San Antonio

This week I was in San Antonio presenting at the College English Association annual conference. This time around I presented on my recently developed analysis of the 2009 film (500) Days of Summer. The title of the recent version of the presentation/article is (500) Days of Summer: A Story of Minimalism and Curbed Punk. You may see the full program of the conference here.

In addition to meeting some very interesting presenters, going to sessions full of new research, and participating in my own session, I got to do what I try to do every time I travel: check out the places the locals recommend best. This is where I praise the iPhone again. While I now seem to be more of a reticent fan of this life-facilitating gadget, it's only apropos that I tip the hat to it every now and again. Traveling is much more enjoyable and much less stressful when one relies on it. Without a doubt. The many apps allow one to make the most of the experience and it is nigh impossible to get lost when relying on it.

Naturally, I made it a point to check out the Alamo and the River Walk. If you're ever visiting in Texas, do check out San Antonio. The people are friendly, the weather is spectacular, the food lives up to the reputation, and the River Walk begs for attention.


The following pictures were taken on the Alamo grounds and the River Walk. All photos @ BR

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I Heart the Northwest!

This year I went again to the Medieval Association of the Pacific's annual conference. I present at the conference almost annually as it gives me an opportunity to meet with other fellow medievalists as well as do that which I always, always enjoy, i.e., explore the West. The conference meets on a different Western campus every year and this time around it took place on the beautifully green campus of the University of Puget Sound.

My presentation at the conference was on the German medieval narrative called Das Nibelungenlied. You may view the conference program here.

What added much to the conference this year was the astoundingly gorgeous weather. It was sunny, 60 degrees, and a great way to introduce Spring to my soul. The winter has been very harsh in my neck of the woods this year so this experience was most appreciated.

I will post more at a later time about my experiences in the Seattle and Tacoma area. In the meantime, here are some pictures form the University of Puget Sound grounds. I can't get over the fact that I left icicles at home and found blooming flowers in Washington. Simply beautiful.

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Conference, I

Taken a few hours ago today in Albuquerque, New Mexico where today I presented on my research on the creation of the alternative third gender model in the work of Hildegard von Bingen.
Title: "Constructing a Third Gender in Hildegard von Bingen’s Scivias, Hartmann von Aue’s Der arme Heinrich, and Dietrich von der Glezze's der borte."
The conference is the annual Medieval Association of the Pacific. Many literary scholars, historians, art historians, and musicologists who focus on the Middle Ages present their new research. It's my most favorite conference as every year it happens in a new Western urban center.



Brikena Ribaj, Albuquerque, New Mexico, University of New Mexico Campus, 3/6/2009

See the program here.

Now, I am not a fan of posting pictures of mine on my page as I tend to find that practice too unnecessarily egocentric. But I am posting one here. It's not about me, it's about that colorful piece standing proud behind me. The colors are unmistakably New Mexico and the text quite gendered.

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