The Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) were in San Antonio, TX this year.

The weather was far colder and wetter than I had remembered from my trip to JMM in 2006. This didn’t bother me too much as I spent just about all of my time at the conference, meeting new people and catching up with friends.

Through meeting so many number theorists, I discovered that the Number Theory Community is larger and yet much more interconnected that I had realized before. It was so rewarding to know that I am a part of that community.

I had an amazing time and can’t wait to see everyone again. Soon I hope!

But for now, it’s back to my dissertation.

Our California trip was a tremendous success. Visiting the Hippie Tree was the highlight of the first half of the trip. It’s an old tree that sits on a hill overlooking San Fransisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge. (Here is a photo of my husband swinging on the Hippie Tree swing.)

The second half of our trip was spent at the West Coast Number Theory Conference in Monterey. Even though we barely saw the sun in The Sunshine State, with the beach close by, tidal pools filled with little hermit crabs (see photo below), and great company, it couldn’t have been much more fun.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and a soon to come Happy New Year!

In less than 24 hours, my family and I will be on our way to San Fransisco, CA. We take this trip every year, not only to see family but also to attend the West Coast Number Theory Conference in Monterey. What could be better than spending some time with family and friends? Spending time with family and friends, while working on Mathematics!

I’m building a website while working on my Ph.D. in mathematics and raising a daughter with my husband.