Holy moly! Where did the week go?! My has become quite busy all of a sudden, but some really good things have come out of it.

First, at work, my experiments actually yielded some good results!!! I survived the majority of the contamination attacks (by both spherical and rod shaped bacteria, evil, evil bacteria) and my western blots actually look ok! Hooray! I also learned how to do a western blot this week, and they are pretty fun when you don’t slice up your gel (which I haven’t done yet!) I haven’t done all of the analysis yet, but the people that I work with are happy with my results, which means that I am happy with my results. I think I will watch the Lazy Sunday video to celebrate.

As per usual, medical school applications are kicking my butt with their preferred weapon- procrastination. Today I took to the battle field and started the smackdown at the Brewer’s Market with no distractions. I got one done! Fourteen to go….

This week was not without its fun distractions though. Specifically, I went to Ben’s dad’s house for a delightful dinner. I made a cheese/tomato/jalapeño/tequila dip for chips, and experienced the phenomenon of “jalapeño hands” first hand, muhaha (get it?). There was a Mexican-esque salad, polenta, grilled veggies galore, and my favorite strawberry shortcake. There was also a showdown between Ben and their family friend Susie about health care, which is always an interesting conversation if it is between a Dartmouth med student interested in family practice and a smart right-winger ex nurse. It gave me a few more things to look up and think about, that is certain.

Today, I tried a pupusa for the first time at the farmer’s market, and it was a treat! Coupled with a hot day, good company, and a fresh lemonade, it was a lovely Saturday in Boulder.

This week, two other really exciting things happened. I realized that I have a new lifetime goal (it had been brewing deep inside my brain, but was brought to life by the kind stranger I met on the elevator). I am going to learn how to build awesome furniture in my lifetime. Specifically really nice wooden tables. If you are interested in my other lifetime goals, please see that page of my blog.    Also, I dangerously started looking at websites that have pictures of kittens that you can adopt in your area, and I want a kitten. No plans for that really, but a girl can pretend.

Well, here we are in the middle of July, and I feel like my summer has barely started! I am pleased that Colorado finally started acting like Colorado in July- bring on the 95 degree days! Truth be told, it hasn’t felt like summer because I have actually been working.  Full time.  Ah! As a perpetual student, it isn’t quite the feeling I am used to.  I like it though, everything except the commute.  My next job will be in Boulder.  No exceptions.  Despite being super busy, I have been doing lots of fun stuff too though!

A couple of weeks ago I took a nice trip to Colorado Springs with the Roth’s and Yuri for a much needed weekend of relaxation.  Muffins were made, sunsets were watched, salmon was eaten (what?!), and I got to do one of my favorite things: being a tourist in my own state! Mary took Yuri and I to the Garden of the Gods, which is quite impressive.  I hadn’t been there since eighth grade, so it was fun having a fresh perspective on it.

Here in Boulder I have been testing out my new popsicle molds. I haven’t actually eaten any yet, but this afternoon I am scheduled for a strawberry/yogurt health pop. Yummmmm.

I have been getting out to enjoy the mountains when I can… I was actually getting into ok running shape before this week hit. I try to chase down fun sunsets, get out with my camera and take photos of nice things, and hang out on my lovely back porch. I have started receiving all of my secondaries for my med school applications, so I have to get busy on those really, really soon.

I got to extract my own DNA at work this past week, which I am super excited about. It turned out very well. I think I finally understand why people love their kids because they are passing on their own genes. I was so happy to have my little pellet of DNA. It will be tested for a B-Raf mutation, which could be bad since I have an “interesting phenotype” in terms of melanoma (which is certainly the cancer I would get, were I to get cancer).

Most importantly, I went to see Harry Potter last night with Sarah and Yuri! It was fabulous. We built up our excitement all day by proclaiming it “the day of spells”. The main goal was to use spells during everyday life as much as possible. The highlight for me was when I was waiting for the elevator with a very kind stranger. I told him about it, and when the elevator arrived, I expertly performed the “Alohomora” charm (Standard Book of Spells, Ch. 7) to the amusement of many impressive PhDs. I just have one question for the producers though: Where was the House of Gaunt?! It is a big deal! I still recommend it though, it is much lighter and funnier than the 5th, which was lacking in those departments.

Craziest. Trip. Ever. On the 4th of July Ryan and Alex departed for their massive trip from Alaska to Panama. Oh yes, and they are getting there on their bicycles! It was a helter-skelter few days prior to their departure trying to get them ready for a trip that had no plan. Many trips were made from REI and various bicycling shops. Now they are on their way! See you in three months.

You can read more about their trip, look at their pictures, and generally be amused at their website, Pedaling For People.

Four years ago, my life was touched by the presence of a haunting ghoul- the evil duck at the Duck Ponds on the campus of the University of Wollongong. This behemoth creature was no ordinary mallard. He had creepy red eyes, breathed fire, and was amazingly foul tempered. Rest assured, he terrorized every student, staff, or visitor that set foot upon that lawn. Those in possession of food were at particular risk. He could steal wedges with the agility of a fox and the curmudgeon-ness of a grandpa alligator (and he had the jaw strength to match).


Not too long ago, a tragedy occurred. Someone brought a dog to campus, and the sweet terror was destroyed in what must have been an epic battle. I am not the only person who was shocked and devastated by this news from across the Pacific. No, this crazy duck impacted hundreds of students who mourned for him.


Thousands of past UOW students have reminisced about the hilariously scary encounters that they had with this endearing duck. He had many different names- I believe he was known as “Fat Bastard” during my time there. I was reminded of these happy and terrifying times when UOW ran a story on him. It melted my heart to see that this evil being will be appreciated and remembered forever with a statue on the lawn that he haunted. Just another example of when things go right in the world.
The Illawara Mercury wrote about him too!

My Chipotle Burrito:

Chipotle Fan.com