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Homepage of Karen CHRISTIAENS
| Who am I | ||
| THAT is the big question ... My name is Karen CHRISTIAENS - known by some people as Amber. I was born in July 1969. An incredible year: people are still discussing this major event in July, which wasn't my birth. I was born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, since my Belgian parents were living in that area at the time. Like many of us I do not remember those first years but they must have been devoted to learning and getting used to my big brother. I followed my parents in their search for adventure throughout many places in Belgium: Achel, Opwijk, Dendermonde, Gijzegem, Sint Huibrechts Lille (locate). As a good student I went from high school to the university to become an engineer in applied biological sciences at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Leuven (Belgium). Next to a degree I also got a husband X (on4iy). I followed my heart and made a PhD in the same field titled "Sensitivity and uncertainty in distributed hydrological modelling", using the Mike She catchment model. I will not bother telling all the real interesting details, but basically I worked on the propagation of sensitivity and uncertainty throughout model simulations in order to make clearer predictions. Something still very hot when thinking about the need to predict and prevent drinking water shortage and floodings (even in Belgium). In 1999 we decided to move for X's job to the US, dividing our time between Reston (VA) and New York City (NY). I felt in love with the light and ... New York, and suddenly I felt the urge to spend more time with the creative-me. From the brainstorming sessions in New York with a long time friend J, the idea came up to open a coffee-juice-wine bar with jazz-brunch concerts in Belgium. We renovated our-selves an old town house in the historic city center of Leuven (Belgium) to base to our bar-restaurant PurPur (read more). After implementation of all key factors of the project, when everything was up and running, we sold the business in 2007 and new owners are operating a slightly changed PurPur. Being creative for as long as I remember, 20XX sounded like a good century to give myself more time for learning / doing / practising / enjoying / creating photography, fabric art, mobiles, and jewelry, and more. Currently I'm dividing my time between Belgium, New York & travelling, in the search for, beauty in the world & answers to the voices inside me. More time is here to spend. We'll see what way it goes. Thanks for stopping by ! |