Another Experiment. This One of the Social Variety.

Fueled by a desire to take matters into my own hands, and a slight obsession with craigslist, I went out on a limb decided to see if it was possible to make normal friends on craigslist.

Yes, I posted my own ad in the “strictly platonic” section. Looking to broaden my social circle, I was interested in meeting girls who were into typical Seattle outdoorsy stuff like running, hiking, skiing… and also interested in getting together to go to the movies, grab a drink, get ice cream, or make dinner at home and sit around having good conversation. I mentioned that I probably wouldn’t connect well with people who engage in the work-eat-watch tv-sleep-repeat lifestyle.

Since last Sunday, I’ve had 16 responses. I deleted 2 (the nice thing about writing the ad, is you are completely anonymous and if you don’t want to return the email – you don’t have too!) – one carbon copied me on a email where she responded to other ads (seriously?) and one didn’t impress me with her email. Otherwise I think I am willing to give everyone else a chance, although I'm still pondering some.

So, with 14 potential friends left, I thought the whole process would make for interesting blogging.

This whole thing is funny. It is kind of like online dating, but I'm allowed to walk out of the whole process with multiple friends as opposed to just one boyfriend. My schedule is actually pretty full these next couple of weeks, so it has been a bit of a chore scheduling these “girl dates” as KC called them.

So, let the craigslist experiment begin!

Links to my “dates” (to be updated as they happen)
Girl Date #1 The Adventurous One
Girl Date #2 The Teacher
Girl Date #3 The Upstater
Girl Date #4 The Cheesehead
Girl Date #5 The Tutor
Girl Date #6 The Aussie
Girl Date #7 The Triathelete
Girl Date #8 The New Yorker
Girl Date #8 The Artist
Girl Date #9 The Newbie
Girl Date #10 The DD
Girl Date #11 The Neighbor
Girl Date #12 The Bus Girl
Girl Date #13 The Law Student

Waiting Game

Patience is not my strong suit. And, like many females, I over analyze.

Case in point:

I applied for a fellowship. There are numerous funding levels, with the grand prize being 3 years of tuition and a stipend (aka – paycheck). If I got this fellowship, I would get paid to do my dissertation research. If I don’t, I’ll still get paid, but just have to do additional research on top of my dissertation research. It won’t be the end of the world, but it sure would be nice to not have to split my energies.

5 people in my program applied for fellowship. 2 heard back last week. They are both masters students and got small awards. 3 have not, the 3 PhD students.

It is sufficient to say I am freaking out. Yes or no, either way, I just want to know.

I've thought of every reason why I haven't heard yet. The good and the bad.

My advisor suggested I call and ask when I'd be hearing.

But today I decided to just let it go. I'm leaving it up to the powers that be and whatever happens will happen eventually. And amazingly, I feel completely relaxed about the whole thing now!

I'm still checking my advisor's mailbox several times a day while she is out of town though!

Skype Me

It takes 9-1/2 hours to fly to Copenhagen, compared to the 9-1/2 minute run that used to separate KC and I. While I miss picking her up in the morning, our long runs, 2-hour lunch breaks on the lawn behind our building, and so much more - I don't know what I'd do with out our little therapy sessions.

(Funny how the two of us can sound so sane when giving the other advice, yet so crazy when trying to figure out our own lives!)

While I would probably pay ridicules amounts to talk to KC while she is away, Skype is my hero.

Seriously. It is really cool. We talked today for an hour. For FREE!

We talked last week, when I was wearing a really cute new outfit, and I was able to give her a live fashion show via web cam.

It is like she is just down the road again. Not thousands of miles away.

Have you tried it?!?!?

Now if only Skype could help us "run" together...

Thanksgiving "Break" Recap

The problem with school right now is that I really don't get any breaks. No four-day weekend. No 3 weeks of Christmas break. I have to teach a class in - oh, 4 measley weeks, and while I have an outline of topics to be covered, a few key assignments prepared, and the beginnings of several lectures - I am starting to FREAK OUT about it all.

But, the past few days weren't a complete loss.

The sexual tension between this new boy and me kept building. Numerous text messages and emails. Stopping by each others offices. Dinner and drinks (with a group). I can't quite remember who initiated it (I think he kind of led me to doing the actual asking), but Wednesday night consisted of him on my couch, Getting Over Sarah Marshall, and a 6-pack. My roommate watched the movie with us (and furtively asked when he was in the bathroom if this was a "date") but retreated to her room once the credits started rolling. We got a bit cozier (read: closer) on the couch and bantered away. There was no way I was making the first move - you need to come to me boy! - and he certainly took his time - nervous? Anyway, a make-out session on the couch commenced. It was very middle school and very enjoyable.

Since then there have been more text messages and emails. Absolutely no awkwardness when we saw each other for the first time after the makeout sessions. Two phone conversations in one night. Dinner (which he paid for) and more drinks. Lounging on my bed. Popping into my office hours 3 times in 2 hours (and no, he isn't in my class!).

It is, well, nice.

Over the past four days I also:
Ate turkey at Lan's, pie at Kacy's, and ran (Thursday)
Spent the entire day at school, then had the best stress-relieving run in the dark (Friday)
Tried on a bridesmaid dress and went for a short hike, followed by more schoolwork and dinner/drinks (Saturday)
Spent another day at school and then crafted away at craft night (Sunday).

So yeah, I'd say spending time with a boy was the most interesting part of the whole weekend.

How I Run: Better Off on the Treadmill?!?

It was my first race in 6 months, and also my first since my knee injury.

And there I go, stepping off a sidewalk as I turn around to make a snarky comment to my team. It wasn't even like it was one of the obstacles - just a sidewalk. My knee? It feels fantastic. Actually, it is pretty awesome that it came out unscathed. My ankle? Not so much.















As my classmate proclaimed loud enough for the entire class to hear - "You have a CANKLE..." Gee - thanks.

I was back in not quite peak - but getting there running shape only to be twarted again by the running gods. Grrrr!

At least I already have a physical therapy appointment for this week. And I figure that I can just shove it in a ski boot and still hit the slopes (if it ever gets cold enough to snow - people were wearing shorts today - seriously?!?).

As I count down to my 30th, if this is what getting old entails... no thanks, I'll stick to my 20s.

Wanted: Time to Breathe

I haven’t really blogged in awhile, because honestly, there isn’t much blog-worthy material in my life right now. A typical day looks like this:

7:15 am – Alarm rings
7:33 am – Stumble out of bed
8:00 am – Head out the door
8:30 am – Arrive at school
7:00 pm – Go for run (admittedly not every day, although I have been working out 4/5 times a week. And the days I don't work out, well, I just work until 8.)
8:00 pm – Wait for bus
8:45 pm – Arrive home, “cook” dinner
9:15 pm – Shower
9:45 pm – Hop in bed, read a few chapters, and pass out

Exciting, eh? Doesn’t leave much time for fun…

Funny to think I back in late September I was bemoaning the fact that I had nothing to do. I was utterly bored and had no idea what to do with myself. But throw in 2 classes that I am taking, 1 that I am TA-ing (55 students means A LOT of time spent grading homework), old research, new research, and the ability to actually work out again (my knee is getting better, although I am still not 100%) – and I have no time for anything else.

On the bright side, that means no time to *think*. Things cross my mind, I get upset momentarily, and then something more pressing comes my way and the bad thoughts are pushed into the corners of my brain. Denial probably isn’t the ultimate answer to all my problems, but it is better than thinking about how I just wish Laura would call me, or email, or even just comment on facebook, about how Boston is moving back to Seattle in 2-1/2 weeks, about how KC is moving to Denmark in 2 months…

But despite spending seriously 2 billion hours at school a week, I do have a few tales to tell. I just need to find time to actually put the pen to the paper (or fingers to the keyboard). Maybe I should add “Write blog post” to my nifty color-coordinated “To Do” excel workbook. Have I ever mentioned how much I love excel?!?!

Published

A paper I wrote is getting published. My first one.

It's cool. In dorky way.

And it means another trip to DC.

School ain't so bad anymore.

You, Sir, Take Your Job WAY Too Seriously

Yesterday, with a spring in my step, I head off to hand in my thesis. I had my phone in my back pocket, ready to call my mom to tell her the good news as soon as it was official.

The guy at the counter rubbed me the wrong way right from the start. It seemed as if he was just itching to get his hands on my thesis, not to send me on my way to merry masters degree-hood, but instead to make me, or any other stressed grad student cry. Before we start, he tells me with, I swear, a twinkle in his eye about the girl he brought to tears just an hour earlier. And then there was the one on Monday morning... Awesome. I hope you sleep well at night.

On page 2, with what almost sounded like delight in his voice, he explains that we have a problem and whips his ruler out. See, on the MOST IMPORTANT page of my entire thesis (his words, not mine - I would like to think that the academic community, for which I was writing, it would find some of the content to be the most important), my margin is off by a 1/2-inch.

Oh my goodness! It is the end of the world right here on page 2.

Much to his dismay, not a tear was shed (I mean, I didn't want to make Boston jealous, crying about something besides him*), as he explained the importance of the 1-1/2 inch margin, and how I also needed to capitalized TABLE OF CONTENTS, but not Appendix A.

Instead, I laughed. Because, seriously we are talking about formatting a thesis, not a peace treaty. And because wouldn't you know it, this page was flown in from Sweden the week before, where one of committee members is doing research until November, because it required "original signatures."

Given a week extension, guess what I did today? Fixed the margin (silly oversight on my part, I'll admit it), checked it twice. And had him check it again just in case - he seriously spent a good minute with his ruler to the page, examining the freaking margin, because it just didn't seem to be quite big enough. I was paranoid he was going to whip out his red pen again just to spite me for not crying the first time.

Then spent $60 to mail the page to Sweden for my committee member to sign and return ($60 which I didn't have because I left my wallet at home - which I learned when I went to FedEx the first time today - and had to go back a second time with the $100 bill my advisor whipped out of her wallet, telling me to bring back the change and a receipt - have I ever said I love her?!?). I needed the signed copy back by next Friday, which isn't going to happen because it won't get to Sweden until Tuesday. And then I (and my advisor - although not together) leave for vacation for almost 2 weeks and can't do anything about it.

So, moral of the story, I might be f*cked. But I'm still laughing because what else can I do but wait it out, and reconjure the imagine of the man at the counter with his ruler, taking his job WAY too seriously and taking WAY too much delight in making people cry.

Washateria

I learned a new word this weekend…

Washateria.

Any guesses on what it means?

It is a Texas thing. Or so I’m told. (So no guessing if you are from Texas - cuz that just ain’t fair.)

I went to Texas once. I saw a huge cross, but according to my Texan friend, I obviously didn’t see the true Texas if I didn’t learn about washaterias. I guess the true Texas might involve more than the panhandle.

First person who gets it right (without googling, of course) wins my... uhhh, undying devotion?!


It is kinda like package stores in Rhode Island. I was rather confused when my roomie was talking getting up vodka from, what I thought was a pack ‘n mail. No wonder.

Up. Down. Up. Down. UP!

Honestly, it is amazing how fast the emotions running through my mind can up and change course in a matter of seconds. Almost anything can trigger a switch from up to down or down to up. It is a roller coaster ride that is emotionally draining.

Life certainly isn't roses right now, there is a bright side.

Yesterday I received word that I was awarded a fellowship (one that I didn't even apply for so someone must have said really nice things about me in order to convince the dean's office that I was worthy). It covers my tution for the next year, meaning my advisor doesn't have to pay it out of her budget, meaning she can pay me more. Score!

Then this morning there was an email I had anxiously been awaiting for a few days. Two weeks ago I submitted an abstract for a conference. It seemed like a longshot, but my advisor said she would fund me if my paper was accepted. I figured that it couldn't hurt to try. Well... I learned today that my paper was accepted and I'M GOING TO CYPRUS!!

Ummm, can you say excited!?!? Or should I say, EXCITED!?!?

No talk of the great experience to present at such a big conference, or the line on my cv, instead my advisor tells me that she expects a detailed photo journal of my trip. Ha - LOVE HER!

Given it is a 21 hour trip for a 3-day conference, I will obviously be extending my stay and exploring the island. Anyone want to join me!?!?

I Should Be Finishing My Thesis or My Final

But instead, why don't I tell you what is on my mind...

#1 Why the heck is it so freaking cold!?!? Hello June-uary! It is SNOWING in the mountains as we speak. I'd really like to be able to hike in said mountains this summer, but in order to do that I need to be able to see the trail, not have it be covered in snow. I'd also like to be able to wear a pair of flip-flops, with jeans and a hoodie would be fine. I'm just ready to put away the wool socks.

#2 OMG, my whole body hurts. I guess that is expected after this weekend's athletic endeavour, but honestly, Every. Single. Muscle is aching, including those I didn't know existed. I could use a massage. I wonder if I could take up a donation to pay for it?

#3 Despite the pain, I'm already figuring out what is next. I'm thinking a triathlon. Although with all this snow melt, the swim might be chillllllly!

#4 I'm a sucker for The Bachelorette. I'm not sure if it is the best show to spend 2 hours a week watching given my current state, but it was certainly more fun that finishing my take home final last night. So Jason... OMG... he looks so much like The Boy. It is a little freaky. It is all about the smile and the profile. And the muscles combined with a lack of the tall gene. And that dark hair.

#5 Speaking of The Boy... he has been on the brain recently, due dealing with this new breakup and remembering the heartache of the last. So much so that when talking to my roommate tonight, I used The Boy's name when actually referring to Boston. Whoops! We decided it was best not to analyze that. But if he were to call, I might actually answer. Not to say that I want him to call, or would be overly excited if he did... but I'd answer, that is progress.

#6 I'm going on a mini-vacation next week. Yay! Okay, so it is only to Ballard, but I think a change of scenery (that being Laura and Max's apartment while they are job-searching in Boston) will do me good.

What's on your mind?

Word Play

I’m a big dork. I fully admit it. I don’t think one would be willing to suffer through a PhD without being one. And my boyfriend is just as much as a dork as me. In addition to doing puzzles, we have also taken to playing Scrabble together. The first time we played, he smoked me. Honestly, I don’t think I broke 100, and he was in the 350+ range. After that game he taught me some of the tricks he picked up at Scrabble club (yes, he used to be a regular attendee of a Scrabble club in Boston!?!? He also was president of the chess club in high school. And a complete stoner. The boy confuses me.).

I’ve improved tremendously. See our most recent game:

What you can’t see is that I started off the game with an 80-point word. Boo-yah!

I still can’t beat him, but at least I make it competitive. But one day…

Alphabet Soup: Weekend Edition

B is for Blah on Friday night. I made a big decision, that I feel was the right one, but still left me feeling sad (more to come). Boston encouraged me to go for a short run even though I soooo didn't want to. He was right, I felt better.

V is for Volunteering all day Saturday. It was my monthly "K Saves the World Day," as my old co-workers liked to call it. I am now an expert at laying parquet wood tiles. Call me if you need some help with your flooring. I work for margaritas. Strong ones of course.

C is for cupcakes on Saturday night. 4 dozen, 2 varieties, not a boxed mix in sight! Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and mint chocolate with (green) mint frosting. Yum!

R is for racing early Sunday morning. I ran my fastest race EVER! 8:04 minute/miles for 3.5+ miles. I felt like such a rockstar! And while it was my little legs pumping away, I have to give thanks to Laura for making me keep going when all I wanted to do was lay down on the pavement and quit. And to Boston for being so damn encouraging and waiting at the finish with water for me (because he had finished a good 9 minutes before me!!)

S is for spring cleaning on Sunday afternoon. 4 roommates x 4 hours = one sparkling clean house. I did a double-take, walking into the kitchen this morning - wait is this my house?!?! To most, this is probably what your fridge looks like typically, but to us - OMG there is so much room in there now!!! And nothing is expired and/or stinky!


F is for Finals Week Dinner on Sunday evening. I might not have any finals this quarter, but I sure enjoyed the chili and cornbread!

M is for Movie Night on Sunday night. I made is *almost* halfway through Into the Wild before I fell asleep. I couldn't help it - after the nonstop weekend my weary body was no match to lying on the couch in a darkened room. I barely opened my eyes when Boston carried me to bed!

How was your weekend?

I May Be *Just* a Grad Student, But It Is Still a Job

Sometimes it doesn’t seem like a job. If you were to take a look at my bank account, you wouldn’t think I have a job. But it is.

I may be able to leave early to go skiing. But then I have to come in early to catch up. I can come in at noon, but that means I have to stay here until 9.

I have an office with my very own computer. I have deadlines, responsibilities. I am most certainly more demanding and tougher on myself than any boss has ever been. The only things I am missing are the business cards and the working wardrobe.

So when you call at 11:30am (when I was in the midst of a dentist appointment) and leave a message which lets me know that your call is not crucial, then call again at 3:00pm with no message (when I was in the midst of working on my thesis), and then call a 3RD (!!) time at 6:00pm (when I was in the midst of working late to make up for time missed at dentist appointment), I am going to snap at you when I pick up the phone! Granted I will apologize after the fact, but c’mon Mom, if I had a “real job” would you call me again and again at those hours. You ask me all the time when I am planning to finish my thesis. I’m trying to, but you keep calling!

Spring Comes to the Cascades

Regisration for the spring quarter starts tomorrow.

I'm signing up for this class:

Spring Comes to the Cascades (3) Examines the interaction between forests, environment and growth at three locations in the Cascades, from lowlands to alpine. Field trips and associate observations are linked to classroom or group project activities and are used to understand a number of ecological, physiological and meteorological concepts.

Yeah, that's right. I get to hike... for credits!

(I've also come to the sad realization that I am not graduating this quarter. My thesis is no where near ready to defend. Insert sad face.)

Coolest Intramural Sport EVER

OK, so now that the crazies have gone away, at least temporarily, it is time to introduce you to a new sport which is sweeping the nation. Or at least UW intramurals...

INTER-TUBE BASKETBALL:

And your truly is actually good at it. Surprising given my typical issues with sports involving balls. But I was the female high scorer - go me!

The object of the game is to (obviously) get the ball in the hoop. But you must stay in your inner-tube, splashing is allowed (encouraged), you can only hold onto the ball for 5 seconds, and you have to alternate between guys scoring and then girls.

The verdict: coolest intramural sport ever! (And a good shoulder workout!)

UPDATE: My prowess at ITBB has not gone unnoticed. I will be playing offense the entire time tonight. Yay!

A Weekend Down South

I spent the weekend down at OSU, hanging with a bunch of enginerds, trying to crack the big mystery: where will k go to grad school? All in all it was a good weekend. I wanted to walk out of it with more of “feeling.” Either – this is it; this is where I’ll be next year!! Or, ugh I hate it, why would I ever think of leaving Seattle?!?! I liked it though, a lot. The prof I’d be working under is great. Really personable, and really well known in the field. Having my name next to hers on a paper could do a lot for my reputation in the academic world. Corvallis is a cool town as well, in between 2 mountain ranges and only 45 minutes from the coast. Downsides… it is far from all my friends, who I adore. And I felt so old… I was the oldest of all the prospective students, by 5 years. The other students I’d potentially be working with were great, really fun and nice, but obviously a lot younger than me. Not that this would be different at UW, but there I’d have all my other friends still around. So basically, while the weekend was great, I didn’t come out of it with a clearer picture of what I am going to do next year. I do, however, have something to compare UW to now. I am meeting with a prof there on Friday and then their recruitment weekend is at the end of the month.

I got back early this morning and spent the day lounging around, watching a movie and catching up on email. I had dinner with Laura and Max to fill them in on my weekend (they were happy to hear I wasn’t 100% sold on OSU because they are pushing so hard for UW). I called BMG too, to see if we wanted to come along since we hadn’t seen each other in over a week. As I suspected, he confirmed that will finals week starting tomorrow, he is confined to campus for the next few days. We talked for a little bit though and he provided some insight into his thoughts on selecting a grad school (from his own experiences). Things (if anything) are progressing slowly with him, but I like it – we both are busy but we are comfortable with just calling each other up out of the blue, not worrying about who’s (or is that whose?) “turn” it is to call or any other that other silly stuff. He’s pretty sure there will be a party at his place Friday night, so I’ll get to see him soon enough.