tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-162155522024-03-07T12:21:34.676-08:00Heads California, Tails CarolinaMy journey as a West Coast transplant, living and learning in the South, on my ongoing quest to prove that a smart scientist can still maintain a little bit of style.MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.comBlogger681125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-60562165211129309252011-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:002011-12-19T09:02:20.458-08:00Weekend RecapJust such a fun weekend, have to share:<br /><br />Friday: Yoga in the morning with a friend who just finished her teacher training. Lots of work holiday parties and lunches. Home to play with the pups and then head out to the master's crew team annual holiday party with Adam (the varsity coach). Mingling with very fit folks. Then off to Thomas's house to hang out with rowers who were back in town for the holidays and his awesome sisters. Home around 1am.<br /><br />Saturday: Up early to run with Rebecca, Becca (7 months pregnant), and Amanda. I brought Pilot. We did 7 miles in the forest while chatting about everything. Lovely. Home to find Trent replacing all the windows in our bedroom. I help when I can and do tons of laundry and clean house. We head out for lunch in Pittsboro at the General Store. Very cute! Quick stop to find some white elephant gifts and I drop Trent off for a Santa themed pub crawl and I head to a riding lesson in Hillsborough. Fun time riding a giant thoroughbred who was feeling lively (lots of little bucks!), but he had a great canter and it felt great.<br /><br />Home to shower and play with the pups before getting ready for our dinner out. All of the baby group parents got babysitters (a small miracle!) and we had a nice dinner out at a local thai place. They were so happy to have a night without all the little ones! We met up after dinner at a fancy little bar and all got fancy cocktails (I had a manhattan, Trent had a spiked cider). Fantastic conversations with all the parents, including discussing the commune we will build so we can all live together someday. There is an airstream for visiting guests. It will be awesome.<br /><br />They headed home and we set off for our last holiday party (one of... 12? there were a lot this year). The third annual Bob Dylan Christmas party. Lots of science friends, dance parties, great conversations. We made it home around 1:30 but sounds like the party continued on for long afterward. <br /><br />Sunday: Lazier day. Finished trimming the new windows and painting the new trim. Trent went on a run with some friends, I took the dogs to the dog park for a good long play. Groceries, cooking, laundry, napping. Thomas came over and we all headed out to Saxapawhaw to see Chatham County Line (one of my favorite bands) at the Haw River Ballroom. It is this great old mill building they've restored as a venue, very industrial and NC. Amazing show, got to see lots of friends, singing and stomping. They played a cover of a Warren Zevon song that I listened to on repeat while missing Trent when I was in Costa Rica. Home by 11pm and we crashed.<br /><br />Lovely weekend. We are so fortunate to have so many great friends and opportunities.<br /><br />I have a phone interview today, we are having friends over for dinner tonight and tomorrow night (whoops!) and we leave for New Orleans Wednesday morning. Exciting week!MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-12151342778071811412011-12-16T10:53:00.000-08:002011-12-16T10:58:57.399-08:00More cute baby pictures<div style="text-align: center;">And they aren't even my babies. Oye, I can imagine this blog will be nuts then.<br /><br />But just had to share a couple cute pictures from last weekend. We all met up for breakfast at Weaver St and then watched the Christmas parade. I wish we'd have gotten one of Porter, who came decked out in his fancy sweater, and enjoyed watching the parade go by with his two year old toddler friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sGy2oWU6e1vRoXhePhtScyorKkZfESLH-bin6rLZ32qW08pFAQQe_PvExlEtoDxACrmA-_OZSPHUxIvN2rK6M6OBHFb_XcMiUmMipxTfwCzvRXsgUwdPMmQzlRaHiyTyBipSEw/s1600/max_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sGy2oWU6e1vRoXhePhtScyorKkZfESLH-bin6rLZ32qW08pFAQQe_PvExlEtoDxACrmA-_OZSPHUxIvN2rK6M6OBHFb_XcMiUmMipxTfwCzvRXsgUwdPMmQzlRaHiyTyBipSEw/s320/max_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686801879310169138" border="0" /></a>Amanda and Maxwell. He was quite pleased with his new puffy coat.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbDW_rr27lzM3vC2KVN990kytpm9vGjXzRkZaAAe9y4b81kef14BOGtTwq7_Xo3yo1IDKXjqYimda0izDlEZxurRyeL4RmSEaEARMY4uKnpp4l4dmebQklEkUZavER8SlilwOfw/s1600/emma.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbDW_rr27lzM3vC2KVN990kytpm9vGjXzRkZaAAe9y4b81kef14BOGtTwq7_Xo3yo1IDKXjqYimda0izDlEZxurRyeL4RmSEaEARMY4uKnpp4l4dmebQklEkUZavER8SlilwOfw/s320/emma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686801875852589682" border="0" /></a>Emma and me. Emma's grandmother made her sweater and cute hat! (She is Paul and Sheila's). She later completely fell asleep on Trent, and I was dying from cute overload.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisadS2DMlYvvsHuRM88hdj4PioZPb-hBMA-GY9IVM65C02DmRFU2MWPv8qGE1k1YKwFdte-y4Zt_vTHKpBmQ_Z_JXuYzVkWl5xVomO4AI8BuS1pZW3x6CfN0i2gn-eU83ls9cLcQ/s1600/group.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisadS2DMlYvvsHuRM88hdj4PioZPb-hBMA-GY9IVM65C02DmRFU2MWPv8qGE1k1YKwFdte-y4Zt_vTHKpBmQ_Z_JXuYzVkWl5xVomO4AI8BuS1pZW3x6CfN0i2gn-eU83ls9cLcQ/s320/group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686801889352248194" border="0" /></a>I love the totally Weaver St. situation in the background. I will miss that place!<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-77300554542872817112011-12-13T07:31:00.000-08:002011-12-13T07:36:22.546-08:00Suggestions?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMi4Xha4qUi-h3Dhpa9sJ6Q1F35z421S_eG_5coFWY7uabXMS0iH_G2ODY5aWdUi16we4ikLsAun_mD6Ye2ZpeGIL4ChPun52e6Vn-NmNEXBuQCAby9dAK0HszzXHxXA5WJV3qQ/s1600/new-orleans-jive-diane-millsap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMi4Xha4qUi-h3Dhpa9sJ6Q1F35z421S_eG_5coFWY7uabXMS0iH_G2ODY5aWdUi16we4ikLsAun_mD6Ye2ZpeGIL4ChPun52e6Vn-NmNEXBuQCAby9dAK0HszzXHxXA5WJV3qQ/s320/new-orleans-jive-diane-millsap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685636530741470210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We leave a week from tomorrow for our trip down to New Orleans for Christmas. We'll head to Atlanta first and spend two nights with friends Jackie and Pierre, then three nights in New Orleans, then back up through Atlanta to see other friends, Patrick and Amanda and their kiddos. <br /><br />We've never been before, and would feel like failures if we left the South without visiting, but any suggestions would be appreciated!!<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-88697172604758979922011-12-12T13:14:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:25:56.355-08:00Some race pictures...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvBD2pMwqRMhOy_96piO0mJSmhr9AkpCYt01o_wwT0TpGPfwEY1K0DXN7igX6Kjp4Ld26x04yv0gDLyP8sZwAG7Aiawou2hpNhj4p_sK22v0M2zwjT5-C7m3ZgkqfIS54NoyH6Q/s1600/swim_2.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffRfmFY2iB84RQkaGwe_alY8xH0m_HAXg_azLSh0RQmnOcnIJwUyq9hiF4uKIxi6CY1qexLDLn55FJ_y7YX9mogDYRLme9zWfKS3kj0b-gCwvDM8hPPv-hrcBN6WRUwCPJbJicw/s1600/pre.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffRfmFY2iB84RQkaGwe_alY8xH0m_HAXg_azLSh0RQmnOcnIJwUyq9hiF4uKIxi6CY1qexLDLn55FJ_y7YX9mogDYRLme9zWfKS3kj0b-gCwvDM8hPPv-hrcBN6WRUwCPJbJicw/s320/pre.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685354539417176786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59l9Np1ElVlIS6sP2mUYVg2awlXpiqz_ZAZ0ZmzNOne0lItt1OfW3FszLrgdBe_4GcRQKRrd7RToEGrTxFA-fda22RUhJqZcfk_Zlhc8uxV0F-WOlUcibFK6kgHXJBfM8A4NsFQ/s1600/swim.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59l9Np1ElVlIS6sP2mUYVg2awlXpiqz_ZAZ0ZmzNOne0lItt1OfW3FszLrgdBe_4GcRQKRrd7RToEGrTxFA-fda22RUhJqZcfk_Zlhc8uxV0F-WOlUcibFK6kgHXJBfM8A4NsFQ/s320/swim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685354541233655682" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvBD2pMwqRMhOy_96piO0mJSmhr9AkpCYt01o_wwT0TpGPfwEY1K0DXN7igX6Kjp4Ld26x04yv0gDLyP8sZwAG7Aiawou2hpNhj4p_sK22v0M2zwjT5-C7m3ZgkqfIS54NoyH6Q/s1600/swim_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvBD2pMwqRMhOy_96piO0mJSmhr9AkpCYt01o_wwT0TpGPfwEY1K0DXN7igX6Kjp4Ld26x04yv0gDLyP8sZwAG7Aiawou2hpNhj4p_sK22v0M2zwjT5-C7m3ZgkqfIS54NoyH6Q/s320/swim_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685354706490497474" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SoKRnhMBKBWECSguAqUnuVXqOM4P6aTsUDfXWaiOaJx52UE4ds7e_OLhUJQlHR5PE5chg-ZaHE-EIEl-hCyf7T1IOTaxiwYArbW3_w9nHJ7VlkpFUs5PfL2_m7PL-uRSOrBBBQ/s1600/run_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SoKRnhMBKBWECSguAqUnuVXqOM4P6aTsUDfXWaiOaJx52UE4ds7e_OLhUJQlHR5PE5chg-ZaHE-EIEl-hCyf7T1IOTaxiwYArbW3_w9nHJ7VlkpFUs5PfL2_m7PL-uRSOrBBBQ/s320/run_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685353600136690226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGEjX-hVXR1ug7uI1_aD1kZBpHDVZgev5CSE_R5NqguYH7zVRN-uoZC7KTL-NpQ7IRz03hRejF_sUV6WckBP-KuCmTv-MoqzHZzeq4OaHuFS1hDVJiCSp456ILooZw9higngC-A/s1600/ironmanfinish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGEjX-hVXR1ug7uI1_aD1kZBpHDVZgev5CSE_R5NqguYH7zVRN-uoZC7KTL-NpQ7IRz03hRejF_sUV6WckBP-KuCmTv-MoqzHZzeq4OaHuFS1hDVJiCSp456ILooZw9higngC-A/s320/ironmanfinish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685353591465897426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2OIorSCWOzgzQ-MB_Ftp181WfCATR-q8C_e7m63afvqMXI1iWDZg9mHOtxgrzbzNHqDE8t8WlHJ3295oSpXPgdFC0uWAQjvpPxFIMw98-WNVDzZYyzv_E9xzNKYCHXQ6LfPGlg/s1600/finish_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2OIorSCWOzgzQ-MB_Ftp181WfCATR-q8C_e7m63afvqMXI1iWDZg9mHOtxgrzbzNHqDE8t8WlHJ3295oSpXPgdFC0uWAQjvpPxFIMw98-WNVDzZYyzv_E9xzNKYCHXQ6LfPGlg/s320/finish_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685353590379706146" border="0" /></a><br />I know these aren't the most flattering pictures, but I had to share. People think I am exaggerating when I say the Ironman was really fun, but I think it is hard to argue with this evidence. No bike pictures (for now), I definitely don't look as happy in those. But look at that joy finishing the swim (I love the grumpy looking fellas in front and behind me!).<br /><br />Those finish pictures (the last two) make me think of that feeling at that instant and... it is an incredible one. So happy it was captured!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SoKRnhMBKBWECSguAqUnuVXqOM4P6aTsUDfXWaiOaJx52UE4ds7e_OLhUJQlHR5PE5chg-ZaHE-EIEl-hCyf7T1IOTaxiwYArbW3_w9nHJ7VlkpFUs5PfL2_m7PL-uRSOrBBBQ/s1600/run_2.jpg"><br /></a>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-13039180116818827812011-12-12T12:56:00.000-08:002011-12-12T13:04:44.116-08:00Oyster RoastI've noticed several instances that make me feel like we should maybe move to Connecticutt instead...<br /><br />My recent hobbies have included sculling and horseback riding.<br /><br />Our dogs wear <a href="http://bakerblankets.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=5BB">Baker</a> coats.<br /><br />We both wear <a href="http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/?CID=G_sperry_topsiders&gclid=CN7z28K2_awCFUKR7QodSR4HSg">Sperry-topsiders</a>. At the boat house. C'mon.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCxWD36jJwqGDXRSr-wKb5JXIlrYyGzYiZdrwfcdQLaGFWU_VDDRvPcWx4M-w0GbRdsHG8QT6e4qVumvuPqm083QnjRiC2xli2SAYMiYjnLbPAmwIdkI6av8eKafVqoO14uNnHw/s1600/friends.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCxWD36jJwqGDXRSr-wKb5JXIlrYyGzYiZdrwfcdQLaGFWU_VDDRvPcWx4M-w0GbRdsHG8QT6e4qVumvuPqm083QnjRiC2xli2SAYMiYjnLbPAmwIdkI6av8eKafVqoO14uNnHw/s320/friends.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685350288593177842" border="0" /></a><br />But my favorite New England activity recently was a big, lovely, oyster roast a friend hosted. She brought in crates and crates of oysters from the NC sound and we tossed them in bunches in the fire. Spritzed with fresh lemon and a dash of Old Bay, they were incredible. I ate SO many.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZhpuk8uEpw18CWdIsWeOo1tB9BUejkfsQ4Rsx-Az4Kinlcpg4WGUJdPjL_dMUjX3BibPfaT23OHRUyfzVyEWqETOHMs6CxqtdiZSrq2gdnn95WV6iGzjCZBMC8o6flE138G7rQ/s1600/oysters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZhpuk8uEpw18CWdIsWeOo1tB9BUejkfsQ4Rsx-Az4Kinlcpg4WGUJdPjL_dMUjX3BibPfaT23OHRUyfzVyEWqETOHMs6CxqtdiZSrq2gdnn95WV6iGzjCZBMC8o6flE138G7rQ/s320/oysters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685350300641979586" border="0" /></a><br />However, there definitely was a NC twist on it... we all drank cider and homebrewed beer out of mason jars, there was a big, fantastic, bonfire, and a huge batch of cornbread made with bacon fat. Ohmygoodness delicious!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsZTRZ9pxlSy1SMt5rsb7BjKioi42BnLPsCYvc3Atil4QHQP59fujNvdysi61pm3JQ1JRXZLvjFuYh7WYl5bLDtPJkPm_1oPvEyij9nn-5_INzbGoT8MT8zGiL15uZzFxSJVGPw/s1600/bonfire.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsZTRZ9pxlSy1SMt5rsb7BjKioi42BnLPsCYvc3Atil4QHQP59fujNvdysi61pm3JQ1JRXZLvjFuYh7WYl5bLDtPJkPm_1oPvEyij9nn-5_INzbGoT8MT8zGiL15uZzFxSJVGPw/s320/bonfire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685350286870466354" border="0" /></a>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-73068224748857967702011-12-09T13:54:00.000-08:002011-12-09T14:04:25.428-08:00Some pictures!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKK0q3G8_yIJw90e-EERRNK27uf5gGRfXra-oiQfTKui08pwEvEILtZiWkAN59u-FyhpulItfHZCeagqhBFJ9RQZC2ikL0NCZpdrp4QAjfNq3FwxCXqMlFisSKoDEwZ82ij5SgQ/s1600/group.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKK0q3G8_yIJw90e-EERRNK27uf5gGRfXra-oiQfTKui08pwEvEILtZiWkAN59u-FyhpulItfHZCeagqhBFJ9RQZC2ikL0NCZpdrp4QAjfNq3FwxCXqMlFisSKoDEwZ82ij5SgQ/s320/group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684250440916969666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(becca, rebecca, me, amanda with maxwell, stephen)</span><br /><br /></div>Couldn't leave with you with out a few great pictures. This was one of our many Thanksgiving festivities, a brunch at our friends Eric and Rebecca. They are our "grown-up" friends, all with babies and careers and we feel fortunate to be included in their circle. We've learned SO much from them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqNmiImkVfdWvPlr5eiSloFMRJzrpdML_hBYSOntPKZZf8a5TZynjTo_Zq2zUUKtK1f5yyslfDNYqr8aP5uWqZCX-jX060fHUjcYR7hSF3gtEgueVPWX6lDVRD0KRc1bqf_4_Hg/s1600/boys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqNmiImkVfdWvPlr5eiSloFMRJzrpdML_hBYSOntPKZZf8a5TZynjTo_Zq2zUUKtK1f5yyslfDNYqr8aP5uWqZCX-jX060fHUjcYR7hSF3gtEgueVPWX6lDVRD0KRc1bqf_4_Hg/s320/boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684250420833598034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Eaden, Hayden, and Alex)</span><br /><br /></div>The boys. There are a gaggle of boys around the same age and it has been so fun to see them grow up and become friends. Two year old boys are awesome.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceOUa-1c1eKA7eYEbG9RYKKHgzMSuebD9zrqOkZtXxBeNno5kzFwk9ZiHWIfsNltWzHpOdHNgM-vUUis02ofiK1qgl7MbiO0ws_Xp6OuNUagOkstlmdttJOVy7OUaOoFqvD5YmQ/s1600/maxandingrid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceOUa-1c1eKA7eYEbG9RYKKHgzMSuebD9zrqOkZtXxBeNno5kzFwk9ZiHWIfsNltWzHpOdHNgM-vUUis02ofiK1qgl7MbiO0ws_Xp6OuNUagOkstlmdttJOVy7OUaOoFqvD5YmQ/s320/maxandingrid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684250442150534978" border="0" /></a>(<span style="font-style: italic;">Maxwell and Ingrid</span>)<br /></div><br />Some of the group are already on round two of babies (Hayden is Ingrid's older brother). Maxwell is younger than Ingrid but already bigger. He's like his dad and a great eater! He's much happier with life now that he can crawl around and do stuff. Ingrid is just a peach, she is so mellow and snuggly.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0tZX3WLorsopeS6YnzMNi3mNR9yxLyCsPOne93Tf5oNNSmOQhdh2PSNR-b2AJMAld7hJRAgr0thM-gDLxwNKDqs-A0jTkRX8R9VIpbyNx3zjY-JPLcwgdd8DN7leSFU_VaapSw/s1600/eaden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0tZX3WLorsopeS6YnzMNi3mNR9yxLyCsPOne93Tf5oNNSmOQhdh2PSNR-b2AJMAld7hJRAgr0thM-gDLxwNKDqs-A0jTkRX8R9VIpbyNx3zjY-JPLcwgdd8DN7leSFU_VaapSw/s320/eaden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684250426033430194" border="0" /></a>(<span style="font-style: italic;">Eaden</span>)<br /><br /></div>I hate to be biased, but sometimes this little fella just steals my heart. He is so loving and so silly. He's gonna be a big brother in just a few months!MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-73377618628226037932011-12-09T13:36:00.000-08:002011-12-09T13:47:47.232-08:00Yikes.Worst blogger ever? <br /><br />Yes. <br /><br />No good explaination, other than life seems to be zooming by and I am starting to get quite anxious about all the changes ahead. I am not great with "transitions" (I even dislike falling asleep). And this year is full of them.<br /><br />But we are all doing well. Highlights include:<br /><br />A crazy busy October with trips to San Diego, SLO, and San Francisco. An epic combination of seeing my best friend April in SD, interviewing for post-docs, my rowdy but awesome 10 year high school reunion in SLO, more interviews in the Bay, spending time with my family. It was a whirlwind of being incredibly grown up and professional, and a complete an utter teenie-bopper.<br /><br />A couple weeks after the crazy trip, I did my first Ironman distance race! And won my age group!! It was the most incredible experience. 11 hours and 39 minutes. And I honestly felt great for 85% of of it and finished strong and happy.<br /><br />The manuscript is revised and I am so happy with it. And it is currently under revisions again. Fingers crossed. We hope to hear back before Christmas.<br /><br />We are heading to New Orleans for Christmas! Seeing friends in Atlanta on the way down and other friends on the way back up and spending three days in New Orleans with just the two of us. I am very excited about this break!<br /><br />Trent starts his last semester of his masters next year. We are abuzz with job planning and constantly talking about life goals and such. <br /><br />I got the green light to defend my dissertation in May. I had a committee meeting right before my birthday and everyone was on board with my decision. Unreal. SO so so so much to do before then but I am very happy!<br /><br />We got iPhones! Finally joining the rest of our generation. They are pretty awesome. <br /><br />We took cheesy family Christmas card pictures with the pups. Expect them in your mail soon!<br /><br />I am not running or biking or swimming right now. But I am addicted to high intensity interval training. I can be found jumping around the house most nights. It is so much fun. <br /><br />I am teaching Genetics and Molecular Biology next semester. And super anxious about it! But it will be a nice way to end my time at UNC, with the great students we have here.<br /><br />We are healthy and happy and enjoying all our friends and experiences as much as we can. Leaving Carrboro is going to be very tough. <br /><br />Hopefully I will get to posting here more often!!<br /><br />JeanMissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-24548626786070871582011-09-19T07:54:00.000-07:002011-12-09T13:48:34.071-08:00RestoredThis weekend, despite my anxieties, was actually a terrific event. It forced me to pick myself up and think about my research again. And I was reminded of a several things:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sb8QupImXufDet-QCoGaLto2DoeM-RTBTiPIhYLsnnk0QEbJPQxkFvJ16g7iqDcRpqCmzzUz32nb3Zol1W-LuduKndsekt9Tvh8wyWfeTAulfuN1WROEGhn_dwVBYamZFnxxPA/s1600/P1020639.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sb8QupImXufDet-QCoGaLto2DoeM-RTBTiPIhYLsnnk0QEbJPQxkFvJ16g7iqDcRpqCmzzUz32nb3Zol1W-LuduKndsekt9Tvh8wyWfeTAulfuN1WROEGhn_dwVBYamZFnxxPA/s320/P1020639.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654084968113645602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Awesome Deirdre and two 2nd year students that are just fantastic. Joy just joined our lab.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>1. So so so many people get papers rejected. With much harsher reviews than mine. And the journal I chose to send our paper to is apparently very "clique-ish" and "snooty" and some very fancy professors have struggled to have papers accepted there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sLeSgTpSktbEG5fOS0foQ2bp06dR9vkzLFZe65SzIHp-zheEZY1hzeMxD92xxKcUQDgn1nnNuUY03TNLTNfm9SC1D8UkLc5GaFfw_eJmScvF2P-z7fnNkmczjTfszJ9rP3hm0g/s1600/P1020641.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sLeSgTpSktbEG5fOS0foQ2bp06dR9vkzLFZe65SzIHp-zheEZY1hzeMxD92xxKcUQDgn1nnNuUY03TNLTNfm9SC1D8UkLc5GaFfw_eJmScvF2P-z7fnNkmczjTfszJ9rP3hm0g/s320/P1020641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654084973435459858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It was slightly chilly, so many people opted for the hotel robes to keep warm during the after hours celebrations. It was hilarious how all the folks from CA thought this was a fairly typical beach weekend and were frolicking around in the sea, no problem.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>2. The way I present my research in talks and posters is different than how we presented it in the manuscript. Which was probably a big mistake. We have to be excited about this work and sell it. Which is something I am pretty darn good at. Just need to remember that.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn6Yp-YOjaE0_KX4kcNKzaafU6Eb_VdnaDm2_w07RIb1lKWle96q35e5j3-0oOanZ1x3DRsjQqKzcJ08_LnJg_3iGxqRtIHbNE7il8KcOpqxVfYQgZrIFzoT9TW95DpedGfwgTA/s1600/P1020637.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXn6Yp-YOjaE0_KX4kcNKzaafU6Eb_VdnaDm2_w07RIb1lKWle96q35e5j3-0oOanZ1x3DRsjQqKzcJ08_LnJg_3iGxqRtIHbNE7il8KcOpqxVfYQgZrIFzoT9TW95DpedGfwgTA/s320/P1020637.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654084966225058114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My boss-man. We decided for our next submission we will also send this picture. We are very scary, right?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And classy, with our 40 oz. beers in paper bags... </span><br /><br /></div>3. I have some wonderful scientific colleagues who have been SO helpful. The best part was a frantic/slightly tipsy meeting between my PI and my amazing committee-member (the other Jean). We were all throwing out ideas and getting really excited about the story again. We have one experiment we want to do that is quite high-tech and fancy-pants. I am excited about learning a new technology!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5pOpV6KT3soJZZrBxNLAIUSl2pLZdV1PX0iellJlMNc3r30QWiA6m2E52M1IvjAO6idvBIZf3bLAmfSaTTE7W2UWNSYsRKHbsOGYc8ATCHx7nJJ-Cg1zLWL5p2zi5jSOaW5-FQ/s1600/P1020643.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5pOpV6KT3soJZZrBxNLAIUSl2pLZdV1PX0iellJlMNc3r30QWiA6m2E52M1IvjAO6idvBIZf3bLAmfSaTTE7W2UWNSYsRKHbsOGYc8ATCHx7nJJ-Cg1zLWL5p2zi5jSOaW5-FQ/s320/P1020643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654084978833125250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Boss-man and his favorite students. Yes, there is a lot of drinking at this retreat. But also a lot of terrific presentations. The university just hired several folks who study what I am hoping to work on next so I had some great conversations/networking opportunities! </span><br /><br /></div>Plus, it was a weekend at the beach with some dear friends and lots of being silly and having a great time. I got a long run in along the ocean which is always good for my soul. This is my last retreat and it was lovely.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Home last night for a lazy day of catching up and then walking down to Panzanella for dinner with Porter. Poor P was shivering already!! Time for dog-jacket searching :) Motivated to get going on the revisions of the manuscript and learning about the new technology. This week is also the "peak" training week for the Ironman, I am exhausted just looking at my schedule. But is all downhill from here!<br /></div></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-89426952422276251632011-09-14T09:52:00.000-07:002011-12-09T13:48:58.191-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_D5flWe2w5DpSYRXj0wHoTRAMiK_bhjGQl_48LzUnLI301fP81ykjw9_RmBPXFIwDb1JZaG3ikcJhXawsRSnIaMGlKAsjwyucwCYwd9P0kn76TOMw8lelSS0bjMYK5y1zUnaAQ/s1600/quote.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_D5flWe2w5DpSYRXj0wHoTRAMiK_bhjGQl_48LzUnLI301fP81ykjw9_RmBPXFIwDb1JZaG3ikcJhXawsRSnIaMGlKAsjwyucwCYwd9P0kn76TOMw8lelSS0bjMYK5y1zUnaAQ/s320/quote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652259361758285378" border="0" /></a>Blargh.<br />A million times blargh.<br />Paper was rejected.<br /><br />I have a game plan, I have wonderful committee members and colleagues I am leaning on very hard and I will get through this.<br /><br />It just stinks.<br />Off to the beach this weekend for our annual retreat. Fun to hang out with friends and discuss science, even if science and I are not friends right now.<br /><br />But I did go to a marvelous talk yesterday from a fella who did his post-doc with the same big name that the person I am hoping to join their lab did (same science father). It was interesting and novel and exciting. I am definitely heading in the right direction. And leaving all this nonsense behind.<br /><br />Updates soon!<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-78788370823491218912011-09-09T14:28:00.000-07:002011-09-09T14:31:22.258-07:00reasons to celebrate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuuWPjT3zIHCH_M7irwbTPoab7xaqo2UpYpWdNQSOdGOvdaA27E7o1wK9lB4JziqpuEn3MyMPznYrJyQD7fRcO80TBWoJrJLBJ3YXUgeUFppEiMLKZ0Cvjf5eruSucBrOwZh2QQ/s1600/trent.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuuWPjT3zIHCH_M7irwbTPoab7xaqo2UpYpWdNQSOdGOvdaA27E7o1wK9lB4JziqpuEn3MyMPznYrJyQD7fRcO80TBWoJrJLBJ3YXUgeUFppEiMLKZ0Cvjf5eruSucBrOwZh2QQ/s320/trent.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650475384428593346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Trent passed his comprehensive exams!!<br /><br />And I repeated a cool result.<br /><br />This calls for a celebration.<br /><br />Happy Friday, have a wonderful weekend. Trent has lots of Rhode Scholarship interviews this weekend so I am heading to Salutation Nation with girlfriends (and post-yoga brunch of course) and then lots of running, biking, and science.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(the picture has nothing to do with anything except Trent and I enjoy sending random pictures back and forth during the day and this was a particular favorite of mine)</span><br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-67177489940131061512011-09-06T11:08:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:42:34.999-07:00beach weekendThere will be several things about the South that will make me nostalgic for years to come. The beauty of fried chicken in a biscuit, taking time to talk to everyone you pass in your day, abundances of gardenias. But I have to say.. I will always love how people from the South have a beach vacation.<br /><br />We had a busy morning Saturday, cleaning house and packing. Drove to Atlantic Beach with newlyweds Adam and Corienne and took pictures of the aftermath of Irene. Or "I-rine" as we called her the rest of the trip.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAcSoXIzb9STeYD-uakigTkgJjcjNhyC3a1MzMcg1DK71MYGrXtboUPtWdfCzqeccSsBbr9mP_UGRngFLPTE9KyOnzrro57Ec5tFo9O4-GXPNijJ_2jYlgvECW0k2eul_kvDx5Q/s1600/irine.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAcSoXIzb9STeYD-uakigTkgJjcjNhyC3a1MzMcg1DK71MYGrXtboUPtWdfCzqeccSsBbr9mP_UGRngFLPTE9KyOnzrro57Ec5tFo9O4-GXPNijJ_2jYlgvECW0k2eul_kvDx5Q/s320/irine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649314175063523778" border="0" /></a><br />We reached Thomas's family condo and immediately got down to the beach for beers in coozies and conversation as the sun set. My favorite time of day at the beach is around 5pm. We finally walked back to the house for a big dinner of grilled shrimp and other beach goodies.<br /><br />Then round two. Lots of card games and tropical drinks made with coconut rum. We were absolutely silly and rowdy and it was a blast. We headed down to the beach to go "Ghost-Crabbing," a completely Jean-tastic game where you spot tiny crabs with flashlights and chase them down and pick them up... and then put them down. I couldn't resist a midnight swim and was pleasantly rewarded by bio-luminescent algae!!! It was magical and I yelled enthusiastically enough to get everyone in the sea with me. More playing in the pool and rowdy adventures before crawling into bed in the early morning hours.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVUoTmIgzE1AmuvT3F06J6PabClb3d0uQg-8G7FZ_FQy_wF27TU4N2nsO_UQiwfsXgHC2OpYt4S7ZeM-hE6wtV8LImmgUlN9cj_z46GZ5E-jDWTlbb-zHcP2sgNOJu7x1lsgi6g/s1600/ghost.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVUoTmIgzE1AmuvT3F06J6PabClb3d0uQg-8G7FZ_FQy_wF27TU4N2nsO_UQiwfsXgHC2OpYt4S7ZeM-hE6wtV8LImmgUlN9cj_z46GZ5E-jDWTlbb-zHcP2sgNOJu7x1lsgi6g/s320/ghost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649314180906077586" border="0" /></a><br />Up Sunday feeling pretty good and off for a long swim with Thomas in training for our upcoming Ironman. We did a nice and mellow 45 minute swim along the shore (I only ran into one bluefish!) and then Trent joined us for a 30 minute run. Back home for watermelon for breakfast and then down to the beach. Amazing fried scallop burgers for lunch, and onion rings at 3pm in honor of my grandmother. An intense touch football game for a couple hours (we won! no thanks to me, but still!!).<br /><br />More lounging on the beach and visiting with other folks in the area. I read New Yorkers a bit, but mostly just listened to stories from friends. I was the last to leave the beach, it was tough to leave (the water was a perfect temperature and absolutely turquoise). Trent and Thomas went to get fresh fish for dinner and I made mashed potatoes and a big salad.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_ULMVW5jg4F6e1IaF9F7-vgwUhFzf1t6fw1vdzfm2ocmYoV4z04c_HJAhmGSPXZlS9LLYmB9sc0lJ1EPtJhQDL7_5bhmJYuIx5aV5QiDd9melU9LcXlTioqGItM9ndnlfG4r5A/s1600/dinner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_ULMVW5jg4F6e1IaF9F7-vgwUhFzf1t6fw1vdzfm2ocmYoV4z04c_HJAhmGSPXZlS9LLYmB9sc0lJ1EPtJhQDL7_5bhmJYuIx5aV5QiDd9melU9LcXlTioqGItM9ndnlfG4r5A/s320/dinner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649314164771035794" border="0" /></a><br />Another lovely dinner with good friends and another rowdy night of highly competitive spoons, beer-ball, Girl-Talk dance parties, and another round of Ghost-Crabbing. The water was too rough for another swim but we did play in the pool for a bit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bfmPv-DPaDPv_aZ2WbDmukc-Er7WjbP2irfA1WpAdorCmHgUvfU50KIoz1YXdzvxX8fzFd049XlBYMLjwp2i7qFxcz9qPbhcFaxrSVnx0iVe64HMKAYu5hnJ3O2Clr_URpkCPw/s1600/trentpong.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bfmPv-DPaDPv_aZ2WbDmukc-Er7WjbP2irfA1WpAdorCmHgUvfU50KIoz1YXdzvxX8fzFd049XlBYMLjwp2i7qFxcz9qPbhcFaxrSVnx0iVe64HMKAYu5hnJ3O2Clr_URpkCPw/s320/trentpong.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649314186495223330" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWzYyGZum2zBVf1xZfX9jnoxIolDMG1lmVWnHmcQJpM7YgZdqIowMa6mUpHB6NdNPEIg16C_O9At3Rz4XDg8JsJg5e6Zo2uxxfhAhYwWM-G523YlvLMcNdT5KT67cRYXKlIA-1Q/s1600/jeanpong.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWzYyGZum2zBVf1xZfX9jnoxIolDMG1lmVWnHmcQJpM7YgZdqIowMa6mUpHB6NdNPEIg16C_O9At3Rz4XDg8JsJg5e6Zo2uxxfhAhYwWM-G523YlvLMcNdT5KT67cRYXKlIA-1Q/s320/jeanpong.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649314181916203442" border="0" /></a><br />Sunday morning was melancholy. The weather was a bit cloudy (Hurricane Lee has been a way bigger deal for us here in the Piedmont than Irene was) so Trent and I took a long walk on the beach before helping clean and pack. Hit the road by noon, home to see the puppers (Heather stayed with them), and lots of laundry and grocery shopping. A wonderful, recuperative, hilarious weekend with dear friends and my sweet fella. Just lovely.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitciKu72_Yj7bCJx0TdxgCTKXdtk9zzkP6E-MAznnLj1Q7unGUzcwusEbOw73UMrEE2M7PIUVhxIGlO0KclJRfonSMwfGjn9qIRRBgg4xWKznuvqhG4_wFwxViyjTaHFqK3-LOZQ/s1600/pups.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitciKu72_Yj7bCJx0TdxgCTKXdtk9zzkP6E-MAznnLj1Q7unGUzcwusEbOw73UMrEE2M7PIUVhxIGlO0KclJRfonSMwfGjn9qIRRBgg4xWKznuvqhG4_wFwxViyjTaHFqK3-LOZQ/s320/pups.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649314710295739490" border="0" /></a>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-16142370795923233742011-09-02T09:25:00.000-07:002011-09-02T09:27:48.466-07:00Endless summer <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEjEhkoPGDdDiDTOK2_GUqqs3UHYDDUamoyAWL-jdcAZx4ngJQQY_6Y2b10R0SdAoTYLMGaQxUNlCHGzMHJU-wV1QB0kZCDe5j7q-NE-WM_UCVwxQmfQXzZSi9flMHWDZGE1PKw/s1600/beach.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEjEhkoPGDdDiDTOK2_GUqqs3UHYDDUamoyAWL-jdcAZx4ngJQQY_6Y2b10R0SdAoTYLMGaQxUNlCHGzMHJU-wV1QB0kZCDe5j7q-NE-WM_UCVwxQmfQXzZSi9flMHWDZGE1PKw/s320/beach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647799375392877698" border="0" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">And we are off. Soaking up the last of summer at Thomas's beach house in Atlantic Beach. Thankfully the hurricane, although it landed in Atlantic beach, didn't do any damage. I am looking forward to reading books, eating potato chips and playing in the ocean. I had a long week of workouts and my body is ready for a break! Happy Labor Day weekend to you all.
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<br />This picture is from last year, but same crowd!
<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-73652793809343496612011-09-01T08:03:00.000-07:002011-09-01T08:21:49.086-07:00Breaking the FastLast night we went to a lovely banquet to celebrate the end of Ramadan. We ate our first mehjool date, and then feasted on a huge assortment of delicious food, hosted by one of Trent's classmates who has been observing the holiday for the past month.
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<br />It felt like a good way to break back into blogging. With something sweet and wholesome. There are a million stories to tell from this summer. But for now, here are some pictures. The past month has been filled with love. Two weddings, birthday dance parties, babies born.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJJ6v9C4PkalvTb1KXLI5Rk-5fHLNqh8TquBunjDwLjGK4vADWe6-kQS-u5VDoh24CsU3h7ti0d51weRfWZfOm60yIysir2KadPZpmlQQEUWqUn64c7jRx9-bTcDNyf15hTc4oQ/s1600/dancing3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJJ6v9C4PkalvTb1KXLI5Rk-5fHLNqh8TquBunjDwLjGK4vADWe6-kQS-u5VDoh24CsU3h7ti0d51weRfWZfOm60yIysir2KadPZpmlQQEUWqUn64c7jRx9-bTcDNyf15hTc4oQ/s320/dancing3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647410275174493922" border="0" /></a>
<br />It has also been incredible professionally. The paper is submitted and under review (hooray!). The book is published and my chapter sits proudly among them. I have interviews on the horizon. Trent is back in school and already running everything and pitching business proposals. This summer was incredibly inspiring for him, career-wise, and we are both thrilled to see what the year holds for us.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVpPozApvL3RWq-tkMGThACWQBFHOhF08HD3jQj7zTdy6ubQY60HkqKxZsRUKff96WCdhV9PncPIzqmzeKjer1btUYhesdPk0L3XowRWuzUb4DlNlryLEnQBeEj4cQxyX5OfOog/s1600/dancing2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVpPozApvL3RWq-tkMGThACWQBFHOhF08HD3jQj7zTdy6ubQY60HkqKxZsRUKff96WCdhV9PncPIzqmzeKjer1btUYhesdPk0L3XowRWuzUb4DlNlryLEnQBeEj4cQxyX5OfOog/s320/dancing2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647410270416628434" border="0" /></a>
<br />It is going to be a tumultuous year, for sure. In a wonderful way though. I am feeling incredibly fit and ready for my Ironman race at the end of October (!!), I am thrilled to be heading to California to see April and go to our 10 year high school reunion (!!!) and interview for jobs (!!!!). We are heading to New Orleans for Christmas, then Israel in March. Graduating in May, selling the house, quick trip to Europe, wedding in California, somehow getting ourselves and our herd across the country to start our next adventure. There aren't enough exclamation points in the universe to describe it.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRdugQoD_PUdh6EChobKRsxWY2ed2vRqGo7OiA55UCljTkZTBSPxYRdkBMHjpgAJTUiI4G5bzH1FUoJOz87oVUVC7iXnR5b0T4mb8w5ndUob1lPSkC1RIyajnY_1hFeAdK112KQ/s1600/dancing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRdugQoD_PUdh6EChobKRsxWY2ed2vRqGo7OiA55UCljTkZTBSPxYRdkBMHjpgAJTUiI4G5bzH1FUoJOz87oVUVC7iXnR5b0T4mb8w5ndUob1lPSkC1RIyajnY_1hFeAdK112KQ/s320/dancing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647410273294113986" border="0" /></a>
<br />So for a start... dancing. Lovely dancing. With my partner in all these adventures. Some wonderful memories associated with these pictures. Many more stories to come.
<br />MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-52643106915240560562011-06-17T06:28:00.000-07:002011-06-17T06:35:08.993-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9A0p-YSckIG6Gq_8HnfCUoSxtT7CFu4ky-PQIOoc477mBEmD31DI3MCfnmMOZF58c6khFGC_TB2duOSJNZzbkvmXaN6dfWDC_73neSMAgHBFN09zik65lzFPqokUPILgb9mX6Q/s1600/il_570xN.196258853.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9A0p-YSckIG6Gq_8HnfCUoSxtT7CFu4ky-PQIOoc477mBEmD31DI3MCfnmMOZF58c6khFGC_TB2duOSJNZzbkvmXaN6dfWDC_73neSMAgHBFN09zik65lzFPqokUPILgb9mX6Q/s320/il_570xN.196258853.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619180945290368706" border="0" /></a>Dashed home from lab and was frantically getting my LUNA Chix kit on to make the weekly ride and opening the mail when I found this little treasure from the sweet husband. These weekly little gifts are just delightful. A penny-farthing bike, in honor of our meeting in Davis. So thoughtful!<br /><br />Carrboro is in full effect, I haven't had a walk with the dogs, run, or bike ride to work without running into about 10 people I know. Love it. Front Porch Friday tonight, then a quick trip to the beach tomorrow with Deirdre and her friend coming to visit from Boston. Babysitting Max tomorrow night and lots of practicing the talk on Sunday!<br /><br />Happy weekend to you.<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-90151205385240347222011-06-13T13:38:00.000-07:002011-06-13T13:55:58.653-07:00I hate to be mopey, but I had sorta a crummers weekend. It was really the first one I was pretty much alone the entire time (not for lack of trying, but various circumstances prevailed and it was just me and the pups). I did have a lovely Friday afternoon out with friends at the Carolina Inn, and a quick bike ride and bbq with some neighbors, but there was a lot of me time. Which is not my favorite. A boring 10 mile run on a treadmill, because it was so hot outside. Lots of sweaty yard work. Lots of schlepping things. Naughty dogs. Falling down (2) stairs and panicking that if I hurt myself no one would know. Nervous nights with dogs barking at possible intruders (in reality, just dogs barking at party across the street. I tell ya, I have one mean imagination...). Not great. <br /><br />So today, I am rallying. New day. I am wearing a fun new outfit combination that is sort of ridiculous but mostly awesome. Or so I am telling myself. I am listening to lots of the new Brett Dennen album ("Comeback/That's my Dog" is my mantra song this week). Making lots of plans ahead of time with friends. <br /><br />Other things that are making me happy:<br /><br />1) Fireflies. #2 reason I will miss Southern summers. Impossible not to smile when you see them.<br /><br />2) Gardenias everywhere. #1 reason.<br /><br />3) Weekly watermelon. See schlepping above. But totally worth it<br /><br />4) This <a href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/boa/2432208768.html">boat</a>.<br /><br />5) Planning my visit for my 10 Year High School reunion with April. Which will hopefully also be an interviewing trip. Which makes me slightly terrified... but exciting. And getting excited for Lesley's visit in just a few weeks!!<br /><br />6) The CSA, while still overwhelming, is at least more diverse these days. Eggplant, squash, potatoes, kale (of course!), onions, cucumbers. Much more fun. And I ate my first tomatoes off my tomato jungle.<br /><br />7) Hearing about Haley rocking her triathlon relay race. So impressed.<br /><br />8) Dreaming about Maine and eating lobster everyday. And giving a spectacular presentation (fingers crossed). <br /><br />9) Video chat with Trent. Makes my day to see his face. And hear all about his sailing adventures.<br /><br />10) A random but lovely ride to school today from Paul. I was walking to work and he picked me up! Love small towns, and great to get a bit of Alex snuggles to start my day.<br /><br />Here's to the up and up. This is the midpoint of our summer separation and I am thrilled about our Boston reunion at a friends wedding in July. Just gotta keep my head up.MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-37344023726319386722011-06-10T10:18:00.000-07:002011-06-10T10:31:12.048-07:00Friday<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXihzv3G3ClSNK8n4ttQKbJY4zYAZwLP4fBf6D9yWKNQdlvNCvQF6uyqfwwmj0xjWyWPBjwwFMVfgD4UGx1KdCBUYneRRt0Y1hEY8qoRbUJJ0vTFVfP0rkzyqTqbGtx3nYy7X4iA/s1600/P1020607.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXihzv3G3ClSNK8n4ttQKbJY4zYAZwLP4fBf6D9yWKNQdlvNCvQF6uyqfwwmj0xjWyWPBjwwFMVfgD4UGx1KdCBUYneRRt0Y1hEY8qoRbUJJ0vTFVfP0rkzyqTqbGtx3nYy7X4iA/s320/P1020607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616641806572745970" border="0" /></a><br />Ready for the weekend. Practice presentation went great, but some combination of nerves, too much coffee, not enough sleep, too hot weather, too many vegetables, wiped me out. Spent yesterday at home with the pups, writing and catching up on sleep. <br /><br />Getting lots done today including some fun experiments for the project I will be working on the rest of my time here. UV damage is bad news!! Heading to the Carolina Inn for their Front Porch concert series after work, workouts with my "tri-team" tomorrow, bbq and babysitting Maxwell, yoga, writing, cleaning, staying cool. Wish me luck :)<br /><br />Flowers are going strong. These, combined with finishing the edits on the manuscript and my awesome Gaspard et Lisa calendar are making my day. <br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-42188700590354049822011-06-07T12:00:00.001-07:002011-06-07T12:01:38.903-07:00So lovely!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKx0uTeMy4fCnyAze_xbqUSetKyVOgtqwxxvPtWjBfYGrYcb-9bPQwZDbRHIotVI1IqA84a2LK74d2T_-a25wSEnzFwjjqxdrT0k8qv5IxYIEW-aPizqh2-QkeHdqtge6tcji2g/s1600/P1020605.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKx0uTeMy4fCnyAze_xbqUSetKyVOgtqwxxvPtWjBfYGrYcb-9bPQwZDbRHIotVI1IqA84a2LK74d2T_-a25wSEnzFwjjqxdrT0k8qv5IxYIEW-aPizqh2-QkeHdqtge6tcji2g/s320/P1020605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615554763200140466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Have to share a photo of the gorgeous flowers I found waiting for me on my (super unorganized-you can tell when I am working on a presentation) desk when I got back from a talk today. FERNS AND GARDENIAS. That boy knows me. <br /><br />Thank you love!<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-21435862950038196802011-06-06T07:59:00.000-07:002011-06-06T08:48:45.117-07:00Plant Madness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4qEyFX35elBL9PQrfE2plz6doZvv8Kxk4uWKTR1nqlFtpuO8f9r-dDltjZtgaETigdFxyiIopWvmWOhWWs658BwwND-sHJOe1ow0ZmKutnlpZtPN3R7WVjtq41-HF4FPgiWXhQ/s1600/P1020595.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4qEyFX35elBL9PQrfE2plz6doZvv8Kxk4uWKTR1nqlFtpuO8f9r-dDltjZtgaETigdFxyiIopWvmWOhWWs658BwwND-sHJOe1ow0ZmKutnlpZtPN3R7WVjtq41-HF4FPgiWXhQ/s320/P1020595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615128937901011170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The cute, adorably organized, garden boxes are now unruly jungles. Not that I am not thrilled at the intense vegetation, but dang, it sorta stresses me out to see these tangles of tomatoes, curling cucumber tendrils pulling down delicate herbs, beans taller than I am. The photo above is our tomato monstrosity. There were 6 independent plants in there... now it is just a mass of greenery and fruits. It will be fun to see the different colors emerge.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcHH1sfKh69_zUAUx5EOTG3ws9aJW5MqF3dazvXR-dC69Q5QE3Up0MLKFMjPDUl68iGhv8arvGcaXW8E2DA0LBZeaPBolcOyyGvCxEdnMgRwksiulm72jCQ1hnlks2LlnF2hZMg/s1600/P1020593.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcHH1sfKh69_zUAUx5EOTG3ws9aJW5MqF3dazvXR-dC69Q5QE3Up0MLKFMjPDUl68iGhv8arvGcaXW8E2DA0LBZeaPBolcOyyGvCxEdnMgRwksiulm72jCQ1hnlks2LlnF2hZMg/s320/P1020593.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615128927610327570" border="0" /></a><br />I've been inventing new things for the cucumbers to climb on... and removed the poor dill that was being strangled.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq9gsdMEhcb4taiArF5ajIimeUwzW05Q0p1bQL86OGuEEDyesxtZOoyPeb0QzW0NyCTx_fxwQD6lcOM5lBrI4FQqSeT0MABXrD94aVtP_NsPjaT1d-aps0lGzLuLBODjo4wSKxQ/s1600/P1020592.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq9gsdMEhcb4taiArF5ajIimeUwzW05Q0p1bQL86OGuEEDyesxtZOoyPeb0QzW0NyCTx_fxwQD6lcOM5lBrI4FQqSeT0MABXrD94aVtP_NsPjaT1d-aps0lGzLuLBODjo4wSKxQ/s320/P1020592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615128924206807554" border="0" /></a><br />Wall of beans. Already started harvesting some. Hopefully once they quit growing, as they have run out of space, they'll invest more energy in making delicious pods!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuZ-8wHk3n8W-tYrCN6us51vhZkt0Xsij33TIPEbi14fJmn-4oDkosZKu9Sra8arpICiQF3LqBqe8sVAM7-DeSBfLkoUrzEeb2nXnR4mqgHH4XPPeHV7QxgDk1ylq32OWWHPgPQ/s1600/P1020591.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuZ-8wHk3n8W-tYrCN6us51vhZkt0Xsij33TIPEbi14fJmn-4oDkosZKu9Sra8arpICiQF3LqBqe8sVAM7-DeSBfLkoUrzEeb2nXnR4mqgHH4XPPeHV7QxgDk1ylq32OWWHPgPQ/s320/P1020591.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615128914791801522" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Tomato jungle. The stems on some of the plants are inches in diameter. Overwhelming!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLgLT-MfTC2FY8QNawzGKgejT4lSanRoaxGJeTr0kH1lCkLIQvix28Oohea8ivaLLuCEEcIr9W_2ZyiBtmgtu2Vu74Wi_OxKJKwi1c5lqwFLBridHFVeNtbcgDf6SbZ3xzlFl0w/s1600/P1020590.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLgLT-MfTC2FY8QNawzGKgejT4lSanRoaxGJeTr0kH1lCkLIQvix28Oohea8ivaLLuCEEcIr9W_2ZyiBtmgtu2Vu74Wi_OxKJKwi1c5lqwFLBridHFVeNtbcgDf6SbZ3xzlFl0w/s320/P1020590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615128675227047954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Eaden's birthday pool party. Nothing like a mess of 2 year olds to bring a smile to your face.<br /></div><br />Also making me happy:<br /><br />1) Friday night I spent a lovely evening with some of my favorite NC ladies. Vino verde and stinky cheeses at Weaver Street and discussions all about babies (our lovely neighbor KJ is pregnant! And Amanda and Max came by for a bit for some snuggling), careers, boys, parents. I am so fortunate to have such a pack of educated, ambitious, athletic women in my life. We rallied to see the late showing of Bridesmaid and it was just a wonderful evening.<br /><br />2) Saturday I was up early to ride to Saxapawhaw with some LUNA ladies. It was a great ride and I felt really strong. Mid-ride breakfast at the General Store, which is definitely in my top 5 favorite restaurants in the area.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUiCFeFu6j0UaYFzq-SL_URDk0IxQ5GrIoDZlzy7MVktttJ8GmlKw510thzP8mKQsO_b_zoKl0nv3wpalxXKeIC0_biW1FCeqXNDnWJz4PZJ-Nv3GrWYBjrvLnAYQ_jdzrtkpOQ/s1600/P1020601.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUiCFeFu6j0UaYFzq-SL_URDk0IxQ5GrIoDZlzy7MVktttJ8GmlKw510thzP8mKQsO_b_zoKl0nv3wpalxXKeIC0_biW1FCeqXNDnWJz4PZJ-Nv3GrWYBjrvLnAYQ_jdzrtkpOQ/s320/P1020601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615133155395961682" border="0" /></a><br />3) Lots of good napping this weekend. I'd been up too late and up too early all week, so it felt great to snuggle with the pups and snooze for a bit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94SkGarbih41d-joEKVGx1Be9Ohi7pKrer4ktBN-p9afqUQ0ciOfYzJCaNYELQgCi0ZFCaSlbvKOoo7TrCpXVKi-_tOYP1cqGmbptMgtVz_WEz2NN7krG7wMHGyEb-M2a3xAlLw/s1600/P1020603.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94SkGarbih41d-joEKVGx1Be9Ohi7pKrer4ktBN-p9afqUQ0ciOfYzJCaNYELQgCi0ZFCaSlbvKOoo7TrCpXVKi-_tOYP1cqGmbptMgtVz_WEz2NN7krG7wMHGyEb-M2a3xAlLw/s320/P1020603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615133167789913122" border="0" /></a><br />4) Fun BBQ with science friends. The fireflies are out in full force, such a summer treat.<br /><br />5) Lots of yard work on Sunday (trying to organize the mess shown above). Treated myself to a lazy swim with Deirdre at her apartment pool. <br /><br />6) A bit of lab work and a lovely visit with Baby Maxwell. He is smiling now and it is just delightful.<br /><br />7) Laundry, cooking for the week (CSA madness!), evening run with the pups. Frustrating a bit as I got stung by some sort of bug on the run, so long shower, benedryl and to bed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlJiJGhUZIiHq6mjDQuz53_5ZJOE2YqNxnUQPYLxpE1s8TwJkEKWp2PrQhP55bCZ6U2_e0GXLvaJy8O7msCbM9tlkxLFD4BPVfCcB-L_2Aetkul7Q8zanxRl_x9IzkyyFaolAZQ/s1600/P1020596.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlJiJGhUZIiHq6mjDQuz53_5ZJOE2YqNxnUQPYLxpE1s8TwJkEKWp2PrQhP55bCZ6U2_e0GXLvaJy8O7msCbM9tlkxLFD4BPVfCcB-L_2Aetkul7Q8zanxRl_x9IzkyyFaolAZQ/s320/P1020596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615133149669525410" border="0" /></a><br />8) But my house smells A-mazing as one of my gardenia bushes is exploding with blooms. I've been wearing them in my hair, giving them to friends and neighbors, but my favorite use are a couple blooms next to my bed. Perfection.<br /><br />Busy week, I am giving a practice talk on Wednesday for my upcoming *huge* deal conference. Lots of LUNA events and working out in general. It is hot hot hot here, so swimming is my new best friend. Happy week to all of you.MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-60824233218424666982011-05-17T19:26:00.000-07:002011-05-17T20:44:15.215-07:00One Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsO27nuo0dDVZHG4-gw18siGEq4JS8XBwC79S16chtzNq7bTzCpyfcaFUwl1TJg0eqL5DCgLEUuat1Mnnj6wWyt9xMdPv88XLhADb_pZcDp69y0UcJGdxFZkdTvWvnzvww-B1Tw/s1600/Photo+20.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1W-kauuMrXT7xjpqld5v_y1B28L88YcL3fSKKHpOlGvoewnxCtWEw4vIke7SWyOp2Aa04WjN2XV5ozrLrzEXHNAXRAVGu6CVm_4T8aNkHo_U-HiwnO_9OJoUvtRMz1if-oBecmQ/s1600/5732025684_d377fcabc0_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1W-kauuMrXT7xjpqld5v_y1B28L88YcL3fSKKHpOlGvoewnxCtWEw4vIke7SWyOp2Aa04WjN2XV5ozrLrzEXHNAXRAVGu6CVm_4T8aNkHo_U-HiwnO_9OJoUvtRMz1if-oBecmQ/s320/5732025684_d377fcabc0_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607895119843041042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It has been one week since Trent left. I am surviving. I hate to say thriving, but man, I am learning some <span style="font-weight: bold;">things</span>. I miss him more than anything, but I am also so keen on taking this opportunity to get to know my self and realize "I've got this" (that was my mantra during the awesome bike portion of the half-Ironman).<br /><br />This is gonna be rambling, and mushy... apologies ahead of time. To the LIST<br /><br />1. Frozen food from Trader Joe's is the best thing for a "single gal." That and being forced to eat pounds of <span style="font-weight: bold;">kale</span> and collard greens on a daily basis to keep up with the CSA.<br /><br />2. I am utilizing the two CSA's I will be missing for Hawaii as thank you gifts for rides to the airport (Deirdre) and dog/house-sitting (Heather). I love that in Carrboro <span style="font-weight: bold;">veg is a valuable currency</span>!<br /><br />3. I've been hanging out with a couple stellar undergrads. They remind me of those awesome years and how fun it is to have the <span style="font-weight: bold;">entire world ahead of them</span>. One is Heather, a tri friend who we reconnected with during White Lake and lives down the street. She'll be staying here with the pups. We are going to see a show at Johnny's tomorrow.. sounds just delightful.<br /><br />4. I hope they leave college with all the great memories and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">ridiculously awesome friends</span> I lucked out with.<br /><br />5. As part of LUNA team, Rebecca and I volunteered at a little kid triathlon. If you ever need a huge lift of spirits, try riding your bike around while <span style="font-weight: bold;">little-bitties</span> ride their hearts out for 5 miles. It was SO much fun to cheer them on.<br /><br />6. Speaking of cheering... I had a lovely phone conversation with my nephew Tim yesterday. I probably haven't seen that kid (yes, he is 22 but he is still a kid... otherwise I am old...) in 5 years but we had a very nice chat. So fun to catch up, family is my favorite. Thinking perhaps my <span style="font-weight: bold;">darling mother</span> told family to keep in touch with one lonely JeanBean... which is awesome. Otherwise, not sure how we re-connected. But it was great.<br /><br />7. However, it might have been a little cheezy on my part. In searching for pup vaccine records in our filing cabinet I came across my file of "Things that make me smile." Lovely letters from family and friends, pictures of my childhood, sweet letters from Trent when I was away in La Paz and Costa Rica (and the first birthday card he ever gave me, from the awesome surprise party my roomies threw me, where I managed to light my hair on fire blowing on candles... but he brought me cookies and sorta awkwardly signed the card "<span style="font-weight: bold;">love, Trent</span>." Oh if he only knew how true! Anyways, I was riding this incredible reminiscing high right when he called and I was in love with science, school, family, the universe. It was definitely cheeze-ball.. but oh well.<br /><br />8. I've had some <span style="font-weight: bold;">stellar</span> influences in my life. And, my graduate school application essay restored my faith in my love of science.<br /><br />9. I was also high from a wonderful yoga class. Someday I will tell you all about how <span style="font-weight: bold;">yoga changed my life</span> and how Lori quite possibly is responsible... but this post is already cheezy enough.<br /><br />10. You know what also restored my faith in science? <span style="font-weight: bold;">FINISHING</span> THAT AWFUL TRICKY EXPERIMENT. I was in the dark room developing the film and couldn't bring myself to turn the light on to see if it worked. Luckily another grad student walked in, and asked if he could turn the lights on. He did, and I saw the film... and started bawling. Poor fella. But I explained, and he totally understood. It is a community, of total nerds, but such a community. My boss left for Amsterdam today to present my work to some big folks in the field, and now he can tell the <span style="font-weight: bold;">complete</span> story!!<br /><br />11. I also felt accomplished yesterday as I capably bathed both stinky dogs in preparation for their check ups today. Not an easy task. Neither was wrangling them through the appointment. They both passed their exams with flying colors, everyone always comments on how <span style="font-weight: bold;">handsome</span> Pilot is, and how <span style="font-weight: bold;">sweet</span> and snuggly Porter is. Pilot cried the whole time they were working on Porter. Love my sweet boys. Plus, Porter got the green light to start running with me! Training begins.<br /><br />12. Speaking of training, Deirdre has enlisted my help as a "personal trainer." This gives me so much joy. We had a great boot-camp style workout this evening, some great <span style="font-weight: bold;">endorphins</span> and sweating. Very proud of her and her recent life decisions. I have been doing lots of "pop-ups" in preparation for <span style="font-weight: bold;">HAWAII</span>!!! I miss surfing so.<br /><br />13. I have realized that my TV doppelganger is Rob Lowe's character on "Parks and Recreation." Think about it... post-it notes, chia seeds and crazy teas, slightly maniacal exercising, enthusiasm. I am owning it. I have started saying <span style="font-weight: bold;">LITERALLY</span> a lot more.<br /><br />14. Plus... I've joined the "barefoot running" cohort. Trent and I are both rocking the New Balance Minimus... such a fan. The new generation of shoes realize that my pinkie toe is more of a <span style="font-weight: bold;">vestigial</span> organ than anything and does not need its own little toe slot. Plus they are way cuter.<br /><br />15. I've also... mostly by panicking trying to eat all the eggs and veg from the CSA (plus frozen fish from TJ's) pretty much switched to a <span style="font-weight: bold;">paleo-diet</span>. I am not endorsing this.. I can't stomach all that meat, but I definitely think I am gluten-sensitive. Good to know.<br /><br />And well, since that brings us back around to the beginning, seems like a good place to stop. Plus I have got to go to bed. Still working on that with Trent away. But otherwise.. I am good. Probably helps that I get to see my darling in just a few days, but ya... I am happy. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks to all of you for all the joy you give to me.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsO27nuo0dDVZHG4-gw18siGEq4JS8XBwC79S16chtzNq7bTzCpyfcaFUwl1TJg0eqL5DCgLEUuat1Mnnj6wWyt9xMdPv88XLhADb_pZcDp69y0UcJGdxFZkdTvWvnzvww-B1Tw/s1600/Photo+20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsO27nuo0dDVZHG4-gw18siGEq4JS8XBwC79S16chtzNq7bTzCpyfcaFUwl1TJg0eqL5DCgLEUuat1Mnnj6wWyt9xMdPv88XLhADb_pZcDp69y0UcJGdxFZkdTvWvnzvww-B1Tw/s320/Photo+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607895122847397426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">especially phone calls with my bubs while listening to The Beautiful Girls after a lovely shower with the windows open. "After All This Time" is my </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">jam</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> this summer :) I know you are loving this photobooth stuff.. right?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">lovely photo at the top from the gorgeous blog <a href="http://aurajoon.blogspot.com/">http://aurajoon.blogspot.com/</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">the teabag says "you must know that you can swim through every tide and change of time" i've got this...</span><br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-42140945697301180612011-05-11T19:04:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:21:32.013-07:00My prize for being productive and working on the paper instead of feeling sorry for myself...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWN2YO1Bz6Cv0OSlwcByFqlU1i0clvdOZVcWHrRaKcK2aPdXsSifR4WXimvYt7upAp5S_4MLZyVfKrX83jimhz4NsLjCCRMQEYmaU3GKYsgQUeV_02dAnW3pFR3BzqLpW221CzA/s1600/Photo+17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWN2YO1Bz6Cv0OSlwcByFqlU1i0clvdOZVcWHrRaKcK2aPdXsSifR4WXimvYt7upAp5S_4MLZyVfKrX83jimhz4NsLjCCRMQEYmaU3GKYsgQUeV_02dAnW3pFR3BzqLpW221CzA/s320/Photo+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605644846007033298" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Leaping Lemurs!! Crazy fancy organic kids cereal. Oh Weaver Street....<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">But Mom said to give myself special treats, and as an extra bonus it will remind me of my recent visit to the lemur center with April. Win win.<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-53491176491055075982011-05-11T18:32:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:21:31.893-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y8dCj2nJ_Sw4gj5VspiOdBtir6J6dJn9AcNBNE-A23zs2DKkgapWwsBcyIQWPcR2bmVdlL2KRfG_51D8EToI6ZbMctRlbsH7ONyi0vb1ehl17pfvy8OJKjzybhwV0qp3e928lQ/s1600/Photo+15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y8dCj2nJ_Sw4gj5VspiOdBtir6J6dJn9AcNBNE-A23zs2DKkgapWwsBcyIQWPcR2bmVdlL2KRfG_51D8EToI6ZbMctRlbsH7ONyi0vb1ehl17pfvy8OJKjzybhwV0qp3e928lQ/s320/Photo+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605638586667344658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday night: </span>Amazing, last minute, meet up with my awesome friend from high school, Allison, who is out at Duke for a conference. Dog walks in the forest and dinner at the Washington Duke Inn... not too shabby.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday night:</span> Ridiculously good but hard yoga class. Felt completely noodle-like afterward. Then wine, pineapple, and helping a friend with her eHarmony profile. SO much fun. A little heart-sick thinking of how lucky I am to not have to do this... but still a hilarious time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxXkne3hm6Awyr_68HJejyujGz5hGLh3vnfDPB3nQZswa4EJvMyMk8REbxK_D8ovffxINGD_bBRpx6_BFBtWgFyUMZmpS_W1L65oubH3nurcqp8BZw9e5UPKAJt26mHlz_7sGKg/s1600/Photo+12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxXkne3hm6Awyr_68HJejyujGz5hGLh3vnfDPB3nQZswa4EJvMyMk8REbxK_D8ovffxINGD_bBRpx6_BFBtWgFyUMZmpS_W1L65oubH3nurcqp8BZw9e5UPKAJt26mHlz_7sGKg/s320/Photo+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605637510776988658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday night:</span> Team run with the pups (slow, still recovering from the race). Avoided being home alone/sad by heading to Weaver Street to write figure legends for the paper (huzzah!), taking awkward photos with Photobooth, and listening to the new Beautiful Girls album (perfect summer music!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5W9L8Y5Paw8sMFSuuiUPwmga36JWJeRIdvbPyOmQIXAkPshpEi9ooWm4EwfHjtiqrbHzNI8lwDKV_WGxU0l_J7NN7kW9MERTrdS7XKIgeTPmWAAGQXRjLIU_YSu18NjrUQtq_g/s1600/Photo+14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5W9L8Y5Paw8sMFSuuiUPwmga36JWJeRIdvbPyOmQIXAkPshpEi9ooWm4EwfHjtiqrbHzNI8lwDKV_WGxU0l_J7NN7kW9MERTrdS7XKIgeTPmWAAGQXRjLIU_YSu18NjrUQtq_g/s320/Photo+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605637512866833730" border="0" /></a><br />Trent sounds like he is having a totally wonderful time out there. He has nothing but wonderful things to say about the company, his co-workers, his gracious family who is hosting him, and Oakland in general. I am eager to do my best to be super productive and awesome this summer, thanks to a lot of help from friends and pups. But man, I do miss him like crazy...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HCzpy4aR4TaVrFivLZjqR9ctcn1b9Xt9pkWMkeb7rgz3R3wKbtYl3tKt1y2NAcaP8Cu5481zSaKkEKso7v4bUOUF5lFE_Vtd_wTR_jp61ja9UrOcWV7ejZlwBo7rPTAXUV3-DQ/s1600/Photo+16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HCzpy4aR4TaVrFivLZjqR9ctcn1b9Xt9pkWMkeb7rgz3R3wKbtYl3tKt1y2NAcaP8Cu5481zSaKkEKso7v4bUOUF5lFE_Vtd_wTR_jp61ja9UrOcWV7ejZlwBo7rPTAXUV3-DQ/s320/Photo+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605638586896068146" border="0" /></a>But, I cannot be too sad... I am going to Hawaii soooooo soon.<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-53842133922951960802011-05-06T07:38:00.000-07:002011-05-06T07:51:23.339-07:00Updates<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCCT3OidbRXgKNXRLx4TJ4bfsSxR6ITV4hdFNfKPlk9fR9gezMqDkocabze9hgKITg-MSXzbQXh1Ay6qdfvPprV0gk7mPQy2toZYmobSLajaHKvT2mGRfj0duLzWkXT68fmwSaA/s1600/prom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCCT3OidbRXgKNXRLx4TJ4bfsSxR6ITV4hdFNfKPlk9fR9gezMqDkocabze9hgKITg-MSXzbQXh1Ay6qdfvPprV0gk7mPQy2toZYmobSLajaHKvT2mGRfj0duLzWkXT68fmwSaA/s320/prom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603613695932469378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Public Health Prom Night. We even made corsages!</span><br /><br /></div>Sorry for the lack of posting... just trying to soak up all the Trent time I can before he heads out (Monday!!!) for his summer internship in Oakland. He is going to do great out there, I am so proud of him for finding his passion and following his ambitions. I am so excited about all our adventures ahead. <br /><br />Spring has been great, the dogs are simply wonderful and it is the best garden I've had to date. Trying to keep up on all the veggies from our CSA and playing with all the lovely babies our friends were nice enough to provide for us. Manuscript is tantalizingly close to being done and I am finally starting to be really proud of it. Just one more tricky experiment to finish up and dunzo! I have a new undergraduate starting with me next week, after my previous two just graduated off to big and bright futures (one got a full ride to Eastern Carolina University medical school and one is heading to Princeton for graduate school... good job Mentor Jean!). <br /><br />Anxious about this summer, but so happy to think of all the lovely friends who will be supporting me and the fabulous vacations ahead. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSlvPsRo01bMQzPtAUJVmvJeyy8BDKJEQU5FpNO3Vc-zRh-ckDOgrtTf0BqfcsAjXx3Bshpf7-MWDD_Zu1vGvb6Xov6NIDfpFQGfs7_hoJLhFhX-CgJIiUi_Wi0bZAzi3wRJJnQ/s1600/luna.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSlvPsRo01bMQzPtAUJVmvJeyy8BDKJEQU5FpNO3Vc-zRh-ckDOgrtTf0BqfcsAjXx3Bshpf7-MWDD_Zu1vGvb6Xov6NIDfpFQGfs7_hoJLhFhX-CgJIiUi_Wi0bZAzi3wRJJnQ/s320/luna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603613692615051874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">I am loving being a LUNA Chix!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy4UWn7Sa595xAvNtbgJrBWSrFz-COHQzDaFIbGF22XP5L0CLvBHNRY9ohZDFjVgWd5WuLZKJXJZNUABj-170-sd-Ynrma-MMiDXQIMLNVLU9IJPJrCNNUs77bmVt4fQCMMt-MA/s1600/picnic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy4UWn7Sa595xAvNtbgJrBWSrFz-COHQzDaFIbGF22XP5L0CLvBHNRY9ohZDFjVgWd5WuLZKJXJZNUABj-170-sd-Ynrma-MMiDXQIMLNVLU9IJPJrCNNUs77bmVt4fQCMMt-MA/s320/picnic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603613685637048802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">End of year public health picnic, and Turquoise's birthday!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthLC2VnUu7SYJFQ7pUHsLXGX94mRENXts_a-XogiY_48ImOco-upKLqGmL8SgUXke0vq9Xg1Frv2EirZqdpoH_2ZCwoYEhXq3CyMbS0guy1FKtl-ZVofq0vOSwSjPFQx4kyVOlg/s1600/porter2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthLC2VnUu7SYJFQ7pUHsLXGX94mRENXts_a-XogiY_48ImOco-upKLqGmL8SgUXke0vq9Xg1Frv2EirZqdpoH_2ZCwoYEhXq3CyMbS0guy1FKtl-ZVofq0vOSwSjPFQx4kyVOlg/s320/porter2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603613681923841170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Porter and his papa. These fellas make me so happy. Pilot is our running buddy, Porter is our social butterfly. <br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a6gEgFogZXraRmuPWZafiG3oyFy_5dAs67AcygL88GkvHeC2PJcGdGmZDkVq-DsOLK1iNoNoSTW4T_G9aN0_J5lnvLr7EeoE33nc-zDuk5Y8gVWhoPubSts2OQegufFWUJDY5w/s1600/porter1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a6gEgFogZXraRmuPWZafiG3oyFy_5dAs67AcygL88GkvHeC2PJcGdGmZDkVq-DsOLK1iNoNoSTW4T_G9aN0_J5lnvLr7EeoE33nc-zDuk5Y8gVWhoPubSts2OQegufFWUJDY5w/s320/porter1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603613679113529506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Summer snuggle friend. <br /><br /></span>Heading to White Lake this afternoon for our big half-Ironman race tomorrow. I have goals... but we'll see how it goes! Excited to spend the entire weekend with some of our best friends and cheering on first time triathletes. Lots of pictures to come! Have a wonderful weekend.<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-43490167943521786942011-04-17T19:28:00.000-07:002011-04-17T19:51:27.809-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">Introducing.... Porter!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g3__A4JzNx59IuBF-U1XsT1RfGb4AD-5GHxxj59w7njuRFblOxmYTM57zZ-N4A8sU_qGZAVGcXRJhB6UnHHPVSwNsJQP6w6UExUx-59V1WsiZph4Pa4KnZqXNd95mgRqr-56XQ/s1600/P1020542.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9g3__A4JzNx59IuBF-U1XsT1RfGb4AD-5GHxxj59w7njuRFblOxmYTM57zZ-N4A8sU_qGZAVGcXRJhB6UnHHPVSwNsJQP6w6UExUx-59V1WsiZph4Pa4KnZqXNd95mgRqr-56XQ/s320/P1020542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596747665661660018" border="0" /></a><br />Oh man, we are a two dog family. But it works, as April said, ridiculously well. Here's the story.<br /><br />We went to the shelter, just to poke around, and immediately saw a little fella named Scamper, who looked literally identical to Pilot, but a tiny Jack Russell. We met him in the play room and... he was sort of a mess. Peeing everywhere, leaping like crazy, never settling down. Last thing we need is more dog energy in this house. So we decided to stroll around and we saw Porter in with another dog, being super playful and lovey.<br /><br />We decided to meet with him and he was incredible. So sweet and gentle, but very playful. The perfect size (we knew we wanted a small dog, he is 18 pounds now, will probably end up around 25), and 10 months old, so over the true puppy stages. I was pretty smitten, especially with his cuddle-skills.<br /><br />But we really wanted to get a second to be a friend for Pilot. He absolutely loves other dogs and it was a bit daunting to think of running him every morning and evening to keep him sufficiently tired out without Trent around to help this summer. And he is way less anxious when he has another dog. But we had NO idea how great it would be. We drove back and got Pilot so they could meet on a walk. And they were fantastic. Total buddies. And it was great to see Porter out, not worried about other dogs, grabby toddlers, loud noises. We were pretty convinced to give it a go, but I definitely wanted Trent to meet him. But we found out, there was another person interested in visiting with him, and his kennel-mate had just been adopted. Apparently, Tuesday midday is a big dog adopting day? So we went ahead and put our $2o deposit down, just in case. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFupXthDvTkK_IiTB6Ojuyocik00W9IkGsoHkuwMmyI7A1D4kEZgemloHNNvoUMhEYX6YYTJ4ESs93cD8mHjAcRBTD2I6FG_bxrTh4mBhf7C4RwV6PbSVOjN3yxTahA0RQ4yN6fw/s1600/P1020533.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFupXthDvTkK_IiTB6Ojuyocik00W9IkGsoHkuwMmyI7A1D4kEZgemloHNNvoUMhEYX6YYTJ4ESs93cD8mHjAcRBTD2I6FG_bxrTh4mBhf7C4RwV6PbSVOjN3yxTahA0RQ4yN6fw/s320/P1020533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596747652277103362" border="0" /></a><br />Trent came back with April later in the day, with strict instructions to be critical and really only get him if he loved him. And now he is ours.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN1lkHS_7gdXK1hVL1GyjgdwzrhuHanBzEl-afrJ8wVYqHcH84j6RjY2F-E5hkmDknm0ezIu_szT042iAlRM6N97B8UDWnqtgN6Wo9cpGXMEQDxm9kcjGeP-cYskX63s5LSyszw/s1600/P1020545.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFN1lkHS_7gdXK1hVL1GyjgdwzrhuHanBzEl-afrJ8wVYqHcH84j6RjY2F-E5hkmDknm0ezIu_szT042iAlRM6N97B8UDWnqtgN6Wo9cpGXMEQDxm9kcjGeP-cYskX63s5LSyszw/s320/P1020545.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596747661811084962" border="0" /></a><br />And it has been ridiculous. Pilot and Porter (we decided not to change his pound name, I mean, what a perfect, alliterative, pair!) are best buddies. They play great, snuggle great (what dogs spoon!?), share toys and meals... everything, right from the start. And Porter is completely potty trained, hasn't chewed a thing, hasn't made a peep, and was terrific with all the toddlers at today's picnic. <br /><br />And we really think it has already been a great influence on Pilot, as if he somehow knows now to be a big brother. Pilot is learning how to be more gentle while playing (he is about 30 pounds bigger than Porter), and I think he has been jealous of Senor Snuggles being picked up so easily, but he has been just wonderful, so welcoming, and so mellow during the day, just snoozing with his friend. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeboLON4tMrWByMhBEh2duXYjVqXMb0JGu3yBaMVm0LxCHKACIEYZ7xK_6Fmd1xx6WBqQdbGPx7nWaXdpdDaEa2zLSbGfF2HAzaq833hw9Ql9MhH54saeRrzRtTk677y8nsw4vA/s1600/P1020537.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeboLON4tMrWByMhBEh2duXYjVqXMb0JGu3yBaMVm0LxCHKACIEYZ7xK_6Fmd1xx6WBqQdbGPx7nWaXdpdDaEa2zLSbGfF2HAzaq833hw9Ql9MhH54saeRrzRtTk677y8nsw4vA/s320/P1020537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596747658213738770" border="0" /></a><br />I woke up in the middle of the night on Tuesday, panicking thinking about our irresponsible decision. And then I looked over to the dog bed and saw two best friends snuggling away and realized that the easiest road isn't always the happiest, and man, I am so happy with them.MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-48783660246100743972011-04-17T16:21:00.000-07:002011-04-17T17:02:37.843-07:00Week RecapWhat a lovely bestie-visit/stay-cation week. I can't believe how perfect it all was. Unreal. We did Carrboro right!<br /><br />Monday night- April arrives at 9pm. We get her luggage and get headed home. Trent makes it back from a group meeting and we all sit around and chat after house-tours and Pilot introductions.<br /><br />Tuesday morning- Walk to breakfast at Weaver Street, of course. Slightly overcast, so we decide to go antiquing first. Drive up to Hillsborough and explore the cute shops. I get a sweet dog painting and we discuss how we've been thinking about getting a second dog. So... we stop by the pound. And oh my goodness... well, we met someone. Someone very special. So a quick drive back to get Pilot and they hit it off fantastically. We put a deposit down, but wait for Trent to meet him. Carrburritos for a late lunch and take a burrito over to Mama Amanda to meet Maxwell. We sit and chat for a good visit. He is doing great, but a hungry bear and she was having some troubles getting him enough food, but enjoyed some company as Stephen was off at his first practice. Home, and then off to campus to pick up Trent and drop me on campus to take a bus to a mandatory LUNA Chix meeting. They head off to the shelter. Long meeting with no text messages had my heart sunk, but got dropped off at Weaver Street where April and Trent were enjoying a beer after their dinner at the Station and the little fella is there. Next post, I promise. We are just the happiest family now!!<br /><br />Wednesday: April sleeps in and snuggles with pups as I head to a mandatory lab meeting. Home and out to run a few errands, nursing tank tops for Amanda at Target were an especially fun challenge. Lunch at Foster's Market in Durham and then head to the Duke Lemur Center for our tour. The most enthusiastic guide ever showed us all sorts of lemurs (I am filled with fun facts now). I've always wanted to go, but needed a stay-cation friend to go with! It was a gorgeous day so afterward we headed to Duke Gardens to explore the amazing flowers (lots of pictures to come, T took the good camera to the crew race this weekend). Headed back to Carrboro for another Max snuggle session, and then home to bbq on our patio with a dozen or so of our favorite Carrboro folks, to meet April and the new pup. Poor Trent was at a group meeting but joined us as we were enjoying the fire pit and chatting. Fun to introduce April to my dear friends here! <br /><br />Thursday: I snuck into lab for a little bit while she slept and then home to go on a long hike in the forest with the pups. It was a gorgeous day and it was just like old times, walking and talking with dogs. We never ran out of things to discuss. Saw a few friends in the forest and the pups did great. Even Mr. Tiny-legs! A quick stop by the creek to play and let them cool off before heading home. We walked down to Panzanella for lunch. We decided to capitalize on the great weather and ride bikes out to Maple View dairy. April opted for my old cruiser and was a total champion for the 12 mile ride. The ice cream and views were stellar, and there was a whole truck load of super "Southern" kids there which was a fun people-watching treat. Home, and then off again for a quick visit with Baby Max and to drop off my Mom's lovely baby gift. Then headed to campus to visit Trent at work where he was hosting a very fancy dinner party for work. We saw his fancy office and admired the fancy table settings before heading to Durham to watch a Durham Bulls minor league baseball game. It was dollar hot dog night and we enjoyed cheap beer and only partially paid attention to the game while reminiscing about high school folks. But a lovely night to be outside and ran into a few friends, which was fun. Long day! <br /><br />Friday: Poor Trent was up super early and off to (hopefully the last) crew race of the season in Tennessee. Up and off to yoga bright, but not as, early. It was April's first yoga class ever, and perhaps choosing my dear (but challenging) instructor Lori was a poor choice, but she stuck with it and did great! We were feeling wholesome so off to Whole Foods for fresh juices and to get groceries for the day. But we just could not resist the classic Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen for a true Southern experience on our way back. Sat on the sofa, snuggling pups, enjoying our juice and biscuits while looking up everyone on Facebook. Awesome. We made my family's world famous pasta salad which I haven't had in years and it brought back so many memories of trips to the sand spit and 24-hour relays. Lots of playing in the yard and gardening. Off to the dog park (new fella loved it!) and then off to meet science friends, Elizabeth, Erin and Mihal for a glass of wine on the Station's patio. Good to chat, but had to dash to make it to our 8pm Lewis Black show on campus at Memorial Hall. He is a UNC alumni and visits every year, bringing other comedian friends along. Two undergrads won a contest to open for him, and then two SNL writers did their routines, and then Lewis Black. A bit rant-y, but that's his schtick, and we agreed with most of his points. Fun evening, especially since we recognized Lutz from 30 Rock. My smooth move? Walking up and just saying "hey, you're on 30 Rock!" Suave. <br /><br />Saturday: Up and off to Farmer's Market to get our first CSA box. So much collard and kale! Gotta get cracking. Bought a few more plants (no more, I have NO more room!) and then headed to Elmo's for breakfast. Delicious pancakes on what was becoming a very stormy day (Carrboro was totally fine, and it never was that bad here, but yikes, some parts of the state really got hit). Back home and we decided to make cookies to give to neighbors. Fun baking and decorating cookies (with Facebook stalking sessions in between batches). Quick drive around town to drop them with friends, and one last baby snuggle session, before packing up and heading to the airport. We were worried her flight would be affected by the storm, but everything was fine, and Jimmy Carter and his secret service was on her flight and she got to shake his hand. NC is full of famous people :). <br /><br />All in all, just an incredible week. I can't believe how much we packed in and how well everything worked out (including our new family member!). It was so lovely to be with my dear friend and talk about everything under the stars. She is doing wonderfully and it is so fun to see how people's lives are changing and growing. I am so lucky to count her among so many lovely people in my life.<br /><br />Trying to get on track, long run with Pilot in the forest this morning, lab to tend to my neglected flies, and then the park with our new pup to celebrate Sheila's birthday. Lots of babies and friends. Trent gets home late tonight and I cannot wait. I miss that fella. Busy week ahead with lots of work and lots and lots of date nights.MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16215552.post-64053680813980365362011-04-11T07:45:00.000-07:002011-04-11T07:49:13.062-07:00April in April!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96HJkIk1NojXnjg1r3Pe3q0CgoPlv4t8uXx21ziWuifh8gfVJrSAnbAzlgh2rC6Ctexkda04RbgrDtxnbzpJICdpoiz9lwJtVJyPIeAod0qwMFc7412LqObCf7dTq4NbdI_4oWQ/s1600/jean-trent-wedding-5592.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96HJkIk1NojXnjg1r3Pe3q0CgoPlv4t8uXx21ziWuifh8gfVJrSAnbAzlgh2rC6Ctexkda04RbgrDtxnbzpJICdpoiz9lwJtVJyPIeAod0qwMFc7412LqObCf7dTq4NbdI_4oWQ/s320/jean-trent-wedding-5592.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594337916216345202" border="0" /></a>Darling April comes today! We have a week of antiquing, baseball game watching, good food eating, hiking, berry picking, garden walking, and Lewis Black tickets ahead. I am so absolutely thrilled. Plus lots of baby snuggling and photo shoots.<br /></div>MissScientistSFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02258702670601790689noreply@blogger.com1