UT-MD-CA

A dark, rainy night greeted our SW flight upon touchdown at BWI last night. We had been enjoying 80 degree sunny weather the entire week in Utah, so seeing all the rain was a perfect welcome back to the reality of our east coast swamp environment. We had a great time in Utah, we drove up to Bear Lake on Thurs afternoon after the last talk. It was so beautiful! The water was SO clean and blue, I would definitely have swum in it, and y'all from MN know that I would never swim in most lakes. We crossed the border to Idaho, and I got out and took a picture, so I am excited to cross one more state off my list. I was kinda hoping to hijack the rental and cross Wyoming off the list, as well, but my colleague had the keys, and I didn't want to make a fuss. Oh well, maybe next time. Brian and Na and I got along well and Brian even did all the driving, leaving me to enjoy looking out the window.

This weekend, I am working in the mornings, as Roy is gone and Ben is away for the long weekend. Which is fine, as it gives me a little bit of structure to my day. I might have done something more ambitious if I weren't tied down, but then again, I might not have.

Chanda's wedding is the next big thing on the rapidly approaching horizon. I have a dress, plane ticket, rental car, and hotel room. The things I need to concentrate on now are fine tuning the wine tasting tour, and figuring out a present, and possibly some new shoes. I am leaning towards one or two small things and money - I know they can use it! Besides, I hate getting things from the registry. I am very excited and honored to be the Maid of Honor! All my stints as a bridesmaid, Chanda's wedding will be the crown jewel of my bridesmaidship. And I think it will be a lot of fun, too. I have to say that as nervous as I was about all the weddings I have been in/to, they have all turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected. I have always been pleasantly surprised. Perhaps that says more about my dubious attitude than the weddings! I am really excited to see Sheila, back from Ecuador for a few months, and also Aya and Eri, whom I haven't seen since Bowdoin!

Unique Utah

Hi All! I am enjoying the lovely weather here in Logan, Utah. It is SO nice here. It was the first day of classes yesterday, and it made me long for my student days again, I am itchy to be back in classes. I love that feeling. The conference is going really well. It is nice to spend time outside the office with my colleagues, and there have been several interesting talks.

I have observed a few things while I was here that I think are unique to this area. Of course, there are a lot of Mormons here (although no one has tried to convert me, yet). Here is a list of things I have seen here that I haven't really found anywhere else.

-College students bringing their babies to class.
-7:30 classes, that people actually go to.
-A student cheerfully parading around in a blood drop costume to promote donating blood.
-A wonderous array of caffeine free sodas everywhere.
-A really immaculate campus.
-People being generally pleasant/holding doors.

I am sure that I will make even more observations as the week wears on. I will be sure to keep you all updated! I know it is so fascinating...

3AM Roll

It was a pretty good week here in jenn-land. I was glad to have a few somewhat relaxing weeknights. I was pretty wiped out on Wed., though, because we had a lunar roll for Terra at 3AM. Yes, that is right, 3 AM. Strictly speaking, I didn't really have to go, because both Roy and Ben were there, but I felt as if I shouldn't wuss out or anything. It actually was kind of ok, the smoothies we had at Clare's fortified me to be able to hold out.

Today was my last day working with Roy! He is leaving to go to the patent office. We will really miss him, personally and professionally. Not that he reads this, but in case he does - Roy, don't be a stranger! We went to a REALLY yummy Indian place in Columbia for lunch. It is a bit far for lunch on a work day, but we will have to make it there for dinner some time. Best naan I have had in forever - YUM!

On Sunday, I fly to Utah for Calcon - Calibration Conference. I know, doesn't it sound totally thrilling? But, really, I am excited. I will bring my laptop and look all snazzy. Plus I hear it is really beautiful, in the mountains. It will be cool just to listen to all the speakers, too.

What fall show are you excited about? I am really looking forward to the return of Pushing Daisies! I was so disappointed when the last season was cut short because of the writer's strike. Of course, The Office and My Name is Earl will be great, too.

My mom and brother were at the shore the last day or so. I wish I were there! I haven't been to the beach yet this year, but I might try to steal away the weekend before Chanda's wedding for the day. I am so excited to be within driving distance of the ocean. I really missed it in Minnesota. Of course, now I am jealous that Clare will be in MN during the State Fair. Now, I really miss the fair! I guess that is the hazard of living a full life. It is a penalty I am more or less happy to pay... Anyone up for a day trip to OC?

Blueberry Glut

Ok, so for you few faithful readers, I know I have been remiss! I just got out of the habit a bit, but I am really going to try to kick it up a notch.

I went home over the weekend, Happy 33rd Anniversary, Mom and Dad! Good Lord. I can't even fathom that kind of time with someone. I haven't even been able to get along with myself all the blessed time for 29 years.

It was good to be home. I gorged myself with Jersey corn and tomatoes, and fresh picked Dodd orchard organic blueberries - YUM! I got a bunch of stuff sorted through (that hadn't been really looked at since I moved) on Saturday before I left. So that was good.

Took my car today, it was a bit cheaper than I thought, which is always a happy surprise. Thanks to Ben and Clare for helping out with a ride to and from the mechanic. Once around Greenbelly with Clare.

Ok, I am not too into writing tonight, but I am going to try to write a few more times this week. Take care, kiddoes!

Raisins for Iron

Hi y'all,

I had a more or less relaxing weekend which was MORE than overdue. Went out with Clare and Co on Sat night. It was her (sister's) friend's birthday (Happy Birthday, Pat!), and we went out to Alero as a big group, then Clare and Pat and I went for extended drinks, causing Clare to be out far past her 9PM bedtime. Clare specifically requested that I share with you all my bad government agency joke. We were pondering the personality types that are drawn to a given agency - i.e. the IRS folks are pretty boring. Someone asked about the alcohol tolerance of NOAA (Nat'l Ocenographic and Atmospheric Administration) - and I commented that it was likely they were drinkers - No A.A. Ba-dum-bum-chhh.

Sunday, I tried out Takoma Park Presbyterian, as Gaithersburg Pres. was having Youth Sunday. Takoma Park was small but nice. A bit on the flaky side, but nice. Then I went to the Farmer's market for a big bag of peaches - they are the best I have had in a long time. Then I came home for a while to get ready for the SSAI company picnic. A AAA baseball game - Go Bowie Baysox! It was nice to see everyone's kids and the fireworks were cool, too.

Monday I got an oil change, of course I need 700$ worth of car repairs. Ugh. I don't even have 150,000 miles yet, so I think it is worth it. But, still, sigh. Maybe I will be able to pay off my credit card off by October! Twice around the lake with Clare.

Today, I passed my written sailing test, which means that I can now charter Flying Scots from the Goddard Sailing Club! I am going tomorrow with Bill and maybe Melanie, and possibly again on Fri with my regular instructor. I also tried to give blood, and as usual, I have too little iron, just a hair. Grr. But this time, they told me to eat raisins. Raisins? Really? Who knew?

Opening Ceremony simul-blog...

Short one tonight, little doggies. I have half an eye on the opening ceremonies. Its the kind of think that you think you should watch, but is kinda boring.

Went sailing today - and passed my practical test! It was a great sailing day - 81 and strong winds - we reefed the mainsail and didn't even raise the jib, and we were still heeling close-hauled. And if you don't know what that means, let's just say you have to know how to keep the boat from flipping.

Dinner with Anthony was good, it was really good to see him. After being in MN for so long, it is a real treat to be able to just meet an old friend for dinner anytime. That night, I had to proof a really rough 11 page draft before I went to bed. It made me feel like I was back in college, staying up until 3:30 doing work.

Thursday, Ainsley called and we talked optics! It was really fun. I learned that there is some really great microscopy research going on in ME - I would cut off my big toe to work there doing that! Bah-Habbah! EEK!

I am VERY much looking forward to a not-totally-going-at-full-tilt weekend. Dinner with some friends and acquaintances on Sat, and the SSAI picnic on Sunday evening. Bowie Baysox game - which I think is a really cute idea. We got SSAI baseball caps - which are FAR better than a 3 hour drive to King's Dominion with a flourescent green T-shirt.

Ok, that is enough boring speeches for the evening. I think I am off to beddie-bye. Sweet dreams!

Rained out... sort of

Sunday, I went to work again briefly in the morning, and stopped at the Takoma Park Farmer's Market, smaller than St. Paul's, but with about as much good stuff. Then it was a day of much progress in the guest bedroom. I have come to some peace with the fact that Sheila won't be retrieving her things for quite a while. So, I rearranged my other closets and other storage spaces to accommodate all the stuff that was sitting in the room waiting to go in the closet. While most of the stuff is still out, I rearranged most of it so that it doesn't look all that bad, and was able to put all the empty boxes and stuff elsewhere. I still have some stuff to look through, but I am hoping to tackle most of that this weekend.

Monday was pretty typical, walk with Clare after work at the Park. Today, I was originally supposed to have a sailing lesson, but my instructor cancelled due to a call for bad weather. It didn't really materialize in Greenbelt, though, so Clare and I took two laps around the lake. Ran a few errands on the way home.

Tomorrow I will have dinner with Anthony after work in Chinatown. I feel really bad because I haven't seen him in months, but I think the last time we tried to meet, our schedules were giving us persistent heartburn, and I failed to follow up. So I am really looking forward to it.

Tonight, a special shout out to Melanie, who gets an A+ for making comments here (shame on all of you who don't even read this... not that you know I will be saying shame on you, cause you don't read this... hmmmm).

Payday on Thurs!

Slacker day, more or less...

Ok, I know I have been remiss in my blogging duties. I have been so blissful about my reduced schedule load, I let it get to my head. But I am really enjoying writing about my day.

I am enjoying Weezer's Red Album more than I have enjoyed any album in a long time. I have been listening to it over and over, which I haven't done in forever. I especially love Heart Songs and Miss Sweeney. Where was I in 1994 when it was cool to love Weezer?

I went for a walk with Clare on Mon and Wed (2x on Wed!) and sailing on the cruiser with Bill, Robin, and Melanie on Tue, and a lesson on Fri. I finally mailed off my hair to Locks of Love, returned the antenna that didn't work for 70$, and got the gift card for Sri's wedding (which was in February!). That one we can blame on the immigration office, at least 4 months worth.

I slept in a bit this morning, but went into the office to check loads. I got my air ticket to Chanda's wedding. Spent the rest of the day doing a bit of housework, still doing laundry from last weekend! When we zipped up the tent last Friday, there was a little bee in the tent that we couldn't get out. When we woke up in the morning, we didn't see it. When I washed my sleeping bag today, guess what I found! Sheesh.

I had a minor panic this week when I put my new insurance card in my car. I couldn't find my registration card! I looked in my file box, all over the car, even in my papers on my desk, no dice. I finally found them in the trunk - they had been in the plastic bag with my license plates and I had just left it in my trunk when we put the plates on. So, it was in my car, technically, but I sure wouldn't have thought of that if I had been stopped by the police!

Ok, I am using way too many exclamation marks in this post.

Also this week, I made my travel arrangements to go to Calcon in Logan, Utah (for those of you not in the know, Calcon stands for "Calibration Conference". Woo-hoo, calibrating with the Mormons! My idea of a rollicking good time, too). Actually, I will be presenting a poster and I am really excited. I am planning on bringing my laptop, so I can look like a calibration hipster with my slick MacBook, and also blog from Utah.

Just not doing much today was really good for my soul. Oh, delicious luxury of slacking, the height of all indulgences.

Adieu for now, my little ponies.