A Big Hairy Mess

After the high from last weekend, this week hit a bit of a low.  I guess it was hard going back to being alone in the apartment after having mom around for 4 days.  It was also difficult because I was so excited about the wedding, which made me miss Justin more.  He and Tim spent the week in California, so he was even farther away!  They had a blast though and made it home safely yesterday.  My week turned out pretty well towards the end and now I am 5 days away from seeing Justin for a wedding this weekend in Lake Lure, NC!!!

Saturday I clipped Essau and thought you might enjoy some before and after pictures!





Yes to the Dress

This past week was UT's Spring Break.  Being a grad student, I did not have the luxury of having the week off.  Monday was a slaughterhouse day, collecting udders for an upcoming 320 lab.  Wednesday, Kim and I drove to a slaughterhouse in Gaffney, SC (3 hours) and back to get ovaries and pituitaries.  That was an incredibly long, tiring trip, but we finally made it.  Mom was also traveling that day to come here.  She arrived around dinner time and we went to Calhoun's for dinner, followed by a Wal-Mart run.  Thursday, I had to get up early again and make another Bean Station udder run.  I don't recall being that physically tired in a long time and am still recovering from it.  Mom met me at JARTU around 5 and we went to the barn to lunge Essau.  I cooked dinner for us (feta chicken, green beans, and rolls) and then we just took it easy that evening. 

Friday, she came with me to the lab where I gave her a tour, did some chores, and watched Kim practice her seminar for a few hours.  We left around lunch time to eat at an amazing deli called Trio in Market Square downtown.  We then had real Italian gelato/sorbetto from Coolato, which was incredible.  They have different flavors every day and the flavor I had (Italian lemon something) was the best one yet.  YUM!  I had an appointment at a bridal salon at 2:30, but we had some time to kill so we went into Mast General Store, and a few other stores in Market Square before heading out.

We arrived at the bridal salon a bit early for my very first dress experience.  The girls were very nice, but I was surprised when they said "just look around, see what you want, and you can try it on."  I guess "Say Yes to the Dress" has me spoiled a bit because I thought I would at least have someone helping me figure out what it was I wanted.  I tried on about 5 gowns there.  They were all very nice, but not what I was looking for.  Mom and I decided to go to their "sister" store in Jacksboro, TN that had a larger selection.  We punched the address into Carmen (my GPS) and headed down the road.  After exiting off the highway, we were taken off the road a bit.  We started passing little farms, winding on little country roads, and were getting more and more into the absolute middle of nowhere.  When we finally heard "arriving at destination, on right" I was certain we were in the completely wrong place.  I called the store and asked where they were located.  "Oh we're just past the Wal-Mart".  Wouldn't you know.  After a good laugh, we eventually found the place! 

This store had many more dresses and I tried on 8.  They were all so very similar, however, which was not helping me to find what I was looking for.  After the 5 from the other store, it was pretty obvious that this style was not for me.  I was a bit annoyed with their lack of variety, but much more confident of the style I was going for, so we decided to stop by David's Bridal on the way home.  It was about 5:30 PM when we arrived.  I met my consultant, Heather, and we got started!  I told her what sorts of styles I was looking for and she picked out a few for me to try.  I happened to see one that caught my eye hanging on the rack and took it to the dressing area to add to the stack.  It was the first one I tried on and I LOVED it.  Everything about it was flattering and I did not have anything negative to say!  I tried on about 6 more afterwards, but kept comparing them back to the first.  After narrowing it down to my top two, I put number one back on and didn't want to take it off.  We played with accessories a little bit and finally rang the bell (a David's tradition when you "say yes").  I am so excited about it.  It is not at all the style I imagined when I used to think about getting married and what I might look like, but it is absolutely perfect for me!  I'm not posting pictures anywhere, sorry!  I also decided that since Justin has to wait until the big day to see it, I would make it fair and keep it a secret from the general public as well.  But for the record, it is a hot pink silk gown with 4 large green flowers on the left shoulder, a huge purple bow on the back, and 6 layers of gold ruffles in the skirt.  :) 

After 6 hours of dress shopping, Mom and I had a much-deserved celebratory dinner at Olive Garden.  This morning we had a big breakfast at a little coffee shop downtown called Pete's (as per my friend Emily's suggestion).  We actually went back to David's today so I could look for a dress to wear as Jeannie's bridesmaid (she's my maid of honor...will be matron of honor).  I found a really pretty spaghetti strap satin dress that I have ordered.  It will be hot pink, her favorite :)  Tonight we're making my amazing chili and then tomorrow will be church.  I think she's enjoyed her time here and it's been really great to have company!  Asher especially has enjoyed the extra attention!! 

Justin and Tim should be arriving any moment in California where they'll be spending their Spring Break visiting his family, seeing California, and diving in the kelp forest.  They have been working SO very hard and definitely deserve this break.  I will get to see Justin in 2 weeks for a friend's wedding in Lake Lure, NC so that will be exciting!  Only 6 more weeks of class until this semester is over...CRAZY!  And Spring starts tomorrow!  Yay!!

OORAH

Another week down!  I had a great workout on Saturday with Harold.  I did not feel like I was going to pass out, throw up, or die.  I pushed through for an entire hour and it felt awesome.  The only thing I wanted to do when I was done was yell a big "OOORAH" like the Coast Guard in The Guardian.  I was sore Sunday, but nowhere near as bad as two weeks ago (my first session with Harold).  It feels great to already feel stronger and I'm loving it!  Justin is also getting some motivation to work out, so that's exciting too! 

I don't think I mentioned that Brooke, from the lab, is taking a job in Birmingham, Alabama starting a week from today!  We will certainly miss her!  She has been such an awesome help to me as I transitioned into graduate school.  She's a great listener and gives advice whenever she can to help me through rough times.  I will be sad to see her go, but am very happy she found a job that will make her happy! 

Mom comse to Knoxville next week!  I am excited to show her around, take her to some of the best places to eat, and go dress shopping!  After Jeannie, my maid of honor, just got her dress this past weekend, I am REALLY itching to try some on!!  Mom and I have also been working on my possible invitations.  We'll see how pricing goes and move forward from there. 

School is going well.  My classes are great.  I've been writing a good bit and am going to start learning some of the techniques needed for the next steps in my research this week.  I am hoping to take every opportunity to learn something new and enjoy it, even if it is frustrating at first.  It is always hard to do something when you are first learning it and you think you will never get it.  After a while, you do something so much it becomes routine and you don't even have to think about it.  I am sure these new techniques will follow the same pattern.

Essau and Asher are doing well.  Essau is fuzzy, a bit out of shape, but very happy.  I ride him about once a week and lunge about once a week.  He needs way more exercise than that, but that is all I can give him right now.  He doesn't seem to mind too much :)  Asher, I think, has grown up a bit the last few weeks.  He is actually sleeping in the bed I bought him when he was a kitten.  He has switched his psychotic episodes from night to morning (which is very nice since I can actually get to sleep without his pinball antics). 

For your viewing pleasure...one of the funniest videos I have ever seen:

Lazy and Delicious

This weekend was great.  I drove to Marion Friday afternoon and arrived in time for dinner with Justin, his Dad, and Louise.  We had some yummy ChowTime pizza and watched an incredibly depressing movie, Everybody's Fine.  Saturday morning we took my car to get it inspected and had a yummy brunch at a local Coffee House where I had pancakes and eggs.  YUM!  We then drove up to Linville Falls for some hiking and picture taking.  Here are some pictures from our trip.  It was so pretty and a nice day.  After stopping by Sonic for a smoothie/milkshake snack, we went to visit Alice and Rick for a while.  That night we cooked hamburgers in Louise's new Nuwave oven and watched Sweet Home Alabama and part of Twilight.  Oh, we also made use of the hot tub and partook in some cherry cobbler a la mode (I let Justin eat most of the cherries...they were a little tart for me)  :) 


Sunday was a sleep-in kind of morning...I can't remember the last time I was in the bed at 10:00 AM!!  :)  Justin and I got up and watched most of Men Who Stare at Goats (dumbest movie ever) and then packed up and headed to Grandma Shirley's for lunch.  I always love going there for some amazing, southern, home-cooking!  I had fresh creamed corn, potato casserole, peas, coleslaw, sweet potatoes, a biscuit, and some lemon pound cake.  You never go hungry at Grandma Shirley's, nor is there ever anything on that table that isn't absolutely delicious!  Another perk is the slew of hilarious stories she tells.  That is one awesome lady and everyone loves her to death!  :) 


Justin and I parted ways after lunch and headed back to our respective homes.  It was, as usual, hard to say goodbye and see him go, but we'll see each other again soon for a friend's wedding!   

Hurts So Good

Well that week just FLEW by!  The bridal show on Sunday was a bust, but I got to eat lunch and catch up with Milly, so that was good.  That day also marked Justin and my one year engaged anniversary.  I absolutely cannot believe it has been an entire year since he asked me to marry him.  If that isn't a testament of how fast time flies, I don't know what it.  We're both hoping the next year will fly by just as quickly! 

Valentine's day was just another day...  People who are single or who are away from their loved ones never enjoy it quite as much.  Some of the ladies in the lab got flowers from their men which filled up the entire front lobby with pretty smells :)  I treated myself to a piece of my birthday cake since you just can't have a Valentine's day without something sweet!

I had a very good week (thank you Lord!) in the lab, in classes, and as far as my emotional state goes.  It was positive and fairly relaxed, a nice change.  Saturday marked the first day of my new endeavor...personal training.  Kim has a good friend, Harold, who is a personal trainer at a local gym.  He also does his own personal training on the side and comes to you!  I decided to give it a try and he came to my apartment complex on Saturday.  Since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to work outside.  He trains with TRX which I had only seen before, but had never tried.  To make a long story short, it kicked my butt.  That was the hardest physical activity I have ever done and I thought I was either going to pass out, throw up, or die when it was over.  Luckily, I did none of the three!  If you're looking for a total body workout, this is the way to go.  I never knew that you could have every muscle in your body sore at the same time, but trust me, it's possible!  I probably look like an old woman as I'm moving around, getting into/out of my car, and especially walking down stairs.  I guess you could say it "hurts so good...come on Harold make it hurt so good".  I will be training with him once a week and he will be giving me "homework" to do between sessions.  I'm very excited to get toned up and in shape for the wedding! 

This coming week will hopefully zoom by because I get to see Justin on the weekend!  We'll be meeting up in Marion again to spend the weekend being lazy.  That's a great incentive to get through whatever this week throws at me.  It should be another beautiful week.  I hope you all are enjoying the pretty weather as much as I am! 

I'm Still Here...

I know, I know.  It has been way too long since my last entry.  Well, honestly, I have just been incredibly busy and I have not had time to blog!  A lot has happened since the middle of January.  Firstly, I can't believe it's already the middle of February.  Exactly one year ago today, Justin and I got engaged!  Wow, a whole year has gone by?!?  Hopefully the next year will also fly in similar fashion.

So since my last entry, I spent one weekend in Marion with Justin in January.  It was awesome to see him and to spend time with the future in-laws again.  I also had a birthday...23!  My mom sent me my favorite cake (lemon pound cake with buttercream frosting from Edible Art in Raleigh) for my birthday.  I took it into the lab for the ladies to have a piece and then cut up the rest to freeze (16 pieces!!). 

Things have been ridiculously busy lately.  I am writing a lot, going to classes, doing stuff in the lab, and trying to survive along the way.  Poor Essau has only been seeing me about once (twice if he's lucky) a week.  I have had a couple of really rough days which are not fun.  A lot of questioning, frustration, stress, confusion, and emotions.  With the help of an incredible fiance who always listens, supports, and helps, a friend who lends great advice, and lots of prayers, I have made it through those days.  That is not to say they're done with.  On the contrary, I am sure there will be more of those days along the rest of this journey.  I feel like it has been fairly smooth, but when the pot holes come, they're more like craters.  This is by far the hardest thing I have ever experienced and I have never been busier or had to work harder.  This is not an experience to love and enjoy in the moment, rather it is one that I will look back on and be grateful for.  Now if I can just remember that when things get tough...

I am going to a bridal show today at the Knoxville Art Museum with my friend Milly.  Hopefully there will be some dress vendors there since I will be purchasing my dress here in Knoxville.  Some other exciting things to look forward to...a weekend with Justin in 2 weeks, Mom is coming in the middle of March for a few days, a friend of mine is getting married early April, and then later April Justin and I are having our official engagement photo shoot!!!  I'll try not to let the updates go so few and far between, but can't promise anything!  Hope everyone is well and 2011 is treating you well so far!

A Fresh Start

Well it's hard to believe, but January is already halfway over!  WOO!!  Already it has been an interesting month what with snow storms and ice mixed with below-average temperatures creating delay after delay after delay!  I was not in Knoxville when we got our big snow which shut down UT (first time that has happened since the blizzard of the late 90s).  I was in sunny Florida attending an International Embryo Transfer Society conference in Orlando.  Jessy, Charlie (Schrick's PhD student), and I drove down Friday...yes...we drove.  Let's just say I will never make that drive again if I have a choice.  It took us about 10 hours with breaks for gas and lunch.  Orlando weather stayed in the mid to upper 60s the whole time we were there which was such a pleasant change from 20s and wind chills! 

The conference overall was a good experience.  We attended a pre-conference symposium that featured about 10 talks on bovine-related ET/AI practices and new technologies.  That was the best part of the entire conference since it related to what we study.  The other days were full of talks, poster presentations, and meetings.  While we were there, we ate out every single meal.  I got tired of that quick, but the food was delicious everywhere we went (yes that includes Chic-fil-A and Pizza Hut).  Jessy and I hit up the outlet malls one afternoon where I snagged three shirts from Banana Republic and a pair of trouser jeans from NY&Co (aka my favorite store).  The last night we were in Orlando, we went to a restaurant/bar to meet up with the student chapter of the IETS (rightfully and humorously named the Morulas).  It just happened to fall on the same night as the BCS National Championship game.  We had every intention of eating dinner and heading back to the hotel, but ended up staying for the entire game!  (we left the bar at 12:30 AM)  It's been a long time since I've stayed out that late, but it was fun I had a yummy strawberry daiquiri!!  

The drive back to Tennessee was interesting.  I drove the first 4 hours or so until lunch.  Charlie then took the wheel so as to navigate us safely through Atlanta.  That was a trick and though the roads were in terrible condition and people driving by us were extremely dangerous, we made it through safe and sound.  It was a shock to get out of the car in Knoxville, where it was about 20 degrees plus strong winds, when it was about 65 when we first got in the car.  All in all it was a fun trip and I had a good time.

Classes started this Wednesday.  I am taking a statistics class that is almost completely SAS-based.  SAS is a computer program that runs statistical analyses for you (takes the headache out of doing it the old fashioned way).  We are very lucky as students to have free access to it because it costs $10,000 a year to have the software for personal use.  My professor is Dr. Saxton who is actually in the animal science department and is also an NCSU graduate!  That will be a great class because I will definitely need to know how to use SAS for my research analysis!  I am also taking a writing course called "Writing for Publication".  My professor is awesome!  He is really funny, very laid back, and is incredibly smart.  We will each be working on our own writing assignments (thesis, literature review, grant proposal, etc) throughout the semester and will have a "coach" help us correct mistakes and to make suggestions.  My third class is advanced reproduction which will most likely be a journal-club style class where someone brings in a paper each week and we discuss it. 

On top of the classes I'm taking, I am also a teaching assistant for Dr. Edwards's class, Animal Reproduction and Lactation (hereby referred to as 320).  Kim is the official TA, but since I will be Edwards's main graduate student next year and will most likely be the TA for 320 next Spring, I am learning absolutely everything that goes into this class.  There is lecture twice a week and then a 2-hour lab on Fridays.  We had our first lab yesterday and it went really well.  There is a LOT of preparation involved when you have a dissection lab for 80 students all at once.  The reproductive tracts have to be thawed about 3 days in advance.  Once thawed, they are soaked in histological-grade ethanol overnight to "fix" them.  The morning of the lab (7:00 AM) the tracts are taken out of the ethanol and put into water to soak for an hour or so.  They are then put into empty buckets and transported to the lab on the Ag campus.  On top of the tracts, all of the supplies have to be rounded up, packed up, and taken to the lab.  That includes gloves, scalpels, hemostats, wooden skewers, rulers, plastic trays, plastic tablecloths, paper towels, disposable gowns, hand sanitizer, document camera, and cleaning products.  Once at the location, everything has to be set up on the individual tables.  (This all has to be cleaned up afterwards too)  We had lots of help and the lab went smooth as butter.  All the kids had a great time and learned a whole lot about female reproductive anatomy.  I thought it was really neat that the first time they were exposed to this material, they had the tracts right in front of them so they could see/feel/touch/dissect the parts as we were going through them.  I'm really excited to be a TA and to learn how everything works so I can do it again next Spring.  

As you can probably tell, this will be a busy semester!  I am going into it with the goal of learning as much as I can while having fun at the same time.  I have a feeling its going to fly by and I welcome the fast pace!  Until next time!

* P.S. tried yoga...didn't like it...scratch that one off the list! 
* P.P.S. Here are some funny pictures of Essau's new friends.