It's the little things.

Today I got a cubicle upgrade. My new digs are in the one room in this building that has a ton of natural light. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I feel much more creative and energetic when my surroundings are bright and sunny. Plus, I've moved away from my annoying cube neighbor who spends at least an hour each day taking personal calls, usually to communicate with her deadbeat son and his babymama. Oh, the stories I could tell about that family.

I've been in no-window/broom closet hell since late 2005, so this is a hugely exciting change. (No, really, my area in engineering had been converted from a storage closet to a really crowded, shitty office.) And I have a DOOR for the first time since coming to the university.

I still miss my State Capitol office. First of all, it was an actual office instead of a cubicle. I had windows from floor to ceiling -- probably close to 18 feet of pure window. Because I was on the 10th floor, I could see thunderstorms coming from a county away. I doubt I'll ever have an office that sweet again.

I realize how pathetic this sounds. You're probably thanking your lucky stars that you'll never experience cubicle hell. I'll admit that it can feel soul-sucking at times, which is why I'm a huge believer in natural light and surrounding myself with personal belongings in addition to the usual office trappings.

Funny Finding

I'm studying for my Pharmacology final right now (Julie do you want to come show me your genius on this stuff? I totally admire what you are doing with your life by the way!) and I came across the funniest contradiction. The section I'm studying is on herbal medications. I came across saw palmetto, which is used to help benign prostatic hypertrophy. This condition is found in MEN (hint, they have a prostate, girls don't). Under the slide entitled "Precautions" it states "avoid during pregnancy and lactation." ??? LOL Does anyone else find it funny that they list a herbal medication for MEN and then tell pregnant and lactating WOMEN not to take it? Maybe I'm just delirious, but I found this outrageous and giggled for about 20 seconds.

P.S. I took my first final this morning and got an A!!!! It is my first A this semester. All things considered, I dare say I kicked some ass. :)

Download Now!

For you Something Corporate and Jack's Manequinn fans out there, check out the album "Do You Feel" by the Rocket Summer.

I particularly enjoy the tunes "A Song is Not A Business Plan" and "So Much Love."

Same whiney piano punk with a little bit of an 80's vibe. Enjoy.

http://www.purevolume.com/therocketsummer

It's almost over!

I'm very excited to say that I can FINALLY see that the end is near, in a good way. Next week I have three finals and then I'm done with this horrible semester. I'm so excited to go home and work on Hayley time!

This semester was a big learning experience for me. I've learned that I have to give myself more credit and that my grades won't reflect the work that I put in. It's been a struggle to maintain my relationships this semester too. I rarely had time to give anyone a phone call and talk for any extended amount of time. Thankfully, I have a loving family and a few good friends that put up with my brief calls. However, I pursued a guy this semester. Most of the semester and our "relationship" was not official and me waiting around for him to get over an old relationship. When we offically started dating we found that we weren't meant to date. The bad part of it all is that he won't have anything to do with me and in our group of friends some people have chose to pick sides. It's inevidable. Even though all this drama sucks, I've learned to be assertive and stand up for myself.

Also, within the last two weeks I've met someone that has totally changed my perspective on life and my semester. I won't spill the beans on much because it's a little premature, but this guy has restored my faith in my decisions and myself. Anyway, before I get all deep, I'll sign off. Good luck to all of you still in school, and to those that aren't enjoy the spring weather!

I am my own worst enemy....

Because every now and then, I beat the living Shit outta me.

In teh last 72 hours, I've managed to get a massive sunburn, stay up waaaaay too late on Saturday night, overdo it on a landscaping project causing my entire body to ache, and I keep bumping my knees on the coffee table we've moved all of 2 inches.

Based on genetics alone, our spawn will only have a 25% chance to make it past their third birthday.

Breakups

You know how you can foresee that a situation is going to turn bad at some point, but you don't know how or when or how to prevent it from happening?

Andy and I have had a falling out with a couple who used to be two of our best friends. The friendship had been suffering for 2.5 or 3 years because of a variety of issues that I won't bore you with, but a conversation last evening probably ended it.

We've tried to fix things but it just isn't working anymore. Everybody talks about how much romantic breakups suck, but friendship breakups hurt, too. We still care about them and really miss what we used to have, but the friendship has been more stressful than fun for a really long time now. We're just plain tired of it. Plus, they're still utterly clueless about what led us to this point, despite several conversations where we've laid it all out there.

The "breakup" is just the tip of the iceberg, I fear. They're part of our group of college friends, and we've continued inviting them to parties and gatherings even while things have been weird. In the past year, they've declined about half the invitations and have started distancing themselves from the rest of us. Should we take that as a sign to stop extending the olive branch altogether? Continue inviting them, just to avoid awkwardness with the rest of the group? The last thing I want to do is screw up the group dynamics, but you know how these things can go.

Blarg. I hate this. It's a long time coming but I'm still really sad about how this has turned out.

super lecture, andy. i had to watch it in three shifts, but it was truly inspiring.

Hayley's Update

Speed Updates
Since everyone is super busy these days, here's a quick way to update everyone on how you're doing today. Just reply and replace my answers with yours.

I’m dreaming of: playing more sand volleyball and roasting s'mores by a campfire
I’m procrastinating on: Nothing...I don't have time to put off anything. I'm currently in the library studying for a test tomorrow. Tomorrow I will continue my marathon of studying. But, I've found new company here that is the hunky boy variety. Yummy!
I’ve accomplished: making charts for my up-and-coming tests
I’m listening to: Blackout-- Britney Spear's new CD. I know she's a psycho "new" hottie and all, but she has some upbeat tunes!
I’m reading: Medical/Surgical notes, NCLEX prep books
I need to buy: deodorant (don't worry mine's not ALL the way out yet), groceries, a new summer wedding dress!!!
This person/place/thing made me smile today: Hmm...the hunk at the library. Other than that, I will sadly say I've been a bundle of nerves/stress/anxiety. The pressure is on.
The Idiot of the Day Award goes to: I could give a lot of these out today, but here's one case of Idiot of the Day Award: my classmate Mandee (not the sharpest tool in the shed) asks, "So, when you're a carrier do you like have the disease? Teacher: yes Mandee, when you're a carrier for a disease you have it in your genes. So you do have symptoms?" I mean please.
I’m dreading: 1. this weekend, 2. the next week and a half. I have 6 tests in 9 days. Yikes! Plus, I miss my family and friends like crazy and I haven't had much time to communicate.
I'm looking forward to: going out tomorrow night to see a scary movie with my friends.
I CAN’T go to bed until: I fall asleep at my computer. However, I don't foresee this becoming a problem because I haven't slept very well for the past week. I've had restless nights full of nightmares. Any suggestions?

Addition: Ironic Situation of the Semester-
The girl that currently lives with my ex-roommate told me today that she's done living with her and wants to know if I would live with her next semester. All I can say is, Julianne, karma is a bitch. I hope you enjoy!

My Speedy Update

I’m dreaming of: wearing my swimsuit on a hot summer day in the lifeguard chair
I’m procrastinating on: many things...finishing a project for Math Methods that isn't due until the week before finals, but I really would like to have it out of the way, writing an Education philosophy that will probably make me break down and wonder if I will be a good teacher, working on gathering information for a Communications symposium (whoever decided to have the stupid class in Doane Plan was an idiot), studying for the PPST (Pre-Professional Skills Test) that will decide if I get to continue in my education to become a teacher, and working on my Education portfolio...yes, I am stressed...
I’ve accomplished: getting the majority of said Math Methods project done (unfortunately it won't finish itself)
I’m listening to: the sound of the shower coming from the bathroom on the other side of the wall...weird
I’m reading: Summer Boys by Haley Abbott (when I have time, that is) it's a re-read, but it gets me in the mood for summer
I need to buy: I just went to Wal-Mart an hour ago. I needed band-aids to cover up my wounds from having moles removed...a mole was atypical, so they decided to slice some more off to check out
This person/place/thing made me smile today: Chip - after I complained about starting to get love handles from all the stress eating I've been doing, he told me I was still hot, he loved me, and my body is perfect the way it is
The Idiot of the Day Award goes to: the stupid idiot who teaches my digital photography class...here's a novel idea, instead of messing around on photoshop, why don't we actually learn how to take good pictures??? stupid. Oh, and Tyson Compton for not calling Stop Day today. It was a gorgeous day, and this week would have worked so much better for me rather than next week when I will have two tests following Stop Day.
I’m dreading: giving up my weekends to make time to finish my stupid projects
I'm looking forward to: STOP DAY!!! I was really hoping they would call it for today, but they didn't...it will probably be next Wednesday...I can't wait!!!
I CAN’T go to bed until: Well, since I'm procrastinating on everything else, I just need to take a shower before bed.

Mi Casa

Hi guys!

Recently I have had an uncanny ability to have problems solved without even trying. I was planning to start searching for apartments online this past Saturday. However, last Friday night one of my fellow interns-to-be, from the University of Illinois Medical School in Rockford emailed me asking if I wanted to be her roommate. We had actually met on our interviews here at the UW and at Mayo and got along really well. So, after a flurry of emails between each other, our respective families, and the apartment leasing office, I am pleased to announce my new address, as of June 1:

901 Colorado Blvd.
#331
Denver, CO 80206

We got a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with a washer/dryer in the unit, plus there is a little computer room in there so I don't have to haul out my computer desk. It faces the outdoor pool. The nice thing is that the rent will be basically the same as I am paying now in Madison, plus, unlike here, parking is included at no extra cost. I am really excited. Plus, this afternoon I was trying to responsibly read something medical, when my resident and intern plopped down next to me and decided to start Google mapping their houses and the attending's house. I had never seen it before, so I played around looking at my new neighborhood in Colorado! My intern was similarly dumbfounded, and was like, "I am so proud of humanity! Yeah, we can't solve world hunger, but we can photograph nearly every house in the United States!"

Of course, Mom and I had already bought plane tickets to visit Denver the end of April to find housing, but now we can just relax more out there and check out the apartment and measure rooms and everything. I had just been planning on rooming alone, but it will be nice to have someone to talk to after work, especially not really knowing anyone out in Denver.

Take an hour to watch this.....

When you have about 76 minutes to kill, take time to look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

It is the last lecture from a Pixar-type professor dying of pancreatic cancer, and it talks about life, dreams, legacies, families, etc.

The first 45 minutes is a handful of fun stories, but the second part is really touching. Makes you think a lot about your own life.

If any of you are doing any sort of early shopping for Andy's birthday, he's written a book as well called "The Last Lecture" -- and you know my cheap ass likes the value that used books offer (Its like $12 used on Amazon).

maybe if i focus on summer....

though I don't technically get a summer break, my weekends will likely be free enough to enjoy the good weather. currently, i most look forward to hiking though state parks and swimming in their lakes.

super. that was 30 seconds i didn't get to think about the semester projects i haven't even started yet.

share you summer visions with me. =)

Speedy Reply #1

I’m dreaming of: warm spring days when the tulips are in full bloom.
I’m procrastinating on: training for our half-marathon.
I’m listening to: raindrops on my window.
I’m reading: mostly about mechanical ventilation these days, sorry dudes.
I need to buy: Mmmmmm, craisins.
This person/place/thing made me smile today: The thought of seeing Julie's smiling face again.
The Idiot of the Day Award goes to: I, too, clearly hate grammatical errors. However, my person potentially beats your person. Young man in mid-twenties intentionally ingested 75 grams tylenol (150 500 mg capsules) and is now practically on the liver transplant list. I helped admit him last night. At 1 AM.
I’m dreading: nada
I'm looking forward to: Flying to Colorado the end of the month.
I CAN’T go to bed until: I finish this speedy update!

Speed Updates

Since everyone is super busy these days, here's a quick way to update everyone on how you're doing today. Just reply and replace my answers with yours.

I’m dreaming of: playing on a beach
I’m procrastinating on: a writing project
I’ve accomplished: getting a bunch of content to our Web guy before he leaves for vacation
I’m listening to: John Mayer’s Continuum album
I’m reading: the new issue of Newsweek
I need to buy: shampoo
This person/place/thing made me smile today: Seeing Andy bundled up and snoozing on my side of the bed, looking all peaceful and adorable.
The Idiot of the Day Award goes to: The woman running for Legislature in my district, whose mailer included this sentence: “This is my forth year as an Aid for District 21.”
I’m dreading: Driving to Grand Island tomorrow for an early-morning photo shoot
I'm looking forward to: A girls’ night out this weekend
I CAN’T go to bed until: I clean the litter box. Yikes!

My New Haircut