Don't stop me now I'm having such a good time...

Its been a pretty hectic week. I don't think one thing in particular has made it pretty hectic, but I've been working more and more this week, trying to push forward on PCR and my enrichment cultures, but honestly its a lot of time with not that much of a push forward. I'm starting to worry that although I've been rocking the preliminary experiments, I want to start doing a real experiment that will be directly applicable to my masters. In any regard, its been just a lot of time spinning my wheels.

I think whats making me feel like I've been so hectic, is that I've been away from home more and more, and relaxing less this week. John has his last class on Saturday, so he's been busting it to get everything done before Saturday, which means no free and fun time. So, I've been leaving the house at 8ish, getting some work in, sneaking out during the day for an afternoon yoga class or some time at the pool (or gym), then returning until 6 or 7 to get some more work done. Its a pretty sweet schedule actually, and I wish I would have thought of it earlier.

Exciting things, I want to take a class or two from the DELTA program here at UW. Its a pretty sweet program about teaching scientists how to teach, and how to engage students in the classroom. I was going to take the intro-level class this next spring, because the offerings in the fall didn't fit my schedule, and the summer class was offered when I was in Australia. Thanks to the lack of Australia trip, I am free to take the summer class. Easier said that done, however. So, by the time the trip was cancelled, the class was beyond full, and I e-mailed the program about being put on the waiting list. I was number 9. About a week ago, I got another e-mail from the program saying that the class starts on August 3rd, no one was dropped yet, and theres really no chance any of us would get in. Fast forward to yesterday, when I find out that indeed, someone has dropped, and no one else is able to fill the spot, so its mine!! Scary thing, starting class on Monday. Its three hours a day (9 to noon), three or four days a week for August.

I was looking over the syllabus, and its all about developing your teaching philosophy, and all that other mumbo-jumbo that I've been teasing John about having to do with his teaching classes. I think thats karma for you. But, I get to get a new notebook! I LOVE school supplies. I think thats the reason I'm still in school (even though i guess I'm technically about to start 18th grade, which is freaky deaky to realize how much of my life has been spent in school). I also need a new planner, which is again, more exciting for me that for most other people.

My local NPR station (WPR) has been spending more of the week focusing on sustainable foods, organic farming, buying local, and the real price we pay for what we eat. Its such an eye-opener, and on that note, I'm hitting up the Farmers Market tomorrow to get some veggies. Although I've had a pretty fluid off and on relationship with vegatarianism over the past 10 years or so of my life, I do feel this need to eat less meat. Which, in order to better control my thyroid problem and give me more energy I'm meeting with a nutritionist/dietitian next week. I'm actually pretty excited to talk about food.

So its almost 11, I'm going over to the SERF to run on a treadmill (I know, its beautiful and sunny outside, but I haven't been inside running in about 5 months, and the logistics of being able to shower and come back to school are unbeatable), then heading to some friends for a packing and saying good bye party before they more to Amherst...Freaking east coast.

I really want a vacation. Not the kind where I go to Alaska and see people and am energized the whole time, but one where I lie on the beach and do nothing for 3 or 4 days.