I always end up on here when I should be researching...

Winter quarter is well underway, just one more month until finals. I've grown more adjusted to my life here, and the cold Seattle weather. Time is passing so quickly, and so much has happened. I'm starting work on my thesis, a project relating MRSA carriage in health care workers working with children with cystic fibrosis to the strains carried by the children and in the general facility. Next week I will have an interview for an unpaid internship with a prestigious nonprofit infectious disease research institute for my practicum. I'm hoping it goes well and they end up liking me so much that they offer me a paid job for this summer.

Not knowing my job prospects is a little stressful. I realized I've been so spoiled- I had three summers at Zales with no question that I would be hired on each time, and two summers at Nunhems as a research person. Honestly, I could probably work again at Nunhems, but I'm hoping to keep my lovely apartment in Seattle. Besides, a summer in Seattle sounds like a pretty grand adventure. I feel like a large number of people my age would be very happy for the opportunity. I'm certain I'll find some job, as I have the unique trait of practicality. Worst comes to worst, I'll go back to retail.

This quarter my main classes are Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Control of Environmentally Transmitted Microbial Hazards, and Environmental Analysis, Sampling, and Monitoring Methods. I think UW prides itself on making the longest class titles possible. I'm also taking a seminar and working in the lab.

Leo came and stayed with me in January. I loved seeing him and doing traditional Seattle tourist-y things, like Pike Place, SAM, the EMP, and University Ave. I ended up getting a terrible cold the last few days he was here, but I was just happy to have him here. It was hard when he left though- you get used to doing the distance thing, but as soon as you see them again you realize how much you miss them and want them to be near always.

I'm hoping to see him again in March. We have some grand plans that may or may not come through, but regardless, I will do my best to ensure we get to see each other, regardless of whether we get to complete our road trip or not.

I have been much more busy lately than I feel I was last quarter. Every moment seems to be budgeted, and I'm not getting to do as much as I'd like. I'd like to take some trips to Oregon, and spend more time with friends, but I feel like that may not be an option until the summer. Each week I still ride Starla at least three times, and that is a priority. Time passes so quickly, and I want to enjoy every moment I have with her before she needs to be retired. She's 19 and healthy though, so I hope to have many years of adventures left with her. Still, it influences my decisions and how I like to spend my time. And, of course, Leo is a priority. This quarter we have set days we talk, which sounds weird to everyone, but actually makes our talks better and longer. It's hard to find something that works for long distance. Monday we are having a non-scheduled skype for Valentine's Day. I can't believe I've been lucky enough that this is my third Valentine's day with Leo.

I've started swimming as a means of getting in shape, and I feel it is really helping my body. My goal is to swim twice a week. On top of that, I've started doing archery on Fridays. It is insanely fun. Last night was my second chance (it is free at the IMA), and I've already improved so much! They had a contest where the person who can shoot the small balloon in the center of the target gets a treat. My first shot, I nailed the balloon! As my friend Gabby points out, this is extremely impressive, because normally I can't even hit the target! What was hilarious to me, is that as soon as they put the next balloon up, I hit it first thing too. I guess I'm very motivated by prizes :) I think I might join the archery club. I want to join the equestrian club, I just haven't asked the questions I should to find out if I could even compete. I guess I don't see a need to pay $40 in dues to join a club where I'd just be visiting with other equestrians every month or so. It would be fun, but I already have a barn I spend 10 hours a week at, filled with equestrian type folk. It would be so nice to be able to compete in a community though.

Other than that, I'm still just trying to gain a sense of community with my fellow classmates, hanging out with Willamette friends, and trying to find opportunities to take advantage of Seattle. I can't wait for the farmer's markets to open up next month, and for the sun to start shining. There should be fun music festivals to look forward to, and I'm hoping to maybe be more a part of the sustainable and vegetarian communities in Seattle. Lol, I just wish I had more time and money to enjoy all these things!

I think this post has been so much catching up that I will make another, shorter post after of more specific incidences. I think I'll post some random pics from the last couple months, and see if I can't be a more regular blogger from now on!

Mom and I at the Lights of Christmas.

More lights- so pretty!


Visiting friends in Salem. I hope I can go back soon.


I really miss Salem. And Pete's.


Tree hunting, my brother and his girlfriend. Very cute :)

How I see the world...

Basically, it occurred to me today that there are two types of people in the world- those who like How to Train Your Dragon, and those who don't. The former are my friends, and the latter, beyond dead to me.

You might argue that there are also those who have not seen HTYD, but I don't consider this a category in itself. There exists in every person the potential for great good or great evil, and HTYD is merely the fastest way of quantifying where someone falls on that spectrum. Whether they have seen the movie or not, they will eventually be sorted into two groups.

Don't fear, I would never assume we live in a world of hate where half of all people correctly love the movie, and a foolish half turn their backs on it. I'm much more of an optimist than that. I assume realistically there are only, say, five people evil enough not to love that movie. One of them is probably that nutter who leads that church who is always saying that 9/11 was caused because of gays, or that Haiti deserved the earthquake because they signed a deal with Satan. I bet he wouldn't be able to recognize wholesome, family-friendly fun if you slapped him across the face with the VHS version.

Besides being a measure of one's soul, HTYD is also just the best thing in the world. If I could do one thing (and there was some stipulation, like no world peace, no making sure everyone had food and water, no curing cancer, etc) I would have everyone watch that movie.

I have a huge conflict going on internally about this. My own family and boyfriend have not seen the movie. The dragon reminds me of my recently passed-away doggie, so I will give my family a one-year pass before watching the movie, as it might be painful now. It will happen though. As for Leo, do I threaten to leave him if he doesn't watch it, or should I be more subtle than that? I've tried dropping hints. Today for instance:

Me: I was going to order How to Train Your Dragon this weekend on Netflix, but I thought I'd wait until you got here in January.

BF (being deliberately obtuse): But you've already seen that movie.

Me: You haven't though. It teaches you the values of friendship, how to be a good Viking, and most importantly, how to train any dragons you might come across.

BF: You could say that the last thing is probably the major focus of the film.

Me: So you'll watch it with me? Dragon training is a useful skill.

BF:....So, what are your plans now that finals are done?

I'll get him. He will watch that movie, if it is the last thing I ever do. I know how to subtlely pick away at him until he gives in. I want him to think he's doing it for me. It will make it all the sweeter when he realizes that showing him HTYD is the biggest expression of love I could ever give him.

I really don't have much more to say on the subject, as the movie speaks for itself. If you haven't already done so, run out, buy the movie, and watch it non-stop this weekend. You won't regret it.

Disturbing post (don't read if rape or poo offends you)

My boyfriend told me a story once about how his dad was in line with a woman at the grocery store. They live in a small town in New Hampshire, so they'd seen each other in the store before, always said hi. Well, this time I guess 'hi' wasn't enough, and the woman told Leo's dad about how her father told her that if anyone ever tried to rape her, just to loose control of her bowels. Because no one wants to rape someone covered in poop.

The story doesn't end here though. Leo's Dad nods (I imagine there isn't much you can say to information like that), and she continues. Apparently, someone tried to rape her once, and she followed this advice. I guess it worked.

I have been haunted by this story for the last year. The logistics baffle me. Anytime I am walking home alone in the dark I think about this, and all I can think is that I'd have no protection, because there is no way I could, um, "relax," enough to "save myself" in that situation. Honestly, it makes me doubt the validity of the woman's story. Yet, at the same time, who makes something like that up?

Why horses are the best

I've had a long, rough week (finals, friend drama, sickness, etc), and I went out this morning to ride my horse. Starla normally treats me as her human slave, designed to clean her up and feed her at her whim. Her general facial expression suggests that if she could talk, she would be saying, "MORE CARROTS, HUMAN!"

This morning though, I think she got that I've had just about as much as I could handle this week, and she was all nuzzle-y and cute. She kept resting her head on my back while I did her feet and pressing her face against my tummy while I was grooming her. Pretty damn cute, and why I'm willing to put half of the money I get each month into keeping her happy and healthy.

Though in reality, this probably wasn't her being cute so much as searching my pockets for food, but I'll take it.

She would eat me if I tasted like peppermint, licorice, or molasses. Luckily, I don't.

Things which irritate me more than they should:

1. Small amounts of things that come in deceptively large containers. This goes for anything from the face lotion I just bought that came in a box the size of my fist but ended up being in a container roughly the size of a silver dollar to those chip bags that end up being filled with air and three chips.

2. People who talk on their cell phones loudly on the bus. I realize there are times where you might need to communicate with someone via telephone while in transit, but it seems like this could be done using a normal voice level.

3. People who run for fun. I realize this isn't so much an irritation just as a recognition that these people are far cooler than me. They intimidate me, and I resent them for being so much more awesome than I.

4. Christmas music after Christmas. I love my carols, but you need to switch to something not-Christmas specific after the 25th (26th if you are Canadian). There are plenty of winter carols you can choose from.

5. When people confuse the gender of my pets. God help them if they ever do it to me when I have kids. Imma stab a fool.

6. Studying for finals. Hence the reason I'm popping off a random list of irritants instead of studying.

In which snow cures all ills (ie, school is canceled)

I awoke yesterday to a glorious white wonderland. It made this grey city shine and sparkle. I hope that I never grow so old or so serious that snow fails to make me smile.

This has actually been a wonderful week. Seattle, when I'm not in school, suits me perfectly. It's not that school is so bad, I just get really tired being taught everything by powerpoints, and some of the attitudes associated with the school. I just keep telling myself that if I can do this, it won't matter that I'm not enjoying it, it will pay off in the end. Er, so that was not the upbeat paragraph I was trying to write. Oops, redo.

This week has been fantastic. On Friday Dad came up and we went to a greek hole in the wall in my neighborhood. Amazing food, super cheap. We've hit up the Italian place, Romio's, a good three times since I moved at the beginning of the month too. I live in a delicious neighborhood.

Saturday I went to the U-District Farmer's Market with Sarah D. from school. It was a lot of fun, but freezing cold. We went to Chaco's Organic Cafe (I think that was the name), and had some delicious Egyptian Red Lentil soup. I had a great time. Poor Sarah, I think I talked her ear off. I don't get to be too social anymore. After, I headed to the Goodwill on the Ave, and found a classy pair of jeans for 10$. Not bad, since they retail at $185.

Sunday, Gabriele and I met up at the Cinebarre in Mountlake Terrace for Harry Potter 7. I had a fantastic time! It started snowing before I got there, so of course I was thrilled with that. The movie was great, and we split a pitcher of mimosas (also great :p) and a pizza. Yum.

Monday, the snow really started coming down, and I made an executive decision not to go in to school. It would have taken twice as long to get to school as my class takes. Not worth possibly falling. So I had a day off, a physical therapy session, and mainly watched more online tv than anyone should.

Today school was actually canceled, which was great. I walked around town, got some Christmas shopping done, and cleaned a little house. I have steadfastly been avoiding homework, which is going to bite me in the bum soon enough, but I just don't care.
Cameron gets into the airport tonight, so Dad is driving to get him, then heading here. Looking forward to seeing him. Been almost a year.

Tomorrow we're going to check on Starla. I'm a little worried about her in the snow at this new place. They aren't exactly as diligent as Teresa was about taking care of the horses. I'm sure she'll be fine, but I want to see her, ride a little. I leave with a pic of me adventuring in the snow yesterday. Hopefully I'll remember to write over Thanksgiving break!

Catching up

I hit a deep, dark place when I moved back, caused by the loss of my fantastic dog, distance from my boyfriend, and an odd living situation. As a result, I just didn't work on actually updating this thing. So we'll go with a short summary, then I'll hopefully do some updates that are a little more substantial.

September:
-School starts- quarter system is nice because the classes go fast, but it's disorienting too.
October:
-Mainly horseback riding, apartment hunting, schoolwork, and hanging out with Willamette people.
November:
-Move into my new apartment, still just starting to adjust to life in Seattle.

Mkay. Feel all caught up now? Haha, probably not. Well, I'll write a post about the recent goings on in my life, and we'll see from there.