Just a friendly reminder to all of you whom enjoy summer footwear as much as I do.
It's time to break in those sandals for the many months of summer ahead!
Build-up those calluses for your favorite sandals now, so that you can enjoy the warm weather in style!
I put on some flip flops today and the space between my toes began hating me (and my amazing fashion sense) before I even got to my office! It's obviously been a while since I wore "thongs"! :)
Luckily, DancingFish is the nicest friend and let me eat her veggieburger. She is my favorite.
I had another sad meeting with my advisor where I questioned my ability as a graduate student. And an afternoon of stats fun with Marty and work.
Things started to brighten up after I talked with Ry and then had a lab meeting. At the bar. Bar lab meeting are the best idea my advisor ever had. And I promise to continue that when I am a professor. The lab meeting also helped me realize that I am an OK graduate student.
Lessons of the day:
1) Never try to plan life -- my advisor will do it for me.
2) Sometimes my advisor says the wrong thing. Sometimes he says the right thing.
3) All meetings should be held at bars.
4) Always (yes ALWAYS) ask for no BACON when ordering any food.
I'll have a lager, no BACON please.
OK, blogstalker -- I'll try harder to update more often ...
Let's see ... last week was crazy busy, as always. I had a stupid test, an even more exciting lab that I taught (more on that later) and I am swamped with work, but looking forward to the end of the semester!
Highlights of last week included a very exciting research talk by my favorite RyGuy. Who doesn't love hearing about glial aromatase?? Below is a picture of Ry with my favorite blogstalker.
The weekend was mainly full of work -- hours spent not understanding statistics and speciation. Fun fun. Don't be jealous.
As a distraction from the work, I did hang out with DancingFish. We went to Target and I spent way too much money but I got super cute shoes, sheets on clearance, and (the best) cool green fish socks!!! DancingFish and I were sock buddies today!!! We also had dinner with V, drink the MOST amazing margaritas, and did some knitting!
It was a nice break from all the work I should have been doing! Presentation in 2 days ... maybe I'll post some graphs for you who are really interested in what fish do when I move their babies!
Hope you're all well!!
I FINALLY found someone close enough to my apartment that has wireless internet that I can steal! Happy Day!Thought I would post a silly little music thing that some friends have posted on their blogs. Instructions: Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING.
How does the world see you?
It's So Complicated - Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Hmmm .... I could see that ....
Will I have a happy life?
What Happened? - Gretchen Wilson
About a great relationship that ends ... great ... I am deleting that song from my files ...
What do my friends really think of me?
I've Got You Under My Skin -- sung by Michael Buble
Awe, that's sweet!
Do people secretly lust after me?
Kissing a Fool -- also sung by Michael Buble
Well ... there ya go.
How can I make myself happy?
Sleep to Dream Her -- Dave Matthews Band
I could use a nap.
What should I do with my life?
Somebody Like You -- Keith Urban
Guess I am supposed to love somebody like you!
Will I ever have children?
Yesterday -- The Beatles
I'm suddenly freaking out ... did I get pregnant yesterday? Or does this mean I missed my chance?
What is some good advice for me?
Lover Lay Down -- Dave Matthews Band
Hmmm ....
How will I be remembered?
I Am Extraordinary -- Liz Phair
What can I say?
What is my signature dancing song?
Lover I Don't Have To Love -- Bright Eyes
Not exactly upbeat ... too bad I don't have the Pussycat Dolls on my music list ...
What do I think my current theme song is?
You Look Good in My Shirt -- Keith Urban
I do look pretty damn good in your shirt!
What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Desperately -- The Wreckers
A good song ... but I hope people don't think I am desperate ...
What song will play at my funeral?
Cry -- James Blunt
Don't cry people -- I will haunt you for all eternity! :)
What type of men/women do you like?
Men: Ants Marching -- Dave Matthews Band
I have no idea what that means ...
Women: Am I Not Pretty Enough? -- Kasey Chambers
I gotta stop going to ballet class with skinny little girls ...
What is my day going to be like?
Your Love is Real -- David Gray
Sounds like it's going to be a great day!!!
Well ... that was a good waste of 10 minutes ...
Aquarius January 20 - February 18
Daily Extended Forecast for March 23, 2006
Provided by Astrology.com
Someone you've had your eye on recently will be more than happy to keep you up late tonight -- all you have to do is to be sure to make yourself available. That may mean you'll be tired at work tomorrow, but you've probably heard of power naps, and you're probably familiar with the concept of resting up, having some coffee, scoffing some vitamins, and then heading out to continue astounding the masses with what you're capable of. Your mission now is to keep up that reputation. Ready? Bet you are. 
Sounds like a better reason to be tired at work tomorrow than staying up late to study & getting up early to study! :)
Just wanted to send out a few tidbits about the friends!!
CONGRATULATIONS to Stephanie (childhood friend) & Andrew on the purchase of their new house in Georgia!
CONGRATULATIONS to Steph & Tim (friends from SJU) on their engagement!
Tim asked Steph to be his wife on St. Patty's Day! I am looking foward to their winter wedding!
And CONGRATS to Steph on her new job! :)
Congrats & Best Wishes to Lindsay (Canisius friend) who is applying to SJU & the GeoKids program (as well as many other grad programs)! Have a fun cross-country trip!!
Congrats & Best Wishes to Joshua (Canisius friend) on his grad school interview!
(Josh -- are you sure you want to get a PhD?? :) )
Gosh, I have successful friends!!!
More exciting posts later (including photos of the cutest-ever nephew once I develop them!)!!
What can I say about this weekend? Except that it was super fun!
It was so nice to see my "from home" friends! BF-Kimmy and the BF-in-law (Billy) drove up from Virginia and Anna & George came down from Buffalo to spend an exciting weekend in Bethlehem! There's not too much to do in this little town -- but that's OK, because we have fun just being together!
When they first arrived in town, I introduced them to my "new" friends while distracting them with too much Pizza Hut pizza (BTW -- avoid the new Cheesy Bites pizza -- ick!!) and Bison chip dip (a Buffalo delicacy brought by Anna). Everyone seemed to get along and, after a few Blue Lights (thanks George!), we went out for a little bowling fun! Though the boys team (George, Billy, Ry, and V) beat the girls (Dancingfish, Anna, Kimmy, and me), we still had a plethora of fun! Below is a shot of Kimmy and me celebrating a strike!
We stayed up way too late after everyone else went home, but we woke up hangover-free and enjoyed a nice relaxing Saturday. I gave them the tour of the town (which took about 10 minutes) and we went to Starters to eat too much food and watch the Sabres game!
We had an exciting game night which included a 4-hour Monopoly tournament. Despite George's ingenius take over of all railroads and utilities and and amazing rent-control deal, BF-in-law's
early real estate investments paid off. The Sneks-Wynne team came in a close second. The biggest upset of the evening was the first-EVER win by the boys team in Taboo. Personally, I think the teams were a bit out of balance. The boys were stacked -- George & Billy have known each other for decades and Ry & Luke spent way too much time in the lab together. The girls had a slight handicap with a completely new addition who knew none of us (I couldn't even get her name right!!!). But, when it was just the "home friends", Ry & I, the girls prevailed, so I was able to get some sleep that night! Perhaps the most fun was the six of us just sitting around, talking and being silly! I am super happy that the freinds and Ry all get along and seem to actually like each other!!! :)
Sunday was a sad day because everyone had to leave. We sat around taking about life, had lunch and then everyone was on the road!
Kimmy said it best -- when everyone leaves after a nice weekend, there is just this emptiness. Mostly because my one-bedroom apartment is no longer sleeping 5 people! It's almost bittersweet to have these weekends of fun, because I love seeing my friends, but it also makes me miss having them around all of the time! I really do have the greatest friends!
When's the next visit guys??? Definitely a trip in June!!
As for this week, Spring Break is over and I am back to work, work, work. I'll be making a quick trip home this weekend though! Looking forward to seeing the family (especially my nephew!)!!
My "from home" friends come to visit Bethlehem today! I can't wait!! It has been an insanely stressful spring break and I think this weekend of fun will be a much-needed break from the craziness.
Below is a photo from our July DC trip! Can't wait to see everyone!!
Headline on today's yahoo news: Hundreds of Human Genes Still Evolving.
Seriously? Are people actually surprised by this news??
So this past weekend was filled with fun, mainly because I felt no pressure to actually have any work done by Monday, as it is "Spring Break".
On Friday, I happily left school at 4pm to partake in some drinking at the "pseudo-beer-thirty" at South Side Steel, led by Ry's advisor. We successfully took over the entire bar. Then many of us TAs were off to Dr. Dave's house to celebrate the end of his reign over BioS120 (which I happily TA each week). We celebrated for quite a while with good food, good drinks and good songs by the Matt.
The highlight of Saturday's fun was a big Mardi Gras celebration at Matt & Emily's house. The pictures speak for themselves!
After a wonderfully late Saturday night, I slept in on Sunday, did a little lab work, and took a drive down to meet Missy at Plymouth Meeting. We had some dinner, drinks, and discussion on research, friends, family, and "theology". The picture of her below was not taken this weekend, but it seemed fitting as per our conversation! Thanks for the fun Missy!!!!!!!
As for the week so far ... not exactly a "break". But I am looking forward to getting lots of work done and to an exciting weekend of fun with visiting friends!
I have a new Betta!
It has been a few weeks since the death of Boyfriend Fish and I thought it time to move on. Also, the Animal Behavior Lab was done with their project, so I felt the need to give one of the guys a good home.
Platonic Friend Fish is very fiesty. He lives in my (very warm) office and seems content in his little home with his fake plant. He has had lots of visitors today and I think he is adjusting well to life as my friend.
Spring "break" officially starts today. Not that it is spring, nor a break.
But we will again have a "week of fun". Officially, 9 days of fun. I am not sure of all of the events, but the culmination will be a visit from "home" friends! 
DancingFish and I began a bit early with a dance party in my office yesterday. Swanny gave us some dry-ice (on the desk), so we made some fog, turned on the Kelly Clarkson, and flashed the lights. You wish you had fun like we did!
We then went to a seminar on evolution and function of complex signaling in spiders given by Eileen Hebets. It was cool -- you should check out her website.
Then, this morning, I spent hours driving the advisor to the airport. So, the 3 Js (yes, almost everyone in my lab is named Jen) are officially on break!!
Stay tuned for more exciting Spring Break adventures!!
Ever wake up and think it is just going to be a good day? Despite the day's busy schedule and all of the work piled up on the desk, it's going to be a good day? I try to wake up like that everyday, but we all know it does not always happen (I have my "Miss CrankyPants" days). But today I just woke up happy!
And then I got to school and checked my email and had tons of messages from friends! Chris sends hellos from the Micronesian islands. Cho sent a Happy Fat Tuesday Orca video! Zoo geek Allison dropped me a note (I haven't talked to her in forever!)! BF-Kimmy and I are emailing back and forth about next weekend's visit (YAY!!)! And Kathryn sent me a link for FREE POST IT NOTES!! Seriously excited about the last one. I love the post-its!
What can I say? I find joy in the little things in life! I'm easy!
Hope you're all having a wonderful day too!
