Christmas already?!?

Well once again I have failed to keep my blog updated frequently.  The past month has been...you guessed it...insanely busy.  I haven't had time to much of anything besides research and finishing up classes.  My workouts have slacked off completely (it's been 4 weeks...EEEEK!) and I had to do 21 days worth of laundry last weekend...  So, things have been a bit crazy.  I finished up my classes a few weeks ago which took the load of studying off my shoulders, so that was nice.  I have been occupying my days (and a good number of evenings) in the lab doing my research.  I am having a bit of a problem finding cows that are fat enough to take samples from, so cross your fingers that I can get 4-6 more cows worth of samples soon!  I've been learning how to do Western Blots, which is a method of testing to see if a specific protein is present in a sample.  The protocol takes about a day and a half, but I get to use the developer in the dark room which comes with a Harry Potter-like rotating black-out door.  Every time I go in there I feel like I should say "Diagon Ally." 

Research, for those of you who aren't involved in it, begins with "re" for a reason.  It's a lot of do-overs with tweaking and manipulating.  Things never work right the first time and take about 4 times longer than you think they will.  This typically leads to long days, repeated efforts, and a lot of "hmmmmms."  I guess I've experienced all of these things so much that they don't bother me anymore.  When I was first beginning, I got really torn up when things absolutely didn't work.  It was frustrating and could turn a day sour in an instant.  I've come to learn that research is just like that.  You can have a protocol so down pat that you could do it in your sleep and it might decide to not work at all one day.  That is one part of research that I am not fond of.  I don't like going around and trying to figure out the answers to questions that have no answers.  My mind just doesn't work that way.  I am not a questioning thinker.  I don't look at something and say, "Hmmmm, I wonder what would happen if I changed this."  I am much more of a "give me the facts, let me understand them and master them, then let me teach them to someone else" kind of person.  I guess that's one thing (of MANY) that grad school has taught me.

In other news, I have really gotten into the Christmas spirit lately.  I went to a concert at Harold's church where he played trumpet and it was great!  I have been listening to Christmas music, baking ginger snaps, and feeling festive.  I wish Justin was with me to share in the holiday cheer, but I'll be seeing him in a little less than a week! 

Today we had our 2nd annual gingerbread house party.  It was at Louisa's house and we all had a blast!  Megan, Leah, Becca, Philip, Jason, Louisa, Damon, Louisa's friend Nancy from her pottery class, and Louisa's sister-in-law Diane all came.  We made and decorated houses and snacked on spinach dip with bread and veggies, sausage balls, and cookies.  I had fun this year with my decorating.  I used the same roofing material as last year, but did a checkerboard pattern this year.  This year's house was much cleaner and neater.  I was pretty proud of my work, especially my snowman family and my fence :)

This week shouldn't be too stressful and then I get to spend a week with families.  This will be a much needed break!! 

OH!  If you need a new addiction...let me know and I'll invite you to join Pinterest.  Love it!

My thoughts on flowers

So I'm in the lab intently focusing on making 10 microliter aliquots of DNase when out of nowhere I hear "Megan" whispered. I look up to find Damon in the door (Louisa's husband) with a huge bouquet of flowers in his hand asking where she was. Of course my immediate reaction is "awwwwww", but I then proceeded to tell him where she was. This moment was only slightly ruined by the fact that Louisa told him he had to bring her flowers because it was the 12th anniversary of their first date.


So this got me thinking about flowers.  I guess I have enough to say about it that I decided to write it down.  Some would ask "why would you get flowers when they just die in a week?"  I can see that point.  They might rather spend their money on something that will last forever (or at least a long time).  But I don't know many females out there who don't light up when they receive flowers.  Now this doesn't have to be the $60 dozen red roses.  You can go by the grocery store and buy a bouquet of colorful flowers for $5 any day, any time.  Ok, so it's nice to get flowers, even though they eventually die. 

Now for the other part.  Timing.  I heard a girl at a wedding recently say that she only wants "just because" flowers.  I slightly agree with her.  It is my opinion that flowers "just because" or at a random time are much more meaningful than flowers on Valentine's day or on anniversaries (though I'm not saying I don't want flowers on either of those days...).  When flowers are given on a holiday, they are more or less expected.  I think it is infinitely sweeter and more meaningful when a guy decides to give his girl flowers because he was thinking about her and wanted to do something special to show her he loves her.  And it doesn't have to be flowers either.  It could be a card, a note, some kind of food or candy, anything.  When a guy goes out of his way to think about something his girl might like, goes and gets it, and gives it to her, that's when it's special. 

Well, there's my two cents worth...enjoy the day!!

Catching WAY up

Wow.  I'm sorry it has taken me this long to update.  Needless to say I am becoming increasingly busier and busier and busier.  (I don't really have the time to be doing this right now, but am in dire need of a mental break)  I am constantly studying for my two courses, one of which is the fastest-paced course I've ever taken, but is one of my favorites so far.  I am also very busy with being a TA for the advanced repro class, getting supplies together each week for the labs, helping during labs, sending out emails, printing and proctoring exams, writing up procedures for next year's TA to follow, etc.  I've also already been doing a lot of work towards TAing the normal repro class this coming spring.  I spent my entire Fall Break at slaughterhouses collecting cow and bull reproductive tracts.  One of those days was spent on the kill floor collecting while the other was spent driving down to Gaffney, SC to pick up the tracts.  Both days ended in cleaning, trimming, and freezing the tracts.  Research is going incredibly slowly as I haven't really started collecting my data on which my thesis will be written.  I am starting some protein work this week which is one step in the right direction, so that's good.  I imagine I'll be hitting research HARD towards the end of November and definitely once classes end.  In my busyness, I have not had hardly any time at all to go see Essau.  I make it out there once a week (if I'm lucky) to brush him, check his supplements, and give him a cookie.  He'll be going home in a few weeks, so that will be good for him and I won't feel so bad about neglecting him.



So I have done some fun things since my last post.  I went on a weekend-long scrapbooking retreat with Dr. Edwards up at Camp Ba Yo Ca in Sevierville, TN.  I expected a fun, productive weekend with fellow scrapbookers, but was introduced to an entirely different world.  There are people who do this so intensely that it made the supplies I had look like you took me off the street.  My measly bag of stickers, container of paper, cup of pens, and some odds and ends was nothing compared to these people (including Dr. Edwards) who bring their own scrapbooking chairs, printers, computers, die-cutting machines (which I now have purchased), tubs of paper, stamps, stickers, glitter, paper punchers, and hundreds of tools you never knew existed.  I was instantly hooked on the Cricut machines which cut out just about anything you have the cartridge for on any kind of paper in any size.  It dramatically improved the quality of my pages and that's why I decided to snatch one off eBay.  The retreat was great.  The ladies are all super fun and we ate like champions.  Besides the wonderful meals cooked by the camp staff, we had two heaping tables of snacks.  One table included drinks, grapes, peaches, and other healthy things while the other was piled high with chips, cookies, brownies, chess squares (new favorite...I probably ate about 1/3 of the 9x13 pan...), candy, and sausage balls.  Needless to say I stuffed my face all weekend (we all did) and felt like a fatted pig.  There's another retreat in March that the ladies have told Dr. Edwards she has to allow us to attend.  That will be peak writing for me, but hopefully she'll lay off for 3 days so we can go back!

Dr. Edwards's stuff

My stuff

Some other random highlights in the past month include taking pictures of the Habitat house our church is building with another church.  Our goal is to have the family in by Christmas.  It's coming along nicely.  I've never seen a house being built, so it's pretty cool to watch it progress.  I have seen Kim twice for brunch at her old house.  The first was a few weeks ago and it was mostly her Barbie crew (her roommate and other friend look like pristine Barbie dolls, as do most of their friends).  She came in town again this past weekend for the game and it was mostly her friends from Delaware.  It's really nice to get to see her as I miss her greatly...

I made chili and some more bread and had Leah over to help me eat some.  She is one of the undergraduates working in the lab and will hopefully be coming to grad school under Edwards next Fall. 


A few Saturdays ago, I watched Tyler and Laney (Edwards's kids) all day long while she and Schrick went to an alumni event and the UT game.  I took them to their soccer games around noon and got to experience the soccer world.  It made me wonder if our kids are going to be soccer lovers (making me a soccer mom?!?).  I then took them to lunch at Subway (their choice, I was surprised), and then out to the barn to see Essau.  They thought he was huge and enjoyed petting and brushing him.  I then took them back home where we kicked a ball around for a while until I locked my keys in the trunk of my car for the first time.  I called a locksmith out who unlocked my door in 20 seconds, I kid you not.  $50 later, I had my keys back and we watched Shrek 2.  They then wanted grilled cheese (which is the only thing they ever ask me to cook them because apparently I made them WAAAAY better than their mom or dad).  We rounded out the evening watching 5 minute segments of about 15 different Disney channel shows.  I forget how short attention spans are at that age.  They would watch a show until the commercial and then flip to another show.  The cycle repeated endlessly so you never really got a complete plot. 


Two weekends ago, I went to NC to be in Jeannie's wedding.  She's my maid (now matron) of honor, so it was great to be involved in her wedding.  I drove down Thursday night, getting in around 11:00 ish and crashed to sleep.  Friday, I woke up, worked out, and met Justin for lunch at Applebees.  He was at work with USDA, so he took a long lunch to come see me.  I then went out to the barn to see my boy and anyone else who happened to be out there.  It was so good to see Ivan.  He is getting so white and I was happy to see he still remembers me.  I brushed him and chatted with Kara, Jordan, and Tam for a while before driving down to Pinehurst.  The rehearsal was that evening, followed by the rehearsal dinner.  The bridal party was huge.  9 girls and 9 guys.  I knew just about all the girls as most went to NCSU with me and enjoyed hanging out with them and catching up.  The food was amazing and we all stayed to decorate the Fair Barn for the next day.  We spent the night at a lake house about 30 minutes from the wedding venue and after not quite enough sleep made it to the hair salon to get ready for the day.  I told the lady to to whatever she wanted to my hair and she knocked my socks off.  She put more curls in my hair than I've ever seen in just about anyone's.  It must have been the spray-on cement and her magic touch with the, get this, flat iron.  Yes, you heard me right.  She made every single one of those curls with a skinny flat iron.  Miracle-worker. 

Once everyone was dolled up, we headed back to the Fair Barn to get dressed and take pictures before the wedding started at 4:30.  All-in-all it was a great wedding.  The food was pretty good and we danced A LOT.  Justin came down for the wedding, so it was great to spend time with him.  We danced the night away and then headed back to Raleigh.  I went to church Sunday morning and am pretty sure I've never been that tired in my life.  I could hardly keep my eyes open during the service and had zero energy.  There was no way I was going to drive home like that, so I went and took a pretty long nap before eating a quick lunch at Backyard Bistro and heading back to Knoxville.  It was really sad to leave Justin (for a better idea, you can go read his blog entry "Two lives? Four lives?").

This past week, I went to Crossville, TN with the 420 class and preg-checked Angus heifers all day.  We had a chatty group of girls and I'm fairly certain there was not a minute during the day where we had silence.  I think we talked Dr. Hopkins's ears off, poor guy.  It was a good time.  Last Friday, the grad students had a Halloween party which I attended.  I dressed as a goth chick and enjoyed watching them play Circle of Death.  Sunday was great, because I got to see Adam and Jeannie.  They honeymooned for a few days at Disney, then came to Gatlinburg to stay in a cabin the rest of the week.  Their flight out of Knoxville wasn't until 6:45 so I met them at my favorite BBQ place for a late lunch and then entertained them at my apartment until it was time for them to leave. 

So, as you can see, it has been insane around here.  I have never been so busy in my life and it's just getting started...

Brainermush - to quote a cool kid

Well the physiology test is behind me now, thank God.  It was very hard.  I'm not sure I have had to think that hard in a very long time, or perhaps ever.  After the test, I felt like I had been sent through the wringer.  Luckily we're on to endocrinology, which is right up my alley.  I enjoy learning about hormones because 1) I know a good bit about them already and 2) my project deals with hormones.  The new professor is great!  He's an older man from Chile with an awesome accent.  He has a really easy-going demeaner and teaches as if he is talking to you.  It is not the kind of soft-spoken that puts you to sleep.  It is more like soothing.  Don't get me wrong, the professor who taught us the first section is a GENIOUS.  He certainly knows his stuff on skeletal muscle, nervous system, synapses, receptors, body fluids, homeostasis, and nerve impulses.  The difference is that the first professor teaches way above your head, occasionally reaching down to your level with an awesome analogy.  Our new professor teaches at eye-level so you immediately understand things right when he says them.  Hopefully this next test will go a little better since it is only on one large topic instead of 10. 

In other news, I rode Essau today for the first time at the new place.  The arena is grass and is right by the road.  I didn't know if the passing cars would affect him, but he didn't bat an eye.  I rode him bareback and he seemed really, really happy!  The arena is actually a perfect size.  It is big enough that I can do whatever I need to do without feeling cramped, but small enough that he can't pick up too much speed going down the long sides (this applies to cantering which is when he likes to GO).  I think he was just happy to be out and about.  While the new place is working out nicely, the drive to and from is getting old FAST.  I'm adding an extra 30+ minutes to my day just driving which pushes back dinner, studying, etc and sucks up a lot more gas.  He will only be there 2 more months, so hopefully I can keep up with everything and still get out there to work him a few times a week.

Eventful Day

After a very late and incredibly unproductive night, I woke up this morning and went for a 3 mile run on the Greenway by my apartment in a misty 55 degrees.  It was very refreshing and a nice start to what I hoped would be a very productive day.

I didn't get much done between my run and when I left to meet Megan and Leah (undergrads who work in our lab) so we could go to the TN Valley Fair!  We headed over to the ghetto, where the fairgrounds are, and got a super close parking spot.  We walked by all the food first to get a feel for our options before actually eating anything.  The day's delights included:

Chicken and Pork Kabobs

Fried Green Tomatoes

Deep Fried Milky Way

Sweet Potato Fries

and Deep Fried Snickers



We watched a few Junior Dairy classes where we saw adorable little heifers. 

We also visited the rabbit barn where we saw lots of different kinds, colors, sizes, and shapes. 

We ended the fair experience with the petting zoo.

 I almost played my favorite fair game (pick up the duck) but it cost FIVE DOLLARS, so I resisted.  While this wasn't the NC State Fair...it filled my deep fried snickers quota for the year and was a lot of fun.  Two new food items I had never seen before were deep fried KoolAid and a red velvet funnel cake.  I think I had enough grease for the day and didn't try either.

After the fair, I did some studying for my big test Monday and then went out to the barn to move Essau to the new farm.  The barn is relocating to Maryville (about 12 minutes more down the road from the current barn) and today was Essau's day to go.  The new barn has a much better turnout situation and Essau is a happy boy living next to his "girlfriend," Mia.  They also get to go out together and were enjoying running around in the big field this afternoon.  They are also pretty excited about grass! 

New stall

Pasture buddies

Run Big Man!

Love :)

Another exciting adventure of late is my first bread-making experience.  Louisa, from the lab, makes this bread often and let me copy the recipe from the book she uses, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day . It turned out AMAZING.  Probably the best bread I've ever tasted...and I have enough dough to make 3 more loaves!  I'm going to make one for my friends the Erwins and then will figure out something to do with the other two :)  They go very nicely with oil...especially fresh out of the oven!

Bread Making

Resting Loaf

Baking!!

My first loaf!!!



Class, Teach, Lab, Repeat...

As you can tell by the large delay in updating...things have been very busy around here!  After Kim finished up her defense, things started to change pretty quickly.  She turned everything in and "checked out," leaving one lonely grad student in JARTU...me.  I did move into a real office with a locking door, so that is very exciting, but things are definitely different around JARTU without fellow grad students.  I enjoy the privacy and peacefulness of my own office, but I miss having Kim and Jessy to talk to and to decide on random ice cream runs. 

I started my classes mid-August and they are going well so far.  I have a nutrition course, which is basically a review of my biochemistry class from undergrad.  We've already had our first exam in there (one every 3 weeks) and it wasn't bad at all.  My other course is animal physiology which is INTENSE, but I love it.  It is what the first year vet students take in two semesters, crammed down into one semester.  We leave out the pathophysiology parts (how normal processes are altered by disease states) because we're not pursuing vet school and just need to know how things work.  I really enjoy learning about "How It's Made" and how things work in the body.  I find myself going ah-ha a lot in my head during class as I learn things I've always heard about but never understood.  Our first exam is in a week. 

I have also been busy being a TA for Dr. Schrick's advanced reproduction class.  I'm really enjoying it, especially being in charge of getting everything together for labs and helping students with their questions.  I'm also helping Dr. Edwards and a co-teacher Dr. Stewart manage the Blackboard site (the online interface where students get assignments, announcements, etc) for their Research Ethics course.  All of the new animal science graduate students are in that course, so it's nice that I have that time to interact with them since my office is across the river and I rarely see them otherwise. 

Outside of school, I met Scott, Louise, Erica, Jay, Kelsey, Makayla, and Bryson in Pigeon Forge, TN for dinner one Sunday because they were taking a vacation around there.  It was great to see everyone and catch up!  I also had an out-of-body experience at a Keith Urban concert.  My good friend Milly went on tour with Keith Urban for a year a while back and is great friends with Keith's guitar tech (the one who hands him a new guitar every song).  She called him up and asked him if he could get us tickets for the Knoxville concert and he did!  Not only were we 3rd row, we got to go back stage!  Keith Urban and Jake Owen both walked right by me!  AHH!  The concert was incredible and I will never experience something that special probably ever. 

Other happenings include our -80 freezer crashing, a trip to Clemson for the day to collect and freeze bull semen, many trips to Bean Station, putting up flyers for Essau, babysitting Tyler and Laney (Schrick and Edwards's kids), a fellowship dinner with a group of people from First Baptist Knoxville, and a trip to Granite Falls to get my car back! 

Exciting news: Kim accepted an embryologist job at a human IVF clinic in Charlottesville, VA, moved up there this weekend, and starts tomorrow!  She is very excited to start, but is a bit lonely living by herself in a brand new city. 

Wedding updates:  We are now less than 9 months away from the big day!!!!!  Can you believe we have finally gotten down to single digit months!?!?!  I have added Kim to the bridesmaid group, so I now have 5.  Justin is almost done with getting his 5 together, so that is very exciting!  I have been adding things to my registries and thinking about timing for when the girls will get their dresses and when other things need to get done.  I feel pretty accomplished already, having the photographer, DJ, cake, florist, venue, music, dress, and bridal party sorted out.  Things left to do: finish invitations/stationary, send out save-the-dates, bridesmaid dresses, decide on flowers, figure out honeymoon details, rent suits, and any other little details along the way :) 

Things are changing

Hey folks.  It's been a while again.  I have been pretty much the same, lots of lab work, staying busy, meeting with my committee members, sorting out my experimental design for this Fall, etc, etc.  Kim defended her thesis today!  I am shocked that she is finished and very sad to be seeing her leave soon.  She has truly been the "big sis" I never had and I love her to death!  Jessy got a lecturer position at UT so she'll be sticking around, though her office will now be over in the main Animal Science building.  So it will just be little old me over here at JARTU with Becca, Louisa, and Edwards.  That will be interesting.  I'm sure we'll all adjust quickly, but it will be very strange to not have someone my age to chat with or vent to. 

Justin was in town from Friday to today.  We went and saw Harry Potter (amazing), went to the barn so I could ride Essau, went to church, went to dinner with some friends, and just hung out mostly.  It was great (as usual) to have him with me.  I feel like I say this every single time, but I am more ready now than ever to marry him.  I just love coming home and having him there.  It feels so right and I love being able to look him in the eyes when I talk to him instead of on the phone or through a computer.  It's less than 10 months now...

Another exciting bit is that Brooke should be coming to Knoxville this weekend, so we're having a get together at Edwards' house for her and for Kim and Jessy's graduation.  That'll be fun.  Sunday I'll be meeting Erica (Justin's sister) and her family, Justin's dad and stepmom, and Makayla, his niece for dinner because they're coming to Pigeon Forge for a long weekend vacation.  I haven't seen them in a long time so it'll be great to be around family.  I also will be seeing my grandparents and parents (most likely) in a few weeks so we can swap back cars since mine will be done getting fixed from the hail damage.  Grandmamma told me yesterday she and Grandaddy canned 48 quarts of beans, so I'm stoked to get to take some home!! 

Other than that, classes will be starting in 2 weeks.  I am now a 1/4 time Graduate Research Assistant and a 1/4 time Graduate Teaching Assistant.  So yay for more money and more teaching experience.  Not sure what class I'll be TA'ing, probably Research Ethics, which Edwards teaches.  I turned in my candidacy form yesterday which is the first step towards graduation, so that is pretty exciting!  Before I know it, I'll be defending my thesis, getting my "green card", and going home to get married!!

Lab, lab, lab...

Well sorry it's been so long since I've posted an update. Things have been insanely busy the past few weeks. To give you an idea...besides staying in the lab for 11 hours at a time some days, I have a sore muscle in my hand where my thumb attaches from repeated pipetting.


I have gotten a lot of work done, had some really frustrating days where absolutely nothing works, and have had a few successes. I'll be meeting Monday morning with Dr. Edwards and Louisa to finalize my experimental design for the Fall. I also might have an opportunity to help out one of the vets here at UTCVM with one of his projects doing similar lab techniques I'll be using for my project. So things are still moving forward, but just very very   s l o w l y. That seems to be a common trend in grad school. Things always take longer than you think they will. Lovely.


Jessy defended her thesis on Tuesday. I can't believe it! She did a great job and after a few hours of brutal questioning by her committee, passed! It doesn't really feel real to me, though I'm sure no where near as unreal as it feels to her to be finished. Kim will be defending in a few weeks and then once they turn in their theses, I'll be the only grad student in this lab until January when Megan Goodwin starts. It's hard to believe enough time has gone by for Jessy and Kim to have finished, but thankfully time is still flying. Before I know it, it will be me about to defend and turn in my thesis.

I've been enjoying our Tuesday night book studies at Barley's.  Kim has been joining me as our Sunday school class reads One.Life.  We usually end up discussing all sorts of interesting things with no limits for the topic.  I think most people might feel a bit awkward in our group discussing the things we do, but we all have a blast and enjoy the honesty and openness of the discussions. 

Justin and I finished The Five Love Languages and really, really enjoyed it.  I HIGHLY recommend that everyone read that book.  It not only helps you figure out the ways in which you like to receive love, but it makes you become more aware of others and their needs.  Just by the actions that we do, the things we say, and the requests we make, someone who knows what they are looking for can tell what kind of love we need in order to keep our "love tank" full.  Words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, receiving gifts, and acts of service are the 5 languages that we use to express love to each other.  This knowledge not only helps in personal relationships, but also with children.  Again, it is a must read, especially if you are married or in a serious relationship. 

I am almost finished with The Host, written by Stephanie Meyer (who wrote the Twilight series) and it is incredible!  I have a few other books that Louisa has lent me (some of her favorites) that I will eventually get to.  My next audio book series will definitely be The Hunger Games because I have heard nothing but incredible reviews about them.

Well, that's all for now.  Essau is good.  Asher is good.  I'm busy, but good.  Justin is wrapping up work with USDA and will be in Knoxville next weekend for a few days before he starts his 3rd and final year of classes!  This next year is going to be the most hectic one yet and I am ready to face it head on.

Fin

Well I did it.  I finished all 4 books!  So, so good.  I'll be reading Stephanie Meyer's other book, The Host, over the next few weeks.  I got a Knox county library card and am borrowing the CD audiobook for my trip to Raleigh this coming weekend.  It's 20 CDs...so it'll take me more than the trip there and back to finish it. 

This 3-day weekend has been very enjoyable.  I spent it reading, cleaning, working out with Herald, and hanging out with the Erwin family.  I took three of the four kids to the barn today and they watched me bathe Essau and then we grazed him while he dried off.  They seemed to enjoy that, especially little Sophia who called him seesaw :)  I am going to a 4th of July cookout this evening at Jessy's house.  Providing the storms we just had stay away, it should be a fun evening outside eating and making s'mores. 

I really hope this 4-day week goes by quickly.  I had a really rough Thursday and Friday last week where absolutely nothing worked in the lab.  That was funny at first, and then extremely frustrating.  I hope that we can figure out what is going on this week so that I am not as frustrated and so I can move forward instead of spinning in circles.  Friday can't come soon enough!  I'll be heading home that afternoon, getting in late Friday night.  Saturday we have our cake testing/consultation and will be visiting the fairgrounds to watch the girls in the State 4-H horse show.  Other exciting things to look forward to include seeing my new apartment, eating cheesecake from cheesecake factory, eating a cookout milkshake, and of course seeing friends, family, and Justin.  :)  It will be a short trip, but I am very glad I get to go home at all.  This summer is zipping by so fast!  We hit the 11 month mark two days ago and it is finally starting to feel like it's getting close.  I'm really excited to see how the next 11 months go...

Catching Up

Reading status:  almost done with book 3!!  Stephanie Meyer is an amazing author.  She writes so that the reader feels like they're living in the story.  I feel like Bella and that I'm experiencing all of her emotions.  It has been pretty cool living her love story throughout the books and I am excited to see what happens in the end.  I haven't read the 4th book and the first of two movies for that book comes out in November so I really have no idea where the story goes or how it ends!!  I should know in a week or two :)

Mom and Dad got back from the Caymans on Saturday.  It sounds like they had a nice, quiet time with lots of relaxing, reading, and snorkeling.  Justin also took a little trip to Delaware to help load a bunch of Holstein heifers onto the world's largest livestock ship to be sent to Turkey.  He seems to have enjoyed it a lot! 

My last week was SUPER busy in the lab (extending into Saturday...ugh).  I am now finished optimizing my primers and am ready to start testing real samples as preliminary data.  So that's good!  Jessy and Kim are working really hard to finish up their theses so they can defend and graduate by August.  It's nice to be able to watch them in this stage because that is where I'll be next Spring. 

Kim and I went to Scott's for dinner last night (my Sunday school teacher) where we had fresh hamburgers (from his uncle's cows) and all the fixings.  That was one of the best burgers I've ever had (sorry Dad)!  We had a great time talking to Scott and Wendy, her grandparents, and all of their kids.  It was very relaxing and comforting being around such a loving family.  It's nice not to spend the evening alone in the apartment. 

Justin and I started a new book for our video chat book dates.  The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman had been recommended to me by many different people, so we decided to try it out.  We took the assessment and figured out our top three love languages (which happen to be the same, just in different rankings).  I love these books because they create conversations that we would not otherwise have and allow us to discuss things we've never even thought about.  I feel so comfortable talking to him about everything and it is a great way to enjoy time together even though we're apart.  It's at these times that I feel closest to him despite the distance, when we're sharing our deepest thoughts, feelings, and experiences. 

This week should be pretty busy in the lab again, but next Monday is the 4th of July (meaning a 4-day week) and the following weekend I'll be in Raleigh!!!!!  Not that I'm excited or anything...

Ok, I'm hooked

Just as an update...I finished Twilight tonight :)  I'm going to Books-A-Million tomorrow to buy them all because I am hooked!  I can't believe I finished it so fast, which tells you it must be amazing considering my lack of enthusiasm for reading...until recently.  I also bought the DVDs from Walmart :)  I saw the trailer for the new one (first of two for the last book, like in Harry Potter) which comes out November 18th.  I will not be one of the crazies who watches it at 12:01 AM on opening day, but I am very excited about seeing it.  I will have them all read by then for sure :)

Kim and I had a girls' night tonight.  We went to dinner at Jason's Deli, had milkshakes from Chic-fil-A, and then went and saw Something Borrowed.  It was really good! 

Justin went home today to spend some time with his family.  Louise posted pictures of him, Amber, and Erica with their dad as well as all their kids.  It was really great to see everybody together in the pictures, but I was a little bummed I wasn't there with them.  But I am glad Justin will get to spend Father's Day with his dad! 

Also, Mom and Dad arrived safely in Grand Cayman today (sigh).  I know they'll enjoy their week and everyone here who knows what we're missing will be wishing we were with them.  Justin and I have been talking more about honeymoon destinations and Grand Cayman currently sits at the top of our list :)

120 boxes of floss...really?

Ok, so I just don't get that Extreme Couponing show.  I mean yes, I understand that coupons can save you money and I know many people who take advantage of "double days" to save them even more.  What I don't understand is why these people have to buy HUNDREDS of items?  Is it just to impress the world enough to land a starring role on the show?  Or is there some rule that the coupons only work when you buy large quantities?  It just blows my mind that these people have literally stock-piled any non-perishable item (many of which they don't need or use).  I mean these people build rooms onto their homes to store all of their stuff.  I saw one lady who built a room to store her COUPONS!  And they devote at least 35 hours per week getting things in order and figuring out exactly how their shopping splurge will go.  That just seems insane to me.  I think I use a coupon here and there when it is for something that I am already going to buy.  I don't have the rule where I only buy things that are on sale.  Why would you go the grocery store multiple times a week to buy just the things that are on sale?  Seems like a waste of time to me. 

Well, in Uther news...I have been infected with the bookworm...Perhaps I am finally turning on the gene that my mother expresses so abundantly, but whatever the case, I am really into reading lately!  I "read" The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown on the way to and from Charleston for Chris and Sam's wedding and LOVED it!  I really love all of Dan Brown's books!!  Then, after seeing the movie and loving it, I read Water for Elephants in...get this...THREE DAYS!  That is completely unheard of for me!  Jessy lent me that book and just gave me the first in the Twilight series.  I opened it today and 128 pages later realized it was getting late!  It is such a peaceful feeling to get lost in a story, in another world for a bit.  It is a very cleansing feeling and really helps me to "escape" from the stresses and busyness of grad school.  So I'll probably have this one finished by next week :)  Luckily there are 3 more after it, so I should have plenty to read over the next few months!  Any other really awesome book suggestions would be gladly accepted :)

On another note, Justin and Tim moved into their new apartment last weekend (what will be Justin and my first "home" once we're married).  I have been given the tour through video chat and it looks nice.  Definitely a mansion compared to my little bitty abode :)  Justin also ordered a new bed which should arrive on Thursday.  It is the exact same as the one I have been sleeping on the past 8 years or so.  It is a premier pillow top orthopedic mattress and my back and I are in love with it :)  I'm glad Justin will get to enjoy the wonders of that mattress now too! 

Things are INCREDIBLY busy in the lab.  I have been going 100 mph all week doing all kinds of lab work.  I don't really see things slowing down much either.  The most annoying part about the recent weeks has been my dreams, which consist of exactly what my days entail.  I spend the whole night dreaming about doing lab work and wake up thinking I am actually doing it. I have to constantly remind myself that I am not actually in the lab and that whatever I am doing can wait until I get to the lab.  I thought dreams were supposed to be the ultimate escape!  Someone needs to have a serious conversation with Mr. Sandman...

Even when the rain falls

The past week has gone by very quickly, though the days themselves seemed to drag on.  Last weekend, Jessy and I went to Cookeville, TN to teach at the TN 4-H Sheep Conference.  We taught high schoolers on Friday night for a few hours, going more in depth into sheep reproduction: estrous cycles, hormones, male and female anatomy (with heifer tracts for them to dissect), embryonic development, gestation, parturition, and advances in reproductive technologies.  They seemed to enjoy it.  Saturday morning, we had younger kids (middle school) that came in 3 rotations.  I led the discussion for that, with a little less detail and a little more general stuff.  Jessy and I then cleaned up, got in the truck and headed back to Knoxville to go to Becca's baby shower.  That was fun and there were a good number of people there (mostly from the lab).  That took place at Kim's house and once everyone left, she and I cleaned up a bit before getting ready for the rodeo.

The rodeo was in Blaine, TN which is right on the way to Bean Station (where I frequent to visit the slaughter house).  Kim had a great time, but it was definitely a culture shock to her.  I was under-impressed with the performance of the exhibitors.  My mom would say "the cows won".  It was a good rodeo though, with plenty of events and a hilarious clown guy who provided many laughs and tears at one point from laughing so hard. 

Memorial day was pretty enjoyable.  I got to go ride Essau in the morning which was so pleasant!  I went into work for a little bit to get some stuff done and then relaxed the rest of the day.  The rest of the week was full of slaughter house trips, reading papers, lab work, and staying busy. 

Jordan came into town yesterday (Saturday) morning since she was at a workshop in Gatlinburg all week.  We went to the barn to ride Essau, toured the campus, had Menchie's, watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and ate at Dead End BBQ.  I think she enjoyed her time here.  She left early this morning to head back to Raleigh. 

Justin and I just finished our book this afternoon, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.  I really enjoyed it and recommend that everyone read it.  It can help relationships whether you are single, engaged, or married.  It has brought up so many things that people never think about, but are absolutely true.  There are lots of examples that help explain the concepts and there wasn't a chapter we read where one of us didn't relate to what was being discussed.  We both have a copy, so feel free to borrow it!! 

I've been thinking a lot lately about this time next year.  With everyone finishing school and so many people moving in and out of my apartment complex, it just makes me think about when I will get to finish and move.  Justin and Tim are moving into their new apartment this Friday, which will be the apartment Justin and I live in once we're married!!  I am so excited to get to see it in July when I head home for a 3-day weekend.  Even with so much more ahead of me, I catch small glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel and can get a little bit excited about graduating, moving back home, getting married, honeymooning, and settling into my new life!!  Justin and I have been looking at/talking about furniture lately which also adds to the excitement.  I found a table I love and we've looked at a few different beds and couches.  It's crazy to think we're actually going to get married one of these days!  For SO long it has been something that was so far down the road, but now we are less than a year out!!!  I guess now I can really start booking things and getting a little more serious about wedding planning since I'm in the "normal" time range.  There's a countdown on this blog now that will keep you up to date, but I will still just be counting down the months until it's less than 1 month away :) 

This Tuesday starts a Bible study/book reading group with my Sunday school class.  We'll be meeting at Barley's Taproom, a local pizzeria/pub where we'll discuss a chapter from a book each week (whichever one we decide to read).  I'm pretty excited about it! 

On a random note, here are two incredible songs that I have been playing over and over.  Enjoy!

Science is Cool

It's crazy to think about the things that are going on in these little bitty tubes when I'm in the lab.  I can grind up a piece of tissue, add some stuff, spin it through a filter and voila!  I have RNA!   Then, I can mix that with some other ingredients and make DNA!  I can then add a little of this and a pinch of that and amplify one particular piece of that DNA.  It all makes perfect sense in a book, drawn out with figures and I understand how everything works.  What blows my mind is that it actually happens in those teeny amounts of liquid right before my eyes.  We're talking about 25 microliters of stuff (equivalent of perhaps a drop of water).  I can't tell the difference in the three different clear liquids, but they are completely distinct!  And we've created machines that can tell the difference. 

These processes remind me a lot of faith.  I know that this stuff is really in this little drop of water.  I can't see it, but I know it's there.  This also adds some fuel to the creation/evolution debate.  I believe science.  I know it is there.  I know how some of it works and I know that a lot of it is still a mystery.  But you cannot tell me that all of those intricate little processes were not divinely created.  There's no way that all of the different aspects of science just happened to be.  They are way too cool, way too programmed, and way too detailed not to be created by God.  How cool is it that we started out clueless about how we work, how things on Earth work, and how life exists and then slowly but surely began to figure it out?  Science has itself evolved just in its understanding of the world.  It's so funny to look back at some of scientists' speculations about why things worked the way they did.  But if they didn't ask those questions, we never would have figured out how things really work!  I just think science is really cool in that regard because we're always learning new things and expanding our knowledge. 

There's my spiel for the day.  I'm going to Cookeville, TN tomorrow with Jessy to lead the TN 4-H Sheep Conference.  We'll be heading back to Knoxville Saturday around lunch time to go to Becca's baby shower.  Then I'm taking Kim to her very first rodeo.  It's in Blaine, TN which is on the way to Bean Station.  It'll probably be pretty red, but should be a good time.  She's going all out and I let her borrow a pair of my boots for her to wear.  She's pretty excited to play dress up :)

What's New?

Well last week was exciting.  I drove to Charleston, SC on Tuesday afternoon for my brother's wedding.  Mom and Dad had brought Grandmamma and Grandaddy down a few hours earlier and Justin decided last minute to drive down too!  It was great to see him again so soon :)  We went out to dinner at Ye Olde Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe (pronounced shoppey by our family) with Grandma Jan too.  Afterwards, we went to see Chris and Sam's new house in James Island, SC.  Her mom, grandmother, and uncle were there as well as her friend Katie.  It was great seeing everyone and spending time together as a family. 

On Wednesday, Justin and I spent the entire morning in bed watching TV in the hotel.  We were enjoying being lazy and just doing nothing.  Grandmamma, Grandaddy, mom, dad, Justin, and I went to lunch at a restaurant very close to our hotel and then got ready for the wedding.  I was the photographer, along with my dad, and got to spend some time with Sam before the wedding started.  They had it in Grandma Jan's backyard on the "Steps to Nowhere" which are brick steps that lead down to the marsh.  Grandma Jan had arranged some hydrangeas for where they stood as well as around the garden and house.  She also arranged Sam's bouquet which was Iris and Stargazer lilies.  The ceremony was lovely with family and some friends.  Other than the minor bump in the road (Sam not having Chris's ring), it went very smoothly.  Afterwards, we enjoyed a toast, watched them sign the official documents, and then had the "reception" at a seafood restaurant downtown called Coast.  That was delicious (don't worry people, I haven't changed my taste all of sudden... I had chicken caesar salad...hehe). 

For dessert, we went back to Chris and Sam's house for the wedding cake he had made.  Funfetti on the bottom layer, strawberry on the top two, covered in icing and nerds...with a little stuffed pig and dog as the wedding toppers.  It was very unique and interesting, but totally them.  It tasted pretty good too (with a little extra zing/crunch of the nerds).  We all woke up Thursday morning, had our hotel continental breakfast, and then everyone hit the road (in 3 different directions).  I enjoyed the trip and it was especially good to see Grandma Jan, Uncle Kent, and Aunt Trish (I didn't get to Charleston this past New Year's).  I also enjoyed seeing Chris and Sam in their new place and on their special day.  Their wedding just ignited the "I'm ready to get married" fire that Justin and I are feeling.  Soon.  It will be our turn in about one year...  Pictures from the wedding are here.

So I have finally begun progress on my research.  This week is packed each day with lab work.  I am currently working on some things that have to get done before I can do my actual experiment in the Fall.  These techniques are very tedious and take a while, but they are not hard and it is somewhat peaceful being "in the hood" and just doing my thing.  I am foreseeing a lot of busy weeks ahead of me.  Now that my days are consumed with lab work, I will have to spend nights and some weekends working on reading papers and writing my literature review.  That is difficult because when I come home, I want to relax.  I want to leave the lab where it is and not take it home with me.  I guess I will just have to find some motivation and push through. 

Today, Dr. Edwards and I were talking and the whole topic of career came up.  (Warning: this may be slightly unorganized with a hint of venting...)  So when people meet me, they generally ask what I'm studying.  When they hear animal science, their first response is "Oh you want to be a vet."  I say no and then they always follow with, "Oh.  So what do you want to do with a master's in animal science?"  You know, that's a really good question!  And as of right now, I have no earthly idea.  When I came into UT in the Fall, I was going into this with the intention of continuing with a PhD so I could become a professor at a university.  A few months in, I realized that research is not for me.  My brain does not naturally think that way.  I don't question how things work or what would happen if you changed X, Y, or Z.  I like to learn a subject or master a technique.  I like this for two reasons 1) I love to learn and 2) I love to teach people what I have learned.  It is such a rewarding feeling to explain something to someone and watch the light bulb go off.  I love to see people progress and take what they have learned and apply it.  So I love to teach.  But you can't teach college students without a PhD and I don't think I'm interested in teaching high schoolers or younger.  I don't really know. 

Another problem (which is not really a problem) that I have is that I enjoy so many things.  There is not ONE occupation or field that interests me above and beyond all others.  Because I love learning so much, it really doesn't matter what it is I'm learning, I generally enjoy it.  This makes it very difficult to narrow down a career.  I enjoy lab work and could see myself working in a lab.  I also enjoy working with animals, but have no strong drive to do vet school (though I know I would absolutely love vet school).  I would probably love physical therapy (another 4 years of school) or being a tutor.  I would love being a photographer (with some serious training).  So many things interest me, but none are pulling me towards them.  I feel no drive or calling to do any single thing yet. 

When I talk about this to people, I generally get two different answers.  The first being that I don't need to know.  I don't have to have things figured out or worry about what I will do with my life.  I should just live day by day, learn what I can, and be content with where I am.  In many ways, that is how I feel.  I would call it blind faith.  I have no idea where I'm going, but I trust that I will get there some way or another.  I guess I have worn out all of my frustration on this subject, so it doesn't really bother me much anymore.  On the other hand, I get the answer that I need to be thinking strongly about what I want to do so that I can get the experience I need to be the most marketable person for that particular job.  This also makes sense because it is important to have experience that will aid in getting a job.  My problem is that I don't know what job I want, so I don't know how to equip myself with the tools I need.  I feel like I should just run in to the shed and grab as many as I can in the hopes that I'll pick up the right one. 

It is not a fun position to be in.  I don't like not knowing, but at the same time I am ok just trusting.  It is hard when Justin and I are thinking/planning about where we might be going once he graduates.  It is hard because while he will have a clearly defined job, I will not.  Maybe by then I will have a better idea of what I want to do, but I will have to find somewhere to do it in whatever city we end up in. 

What I am clear of is this:  I want to finish this degree.  I want to go back to Raleigh, get married, and start my life with Justin.  I want to find a job that I enjoy, that has a purpose, and that I can be proud of.  I want to work with people and help people.  I also want to eventually start a family.  Other than those things, I just don't know.  I am so confused about this that I can't decide whether or not to be upset about it.  I really do feel like I am living by blind faith.  I just hope some day my eyes will be opened and I will figure out what I am supposed to do.  Until then, I will keep going and see what happens. 

Sorry if that was a lot, but I needed to get it off my chest. 

Let the Good Times Roll

Do you like the new look?  Justin re-did the title design for me while he was in Knoxville for the week!

Well wow.  A lot has been going on since my last post!  On the Thursday before Good Friday, I flew to Raleigh.  Upon landing, Justin picked me up from the airport and we then went to a party with a bunch of his vet school friends.  They were celebrating "halfway to DVM" as they had just finished all of their final exams for 2nd year!  I got to see a bunch of friends that I had not seen in a while and we made mega-smore's in a fire pit.  Friday, I met 3 of my 4 bridesmaids for lunch at Village Deli.  It was awesome to catch up and I was really happy to see all of my girls chatting and getting to know one another.  (I feel like it's always a bit awkward when you show up as a bridesmaid to a wedding and don't really know any of the other bridesmaids) 

It was gloomy and rainy all day...which was beginning to make Justin and me nervous for our planned engagement photo shoot the next day.  After lunch, Justin and I went to the barn so I could ride in the 4:30 lesson.  I decided to ride Eli because I had been craving a good, lazy, easy ride (Essau tends to be slightly more work than, say a Quarter Horse).  Eli was such a good boy and I had a great time riding, jumping cross rails, chatting with the girls, and catching up.  I spent some time loving on Ivan while I was there and he just makes me smile :)  After a sprained ankle/fetlock, he is going to start getting back into work very soon, so hopefully I will be able to ride him on my next trip to Raleigh.

I texted our photographer, Annie Harrison, that evening to inquire about the weather situation.  She was a little weary about how wet the ground would be and decided we'd get in touch in the morning.  Low and behold, it was still rainy/overcast in the morning and things were not looking good.  The weathermen LIED (big surprise), and the sun wasn't supposed to come out until 2:00 PM.  I told her that we would like to try if at all possible since I had no idea when I would be in Raleigh next.  With our fingers crossed, Justin and I got ready (my ring cleaned, painted nails, ironed all outfits) and around 3:00, she said "let's do it!"  We had our pictures taken at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC.  It was absolutely gorgeous and the clouds made for some nice shade in which to take pictures.  We were really pleased with how the pictures turned out and our photographer is AWESOME!!  She is full of energy, jokes, and smiles and we just love her.  Here they are!

Justin and I drove back to Knoxville Sunday after church and lunch with my parents.  He spent the entire week here with me because he had a week off between finals and his one week of selectives.  Last week was my very last week of classes for this semester!  I was at the lab/classes for most of the day and he got to be lazy and chill (a much deserved break for him!).  It was really awesome to come home and him be there (a foreshadow of married life).  It's also just really nice to have someone in my apartment to talk to.  Even with my kitty, it can get lonely. 

We got to attend an Animal Science banquet on Tuesday evening where I won a scholarship.  Wednesday, the most insane storms came through Knoxville and we endured a lot of rain, the most lightning I have ever seen in my life, as well as ping pong ball-sized hail.  Both of our cars took a nice beating and will hopefully be fixed soon!  I took Justin to some of my favorite restaurants around K-ville including Calhoun's, Wasabi, Trio, and Menchie's.  We also ate at a new burrito restaurant on Market Square with Kim and Jessy and enjoyed Rita's for dessert. 

Following Dr. Edwards's advice, Justin and I began reading Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray.  We have only read 4 chapters and are already loving it.  It is a guide to understanding the opposite sex and points out the differences between men and women.  By understanding our differences, it is easier to communicate and become closer.  The chapters we have read have already sparked some great discussion that has brought a little bit of clarity and insight into each other's way of thinking, feeling, and expressing emotions/stress.  I would highly recommend it for any couple and hope it will continue to give us a better understanding of one another.

Aside from the crazy weather, it was an incredible week.  I am now finished with classes and only have one final exam on Wednesday!  Tomorrow is my first meeting with most of my committee and I am hoping that will be very productive.  I really hope we can all agree on what I am going to do so I can start doing it!  I need to keep busy this summer, so I will gladly take a laundry list of tasks from them. 

Justin left today and, as always, it was not easy to see him go.  I am very much looking forward to a time when we are together and don't have to part ways at the end of the weekend.  I know this past year (and especially this past semester) has flown by and I hope and pray that the next one will as well.  Justin will be working with USDA all summer and I will be busy doing research, so hopefully that will keep the time zipping past. 

On a random note:  my brother is getting married in less than 2 weeks!  He and Sam, his girlfriend, decided to tie the knot and applied for a marriage lisence last week.  They recently moved to James Island, SC (just outside of Charleston) where they are now living in their first house and are working new jobs.  I will be heading to Charleston for the wedding in my Grandma Jan's back yard on May 11th.  I'm happy for him and hope the wedding is everything they hoped for!

Is it our turn yet?

Well last weekend was absolutely amazing.  I hit the road Friday around 6:00 PM towards Lake Lure, NC.  After making it to Asheville, I figured 74-Alt would be just another highway.  Boy was I wrong!  It was the windiest, curviest road I've ever been on.  And it went that way for many many miles!  All of the roads around Lake Lure and surrounding towns are like that and I was pretty dizzy after finally arriving to the resort.  We stayed in a little condo which was tucked way back off the main road and was very cute.  Saturday morning we had to go on an adventure to find breakfast as this resort had no restaurants and certainly no continental breakfast (oh, not to mention the office is closed on Saturdays).  We found a little coffee shop down the street and split a blueberry muffin and an apple crunch muffin.  The lady who runs the coffee shop held us captive for over an hour just chatting away.  She and her husband were very sweet people and Justin gave them lots of advice on their dogs.  Gotta love having a vet student around :)

After breakfast we went down to the Lake Lure Inn & Spa (where Mary's wedding would take place) to walk around a bit.  There was a pretty bridge that ran along the edge of the lake where I took lots of pictures.  We were scoping out where we thought the wedding would take place and found a gorgeous gazebo on the other side of the lake.  We were pretty sure that would be the spot.  I was able to use my new macro lens to take some cool flower pictures and took some fun ones of the docks using the aperture setting (my favorite).  Justin always laughs at me for my unusual body positions when I'm trying to get "the perfect angle".  Here are some pictures from the trip.  After strolling, we went about 3 minutes down the road to the big town of Chimney Rock.  The 1/2-mile-long town consisted of one road lined with souvenir shops and cafes.  Justin and I browsed the shops for a little while and then found a place to eat lunch.  Laura's House was wall-to-wall windows on the front which gave an incredible view of the lookout at Chimney Rock and the waterfall.  We had a really delicious lunch (chicken salad melt) and headed back to the resort for some studying and homework. 

The wedding was at 4:30 that afternoon and we arrived in plenty of time.  Right as we were pulling up, Justin asked me if I remembered to get their present from my car.  Of course not.  We decided to run quick back to the resort right after the ceremony to grab it.  As we walked up to the inn, I saw two people I knew very well.  Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are the parents of a friend of mine from high school.  We chatted a bit and stuck with them most of the evening.  The ceremony did indeed take place at the gazebo and I was shocked to find out that only about 50 people were attending.  This made me feel very blessed an honored to have been invited to such a special day for Mary!  Despite serious wind, the weather was lovely as was the ceremony.  They had an incredibly cute "can't decide which way to kiss you" moment which made everyone chuckle. 

Right after the ceremony, Justin and I jetted back to grab the present.  This was probably a really good thing in the end because when we returned, the hors d'oeuvres "hour" was actually more like 2 hours.  You know how it is with wedding photography after the ceremony...takes FOREVER!  (I promise ours will not take very long.  We're going to do all of the pictures before that don't involve Justin and me together).  We enjoyed a very nice plated dinner (ceasar salad, steak, chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli, rolls) and sat with Michelle, her parents, Erika, and her parents.  (Michelle and Erika went to high school with me)  It was fun to see them again and catch up!  The photographer also went to high school with us so it was almost a mini-reunion. 

It was really fun to be at a wedding with Justin.  He was able to see things he did and didn't like and it was almost a foreshadowing of our wedding.  It was really fun for me to hear him commenting on the cake, food, seating arrangements, and other details.  I guess just being in the atmosphere gave us both a glimpse of what it will be like for us.  We are both really, really ready for our turn! 

Sunday we went on another adventure to find breakfast, this time towards Rutherfordton for a late breakfast/brunch.  We missed the little country kitchen we were trying to find and ended up eating at Denny's.  Since we both had quite a bit of work to do for the upcoming week, we decided to head our separate ways after eating.  It was tough watching him go after such a short weekend, but that was one of the best short weekends I've had with him.  I don't know if it was the love in the air from the wedding or what but I just enjoyed every single second I was with him.  We both were experiencing a case of "twitterpated" and much to our surprise, our love continues to skyrocket.  I don't know how to explain it unless you have experienced it before.  You think there's no way you can love this person any more than you do right now, but you prove yourself wrong every day.  Perhaps it is the distance.  Perhaps it is just divinely planned.  Maybe some of both.  All I know is that I love him more every day and am ready more than ever to get married!

On that note, my wedding dress came in as well as my garters.  David's Bridal said 6-10 weeks for the dress, but it came in 2!!!  I am certainly not complaining and am very excited to have it hanging in my closet!  Things are starting to come together and as the time ticks down (a little less than 14 months now), we both get more and more excited!  We'll be taking our engagement pictures over Easter weekend and then Justin is going to spend a week with me in Knoxville!!! 

As far as UT goes...I am working extremely hard this week on my seminar that I will be presenting on Monday.  This is a required class that you must take twice.  All of the Animal Science graduate students give a seminar (40 minutes for PhD student and 20 minutes for MS student) in front of the other graduate students and any/all Animal Science faculty and staff that wish to attend.  I will be presenting the research I have done so far as well as what I plan to do for my project.  I am currently feeling really good about it and will be practicing the oral part of it soon and all weekend.  After that is over, I'll be able to get going on my research as we wind down the last 3 weeks of the semester.