Thursday, August 6, 2009

Running

I absolutely love running! I just started to take running seriously a few months ago, around April/May. I have never been able to be a serious runner because I have a knee condition. But I decided to put my body to the test and give it a go. The first thing I did was indulge and got fitted for and bought a really good pair of running shoes.



I love them. Since I have started running I have not had a knee problem a one (knock on wood). About the end of June/beginning of July, I kind of stopped running. Life got busy and I found every excuse not to do it. But I had made up my mind that I was going to run the St. Jude half marathon in December and if I didn't start back up it was never going to happen. So Tuesday night I put on my shoes and attempted to go for a run. I was sure that after a month with hardly any physical activity (plus the ridiculous heat and humidity) my body would die after about a mile. But to my glorious surprise I made it 2.5 miles!! Which is where I was at when I stopped running a month ago. And to add to the glory, I wasn't even sore the next day. Just goes to show that my body was definitely craving a good run. And now that I have moved into a really cute neighborhood running is even better. All the sidewalks are really nice (and pretty well lit for running at night, my way of trying to escape the humidity), the yards are beautifully landscaped making for good scenery and everyone (and I do mean everyone) is either running or walking and usually with a dog. Its great to see so many people out and it motivates me to work even harder. Plus there is a golf course about a mile away which will be great when I make it to my longer runs. I really enjoy my time running and am so glad I decided to give it a go.
One favor to ask to my readers though: I need some new running songs to add to my play list, any suggestions??

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

What Makes Me Happy...

My friend Maddie posted a blog today all about happiness (here). As well as my friend Erika did not too long ago (here). The article Maddie referenced was really great. And going along with my west coast friend inspiration I have decided to list the 10 things that make me most happy.

10. A good run.
9. A great meal with a nice glass of wine.
8. Laying in the sun.
7. Waking up from a good nap.
6. Relaxing and watching a really good movie.
5. Watching my cats trying to get things outside the window they are staring at.
4. Catching up with old and new friends. Whether on the phone, or just hanging out.
3. Ice cream cones and sno cones!
2. Going home to visit my family.
1. Hearing my little sister belly laugh! Or for that matter anything she does.

And so much more!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Story Time

Oh my goodness. I feel like I have been running around without a break for the last 2 weeks. Work was crazy. 11-13 hour days, then packing, then moving, now unpacking. But its the start of a new month and hopefully things will fall back into the normal routine. Dawn and I have been in our new place for a little over a week now. Its coming together, however slowly. By the time we both get home from work, we are not necessarily gung ho on unpacking and then the weekend comes and we have a bunch of other things to do. But school out here starts super early, as in a week from today, so all our friends who are teachers are already back at it so there will be a lot less events going on.
I celebrated my 1 year anniversary of being in Memphis this past weekend. And of course I spent it on Beale St. Just like one year ago. As always we went to Silky's. The Chi O's favorite bar down here. We know the bouncer so we never pay cover. And we know the bartender so we rarely pay for our drinks. And when we do its so cheap. For example, on the 4th of July I probably drank oh like 7 double size vodka pineapples plus a couple shots. How much did I pay? $10. Gotta love Mario. Oh and speaking of the 4th, guess who got kidnapped? Yep that would be me. All I was trying to do was dance with my friend Diana when what should happen. A group of black guys come up and start dancing with us and then they literally pick me up and carry me downstairs, out of the club, down a couple blocks to their car. How did this happen?? I HAVE NO IDEA. There are cops every where. How did a white girl surrounded by like 5 black guys not look suspicious? Then again, this is Memphis. And really I'm not sure why I didn't make a scene. Maybe it was the vodka pineapples. Anyway, don't worry, I got away. I knew my skills at running while intoxicated would come in handy sooner or later. While we were standing by the car, I ever so cleverly told them to "look there are a bunch of fire works" and while they were looking I ran. Thank goodness I was wearing flip flops. I found my friend Diana, who of course was freaking out, got to her car and drove home immediately. Then proceeded to stay up until like 5 in the morning trying to figure out how the heck that all just happened. Definitely a memorable 4th. (sorry if you are reading this mom. obviously didn't tell you cause i know you would freak out)
I think I was still a little shook up on Saturday because I refused to go back to the club. Not Silky's, a different one. If anything ever ruined Silky's for me, I think I would have to leave Memphis.
Other than that amazing story, its just been the usual summer stuff. Trying not to die in the heat mostly. Except that while ya'll were having your crazy hot weather we were having some crazy weather of our own. And by crazy I mean tornados. Although I was unaware of it at the time one touched down about a mile from my place. I was taking a Thursday afternoon nap when all of a sudden I am woken up by a strange siren sound. It had been nasty all day and the thunderstorm had rolled in about a half hour early. It was crazy loud, like if you were laying under a bowling alley floor. And I just figured the thunder had set off some alarm. Which it can and has done a few times this summer. Then Dawn called. She was down cleaning her old apartment. She asked if I was ok and did I hear the tornado sirens. I freaked out: TORNADO SIRENS??? Are you kidding? We didn't have cable hooked up yet, so I got online and found a streaming news channel and there were tornados touching down all over. Thank goodness they were heading away from us and no more were in our path. But I stayed pretty close to the cats and Daisy just in case I had to grab them and get in a closet. I think I'll take the hot weather any day over tornados.
Ok, well I think I've prattled on long enough. I could probably keep going, but there is that work thing I should be doing.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Home Sweet Home

So I know it has been a terribly long time since my last post, but there is a reason. I have been moving. I have said goodbye to my first ever apartment and have since moved into a cute little duplex. As much as I did enjoy living on my own, I got way too lonely. So my friend Dawn and I have moved in together. Here are some pics for you. Keep in mind we are still in the midst of unpacking so its a tad messy. But you'll get the idea. Also, look for an update to life later.



The front of the house.

My bedroom.


More of my bedroom.

The living room. Very messy still.


More living room. Still have the comfy chairs!

Back yard 1.

Back yard 2.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Coffee disaster

So I woke up a little earlier this morning than I normally do. However, did the same routine: got the coffee going, hopped in the shower, got dressed, did hair/make-up, went to make my lunch...and then I saw it. My "coffee". Apparently getting up a whole half hour earlier totally threw me off because when I expected to see a nice pot of coffee I instead saw a pot of water with a slight tinge of brown. It helps to actually add the coffee to the coffee maker. So I poured the water back in, and made sure to add the coffee. However, did not stop to think that already hot water does not brew good coffee. Needless to say my favorite thing about the morning did not satisfy me at all this particular morning. Which is kind of a bummer since today is going to be a long day in the lab. 40 mouse surgeries. For those of you that don't know, that is a lot. However, tomorrow we get to do 86. So if 40 is a lot, 86 is...well, lets just say I WON'T be making any mistakes in my coffee making tomorrow.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Defying Gravity

So I finally got a chance to see the musical Wicked! It was so amazing. I read the book years ago when it first came out. It is kind of dark and political and a little depressing (but I loved it). So I was curious to see how they adapted it to fit this more light hearted play. Well, they did a great job. It still follows the main story line of the book but is definitely much happier and less political. And the music is great! I can't stop listening to the sound track and I love singing along with the songs. I actually enjoyed it so much that I spent a ridiculous amount of money on a t-shirt. Although it is pretty cute. Anyway, if you ever get a chance to see it, DO IT!! I will definitely be going again at some point.



Also, I didn't get a chance to write about it, but I went to a New Kids on the Block concert. I wasn't necessarily that into NKOTB growing up, but I knew some of thier songs and I did have a black and hot pink backpack. When the announcement was made that they were coming to town, though, my friend Amanda got super excited and really wanted to go. So I told her I would, along with 2 other of our friends. The very opening act was the Jabawakis. They won America's Best Dance Crew. They were so good! Although the masks kind of creeped me out.



After them was Jesse McCartney. He is so little! Seeing him on stage made him look so tiny. I did like some of his songs though and he is a good little entertainer. And then....NKOTB. Ok, for being like 40 years old, they are still HOT! And totally fit!! And can still rock an AWESOME concert! It was definitely worth the money. Very entertaining. And I may have bought some of their new songs off iTunes. What? They were good.



For my next concert I am trying to convince my friends that we really need to go see Journey! Any takers?

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Humor of Scientists

Some funny gene names that I've come across. Who said scientists are boring and without a sense of humor?

Hedgehog
Frizzled
Disheveled
Twist
Slug
Grunge (regulates a gene called teashirt)
Dreadlocks (a gene that is involved in tenticles on some animals)
INDY (stands for I'm Not Dead Yet, gene that makes flies live longer)
tinman (found in organisms with no heart)
Grim and Reaper (Together, these genes mediate programmed cell death, apoptosis)