Dear KosNet Friends

Yes, it is now official!!  Kos Ishii Graduate Fellowship Fund at Stanford chose the first recipient!! He is ME-MS student who is interested in Robotics design. I am so happy to hear this news. It is the best Christmas present ever!!

Next year, I intend to sit in ME317. So during this holiday season, I'd better finish reading Kos's first and last book, "design for value." I am so grateful that he wrote this book in Japanese. Even in Japanese, this is a good sleeping pill (well I would say  I last about 3 pages at a time). If it were in English, I don't think I would have last more than one paragraph before falling into sleep.

Have a wonderful holiday season and may the new year bring all the happiness to you and your family.

Naomi

Hi KosNet Friends

I spent November in Japan.  It was a very eventful trip.  So, let me share with you some stories.

1. I was invited to Kos's junior high school reunion (Sydney Japanese School). So according to Kos's childhood friends, Kos was a relatively shy and a bit cynical boy. Kos?? Well, I won't take a credit. I think going to Sydney Boys High School probably changed his personality. Thank you John.
2. I was kindly invited to Keio University for the final presentation of ALPS. It was my honor to be able to present Kos Ishii award to the best student team. It was so much fun to listen to Sky High ideas.
3. We had MML VIA (Visiting Industrial Associates) reunion in Yokohama. It was great to see that Kos's spirit is inherited to all of VIA members in whatever area they are in.

I had great fun myself with my friends and family members, too. So, now back in sunny but chilly California. Happy holidays to you and thank you for your friendship.

Naomi

MML has moved out

MML Before 1 as we enter.

MML Before 2 meeting room

Dear KosNet Friends

So, you may have already heard, yes MML has moved out. So here is MML before and after. Thornton is now changed to class rooms. The very first time when I entered to the renewed Thornton, I was a bit shocked that there is no resemblance to what it looked before. Well, I knew that MML cannot go on forever in the same form as before, so it is a good thing that the space is now renewed. I myself went through extensive remodeling of my house and I am now enjoying new bathrooms, new windows, new doors, newly painted walls and newly decorated rooms with Kos's pictures. So, ME417 is now held by Kurt in classroom where MML was in Thornton. It is great that ME department assigned this room for ME417 for its new start. I am enjoying attending ME417 with couple students who took ME317 earlier.
Naomi

MML after where we had meeting room

MML after where ME417 is held. As we enter left into MML before.

Terman will become park

Hi KosNet Friends

Many of you have visited Terman Engineering building at Stanford before, I guess. Well, demolition of Terman has started. Kos and I spent almost every day eating sandwich (which Kos made every day) overlooking the pond from Terman courtyard when we were in grad school. Kos's sandwich was pretty good, same every day though. Salami, tomato, lettuce and slice cheese with wheat bread. Did I get bored with same sandwich? Well...  Thank you Kos. We enjoyed our engineering student life. So farewell to Terman. I am glad that we held Kos's memorial at Terman Auditorium in June 2009. I am looking forward to enjoying the newly born park after Terman. Until then, enjoy the "picture plan" of the park. 

Naomi

Kos Ishii - Toshiba Award

Dear KosNet friends

It is hard to believe that more than two and half years has passed since Kos passed away. Needless to say, it has been a tough time. But I am grateful for what is given to me. I would like to inform you about this wonderful news. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineering) created Kos Ishii–Toshiba Award. I am grateful to Toshiba for being such a generous sponsor and all other people who helped to create this award. ASME kindly invited me to attend the first inauguration of this award that was held on August 30^th. I arrived Washington DC on August 27^th, just before Irene hit the city. In fact airport was closed after I arrived. I had a chance to visit many memorable places where I went with Kos. He liked Lincoln memorial best. And of course his favorite was Lincoln’s Gettysburg address “government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish.” And I believe that this was how Kos ran his Lab. The inauguration ceremony of this award was done beautifully and I enjoyed meeting the first recipient of the award, Dr. SK Gupta. I also met many of Kos’s students (now professors) and other professors who knew Kos. Toshiba sent a beautiful video message, too.

So life goes on. I miss Kos very much. At the same time, I know that Kos lives in me and lives in all of you. Thank you for your friendship.

Naomi