I know it's been forever, or so it seems, since I last updated, but...well, you know the next line: TIGS! Even when classes aren't in session, there is SOOOO much to do!
Last week was wonderful in that respect, though - I didn't have any classes to worry about and I got to just work in the lab and meet with SW and figure out where we are going just what I am doing over the next 2.5yrs (yes, that sounds like a long time...but when you have the to-do list that I have, it seems like that is absolutely NO way I will get all of it done - I will, don't you fret..). I've decided! I'm doing a monograph for my thesis work!! I'll do a post a little later on about what a monograph treatment is. It's the part of taxonomy/systematics that I love, I'll just say that for now. All in all, it was a great week. And I closed it feeling satisfied and accomplished...it's been a while since I've felt like that at the end of a work week.
The 3-day weekend that followed that productive week was pretty grand, as well. The first half of Saturday was full of Skyping and relaxing, the second half consisted of a ton of fun with Meg and Markster. Markster picked me up and we grabbed Meg. We grabbed some lunch at the Mall of America (seriously, there's like a bazillion restaurants in there...and we had some stuff to return and some gift cards to try to spend). While at the MoA we saw this epicness:
The WHOLE ENTIRE thing was made of LEGOs...I. Want. One!
After running around MoA we continued on our path to REI so The Markster and I could procure our new parkas followed by the 3 of us trying on the most ridiculous winter hats in the clearance bin...oh man...we should have taken pictures. It. Was. Epic. And! We all came away with a new hat that made each of us rather cheery. After running home to let Jakers out the three of us went back to Meg's to work on....drum rooooooolllllll.....A GINGERBREAD HOUSE!!! SO FUN! The house had been constructed a few days earlier and the decorating had begun, but the bug dorks tricked that house oooooout!
Markster working hard on the roof.
Meg and Markster working hard on adding our Harmonia infestation...that's right we are true dorks and added the tell-tale sign of fall/winter to the lovely little gingerbread house by adding and infestation of ladybird beetles - epic.
Ta-da!! I was in charge of the icicles and filling in the gaps on the roof - I'm not gonna lie, I'm way impressed with my icicles...like, considered for a split second that I should change careers and be a gingerbread house decorator or something :)
See all those little pink clusters? Those are our little Harmonia!!! It looks just like a real infestation! Little aggregations and all!
We didn't finish the backside of the house, the front and sides look pretty darn awesome, we think!
Sunday was a nice chill day...Skypage, church...it was a pretty good day. I was especially blessed at church Sunday night, and it was wonderful.
Monday was awesome!! We bug dorks plus a few other friends made brunch and had an absolutely lovely time together. Everyone brought something to share with the group and we all just sat around with some nice folksy music in the background while we chatted, ate some delish food, sipped on coffee/tea/mimosas...mmmmmhmm! We closed out our brunch time with some Strong Bad and Teen Girl Squad. It was glorious.
Post brunch, was positively delightful, as well. The Markster, Meg, Christine and myself went back to REI so I could exchange my parka for a different size - the sleeves were like half-way up my arms when I put the hood up on the first one...that's something I definitely should have checked at the store. Oh well, REI makes it super easy for co-op members to make returns/exchanges. We next ventured to a Starbucks for some coffee (we were all spent) and freaking awesome conversation. Man, I love these kids so much! After a couple hours there we went to TJMaxx so Meg could make a return and decided to kickoff our semester with a steakhouse dinner at Timber Lodge. Oh my goodness, y'all, it was amazingly delicious. And! They messed up my order so they brought us a ginormous piece of whipped cheesecake. Ummm...amazingly tasty. Soooo grood :) We really had an awesome Martin Luther King, Jr. Day...it was incredible. I can't wait to continue building and strengthening my relationships with my bug dorks here...seriously, such blessings to my life.
Week one (or rather, the first 4 days) of semester two was pretty decent, all-in-all. Nothing went wrong or poorly...always a nice way to start a semester. I made some more headway on my semester docket as far as what I need to do for my research/thesis stuffs - I still have a lot to do for this semester yet, but I'll get there. Classes will be quite enjoyable, I think...just a lot of work...and I mean a LOT of work. My museum studies - practices course will be especially heavy on the work load. Yikes...papers and projects due every week! Most of which require going to museums and writing papers and things about exhibits, pieces, etc...time consuming, to say the least. Not hard or tedious, just time consuming...busy work. I am excited to have an excuse to get out and see the museums around the area, though, that will be nice. Time is just so lacking...oi vey...I so need more hours in the day or another day in the week...something, anything!
I'm trying to remember if there was anything super important that happened this week, or if it everything was just same ol' same ol' in the land of grad school...hmmm. Well, I'll let you know later if I forgot anything. Oh, we had our first Pig's Eye of the semester tonight. I left pretty early, I'm just beat - I've fallen into another bought with insomnia...yay, no sleep! No worries, though. This happens from time to time, and it always passes with time..sometimes it takes a few months, but it hasn't killed me yet!
Ok, enough about school and work. I'm sure you're all familiar with my friend Katy, over in Africa, who I've mentioned a number of times. Well, if you aren't pay her a visit - her blogging is honest, fun, colorful, exciting, broken for the Lord, encouraging, pretty much just all around awesome. One of her resolutions was to find joy in every day, whether it be in the little things or in big things. I really like this idea - I think it will serve to help keep each day in perspective; so, even though I'm a few weeks behind, it's never too late to start, right? I'll start with last Saturday.
Saturday, 15 Jan 2011: (<-- it's still really weird for me to write 2011) Fun adventures around town with a couple of my favorite bug dorks.
Sunday, 16 Jan 2011: Made some new friends at church - a lovely young family with two little boys. Such a blessing!!
Monday, 17 Jan 2011: Beautiful, real conversation with 3 of my absolute favorite bug dorks. SUCH A BLESSING!!
Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011: Meg and I trying to keep our snickers below audibility during insect behavior...it's going to be a gooooood semester ;)
Wednesday, 19 Jan 2011: DAY ONE OF INSECT TAXONOMY!!!!!!!!!! This class = me. Oh! And lunch with some of the bug dorks I hadn't seen since being back. Oh!! And surviving the campus connector bus! (I totally felt like a freshman all over again...)
Thursday, 20 Jan 2011: First Frenatae meeting of the semester = seeing just about eeeeveryone I hadn't connected with since the break. I love them :) Plus, departmental potluck lunch day...so grood.
Friday, 21 Jan 2011: Catch up chat on the phone with SW...I am so blessed with two incredibly amazing advisors. Like, really. SW + RH = advisors extraordinaire :)
So, yeah...it was a super blessed week, full of joy, joy, joy :)
And now, my loves, I am off to bed. Lots to do tomorrow before Meg's big start of the semester potluck bash tomorrow night. And so, I will leave you with this:
My sleepy, super, super spoiled Jakers dog :)
Praying all is well in your worlds.
Much love!
Shalom!
~MW
P.S. - it is officially cold, y'all. This morning it was -18 degrees F...without wind chill...neeeeeeat!
6 comments:
This is going to be a random, scattered, post-like comment...just a fair warning. =) So, here goes:
-That is a fantastic gingerbread house! Your icicles are amazing, and...its that a combination lock I saw on it, in the second picture of the house? What's that about? =)
-And...for real? STRONG BAD?! WOW! Totally forgot about that. Going to have to look that one up again tonight...takes me back to college the FIRST time around. lol (See, I'm dating my self now.) hehe
-I feel you about feeling like a freshman all over again, too! I started my first semester that incorporates classes at the San Marcos campus for Texas State this week, and I can't remember the last time I felt so out of place! Commuter lots, campus loop busing, cafeterias, student unions, bookstores, all those buildings...and all those KIDS! I was the total nerd walking around with my map glued to my face, quick-paced since I had no idea where I was going or how long it would take me to get there, and no iPod! *gasp* I probably stuck out like a sore thumb! hehe How did I survive this the first time around?!
-As for Jake...spoiled is most certainly right! Always has been, and apparently always will be! He had his own pillow here too, and he much prefers to lay his head on a pillow than his own paws of the floor like a normal, low-maintenance dog. =)
Love ya! Can't wait for you to come back for another visit...maybe longer next time!
thanks for the little update. i've missed you! :) sounds like life in the FT is back in full swing. glad you are having fun.
and yay for your little joy list! :) i love it.
Sounds like a good way to start off your second semester of grad school!
so you got your jacket? is it freaking awesome????
Miss you!
Welcome back Heather :-)
Ginger Bread House Infestation...I think I like the Icicles better :-)
So, where's the picture of you and the parka...I want to see!
Love your joy Heather, don't ever lose that.
Love ya, Dad.
SO good to hear that you have wonderful people up there to spend what little bit of free time you have with. That joy of yours is pretty contagious, Heather and that is wonderful.
Also psyched for you to have nailed down your thesis topic. That is a huge step and I pray that the research and work goes just divinely smooth.
I am sorry about that pesky insomnia making a reappearance. I know that is not fun to deal with and i hope that you are able to get on a regular schedule again soon.
Super good to hear from you. Miss you from all the way over here.
-jake
Hey, Sugar, that house is great, infestation included....little pink clumps, :). I'm looking forward to more about your taxonomy study and I think several of us want to see you in your new jacket. Great news about your thesis. At least when it's so frigid outside you don't mind being inside, all cozied up with a cup of hot tea and your books...or laptop, maybe both. :) Hope you have a great week sweet girl and praying for the time to fly.
Love you,
MommaP :) xox
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