So, why Granada?

Now you know most of the background about my project. As a recap:
- I am writing a three-dimensional water quality model.
- I need a working hydrodynamic model to get my water quality model working.
- I have 2 summers worth of data to use to calibrate.
- I want to get my PhD someday and teach.

So, I'm done with my data collection. Now, when I say I am "doing research", it means I am sitting in front of a computer, writing and messing with computer code. Its a learning process and I still do not think I am very good at it. Once I write a piece of code I think will work, I have to 'debug' it. This is the least fun task of my job. It means I have to find my mistakes. Usually this means I placed a j where an i should be or vice-versa. It can take me a full week to find one little mistake. But, once I find a bug, I am oh so happy. Finding the bugs is like solving a puzzle, which I have always enjoyed. Once I have working code, I 'run' the model. Over and over again. It never works properly the first time.

So, if all I do is sit in front of a computer and write, debug and run code, why did I have to come to Spain to do it? The answer is simple: to get hands on help! In Davis, when I run into a problem, I can try and ask another classmate who is doing a similar project (writing, debugging and running a water quality code). Usually, he is pretty helpful. I can tell my adviser about the problem, but in general, he does not have enough knowledge of the model to be helpful. Usually, he tells me to e-mail Pete or Francisco to ask for help. And they are usually helpful, but e-mail to e-mail communication is not always the best way to fix problems with models. So, I came to Spain to work with Francisco. Together, we are trying to get the hydrodynamic model going, so that I can go back to Davis, add my water quality, and move on with my life.

Now that you know why I'm here, I can update you on how its going! Nice. . .