What a Summer

Somehow three months have already passed since I graduated college.  In these last few months, I've been all over the place....

View Full Size Travel Map at Travellerspoint

Right after graduation, I was reunited with one of my closest friends.  He had just come back from a semester in China and it was fantastic to see him!  Hearing his stories made me miss my semester abroad, but it was awesome to finally catch up in person.  Turns out that he and his friends had stayed at a couple hostels that my group had visited, cool legacy!

Signatures from 2013 and 2014 ETA groups at the Ming Palace Hostel in Guilin, China

The next day I flew home to Houston and was planning to go on a hiking trip through southern Utah.  It was going to be fantastic, but I ended up cancelling the trip because I got really sick with a horrible bug.  Instead I ended up spending 2.5 weeks at home to get better and to catch up with my family.  I'm so glad that I was home to see my sister graduate high school and we had a joint graduation party at home.  So much to celebrate!  She's getting ready to begin pre-health studies at Trinity University in San Antonio.  I'm excited to visit her!

Soon after spending time at home, I was ready to finally go to Greece.  Greece had been my number-one travel destination since I was little.  I had grown up learning about my Greek background (I'm half-Greek) and I was in desperate need of some time out there.  I had originally planned on taking a European backpacking trip, but 15 days in Greece was exactly what I needed.  

I went on my own (first time to Europe and first big solo trip) and took a language and culture class in Santorini.  My class was through the Hellenic Cultural Center and it was a fantastic introduction into Greece.  Within 2 days, I could (slowly) read Greek and I was well on my way to holding a basic conversation.  Language lessons were in the morning, afternoons were free and then in the evening we had a couple hours of cultural activities (meeting with a local farmer, going to a winery, exploring an archaeological site, etc) followed by long dinners at local tavernas with lots of white wine.  During my free time, I did a lot of hiking around the island (over the weekend, I did over 18 km!) and of course, soaking in the warm Santorini sun.  Fun fact, the first Americans I met (took me 4 days) were some engineers from University of Illinois!

My classmates were a couple Italians from Rome (mother-daughter pair, mother was a retired chemistry professor and the daughter is a physicist at CERN) and an elderly lady from London.  The teachers in the school were from all different parts of Greece and I learned so much from them.  Stella, Nikos, Vassia and Ifigenia were all pretty amazing and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  I'm excited to continue my Greek studies once I get settled in my new life in Louisiana.  The HCC offers online and Skype lessons, so tell all your friends!

As my stint in Santorini was coming to a close, I met up with a couple Purdue graduates who were finishing up a whirlwind trip to Europe.  I took them to my favorite club for a drink to celebrate the end of my time on the island.  We actually took the same ferry back to Athens the next day.  Meeting me at the port of Piraeus were a couple distant cousins of mine who I had never met.  I had told them I would be wearing blue and they had a sign for me.  It was incredible to meet them because I had heard about them before, but never even talked to them on the phone.  However, within 5 minutes of meeting them, it felt like we had known each other forever.  The power of genes and family connections... Greek hospitality and extroverted personalities helped quite a bit too.

I stayed a couple nights at Myrto's apartment (my dad had met her back in 1987 when she was a little girl) and explored Athens.  That Saturday night I went out with Myrto and met some of her closest friends (most of whom had known each other since elementary school) at a great nightclub on the marina near Vouliagmeni (beautiful, starry night).  The next day we explored around the Akropolis, saw the Parthenon and other historical sites, shopped and ate in Plaka.  If you are going to Athens, be sure to not miss the Akropolis museum... it was incredible.

The time with Myrto and Bibi was short, but it was a fantastic weekend.  Really, my entire trip to Greece went by so quickly.  I returned to the U.S. completely refreshed.  Finding my roots, connecting with my culture, exploring a new part of the world and becoming a better world traveler was simply amazing.  This trip also taught me something else about traveling, I do not want to simply just see a new place as a tourist.  It's way more fun and interesting to learn what it means to be a local and really plug in.  On future travels, I will do my best to make sure this happens.  I'm already planning my next trip back to Greece (Ikaria and Crete!) but I've decided that Argentina will be my next new international destination.  I am also going to try very hard to use my passport at least once a year.  China, now Greece, more adventures to be had!

After I came back from Greece, July seemed to fly.  Independence day was a fantastic reunion with Purdue friends (cookout, fireworks, boat ride on the lake and wonderful people).  I had some time to relax too, slowly beginning to organize my move to Louisiana.  I also made an apartment-hunting trip down south where I had the chance to reconnect with people I had interned with last summer who are now working full-time.  

I got back to Purdue just in time to celebrate my 22nd birthday with friends (an evening at Purdue and an adventure to the dunes!).  I woke up early that Saturday morning to fly out to CA to meet my family for a 10-day vacation to SoCal and Washington state.  We spent time with our relatives, celebrated my birthday a bit more, enjoyed some CA beach time and then headed up to the Pacific Northwest to explore the San Juan Islands.  Absolutely beautiful part of the country!  Then I came back to Indiana to spend one more week in the Midwest before driving down south.  We even made some delicious Greek food, inspired by my time in Santorini...

Andy and I are great chefs.... what can I say?

Now I've already finished my first two days as a full-time Chevron Facilities Engineer.  I'm really enjoying my job and the people on my team.  More stories soon!

Graduation and New Beginnings

Wow, I still can't believe it.  We graduated from Purdue just two days ago.  Here I am, sitting in my apartment, watching one of my roommates slowly move out.  A lot has happened in the last week...

After our last finals, senior week began.  Full days of making quality memories with close friends, spending time outside in the spring (finally!! one heck of a winter) weather, fulfilling Purdue traditions, doing our last fountain run, going to the Cactus one last time and finally attending a toga party.  Here are some pictures from senior week:

Also during senior week, I was working on finishing the ME Senior Composite photos which took way too long, but seeing the finished product made it all worth it.

My family arrived on campus Saturday evening and we went out to dinner at IHOP.  They were staying at the very same hotel (Best Western) that my dad and I had stayed when we first visited Purdue back in the spring semester of my senior year of high school.  Our dinner choice may seem random, but it was part of a little tradition that we started from our first Purdue visit.  Every time my dad has visited me at Purdue, we've made a dinner trip to IHOP (and ordered blueberry pancakes and Nutella crepes, along with other entrees) and so it was only fitting that my family returned for one last time to the same restaurant.  Saturday night was very relaxing, after my family went to bed, a couple friends and I went to Harry's for one last drink as Purdue undergraduates.

Sunday started early.  I met the ME advisor in the ME building to drop off the composite photos for the morning senior reception.  A couple hours later I met my family and it was very fun to share the ME festivities with them, introduce them to my friends and the people in ME who have supported me throughout the last four years.  I also got to share my senior design project!  We are currently exploring the patent process with our project so I can't say too much.

After the reception and a bunch of cap and gown photos, all the seniors eventually made their way to the Armory to line up for the graduation ceremony.  All the candidates were abuzz with energy and excitement, but we still had a long time to wait until the ceremony would actually begin.  While in line, little black plastic ribbons were passed out to tie in our tassels, in remembrance of Andrew Boldt who would be receiving his bachelor's degree posthumously.  

When we finally got the signal to move, I was hit by a feeling of intense excitement.  I couldn't believe it... here we go!  We processed around the Engineering Mall, the fountain and up into Hovde, crossing the skywalk into Elliott.  I was looking around for my family as I found my seat.  Looking to my right, I saw my parents both waving their arms, my grandpa was waving his baseball cap.  Happy tears filled my eyes as the realization came over me, wow, this is it.

The ceremony was very well-done, lots of Purdue fanfare, Mitch Daniels gave the commencement speech.  The moment on stage passed so quickly.  I had heard the story of a graduate from a different ceremony who had paused on stage to take a selfie and then tripped in front of everyone.  When my name was called, I was focused on just walking across the stage without a hitch.  I was handed my degree and then shook hands with Dr. Bajaj and Dean Jamieson.  It was such a fun surprise to also receive a hug from Dr. Bajaj.  As I walked off stage, I looked in my family's direction with a big grin.  Even though I couldn't see them, I could feel them sending all their love and support my way.  

The first person I saw afterwards was Professor Jones who was ushering the graduates back to their seats.  We shook hands and I could barely put two words together.  I just gave him a huge hug.  It was fitting that he was the first person I saw after I received my degree because Professor Jones had been there since I began my Purdue ME journey.  During the spring of my freshman year, Jones came to visit my Engineering 132 lecture to talk about the Mechanical Engineering Program.  At the time, I was still trying to decide between mechanical and biomedical engineering.  Professor Jones helped me to make an informed decision and now, here I am, 4 years later graduating with my BSME and looking forward to a full-time job in the energy industry.  Here are some pictures from graduation day:

It's incredible thinking that so much time has already passed by.  Over the last 21 years I've grown from a little girl, racing my dad in our backyard, to a college graduate.  The word "graduate" doesn't even seem real.  It's hard to get into the mindset that next fall I will not be returning to Purdue as a student, but I'm very excited to visit as an alum.  There are so many changes coming up, just have to enjoy every moment.  I'm glad that I'm not starting work until early August because I have more time to slow down the upcoming transitions.  

Although lots of things are changing, one will not.  I have had so many amazing adventures that brought me to the graduation stage.  Purdue has given me incredible friends and mentors, taught me numerous different lessons about engineering and life, and helped to expand my perspective of the world.  I'm excited to join the ranks of Purdue alumni and continue on my journey.

Ever grateful, ever true.  Boiler up.  

Katherine Frangos, BSME
Purdue Graduate, Class of 2014

Leaving a Legacy

It's amazing how fast time flies by.  One minute,  I am a freshman, arriving on Purdue's campus for the first time and now, here I am, just about 5 weeks from graduation.  When did that happen?!

When the "Graduation" tab shows up on MyPurdue, you know it's official...

Over the past semester, it is been a roller-coaster of late engineering nights, spending quality time with friends, working hard on senior design, and crossing things off of my Purdue Bucket List.  Sixteen weeks in a semester may seem like a lot of time, but it just really doesn't last.  I was at Walmart today and now my mindset has become "how much do we need for the next month?"  Now that there is so little time left here, it's even more important to make the most of every opportunity.

Just last week, I went for a flight down at the Purdue Airport.  That's something that I've wanted to do since my very first visit to Purdue when I was still a senior in high school.  Even though the entire experience lasted about an hour, it felt absolutely incredible to take the controls and see Purdue and the surrounding area from an entirely new perspective.  I even logged my time in my new official Pilot's Logbook!  I've already found a flight school where I'll be working on my license in Louisiana next fall.  Here are a couple pictures:

Purdue Engineering Mall

 First time ever to sit in the left seat!

Awesome paint job on the Piper Warrior

Besides the bucket list items and doing things that can (should?) only really be done in college, this past semester has been about transitions, gearing up for the changes that are quickly approaching.  I admit that it is very difficult for me to start letting go of this place and all the incredible experiences and opportunities that it has offered to me.  Since I accepted my full-time position so early last fall, it really hasn't felt real.  Now that the majority of my friends have decided their plans after graduation, it's finally beginning to hit home.  As I've heard before and now I'm experiencing first-hand, Purdue engineers (and graduates of other majors) really go EVERYWHERE.  It's amazing how many different cities and types of jobs as well as other opportunities my cohorts are planning for after graduation.  I really do need to start making a list of cities and who will be living and working in those places, so I can be sure to make the rounds after we leave Purdue.

St. Patty's Day Celebrations in Chicago

The whole gang at Park City during Spring Break

 Roommates finally reunited

 Clayton Anderson Concert at Wabash

 Celebrating Nitesh's 22nd Birthday with the China Clan

 PMEA Reunion at the Cactus

ME Seniors!

One of my big projects this semester has been creating a blog for the ME Undergraduate Office to help streamline mass communication throughout the school.  This project has been about leaving a legacy behind, knowing that I have done something to help out future ME students.  Since last October, I've been working on this blog (the majority of the work happened this semester) and finally it's launched.  In just about a week, there are already over 3500 views.  I am overjoyed at how successful the blog has been thus far.  It makes me so happy when I walk in one of the ME computer labs and see people using it.  I wish that I had done this sooner so it would have been a part of my undergraduate ME experience, but it feels so good to know that future ME students will be able to benefit from here.  

Screenshot from the ME Blog

Another project this semester was to create a blog through my Women in Engineering Team.  Called "The Engineering Experience," this one is for helping prospective female engineering students to learn more about what life is like as a Purdue engineering student. Through the ME blog and this one, I've been doing lots of blogging this semester!

Screenshot from the WIEP Blog

There are only about 10 random things standing between me and graduation.  A couple homework assignments, essays, projects, one midterm and then two finals.  When I think back on all the countless hours spent in the depths of the ME building, who knew there was an end to that madness.  These last few weeks are going to be a struggle... senioritis - it's real.  It is the reason for the extra late nights spent procrastinating with friends and making wonderful memories, doing things that college kids should do.  It is the reason for wanting to leave a mark on Purdue.  And it is also the reason why I'm writing this blog post instead of working on my machine design assignment.

More later, look for updates on senior design, Purdue bucket list items, senior shenanigans and other random adventures sometime soon.

  

Ever Grateful, Ever True

Tuesday started off just like any other day.  I forced myself out of my warm covers, took a shower and went to my senior design team meeting.  I eventually went back to my apartment to eat lunch and do some homework.  After a couple hours of being unproductive, I glanced at the clock which read just after noon.  I debated going to campus early to get some work done but ultimately decided to take a quick nap before my next class which was in the electrical engineering building.

Five minutes later, my phone and computer started making noises.  My friend, Andy, was telling me about his most recent China escapades while some of my friends at Purdue were messaging about a shooting on campus.

... shooting on campus??  I was immediately jolted into a panic.  This is the kind of thing that happens on the news in some far off place, not on my college campus.  I called Andy on Google hangouts to have a friendly face to talk with during this difficult time.  I then immediately locked the door, shut the blinds and pulled up my email, the local police scanner, and opened the Purdue Twitter, Facebook and Reddit pages to scan for updates.

Over the next hour, I nervously waited for more information to come in.  Texts and calls were going back and forth between friends, checking to make sure everyone was safe.  The majority of my ME friends were on lock-down in the ME building, just 20 steps from EE.  Finally, around 1:30, a press conference announced that lock-down was lifted and campus could return to "normal operations".  No official statement could be made yet regarding the events that had happened, all we knew is that two students were involved in the incident.  One shooter, who had been quickly apprehended by the police, and his victim, a TA for the ECE 362 course.  A candlelight vigil was set for 8pm at the Engineering Fountain.

My roommates arrived back at our apartment shortly after that.  We all had different survival stories from the day, but really all we could say was "glad you're safe."  Later that evening, we went to the Co-rec to blow off some steam.  Looking at the faces of the students there, it was obvious they were all stressed from the day's ordeal.  When 6pm hit, everything suddenly stopped.  With bated breath, we paid close attention to the second press conference as the names of the two students were announced.  The shooter, an ECE student named Cody Cousins, didn't look familiar.  On the other hand, the victim, did: Andrew Boldt was his name.

Tuesday evening - over 2,000 students, faculty and staff gathered in -2° weather to support each other

Our candles that we left on the engineering fountain

This past week was the most difficult time of my college career.  Even though I didn't know either Cody or Andrew, this event hit way too close to home.  One of my friends had met Cody before and I had  many friends who knew Andrew.  Not to mention the whole thing happened 3 blocks from my apartment in a place that I've called home over the past few years.  My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the tragedy this past week.

I had always known that the Boilermaker family was a strong community, but this week we became even more unified.  Andrew's death has brought us all closer together as we lean on each other for support.   Images of a Purdue P superimposed on a black ribbon have been circulating social media networks.  Texts, phone calls, Skype, Facebook messages and emails from friends and family all across campus, the country and the world were sent to West Lafayette, all expressing concern and hope for better days.  It is so powerful to know that people are on your side, wishing you all the best in such a difficult time.  I just came back from a weekend at Andy's home where we enjoyed peace, quiet (I slept 12 hours on Friday, more than I've had all week), home-cooked meals and a chance to escape from campus.  Now I'm feeling much stronger than before, ready for the next phase of the healing process.

This sign appeared Wednesday on I-65

Thursday, first day back to class

 After classes on Friday

As in the lyrics to "Hail Purdue," we are "ever grateful, ever true" to the supportive and loyal Purdue Boilermaker family.  Rest in peace, Andrew Boldt.


Hearfelt letter from Professor David Meyer, Andrew's supervising professor.

Homily from Father Nathan Reesman, Andrew's home parish. 

It's Been a While...

It has been over 6 months since I returned from my study abroad experience in China.  That's so hard to believe, it really does feel like just yesterday we were roaming the streets of Shanghai.  During these past 6 months, I completed my second Chevron internship, accepted a full-time job, survived the toughest semester of my college career and now have begun my last undergraduate semester at Purdue.

Where does the time go?  It's hard to stop and remember where we've been.  One of my closest friends has just begun his adventure in Shanghai as part of the same Engineering Term Abroad program I participated in last spring.  Never one to take many photos, he asked me about my photo-taking technique and then how to pick which photos to share on Facebook.  I looked through the photos I posted from my adventures last spring... there were only 1,929.  However, I took way more than that  - 12,433 to be exact.

Last spring, I tried to post only the photos that I thought people would find the most interesting, giving them a good overview of our experiences.  In reality, there are so many different stories that can be told about my 2013 China adventure.  It is very difficult to answer the questions, "So what was China really like?" or "How did your time abroad impact you?"  I spoke in the sophomore ME seminar class last fall and spent 20 minutes just on the impact of my time in China.  Honestly though, I could easily go on for hours about all of our observations and experiences.

The real answer is that it's hard to explain the true, powerful impact of a semester abroad.  Just like it's difficult to select the photos or the stories you want to share.  While in China, I loved the idea of writing a blog to show people what I was doing every day.  However, it was tough to sit down and reflect on things when I actually just wanted to keep exploring and seeing even more.  Now that I've been back, I've seen how my perspectives have grown, my communication and leadership skills are stronger, and how I'm even more open to new adventures than ever before.

A picture from our most recent China reunion:

First week of the new semester!  

In the next set of blog entries, I'm going to try to summarize more of my experiences from this past year.  2013 was a record year in so many ways... and 2014 is definitely shaping up to be full of new, fantastic experiences.  This semester I'm taking two engineering classes (one traditional and senior design) along with bowling, etiquette, personal finance and Spanish.  I'm also making time to exercise, learn to cook and make lots of fun memories as a Purdue senior.  More soon!