65 & Sunny

It was beautiful today! Mike & I took advantage of the awesome weather and class getting out at 3pm to go for a run. We definitely weren't the only ones. Although it's supposed to be a high of 30F tomorrow, I'm still glad we had the teaser day today. I can't wait until it's warm daily...probably not for a while, it is only January.
I have a two quizzes, two papers, three assignments and an exam this week, so...back to studying!

Frozen Lake Hike

We hope the cold streak broke a little for the "Northerners" in Wisconsin. Last we heard it was -11...Brrr! After a week in the low single digits it was a balmy 54F here so we decided to take a break from studying (And The Fireplace!) and head out to Thousand Hills State Park to hike while we could.
The dogs were REALLY excited to get out and play in the open spaces as well. Aside from some short walks around town (literally) they really needed some outside time, as did we! We walked around part of Forest Lake, then thought "Why not just walk ON the lake?". The ice was at least a foot thick so we took a couple of picture of us and the dogs. The tilted photo is due to the lack of anything to set the camera on since we were in the middle of the lake! We ended up walking all the way across the lake since it was so thick. Before you freak out, we were very careful to check the thickness first. The ice was so clear you could see frozen leaves on the bottom of it, and cracks from the freeze/thaw cycles. It was pretty fun...:)


We also took a panorama of the lake while we were standing the in the middle of it...kind of neat to say that...:) You can click on the picture below to go to my album, then click the magnifying glass to see a larger, more detailed image. I haven't figured out how to link directly to the large image yet..

Boredom Has It's Downfalls

We didn't think Lucy looked stupid enough so we put a scarf on her...:)

THE 3 STAGES OF HUMILIATION:
1.) Bribery/Solicitation:


2.) FEAR:


And Finally...
3.) Acceptance:


If dogs had a Supreme Court, I think we would be executed for Cruel & Unusual Punishment...:)

Husker Land

OK...I'm Lazy! I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from our trip to Nebraska to see Tim, Allison, & Nate; affectionately known as T n' A...:)

Nate thought it would be nice to get Lucy a stuffed squirrel to play with all weekend. Well we didn't get a before image...but the squirrel only lasted 9 minutes (we were timing). Here Lucy continues to punish the squirrel for crimes unknown, and Linus surveys the carnage:


Linus is his own ball of crazy. Since T & A have nice leather couches, the dogs were not allowed on them, which confused the hell out of them since they pretty much have the run of our house. Linus found a pile of pillows & blankets next to the couch to use as his Throne:


But whenever one of us sat on the floor they migrated to us and wouldn't leave us alone. You would think after 30-some hours in the car over break, they'd be sick of us! But No, they can't get close enough to us sometimes...


Tim was showing off his awesome "Grainger Branch Manager" vest that Nate bought him (with company money of course). All the other employees got nice sweatshirts for working in the warehouse when it's cold, but since Tim is a manager, he really doesn't "work" per se. We figured as rediculous as he looked (more so than normal), he would look even better holding a scared Linus with a "popped" collar. Don't they look precious!?


We hope to head back and see them, or catch up with them over the summer if we can find a time for everyone to meet up. Thanks again T n' A, for having us up! Here's to bringing Sexy Back:

:P

Meep-Meep-Meep

I've told most everyone I've talked to since X-Mas, but for those I missed I wanted to let you know that I got accepted into KCOM's Masters of Biomedical Sciences program, starting in March! I am really excited to move ahead with my education.
I asked for special admission in the middle of the year, and I will be joining the class that graduates in 2009. So instead of a 2 year program, I'll be in a slightly accelerated 1.5 year program. I'll be working with Dr. Vineet Singh (who is from MCW in Milwaukee) on characterizing 2 genes (SigB & dnak) in the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. I worked on the project when I started as a research tech, but I am able to continue it for my thesis, so the last 4 months have not been for naught.
If you don't recognize the character to the left, it's Beaker from the Muppet Show. The title of this post is the only sound beaker makes. I make no apologies for knowing that...:P