Finish or no finish

As promised, here are Dr. B's armwarmers! A self portrait taken with my nose while balancing the camera on my lab. I have to figure out the timer still! 'Deal or No Deal' is on while I wait for Lost to start. Yeah Lost! Not 3 weeks late or on my computer!

I've been working a lot too, sent another grant application in today, prepped for field work next week, and marked fish. How great do these guys look? (They don't usually have the yellow dots, mom!)

I'll be meeting up with a friend at a conference and then in the field next week. 20+ hours of driving by Sunday. Woo Hoo! Spring Break!

Feelgood by numbers

I just heard that I received my first research grant! I GOT A GRANT! I did it! My CV gets a whole new section now! It is from a smaller organization but it is great because it is the same amount as the grants available from the big organizations. Plus, I already bought most of the stuff I put in the budget so this is very good news for my credit card!

This organization makes you go to the banquet at their annual meeting if you get the award. Otherwise they give it to someone else. I didn't realize they told you ahead of time so I was planning on going anyways and practicing my loser smile and clap (of course, that is why I HAD to watch the Oscars last night). Now the registration, hotel room and drive will all be worth it!

Yea! Yea! Yea!

Off to do a happy dance....

New Hat

When I was in PA for V's birthday it was VERY cold. So cold that I bought the hat I coveted every time I went to the mall since September. I was going to make myself something like it but it was on clearence and yarn wouldn've been more expensive anyways. Plus the ears and lined in fleece and I don't have skills like that yet.
Isn't it great? Love the cables, ear flaps and GREEN! Even Seymour likes it.

In other news, I am currently house/dog sitting. I am the go-to dog sitter at my facility. Which I love as I get free places to stay with real kitchens and full size showers. This weeks house has a water softener, treadmill, cable and wireless internet. It is like a resort and my hair is much nicer already after one day. With the wireless at my disposal, expect updates on the knitting and adventures with my new friends all week (Or at least till Thursday when I travel to a regional conference).

I need more wine and knitting to help me stay up to see Arcade Fire on SNL. Their new album is out next month and I am looking forward to it. They also put on probably the 3rd best show I've ever seen. I hope your Saturday night is as exciting as mine!

Why can't I get along, why can't I get along with you?

I am drowning out the woman yelling about how the bible really is proving the existance of god to her with Very Loud Girl Rock Music (Sleater-Kinney). Ah, public wireless coffee shop how I loathe you.

At work* we have not had internet now for 2 days. 2 days of wondering if anything important happened in the world, 2 days of wondering if my latest manuscript is finally available online, 2 days of needing to order fish tank lights and look up flower girl dresses! Let alone I still have an one episode of Lost and 2 Ugly Betty's to watch!

Anyways, I am feeling better and am happily back to lab work. And writing! And knitting! I am 10 minutes from finishing Dr. Bs' armwarmers and started back on my silk ones again last night. Alright, I need to get out of here. Just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive!




* where I was one of 3 people who didn't have the day off. Partially because I have nothing else to do but, you know, work.

P.S. How crazy is Britney?!?! For serious.

bllaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh

So, it is a whirlwind week of DNA training. Things are going REALLY well on the work end of things but I also am not feeling well. Coughing, sore throat, tired, etc etc. blah blah blah! I can hardly think straight when I am not trying to figure out what my data is meaning. At least I HAVE data and that is the most important thing.

In other news, I went out last weekend with this girl who is in town to train me. We have a ton in common right down to the planning a midwest wedding from the desert with a future husband on the East Coast. Weird right? That is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of strange stuff we have in common. I really wish she were still working here because we get along great but in the meantime- she is going to introduce me to some people and show me the best (or only) gym around. No more hermit life!

I'm about to fall over and sleep right here under my desk. Wish me coherent thought processes and more good data!

Travelin' Fish

I know I will hit up the remaining parts of New England this year- I have a conference up there. Oregon, however, is a problem. I think one of Vs' friends is getting married there but it might be during the semester...It is the last US holdout...must. get. to. Oregon.

Back

I am back in the desert. Despite the Bears meltdown, I had a really fantastic visit. So I am not so pleased to be back in the desert. Hopefully, I will feel like posting more this weekend- I did lots of knitting on the planes and had some interesting encounters with other grad students.

Until then, a quick weird thing....I am eating pudding. Snack-pak-esque pudding. Built in portion control! Plus chocolate! Greatest part of lunch. Anyways, on the top of the individual serving it says "Refrigerate when at home." It just seems like a narrow window for refrigeration...

All together now!

Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois , Chicago Bears, bear down.