Cross your fingers for me

I can't believe it! I actually ran a whole MILE the other day!! I'm quite proud of myself. It's been at least 3-4 years since the last time I did that. Unfortunately I haven't made it back to the gym again since then, but I have high hopes of returning soon. I'm looking forward to getting into shape again. Even if I only get back to where I was in college I'd be ecstatic - I'm not aspiring to be in high school shape, I think that's a bit of a pipe dream at this point. Either way, I have quite a ways to go yet. Unfortunately, even though I did run a mile it doesn't mean that I actually came out well afterwards. I actually thought my lungs were going to pop and that my heart quite possibly was going to pound out of my chest and into my lap - so some progress is necessary.

Also on my list of accomplishments this week is that I finally handed in my abstract for candidacy. The way it goes is that I turn in the abstract to my committee and they have about a week to approve or deny the topic I have chosen. Once I get all the approvals, I can proceed with writing the grant proposal - and I have only four weeks to do so. That give me an August 28 deadline (four weeks from this coming Monday). So far I have two approvals, and I only need the other two committee members to approve it. I'm hoping that the delayed response is because they're busy and not because they don't like the abstract. However, I know that Larry's response is still pending just because he's been working in the clinic/hospital all month. So keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm super nervous about this whole process, and I'll definitely be happy when it is all over.
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So this weekend is the Dayton airshow - very exciting!:) The Blue Angels are coming this year (last year was the Thunderbirds). I think I agree with Dad that BA is better... At least their planes are prettier - but don't tell him I said that, probably a bit too girly for an airshow ;-) And, Dad, if you did read that then please translate as follows: "I think BA is better because they have tighter flight patterns, higher speeds, and better engines than the Thunderbirds." All in all I'm really looking forward to a weekend with Pops, and a chance to get the hell out of Columbus. Hopefully it won't rain like it did last year. The weather report says a 30% chance both days this weekend, so again, keep your fingers crossed for us.

Then, at the end of August I will get more family fun. I'm very excited to have Mom, Shirley, Shane, and Tonya all down to visit (I'm just not sure where I'm going to put all you people in my teenie apartment.. but that's just a minor detail:). It's gonna be great! We're gonna go shopping, and I'll probably show then my lab, then shopping, then maybe out to some nice restaurants, shopping, and I think Shane wants to go to a banjo store... and we'll probably go shopping too;-) A fun-filled, action-packed week in store for all. I'm very excited!

Did I ever spill the beans about Adam?? I just talked to Adam Smith the other day and it reminded me that I don't think I ever bragged that he's engaged! They set the date for July 7th, 2007. His finacee's name is Amanda, and I actually have not met her yet but I've heard wonderful things about her - plus, anyone who makes Adam as happy as he is, is 'in' with me.

Well, that's about it for me... I think I've rambled enough for one blog. Take care and be well.

Pictures

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Brett and Jessica's wedding (as promised)...

Hats off

I have a new found respect for all the women of the past who had to do laundry without the modern conveniences of today. My washer broke last night mid-spin cycle which meant that I was left with an entire load of sopping wet clothes. The only solution to my problem was to ring out everything in the wash by hand before putting it in the dryer. Four blisters later, my clothes were still soaking wet, but at least a little lighter so I put them in to dry. Of course it had to be a large load of laundry with lots of thick cotton socks that love to soak up gallons of water. How on earth did people do this on a regular basis?! I had it easy too... All I had to do was just ring out the water - thankfully I didn't have to rinse out any soap! It kind of humbles me to think about all of the modern devices we have now that we take for granted.
A few weeks ago I recommended a nice little tourist attaction in Indiana to the PI and his wife in the lab next door. It's called Connor Prarie and it's basically a small farm town set back in the late 1800s (I think). All of the people working there are constantly in character to really depict what life was like back then. It's cool, there's a one-room school house, a blacksmith, farmers, small shops, and homes that are open to walk through. Well, as it turns out, Denis and Kate took their kids there this past weekend and said they had a great time! I remember going there when I was probably in junior high, and I'm thinking of going again sometime. Which reminds me, there's another place I'd like to revisit called Turkey Run. It's a beautiful place as I remember (though I think I was 10 the last time I was there) with lots of hiking trails and scenery. I got my friend Emilia excited about it, so maybe we'll go sometime:)

As for other things, I finally nailed down a hypothesis for my candidacy exam! Those of you who are interested in the gorey details can call me to find out (it's a lot to write), but I'll give a really really basic overview here. Okay, so I'm interested in studying a birth defect called Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) which results from problems in the development of the facial tissues. There is a mouse model for this disorder, however it doesn't really explain all there is to know about the gene responsible. Treacle is the name of the protein that is mutated in patients with TCS, so my project will focus on more intensly characterizing its function in the cells that will become the facial tissues during development (aka. the neural crest cells). In short, I want to mutate treacle only in the neural crest and not in any other tissues so that I can study exactly what happens to the mutant cells. Secondly, I want to keep treacle normal in the neural crest and mutant in all the other tissues to assess whether or not the defect can be 'rescued' (or, put back to normal). Lastly, I'm going to isolate neural crest cells from mouse embryos and mutate treacle in them to see how they behave in culture. Well, I guess I'm not actually going to be doing any of this because it's all hypothetical, all I have to do is write about what I want to do. In the grand scheme of things I think that's nice because all this on top of what I already have going would be entirely too much for me to handle. However, I am getting so excited about these experiments that I'm kind of sad that I can't actually carry them out to see if any of it works! It's strange to think that initially I was upset because I had to stray away from my current topic to something completely new and different, and now I'm upset because I can't stay with this new topic - I have to go back to the original one...
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On an unrelated (and less happy) note, I feel really bad for a girl working next door to me. She is from Lebanon, and her parents and brother all live in Berut. If any of you have been following the news then you likely know that Israel is bombing the crap out of Lebanon in an effort to acquire back 2 people who were taken hostage. Let's do some math. Two people taken hostage, not killed, just taken hostage vs. hundreds of innocent people killed, hundreds more injured and an international airport out of commission. I feel terrible for Nadine because she was supposed to go back to Lebanon in August but it appears as if that will not happen. Thankfully her family has made it to her aunt's house in some mountains which is supposedly safe (though she concedes that no place is really safe there), but there are a number of Lebanese people in my grad program whose families are just as affected. It's horrible to think about not being with your family when they're in such danger, and it seems as though there's no real end in sight. Hopefully something will be done to stop this soon, but until then I'm keeping my friends and their families in mind.

Sorry to end on such a downer note, but dinner calls. P.L.H.!

Why? Why not!

I received this survey in my email and thought I'd fill it out just for kicks... (ps. don't blame me for the inability to count - I'm not the one who made the survey!)

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING? No, hopefully someday

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP? About a year and a half

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? Does free stuff handed out at a product show count as gifts? If so, then it was a timer.

4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE? Dropped the phone, no; Dropped the call, yes.

5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT? A few weeks ago - I was on a kick for a little while, but it inevitably ended as soon as it started.

6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON? Movies - buying/renting them and going to see them in the theatre.

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE? Home-made chicken and dumplings (none of that boxed stuff either! I'm very proud of myself)

8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX: Height

9. ONE FAVORITE SONG? Currently, #12 on the "Garden State" soundtrack, but it changes almost weekly.

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Columbus, OH

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED: Rochester Lourdes HS

12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER: Sprint-Nextel

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE: Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD: My current position as a grad student, but I think my job at Rental Depot probably about ties it at the moment.

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE? Fuzzy, no; regular, probably in a board game at home

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?: I did a couple of times at sleepovers as a kid. Mostly harmless though - (like calling a gas station and asking if the they have gas... then when they do I'd say "you should take some pepto then!")

17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED: Janell and Thad's

18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY: Mom

19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND: Christmas '04

20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT: Fazoli's or Culvers, hard to choose

21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD: That all of my problems will be solved if I go to church every Sunday.

23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS: I like Applebee's happy hour, or else Brazenhead is good too.

24. CAN YOU COOK? Yes, though it's questionable if I'll ever make Iron Chef status.

26. BEST KISSER: Me of course!;-)

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: I think it was a few months ago, but I could be wrong.

28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS: Anything that comes from water.

29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: My ability to laugh at myself.

30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF: How easily I turn red in the face.

31. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB: 17 hours in the lab to finish an experiment for a presentation the next day - unfortunately the experiment didn't work so it was a waste of my time and sleep deprivation.

33. FAVORITE MOVIE? Most anyone who knows me knows that I married Tom Hanks years ago, so of course my husbands movies are my favorite:)

34. CAN YOU SING? I'm the best singer alive! That is, until someone else is in the car...

35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED? Elton John a year ago from this past April.

37. LAST MOVIE RENTED: "Capote" (pretty good); "Door in the Floor" (just okay); and "The Constant Gardener" (haven't actually watched it yet - I'll let'chya know).

39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Anywhere outside of Ohio

43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?: Desktop

44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?: Bill Cosby

45. DO YOU SMOKE?: I pride myself in that I do not smoke.

46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES? With - what if the house catches fire or there's a burglar?? I must be prepared and fully clothed.

49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE? Twice - warning once, ticket once.

50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST? Pancakes all the way - Perkins if at all possible! (Shane, next time I'm totally finishing those dammed pancakes!;-)

51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE? Coffee flavor, but not actually the drink

52. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? Scrambled with cheese and ham

53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?: Not so much, but the book I just finished had some interesting insight as to whether scientists should take another look ("Dancing Naked in the Mind Fields" by Kary Mullis.. check it out).

54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mom

55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?: Some number I didn't recognize

56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED?: A nice little note from Janell

58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?: 2 to sleep, 2 for decoration (4 total)

59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?: Tennis shoes, white socks, jeans, rainbow colored underware, white cammie and bra, and a blue sleeveless shirt.

60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC: Bubbles

61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?: Apple

62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?: Yes, my favorite tables are at the "Great Dane" in Madison, WI

63. CAN YOU SWIM? Yes, but I'm no Amanda Bierd

64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?: Peanut Butter ice cream with Reece's Peanut butter cups mixed in (from Cold Stone Creamery)

66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: I have a "Harry Potter" scar on my left shoulder blade

68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?: Not so much a theme party, but I've been to a lot of Halloween parties where you need to dress up.

69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON: Winter

70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID? Last week sometime

71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING ? 7:48 am

72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?: Snowman-snow and mittens

73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?: November '04 on my way to the airport to pick up Janell

75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET? Pywacket (is that how you spell it?) - we kids called her "Kitz" .. actually the name of MY first pet (not including fish) is Fleegle.

76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED? Cool - especially Jonney Depp pirates:)

77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? As near as I can tell, people are plotting a happy hour for Friday at Brazenhead, other than that I'm sure I'll be painting or reading for work.

78. BIRTH DATE: January 21, 1981

79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE: Superwoman

85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?: No

87. ARE YOU SMILING? Kinda half smiling, thinking about being Superwoman:)

89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW : Yes, namely all my friends and family

90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO? All over the US to see my friends and family (see #89)

92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?: No; been there, done that.

93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?: Yes

94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME? Caidence (Caiddy, for short)

95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT?: Brown with little orange rhinestones (looks better than it sounds)

96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?: Technically school starts the last Monday of September, however it will make no difference to me since I'm not taking classes anymore.

97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH? No, but hopefully I'll go in October (get your guest room ready Bridget!)

99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER: Two sister-in-laws that I'm very thankful for and love very much! (Way to go Shane and Brett)

100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?: Yes, 5th floor of the Tzagournis Medical Research Facility

102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL? Couple times as a kid for my ears and adenoids.

103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW? Yes, I wish I could see a lot of people right now.

104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING? My mystic topaz ring and earrings, some gold hoop earrings, and a watch that desparately needs to be replaced.

105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY? Go home and hang out with Fleegle:)

My list of preoccupations grows...

I just found out this past weekend that I am allowed to paint my apartment! Originally I was told that I would have to repaint the walls to white when I move out, but actually all I have to do is just prime them. That's not so bad right!? I mean I'd have to prime them anyways if I was to return them to white, this just means one less step in the end. I've already chosen some colors and I'm pretty sure I'll stick with them. The living room will be 'Costa Mesa' which is a sort of gold color. It's not metallic at all, more of a yellow with a teeny hint of olive in it (if you're interested you can check it out at Home Depot in the Glidden paint samples). Next are the bathroom and kitchen which will both be painted the same color - 'Woodland Mystery' green. Not on the hunter side of the greens, but not a mint green either. It's a hair blue for a sage, but much closer to sage than teal (again, if you're interested check out HD). I decided to paint the bathroom and kitchen the same color just because the apartment is really small to begin with, so I don't want to make it crazy with a ton of colors. Actually the bedroom will be the least colorful on the walls. This will be painted 'Desert Floor.' It's a nice light tan color, and since the drapes, furniture, and linens are all really dark I don't want to make my room into a cave by painting the walls dark too.

I'm really excited about painting - aside from all of the work I think it's going to be fun to do something new for a change:) I'm still working diligently on the blanket I started crocheting back in college. Just the other night I finally put together some squares I've recently finished. I calculated that I am 1/6th of the way done. Which means that of the 240 total squares needed to finish this blanket, I have finished 40. The good news is that I'm getting really fast at it now, so it only takes about 15-20 min per square. I'm only hoping that the JoAnn's still sells the yarn I'm using because I seriously understimated the amount of yarn it would take to do this! As for the other items on my list of things to keep me preoccupied, I started a puzzle a while ago but had to put it away because it was taking over my coffee table. Not to fear, I kept the parts in tact that I had already solved! It was a 1000 piece puzzle of M.C. Esher's "High and Low." It wasn't so bad for a while there, but I got to a point where I just couldn't find pieces very quickly - this was exacerbated by the fact that all the pieces were black/grey/white toned and therefore all looked the same. I also am reading a couple of books. The first is a re-read of the Harry Potter series (see Mom, I told you I'd read them again;-), and the other is a book called "Dancing Naked in the Mind Fields" by Kary Mullis. For any of you who are up to speed on science or Nobel Prize winners of the last 20 years, Kary Mullis won for inventing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and his book is based on his life and times... Not so much an autobiography as I expected, but it's not a bad read so far! My friend Tim lended it to me, and it's funny how much I can see some aspects of his own personality parallel with Mullis' in this book:)

As it turns out I am expecting some pictures soon in the mail (cough, cough did you send them yet Shane? cough ;-). They're from Brett and Jessica's wedding, so I'll post some of my top picks as soon as I get them - stay tuned!!