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Hawaiian Transplant in Icy Northern Indiana's LiveJournal:
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| Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 | | 2:21 pm |
hee hee :) Everyone should go to www.livejournal.com/' It has the funniest little "hey idiot, you typed something in wrong" messages. Keep reloading the page, it has like 4 different ones :) I'm sure I'm not the first one to notice this, but it amused me :) | | Friday, December 19th, 2008 | | 7:03 pm |
Total Change of Plans!
What a day! My mom was supposed to leave home yesterday to fly here for Christmas...well...not so much. The weather in Chicago delayed her flight by 6 hours, which would have made her miss her flight in O'Hare to get to Albany. Well, right about the time her new flight would be getting into Albany, we were supposed to be at the peak of the same storm. So after much going back and forth about flights and travel plans, and also knowing that Albany is supposed to get another storm on Sunday when my mom and I would have been trying to fly again, we decided to change everything. At like midnight my mom calls and says "What do you think about us just buying you a ticket to come home?" Gosh, mom, twist my arm and get me out of the snow! :) So yeah, going home for Christmas. According to my mom "this is the most expensive non-trip ever!" Meh....but I get to make a surprise trip home to the warmness :) | | Sunday, December 7th, 2008 | | 3:02 pm |
According to my little front page ticker thingy, it's been 27 weeks since I last updated this thing. I'm sure there have been things to write about, but somehow my facebook feed seems to be easier to keep track of :) I'm sitting in the lab (gee, big surprise there), spending what I think will be the last of my weekend days in the lab until I get a new job! I'm on pace to finish the last of my major lab work tomorrow, which is going to be a huge relief. I have a few little things to do, a couple of little assays to run, but nothing major. Certainly nothing like the LCM undertaking I've been working on since like July! Going to an ACS fundraiser tonight at the mall. It's kind of nifty, they sold tickets for $5 which get you a bunch of discounts at most of the stores at the mall. I'm hoping to knock out the last of my Christmas shopping, although I still don't know what to get my grandpa. It's lame, but I may have to resort to a gift certificate. It's hard to buy for the man who has 2!! of everything! I'm heading west (read: to Indiana) on Tuesday to check out a school where I'm going to apply for a faculty job (Franklin College). Also, taking a little bit of much-needed time off. I hope this will actually resemble a vacation, unlike my last trip. I'm hoping to make it up to Chicago (Liz, Renita, Jenny??) but I'm not sure yet. Sort of depends on the weather and the state of Jon's tires (last time I was there, they weren't really fit for winter driving). I'll let you guys know. If we do head up there, it'll probably be either Friday or Saturday (Dec. 12, 13). Other than that, I'm living it up in the cold for another year this Christmas. Since I wasn't sure what my lab schedule would look like at Christmas time, I decided that I didn't have time to make the trip home worthwhile. Instead, my mom is coming here next Friday and then we will meet my dad in DC a few days later. It should be a fun trip. We decided not to do too much in the way of Christmas presents, due to the fact that none of us needs anything. I went a little rogue and bought something for my parents anyway. It's okay, I know they're buying stuff too! lol Hope everyone is doing well...that is all...off to the longest christmas concert on the planet, then more lasering! Current Mood:  sleepy | | Sunday, June 1st, 2008 | | 9:31 am |
Two pieces of news
One piece is fantastic: http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=21633Go Stan! Congratulations!!! :) (Clearly you've finally made it, you're on the DPU website!) The other, is very very sad: http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=21639For those of you who never had the chance to hear Dr. Irwin sing, it's very sad, because he had SUCH an amazing voice. Bass-baritone is a fantastic range anyway, but he had such a presence and his voice just boomed. Such an amazing singer. It's beyond sad that this has happened to such a talented man. | | Saturday, May 31st, 2008 | | 12:58 pm |
| | Saturday, May 24th, 2008 | | 8:37 am |
Ahhh, quizbowl
So, I'm in Chicago this weekend helping to moderate the NAQT High School National quizbowl tournament. There are 176 teams, which is ridiculous! There are kids everywhere. It's cool, though, because the ones that I met last night are actually pretty nice. I have to say, though, that I feel sorry for the people who were having their rehearsal dinner here last night! Oi-vay! Anyway, I have seen people so far this weekend that were old in this game when we played in college, and are even older now, it's kind of funny :) I had to laugh, though, because one of my roommates said that she felt old because she graduated from college last year...yeah....I was like, no, I'm way older than you. Haha....I guess I fall into the dinosaur category, but I don't care, I got my free trip to Chicago :) Stayed with Jenny in Milwaukee on Thursday night, had lunch with Liz on Friday, will have dinner with Kristl tonight. Yay! Leaving bright and early Monday morning to go back to work....nice little mini vacation. I suppose that's all for now...I think there's a moderators meeting in a few minutes. Wahoo! | | Thursday, January 31st, 2008 | | 1:31 pm |
On my way...kinda
Just wanted to let everyone know that I have moved out of my apartment in South Bend as of today, so I may not have much internet access for the next few days. Not sure if the folks I'm staying with have internet or not. In any case, I'll be in Albany on Tuesday, Feb. 5, weather permitting, and will be back in contact then. Until that time, my cell phone is the best way to reach me if you want to. | | Saturday, December 1st, 2007 | | 8:16 pm |
Call for Addresses!
Hey everyone! In an effort to update my address book for Christmas, as well as for when I finally move myself, I'm collecting addresses! I'm REALLY bad about writing down addresses (ask Jenny, I've asked for hers about 15 times!), so if you could give me yours and I swear I'll put it in my address book since it's sitting right here....awesome! Thanks! Oh yeah, I'll protect all the comments so your info isn't revealed to the world. | | Thursday, August 30th, 2007 | | 11:35 pm |
Being Relocated
Most of you probably have already heard this news in one form or another, but I figured I'd get it out there, now that plans are becoming more concrete. A few months ago, my advisor and his SO took a trip to the Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics at the University at Albany in Rensselaer, NY. At the time, he assured us they were just checking things out, and had no plans of leaving Notre Dame any time soon. Well, it seems as if things have changed. About three weeks ago, upon coming back from over a month of vacation, he announced to us that they have, in fact, decided to accept the positions in New York, and will be relocating our lab there beginning January 1. I was given the choice (sort of) to move or not move, and based on discussions with my parents and with my advisor, it's clear that my only real choice is to go along. I have to stay at Notre Dame until I'm done with the animal portion of my experiments, because my animals will not be coming along. I figure this will take me until Christmas, maybe slightly longer. While my advisor begins his job January 1, they don't think the labs will be ready quite yet, so I won't go up there until the end of March. My plan is to move somewhere around the last week of March, and then finish my thesis and graduate (from Notre Dame) in the fall. Then I'll stay in Albany for an additional year or so as a post-doctoral fellow to get some more experience and technological skill under my belt. At that point, having had exposure and training to some amazing, state-of-the-art equipment, I can basically pick where I want to go next. This is clearly not my ideal situation, and there are lots of pros and cons to going. However, it's clear to me that professionally the only choice I have is to move and take this opportunity to get some training I couldn't get at Notre Dame. Obviously I'm not thrilled about leaving in the personal sense, but this is something I just have to do. I don't plan on being a stranger to the area, even after I move, and I definitely plan on visiting everyone before I go, since I know March will come faster than I think. So, keep some weekends between now (well, okay, after the weddings!) and the end of February open, I want to see everyone! | | Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 | | 10:15 am |
Friday in Indy
Hey all the Indy folk! I am thinking about dinner in Indy on Friday evening (I'll be at my grandparent's place, and really, Indy sounds better)...anyone want to meet up for dinner?? | | Thursday, July 12th, 2007 | | 4:25 pm |
Whew!
The last few weeks have been big stress and craziness! And, it only keeps going from here. However, a few unexpected things have happened, and I'm glad the last few days are over! First off, my rent check never got deposited, because they changed property managers at my complex, and they haven't gotten around to dealing with the checks, yet. Which normally I really wouldn't care about, because I always make sure to have 2 months of expenses in my bank account at all times (as much as I can). However, my computer decided this week would be a good time to crap out. Every once in a while recently it's been refusing to "see" the AC adapter, and just runs off battery power. Normally that's not really a problem, because my battery runs for about 3 hours or so. And usually by then it's decided to charge again. Well, the other day it was having none of it. The computer refused to see the adapter. So, I talked to Dell Service people and they said to send the computer in because it needs a new motherboard. This is the SECOND motherboard for that computer, to go with the new hard drive I had to get in October. So not impressed! So, not too long after I made arrangements to send the computer, it decided to charge up again. I think, "awesome, it's okay, I can keep using it." Not so much...Yesterday it stopped seeing the adapter all together, and wouldn't find it for anything. So, I made the executive decision that I wasn't going to screw with it anymore and I was getting a new computer. Not exactly in the budget, although with the money I get from the summer class I just finished teaching, i can afford it, I guess. So, my old computer is still under warranty, and I'm going to go ahead and get it fixed, but I bought a new one, because I'm tired of dealing with Dell. So, yay for new computers! And, naturally, the new one is WAY cooler than the old one, and just over a third of the price! So, if anyone out there is looking for a laptop....it's 3 years old, and no longer under warranty after the first week in August, but hopefully with a new motherboard and a mostly new hard drive, it'll run for a while. I'll make a good deal :) | | Monday, July 2nd, 2007 | | 11:28 am |
Weirdness
My horoscope today is talking about looking at a situation from a new perspective, and suggests standing on my head. I'm not sure that will help my situation that needs new perspective, even if I could stand on my head....oh well. Just thought it was an odd suggestion. | | Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 | | 11:21 am |
South Bend Relay For Life!
That's right, folks, it's time once again for the South Bend Relay For Life! It's this Saturday-Sunday! We are doing pretty well on our fundraising, but I'm putting up a last push for donations! I know a lot of the folks who read this have donated to other Relays, so thank you for that! All the donations mean so much - the ACS funds young researchers who would otherwise have basically an impossible time getting funding. (that's me!) So, if you have a few extra dollars lying around, any donation means a lot! Go to this website to make a donation! Thank you so much in advance! | | Monday, May 21st, 2007 | | 10:16 pm |
Two posts in one day!
I opened up my Yahoo today and one of the little news tabs was something about moving into the Gemini part of the zodiac. It's just the first day, I think, and I'm just under a month from my birthday, but I decided, what the hey, I'll read my horoscope for the year! So, here it is: ( Gemini 2007 )So here's hoping a lot of that comes true. If so, it sounds like a good year :) Edit: sorry, folks, I tried the lj-cut and it didn't work, so you're stuck with the whole thing | | 10:33 am |
Decided to do a survey instead of work....
Decided to do Chris's survey, since I don't really feel like working...so yes, Chris, I am that bored :) hehe 1. Your Middle Name: Elizabeth 2. Age: 25...almost 26! 3. Single or Taken: Single :( 4. Favorite Movie: Comedy: Three Fugitives, Drama: Beaches (yes, I'm that much of a girl!) 5. Favorite Song or Album: Classical: Brahms E minor Cello Sonata, Contemporary: 525,600 Minutes is sticking out for some reason 6. Favorite Band/Artist: Don't really have one....I like BNL 7. Dirty or Clean: Uh...I'm clean, I just showered :) 8. Tattoos and/or Piercings: I have always wanted a tattoo, but right now all I have are pierced ears 9. Do we know each other outside of LJ? yes! 10. What's your philosophy on life? go with the flow, have fun, pick your battles 11. Is the bottle half-full or half-empty? half-full...unless it's alcohol, then half empty ;) 12. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest? I've done things like that before, and usually it turns out not to be in the best interest I thought it was 13. What is your favorite memory of us? haha...hanging out at SNu and making fun of Erich :) 14. What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Marvin's...still to this day 15. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you: This summer I will participate in my 10th, 11th, and 12th Relay For Life events 16. You can have three wishes (for yourself, so forget all the 'world peace etc' malarky) - what are they? Find someone I can share my life with, Graduate, Get a job at St. Jude 17. Can we get together and make a cake? um....I'm sure we could...this is a weird question 18. Which country is your spiritual home? it's not a country, but I would say Hawaii 19. What is your big weakness? saying no 20. Do you think I'm a good person? absolutely! 21. What was your best/favorite subject at school? um...definitely science (except physics!) 22. Describe your accent: I think I've picked up a midwestern twang, but once I go home, I'll revert back to the hawaii accent 23. If you could change anything about me, would you? I would just want you to be happy :) 24. What do you wear to sleep? a t-shirt and either sweats or shorts 25. Trousers or skirts? usually trousers (pants!), but now that it's summer, skirts are in order 26. Cigarettes or alcohol? alcohol...cigarettes are vile things 27. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together? that's kind of a sad question...go to a really awesome concert, eat some really awesome food (Japanese, maybe?), and then smoke that hookah thing you seem so fond of :) oh yeah, all with a bunch of really good friends, because that makes the day, really 28. Will you repost this so I can fill it out for you? uh...I think I just did :) | | Friday, March 2nd, 2007 | | 10:23 am |
| | Tuesday, February 20th, 2007 | | 1:26 pm |
Interview by Stan
1. Better cytes -- Leukocytes or oligodendrocytes? This is actually kind of a hard question. Leukocytes are vital in the function of the immune system, and oligodendrocytes are key in CNS function. I think I have to go with oligodendrocytes, though, because without them there are no myelin sheaths on your neurons and therefore little to no conduction of nerve signals. And that's bad. You can survive, albeit not a great life, without leukocytes, and the immune system can be assisted, but there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do without oligodendrocytes and the nervous system. 2. Name a disease we SHOUDN'T cure and why. Believe it or not, this is a question I think about a lot. As a person who researches a disease that seemingly everyone is trying to cure, it's hard to say that we shouldn't cure diseases. However, there is something to be said for the course of natural selection. I mean, from an evolutionary standpoint, if you are susceptible to a disease, you shouldn't reproduce, because you're not the fittest organism. But, from a humanity standpoint, how can you look a parent in the eye and tell them that there's no cure for the disease their child has? I think a somewhat easier answer to this is diseases like the common cold and influenza. Influenza, especially, is an example of a disease that a) probably CAN'T be cured, but also one that is pretty effective at "weeding out" genetically weak individuals in the population. I think these are the sorts of diseases that we shouldn't cure. HIV is another one I struggle with curing or not curing. Again, it's one I don't think can be cured, because of the way that viruses mutate and such. But also, I'm not sure that people who are stupid enough to get the disease (I'm not talking about rape victims or babies or people who got it from blood transfusions) should get to have a cure. And then there's cancer of course, which I'm studying. I don't know if we'll ever have a cure for cancer...I guarantee there's no one magic cure - sorry, we're not living in the world of Sean Connery in Medicine Man - but I don't even know if there will ever be one. Advanced treatments, yes, cure, no. But then that begs the question about whether it should be cured...and that's one I have no answer for. 3. Do Notre Dame boosters light their cigars with $100 bills? Hahaha! I wouldn't be surprised. Some of the ND alums have WAY too much money...and they spend it in weird ways. You wouldn't believe all the tailgates on football weekends where there is gourmet food and essentially an entire bar set up. I'm sure there are alums that spend $100 on a cigar at the drop of a hat, which is basically the same thing :) 4. What is your least favorite exercise to do that you know, deep down, is good for you? Believe it or not, I actually like exercising - my main problem is what I'm currently capable of doing. However, I guess my least favorite thing is step aerobics, and maybe that's just because I was in a class with a bunch of skinny undergrads and I couldn't keep up. I don't mind lifting weights, I really enjoy walking and the occasional jog, and I like most sports - I just feel very embarassed at my lack of ability, and I always feel like people are staring at me thinking "that fat girl looks really stupid trying to do x." 5. What's the best unknown spot (aka off the tourist map) in Hawaii to visit? Is there anything in Hawaii that's off the tourist map? I guess a place that not too many people go is Molokai Ranch on Molokai. It's a working ranch, but they have activities for visitors, too. Most people never make it to Molokai unless it's to go to Kalaupapa (the leper colony). The main town on the island, Kaunakakai doesn't have a movie theater, just recently got a McDonald's, and maybe has one stoplight...not really a mecca. But, it's gorgeous - you can get an open air cabin, go horseback riding, be in a "rodeo," ride a mule down to Kalaupapa, and the people are some of the nicest you'll ever meet. Okay, end my interview - if you want questions, leave a comment and I'll try to think of some. | | Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 | | 7:20 am |
Brrrrrrrr
I think our weather forecasters are a little off....the predicted morning low for today was 14....when I got up this morning it was -1.... In other news, it's freaking cold!!!! I know there's a reason I decided to go to school here, but it's escaping me at the moment...that part of my brain is frozen! Gah! At least it stopped snowing for about 24 hours :) | | Wednesday, December 6th, 2006 | | 11:16 pm |
*insert doom music here*
Well, in less than 12 hours, I will be in the midst of my oral candidacy exams in order to be officially admitted as a PhD candidate at ND. Yes, it's taken this long....they don't officially say you're a PhD candidate until you've passed this exam. So far, it's been a hellish experience, and it hasn't even actually happened yet :P Anyway, those of you who are the praying type, my exam is at 10 am eastern time tomorrow (Thursday)...I'd appreciate prayers, good thoughts, etc. Hopefully it will be over by noon, and will have a favorable outcome. For now...off to bed with me... Oh yeah, hope there's not too much snow tonight...they're predicting 6-10" here by tomorrow night...ugh! | | Monday, November 20th, 2006 | | 9:45 am |
Christmas Shopping!!!
Went Christmas shopping with Jenny and Renita in Chicago (technically Schaumburg) this weekend. It was good fun :) Got up way too early on Sunday morning to catch the train, and spent waaaaay too much time on the train for one day. But, it was well worth it :) Managed to get a nice present for my mom (hopefully she'll like it), something for a few friends, and I got Jenny her gift while we were there, too. Will order Renita's today :) Got me thinking about what I want for Christmas. Really, I don't need anything, and there's not a whole lot I necessarily want, either. So, I'm taking a different approach to Christmas presents this year. Anyone who wants to get me something for Christmas, here's what I ask that you do. Please make a donation to one of the following charities either in my name, or in memory or in honor of someone you know and love. The first place is the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis. Second, Riley Children's Hospital also in Indianapolis. This is an amazing hospital for kids...I have at least one cousin who wouldn't be alive if it weren't for this place. The donation page is here. And finally, the American Cancer Society naturally. So, if you would like to give me something for Christmas, please donate your time, money, or a gift to one of these charities. I don't need anything, and there are lots of kids and families out there that do. Thanks :) Edit: Forgot one! St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Most of you know I want to work at this place someday, and anyone who's watched the commercials for the hospital has cried more than a few tears over what these little kids go through. |
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