Meet Phil

I feel like I should start carrying around spare lighters or matchbooks. The last few days I've gone on walks during lunch and people have asked me if I have a light for them. One lady even yelled at me from across the parking lot. I should just start referring them to the penguin.

This is Phil, (I named him myself) and although he reminds everyone that there is "no puffin" allowed, nobody listens.

'Tis the season...

...for a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha The first of the season. Okay, maybe the sixth, but oh how each one tastes as good as the first. Pure bliss.

(I wanted to put a picture up but my computer insists on being stupid today)

Thanksgiving

Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

This year I'm thankful for:

• my family- parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews- for the countless laughs, conversations (no matter how strange), arguments, and precious moments together.
• my friends-they keep me grounded, in check and covered in a cloak of love.
• my job-it's an absolute joy to go to work everyday and to really, truly love the work that I do.
• my church- the freedom to pray and worship without the fear of persecution.
• my health
• the ability to provide for/love others-whether by time, food, or skills.
• people who believe in helping others earn a college education.
• people who believe in other people's dreams.
• the lessons I've learned.

Smarter than a 5th grader

Mmm chicken

At work we have three vending machines in the lounge. There is your typical candy/junk food vending machine, the cold sodas vending machine and then this one

Here you have a myriad of choices ranging from bean burritos, lunchables, ramen noodles, a cinnabon with cream cheese, white castle, beef steak subs, and monterey chicken sandwiches. There is also a spatter of milk and fruit cups (those are on the top and bottom shelves out of the line of sight of the unsuspecting consumer) My favorite of all of these is C3.

It's not my favorite because of what it tastes like (I'm afraid to eat anything out of this machine) but rather the name, Big Az Chicken. Need I say more?

Crooked Smile

Went to the dentist today to have a cavity filled. While she was at it she fixed a small chip on my front tooth. You'd think that I'd be ecstatic about it, but the fact is, she didn't ask if I wanted it done. She just assumed that I would want it fixed. To me, the chip added character and it had a story. Fourteen years ago I was roller blading with my dog(I know, bad idea) and I tripped on an uneven part of the sidewalk. Two of my baby teeth were knocked out, the left side my face was scraped off and my front tooth was chipped off. I vividly remember my dad taking me to a neighbor who was a dentist to see if anything could be done. Later that night when mom came home from work, dad greeted mom at the door and told her "it's not as bad as it looks." Off to the ER we went where I got patched back up. That same night we went to the Lions festival where the only ride I was able to go on was the Ferris wheel with my little brother. It's worth mentioning that my teacher thought that I had had my face painted, when in face it was the result of being dragged by my dog; boy did she feel bad.

Oh well, I am sure I'll learn to like my new smile, even though I am a little melancholy about loosing my chipped tooth.

Lab Lesson: Any and all imperfections have a story behind them and tell a story of the person wearing them.

Moving

This past week I house sat for some friends while they were on their honeymoon and had a taste of freedom. After living with the parents for 22 years (I lived on campus my first year of college) I don't think living by myself would be much fun, in fact it's pretty lonely. Maybe it was because I was at a house that wasn't mine, sleeping in an unfamiliar place, etc. I've decided that I would at least need something to look at. (At one point I almost bought a blow up doll.) After a few days I started to get used to things and settled into a routine. Now I'm confident that I would be able to survive living on my own. Come May the boxes are going to be packed and I'll take a giant leap out into the world.

My View

I've got a pretty great view from my lab bench at work. When the sun is out, my area is the only place in the lab above 62 degrees, no joke. Often times when the day is dragging out I'll people watch. Sometimes I'll even make up pretend conversations between people on the street.

A Lost Art

I was driving through the country on my way home and I was taking in all the colors of the leaves and broad color spectrum that inhabits the Midwest. What caught my attention was a sign in front of a farmhouse advertising commercial property for sale. I've always had a place in my heart for farms and the families who earn their living caring for livestock and harvest. I never experienced life on the farm, but I still, at 23 listen with amazement as my dad describes the chores that were his around my grandparents farm. I have a deep respect for the families that today continue the tradition of caring for the family farm. I am sadden whenever I see a "For Sale" sign in front of a farmhouse. I understand the reasons why, yet at the same time I don't. This land is not only fertile with nutrients for gardens, and livestock, but also with stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, it holds the lessons of hard work and commitment, the importance of family, truth and value. This vital property is far too often grazed, covered with cement and becomes nothing more than an erection of drywall and vinyl that offers what we already had: quiet peace, contentment, and appreciation. In the process we loose what we need most: tangible life lessons.

The End of a Streak

I have an impressive track record of catching bouquets at wedding receptions. This dates back to March of 2005. Alas this weekend the streak came to an end. After five successful catches, "the curse" as my mom calls it, has been broken. I've caught the bouquets from bounce-offs off of chandelier's (which resulted in a black eye and a finger prick), the lackadaisical swipe in the air, and even the occasional tug-of-war. My approach consists of standing in front of the group of bachelorettes since most brides throw the bouquet with what I call "fluff". Because of this "fluff" the bouquet doesn't go very far in terms of distance. If anything, it goes high. (at which point I have time to do a quick check of the area around me to look for possible saboteurs) Last night I didn't take into account of the physics of the bouquet being tossed off of a balcony, along with the fact that I was jinxed beforehand. I'll just have to alter my game plan for the next toss. I'll be ready for sure.

Blah...

That's how I feel. Just blah... and then some. I really need to do something crazy and unlike me, like hitchhiking or getting myself into a drunken stupor. Wait, that might have happened before...

Work is in the process of getting ridiculously busy. For the next 12 weeks there are going to be 5 different studies going on. For one of the studies, the lab has to be on call since the patients can come in whenever they need to. For two of the studies, labs are being drawn at 0200. The other two studies I am sure will be during "normal business hours." I am excited about being so busy(and the overtime) I am also scared out of my mind what the next at least two months have the potential of being. I think I might like the change of pace these studies will bring. As of now, my schedule is very mundane and predictable. I go to work, come home, take a nap, eat dinner, read, watch a t.v. show, go to bed, repeat. What to do what to do?

Ow, quit it.

24 hrs. post donating

What I get for trying to do something good. On Monday I went to donate blood. This is what I got in return. Really, I wouldn't call it donating. They took the needle out 3 minutes after it was put in because the blood was not coming out fast enough. I say the tech went through the vein. I got a call on Thursday from the blood center asking how I was doing and if I had a bruise. Uh, yeah. The lady said to put a warm washcloth on it to 'get the blood moving.' I don't know, I kinda like my war wound.

72 hrs. post donating

Burnt Moss

Last week I went out with some girlfriends to a place where you can make your own pottery. Better, it was Death by Chocolate Night. (don't worry, I didn't die, as evidence by this post) I prefer glazing to actual painting so on this night I picked out a mug and glazed it with "Burnt Moss". Here's out it turned out.

I'm happy with the way it looks. I did think that it would be more 'burnt' than 'moss' but I still like it.

Not so sweet dreams

I have been having some really really strange dreams. I usually have weird dreams anyway, but this last week takes the cake.
Dream #1: I have a baby girl, I don't know how I got it but I did. I don't have a nursery, clothes, bottles, diapers, nothing. Not that any of that matters because in my dream I can't remember how to take care of a baby.
Dream #2: Riding in a van with my boss as the driver and we're driving the wrong direction on the street and my boss is driving in between cars and taking wrong turns.
Dream #3: I'm a victim of a robbery/hostage. This one was the worst because my all my friends were in it. Sorry friends. Don't worry, I woke up before anything really happened.
Dream #4: My house is on fire.
By now you're wondering what the heck is going on. I don't know!!

Naturally, I looked up the meanings of these dream from Dream Moods Dictionary.
Dream #1: The baby represents innocence, warmth, and new beginnings. Okay, I can see that with the new job and all. It also represents a part of myself that is vulnerable and helpless.
Dream #2: The boss represents the bossy, authoritative side of my own personality. It also reveals self-confidence and assertive aspect of myself. OR it could be over involvement and obsession with work. I don't like the word bossy, maybe "firm" or "delegates" but not bossy.
Dream #3: The robbery represents an identity crisis OR that someone has stolen my success or taken credit for what I've done. The hostage aspect represents being victimized, powerless, OR there is a part of myself that is not fully expressed. Uh oh...
Dream #4: Burning house says that I need to undergo some transformation OR this highlights passion and the love of those around you. I like love. I choose that one.
It cracks me up that there are two alternative translations for dreams. Like there is a better outcome of sorts yet you have no idea what it could possibly be. It's like "Now what?"
Patient: Well, what is it Doctor?
Dr.: Well, Mr. Smith it could be inoperable brain cancer OR it could be nothing.
Patient: Uhhh......?
I don't read in to the dream translations. Every once in a while it's interesting to look them up. I just hope there is an improvement this week. I would like some happy dreams.

#1 Ant

A piece of original artwork from my neice. My heart warmed.