Out on the Bayou (New Orleans)

In late June, Dan and I went to New Orleans, Lousiana for the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT, our professional association) convention. It was held there the same year that Hurricance Katrina struck so it was interesting to see the post Katrina New Orleans.

We competed in college bowl and got 3rd out of 8 teams. After the meeting we went on a small fishing trip. We were able to stay at a camp right on the bayou. Dan caught a big one. I caught a guppy. Such is life. We tried our first raw oysters. We had a blast and want to go back.

As the VP of Membership experiences, I was in charge of the IFT student association booth. Met tons of students from around the country that are food science majors.

Had the opportunity to go to Emeril's restaurant. I loved the attention from the staff. This is a picture of us at GW Fins. We had been here last time we were in NO and had to go back again. They have the best creme brulee. Dan's having a lava cake. Yum Yum!

Dan ran in the IFTSA 5k to raise money for scholarships. It was so humid he was sweaty before even starting the race.

Us at the camp. Right on the bayou.

The big catch. It weighed about 38 lbs. Dan could hardly lifted because it was so slippery.

Here's my little catfish. How pathetic!!!

This is called 3rd degree sunburn from being out on the boat.

This is a our cajun feast. We had crawfish, shrimp, crab, gumbo, potatoes, corn, fried gator and duck, fried vegetables, raw oysters, grilled oysters. I should have put my stretchy pants on!

Part of the graduation hoops

It's one week till I give my thesis defense. It's basically a 2 hr event. The 1st hour I get up in front of the Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Department and give a power point presentation of what I've been up to for the last 2 years, and we are not talking all the vacations I've taken. I talk about my project, give the methods, the statistics I used, the panels, the products, the data crunching, my results and conclusion. Then the professors and/or graduates students grill me on "Why I did.... or Did you think about.... or well, you should've done it like this." Depending on the project the questions aren't bad but about 2 defences ago a Nutrition master's student was shot with question, and mind you this is after she gave her whole presentation, "What was the point??". Let me tell you that is not a question you want to be asked. It pretty much means your project is lame and if you were at any other university you would not earn your degree.


The 2nd hour the professors in my committee go through my written thesis. My thesis is about 120 pages or so. Sounds impressive but most of its the data that was crunched. So all you out there on Aug. 1st at 1pm MST think of me and wish me luck!

What has been happening for the last year

My sister-in-laws, Kristi and Kirsti.

Can you see the brontosaurus in this picture?

The facilities before Porcupine Trail.

"Birthing Rock"  If you look closely you see a figure of a person with something coming out.  Interesting.

Dan taking on the road

In April we headed to Moab again to take out "Junya" our yellow fourwheeler to do some ATV'ing.  Most of the Colyar clan was there.

The BYU College Bowl Team

Dan the tree hugger

In April we went to southern California to compete in the IFTSA college bowl.  Basically Jeopardy of food science.  We competed against 4 other universities.  We won!!!!

The other side of the White House

Supreme Court

The White House

Washington Memorial

Dan with Lincoln.

In the same month, March, I was asked to speak at the National Agricultural Research Education, Extension, Economics advisory board to the USDA in Washington D.C. We where there for 3 days and tried to cram in everything we could.

At the architecture park in the freezing cold.

Frozen waterfall

In March 2008, we were invited to go back to General Mills for a "Revisit Weekend".  It was awesome.  We got to stay in this great hotel, take chartered transportation, eat out, and have a great time with future GM employees.

In Feb 2008, we headed to Moab to go to Dan's cousin's reception.  We also took the opportunity to go to Arches.

At a do-it-yourself pancake house at Deleon springs, Florida.

Dan getting down with some P.R. music and feeling the Christmas spirit!

Picking a papaya in my parent's backyard.

My GQ man!!! Roar!!

Went on a paddling boat. Harry & Zaida, you look sea worthy!

For Christmas 2007, Dan and I visited my parents in Florida.

Feeling the tropical breezes!

My relatives on my Mom's side.

In November, for Thanksgiving, I went to the motherland (Puerto Rico) with my parents. 

The bathroom I had to use at the school.

Conducting the test. The children had to try about 13 types of cookies in three sessions.

At the school that we did the study at. We tested cookies with fortified with calcium.

Me and a tribe leader at a community meeting.

In October of 2007 I had the opportunity to go to Bolivia to do a study on fortified indigenous grains.  It was very eye opening to say the least and humbling.

My parents trying to figure out the "EL"

My parents and I at Wrigley Field (Cubs vs. Mets)

Dan and I in front of the famous "Married with Children" fountains.

Eating Chicago style pizza (delicious!!!)

After being in Minneapolis we headed to Chicago for the national IFT (Institute of Food Technologist) meeting. Harry and Zaida (my parents) were able to meet us there and have some great fun.  We ate and played a lot.

In front of the Daibutsu in Kamakura. It weighs They specialize in sweet potatoes

Last August we got the opportunity to go to Japan. Dan served his mission in the Tokyo South Mission. This pic is from Kyoto in front of Kinkakuji Temple. Its actually covered in gold leaf. I absolutely loved it and we are planning to go back.