Foliage, festivities and films.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Sights from around campus
As I mentioned yesterday, last Thursday brought about another birthday. It fell on a weekday, so it was business as usual for the most part. Still, it was a lovely day. The morning was spent finishing up some last minute lab prep, then it was off to CPR class followed by a bloodborne pathogens class. Sounds fun, I know. I've been meaning to get current on my CPR/AED certification, and had to take the latter class as a lab requirement, so I went ahead and took both. The college offered to pay for it, so I thought why not? Tuesday brings several more hours of first aid training, but my certifications are good for 2 years and I need it for my grad school apps. Fingers crossed I never need to use these skills. 

I had Mario drop me off in the morning so I didn't have to worry about parking, and I enjoyed walking around parts of campus that rarely garner my attention. I really will miss the ivy covered brick that comes with a New England education... especially this time of year.

After the classes wrapped up, the boys picked me up and we went out to dinner at a new Mexican restaurant in town. Apparently the gifts tipped them off to the fact it was my birthday, because there was singing, a giant sombrero, and whipped cream smeared on my face. My very red face.

Overall it was a low key, lovely birthday spent with my two main men. Every one of my gifts was thoughtful and so loved. I wouldn't change a thing.


// The sweetest of cards from Mario. Oh, that stud muffin. // My friend for the afternoon. I dug the circa 1991 shirt. My light certainly did shine. // Mister Vista loves wrapping paper. // A card from Kiddo. Our cat lays on his back like that all the time. Minus the sweater vest. (Though seeing him wear one would make my year.) //


// Gwyneth Paltrow was not really on my radar. I'm not familiar with her website or previous book(s). I picked this up at the bookstore recently and found myself flipping through it. I've been contemplating my diet (and food sensitivities) lately, and the recipes in this book seemed right up my alley. I'm excited to read this and try some recipes. // My research buddy Jarett bought me this box of chocolates. How cute is the little mouse? // A gift from another great friend. // Previously mentioned sombrero and Mexican food feast. // My newest obsession is bell jars and cake stands. I don't make a lot of cakes, but I love the look of cute vintage stands and think a small collection of both would be darling. Mario got things off to a great start. //

I also got Tell the Wolves I'm Home off my reading list, a couple woodland creature-themed items from Kiddo, and several great pieces of Pyrex (two courtesy of my mother-in-law). 

Those boys make my heart feel too big for my body.


Friday brought my one month CrossFit trial to a close. Last week saw a number of breakthroughs, and I've decided to stick with it for another month (or forever?). I'm also beginning their 30 day Paleo challenge. I knew CrossFit and Paleo often go hand in hand, but I'd yet to really explore the diet. I'm not sure I am going to go completely grain-free, but I am cutting back and working to eliminate sugar. I have worked so hard on the exercise component, and adding in the final piece, diet, is important to seeing and feeling the results of my hard work. We'll see how it goes!

On Friday I also brought my cells back to life. Over the summer I developed a protocol for culturing a line of human lung cells. Upon putting my skills to the test, I did it. It's a huge accomplishment and will look great on my grad school applications/resume. Now I'm getting them up and growing again for the semester, meanwhile training my replacement. Fingers crossed lightening struck twice and I was successful a second time. I've been dragging my feet on this, as I didn't intend to come back this fall, but paid research and the ability to choose my own hours is pretty awesome.

I've been fighting a bug all weekend which meant lots of Emergen-C, Sudafed, and hot tea. We spent Saturday lounging around the house. We caught up on the new season of Castle, watched movies, and ordered pizza for dinner. My favorite kind of day.

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During the wee hours of Sunday morning Mario left to catch his flight to San Diego (insert frowny face). I miss that dude. Kiddo and I spent the day watching movies, and I lazily caught up on laundry and other household duties. Over the last couple weeks Kiddo has been watching some favorites from our youth, and I love that he's old enough to appreciate them. We watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off and WarGames a couple weekends ago (an unintentional Matthew Broderick marathon), and today brought Can't Buy Me Love and Grease. I forgot the language threshold was, well, different in the 80s, but TV editions make them age appropriate. Other suggestions?

Happy Monday!


1 comment :

  1. I'm so glad you had a nice birthday! You deserve it. :)

    ReplyDelete

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