Tales of Transit

One of my regular 22 friends is an sweet old man. Our normal schtick is this:

Him (standing close behind me): So are you gonna marry me today, or do I have to ask you tomorrow?
Me: I am kinda busy today, tomorrow would be better.
Him: Okay, see ya then.

Is it bad that I am I just realizing this sounds kinda creepy.. well, trust me, it isn't. You'd have to be there. I only see him like.. twice a month, so we never actually have the "tomorrow."

Except today, 'twas a bit different-

Him: Forget it.. marry me today.
Me: hahahaha (nervous laughter). Okay, um, see ya later!

I credit this change in script to my kickin new brown pencil skirt from Zara's. Paired with my awesome SperryTopsider wedges and my favorite green cashmere sweater over a green and white stripped shirt, I admit.. I was looking foxy. Yay for 22 friends! And fun new clothes!!

Ta-Da!!

The long awaited picture of the cottage in Chapel Hill! Adorable, no? Oh man, I am so scared about this move. I hate to think of all the friends I am leaving behind. Please promise to keep in touch! Pleeeeeeeeease. Don't let me slip over completely to a plant loving, sweet tea drinking scientist!!

Park Place Paradise!

Check out Bub's amazing re-creation of our new cottage. I have NO idea how he did this. Amazing. So over my head...

Yayyyy!

The trip was a success! A wonderful lovely success! We had an easy flight out there, leaving SF around 9:30 and taking BART to the airport, which caused us some delays, but we are up for running across terminals. We munched on a baguet of sourdough bread and chedder cheese for dinner and sipped tiny bottles of red wine we brought which made falling asleep a whole lot easier. Transfered at Chicago and arrived in Raleigh around 10am. Picked up our rental car (my first rental!) and immediately went to Chapel Hill, about a 30 minute drive. We were both sitting there thinking.. what in the world are we doing here? This is SO different! And the restroom at the rental car agency had a painting of the Golden Gate Bridge.. which was hard on me.

But then we pulled into downtown Carrboro, the adjacent town, right during their Sunday morning goings-on. And it made everything okay. It was exactly like Davis! An Irish band was playing, there were tons of children and dogs running around on the lawn and everyone was eating yummy food from the very Nugget-esque grocery store. I was starved and had a wonderful salad and Trent had a bagel. We didn't have many appointments Sunday, but drove around and got the feel for the area. A lot more places were available than seemed on the internet, and we called a lot of signs posted in front of houses. We looked at a couple but they weren't for us, sharing a house with a man with kids, and living in big apartment complexes on the outskirts of town.

Finally we were simply exhausted and headed back to Raleigh. We stayed with Trent's future co-worker Heather, and her sister Jenny. They weren't home yet, but left a key under the mat. We let ourselves in, said hello to their three cats, and fell dead asleep on their sofas. Luckily Trent woke me when they got home and we sat around and chatted the rest of the evening. Her sister had lots of questions about biology which was fun for me to be all nerdy, and Trent and Heather talked work. They filled an air mattress for us in a vacant bedroom and we crashed. The next morning we had a leisurely breakfast with them before heading off. We had several more appointments scheduled and saw some very respectable places that would be decent. But we had found one yellow house that I was totally smitten with, but had no luck in contacting the landlords. We met with Penny's agent Sharon who showed us a nice place that was tied for our second place option.

Most places were looking to rent earlier than we were interested and we thought we would have to settle for paying for a month or so that we weren't there. We had lunch at a cute restaurant called Carrburrito, which to my delight had quite respectable burritos! All is not lost! We had our last meeting at 7 or so with an adorable place that was a bit out of our price range. Then while driving home, Trent discovered an adorable neighborhood just east of campus. All the houses were huge and amazing, big porches and very forest like. He found a "fixer-upper" that we actually called about, but it turns out it was being demolished due to being unliveable. Then, just was we were about to head back to Raleigh, we spot a sign saying "Cottage for Rent." We immediately pull into the drive and I whip out my cell phone. A man named Bob with a thick Southern accent answers. There are 4 cottages in a row, all different colors. One is left for rent. Which just happens to be the appropriate size, the perfect price, and availble August 1st! I nearly yell for joy. But he can't show it until tomorrow.. he thinks. I guess I sounded desperate enough that he gave in and showed up 10 minutes later.

Unfortunately, the people were still living in the cottage.. but they were nice enough to let us invade their home and take a peek. It is pretty small (bigger than what we have now, but just one bedroom). It has a livingroom with a fireplace and built in bookshelves, a dining room with built in bookshelves, a bedroom with three reasonable closets, a small but big enough bathroom, a laundry room with washer and dryer included and a narrow but well designed kitchen with a big stainless steel sink. There is a big porch out front for bbq-ing and it is very heavily forested. The cottage arrangements makes it feel like summer camp! It was amazing. I immediately fell in love. When we were looking earlier, I kept stressing wanting more space, two bedrooms or such, but I just knew this was the perfect place for Trent and I. Cozy, warm, with tons of character, it was perfect.

The cottages were originally built in the 1940's for the GI bill, for soldiers to go to UNC. His wife's family bought all of them a while back and began renting all of them, except the red one, which his mother in law occupied. She added the living room and laundry room so it is the largest and best well kept of them all. And it is ours!! This fall! We definitely saw bigger places, but the charm, combined with the insane closeness to campus and the ease of Trent's commute made it the winner. And, this sounds totally cheesy, but it seemed like a place where the Carters would live. Something about it. We signed the lease right there on the tailgate of his truck after talking a bit about ourselves and getting to know each other. He seems like a very nice fella. Hoooray! We drove back to Raleigh afterwards and shared the good news. We went to dinner at a pub in downtown Raleigh with Heather and played Pub Quiz (much easier out here, our group of three came in second place!).

Tuesday we slept in a bit before cleaning the place up a bit and then going to Jordan Lake, about 8 miles south of Chapel Hill. Beautiful hike out to the lake with tons of frogs hopping around and several nice people along the way. The lake is huge and very unoccupied, and there are supposedly bald eagles nesting in the forests around it. We didn't see any, natch. We scoped out the shopping around Chapel Hill (there is a Cost Plus and Linens and Things not too far away.. good to know) and then dropped off the car and flew to Chicago. There we were delayed for a couple hours, a big lightening storm hit right when we boarded. We got to SFO at 11:40 and madly dashed to the Bart station to catch the last inbound train. Easy transfer to a bus and we were home. And fast asleep!

So, it feels great to have that done with. I was initally concerned that I had let my overwhelming attraction to the place come before logical thought, but Trent assured me that no bikes will be in the kitchen like they are now and it will be perfect. I feel a whole lot better about this move now. I really like Chapel Hill. The campus is beautiful, everyone was SO friendly, and I didn't really mind the heat. I felt like Dad when he blasts the furnace and then says.. finally, I am comfortable! It will definitely be a change of pace, there were some "southern" things we will have to get used to, especially that sweet ice tea.. I just can't do it! But I think it will be a great experience for us to try something totally new and different.

So come on down and visit us at our Park Place cottage!!

Week in Retrospect

This week has been manic busy and filled with really big decisions regarding housing in NC and Bubs telling his office that we are leaving. Craziness. I am really looking forward to our weekend get-away to Chapel Hill. But not before some good times shopping with Em! What did I learn this week-

1. Science requires a lot of math. And planning. But even with all the math and planning in the world.. you can't always make pig snot glow.

2. Dating a couple is fun. But not fun when you do yoga too soon after riding 200 miles. Then it is just kinda painful.

3. WHY IS FLIPCUP SO FUN? Seriously? My fridays are beginning to have a headache trend that is ridiculous.

4. Maybe all Aggie alums are not as cool as they should be.. darn you faux purple team!!

5. Bubs makes a mean watermelon margarita.

6. It is quite possible to have a beach bbq themed dinner party in a 500 square foot house. Maybe more fun if you tell the dinner guests, but they were good sports.

7. Someday all the free time you had at your job will all be snatched away and replaced with really big gross tracheas. (well, maybe not "your" job)

8. Sometimes life hands us baggage that we just have to carry. And deal. Because there is really nothing else to do. Except move to Ghana maybe. But I wouldn't be too surprised...

Anyways, we are off to the country this weekend, lots of cute apartments to check out. We'll take lots of photos and hopefully post pics of the winner next week. Gotta finish up some stuff around the lab then off to meet Bubs at the climbing gym before teaching some "urban youth" how to swim/not drown themselves. Maybe thai dinner afterwards? Yuuummmmmy!

Eastward bound!

We're off to North Carolina this weekend!! After other housing options fell through, I was beginning to get a bit nervous about getting stuck with a lame-o place next fall. But Bubs came to the rescue with some cheap tickets, cheap car rentals, and a place to stay! All in like.. 6 hours! Amazing. So we are heading to the country, hoping to find an amazing place to rest our heads for a little bit. Should be interesting to see how "the south" celebrates Memorial Day weekend.. I bet they won't have a Carnival! Anyone interested on going to this Saturday (we don't leave until late that night) or maybe doing a little shopping (*Emily*)?? Gotta get some fun sundresses to wear this weekend! (k-maybe not that dress.. but forever-21/zara's version of it)

Crazy scientist

Yesterday, after an already fairly busy day including one trachea dissection, I was slowly tapering off and thinking how I would get home rather early. Then the phone call. At 4 pm. From the morgue. Ew. But we have been unlucky with our cells lately, so I bucked up and headed over there to do my job. Seriously, like the tallest man I have ever seen. Which meant I got to take about 8 inches of trachea. It was unreal!! And really really gross. But it meant it was going to be a long day in the lab. Around 6:30 I was finishing up, and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I had a semi-cute outfit on, my old Seven jeans and a Gap sweater, and the fantastsic purple sneaks.. but by then I was looking ragged. Hair tossed up in a ponytail, labcoat speckled with things I don't want to know what they are (Em- I don't wear your nice lab coat for gross stuff, fyi), and about a bizillion pens/spatulas/vials in all my pockets. I don't know when this pocket packrat-ing began, but it was become overwhelming! So today I wore a skirt with no pockets and didn't wear my lab coat much just to remind myself I wasn't an insane-o scientist quite yet. And cute little sperry-topsider-esque wedge heels. That helps. I got the usual, "you have a date tonight?" or "interview?," but it was worth it to be one stylish scientist.

Oh and tall man paid off.. I set my epithelial cell record... 265 million cells! Whoohoo. But oh man did I have a lot of work to do today.

Thanks muffin for treating me so good when I finally got home last night, the watermelon margeritas, the quesadillas and especially the sweet bird gifts from Mickey's. You are my favorite!

My Pick's

I know a good burrito. And I thought Pancho Villa's was my favorite SF taqueria (nothing comes close to Chili Peppers in San Luis Obispo!) But last night, after a very crowded and hard on the sore every single part of my body yoga class, we went to El Metate, with friends Ben and Stacey. The lucky folks live a block away and know the owner of this fine establishment. And hands down the BEST vegi burrito I have ever had. It had carrots and zuchinni in it!! Sounds kinda gross, but it was SO good. Then bubs and I had an adventure getting home, ending up downtown before taking the bus home with some uncomfortable call girls with fugly dudes and going to the Safeway because we thought it would be less crowded at 10:30pm. Umm, it's not!! So tonight.. nothing... just laundry, cleaning, eating, and finally getting to rest up!

I would bike 200 miles just to be the girl to be with you...

You would never imagine that this picture was taken at mile 133 out of 200. But it just happened to be the the end of the big climbs, so there was plenty to be smiling about. Oh man, if I knew how bad my heiny would hurt the next day, I don't know if I would have looked so happy there. But congrats to Bubs for being my tanden capitan and keeping me safe and as happy as possible. And many thanks to our new double century friends, Tim, the sweet doctor dude, and the 100 or so people we managed to beat! Go go Davis Double Century!

la difference?? Sucking!

So we all know I have this problem with online shopping. Mostly that I hate its delayed gratification, unsure sizing, and sketchy shipping. But it is SUCH a great deal. And man, I really do hate battling Union Square on a Friday afternoon (although that is where I have found myself nearly every Friday afternoon.) So I am really trying to get into this online shopping. Some favorites:

Eyes Lips Face- great cheap makeup that doesn't make you weep horribly when it crashes down from the precarious rack that holds it due to the utter lack of counter space in the bathroom.

JCrew- More just for dreaming about beautiful shoes and even more beautiful weddings. Seriously, have you seen their "wedding album" pictures?? TO DIE FOR!

FayCullen- Antique bling. Soooo pretty :) Again, not really practical though.

Trunkshop- I am very happy with my pretty gold bird necklace. Especially when paired with my virgin mary charm from Emily. It embodies my entire religious belief system.

I guess I don't really have many practical websites. But I do have one that is now on my blacklist. LaRe-freaking-doute. I had been eyeballing their stuff for a while, cheap, cute, french. But it wasn't until a free shipping offer was discovered that I finally gave in. And.. they had my perfect pencil denim skirt back in stock. And a super cute white eyelet blouse. I threw in a couple other things that I kinda liked, and some requests from Emily, and off I was.. online shopping! However, the other shoe has fallen. I got an email today announcing my order had been shipped. Hooray. Except the skirt order has been cancelled and the white blouse is backordered until late June. FANTABULOUS!

sorry em.. i know you liked this place. don't worry.. YOUR order shipped just fine. lousy french!

I am a freaking bad ass. Check out Trent's webpage for some more Wildflower pics!

I was cursing that race nearly every minute of the three hours and twenty two minutes it took..

So why am I pondering what race I should do next??

It is a disease!!

Week in Retrospect

This has been a lovely week. Quite unlike most of the other weeks leading up to it, due to the lack of two trips to the pool, long runs, and bike rides. Sometimes it is nice to take a break.. Here are things I learned this week:
1. The recipe for recovering from Wildflower : Copious amounts of Sooth-A-Caine, a steady stream of Advil, pedicures and manicures from Dolci spa and as much food as possible, especially nachos, ice cream and cottage cheese with triscuits.
2. The thing to avoid after Wildflower.. doing yoga class too soon. It just becomes a stressful, painful, embarrasing, debacle.
3. I am remarkably good at flip cup. And pool. But I think this is just due to being very, very, drunk.
4. I am not remarkably good at kickball. Maybe this would be helped if I was more drunk?
5. I have very limited artistic ability, I am aware of this. But I am damn good at construction paper cut outs.
6. I need to live here in the fall. It is imperative.
7. It takes forever and a half to get from 16th and Harrison to little Marina Green fields. But oh man, it is beautiful out there.

That's about it, I guess. Having a lazy friday, work has been kinda slow this week as we are in between projects and there are no tracheas to be found. Off to have lunch with Emily and then downtown to drop off my fancy new jeans at the best hemming place in SF (according to nathalee). And hey, if I paid a ridiculous amount for these jeans.. I am not skimping on the hemming! A man I met at the NIH was just on Talk of the Nation Science Friday, talking about the bird flu. That just rocked my world. Tonight we have swim lessons at Hamilton (I am just now realizing I am going to look ridiculous with my wicked shorts tan) and then home to clean our barn-like apartment for my visiting amiga Jen who arrives tomorrow. We have some wedding planning activities to do for her, and then KFOG KaBOOM! The best fireworks ever!! And maybe a bike ride tomorrow morning and bay swim with friends Stacey and Ben on Sunday.. so life is back to the way it was. OH well, it was a nice break while it lasted. Ciao :)

daydreaming...

With a bit more free time on my hands these days now that my huge RNA project, and Wildflower, are done.. I have started to focus in on the impending move and starting back at school. And when it all seems like it is tooooo much to do.. I dream about how fabulous of a professor I will be. And all the fabulous clothes I will wear. :) Put this all together :

1. This tote. Perfect for carrying all my lecture notes and the latest edition of my textbook on the biomedical applications of algae.
2. This skirt. Professional with a touch of sass.
3. These shoes. Because I will be one fit lady from all my triathlons and can show off those cycling calfs.
4. This sweater... in every color. It will be like my uniform.
5. Arrive to work in this car. Imagine pulling into a spot dedicated just to me at University of .... wherever.

So apparently, I just need to work enough to afford JCrew and vintage Karmann Ghia's to be insanely happy. And that, my friends, makes this whole adventure seem do-able!

WildFlower Recap

Alrighty.. Wildflower. Here we go- realllllly long, watch out.

So I wasn't feeling so hot Thursday but felt better Friday. Worked a half day, stopped by SportsBasement for some last minute super caffinated Gu and some quick draw laces, came home and made cookies and did last minute packing until Trent got home. We then threw everything (and we had a TON of stuff) into the Subi and headed off, with a quick stop at kinko's for some illegal camping pass copying. Got stuck in some fairly bad traffic but managed to get to King City around 7:30. Got last minute gas and water at a station then headed in to the park. Snuck through the front gates and finally found Trent's homies after cruising through a bizillion campsites. SO many people there. Unloaded and set up the tent and fretted about the illegal camping pass until T decided just to move the car outside the campgrounds for the evening. He rode back and we ate some cold pesto pasta and chatted with his friends, then benedryl and off to bed. Love that stuff.

Trent got up insane-o early Saturday morning and finally kicked me out of bed around 6. I grabbed some of his gear and caught the shuttle down the outragous hill (that I would have to battle several times the next day) while he rode down. Got him registered and drawn all over with Sharpie, and found his numbered transition area (I do like that they assigned you one..). I realized I was completely not ready to be down there for the day, so hopped on the shuttle back up and grabbed some food and clothes, and then headed back down. Helped set up the transition area and apply lots of bodyglide and Pam (nothing says I love you like greasing up your man). The pro's doing the longcourse started first and we watched with awe as they tore up the swim. Trent was the first heat of the mountain bike race, a very short swim that was filled with a lot of folks who didn't know what they were doing.. but Trent put in a very respectable time and was the quickest one out of T-1 and off on the bike. I had a hard time running around to be at the right place when he came by, he was going so fast!! Managed to get to a good location to watch him come zipping back in on the bike 30 minutes later and off he went on the run. I scrambled up the hill to see him come in 7th (!!!) in his wave, behind some ridiculously fast young'ns. Went and cleaned up his transition area, and I ran into my dear friend Nate Hamm. Good to see him. Quickly walked through the venues, and met with the Louis Garnou reps, before staggering over the hill (actually poor bubby had to push the bike with all our crap on it, cuz i needed to "save my strength".. I am such a lucky girl) back to camp.

They closed the road in and out of the park to cars because of people doing the long course (a 56 mile bike ride!) so we just chilled at the camp site and watched folks go by and cheered on the Lombardi team. Changed my back tire and T gave a little seminar on changing flat tires to all us girls who usually have someone else around to do that for us. Finally around 2:30 we snuck the Subi out, thanks to its awesome off road capabilities.. and headed to SLO. Surprised the parents at their house and hung out and admired the new windows and paint before taking the dog to the park and then stopping by the fish store for some awesome sea bass. Trent did a wonderful job preparing it (my dad was going on and on!!) and it was especially good with the artichokes and clam chowder. Had a lovely time, but needed to get back before it got too late, so we headed back to the campground. Got in, packed a bit, another benedryl (a must for crowded campsites and pre-race jitters) and crashed.

I got up around 6:30 but tried to get back to bed until about 7 when I just decided to get up. Trent warmed up some of my mom's famous turkey barley soup that will get your ready for anything and I made sure I had all my necessary equipment. I hate the time before races.. all nervous anticipation. And my wave wasn't until 10:10!! I got my first ride down Lynch hill while Trent rode the shuttle down. Set up my transition and got body marked. Then realized we still had a ton of time. So we watched the collegiate championship waves start and I got my first look at how freaking long the swim is. Ran into some old Davis folks and some friends from the city. Trent got me all body-glided up, and after a quick kiss goodbye, I was off to the start. As soon as I could, I got in the water and tried to acclimate. We had about 5 minutes to warm up. So I am out 50 meters or so, and realize that EVERY other girl in my heat was already standing out of the water ready to go. Kinda panicked, but then just realized they were weenies and I was probably better off staying out a bit longer. Finally got peer pressured in to go start, but got stuck in the front cuz due to my late arrival. Not my most favorite place to be on a swim start. The buzzer went off and it was absolute mayhem, legs, arms everywhere. I tried to run in as far as possible and then swim to the outside. But still got pretty hammered. The swim went pretty well, it is hard for me to push myself because I have no idea how long 1.5km should take me, or how fast I am going at any given time. But I didn't do any breaststroke, and I managed to stay relatively on course, and before I knew it we were rounding the top buoy to head in. The last 100 meters seemed the longest as I tried to kick my legs awake, but it was great to get out and start running towards the bike. I felt good, until I got to the bike and got REALLY dizzy. Had a bit of trouble getting the wetsuit off (it was borrowed from Jill and fit great, but it is stil an adjustment to use a new one). Finally just sat down and pulled the darn thing off and put my cycling shoes on. Trent was still in transition (a big no no, sneaky monkey) and cheered me on as I grabbed the bike and headed out.

Got on the bike no problem and immediately faced Lynch Hill. I tried to stay in my middle chain ring for as long as possible, but it finally became to steep and I switched to the small ring. And immediately started passing people left and right. I felt really good, my legs weren't tired or numb and I was excited to get the hill over with and off on to the main course. A deer ran across my path at about km 2, but no problem. Finally got out on to the main road, and .. oh no. The tell tale loud rattling, the bumpy ride.. I had a flat tire. My first flat tire in a race. I tried to ignore it for about 200 meters, until this girl rode past me (cuz i was only going about 15mph on the flats) and asked if something was wrong with my bike. I admited defeat and pulled over to the side. But instead of waiting for assistance, I immediately turned my bike upside down, grabbed that wheel, and started changing the tire like a pro. Good thing T gave the seminar the day before, and especially good thing he had strapped a pump to my bike! It wasn't record breaking tire changing, but I was really proud of myself for getting it done and motivated to pass everyone who was riding by. Got back on the bike a few minutes later, and had a very excellent rest of the ride. I passed a ton of people, set my personal high speed obtained record, and tried to be supportive to people dying on the big climbs. Glad we did our few Marin rides, I whooped booty on the climbs!!

Sped down Lynch Hill into T-2. Quick transition and I was off on the run, with bubs there cheering me on. The run is my favorite part because I actually have some advantage over all the tired people. I passed a ton of folks on the first 3 km, and then got pretty beat up by the big hill climbs but didn't get passed, and then got my momentum back around the 6th km. The 7-10km were awesome, tons of people cheering and yelling Go Aggie! (I was rocking my old UCD Tri jersey). We got to run down Lynch Hill and I just opened up and let gravity take me down (my knees are not so happy about this today). The last km is one long finishing chute, lined with folks cheering and ringing cowbells and all the sudden all the hard work and all the times you didn't want to go swimming but did any ways, and all the nervous jitters before the race started.. were worth it. Having the announcer yell out your name, crossing the finish line, and knowing you did it, you accomplished that huge race and still having a smile on your face, it was awesome. Trent was right there as well as lots of friends congratulating each other.

We quickly packed up my transition area and skadadled out of the course, poor Trent had to push the bike over the hill again (not my most favorite part of an otherwise very well run and supported race) cuz I was so exhausted. Got to the car and threw the last bits in and snuck the Subi out through the off roading once more. I pretty much blacked out as soon as we got out of the park and woke to Trent taking us to Carls Jr. in Soledad. Ohhh, the glory of getting to eat as much as you freaking can with not a smidge of guilt. It was about then that I realized that my yummy smelling sunblock was no match to the three hours spend in the hot sun after being in the water for half an hour. I am toasted!! So we stopped by Target to get some super aloe spray with lidocaine, and some blond highlight shampoo to try to get the lake water off my nice hightlights, and headed home. Trent managed to find a nearby parking spot and we unloaded all the crap from the car and realized we kinda smelled like really really gross stuff.. so into the shower. All clean, I wrapped myself up in a comforter with the Oprah magazine our upstairs neighbor gives us, and had half a beer and konked out. Woke up and Trent was working away on his latest bike, I called my parents and assured them I was safe and sound, had some turkey soup, and then back to bed.

Today, I am mostly hurting from the sunburn, but I realize that every part of my body is sore. Things that are usually commonplace are a challenge and I can hardly make it up the 24 stairs to my second floor lab. But I am so happy to have completed the race and so lucky to have a bubs like mine who keeps me training and working hard so I can enjoy them, and who is so proud of me even though I didn't win the darn thing. And happiest of all?? I just happened to beat my least favorite triathlete EVER.. by nearly 2 minutes. Even though he started about a half hour ahead of me. And that.. that makes it ALLLLLL worth it.

pictures to come soon, I need Emily's assistance getting the frantic camera phone pictures of trent off of my phone and online.

wildflower teaser

I want to write about Wildflower.. I really do. I have it all planned out in my head. Trent's spectacular performance... my ability to perservere and have a great race despite some setbacks.. there is practically a novel there. but I am just too tired. and sunburned. and sore. so maybe later.. good thing i am at work and can rest up :)

more to come later.. promise

hmm, what to do??

My desire to be a super stylish scientist has met a new obstacle. The fact that the weather is nice, the bus is crowded, and Trent built me a sweet commuter bike. Not only does this mean that by the time I arrive, I am all huffy and puffy and my hair is an utter mess from my helmet, it definitely limits my outfit variety. Luckily I can get by with a nice pair of jeans/sweater combo but I do like to mix it up now and again. Any recommendations? Am I stuck with this as my only dress up option? Or is it back to the 22 with my cute peep toed pumps?

My new favorite thing are these headbands. A steal at Walgreens and an instant remedy to morning laziness. Right now I am rocking the black one a la Brigitte Bardot, complete with smudged grey eyeliner from E.L.F. They also help with my need to have longer hair. I can pretend that my hair is long enough to be in a perky high ponytail, as the headband discreetly hides all the loser hairs that didn't quite make it up there. Only side effect.. the ponytail itself looks pretty much like the measly "sugarbowl" pigtails I used to wear as a child. Oh well.. I am trying..

online shopping update

Yesterday Trent was nice enough to bring home my E.L.F. package from his work, can't send stuff to the apartment, and I still feel a little sketch having it sent here. All in all, I am pretty pleased. Initially I was concerned that the bronzer was too dark, and I am pretty sure that the nailpolish isn't exactly like the one shown on the website, but for $1 each, everything is way nice enough to be a great bargain. And the bronzer isn't too dark! Online shopping experience : not too shabby.

Weekend Happenings

This weekend was so fabulous. Seriously. I can't believe we did everything that we did in only 48 or so hours. Started off Friday afternoon when I headed downtown to meet up with Trent's coworkers for some margaritas and bean dip (perfect!). Got pleasantly relaxed and then realized we were running late, and dashed over to Lombardi Sports to pick up T's new tri race jersey and his fancy new bike frame. Then we quickly stopped by the house to pick up our gear for swim lessons! Much better this week, I actually kinda felt like I knew what I was doing and I got to teach the first class in Spanish. Que bueno! Finished up lessons and headed out for our fancy date night. Dinner at the Moffitt Hospital cafeteria and then Transamerica at the UCSF auditorium. How very romantic :) It was fun to be over there for other than work reasons, and the movie was realllly well done. Mad props to Felicity Huffman, she did an amazing job.

Saturday we got up really early for some bike riding madness. Trent's old crew coaching friend Colleen is getting into cycling so she and I headed out at 7:30am for a nice ride. Except for a flat tire. But luckily Trent was with us for that. And about 500 AIDS LifeCycle bicyclists, all eager to help out. Trent met up with some Lombardi teammates and did a longer ride, but Colleen had to get back by 10, so we headed home. It was a foggy day, but I have never seen so many people out riding, surfing, sailing, running.. I ran across the bridge, in a mini-brick workout and was amazed to see people swimming, sans wetsuits, from the Marin headlands, under the bridge, to Aquatic Park! Crazy crazy. They stopped to wave at me and the current swept them out to sea nearly a few meters! Luckily they had lots of people in boats watching out for them. Met up with T back at the car and headed home for some super yummy breakfast and a quick nap before heading out to Feria Urbana. The 71 bus goes right to the Canvas Gallery, which always has something cool going on, we've gotta be better about checking it out. This Feria Urbana was a little less insane that the last one, but still lots of great goodies and yummy lattes. I picked up my new favorite shirt from a guy who is in the band Tarfuti, and gave us a cd. Love the shirt, the band is almost really good, needs a little work. Felt good to support local artists.

Stopped by some local bike shops on the lovely walk home to decide which water bottle cages weigh less and ponder the insanity of spending $60 on a titanium one. This new bike is going to be amazing, that is for sure. Then T got a call from an old Davis buddy who also climbs at Mission Cliffs. We had seen him that morning while he was training with the other Aids LifeCycle folks. Turns out he was having a bbq to raise funds for the race. We scooted on home, and drove out to the Outer Richmond immediately. Which was very very much too early. So we wandered around the neighborhood and Trent spent an incredible amount of time in a little hardware store finding makeshift tools for his bike. Plumbing pipes?? Trust me. We finally went over and had a lovely time meeting tons of great new people and in the small world that SF is, people we knew. A firecrew buddy of Trent's, a girl who climbs at Mission, and the infamous dude who fell off the wall at the climbing gym and broke his leg! He even showed us his massive scars. I thought is was an urban legend.. Anyways, good food, lots of beer, and an amazingly good 10 year old video gamer and we finally called it a night around 8:30. Came home and watched Derailed, which was intense, but pretty good.

Sunday we finally got to sleep in a little bit before starting a massive cleaning spree. Laundry, dishes, scrubbing everything. It was great. But we felt a little sad cuz it was SOOO amazingly beautiful outside. So I went down to Estela's sandwiches and picked up lunch and we had a picnic in our bathing suits on the roof. Almost like the beach, eh? It got a little windy up there so we headed down and grabbed the bikes to go find an open tennis court. Dolores Park was packed with people rallying for immigration, but Buena Vista courts were open. And there were a ton of people climbing on that random rock wall. A bit windy, but we had a great time playing. Got home around 6, T made me a fancy dinner, and we watched Tristan and Isolde. I had no idea what this one was about, but it was really well done and got me very into it.

Whew, what a busy and wonderful weekend. And today is looking like it will be awesome as well. Rode my urban assault bike with no problems and made it here in about 1/5th the time the bus requires. Still wearing my favorite new shirt.. drinking my favorite green tea with orange, jasmine and passionfruit flavors.. Can't complain!!

movie date?

Another option for possible movie date night tonight, UCSF is showing Transamerica . For $3. Near our house, cheap, good movie, perfect time.. maybe a winner!!

Online Shopping

After a completely overwhelming trip to Macy's last week, I realized I don't really enjoy shopping. Which is difficult, as I am determined to be a sassy and stylish scientist. So the natural progression should lead me to internet shopping. But I just can't seem to embrace it. But this week, I had a breakthrough. I not only stocked up on some sweet and insanely cheap products at EyesLipsFace, I found the answer to my ongoing search for another bird necklace at TrunkShop. Very successful. However, I still haven't fully incorporated online shopping into my life. Even though I am pretty sure I love this handbag, I just can't commit. And after LaRedoute had a perfect denim skirt, it was sold out, thus enforcing my idea that online shopping is a big hassle. Baby steps, baby steps...

One more thing..

I really want to go to the San Francisco Film Festival. I gotta get all the arts and culture I can while out here. There are some good looking shows. And most of them are at the Kabuki theather, near our Hamilton pool (a little post swim lesson date, bubs?). Plus I just listened to a cool overview of it on Forum on NPR. So now.. I am totally convinced. Darn you NPR.. soo good. Especially now it is Talk of the Nation: Science Friday. A methanol based fuel economy? Hmmm.. interesting. Now they are discussing nanoparticles. I love science.

New things I love:

So in a quick recap, here are some of the highlights of the last couple weeks:
1. I got new sneaks. Except mine are purple. SO comfy. So begins my slippery slide down in to the grad student jeans and tee's uniform.

2. I got a new phone. And even better.. wayyy cheaper than that website makes it seem. Which I feel redeems my coolness against the purple sneaks. So, I guess I am about even.

3. I got a new haircut. Well, not really a new haircut, but more of a touch up. And I love my stylist, Nikki. And I am very glad all my recruits to her like her as well. And I got some sweet glossing stuff for recruiting, which makes it alllll worth it. Even though I get very nervous that she is going to dye their hair orange or something and they will hate it. Except she did dye Emily's hair orange.. but she seems to like it. J/K, your hair looks awesome Em!

4. T-monster and I have begun volunteering at Hamilton Pool, giving swim lessons (which roughly translates into attempting to thwart the 20 kids out of 100 trying to drown themselves at any given time). Challenging definitely, but it feels great to give back. Bonus: free swimming whenever we want! Hooray.

5. This swim stuff is good, cuz next weekend is Wildflower Triathlon. And that scares me a WHOLE lot. Definitely looking forward to getting that done with, and then laughing at the crazy people who do this insane sport when we volunteer at Escape from Alcatraz. Up next on the race schedule for me is the Lake Tahoe Relay which will be a lovely 8-10 mile jaunt, at altitude with some old Davis friends, and then San Jose International Tri. I am excited about being Trent's race crew while he does the Olympic distance, and then kicking butt (of the maybe three other girls in my race) on the Mountain bike race. We are switching places from last year!

6. Enough sporty stuff. This Saturday, T is gonna be my buddy (since Em is ditching me) at the latest Feria Urbana. Gotta stock up on cute little goodies for upcoming birthdays, mother's day, and all the freaking weddings this September!

7. I've become obsessed with growing my hair long. Maybe not that long.. but it has been like.. 10 years (geeze, i am getting old) since I have had hair longer than barely shoulder. I know it isn't the most flattering look on me, but for some reason I am totally determined. Any hints? Ken?? Haha. Sorry.

8. Picnic Day was awesome. I love being an Aggie. But I am very excited about being a Tarheel in the frighteningly near future. I just got an email today asking what class I would like to TA. I am not ready!!! But very excited. We are planning a long weekend out there to find a sweet huge apartment.. for $700. You are so jealous.

Um, ya.. that was good wrap up. I will probably think of other stuff, but the French guys showed up again so I am starting to feel guilty about sitting on my behind while I probably should be working. Ahhhh, right. Time to feed the cells then meet up with Bubs for 3pm margarita's at his office. Fabulous! Then swim lessons. Nothing like a little Jose Cuervo to take the edge off the screaming children! Ciao

what happened?

I swear.. every day this week, I've been like.. damn.. that would be a good blog post. Cuz crazy stuff has been happening. Which is not that rare here at the General. But still.. I really have wanted to. But instead, I have been crazy busy at work and then when I do get a break I play Farm Hustle. Click on "Product Cuteness" under Categories on the left side after a bit of a scroll down. Caution: The adorable creatures combined with the relative lack of skill needed makes this game unbelievably time wasting. You've been warned. I have only gotten to level 7.. any one care to challenge me?

WAKA-MADNESS

News flash: Our kickball team, the combined forces of Scared Kickless and Bus Drivers.. is goiong to be awesome!! Trent and I met up with a few of the folks from the Bus Drivers last night for some kickball practice and they were all really friendly and ready to have a good time. And they weren't half bad!! I am definitely looking forward to meeting the rest of the team and kicking that big red ball.

ps. I am totally out of kickball practice. I kept kicking it with my shin instead. Fattie bruise now. No good.

Oh right!

Before I forget.. the great unveiling of what is perhaps the coolest thing in the city!
Last night, after an awesome and tiring swim, the bubster and I went to Alamo Square for dinner. Right on Fillmore and Grove, where we have passed it a million times on the 22.. we only discovered how insanely awesome it was on Monday when we ended up walking home from the pool. Now, there are a lot of great restaurants in the city, I will admit. But so far.. this might be my favorite. Tons of incredible dishes, all SO reasonably priced tucked into a cute little place that could only be called a "neighborhood gem." They have a prix fix every night, for only $12.50 or something outrageously affordable like that, but on Wednesday if you do that, you lose the chance to bring your own wine.. with no corkage fee! As discussed in today's Chro nicle the ability to byob and not get slammed by outrageous fees is dissapearing rapidly in the city. So last night, while we waited for a table (the place is pretty small, and surprisingly popular) Trent popped down to the corner liquor store to pick up a bottle of wine, for like $7 or so. The waiter gladly opened it and recommended a sauce for my blackened salmon (you get to pick the fish, the preparation, and the sauce). Trent opted for the steak, which was an excellent choice. All in all, a lovely evening, sure to be repeated soon.

Caution: Drinking after swimming. I probably only had.. mayyyybe 2 glasses of wine, and I was one drunky skunky. And may have been a bit obnoxious to the group sitting next to us. Though I don't really recall. But it was a fun walk home!

Today

My mother always said that men have a wonderfully one tracked mind. They have the ability to block out everything else and focus all their attention on the task at hand. I believe this is an evolutionary scheme.. unless full focus was given to hunting that deer.. the family would starve. Women, on the other hand, have evolved an amazing capacity to multitask. Save family from cougars, pick acorns for dinner, clean cave.. we can keep several tasks going, yet tend to not dedicate ourselves fully to one activity. I had a classic example of that today.
Currently, in my lab, there are two Ph.D's and one M.D./Ph.D. All very smart.. all men. The two Ph.D's are some french dudes who are supposed experts on a complicated machine called an Ussing chamber, that measures electric potential across a cell and can measure changes in that potential relative to drugs opening and closing chloride channels, like in CF treatment. I digress. Anyways, they are the experts. And they are very french. Very. Everything we think of french people.. they are. But it is kind of fun, I feel like I am in Amelie. The MD/Ph.D is my homie/boss man. Ok, scene set.
Today I started working on the final analysis of a project that my "intern" and I have been working on.. pretty much since I started. So this is a big day for me. One that requires my full, undivided, attention. Not too hard, but there are a bizillion samples all begging to be mixed up and completely ruin all our hard work. So I am trying to focus.
Then the questions start. "Um, Jean, sorry to bother you.. may we borrow a beaker?" "Where is the ATP kept?" "Could you get me a 10 blade scalpal?" Like I have nothing better to do. Of course I help out, especially with the boss man around. I just find it funny. Then the phone starts ringing. I delivered a ton of different cells to different labs yesterday. And apparently they all decided to call me today, in the middle of my experiment. "What medium were they grown in?" "Did they have cilia?" Just tons of random questions.
But in my evolutionary prowess as a female, I managed to get all the samples done, without any mixing up (crosses fingers), helped out the dudes to have a very successful Ussing chamber day, and got all the cell questions answered. In science, I know a dedicated mind is quite necessary. But it seems to me that a flexible mind is perhaps more critical than once thought!

Man, I >do love the city sometimes. And those sometimes are only when it is sunny and gorgeous and my boss gives me the afternoon off, and I really needed the afternoon off. I just wandered around the neighborhood around UCSF and have to say I am going to miss this crazy city. Here are some of my favorite things-
1. An amazing abundance of coffee shops. I love just ducking into one and having a cup of tea..So far my favorite is Atlas Cafe. Off by my work and just on the way to the climbing gym, this place is always happening and full of life. And dogs. And the only place thus far that makes a mean coconut latte.
2. Wishbone. The best place for perfect birthday and thank you gifts. I was just there and found an awesome little something for April's 23rd coming up soon!
3. Public transportation. A dog took the N Judah train home with me. To the dog park. How urban and perfect!
4. The crazies who talk to me. Too bad they have to be crazy, but I love chatting it up with the folks on the bus.
5. If all goes well on our date tonight.. I will have a new favorite place tomorrow.. stay tuned!! All signs lead to awesomeness, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag quite yet.
6. Being able to have lunch with Emily at the drop of a hat. Going to miss this a lot.

Anyways, just a sampling. Tomorrow when the rain returns and threatens to drown our little 7x7 slice of life, I probably won't be as cheery. But for today, I hope everyone got out and enjoyed the nice weather and realized how lucky we all are. Ciao!

monday shopping

This weather is sure helping my decision to go to North Carolina. It has been 70 degrees out there all week.. while here.. some sort of torrential mist all the time! I am having a great time imagining all the fun summery clothes I can wear out there and have stumbled on a trend I really like. The whole canvas and leather thing. It started with the shoes, but could be expanded to watches, purses, even coats. Imagine, it could be one fantastic outfit!!

more than you wanted to know..

Wow.. okay
Long time no blog
Here is a bit of a recap.
1. Maui was fabulous. Everyone should go. Wait.. everyone was there. Hmm. Good idea. Seriously, it was awesome, snorkling with sea turtles, hiking extreme-o trails in Hana, surfing, big old fancy brunches.. just awesome.
2. I made up my mind!!! I am going to UNC!! With the NIH thingy. I have no idea what I am getting myself into.. but I am very excited about it. Time to see the rest of our country, when else will I want to live in North Carolina? Better now then never, right? I am vey nervous, but very excited to start this next adventure. You know me, never miss an opportunity for a good adventure.
3. My excellent friend Jen Duncan got engaged. In Maui, naturally. Congrats to her and her sweet fella Andrew. I hope they hurry up and get hitched before we head to the East!
4. The weather here is SUCKING SO VERY VERY MUCH IT DEFYS MY ABILITY TO DESCRIBE.
5. The absolute best time to go to Safeway is 9am on Friday. Seriously. The people were SO friendly this morning, I had the run of the store, the produce was stocked, MorningStar products were on sale.. it was heavenly.
6. The postal service is not my friend any more. I swear, I try to give them tons of credit. But this whole, losing all our mail, is starting to bug just a bit.
7. Excited for my cousin's b-day party this Saturday.. even though I need to think of something to make for it! Ahhhh.. oh well.
Anyways, that's the update on my life. For all ya'll who read this. Who probably already knew most of that already. Oh well. Now it is public domain!

We had a fabulous weekend. How wonderful was the warm weather?!? We got the weekend kicked off with some St. Patty's day debauchery, doing the whole Front street scene with Shaun and Nathalee and then meeting up with Mike and his crew, and Shelly, for the North Beach experience. It is crazy how the entire city can turn into one big frat party instanteously. Too bad we started drinking so early, we were done by 10:30 just when Emily's friend Nicole was ready to get out there. Sounds like she had a good time though. Then Saturday, Trent joined me on my weekendly run to Ocean Beach where we discussed the bejeezus out of grad school plans. Got back and went to Crepevine to celebrate our decisions and the beautiful weather. Back home for a quick nap, then we snagged Em and Rob's Miata, threw the top down and enjoyed the beautiful weather on our drive to.. The JCPenny's in San Bruno. What a good boyfriend I have. Turns out we stumbled upon some massive sale, so not only did I get what I set out for, I found these cute loafer wedges as well. Throw in some bling and a new wallet, and using the fatty discount.. it was a banner trip. Who knew JC Penny was such a deal?

Back home to stash the Miata, and take a break, and we headed out to the Castro to go here for dinner. SO yum. A bit of a wait, cuz there are only a few tables, but SUCH good clam chowder and I truly enjoyed a huge pile of Black Mussels. Then we walked down to the Mission (in a bit of a roundabout way) to end up at Levende, to meet up with Angie, a friend who moved to Arizona and was back for the evening. Interesting scene at this club under the freeway, but it was great to see some folks we hadn't seen in a while. Finally walked home and crashed after the long day.

Sunday, we finally got around to cleaning our messy little home before heading out to the gym for hours and hours of working out and fun. Lots of climbing to get T ready for his big wall adventure soon, and lots of time on the bike for me and my upcoming triathlon. Came home, did some laundry, made some olive chicken noodle casserole, watched this movie, which really should have been a musical and got to bed. Icky icky weather today, plus a doctor's appointment all the way in the freaking Presidio have makd ethis a pretty lame monday.. but only a few moments (days) until we are in Hawaii.. so life can't be that bad.

I need to work in this lab!

whoohoo

I got into the NIH partnership with UNC!! Which is pretty freaking sweet. And makes me feel all happy and smarty-pantsy. Not ruling out Colorado yet, if they ever decide to get back to me, but this is a pretty clear indication of where I should probably go. That, and the med center for students on campus is the "James A. Taylor Medical Center." As in James Taylor the end all-be all favorite of Jean's.

a momentous decision

I've decided. Not on grad school.. oh no no no. That decision haunts my every waking (and especially keeping me from sleeping) moment. But on some other random stuff.
I really want to get into jewelry making. There. I've decided. From Haley's dad making her mom some righteous bling, to all the cute and way overpriced stuff at websites like these and Feria Urbana.. I am inspired to get into this business. I am like a freaking raccoon.. I love the sparkly stuff! I can't imagine it is that hard, and some of the rock tumbling and such looks downright scientific. And extra bonus.. I will be broke ass for the next few years. Hand made jewelry for everyone for Christmas?? Rob, I hope you like aquamarine for your bejeweled birthday earrings!

Off to Colorado!

Ciao ya'll! For the next four days I will be living it up in the Outdoorsy mecca that is Boulder, CO. Hopefully I will be super impressed with their science comings and goings and they will be impressed with my molecular fabulousness. Keep your fingers crossed.
Or if it all goes bad... "signs, they might be omens, say I am going, going, gone to Carolina in my mind" From the Chapel HIll man himself, Mr. James Taylor. It is hard to argue with that kind of logic. Seeing how I decided to go to Davis, instead of UCSD, on gut instinct and a clipping from a women's soccer game between the two schools my brother sent me. Davis 6, UCSD, 0. Unfortunately, these schools never meet up, or not that I could find. However. UNC is #1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference Standings in women's basketball.. where as Colorado is I think 5th in the Big 120 Conference. For Mens' basketball. Which UNC is #10.. nationwide. So, interesting. Is it weird to pick a school for my Ph.D. in molecular biology on sports statistics? Ah, no.

today at The General

Another day, some more craziness at The General. A dude had a seizure while getting hot water for his tea.. and thereby doused me with hot water as I caught him on his fall down. We're both fine.. luckily they don't make the water that hot (probably for reasons like this) and he snapped out of it in a few moments. Weird though.. we work at a g'damn hospital.. and hardly any one came over to my aid. I need to get out of here before the hospital steals my soul! Or kills me.. ya know, either one would suck a whole lot.

gone to the birds

How pretty is this necklace? I have always liked Moss Mills stuff. And with all the big decisions heading my way.. (Warning.. sappy alert) I feel a little bit like a bird just about to take off. Too bad this little bird is too broke to afford the necklace. Haha. OH well. I am still loving the bird necklace Emily bought me for Christmas.. birds sitting in a large silver wreath. I guess I like birds!

See, it can't be THAT bad..

After an entire week of almost mindboggling productivity.. today has found me completely uninspired and unmotivated. But I have discovered this "internet" thing is a veritable plethora of time wasting activities. And I am not even that good at it.. I bet there are some goldmines out there I am not aware of. Please feel free to pass those along. Some of my favorites are.. The Daily Show on comedy central to keep up on current events and Home Star Runner, especially the StrongBad emails. Oh man, those are funny. I also browsed iTunes for a good while today. Inspired by my trip to the "South" last week, I was interested in hearing some classic country. You know, bluegrass, appalacians.. all that stuff. After an awesome FREE download from Dolly Parton, from the movie Transamerica, I also came across this seemingly movie inspired tune, Cowboys are frequently secretly (fond of each other). SO straight to the point, SO Willie Nelson, but a song that everyone should listen to and take to heart. Hop on iTunes and check it out!
Quote "Well, a cowboy may brag about things that he's done with his women, but the one's who brag loudest the one's that are most likely queer. Cowboys a freaks when they secretly fond of each other. Say what do you think all them saddles and boots was about?"

45!! Not bad at ALL!

Congrats to "Cookie and the SlutMuffins" for an absolutely heroic showing at last nights Trivia at Mad Dog in the Fog. While we were few (only 4!!), we were masterfully strong, especially with my so random song knowledge and Mike's freakish ability to know THE most random information about nearly everything. Strong showing from Trent and Shelley as well. And how cool was calling the sushi place across the street and ordering california rolls and tuna nigiri?? There are definitely somethings I am going to miss about living in the big City. So we gotta get as much trivia in as possible before that sad day comes around!! Too bad that last round just spanked us. I take a lot of credit for that.. I should've known my periodic table!! Next week.. I will study up before hand, promise.

damn you beautiful clothes!

Just a quick note. If I were a weaker person, I would have already spent my entire credit limit (not that great right now due to all the flights to grad schools i am waiting to get reimbursed, but none the less..) on the new J.Crew collection. I am not usually much of a shopper.. but I cannot even go to this website when other people are in the lab because I make pitiful little whimpering noises at nearly every page. Two questions, 1. When did J.Crew become sooo classically cool ? And 2. When did they get SO mind boggling expensive ?? And furthermore.. why are they the only folks with the latest object of my obsession the perfect orange cableknit crewneck sweater???

Yesterday's valentine's dinner and evening was perfect. Maybe tooo perfect. Those darn heavenly burgers at Burgermeister were just too good, especially after all the pre-Hawaii/pre-Wildflower training and healthy eating we've been doing. In a matter of a mere 10, maybe 15 minutes, we managed to devour a half pound burger each, Trent's was covered in cooked onions and mushrooms, mine was topped with half an avocado and chedder cheese. We also each polished off the heap of oh so yummy curly friends accompanied by lots of ranch dressing. So, in total, about a bazillion and five calories each. And I guess we aren't as young as we used to be. In days past, we used to be able to head over to good old MurderBurger in Davis, and knock back a sandwich like that.. no problem. Last night? I felt like the burger was pressing against my spinal cord. While I dealt with the inital pains of eating too much (I am not as big as the bubs), my hyperactive digestive system soon got things under control. It was T who suffered, even past watching "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" (aka: Eastern European porn) and some Olympics (how crazy is Johnny Weir, and how over-hyped is Bode Miller??). So it is back to the pool tonight, with a new resolve to look absolutely stunning in Hawaii and the memory of last nights dinner to get us through lots of salads for lunch. Thanks for a wonderful Valentine's Day bubs, hope your tummy is feeling better!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you all have a fabulously romantic day with the one's you love. I guess.. "one" you love, sounds better, eh? Eat lots of candy, bust out some bling and have a lavish meal on the town. Bubs and I?? Could you think of any place more romantic than .. Burgermeisters!!! We even have a coupon! I love it!

New thing I love : Trivia Night!

Last night we mustered up enough momentum to get off the couch and out into the hipster paradise that is mere meters away. Thanks to Trent's recollection of Thursday night festivities, we ended up at Mad Dog in The Fog, a local icon/pretty darn cool bar. It was trivia night! Which is.. my new favorite thing. Apparently, my quasi-freakishly large head is a stockpile of random trivia knowledge, from who took over Chanel after Coco to naming random sixties girl bands to turn of the century revolutionaries. It is justification for dragging this melon around all the time! I love it! We were only a team of two, but held our own quite nicely against big group teams. We already have our neighbor signed up for next week.. any other interested folks? We do need help in the sports/athlete department. 9pm 530 Haight, at Filmore. Be there or be square.

Oh and bonus.. there is a brand new Mexican dive across the street. About 3 rounds into the game, we lost our battle against the craving for some nachos and were pleasantly surprised. It's no Pancho Villa's.. but after a pitcher of Fat Tire Ale, they tasted mighty fine.

my breakthrough discovery

Apparently crushed ice loosely packed is 41.7% air. Interesting. Also apparently, random science friday started a bit early this week. heheh.

aww

I just got to do a photo shoot with my favorite boss. Apparently someone needs a headshot of him so we busted out his fancy camera and took pictures all over the building, trying to find good light, etc. Is it weird to ask for a wallet size one for my desk? Probably...
Yayy for best boss ever! He makes me so happy.

oh i do have something interesting to blog about. yay.
SO... throughout this week's massive spring cleaning, I have been stashing stuff in the hallway that we didn't want any more and have been keeping a meticulous list of everything out there for the "surplus" guys to pick up. I guess you just call them and they come.. and take it away somewhere? Anyways.. people have started asking me, as well as just pilfering, equipment and chairs and such from the halls. Which I realize is FANTASTIC.. cuz it less stuff for me to move/keep on the list. So I have become this powerful person on the 2nd floor, deciding who gets what and making random people (like the garbage guy and the guy who delivers mouse food to the 3rd floor) really happy.
Today was the height of my power though. There is this homeless guy living outside our building, right by the covered driveway to the morgue. He occasionally wanders in when the weather is bad, but is generally pretty chill. Today I went out to go fax something and there he was. Staring at all the stuff. Now who deserves this stuff more than him? So he is the proud new owner of a fancy little hybridization oven from... maybe 1973. I have no idea what he is gonna do with it, since you have to plug it in.. but he had his heart set on it apparently. It is kinda like a little toaster oven, I guess. Hmm.. oh well. Made his day and made mine even easier.. can't complain about that.

blahh

Feel like blogging even though I don't have anything specific to say. Just kinda a blah day. Molecular fabulousness has taken a back seat to the need to wear the scrubbiest clothes ever to clean up some nast-tay old lab rooms and heft heavy dusty equipment around. And I have some sort of head cold that makes me feel like I am on Pluto or something. Oh well. Tomorrow is Friday which is Jean's Day to play in the lab and do all sorts of probably not recommended science experiments.

Minor rant: My co-worker keeps leaving unexpectedly. Normally I would be kinda stoked cuz I feel bad leaving early when she is still here, but she is the only one who knows where half of the crap stored in the old lab needs to go. Sooo, I can't really continue any further without her. Not that big of a deal, the two rooms they are going to start construction on first, on Monday, are empty, but I dunno.. I'd appreciate her telling me she was leaving so I could force her to answer all my questions first. Oh well, lameness. She might be pissed that in our meeting this morning, my boss pretty much demanded that she give me a lot of protocols she wasn't sharing so I can get working on some new experiments. Quit bogarting the science, man! Anyways, I am sure this is really thrilling to all of ya.. but it is about as exciting as it gets today.

Maybe I will think of something interesting later. For now.. ciao :)

so fresh and so clean...

As my journey down molecular fabulousness continues.. today I discovered (or was caffinee and boredom induced) to do some major re-vamping of the lab bench area. Spring is brought into the lab by the new, bright pink tape holding down my new lab bench top cloth. There is a hint of 409 and bleach in the air. A pile of crushed cardboard boxes (ya, that was way fun) lies in waiting outside the lab. Hooray for lab spring cleaning day! And tomorrow is gonna be even better.. when we get to dig through 20 years of equipment trying to find anything useful and throw the rest out. Better get wayy amped up for that one.
And now in my post cleaning/post caffine high daze.. I thoroughly enjoyed the latest homestarrunner StrongBad email . Make sure to click on "digesting" on his Death Metal instruction list. "I came for the wuggas.. but stay for the jiggy juggas." Awesome.

to all the shoes I've loved before...

Pretty slow day at the lab. Making some RNA and dealing with some funny looking cells that apparently went on strike over the weekend. This weekend was great, a perfect combination of being out and busy with friends, and being a lazy bum at home with bubby. It was also a great shopping weekend, not like I need more of those financially, but this was banner good deals and good finds. It made me realize that I really like shoes. All sorts of shoes. Hereby.. a girly list:

1. Best running shoes . A long time devotee of New Balance, I am absolutely digging my new green and silver Asic speed machies. It is amazing what some new kicks will do for speed and reduced knee soreness. Thanks to the homies at Sports Basement, and Emily, who put up with me trying on every single pair and sprinting crazily through the baseball department.

2. Best work shoes . I am on my feet nearly eighty percent of the time I am at work. So cute high heels.. not an option. And although these Clarks aren't adorabe.. they are ridiculously comfortable and not toooo shabby looking, I think. Plus, it means my papa and I wear the same type of shoes.. which is kinda fun to think about.

3. Shoes I currently covet. These beauties caught my eye at Bandolino's this weekend. Totally impractical, absolutely gorgeous. I imagine myself serving mint julips on my screened in porch in North Carolina wearing these bad boys.

4. Best compromise . My excellent find this weekend. These flats from Aldo, are at once practical (ballet flats are so comfortable and work appropriate) as well as stylishly awesome (paten leather and a velvet bow.. i love it!). Top it off with a $19.99 pricetag and I was sold!

5. Best option ever . Can you ever go wrong with these. No. I know it is a California thing, but these are the most appropriate shoe in about 99% of situations. Scrambling on rocks, dressed up for town.. these are the winners :)

6. New Necessity . A lot of schools I am looking at have this crazy phenomenon called.. snow. Tricky stuff, apparently really cold and not so condusive to peep toe pumps. More practical than uggs, yet snuggle-tastically warm.

So ya.. I like shoes.

it ain't bamboo..

These week has caused me to take the shuttle ride over to UCSF three times, two autopsies and one conference. I usually take the time to read or listen to music but today caught me totally unprepared and a bit shook up after getting out of the morgue. So I focused on finding some interesting new things in the city. Which to mean, of course, means awesome plants. So.. one more nerdy time, a list of fabulous plant finds:

1. BY far the best.. on Mission and 14th Street, there is this old brick building. The north wall is in the shade usually and seemingly damp which has made it host to a plethora of awesomely adventageous epiphytic ferns! These little guys were my favorite in Costa Rica and remind me that there is a certain tenacity required to survive in this urban jungle.

2. Again, another favorite, right outside Atlas Cafe on Alabama and 20th Street, a beautiful steel planter of equisetum, but really, can you think of a cooler plant? I can't. Seriously.. dinosaurs tried to eat this stuff. But they were way too smart for that nonsense. They rule. And no, it isn't g'damn bamboo!

3. The random beautiful garden somewhere right near the UCSF campus. Sorry I can't be more specific about this one, but there is this beautiful house right by the campus that always amazes me with its perfect garden. Not over the top, just full of color and not too much landscaping. I love it.

So, ya.. kinda a short list, but check out these sites if you get a chance. If you like these sort of things. Oh man.. on NPR right now they are talking about how this is the earliest year ever for buttercups to bloom in Montana. Will the wonders ever cease?

Have a great weekend, see ya all later!

ps. I had cute links and all that but they all didn't work. which means, computers suck and all that coding nonsene. sooo.. look up what the plants look like.. it's good for ya.

Snot surfing

oh real quick.. today there is a paper being published about a new therapy for people suffering from CF, not a cure, but something to make them more comfortable. Researchers in Australia found that a certain group were doing a lot better, and tried to figure out why. The thing they all had in common? They surfed! Apparently 7% hypertonic normal saline solution.. otherwise known as sea water, is really good for dissolving CF mucus when you breath it in an aeresol (sea spray). Anyone who has surfed knows about "the drip," so I guess it makes sense! So now everyone wants it. I say.. everyone should get out there surfing! How awesome is science!?!

ps. I apologize for the insane nerdiness of the last couple posts. At least I am posting finally, right?

ph.d in molecular fabulousness

Today was our CF meeting. I learned a lot and was really proud of our lab's presentation. It was great to see stuff I had been involved in sparking the interest of some of the area's leaders in this disease study. A few comments, therefore:

1. I like lists. A whole lot. They appeal to my scientific nature, perhaps?

2. I don't really like grad students. This is a problem because I am about to become one. However, a majority of them.. bug me. I know they are broke and overworked and probably didn't want to be at the seminar today, but that is NO excuse for talking amongst themselves, browsing around on their laptops, looking like they just rolled out of bed, and falling asleep about halfway through. C'mon you guys.. this stuff is amazingly interesting.. or if it isn't to you.. get out of here!! Ya, the folks there work for THE MOST AWFUL boss ever (see #4), but that isn't our fault. I am not even a grad student and I sat at the table, not off in the corner, was an active listener, asked questions, and wore my gorgeous pearl button sweater from United Colors of Benneton. I have decided to be the most fabulous molecular biology grad student ever and not fall into this slump of bad manners and awful tastes!

3. I am a bit torn. Walt's presentation was awesome, and a great history lesson for me on all the work he has done and it was awesome to see cell culture lines that I started and maintained looking gorgeous on the screen. Even more exciting, he included the graphs of the mucin staining experiments I have frantically been trying to set up. However, they were at the very end of his talk and he had to rush through them because he ran out of time. Not that big of a deal, I was just a little sad.. that's all. But he did give me a big shout out at the end of the talk.. hooray.

4. Holy Geeze.. I hate this one guy. To remain anonomous.. but ohhhh my gosh. He is another primary investigator, who works over at UCSF. This is my 3rd CF conference and in each one, he has bugged me more. He asks ridiculous questions just to hear himself talk, loves to argue about the most ridiculous details.. and is pretty much ridiculous all over. Plus.. I think he smells bad (Unfortunately, being fabulous and sitting at the main table made him my neighbor). I guess I have a bit of sympathy for his gradstudents, I would hate working for him. Worst offense: messing with my Walt. Not cool, homie, that just ain't cool.

So ya, an overall success. Especially the yummy pizza for lunch. Next week will be lots of moving as the construction for our new lab starts and we have to move everything out of the way. Yuck. And I am reinspired to tackle my RNA project after hearing walt talk about it today, longingly. I just want it to WORK! Just got a text message that bubby is on BART.. yayy for coming home from Idaho. I gotta get outta here! Ciao

Life List

ahhhh, I am such a bad blogger! No more of that. I hope. I guess it is good because it means I am no longer sitting around aimlessly at work, I am a scientist doing science.. stuff! And it rocks.
A lot has been going on, decision-wise, in my life. It is so crazy to be in this situation. I need to decide where I want to live.. for the next .. (I am gonna be optimistic).. 6 years of my life. I know it isn't that long, but man.. it seems fairly daunting. I am gonna definitely "go with the flow" and see what works out.. but it has made me think of some goals I would like to obtain.. ready??
1. A driveway and mailbox. I want to be able to park my car, and get packages.. no problem.
2. Cute athletic wear from Title Nine! . I guess in general, I want to be one of the women they profile in their catologue. They are always happy, successful in their careers and lives, have plenty of time for hobbies and crafting.. I definitely aspire to that.
3. A perfect coat. It is my latest obsessive shopping compulsion. I get this perfect picture in my head and then refuse to settle for anything less. I feel this may be due to the fact that I can afford more of a Forever 21 fur lined atrocity , rather than the classic tan wth leather trim tailored number my heart longs for.
4. Although #3 requires cool weather to properly appreciate the coat.. I need some more warmth in my life. I love shorts. Sorry.. I do. I love summer dresses, bikinis.. the whole nine. Pretty much, the less clothing I have to wear.. within legal limits.. the better. Maybe a place with actual seasons would satisfy this request? Kinda looks bad for Cornell though..
5. A dog. I.. cannot even explain how much I like dogs. Something about their adoring and cheerful nature, probably. I want some scragly charismatic ball of joy to welcome me home, like the cute one that gets soooo excited when the women who lives in the house right outside my lab window gets home. Probably shouldn't kidnap her dog though.. I am already probably creeping her out enough.
6. A garden. Like my new favorite song says.. I love my plants. I want to grow things. I should be good at it, I have a frickin degree in it! It doesn't need to be big.. just a little tomato plant, a gardenia bush, some tulips maybe.. I am not greedy, I swear!
7. And of course, good friends and loved ones around. Especially my bubby!

That is just some of the things I am thinking of. Of course, the school and the people I would be working with are most important. But it is kinda cool to sit back and think of the things that would make it EVEN better. Ciao