First Monday of the Month Events (FMME)

Getting to know each other better outside working hours, exploring the area, having fun, that's the aim of the FMME. Every year, a list is drawn up in which everyone can enter ideas. Each event is organized by someone else, ideally by two people. Join and have fun!

Bia

Image: Bas Dutilh

Information

You have an idea for an upcoming event? Please see the listExternal link and enter it.

Upcoming Events

March: Guided tour at the Walpersberg Memorial near Kahla (or visit to Leipzig Zoo)
April: Planetarium Jena “Aurora” 6:30 PM (before: dinner at RFS, e.g. pizza or home-made snacks)

Ice skating in Erfurt January 2024

On 14 January, our FMME went sporty. By train, we travelled to Erfurt to go ice skating in the Gunda-Niemann-Stirnemann-EishalleExternal link

While some were already experienced on the ice (mostly Torsten and his son), for others it was their first time on the ice (Angela), or a rare visit (Sandra, Bia and Sybille) and therefore involved a few wobbly stumbles. We all enjoyed the time there a lot, not least because of the good atmosphere and the good music that was played. We decided to come back.

Empanadas and Wild Things in November 2023

Cover of the movie Relatos Slvajes
Image: Wikiwand.com

The November Monday of the Month Event was also José's birthday, so he volunteered to prepare empanadas for everyone which kept him and Laura busy for the whole weekend. We also had whine to accompany them and José brought an Argentinian film "Relatos Salvajes" (Wild Tales)External link: "Wild Tales is based on Szifron's understanding of Western capitalist society as a cage, and depicts the moment at which some people become so frustrated by their surroundings they cannot behave in the socially expected manner. As such, he describes it as a film about the common human need for freedom against society's need to psychologically repress humans' animalistic features." (Source: Wikiwand.com)

With an outside temperature of 6 degrees, the warmth of the barbecues did us good
Image: Sybille Huck
José and Aris grill the Empanadas
Image: Sybille Huck
Here the vegetarian version
Image: Sybille Huck
Ready to eat empanadas
Image: Sybille Huck
Cover of the movie Relatos Slvajes
Image: Wikiwand.com

Barbecue in July 2023

Image: Bas
Image: Bas
Image: Bas
Image: Bas
Image: Bas

Archery course in Camburg in June 2023

We, a bunch of enthusiastic co-workers from the Rosalind Franklin and Buchaer Strasse, decided to ditch our lab coats and computers for an afternoon and head out into the great outdoors of CamburgExternal link. Our destination? An awesome archery parcour located in the woods. With bows in hand, we took on the challenge of shooting at fake animal targets, unleashing our inner Robin Hoods. We had a lot of fun with arrows hitting their marks and afterwards finding them back. After the archery session, we enjoyed a BBQ and relived the highlights of our adventure. It was a great afternoon and evening, where science took a backseat to our archery escapades.

Text: Rose Brouns

Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck
Image: Sybille Huck

Orchid excursion with Nabu Jena guide in May 2023

Colleagues from Theoretical Microbial Ecology group, Fungal Informatics group, and Viral Ecology and Omics group had an orchid tour last Wednesday in the serene Leutra Valley. We took a break from our screens and labs to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of orchids. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, Paul Kühn from NABU Kreisverband JenaExternal link, we had the pleasure of spotting six blooming orchid species. Among the discoveries were two striking orchids: Orchis militaris (Military orchid), recognized by its distinctive 'helmet,' and Orchis purpurea (Lady orchid), adorned with beautiful pinkish flowers. We also encountered their hybrid offspring. Another intriguing find was the flower of Himantoglossum hircinum (Lizard orchid), which has a long and twisted 'tongue’, or labellum in its botanical term. Additionally, we observed the elegant green flowers of Plantanthera chlorantha (Greater butterfly-orchid). Using binoculars, we were able to locate the Ophrys insectifera (Fly orchid), which grows a bit further from the trail. Luckily, on the way back, we found them closer to the path, allowing us to observe them up close. The Ophrys insectifera is known for its ability to mimic female insects, attracting males for pollination. These poor males 'mate' with the orchid flowers, unwittingly aiding in their pollination process. Nature truly has its wonders. Furthermore, we learned that the Neottia ovata (Common twayblade), while not as visually striking as other species, possesses small, green flowers. It is distinguished by its two oval-shaped leaves. Paul told us this species is widely distributed and can be easily spotted in various locations throughout Jena. So, next time you take a stroll through parks or along your street, remember to cast your gaze downwards; you might just have a serendipitous encounter with a wild Neottia ovata orchid, adding a touch of romance to your day.

Text: Xiu Jia