Writing to reach you

These first two pictures are for my mother:
They are from the BYU ball, way back in April. Ooops.

Also way back forever ago, Kyler turned 25. Does turning 25 mean you have to start acting like an adult? Or is that 30? 40? 50? 100? I'm hoping for the latter, myself.

This is the cake I made him, completely from scratch. My aunt sent me the pecans from Texas, and boy were they good.

For Memorial Day, Liz, Jake, Kyler and I went up the canyon for a picnic and hike. We ended up not going quite so far up as we initially planned because... it was snowing. But we found a warmer (lower in elevation) place for the picnic.

We found a cave, too, but since we didn't have flashlights on us, the exploration ended here. Pity.

Kyler and I by the stream. Nice cold water.

Also, I'm a good tissue TA. Still. Even though I'm not actually TAing anymore (sad!). The reason I say I'm still a good TA is this:
We have been doing some experimentation/quality control with our staining procedure, and so we've accumulated three different procedures and we decided to test which one was the best stain. This meant we had to have slides to stain. We could have made our own, but we had some random slides on hand that were made at an affiliated company in error, so why not use them? However, we didn't know what tissue was on these slides. After I finished the staining and everything, I decided to try my expert hand at identifying the tissue. And by expert, I really mean novice. So, I inspect the slides I stained... and I reach my conclusion. It was based on the epithelium I saw (stratified squamous) and the glandular tissue (sebaceous glands and a few that looked like sweat glands), mostly. My conclusion: skin. Thin skin, more specifically, in case you cared.
So, I tried to see if I could figure out what it was for real, see if I was right. I asked around and got my answer: skin! You heard me, I was correct! I feel so successful!
Being a TA during your undergrad kind of means nothing... I need to be a certified pathologist to be taken seriously.

Two more things. First, soccer. World Cup is great, I'm mildly obbessed. I'm currently adding up points and saying things like "well, if Uruguay and Mexico tie, then France can't go on, even if they win" and "if Algeria beats the US and Slovenia beats England, those two teams will go on." Stuff like that. Also, I had to buy new soccer cleats, and I'm still a little in mourning. It all happened because I actually played midfield for one half of a game. After that, the Diadoras just weren't the same. And.... my soccer team has officially won a game! Yay

Second, I am so glad that we have the Pope and the Vatican to tell us this.

Just watch for me on ESPN!

Apparently, I have an excellent poker face. That is what one of my students told me this week. He said he'd been watching all semester as I was asked, point blank, if this tissue or that histological name would be on the quiz/test or important to know, and I would basically always reply that it may be on the quiz. He said that he could never tell if I was saying "yes" or "no," and that he'd make a horrible TA because he'd accidentally smirk or something and give away what was on the quiz. So, the moral of this story: I should participate in the World Series of Poker!
It was the tissues final, and I spent a predictably large amount of time in that wonderful room: I realized as I left Thursday afternoon that in the last 24 hours, I'd been in that room for 14 of them. Not to shabby, eh? The class is over, though, which frees up some of my time (though diminishes my paycheck), and my students mostly did well... at least those who bothered to show up.

Now I just have another week of class and then finals. Not that anyone is counting...
BYU Alum '08 here I come!

Hips, germs, yeast: all organic substances.

I suppose I should update this, eh? I was going to do it last week, but I got distracted... and if Kyler wasn't playing warcraft, I probably wouldn't post today, either, but he is.

Last week, Kyler and I got to go see Coldplay in Salt Lake! Let me tell you, Chris Martin is the biggest nerd ever, and seeing them live just proves it. But they all put everything they have into their performance, and it is such a fun show. I highly recommend it if you're a fan and have the money to spare.

I am sick, and I blame Kyler. At the concert, Kyler said he had a sore throat, but was otherwise fine. Well, his "otherwise fine" turned into fever and chills, the worst of which being Wednesday. Then, of course, on Thanksgiving I started to get a sore throat. Stinking husband germs. I have yet to really have a fever and chills, just a headaches and stuffy nose, which is miserable, but things could be worse. I'm hoping I just have a better immune system than Kyler and it won't get any worse than this, because I don't have time to be sick this week! It's my students' final, which means I spend hours preparing them for it, I have a presentation in patho on Wednesday, and my repro final paper is due next Monday. I didn't work on homework nearly as much as I should have this long weekend because of Kyler getting sick, and then me getting sick, so I need to be better now!

I'm all over the place in my train of thought today, but here's the next piece of data on my personal agenda: I got to watch some surgeries on Tuesday. They were really interesting, and a lot more... violent than I thought they'd be. I mean, I hadn't really thought that to replace a knee or hip you'd have to remove the old one first, but that's the way it works. I wasn't allowed to touch anything, and I had to wear a heavy lead apron for the total hip replacement: they aren't so bad for a few minutes while you get an x-ray, but after an hour... they're a lot heavier. I enjoyed the surgeries, though. Very interesting.

And, finally, Thanksgiving! The most important news is that I successfully made rolls that rose correctly and baked right and everything! I can do it! Yeast doesn't completely hate me! Yay! And, Kyler and I have leftovers to last the week... maybe. Depends on how much Kyler eats, but he was feeling sick on Thanksgiving itself, so he only had one plate.

I'm tired. Soon it'll be time to take more Tylenol PM and sleep until the morning...

Remind me not to kill my students...

I started shadowing the new PA this week. His name is Teiano, and he's Samoan. He works at the Central Utah Clinic, in orthopedics. I may get to come in and see a surgery some time! It's interesting. I got to see a whole bunch of people with problems similar to mine, but worse, and for exercise, he recommended an exercise bike. Honestly, I want one for when it's cold, but I have no money, and not a ton of space to put it in anyway. But, the first thing he asked me, after my major and everything, was if I had taken histology! He took it when it was insane, harder than med school histology classes. Now, we've toned it down a little--it's an undergrad class. When I told him I was a lab TA for it, he seemed a little impressed. Yay me.

Speaking of tissues, though... one of my students is driving me crazy (I know, I know, it's a short drive). On my Wednesday night open lab hours, which are supposed to go until 8, he has convinced me to progressively stay later, so the last two weeks I've been there until 9. He keeps saying, "One more question..." and asking if I have "anything pressing" I need to do... technically, no, but I want to go home! He also asked me if I was going to be able to come early to class on Thursday. Bah. He's a very needy kind of student, and asked about a certain structure--purkinje cells--5 or 6 times on Wednesday. It was so much that some of the other students who were there (but left at about 8:05) started noticing. I'm a sucker, I want my students to do well, but I don't think strangling him would help in that...

Oh, and Mom: I saw Michael Boswell yesterday. He's a biology major! He says he's not going to get much play time this year (or, you know, none), but playing and getting the experience before his mission is still great. He's a nice kid. He asked if he'd get to take a class from me, and I sadly informed him that this was my last semester TAing, since I have to graduate and all.

I love Fridays. The only day I don't have to be on campus in the mornings, I have time to study and do homework...

Currently listening to Jack Johnson "Taylor."

Sound the alarm: October's almost over!

Kyler's at a LAN party... the punk. He knows I don't like going to bed alone, but he really enjoys playing with his friends, so I suppose I'll forgive him... as long as he's not too tired and grumpy in the morning.
This semester is mostly going well. It's that time of year, though, when everything gets just a little crazy and you kind of wonder how it will all work out. But it will work out, dang it! No, seriously, it will. I'm doing well in my classes, I think. Except maybe advanced cell, but to give an example, we had a quiz question that 85% of the class got right, and the professor was disappointed... because 85 is too high. He apparently likes it when only 34% of people get it right. No wonder the entire class is annoyed with him. Good thing about that class, though: there's no final exam, just a paper. I'm not sure I'd do well on a test, but I can work hard and get the research for a decent paper--hallelujah!
Kyler's teaching me about the interesting things he learns: this week it was eating disorders and PMS. Apparently eating disorders are related to social perceptions on weight and body image, imagine that.
I don't know what I'm going to do when this phase of my life is over. It's scary. But Kyler and I right now are hoping I get a job with insurance, maybe even dental and optometry coverage for the both of us! It'd be sweet, and why not dream?
I was in the middle of giving my tissues class their quiz last week when the fire alarm went off. Some of them didn't understand when I said they had to leave their stuff in the room: they're not allowed to study after they've already seen the first 6 questions! The class expressed a concern while we waited outside that their cramming would all be lost, so I promised if there was a significant difference between their average and the other sections, I would bring it up with Dr. Reynolds. They shouldn't have worried: ten of them got 10s. Silly students. I'm going to miss TAing for this class.

Currently listening to Radiohead "High and Dry"

Your part is to be what you'll be

I am crazy. Quite possibly clinically insane. Some may say, "we already knew this, it's no surprise." To you, I stick out my tongue. Others may say, "and why are you crazy?" To you, I tell you about my semester. I am on my last semester of undergraduate classes. In four short months, I will be done. In order to graduate, I only need a grand total of 6 credits. I could have the easiest semester I've ever had. But, I decided to take a few more classes I didn't need to, and the total came up to 13 credits. Then, I applied for my PA internship, and got accepted, and added another credit. Today, I saw Dr. Barrow in the hallway, and got him to sign another add/drop card... to add research. 2 credits worth. So, for this last semester, I am taking 16 credits, out of the required 6. That's 267%
I don't think I'll regret it though.

I started my internship yesterday. I went to Cherry Tree Family Practice with Gary Cripe, P.A. It was an interesting experience, and I think I'm going to enjoy the next few weeks with him. Family practice appeals to me because the schedule is more flexible (Gary has every Tuesday off, for example) and the patient/provider relationship is better developed. Plus, as Gary said, he's never quite sure what he'll see.
I really want Kyler to go to New York for grad school, because then I'd have my options for P.A. school. But I'd miss my family, it'd be harder to go home...

Today was also the first real day of tissues lab, the first time the students use their microscopes and start to experience the class... and next week will be their baptism by fire. I think I'm going to really enjoy teaching this semester, but I can't really believe this will be it. This job has meant so much to me, been such a blessing, and has taught me so much. I still can't believe I managed to get it in the first place. I was so inexperienced and not ready for it, but now I'm TAing by myself, rewriting the manual, and redoing the CD. Unreal.

I'm sleepy. Class at 7:30 will do that to a girl.

Currently listening to The Who "You Didn't Hear It." I've been on a Who kick lately, Daddy would be proud of me.

Too many embryos...

This semester is going to be tiring, I can feel it. Part of the tiredness will stem from having class at 7:30 twice a week. I haven't been getting enough sleep on those days, but three days without falling asleep in class down, only the rest of the semester to go. Even though I'm not taking too many classes, I feel like they'll be a lot of work. I have to write a 9-10 page, single-spaced paper for one class, a "no more than 20 pages, 1.5 spaced" for another, presentations in basically all of them, as well as a ton of reading. But, I'm going to handle it. I'm going to do well. That's all there is to it.

I spent two hours today looking through microscopes. I'm way excited, even if my head hurts because of it. I got approval from Dr. Reynolds to try and add development pictures to the new tissue CD, so I'm trying to find cool pictures. I made it through the chick slides today, which meant I got to start on frog, which I am totally not as familiar with, and there are a ton. After I finally finish frog, I'll go through pig, and maybe even get some mouse slides from Dr. Barrow. I really want this to work out, it'd be so cool. Maybe I should also do the digestive and epithelium slides I'm supposed to be working on, too... oh well.
I might post some cool pictures that I took with the microscope in a few days. I have such high hopes for this project... too bad this is my last semester TAing and I won't get to see the fruits of my labor... maybe I'll steal one once they're done.
Maybe my head hurts because I've read 4 journal articles on the computer, as well... In that case, this is totally the best thing for me to be doing.

Kyler dropped a class, so he is no longer taking 17 credits and working 18 hours. Now it's only 14 credits and 18 hours. Still, he's reading and writing a lot. Hopefully together we will be successful this semester. I know he will be, because he's amazing. I just need to work as hard as he does.

Currently listening to Coldplay "Viva la vida." I so need to get this album... and every other Coldplay album, for that matter.

Don't feel like runnin'

Ahh, the feeling of 700 bucks leaving your possession all at once.

I love buying books! Kyler and I are apparently taking some interesting classes, or so the cashier at the bookstore said. I guess between abnormal psychology and pathophysiology, psychology of gender and embryology, she'd probably right.
Technically, that much money isn't bad, considering it was for the both of us. It still feels like a blow, though, even with all my grants and loans coming through nicely.

In less than a week, Kyler and I will both be going to school again, and our time together severely limited. We've been spoiled as of late, and we will probably go through withdrawals. Or at least I will. Maybe Kyler will just go through WoW withdrawal instead.
I personally can't wait to start feeling productive again. I'm going to be TAing by myself this semester, which will be lonely and good, all at the same time. It means I really, really need to make sure I know my stuff, because there is no one to depend on to fill the silence in with an answer. I resolve not to pretend I know the answer if I don't, though. No lies to my students...

I've decided I should actually exercise on occasion. Part of this is preventive: I know if I stay relatively active and healthy, the odds of me getting diabetes will go down drastically. Part of it is to feel better about myself and my body... and part of it is to beat my body into submission. Maybe my knees and hips won't hurt as often if I make then hurt more often. The logic is undeniable, eh?
The problem is, I lack motivation. Kyler and I went to the indoor track today, and he showed me where the work out gym is, but apparently there is no women's locker room in that particular building. There is a men's, but no women's. Whatever, I wasn't upset by that at all.
However, to attempt to motivate myself, I will have an incentive program. For every day I work out at least 30 minutes, I will give myself a dollar towards something I want, like a shirt or CD or something. Kyler agrees with this plan.
Sadly, since he and I have drastically different schedules, he can't exercise with me. Sigh. I could use the support and motivation to go. Oh well.

Currently listening to Scissor Sisters "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"

Green with jealousy isn't an attractive look

Kyler and I are planning something rather bold. It's still a little up in the air, but I do think we can pull it off. Loradona, you are going to be so jealous of these plans... we are thinking of getting tickets to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Some of them are pretty expensive (over $1,000 each for the good tickets at the opening ceremonies) but there are actually some reasonably priced tickets as well. We've been contemplating this ever since we realized that we would both be done with undergrad at this time. And... if Kyler decides to go to U.Vic, we'll already be in the right country and province. And if not... we'll find a way to B.C.; it's not too terribly far from either Portland or Raymond.
Mom leaves tomorrow, and will be here Saturday. She will bring with her a picture to put in our last empty picture frame. Yay!
This past week, I have stayed up every night until the prime time Olympics are over. I haven't yet stayed up for the late night stuff, but every night I consider it. Kyler might not appreciate it, but he stays up and plays Warcraft sometimes, so he couldn't complain too much.
I officially had the first TA meeting of fall semester, and I have been given work to do! I'm excited, but still obsessed with the Olympics, so easily distracted.
And Kyler and I bought All-Sports passes! I will actually go to a BYU football game before I graduate, and we'll get to go to as many soccer, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics... events as we want. It'll be good for us.
I passed one TB test, I have another tomorrow. Then I get to have a background check. Hopefully I pass.

Currently listening to The Beatles "Penny Lane"