So..my trip to Toronto was fun. My family and my cousins went to Niagra Falls from the Canada side. It was so boring, I hate going out really. I kept wanting to go home. We went there late, and saw Niagra from the canadian side--I've seen it before both from canadian and US side numerous of times, so it wasn't anything huge but my cousins had a good time.
Anostica

What a weird site!!

So...a friend of mine wants me to help him find shoes. We were online looking at shoes and we came across a website called "Zappos.com". Retarded website, or really made for idiots. They have shoes seperated into "airport safe shoes", as well as "Vegetarian shoes"...hmm...INTERESTING! I've got a few comments about each type of shoe..but I'm not gonna sound like a stereotypical freako writing about them...

site address: http://www.zappos.com/mens.zhtml

I'm the worst travelor!!!

Yep you heard right..I am the worst travelor. My brother and sister would say the same...the only one who might side with me would be my mom. Anyways..so, tomorrow err today I'm leaving for Toronto. Been packing for quite a bit. The trip is only for about 5 days..but I've packed about 10 pairs of clothing, and so many pairs of shoes and bunch of other stuff. My roommate walked in, and is like..you know you don't need all that! Why not??? Come on! I'm the type that changes my mind instantly about something..and if something doesn't look good one instant..I at least have the option to take it off and change it ya know.

I suppose if I'm taking a big bag, I should fill it as much as I can. Odds are that if I don't need things, I can always bring them back. It doesn't hurt to pack more than needed.


I"m off...to sleep for a bit..

Why must I drink it????

NO, it's not alcohol! It's Chai, tea, you name it..but more than likely Chai, as I drink it about twice a day, or at least once/day. Anyways, why must I drink it when it makes me feel all shitty. Why you must ask..well lemme explain.

Ever since I was about 3 or a bit older, I used to ask my mom for chai all the time, and around that time I started to drink it a lot. And little did I know by drinking it so much, I started to get hives on my skin. Mom took me to the doctor and I was told it was because of eating something which my body did not like. OK

So even now. I can't drink Chai when it's hot. I have to let it sit at room temp, and when it's cold enough I can gulp it down. Even when I do drink it, it makes me soooo hot (temperature wise!!), and I start to sweat. At the same time, it makes me have a strong urge to run to the b-room!!

Despite all these probs...I still drink the chai--generally with the fan when the chai is cold. Why...because I love it's TASTE!. Can't you tell I'm addicted? nah..I can go days without it--well a day! hehehe :p

Towards the end of the fireworks display they had the diarrhea fireworks session...as you can tell.
Anostica

This one is a beauty..
Anostica

Excited about the fireworks--which I assume were happening for a festival in town....I took a ton of pictures, of which I'm posting about 3..
Anostica

Later tonight, I was sitting in my room, and I kept hearing loud noises from outside. I figured some dork is hitting something hard..then when I turned my head and looked out the window, I saw this...
Anostica

This picture was taken outside my window earlier today. I never knew what was yet to happen later on at night.
Anostica

This sucks!

I was browsing my old university's website on monday I think..and on the main page it said that my friend had died. I was shocked! Only a few months ago was it that I was trying to get a hold of Mike..I remembering writing to his pilot-airborne nickname/e-mail, and it had come back to me. I never knew that the only other time I'd hear of him would be this. The last time we ever got to speak was the summer of 2003 when he was at the student union recruiting for ROTC. He was one of those people, who I had a ton of courses with, considering we were both biology majors, and especially microbiology majors. Funny as heck..he could joke about anything.

I still remember the day when I was TAing a microbiology course next to his Food Microbiology class. And I had just gotten done giving the lecture and was answering questions, and there walked in Mike, saying "you gotta check out this thing underneath my microscope"...I went there leaving my students, to see such a beautiful bacteria with peritricious flagella (basically lots of hair--used for movement) (not so common in isolates that I had worked with)..and we both ooogled over it. It was amazing.

It saddens me that I read online from newspapers that his "body" will be shipped to the USA. Just the fact of body, a lifeless thing is so scary; because it's completely the opposite of what I saw Mike as. He was such an active person with so much energy jumping around, and at times walking into class telling me about how much work he had to do in the morning for training etc. I read online that his funeral is today..I'm sure it already happened. I just cannot believe. It has hit me a bit..but it's very hard knowing that he is my first friend who died...and in such a way :(

Well..I took a lab break to write this...back to work.

Do I have to say "That's okay"???!!?

Caught myself saying it too often these days and I wonder if I do it because I mean it, or because I feel bad. So I was in lab today, some girl comes up and hogs my lab bench when obviously I was working on it. Granted it was a vacant bench about 2 weeks ago; so when I get to my bench, she keeps working, but when I start digging for stuff here and there, she realizes ooops Anostica's bench, and moves away and says sorry. I at the same time was a bit frustrated but didn't feel like telling her to shove off...so when she said sorry, all that came outta my mouth was "that's okay"..really? Did I mean it?

Another instance..weeks ago. My brother and I were at Walmart wanting to use their kodak picture printers. Some stupid old lazy woman was manually scanning pics, and then resizing them. She had an ALBUM with her. My brother and I were both frustrated. Brother wanted to say something, but we both kept it cool. Towards the end when she finally got done an hour later (NO JOKE!), she said "Hey I'm done..sorry for the wait" and dumbo me, I said "that's okay"..no really? was it okay? I coulda just glared at her..but, but, but..it was tempting..I had no guts :(

Okay last story. I hate the smell of food in my apt...it disgusts the crap outta me. It smells good when you cook, but walking into an apt smelling of fish is not fun. And that's exactly what happened today. My roommate is a fish lover, and had cooked fish. Being me who would never cook any stinky foods...I walked into the apt and spelled the nasty ass make me puke smell. I had to say, hey that reaks. She was like...hey I'm sorry, but I had to cook, and heck what came outta my mouth..."that's okay". Maybe I meant it there..or did I?

I wonder if I just don't wanna look like a meanie so I say "that's okay" but don't really mean it. Maybe I do it as a space filler. I was thinking though I've seen some people successfully pull this one off...when you don't say "that's okay"..I think it gets the point across more. By saying "that's okay" you're saying...yah sure I guess it was alright...which I'm not really sure if I mean..or if I don't...

Where the hell is his head???

After a stressful day of labwork, I decided to venture off to the mall because I've been on a shopping binge (yah 3 consecutive days in a row!!--been a while!!!). Was on 52 towards the good ol Lafayette Mall..and I see some dork driving his motorcycle very very fast; but it wasn't the motorcycle which caught my eye (well it did a bit, it was yellow!), it was more the fact that a yellow Helmet was harnessed in the back luggage thingy. I only wished I had a camera, but I was driving too fast away from him in the other direction to even take a pic (if I had had a camera). Anyways, what the hell? Does having a helmet on a motorcycle and not wearing do you any good? If you get into an accident, will this harnessed motorcycle save you--or your head? Hmm...I suppose this dude evidently thought his brain was in the back of the motorcycle...err something.

More is added..

So..I had more to add to my pissy post..there is now a number 11 and 12 :)

10 Things that Piss me OFF!!

Yah I figured it was about time I posted this...

1. Know it alls--Pulleaseee. If you think you know everything, then please don't go further in education, and please don't talk to me. As my brother put it, there's a disease that some people get after their bachelors called the "know it all disease"..but ya know the funny thing is that I've seen people have the disease even after their masters! I was talking to one Phd student the other day who had the guts to tell me that she thinks her advisor is a bunch of b.s. and he's only there to provide grants so that the research can be funded. She said that let alone, she'd finish the Phd on her own. She did not need guidance; yah that's like asking an athelete to do well w/o a coach (YES coaches are important!!--friend who is athelete told me!!!). Then there's me who thinks the more I learn the less I really know!!

2. Roomates--YES!!! I had a bad one..then a good one, and then, well I'm not sure of the good one anymore. I think I can only live with people for 5 months, before I REALLY get sick of them. I'm sick of not so clean roommates, whose room reaks, who leaves clothes all over the place, won't clean her b-room (I do it!!!), won't clean the kitchen, and thinks I'm her big sis who should take care of her!!!

3. Sticky People--Sticky means people who can't walk on their OWN two feet and must follow me around or want to do everything with me. These people will ask me to have lunch with them and wonder what I'm doing for the rest of the day..if I say shopping, they want to go shopping with me..if I say go poop, I'm sure they'd wanna poop with me too. I more than usually need more time to myself than time with people.

4. Hanging out too frequently--As in going to watch movies at a theater (!!), going to a park, lake whatever. I mean going out once in a while, such as every other week is good for me. But EVERY DAY--NO!!

5. Hot and Humid weather--I think it says it all; I can't function in hot weather, which means anything above the temp of 72 degrees (that's the highest I'll go!!). Optimal is around 65-70.

6. People who go to the b-room when they talk on the phone!--Yes I've been in bathrooms before when you hear a girl peeing and her phone rings and there she goes "hello"..idiot. Same goes for pooping. I refuse to talk to anyone who is doing either while talking to me on the phone.

7. Not being able to speak up for myself (at times)--when You get some really snotty grad student telling me they are perfect and know so much and argue something completely wrong--when I know it's wrong. I have a hard time speaking up to correct them. Even when I do it, it never comes out that way..and at times I'll back down and say "maybe you're right"..but most of the time I do it because I'm too sick to tell them what's correct, because their mind is soo one-sided! I can be one-sided/stubborn sometimes :P

8. Suck-ups--I can't stand people who go out of their way to show they are friends with you. Friendship is based upon a lot of communication, and then presents here and there when the time is right. It does not mean, bring me a present every time you visit me. Don't suck up and bullshit me and say CRAP you don't mean, cause that sort of shit goes in one ear and out the other really. Same goes for b.s. talkers, don't tell someone their hair looks awesome when it looks hideous!

9. Cheap people--Yes! I can't stand people who'll drive an extra mile to get gas which is for 2 cents less. Or people who won't call so much on their cell phone because they have no minutes (when one has to make important phone calls). People who won't buy necessities because they want to save money..but for who? If you keep saving and never enjoy life..you'll die saving money, and that money you saved will be used by someone else to live luxuriously (sp!) when you lived in poor conditions. I don't mean spend spend spend..but spend so that you are happy, and then do save; just don't be cheap :)

10. Confrontations--Is that a word? Well I hate confronting people-to tell them they did wrong. I find it easier to tell my brother and sister this, than just a stranger. Suppose it's because family can understand I'm just being dumb...but I don't have the guts to tell someone they did wrong.

ADDITIONS

Just a few more to add:
11. People who do not share--Whether it be food, candy or even a stupid pencil.

12. Bad drivers--Those that change lanes without signaling! Those that drive and talk on the cell phone...


Ohh..I'm sure there is some more stuff than this..but sorry folks this is all I can come up with now :P

One sample shoe out of my summer sandal collection. I'm not crazy but I have this shoe also in greenish color, white, and black. It's from my favorite company--Franco Sarto. And yah..the shoe to the top left is a Franco Sarto shoe but for winter of course ;)
Anostica

I'm a shoegirl..

So my mom complains I have too many shoes. My sister says I have more than her--even though she and I both are shoe addicts. So I admit it, what's wrong with being crazy about something? My brother is crazy about cameras, I used to be crazy about Cichlids (african fishes)..but I've always been crazy about shoes! Ever since I was little me and my sister would fight over who had more shoes and was not deserving of a second pair!! ahahaha.

So I figured now that I moved to Indiana, why don't I count all the shoes I have in my apartment (yah I'm bored--no studying now!!!!!!!!)...and the grand total is a measily 23 pairs! How retarded. I know I left quite a few of my shoes back home, and got rid of a ton..which I either gave to my mom (she has the same shoe sizee!!!!) or gave away to the salvation army. Yet..I'm still shopping online for..yah you guessed it SHOES!!!!

Okay..maybe I'll post a pic of my shoes on here..do comment and tell me how awesome my shoe taste is :P Or not...

By the way I'm crazy about male shoes just as I'm crazy about female shoes. No pointy toes please (that goes for girl shoes too)--only Square toed allowed :)

Two of my favorite things! No make that three! A smoothie made of Mango's...and on top of it all it's in a Yellow (favorite color) mug!!!! Thanks to brother and sister for the most awesomest birthday present I could ever ask for--a Smoothie Maker!!!!!!
Anostica

How retarded is this?

So yesterday we had an awesome awesome thunderstorm here. The first sight of it, and the smell of rain (yes it does smell!) was awesome! There was awesome awesome lightening which I watched and couldn't stop..while..my roommate sat there freaked outta her mind. I noticed it was getting bad outside, and knew that a tornado warning should at least be in effect. Suddenly the sirens went off..but I wasn't sure really, as they test the sirens here beginning of the month. In Minnesota they check them beginning of the month on wednesdays and actually say "this is a test, this is a test"..but not here. So..I wasn't sure :( I called the main desk of my apartment wanting to make sure that the sirens were a test, and not a real thing (as stupid indiana won't say it's a "test")..but the girl down stairs didn't know.

Then I was like whatever; let me listen to the news. I turned the t.v. on, and they said a tornado had been spotted or even touched down around the area. My roommate was freaking out..she's like what do we do? I coming from Tornado land Minnesota, know a bit of what to do..but called downstairs to ask the apt people if they have a tornado shelter. The girl says the following: "Well I suggest you go into the bathroom"..I said "excuse me" she's like.."you know the room you take a shower in"..I was like "Yah I know, but what if you live on the 4th floor????!!" and she's like..."Oh I don't know....can you call back tomorrow and ask my manager??"!!! Retarded...if it was a real damn tornado I woulda been blown and dead by tomorrow!!!

and this too :)
Anostica

And this is what I saw....
Anostica

While everyone at 10 a.m. would rather sleep on an airplane...I have the hardest time sleeping--mostly because I screw up my neck trying to sleep. ...While the girl sitting next to me was off in lala land, I was sitting there trying to read a review article for my research. Yet when I looked out the window of the plane...this is what I saw :)
Anostica

Ritual again..

I came home and the ritual was done again. I tried to talk my family out of it, but they are so into it! Even when my dad is like me and would usually talk the rest of the family out of it..has changed. He now loves it! I tried everything to tell the family that it was raining outside, and that there are too many mosquitos outside and they'd bite us if we went outside..but it only got them more excited. Though later the mosquitoes were too much and we ended up coming inside. But being inside did not stop them! They still put up the whole shabang and took about 3 hours!!! Towards the end I was pissed out of my mind and just stormed off to my room to change my clothes..cause I had, had it!!!!

You all might wonder what the hell I'm talking about! Yah..it's called taking pictures...having a photo shoot, whatever you want to call it. My brother is a crazy photographer and can't stop shooting pictures! So today the excuse was that I'm never home and they wanted to have some recent family pictures to send to relatives..also since my brother had just graduated, we needed some recent pictures with the family and his cap n gown..so at first as usual, I tried to talk them out of it..hoping my dad would chip in and help. But he was into it..or has become into it! Then..I figured, why not..just an hour of pics, because we have to do a BBQ anyways...WELL..I was in a good mood initially...took the first 500 pictures! Okay I'm overexaggerating..more like first 170 pictures. My cheek muscles were killing from smiling (this was after we came inside, and had set up the whole shitty studio!!!). I had, had it! And said...well it's about time we stop. Nope...family hadn't had enough. They prolonged the BBQ till late at night..and decided we needed a clothes change for different pictures. I refused to change the clothes..stuck to the ones I was wearing..They took more pictures; mostly brother sister and mom..I think my dad was getting tired too..Finally I went downstairs to my room, changed my clothes to the normal clothes (non picture clothes), and started cooking. That was the end of it for me.

To make a long story short..brother and sister weren't done. They figured they wanted to go in Mosquito village outside, and take pictures in the dark to see how they'd look. I didn't care. They both came in with mosquito bites all over, and had me put on Benadryl all over their arms and neck! hahaha..

I guess it really isn't the pictures that bug me much...I mean I'm all for pictures, but more like 30 minutes of pictures MAX of myself. More than that...and I'll go insane. Today it must have been at least 3 hours of pictures!!!! Oh it's over now. I love taking pictures, but hate being the one whose pics are being taken :(

Very unproductive day..

Ever had those days when you wake up so late..well that's partially my fault when I wake up at about 1 p.m. Anyways, ever had those unproductive days when you just literally sit around, and just sitting around makes you not have any energy to do anything. I didnt' read a thing today..was hoping to get some research reading done. Did go to the library and printed more stuff to read. Went shopping, which was very unproductive as I didn't find anything I wanted to buy and went too late :( Bought two little things which I substituted instead as presents for passing the "Qualifier" from my parents, as they keep wanting to buy me something for passing.

Err...life goes on (as Tupac would say). Watching home videos of our family trip overseas 2 years ago..I miss not seeing all my cousins and relatives.

I passed!!!!

I got a voicemail from my friend today..saying that I should check my e-mail because the qualifier results were in. It only gave me an idea of what e-mail was awaiting me..and considering I had a bad dream the other day about flunking--I figured I was never going to check my e-mail until I had to. I admit I have no guts...

But..it's about 2 a.m. and I'm up looking up tickets for my flight back to Indiana...and well I had to write my sister about whether I should take advantage of my frequent flyer miles...unknowingly I logged into my e-mail...well e-mails say COnGRATulations!! wohoo!!!!!!! I passed..!!! I was the only one taking the microbiology qualifier out of the 18 or so Phd students, and I passed!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of myself. I had told my advisor that I knew I could do it..it was a front I had put up to show I was strong..and honestly I wasn't sure if I'd be able to prove it to him...but I did!!!!

Advisor has already written me...says congratulations..and now wants me in the lab..only I'm sitting here still in Minnesota! :(

Even now that I know I passed..I keep thinking it is because the teachers were being nice to me..didn't wanna flunk me...not because I worked hard...but that's always my typical attitude...I am sure my hard work might have paid off!