just watched the Anthony Bourdain / No Reservations episode featuring the Philippines on Ms. Girlie Rodis's site so natakam ako bigla sa Pinoy food. Although I had a great week here, I'm suddenly beginning to miss Pinoy food (just because of that show!)

Iniisip ko na ano kakainin ko pagland sa NAIA. Hehe.

Greetings from Heidelberg (Part 3)

26.Februar 2009

We were back at the Center by 9am and we convened in the main lecture hall for a meeting with the current Ph.D. student council.

The graduate student set-up in the Center is really interesting and, come to think of it, rather Atenean in nature. They really ensure that all (new) students are well-integrated into the program and all the important activities in the Center and HD. In ADMU lingo, may "Cura Personalis" ang Center na ito. There were five top positions and different committees under the five main leaders: (1) the welcome team, (2) the pizza and talk team, (3) the Ph.D. research retreat team, (4) the website team, and most importantly, (5) the party team.

Julia, the president, along with the other leaders, gave seminars on their most recent research. Similar to the day-1 intro seminars, they shared the highlights of their stay in the Center as well. We would later learn that Julia wasn't accepted into the screening process similar to ours four years ago. She was shortlisted then, but didn't get an offer after the three days. Fortunately, she found another fellowship which eventually got her into the Center. Her motto has always been, "There are many ways into the Center." That really comforted all of us because with the treatment they gave us and our experiences in the Center thus far, we were all starting to get attached. We just knew we wanted to work here one day.

The talk ended at 1030 and after a short Kaffeepause, we were off to our interviews. My first interview was with a tumor immunology specialist that was doing cutting-edge work. His research, team, and laboratory really impressed me and I left the lab learning a lot about his group. I immediately rushed to the Center's satellite building (which was a 20 minute walk to the Technopark Im Neuenheimer Feld) for my second interview. For this one, I just met with the group since the project director was out of town. Again, these were researchers at the forefront of glycobiology and tumor immunology.

I finally had a break by 130 and started heading back to the main building for lunch. I was to eat at the Center's cafeteria called the "Casino" (since one can only use pre-brought "chips" to buy food). This was probably to limit the people eating there since University/Center food was always cheaper. In fact, during my last visit three years ago, we would always look for a University Mensa/Cafeteria since the most "sulit" meals were there. (Eg. a full plate of Pommes and a large Wurst was only 1 Euro.)

We were all given gold tickets to take ANYTHING during our interview breaks. Some of the candidates (mostly those from HD) really took advantage of this, but I wasn't that hungry and I didn't want to carry around food all afternoon. I ended up taking a juicebox and a plate of Pommes and Pfefferwurst. I got to rest for a while after to check my e-mail and the train schedule for my trip to Saarbruecken the next day.

By 3pm, I was back outside walking to another annex building. This time, the professor was extremely prepared and had a powerpoint presentation when I came. He then proceeded to take me to his lab where I got to talk to his team. The team did impressive interdisciplinary work on epigenetic pathways. I had to rush back to the main building by 345pm for my final interview. For this one, the project director kindly fetched me at the building lobby so I wouldn't get lost looking for his lab. You see, most of the labs in the main building were hard to find since the Center was being renovated. Looking at the finished part now, I'm sure the offices/labs would be fantastic once everything's done.

I was all done by 5pm. It was then time for the last hard part: narrowing down my group list to the top 3. We had until 6pm to come up with our list and submit our pink form to the front desk. Every now and then, we would see potential mentors come up and submit their counterpart blue forms: ranks of their student choice. Some candidates would be so frank that they'd run up to the professor and ask if they were no.1 on his/her list and if they had a chance. If the professor answered "no", they'd change their lists.

In the process, you see, it was all about matching. The final result of this dating game was to find the most compatible student-mentor couples. I didn't ask any of my mentors, though. I just didn't know how. I kept changing my mind until the last minute, so I hope I made the right decision.

When 6pm came, Lindsay, the program director came in with letters for those with additional interviews the next morning. These were the ones with inconsistent scores in the seminar and interview rounds. It was nothing bad, she said, but nobody wanted to be called back anymore. I was with my barkada then. Lindsay was scanning the room, looked at us, and went along past us. Thank God! None of my new friends were also called back which meant we could arrive late at the Center the next day.

A bus then arrived to take everyone to the Heidelberg Altstadt (Old City) for dinner. The meal (including two drinks) was sponsored by the student council and welcome team, who also came with us and served as guides.

I had a great time bonding with my newfound friends. Two Italians were added to our barkada then: Manuela and Fabrizio. We were all amazed at how much these two knew about world history! (I would later learn from Kookie, that it really is an Italian thing.) The conversation went from German customs, to the difference between all our countries, to politics, and even naming our future children "Doctor" and "Ph.D" to save them the trouble of getting the titles.

We were served pea soup (where Johannes had fun with what it was called), Salat with a yogurt dressing, and, for the main course, a large piece of Schnitzel (pork, chicken, or veggie) with Pommes. The traditional dinner wouldn't be complete without alcohol and so I had a pint of Kellerbier (hazy strong beer) and another pint of Radler (beer with sprite). The Kellerbier was the best beer I've tasted.

The bus was supposed to return to the guesthouse by 1030, but most (especially those with no interviews the following day) didn't want to go home yet. A bunch of us (my barkada included, of course) joined the Ph.D council to another bar near the Heiliggeist Kirche. We had another round of drinks there and enjoyed the R&B being played. I don't think I've ever drunk so much alcohol in one night. (Kinema peeps would know I avoid alcohol to prevent vertigo attacks. I guess I'll have to get used to them here, hehe.)

When we left at midnight, the Hauptstrasse was still alive. The Heidelberg Altstadt really is the best "gimmick place" this corner of Germany. The students really know how to drink and party! (That is, until they run out of money or have to go back to the lab.)

When I got back, my roomate Hans was still awake watching TV. We talked about our interview experiencs and career plans for a while before we felt sleepy. Got to sleep really well that night knowing there was nothing left to do but wait for the results.


Next: Last Heidelberg tour and the trip to Saarbruecken

Greetings from Heidelberg (Part 2)

25.Februar 2009 (a.k.a. the Big Day)

We arrived at the Center (I´ll call it the Center for now. I´ll introduce the institute in another post). at 9am and had until 1030 to register, upload our seminars into their computers, and arrange for our travel reimbursements. Got to meet more of the participants at this time. A guy approached me and upon seeing my name tag, asked if understood Spanish. I told him that I was from the Philippines and all I could understand were the words that overlapped with Filipino. We had a good laugh and he said he just assumed because of my familyname.

We entered the lecture theater (which looked amazing) for the intro to the Center and some talks. The top officials of the administration and Ph.D. student council were al there. We were given an overview of the Center which was followed by the first seminar. The Professor taled about Cancer Epigenomics, but every now and then, there would be some ´reflection slides´on why he came back to Germany to work at the Center (he was based in the USA for 15 years). To those familiar with the Ateneo Recruitment Receptions, it had that same feeling. Instead of enticing incoming undergrads, though, he was emphasizing how great it was to stay here for research. Unlike the invited students in ADMU, though, we weren´t guaranteed slots yet. (So keep on praying!!!)

Then came another interesting talk on HPV vaccines by a Professor who was a close collaborator of a Nobel Laureate of 2008. That was a very interesting seminar as well.

We had a buffet lunch after and by 1pm, proceeded to our presentation rooms.

Now, there were about 46 applicants present. They divided us into three groups, each in its own AVR. In these rooms, there would be constant panelists scoring our 5 MINUTE presentations about our Diplom/Masters/most recent research work. The event would also be open to the 100+ Ph.D. Project Directors of the Center. It was excatly like a mini-convention. I got my turn and they seemed to like it. Only one question was asked and I was able to answer it easily. There were some who had a problem with their English, especially when being asked questions. Still, all the presentations were generally good and I learned a lot in those three hours.

By 4pm, we would have a coffee break to prepare for what was up next. The next round was the ínterview stage´, which could only be best compared to ´´speed dating´´. Tables were arranged side by side, separated only by tall dividers. Two chairs were on opposite sides of each table- one for the mentor and one for the student. Based on our pre-confirmed priority list, we would go to each professor and spend 15-20 minutes with them. They´d then ask us about our research experience, our seminar, our motivations, and our expectations and career plans. A bell would then ring to signal that we had to transfer to our next professor. The professors would then score us for the interview. This, of course, would be kept confidential. It was fun and weird at the same time, but it was a less stressful/intimidating way to have an interview. In the end, we ended up interviewing with 3-5 project directors.

I generally had a great experience with my interviews. The directors seemed intimidating from afar, but they were really engaging and friendly. I was pleased when one of them asked my age and replied that my presentation was very good, and very mature for my age. And, they still haven´t seen the full extent of my presentation powers! Hehe.) They loved the fact I was very interested in Germany, could understand the language, and that my choice always had the Philippines in mind.

By the time the interviews were over, it was already 7pm and everone was tired. The Ph.D. council arranged a pizza dinner for us before we headed back to the guesthouse. They ordered about 30 gigantic boxes of different flavors (Think about the largest Yellow cab size there is and double that.) Of course, it wouldn´t be Germany without three cases of beer and about 15 bottles of wine! The council planned on showing a film (The Wedding Crashers), but nobody wanted to watch. We preferred just enjoying our pizzas and booze with great company.

Got home by 9pm and immediately fell asleep. The next day was packed, but it would be a more relaxed one. We would then be visiting the labs of our target projects.


More kwento and pics next time. (Can´t upload any pics since I´m just using their free internet station.)

Greetings from Heidelberg Part 1

To those whom I haven´t informed yet, I´m currently in Heidelberg for a Ph.D. interview round. Yes, sobrang sosyal ng center na ito at sinagot nila ang travel and accommodation expenses (all the way to the train ride from the airport to the city).

Those I´ve talked to know this is my dream school/center. I´ve even had a picture of the city as my desktop for the past weeks.

So what has happened so far? Here´s a quick rundown:


24.Februar 2009: DAY 1

- Plane landed in Frankfurt am Main. I had a terrible nosebleed once we landed. The temperature outside was 2 degrees Celsius. I went to the Fernbahnhof of the airport where the long-distance trains are. While waiting, an elderly lady started talking to me and asked if I were Asian. I then replied that I came from the Philippines. Her eyes suddenly lit up and she started talking in straight German. I asked her if she could speak English, but she said no and kept on going. Fortunately, I didn´t have a second nosebleed and picked up bits of what she was saying. I said (auf Deutsch, naturlich) that I was just here for a week for an interview in Heidelberg. She congratulated me and called her husband nearer. Apparently, they´ve gone on an Asian tour before. She enjoyed Thailand so much, but said it was really warm in Asia. Like a good European, she then proceeded to talk to me about the weather. It was a good thing their train arrived so she had to go. That was fun, though. Brought to life the resting German vocab and grammar I had. Haha.

-Arrived at the SRH guest house in Heidelberg. Dirty snow was on the ground in small patches. It´s not a pleasant sight, the tail end of winter. When I got off the bus stop, there was an Indian girl who got off as well. We caught ourselves stopping in the middle of the road to read our maps. We then learned we were both applicants and decided to search for the guesthouse together. Since there was a lot of construction going on, we got terribly lost. After 20 minutes and almost freezing, we got to the center. The girl, Soniya, would eventually be part of my mini-barkada here. (We´re a group of 5: me, two Indians, a German, a Swede)

-2pm, I decided to go out to buy some stuff at the Supermarkt. I was surprised to see all establishments were already closed! Then I remembered... it´s Mardi Gras! (Fastnacht/Fasching here in Germany). I walked to the Hauptstrasse (Main street of the old town) and found EVERYONE there. Almost everyone was in costume- from toddlers to grandparents. People were dancing, walking with gigantic beer and wine bottles in hand, and everyone was just plain happy. The parade people were in outrageous costumes and were throwing candy, flowers, confetti, and stuffed toys to the crowd. (Unlike the New Orleans tradition, there´s no flashing nor beads here. Still fun, though.) After an hour in the crowd, I finally saw one open Supermarkt, bought some pudding, water, and Curry Ketchup (I´ll explain sometime) and headed home.

-Fell asleep by 7pm and woke up at 9 when my roomate, Hans-Henning from Tuebingen came in. Initially, he wanted me to change rooms with his buddy, but I asked him if we could do it the next day. (Fortunately, he´d eventually let it go.) I stayed up to read about the research of the 4 Ph.D. mentors I was to interview with and slept at about 1230am.

I was restless but I knew I had to fight the effects of my jet lag. I knew this day would be the most important day of my life, thus far.

Day 2 kwento and pics next time.

Defended.

Thank you and thank You!

Kung Paano Maghiwalay Restaging (Repost from Gibbs Cadiz)

I wrote about this production during the Labfest 4 period. Catch it if you can!


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First presented as a staged reading during the Virgin Labfest 4 at the CCP last year, George de Jesus III's play "Kung Paano Maghiwalay" tackles the subject of love at the moment of breaking up.

The play unfolds in a non-linear manner with the different characters caught grappling and confronting the dissolution of their relationships. Emotions come to the fore, all seeking to answer the question: Where does love go when a relationship ends?

The new theater company Stage Right Theater Productions, Inc. brings "Kung Paano Maghiwalay" to the stage with a powerhouse cast of thespians: Madeleine Nicolas, Bituin Escalante, Aiza Marquez, Gilleth Sandico, Gem Padilla, Juliene Mendoza, Eric dela Cruz, GA Fallarme, John Lozano, Erwin Flores, Kristine Balmes, Lorna Lopez and Bembol Roco.

Playdates will be on February 16 to 21, 23 and 24, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. at the Bulwagang Balagtas, PUP Library.

For inquiries, please contact 0915-7859325, 0922-8559139 and 0928-9077777.

Februar 2009