Today began my first annual meeting for the National Academy of Engineering  (NAE). I am soooo excited to be part of this organization. The NAE brings together senior researchers from all disciplines of engineering from  academia and from industry. I know quite a few people who are in this group and really look forward to using membership as a way of getting some things done which are important to me particularly around STEAM  promotion.  
‘Diane and I prepared for the day by taking a run in the drizzle down to the national mall.… Things were pretty empty but it was still cool seeing all of that huge buildings of the Smithsonian.

We made our way to the national Academy building and sat in on some meetings about how the Academy runs and what the Academy is doing about getting more diverse membership. Today’s program was for the last three inducted classes 2020, 2021, in 2022. Neither of the previous two years have been able to meet in person because of Covid. So we were a pretty large group. There was plenty of time to mingle and meet the other new inductance. That was pretty exciting.

Later that night we all met up at the national building museum for a formal welcome dinner for our classes. It was a fun venue because the last time I was in the national building museum I was there doing a science show for 1000 kids as part of national engineering week… that must’ve been in the late 1990s.

Tonight’s event was really fun. There must’ve been about 900 people there. That included the new inductees,  their significant others, and a group of senior people from the Academy who were there to welcome us. The place was decorated really nicely everybody was all dressed up… Most in Tuxes  (but not me)… And it was fancy fun drinks… In a very sciencey theme. It was really great getting to see everyone and meet their partners.… We sat at a table with two new inductees one from UCLA with his daughter, a couple from Rice University and my old friend José with his granddaughter. It was really nice being there with your day and his family but we continue to bump into all weekend. They were really fun !

It was a really fun evening. I’m going to like being part of this group !
nite all, nite sam

-me

Diane and I got up early-ish and packed for the next phase of our trip. We said goodbye to mom and headed to the airport via uber. It had been really nice staying  with Mom.. Its good to see her in such a great surrounding. 

The flight to DC was uneventful.. we took advantage of a longish layover in Chicago to take a long walk there.. We’re there pretty often because we always fly United.. so it feels home-ish.
We landed at DCA aroudn 6-ish.. and Uber’d to see our frond Caroline and her baby Anna Kate.  Carolines mother in law.. and our good freind Kate drove in from state college to see us. Carolines husband Matthew was out of town.. but coming back on Saturday. CarolineMatthew and Anna live in a really cute town house only about 23 miles from our hotel… We got take out Indian and played with baby Anna. , 

 

Then over to our hotel for our NAE weekend

nite all, nite sam

-me

Today we met up with our very good friends Karen and Jeff. Jeff and I were office mates in england in 1984 and we’ve stayed good friends ever since. He’s one one of my most valuable mentors when it comes to figuring out life. Jeff and Karen moved to MPLS from Rochester a while back (10 years ?).. they live closish to my sister on the Minihahahahahahahaha parkway (I just love saying minihaha). They fixed us a yummy lunch then we all went for a walk along the lakes. It was so nice catching up !

From there we met Mary and headed to our nephew Jakes football game at Edina High School. I had not been to a football game in a very long time.. it was fun watching Jake play and interact with the other kids.  !.. he  even had a great touchdown experience !

From Jake’s game we headed to our niece Ellery’s soccer game. It was senior night for her.. where they celebrated all the senior players. The players all got recognized with a person they chose as an inspiration and a1st grade mentee. Ellery chose her brother Jake to take on the field with her 🙂  

Thats more sports than I get in a decade… it was fun !
We Then  went back to the house for some tasty take out noodles.. then back to moms to sleep 

Nite all, nite sam

-me

 

Diane and I woke early and went for a run around Boom and Nicolette islands in the Mississippi .  These islands are small chunks of land in the river with parks and cute houses… we did about a 5 mile loop.  My mom lives in a really beautiful place..   When My mom woke up we went out for another 3 mile walk around the same area..

 

 

After a quick lunch we headed out to the Minneapolis Arboretum (The Arb).. which was an amazing place !.. 

We ended up with a great Indian dinner at a place walking distance from my moms. Its a beautiful place to walk around at night

Another nice day !
nite all, nite sam

-me