2018.10.09. First Workshop Under a New Environment

(Right now: Blogging before class.)

One of the things that helped me develop as a scientist are the regular research group workshops. Most of these workshops are for planning, setting the direction of the group for the next few months or years. Of course, the other aspect of workshops is the relaxation and fun activities that strengthen the bonds between members. My group has gained quite a notoriety with this part (just ask the members about the things they had to experience when they were new 😂). 

Now that I am in La Salle, I will not let the tradition just slip away, of course. 

I emailed my graduate students and told them that we will have a workshop over the next few days. We chose 07-08 October 2018 for the schedule. Camille and Nessa are game, but too bad Mich had an exam during that time. 😞

So Steph and I hurriedly booked a nice Airbnb in Antipolo for just a night of stay. We found a nice place in Crestview Subdivision near the city capitol. We had problems with the credit card but the house owner (it was an entire house, by the way) was kind enough to wait for us and assisted us in our booking. It turns out that this was the first time they had a booking! Our first workshop as Lasallians will be held in a house that is rented for the first time!

My first slide for the workshop, our first as Lasallians. 

When we got to the venue, we did a lot of serious work. We needed to reenergize the team and refocus a lot of things research-wise. One of the first things we did is to create a website for the team. Now, our website is published online, and the kids are quite proud of their personal pages.

https://sites.google.com/view/complex-systems-rcbatac 

One advantage of having your wife and cousin join in the workshop is that you can focus on the work aspect of the workshop, and they can do the shop (see what I did there?)... and cook and prepare aspects. Our research work and target-setting sessions went late into the night. Steph and Janet prepared a nice breakfast the following morning.

We all enjoyed the breakfast. Thanks Steph and Janet! 

Shortly before leaving the venue, we had our group picture taken. We fitted in a single sofa. Quite a change from the relatively large groups I have had before, yes, but I see this as a challenge to work harder and to produce quality science regardless. As always, NO EXCUSES.

Our group pictures taken from the venue (insert Mich somewhere).

After checking out, we drove along Marcos Highway and went to a resort for relaxation. We eventually settled for a stay in the Ten Cents to Heaven resort. The place has a nice view of the mountains, and we had our picture-taking first before having our lunch.

My family!

My research family!

I purposely stayed on the side so that my big face will not be included in the picture.

The resort also served good food!

Afterwards, we went to the pool area and marveled at the serene environment. My family really enjoyed swimming in the pool. Nessa and Cams, on the other hand, went to the fish spa to have their feet massaged by the small (and the not-so-small) fishes.

Just look at that! We had the pool to ourselves!

I asked them to pose, and pose they did!

All smiles!

Before night struck, we were headed back home. The vistas along the sinuous road are breathtaking, we had to stop from time to time to take pictures.

The hill looks brushed!

This is a scene that I would draw as a child.

Like a Windows wallpaper.

The thing with workshops is that they can only be as good as the people you are with. I am really thankful for these girls (and their ate Mich) for keeping me sane during this transition in my life.

With perseverance, and with a family-like atmosphere in the group, I hope to be able to build up from these humble beginnings (restart?), with them as my main source of hope and pride. ■