Another Project!
 
So I'm done teaching and am done with school for at least a month. I figured that to keep myself busy I should start a new project. So I went out and bought a pattern and am now on my way to sewing an awesome Brown Coat! I got the cloth for it for very cheap, it was on clearance, wopee! I sewed quite a bit of it yesterday, and then sewed some today, and realized I had to get some interfacing and stuff. So I was back at the fabric store buying the interfacing. Got that part done, now I only need to attach the collar and the arms to the coat..and volaa (sp!) a new great coat made solely by me!!! Mmm...only problem is that I decided to make the coat a bit lose so I chose the pattern for two sizes bigger than mine..now it's HUGE! :( I now sit redoing a lot of what I would have never had to do, if I had only chosen the right sizE!

Where are my black shoes!!!
 
I knew it, I just knew it! So those maintenance men came to our house last week or so was it, and they totally screwed up my closet and took out all my shoes! Now I cannot find my favorite pair of black shoes! I wonder who took them, and what will I do? I need to wear them tomorrow and don't know where they are!! :( There's no need to buy a new pair..or is there? NO. I'm gonna go find those shoes!!!

Must Resign My Reign as the Microbiology TA
 
Today I gave my last lab practical I will give at my university. Well today was the last lab practical I gave to a class load of students. Technically tomorrow will be the last day I ever give a lab practical--since I have one student left. I guess they say you should miss it, and I thought I would, but I DONT. I had quite a few students come up to me before leaving just thanking me for being a great TA. I guess if I had stopped teaching last year, I would have missed it. But stopping now is more like I'm moving on. I am actually looking forward to a change now (odd as it seems as I hate change!). But I now have a sense of my future at Purdue university, and I'm excited. I'm excited to meet a new group of motivated graduate students and to see new faces. I'm excited to be taking brain-killing graduate classes. I'm excited about teaching at Purdue, and maybe teaching Microbiology to students who aren't just nursing students, but students who are as crazy of bacteria and viruses as I am!

I am just about done grading all of my lab practicals from my students. I corrected quickly and can't wait to get them out of my hands. I cleaned out my office and gave away the teaching notes to another TA. The time has arrived, and I feel as if I'm more than ready to leave, as I simply cannot imagine being back again next year! I know I'll miss the people here, or the comfortable setting, but who can sit around like that forever. You learn from new things..and now is my time that I learn. I guess **

Sleeping in Public Places
 
I am getting sick of the people on my college campus thinking that the buildings are their bedrooms! I cannot stand watching people falling asleep on the couches everywhere! It shocks me that people would do that, as do they ever wonder who the heck was on the couch before them? And what was that other person doing on the couch? What if that other person had broken wind? Or What if that other person had a fungal infection or a nontreatable bacterial infection! ewweee..

And how do people fall asleep in classes? Never got that either. I can't fall asleep in class. I've done it ONCE, and it was completely out of my control the day it happened! Otherwise, I never just fall asleep on my own (in a class that is).

You know you're in the right place...
 
Been thinking lately, and realized a few things said to me at my Purdue and Carver college of Medicine Interviews--which totally told me I was in the right place.

First off--at Purdue. I was there and we were being greeted by the department chair. And he said, you know you are in the right place, or actually he said we all have something in common and I want you to either agree or disagree with me on this one. He said, "We all are the ones who at parties would rather sit in a corner or be on the outside than be the talkers in the center." Heh, interesting, never knew people could define how I felt, and never knew there were other dorks like me! haha.. Okay not dorks, but well get me talking about bacteria, and I can talk FOREVER! hehehe

Second--At Carver college of Medicine. We were asked what is our favorite thing, and the consensus from the class was "bacteria!"hahahaah! I even heard some say they love bacteria! I donno if anyone went as far as saying "I'd love to lick that bacteria--heh like me"..but there were quite a few geeky nerds stuck on bacteria like me at the Interview.

Another note..I was grading my students streak plates the other day. Okay for those of you who don't know, a streak plate is a way of isolating bacteria from the masses (basically). One of my students had Staphylococcus aureus as the organism she streak plated. I rather than grading her, wrote "beautiful" on her plate. Heh, she probably thought I was stupid because I remember her coming up to me and asking "what did I get on this assignment?" hahaha. If anyone has seen pure white yummy droplet looking colonies of S. aureus on blood agar, you'd know what I mean! The TA I work with thinks..I'm crazy! hahahah. Oh, while I'm at it...other bacteria which look beautiful include Micrococcus luteus with it's awesome colonies and beautiful yellow color. Klebsiella pneumoniae is just as gorgeous! Same goes for Serratia and Pseudomonas species!!

Liars and Hypocrites, Oh MY!
 
The one quality I hate in people or should I say something which annoys me...mmm I am annoyed by hypocrisy, or more specifically I am annoyed by hypocrites. I find it a hypocrisy to say something one time and then to change your mind about it later..that kinda cuts it in between hypocrisy, falsehood, and lying. I am not sure which one it should be, but overall it's just BAD. I guess I am the type who likes to hear whatever it is the way it is, and not have it sugarcoated to make it sound nice. Sorta like if my clothes look bad, someone should just say I look hideous rather than say, oh no you look GREAT today. That's a hypocrite! Or acck a liar? Associating with hypocrites, or liars, makes one pick up on such bad qualities.

The Growing Season of MinneSnOwTa Sucks!
 
So I enjoy gardening and have planted tons of stuff in my garden for this spring and summer. Little did I know that MinneSNOWTA would be the way it has been! I mean whatever I planted in April basically died, so I bought more stuff to plant! And whatever I did plant beginning of May is growing soo SLOW :( And whatever had survived from April is not strong enough to grow to a point in which it can prosper and give fruit! So icck! I'm just getting mad!

The ONLY thing which has been doing alright in this crazy weather has been my strawberries! Thank God! I planted those thingies about 2 years ago, and finally this year, I see fruit on them. Beautiful Beautiful, how the fruit grows on plants. I just find it amazing! But that is it.

Flower wise, the roses are doing great, no foliage but some blooms! The bulbs always do alright. However, the tomatoes are gone :( Oh well...I guess I should enjoy as much of the garden as I can considering that I will be leaving for Purdue very soon and will never be able to have a garden again for some time :(

Time goes by too fast! err too slow
 
I've got a lot to do, but the weekend goes by so fast as I spend the whole time with my family. It's fun, but then you realize all the stuff you did have to do during the weekend and didn't get any of it done. So now I sit realizing all that I need to do, realizing how fast the weekend went...Only wishing that there was more time to complete things..

To get a big head!
 
I hope I never become this, but if I ever do, I surely hope someone stops me. Well this post is about people that I know all too well who get a big head, when they get somewhere or get some type of an accomplishment. I mean their head gets soo big that they make "mountains out of small things!" (yah I changed it). I suppose, getting an accomplishment is rewarding and I agree, yes one should cheer and share it, but it by NO means, means that you should put down others or act as if you are better because you are there at that one big place. I've seen some friends who upon doing so well, figure that hell, my life rules, I don't need those losers I was with before..and these friends walk off into their big headed world. I just sit there wondering, if they ever look back and realize what they've done. It's good they made it far, and I'm sure they did it all on their own, or was there some support from their friends helping them along the way? Even if there wasn't, should people just get a big head and join the rest of the big headed population of America, let alone the world.

I guess I got into a phd program. I suppose it's an accomplishment. I finished my masters, and I guess I could say it's an accomplishment. But rarely do I sit there and get this HUGE head about it. I just figure it's a normal part of life. There are TON of other people doing the same thing as me, so why should I think what I do is soooo much better than others?? ANd who says a phd or a masters is huge? It's what is commonly believed. But what if that's just a way of brainwashing. What if the true smart people are the ones who are more handy in real life and have more common sense, and aren't the book worms? Just something to think about I guess. I guess I literally tell myself everyday to never blow my accomplishments out of proportions. I know that when I get my phD, it'll be in only ONE subject and a minute part of it, that in NO way would make me get a big head as it does not mean I know everything. I will never forget people who helped me get where I am no matter what! I will never get a big head. I keep reminding myself all this. Even these days I am friends with my friends from high school who did not pursue an education but rather went straight to working for McDonald's. It does not mean they are less than me and that does not warrant me to get a big head about it. It just means each of us play a part in life differently, what God put in one person's head is different than what he put in mine. Just need to appreciate it all, and learn from it.

Da Pistons rule
 
Haha, farewell Kobe and Shaquille! The pistons won! wohoo. Alright alright, I didn't see the game totally, as I was busy working on other stuff (which I really didn't want to do anyways!). But Pistons won! I never really had a liking towards either team, I just wanted someone to beat the Lakers!I long for the days of the Bulls. Stupid Coach Jackson! If he had only not lied and said he was NOT retiring..we'd still have Michael playing for the Bulls! :( I'm stuck on Jordon!

Do I really have that many shoes?!!?
 
Uggh, we've had maintainence (sp!) men galore at my house. We've had people cleaning up our house and putting stuff in, mainly in MY room!! Why mine!! K...so while I'm at school TAing, they decide to go through my closet and put everything out in the hallway out of my room. And they ruined my total awesome setting on my dressing table too. Yep I had to fix that one up last night...not too happy, as I cannot stand change!!

Anyways, I walked home to a huge pile of shoe boxes which really looked familiar. Then did I realize that the shoes were ALL MINE! MY God! THere were shoes everywhere!! In the living room, my sister's room, the hallway and in the corner of my room (out of the closet of course!). There must have been at least 40 pairs of shoes!!! I never knew I had so many shoes till someone stuck them out in the open! I have always just hid them in the closet..now I guess I realize I may have enough shoes..but still..ya never can have ENOUGH shoes, can you? NOOOOOOO

When will I know it all???
 
It's hard to think, but I have to defend my thesis as well! Icck. Everyone keeps telling me that I'll do great because I know all there is to know about my project. But...I feel more confused than ever. I mean, I don't know enough! I only spent the last few months writing the thesis, and it's not enough! The research was just research...wopdeedoo..People claim that once you have a masters' you know so much! But I feel the same! I mean, I now have more questions than I did before. Why why why!! I simply cannot imagine the fact that I'll have to defend a thesis in front of a ton of phds :( Professors know more than me...I'm simply a nobody.

I yearn for the day I learn a lot and can talk like I know a lot. Till then I'll walk around only hoping for it all...I have a huge feeling that even after getting my phd, I'll think that I don't know enough. I guess it makes you keep learning then...or does it just make you get mad at yourself? hmmm

Why must it rain!
 
I'm siiiiicccck of it! Why does it rain!! It's been raining here forever!! We get barely any sunny days..and when we do, it's only for A day!! Mmm...rain also stinks because it poofs my hair up..as if it's not poofed up enough. Suppose it's about time I get a change...and shave it all off. Nahh or um hmmmmmmmm...

Am I an advisor?? Or a counselor?

I was busy working on some stuff today and one of my students stopped by. This student needed help on some school issues and thought I was the best person to talk to, about that. Then later a friend of mine stopped by just to tell me about how crappy her weekend had been. Again I listened. Now today, I decided to meet yet another complete new stranger. Nice stranger indeed. This stranger got to know me better, found out that I got into a doctoral program and wanted advice on it. It's interesting, but we ran into each other like 3 times in one day! What a cool thing!

I just find it odd that people throw their worries on me. I guess I take it sometimes, but then there are other times, I'm not so tuned to listen in on them. My sister's friend was like that too..she always had to deal with the listening. I guess I don't mind it most days...Makes me wonder if I should have gone into counseling!

Sunshine rules..
 
Ahh, the relief and happiness sunshine brings. Something about it, it just makes you feel good! I'm currently sitting outside on my laptop in the beautiful sunshine. It feels so good! Guess the picture doesn't really cut it, as a laptop in the wilderness (is it?) doesn't fit. I mean a laptop in this beautiful scenery doesn't go! oh well! I needed sunshine. We've had way too much rain in such a loooong time, that I was starting to wonder when that nice yellow light from the sky would peak in!

Must we control our lives???
 
I guess I find it odd, well I shouldn't say odd as I've done it before too. But I sit and notice things around me, mostly of what people do and what they tell me. I mean each and every person I know, wants to do something to influence something so that its' in their favor. But I wonder, would that do any good. The one person who holds the answer to everything is Allah. Why should we be the ones trying to influence things in our lives, when what will happen, will be the word of Allah. If things should happen, they will happen. If things shouldn't happen, they won't and we may think we have control over them, but we don't.

We are all a part of this huge playground in which God is the creator watching his creatures get at it. God watches to see what we're up to. If we screw up, he knows. If we do good things he knows. I am sure God laughs sitting there thinking, hahaha, you think you influence some instance and make it your way when I know it's gonna be my (God's) way no matter what!

I guess it's stupid. Why waste so much time on thinking up stuff and trying to influence or push things. We cannot control anything. I figure we should just live life and live it fully.

The cutest kid!
 
As I was walking on campus today, enjoying the beautiful sunshine..I saw a cute little boy in the distance, and I thought to myself, what a cute little kid! I didn't think I'd have the guts to walk up to the kid and shake his hand, but...I've been feeling different. I walked up to the place where the kid was, he was standing next to his mom. After talking to her a bit, I shook his hand and spoke to him! OH my God..never seen such a cute kid before! But the odd thing is that I think that about a lot of other kids, as well as my cousin's children. We are all beautiful in our own little way...

Old Friends revisited..
 
I ran into an old friend of mine...a very old one. From my first days of my freshmen year. This friend and I had pre-calc and calculus together and we used to see who could do better on the tests. Of course I beat this friend on every test. I just knew math a bit better than this friend. So....the other day, I walked out of my office and there this friend was! WoW! LONG time no see I guess. It was old times revisited. We spoke for a long time. Caught up on what we had been up to...but sadly I must admit, this friend wanted to keep in touch with me. We exchanged numbers, though being the way I am, I did not give mine. I think this friend took it in a bad way, as I could see it on their face :( Ooops. I did get the e-mail. I donno, while I may be deleting some phone numbers out of my address book in the next few weeks, I am not sure if I am ready to add in news ones..or to get some new ring a dings from people.

Why do I get sleepy from it all?? Great talk..
 
This weekend my family had some people over, and I just sat there and listened to people talk! I mean I liked what they said but I literally had nothing to comment on. And for some ODD reason, I was as tired as ever just listening. I mean I enjoyed talking to them (err listening), but why must I get sleepy from stuff like this?? It happens ALL the time!!!! I feel the same when I meet up with my friends...I get soo tired that I come home and sleep for a looong time, and my sleepyness does not end even that day..I have to sleep even more the next day to sleep off my sleepyness. Why why why? I've always had this problem! Ayee...I remember I spoke to my friend Sandy last year and she said she felt the same. She thinks we were both a bit introverted though we act extroverted. Maybe I try so hard to act "extroverted" that I get tired from it..what an idea? hmm...

Changes to my message board!
 
I always say on here that I wish people would comment to what I write, but heck I don't have that option on here allowing one to do that! Anyhow, I added that in, and had to change the template of the board..Hope all of you enjoy it!

To have trees or no trees..
 
Went out on a walk today with my brother. It's been a while since I did that. Just was thinking as I've thought this up before too. It pertains to trees, odd I know. My parents were looking for a house and wanted to know what mattera to me about a house...ack I guess my answer was sorta weird though my mom agreed with me on it. My question was: Does the house have trees around it? I don't know but having trees creates TONS of beauty, lots of privacy and shows that the place is established. Who the heck wants to live on a land that was hit by a Tornado?? Trees just look cool.

On my way to Indiana last week and in Indiana..I realized one thing and that was that the place had relatively less trees than Minnesota. Guess my opinion may be biased as my main intention on visiting Indiana was not to check to the Tree population. Suppose maybe I just saw wrong areas..

Atheist..
 
Just thinking, and realizing stuff because I spoke to a friend of mine. She has a few friends who are atheist. I know some. I guess it's hard for me to understand how people can be atheist. It simply does not make sense how people can believe that there is no God, that everything which happens just happens out of no where. That there is no higher power. I guess being a biologist and taking so many biology classes only confirmed my belief in God; because when you learn the system of life and how everything is so detailed and how everything fits so PERFECTLY, and how everything is there for a reason...you cannot think anything but believe there is a God. NO ONE or NO randomness could EVER make something so intricate, so beautiful, so filled with details as God can! Amazing!

I could never be a businesswoman!!
 
I know an Ebay Junkie..and this person sells stuff on there all the time! I mean this person makes everything look good, even though it may have some scrathes here and there. And this person sells everything at exactly the cost they bought it at! I find it even hard to LIE to someone and to sell something to them, let alone lie about it! Geez...those businessmen and woman..they must have no morals! Car salesmen included!Acck..I remember when my friend took a computer class and then I took it a semester later. She told me I could buy her books from her and save on cash. I remember seeing that her books were new and at the bookstore the books were being sold for 120 dollars. She was offering to sell them to me for 40 dollars. I couldn't believe her, and I remember writing her a check for 85 dollars. She was in disbelief and didn't believe why I had paid her much. As far as I know, there is a lot less hassle, if the material is bought at the price it should be at. If however, I had bought the books for so much cheaper ($40), I can imagine my friend would have always wondered...gee, I wish I could have made more.....

Sad News :(

I cannot name any names here, as I believe this person did not want anyone to know. But I remember knowing a graduate student back when I first was a freshmen in college. She was from India, and we never really spoke till 2 years later when my friends introduced me to her. She was an older student and was working on a masters. Two years later, when I started my masters degree, she was finishing up on a second masters. I had still kept in touch with her and would say hi to her from time to time. Except during this time, she was telling me that she was thinking of going home as she had not seen her family. My other friends told me that she had a terrible tootache as well and was getting second opinions on the toothache from others. She had decided to go home to get her tooth pulled..home being India. I never understood that, as I thought a ticket over to India would cost a lot more than just getting her tooth pulled here. So a year or so passed, and I spoke to a friend of mine about this grad student and they said, well she's probably still with her family and who knows what is going on--she was done with her education here, so what's the point of coming back. I never knew till today when I ran into a friend of mine, this friend told me that the Indian girl I knew (she was in her upper 30's), had died on May 14th. I felt like all the blood had gone outta my head and felt light headed. It was in complete disbelief, and I never knew it was coming! :(( It turns out that this graduate student had contacted doctors here when she had a tootache, and they had told her it wasn't only a tootache. She had cancer and that it had spread to her bones and most of her body. She hid the news from everyone except one person..and she went home. Now a year and a half later I find out she died. I never got to say bye to her. I never knew anything! She was an amazing girl...she will be missed.......