Fa la la...

I joined the choir at church.  Tonight is my first rehearsal.  I'm pretty excited about it.  I might say I am this excited about it:

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I love this picture.  Check out these pics.  Some of them are quite hysterical. 

Say What?

So, we just about finished getting our whole entire lab moved into our new lab space and someone comes in and tells us we have to move it.  Again.  What?  You mean we just spent a week moving all this equipment and material and specimens and you want us to move it all again?  Of course my immediate reaction is "ha funny joke."  Unfortunally no one is laughing.  We really do have to move it all again.  I guess the only good thing is that its just down one floor and it will be the exact same set up we just put together.  But still, I really don't want to move again.  I just want to do my work.  And go home and take a nap.

Its Official

Well I kept saying that I was training for this half marathon, but as of last Friday I am officially signed up.  No turning back now.  Well I guess I could turn back but really I am not going to waste that $62.  Not unless I or a family member is on their death bed.  And even then....
I am kind of freaked out though.  I mean, I just finished week 2 of my real training and I thought I was going to die after 4 miles.  I really am not sure about 5 this weekend.  Or for that matter the entire 13.1 in 10 weeks.  AHHHH.  I have decided that my only real goal is to finish.  If I finish, I'll be happy.

On another official note:  the boy.  Its official.  Its over.  Done and done.  So done its not even worth writing the details.  Of course if you really want them, you can ask and I'll probably tell you.

And my last official note: I officially have my own space in our new lab!!!  A whole bench all to myself, and no more sharing a desk.  For those of you unscientific people (which may be everyone who reads this) having your own lab bench is pretty huge.  Ok, really its like a social status.  No lab bench = poor.  Sharing lab bench with other lab members = middle class.  Very own, very long, very workable lab bench = high roller.  Yep, I am officially a high roller.  Well, in terms of lab space, but no need to get technical.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Life is kinda crazy right now.  I barely have time to check my email at work I have so many things going on.  And I would almost say I have too much of a social life in the evenings. (But I won't give it up, having a life outside of science keeps me sane.)  Things have been so busy (why did I decide to go to grad school??), when I finally had a free afternoon Sunday, after I did some cleaning, I sat on the couch and didn't move until I went to bed.  It was magical.  Of course then Monday came and the craziness started all over.  And on top of all the craziness I haven't run since my race.  Finally tonight after a week and half I found some time.  My one free night for the next few days.  I would try to run in the morning, but I think maybe I should wait to see if I have some slow time at work so that my body can get used to the early mornings.  Last time I tried an early morning run I about died by 10:00 am.  I did a little experiment and found that I really seem to do best on 8 hours of sleep.  Which means I go to bed about 11 and get up about 7.  I guess I could try to get to bed earlier to get up earlier.  Anyway, just the usual thing, so much to do and not enough time and an advisor who things I have all the time in the world = the joys of grad school.

A pain in the...

head.  I think I have chronic daily headaches.  According to this website I totally do. 
Pain in both sides of head = check
Mild to moderate pain, often pressing or tightening feeling = check, although its usually moderate to severe
Sensativity to light and sound = check, especially light
3 or more headaches a week = double check
Usually have to take greater than prescribed doses of pain killers = check (and it still doesn't work)

Yes, I am complaining, but I am so tired of my head hurting all the time.  No relief.  Hopefully the doctor can tell me something tomorrow.  And then give me lots of drugs so I can have a good weekend!

Stormy weather

One thing I love about Summer/Fall in the south are the night storms.  I love being curled up in my bed and hearing the rain hit the house and see the flash of light outside my window followed by loud booming of the thunder.  I don't know why, but I feel so cozy and content.  Must be my Washington roots.  (However, Washington doesn't seem to get the crazy lightening and thunder.) 
Last night was one such stromy night.  I went to bed early due to one serious headache that I could not beat.  I woke up about midnight to bright flashes of light in my room...."ah just the storm" I though.  And happily turned over to go back to sleep.  Then all of a sudden there was a HUGE crashing sound.  I seriously thought a tree had fallen into my room.  I sat straight up in bed, wide eyed and realized there was no tree...thank goodness.  But somewhere extremely close by lightening had touched down.  Now this happens every so often but usually its just the one or two extremely loud ones.  Last night, though, they just kept coming.  I was kind of getting scared, but my headache finally won out and I fell back to sleep.  I was worried that I would hear about some house having caught fire in the neighborhood last night, but thankfully, none did.  And as far as I could tell, no trees were down this morning.  Guess it was an all talk and no action kind of storm.  Fine by me, but maybe tonight it could tone down the chatter.  I need a good nights rest.

Buying Jeans

I HATE buying jeans.  Actually I hate the process of trying on a hundred pairs of jeans and not finding a single pair that fits just the right way.  Unfortunately I really need some new jeans so I must keep up the hunt.  Last weekend I seriously must have tried on 20 different styles.  I found one that was ok.  But I wasn't going to spend $80 on ok.  So it looks like this weekend is round 2. 
At least she feels my pain.

I did it!!

I finished my first ever race.  The Forrest Spence 5k!  (which benefits a great cause by the way, check it out)  I'm not a fast runner by any means.  More of a jogger actually.  And seeing as how this was my first race and I wasn't really sure what to expect my goal was to finish under 35 minutes.  And I did!!!  32:32 to be exact.  Yay me!!  My friend who is a girls cross country coach said that most beginning runners tend to come in around 36 minutes in their first 5ks.  He was quite impressed with my time.  Yay me (again)!!  I was so excited after the race I was running on adrenaline and had such a high.  Now however, I am ready to go to bed.  Probably should have gone to bed earlier than 1:00 am for my 8:00 race.  I got up at 6:30 to make sure that I woud be awake enough and to give myself time to eat a mini breakfast.  Me with only 5 1/2 hours of sleep, no good.  Now I am quite ready to crash.  First though I need to go let out and feed the dog I am watching.  Then sleep.  Then study.  Big exam on Monday.  Ugh.

Please Sir, may I have some more?

I have decided that I need to become a better cook.  I have taken the steps to a healthier life style by starting my running.  So far, that is going pretty well.  I'm running my first race, a 5K, this Saturday.  However, when it comes to food, I just don't really pay attention.  More often than not I eat out.  And lets face it, most restaurants I visit aren't exactly "healthy".  I mean, I live in the south were fried chicken and BBQ rule.  And now that I am in a new place with a fairly decent kitchen and some pretty nice appliances, I really have no excuse.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to diet. I just want to be able to make real food, good food, at home by myself.  So I've been doing some research.  I have a couple cook books that I am buying.  One I know I will love because my friend Maddie has it and when we were in Seattle she made fun recipes out of it all time.  The other just looks fun and easy.  I'm all about easy.
I also found this really fun website.  Not only is the author hilarious, seriously cracks me up, but the recipes look delicious and for the cooking novices like me, she posts pics of every step!!  Now that is awesome!
Can't wait to get started.

As Autumn leaves are falling from the trees....

Ok, not yet.  But soon!!  Can I help it if fall is my very favorite season?  I just love the way the air smells, and all the beautiful colors.

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And the warm, tasty food. 

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Yes.  Fall is nearing, and I am very pleased!

10 cool points if you can name what movie my title is from.

First day of school

My cutie pie little sister started her first day of kindergarden today.  She called me last night, so excited, "Danielle, tell me everything about Kindergarden."  So I told her some stuff.  And I hear this big giggle and "Keep going.  Tell me more.  Everything."  So I made up some more stuff.  She was so giddy and excited.  It was pretty adorable.  Here are a couple pics getting ready for her first day.

Mom and Sarah (and Sarah's cat in the background)

So big!  All grown up in her first day of school outfit.

Waiting for the bus.

And just because I think they are fun, her are a couple more pics of her camping this last weekend.

Fun on a boat ride.

Cutest little fisherman there ever was!

Also, the best little fisherman there ever was!

Chi Omega, Chi Chi Omega

Visions of fall recruitment danced through my head today as I volunteered at the Rhodes campus Chi Omega. Not that I was ever a huge fan of recruitment but I did get a little rush of excitement as all the girls were getting dressed in their coordinating outfits and singing all their cute Chi Omega songs. And memories of rotations as the older class men would secretly complain to us alumna that the younger class men had no idea what they were doing. And the last minute reminders from the Recruitment chair: "Don't be awkward. Don't talk about alcohol...." Then there was of course the bad mouthing of other sororities and how terrible it would be if this girl went there cause she was everyone's favorite and just had to be a Chi O. Oh, and did I mention the theme was Always Chi Omega and they served Coke floats at the party? So cute.
Not that I think I would want to go back, but its fun to remember it all for a day. Or two, this Friday I am helping with preference. Can't wait to see what they do!

The start of a beautiful weekend

I decided that since it is a 3 day weekend my Friday post should be a little more happy than my previous one. Although it does feel great to get that off my chest. So here is a little list of things that are making me truely happy right now.

1. Due to my unfortunate morning, I took the day off! So really I am getting a 4 day weekend.
2. Oregon got beat last night by the smurfs!!!!!
3. College football has offically started! GO DAWGS! I'm a true Husky fan, even through loosing seasons and hundreds of miles distance.
4. I am finally going to see 500 Days of Summer tonight.
5. Having sushi for dinner. Yum!
6. I got my full deposit back from my previous apartment.
7. I already decided on a Halloween costume.
8. Recieved a coupon in the mail for something I have been wanting to buy. Not a fan of dirty windows.
9. The doctors finally decided on a plan of action for Sarah's legs. (even if it does kinda suck)
10. ITS FRIDAY!!!!

Its raining, its pouring

I would just like to say that I am sick and tired of people telling me that I am lucky to be used to so much rain since I am from Washington. Sorry, but in Washington you don't step outside to be immediately standing in a puddle up to your knees because its flash flooding and as a result you are soaked up to your armpits. And because it took 2 minutes to walk to your car you look like you just got out of a swimming pool and have to go home and change before you can go into lab because it would be hazardous to go in as wet as you are.
Fact: Memphis recieves more rainfall annually (52 inches) than Seattle (36 inches).
SO BACK OFF PEOPLE.

Is it ok

to reward yourself with something BEFORE you actually do what you are rewarding yourself for?? I just bought 2 new pairs of pretty expensive running shorts. I was going to wait until after the 5K I am running next weekend and buy them as a reward for finishing my first race. But I was running errands last night and was right by the running store, where my friend just happened to be working, and splurged. They are super nice and I am really excited to go for my run tonight just so I can wear them. I told myself I was going to be more conscious of my spending which is why I was going to wait until after the race. Hence the purchase would have been earned. I guess I'll just have to remember that I don't get to buy anything next weekend as a reward since I already have it.

Side note: Stopped by a new coffee place this morning on my way to work. The coffee is AMAZING! We all know how I love my coffee and now I found a place that is actually really good in Memphis. Yay no more Starbucks!!

Florida Fun

I went to Florida this past weekend for a friends wedding. Not only was the wedding super adorable, but the house we stayed at was AMAZING!!

The owners are Mr. and Mrs. Dave Campo. Dave just happens to be a professional football coach. He has coached the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaquars and a few others. He was with the Cowboys for 3 Superbowl wins.

He has been coaching the Jaquars, but just went back to the Cowboys. So I didn't actually get to meet him. But his wife was great. She wouldn't let us pay for anything. And Saturday (the day after the wedding) she took us to her private beach club. We spent the entire day there soaking up the gorgeous sun and hunting for shark teeth.

BUT the whole reason for the trip: Samantha and Tyler! I didn't get to actually go to the ceremony. They are mormon and I am not which means I was not allowed in the temple. But after, they had a cute little ring ceremony and reception. It was so good to see Sam, even if it was for such a short time. She looked like such a happy bride. Although I am pretty sure I saw her face turn 10 different shades of red when he took the garter off!!! She was soooo nervous for that night! I haven't gotten to talk to her but I hope that it was magical.

It was a good weekend. Scratch that, great weekend!!