Just to finish, I would like to thank all the people that have helped me during the process of this thesis. Jesus Ugalde has been the main responsible for it, and I would like to thank him not only for having given me the opportunity to carry out a Ph.D., but also for having given me the chance to go abroad to complete my undergraduate studies, first to Utrecht, and the to the U.S.A. I would like to point out the freedom that Jesus has given me to carry out my research project during these last five years, and for his positive perspective of the problems when I found myself bogged down; his optimism encouraged me to carry on with new energy. Milla Esker Jesus. With Jesus, Joseph Fowler is another important person for giving shape to this thesis (where the hell are you?). His ideas and support have been crucial for the development of this study. He also is responsible for most of my computational skills, and thanks to him, I have gone souther than Madrid!, I have seen the cathedrals of Toledo (yes, Two!). Prof. Lee G. Pedersen has also something to do with this thesis, since the very first idea of studying Aluminum was imported from Chapel Hill after having done an undergraduate project with him. I would like to thank you first for having accepted me as an undergraduate student that year, and two years later for allowing me to work again with you three for three months (BTW, thanks to the ppl of your group and CSJ group for the summer of 98!). Xabi and Willy, I do also owe you many things! You were the first two ppl that saw me sat in front of a computer, (sorry, I should say terminal, -it did not have a mouse!) with all that this involves, an attack of 5 questions per minute!!. Thanks for your patience!. The help given at the very beginning is something that I will never forget! Thanks a million to both of you! I have worked with Xabi in many different projects too, and he also gave me the chance to visit and work with him in Oxford; I would also like to thank the ppl that worked with you over there. Your help has also been crucial at the end of this thesis.
Beside academics, these ppl, and all the ppl that has been in our group, has been very important during these period
of my life.
Joseph's wedding (the second part of Bien Venido Mr. Marshall),
the boar eatings, that lunch of carnivals in Etxarri, Tejeria's dinners, and that San Sebastian day
(that one when Joseph took the longest shower ever without getting wet!) are some moments that just came to my mind.
Thank you Arantxa for your straight driving to Piedrabuena (I do not want to remember the way back Willy ...), however
Arantxa, I will never forgive you for that dultzaina concert given in a 8 m
room!. Txoni, without your
complicity I would not had
been able to stand certain moments! (you know ...), Iñaki, for answering questions that I have already forgotten or that are
unaffordable for my mind, Elmer, what I did not learn from Joseph about computers, I am learning it from you, and Joni,
I am still waiting for your welcome dinner. A special mention for the Cubans that were around during those years,
Elso and America, America and Elso, despite your departure, you have left many things around, and I hope I will
visit you soon!.
I have tried to apply some of the Cuban way of life in my every day routine, but it seems to be very complicated!.
A good example of the different styles of life happened when Karen was around. It was a very complicated
task to arrange anything that could fit in Karen's Dutch agenda, and Elso's Cuban mind. I have very good memories
for that year of dinners, and beers with Karen, Elso, and the ppl of the biochemistry department I met by means of jtello,
who really helped me a lot when I came back after two years abroad.
Many ppl has also visited this group for shorter periods of time, Oihana, Xavier Fradera, Kent, Nelaine, Russ, and Susan
greeting for all of you, too.
Most of the ppl mentioned so far are related to the academic world, but there is also some ppl from the "real"
world I would like to thank. The ppl that studied chemistry with me, a big hug for all of you, and the ppl that
steeped by Tejeria 13, 2
F, specially Gonzalo and my very best sister Jone.
And finally, my family, they are the real ones that have made possible this thesis. As Xabi quoted,
in spite of the fact that they do not understand nothing about the laplacians of the charge density,
without their support, all of this would not had been possible.
Thank you All!!