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...
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
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 :)
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 :)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
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...
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...
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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!
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!
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