Good News

So I have some news that I'm finally ready to share. I have been accepted into the NSF EAPSI program for this summer. What this means is that I am going to Japan for two months this summer (from June 17 to August 21). The program is really awesome because it pays for everything (so far the only thing it doesn't seem to pay for is the poster I am required to make and print to give an idea of my research, but that's only about $100, right?). I was tentatively accepted back in Feb, but I didn't want to tell everyone until the Japanese host accepted me (which is the final acceptance). I got the email from Japan this week, so now I'm telling everyone! Tomorrow I go to DC for a meeting about the program so I should have more details soon if anyone wants to know more. I'm so excited!

Graduation - what not to miss?

I would like to ask those of you who have participated in graduation at KU, which parts of the weekend you enjoyed and which did you not? Assuming that I get everything turned in on time (which seems kind of impossible but I'm going to try), I think I can qualify to graduate this May. And my whole family's coming either way!

I plan to do the hooding ceremony, but can't decide about the "walk down the hill". It seems like it will be a lot of chaos and maybe not very much fun. But I don't want to miss out on the opportunity if I (or more importantly, my parents) will regret it later. Any opinions? Any other pointers? Thanks!

Great Sunflowers

Molly asked that I post the link to the Great Sunflower Project (bees and flowers!) before she forgets. I haven't looked at the specifics yet, but how could student based data on sunflowers and pollinators not be cool?

belated thank you

Can it really have been THIS long that I haven't checked in?? It is kind of shocking how fast time can fly...Well, thanks so much for the birthday wishes! And congratulations Irene-- I'm so glad to hear that you did such a fantastic job! It was great to read about caving/explorations in GA and TN, and vacation in San Diego...
I had a great birthday-- my uncle treated me to a sushi dinner :) Hmmm, what else have I been up to... I started a meditation class and started getting a little more exercise to battle some anxiety run amok. This weekend I cut ten inches off my hair-- amazing how much easier it is to comb it when it's shorter. I have to give the Entomology Department seminar next month at the museum (but it's advertised museum-wide... ayee!). It feels surreal, because I almost feel like I'm defending again, to a new crowd. I'm presenting my new research, which I'm still DOING, still frantically gathering data at the lab. I'm planning on just quitting data gathering by the end of the month, then analysing the first week of April, then interpreting and creating a powerpoint by the second week of April... blah blah blah. My talk is April 24, so please send me some extra energy that day!
Lucy is still doing great-- she's gained some weight and is still very lovey and cuddley. And, my little redbud tree started putting out tiny buds all over! So cute!

Beware the Ides of Sally's Sister

Happy birthday to our second-most-mature member!

San Diego

I went to San Diego last week and loved it! You can go everywhere by public transportation. And the food was great. I met up with my friend Colleen from PA, and we stayed at the Super 8 in Little Italy. REAL Italian food by real Italians who speak Italian. And I brought back some biscotti (made in the real Italian bakery), and RUSTY ATE THEM! Bad dog.

Exploring Tennessee

Well, as you know spending time away from your other half is not very fun (to put it mildly), but the reunion is always wonderful. So I have to spend a few moments bragging about my husband. I drove back to Chattanooga last a week ago Friday and what better way to be welcomed then by Stelios waiting for me in the doorway as I drive up, he had been cooking all evening so he had dinner waiting for me and he made some really good chocolate cookies :) He also surprised me with a new filing cabinet in my 'office' to help me out with school. What a guy :)

We also came to the conclusion that, pending weather, we would try to take a day on the weekend every week and try to do some exploring of Tennessee and the surrounding areas. So last Saturday we went caving! at Harold's Waterfall in Trenton, GA. Neither one of us had done that before and Stelios is wanting to start doing some research with cave insects so we signed up for a trip with the recreation services at UTC. It was pretty fun, got to crawl around on our stomachs, climb down ropes through holes and Stelios even collected a few insects to begin his collection.

Yesterday we went traveling northeast and drove along a scenic skyway in the Cherokee National Forest and ended up at Indian Boundary Lake - we also drove by Groundhog Mountain, in case anyone was interested :) It was a very pretty drive and area and I definitely think we will be going back in that direction again, and it's only a few hours away. We did do a little hiking but it was a bit chilly yesterday and we weren't dressed too appropriately, so we didn't do much, lots of rivers and creeks and we drove by the place that held the white water rapid/kayaking competitions for the 1996 Olympics.

Well, enjoy the pics and I will keep you updated on the new places that we find!

Cool Websites

Things are good here in Liberty/Independence. We enjoyed the warmer weather over the weekend - and I found the first flower of the season in my backyard - Veronica sp. (Speedwell) (and yes, I should know which species, but I haven't made the time to look it up).

School is keeping me busy, with little time to blog. However, I have found a couple of cool websites that I would like to pass along - I know that you all will appreciate them.

Really cool SEM photos
http://sbio.uct.ac.za/Webemu/gallery/descriptions.php

How bees see flowers
http://www.naturfotograf.com/UV_flowers_list.html

Chemo Survivor in Major Pillow Fight

I regularly receive updates from Alex about her battle with breast cancer (any of which I'd be happy to pass on). Her last chemo treatment was on Feb. 14, and in a fit of euphoria, she joined in on the annual San Fransico St. Valentine's Pillow Massacre. You must check out the photo of bald Alex being compared to bald Brittany Spears that made one of the SF news blogs (about halfway down the page-- the bald people are hard to miss).

Congrats Irene!

Irene did a great job on her talk and of course passed! Here she is talking to Beth. And eating dessert.

Happy Birthday Molly!

Hope the next trip around the sun is full of laughter and good cheer.

Break a Metaphorical Leg Irene!

Defend well and celebrate well!