Saturday, March 29, 2003

 

My first foam party...

Went to my first foam party yesterday at the Garden. It was fun... and interesting. The Garden has a sunken dance floor, so they filled it with foam. I'm not sure what the foam was made of, though (kinda disturbing now that I think about it). It was viscous like the suds you get from using a lot of dishwashing detergent, but it got in my eyes and didn't sting, so I have no clue. So there we all were, dancing around in a sea of suds. The floor must've had a layer of carpeting on it, because my shoes kept getting vaccum-sealed to the floor. Jenn and Christine (heretofore referred to as Pokey Christine, so as not to confuse her with sisterfriend Christine) lost their flip-flops for a little bit. It probably would have been a lot more fun if it wasn't like 35 degrees outside (we were FREEZING when we left...). It was crazy. I would hate to be the ones who have to clean up after a foam party. The dance floor was the only place filled with suds, but you could still wander all over the rest of the bar, so the floor was wet and slightly foamy wherever you went. I felt so gross after I got home... I was all sudsy and looked like a drowned rat... I just walked straight from my front door into my shower with my clothes on so I could get them rinsed off a bit before I washed them. Now I'm all clean, but my skin is a little messed up. It's pretty dry. Should've really slathered on the moisturizer after my shower. Oh well. But it was a fun experience. At least now I know what to do in case I ever end up at another one of those things.

Claud 2:56 PM 

Friday, March 28, 2003

 

The Friday Five...


1. What was your most memorable moment from the last week? I'm echoing Christine's sentiments on this one... last Friday night at Cherry Red. I haven't seen so many of my college friends in such a long time, it was great to see them and to catch up on life.

2. What one person touched your life this week?If I had to pick one... Get ready to gag, folks... Dan. He calms me down, he makes me laugh, he boosts my ego, he encourages me, he makes me feel incredibly loved...

3. How have you helped someone this week? In theory I might have. I registered to become a bone marrow donor today.

4. What one thing do you need to get done by this time next week? Pay my bills. Fill out financial aid stuff.

5. What one thing will you do over the next seven days to make your world a better place? My world personally? Study neuroanatomy so I don't fail the exam and end up in summer school. Also, clean my apartment and do laundry.


Anyone need bone marrow?

So I registered to become a bone marrow donor today. The tech who took my blood sample wasn't that great... she had to take a couple stabs (pun intended) at my arms to get the sample, so I had a band-aid on both arms for a few hours today. Hopefully I don't back out if I ever get called on, but I figure, well, it could save someone's life. Besides, they need Asian donors.

Claud 4:12 PM 

Thursday, March 27, 2003

 

argh.

bitch and moan, bitch and moan. oy. i love ya, but dude, either get over it or do something about it.


is this a sign of the apocalypse?

I was watching "Where are they now?" on Vh1 the other day, and apparently Nancy Kerrigan is trying to launch a singing career. She's already recorded one song, "Go the Distance" [Insert gagging here]. Oh, dear.


what i learned in school today...

For all you parents out there who want your baby to be the youngest on the block to walk, here's a little tidbit of info. It's unlikely that any baby will walk before it's 8 or 9 months old. Why, you ask? Well, spinal nerve tracts need to be fully myelinated before they will actually function. Huh? Many nerves are covered in myelin, which is like an insulator that helps speed up the nerve's ability to pass along information from the brain to various bodily structures (and vice versa). Well, a baby's long tract nerves (like the ones to their leg muscles) don't get fully myelinated until about 8-9 months of age. So the nerves don't completely function, and they just can't walk. See, you just learned something, didn't you? =P

Claud 7:06 PM 

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

 

Soooo close...

Doesn't it just irritate you to no end when you come soooo close to something, but no cigar? Ugh. I won't explain why for now (I may get slapped upside the head for whining). Technically I shouldn't complain per se, since I am in pretty good standing, but suffice it to say I may not be able to do something because I'm just a tiny bit shy of the requirements. Ugh. So very frustrating.


I'm not on vacation anymore, but apparently my brain still is...

I am having such incredible difficulty getting back into the swing of studying. My attention span is shot. I'm getting stuff done, it's just taking me a while. It's like my brain resents me for making it study again ("Uh, excuse me, I was rather enjoying the break.. What do you think you're doing? Studying? Oh, I think not."). Argh. Must focus, must focus...

Claud 8:14 PM 

Monday, March 24, 2003

 

It's nice to know there's nice people out there...

Went to the dentist today. I've had this aching around my back molars on one side every so often for the last few months, and I wanted to get it checked out in case it was a cavity. I figured since I don't have dental insurance it might be a better idea to nip it in the butt sooner rather than later. Better to pay a couple hundred to get a cavity filled now than nearly a grand to get a root canal later. The assistant was really friendly, talked to me a lot, and lo and behold, we have the same birthday. So she takes an xray, we chat while waiting for it to develop, then she brings it over to the dentist so he can look at it. He comes in to talk to me and look inside my mouth. It was kinda cool, they actually set up a mirror so that I could watch while he was examining my teeth, and he explained what he was seeing, and what he was looking for. It figures I actually don't have a cavity (phew), so I kinda felt stupid for going in. However, he did say that my two molars in back are positioned such that the bottoms touch, but the roots are farther apart, so there's a space between them near the gum line. Apparently there's probably food getting stuck in that little nook every so often, which he says can cause quite a bit more discomfort than one would think. He said that me and floss are going to be really good friends. So at least I'm not crazy. We chat for a little (he went to Loyola University Chicago's dental school before it closed), and then when he leaves the room, he tells the assistant not to charge me anything (I was supposed to pay for the xray and the visit). How cool is that? I think I've found myself a new dentist.


And the moral of the story is...

Brush your teeth. And floss. A lot. It's good for you. Oh yeah, and get your wisdom teeth out as soon as your dentist recommends. Before they start moving your teeth around. I'm pretty sure that's what caused that gap to form between my molars. Those are my dental tips for the day.

Claud 8:28 PM 

Sunday, March 23, 2003

 

Back in Des Moines...

...and back in the pressure cooker that I call med school. Hopefully I don't have a case of Spring Break hangover. Not that kind of hangover - I'm talking the whole being used to not studying or having to get up early to be alert and awake in class at 8AM. Must focus again, must focus again... oy vey. But at least I got to vacuum my apartment (didn't want the dust bunnies on my floor to take over my apartment), clean up a bit, unpack, and watch the Oscars tonight. I mean, it's good I'm back, I really do want to graduate and all and be a doctor, but right now I'm already missing my family, Dan, my house, my animals...


Animals make me laugh.

So Christine dropped me off at Jacqueline's this afternoon for the ride back to Des Moines, and she brings Ewok along. Jacqueline's parents have this little Bichon named Cole (sp?), and so Mrs. Cappiello brings Cole outside to meet Ewok. So they (the dogs) do the whole "sniff and greet" thing, and I go help pack up the car while Christine and Mrs. C chat and the dogs play. All of a sudden I hear Christine go "EWOK!" and I look over, and he's taking a crap on the lawn. We're all busting up, me and Christine are mortified, and Mrs. C goes, "Coley scared the crap out of Ewok!" Then Cole tried to hump Ewok. It was funny.


Oscar night...

My favorite speech thus far? Adrien Brody's. Had a nice little "I can't believe this is real" thing going on, made a very nice, moving statement about the war ("The Piano" takes place during the Holocaust), seemed genuinely shocked to have won - when they said his name, he looked confused for a second. He said something along the lines of "there are times in life when everything makes sense. This isn't one of them" Haha. Made me chuckle.

And holy $hit, Eminem just won an Oscar. Wow. Color me stunned.

Wow, Catherine Zeta-Jones looks like she could pop any minute now. Part of me was worried she was going to go into labor with all that belting she was doing when she was performing with Queen Latifah at the beginning. Now THAT would have been interesting.

And despite the fact that it takes up a lot of time, I love it when they bring up all of the past Oscar winners on stage and introduce them and what they won. It's nice to see everyone together, and to see how all the older (older as in Oscars from years ago) Oscar winners are doing. I'm a sentimental schlub, I know.

And what's with Jack Nicholson and the sunglasses? I'm curious.


Oh, great.

So apparently the dean of my medical school is no longer my dean. I just got an email saying that he was no longer "actively involved" as our dean, and that we have an interim dean (I don't even recognize the name of the interim dean...ugh...). I'm going to miss Dean Teitelbaum. He's a little guy, just like me. And he drives a Beemer that has the license plates "DADEAN". Get it? Da Dean? He honked at me and waved one day when I was walking home from class. He hugged me at the football tournament. And he danced with me at the Gala (hehe, in my heels I was taller than him...). I'm going to miss him. I hope somebody lets us know what's going on. I just hope things don't go south for us because he's left. That would SUUUUUUCK. Well, at any rate... good luck, Dr. T...

Claud 8:37 PM 

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

 

yummy in my tummy...

I had ribs tonight... yummy... tummy very happy...


what i'm doing on my spring break vacation...

NOTHING!!! AND I LIKE IT! Ok, I'm doing laundry and cleaning, but I'm not studying for a test, or studying for a quiz, or studying! YAY! My brain gets a vacation too! Oh wait, I have to do my taxes... ick...

Claud 8:30 PM 

Saturday, March 15, 2003

 

I'm HOME!!!

Yay! I'm home for a week! So glad to not have to be studying every night... to be away from school... to be away from Des Moines (I don't hate it, it's just not home.) No big plans for the week, just relaxing and spending time with my family and Dan. A couple of Wolves hockey games, a field trip to the museum... I'm just happy to be home. =)

Claud 8:00 PM 

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

 

just had to get it off my chest...

Pardon the vulgar language that follows... I just had to get this off my chest... Don't ask... Grow the fuck up, for crying out loud!!! I don't know why it makes me so irritated, but Lord, some people just need to get their heads out of their asses and grow up. And I thought I was immature. OK, I'm done now.

3 more days, 3 more days...

till Spring Break!!!! It couldn't come at a better time... I'm so ready to be out of Des Moines and away from school for a little while. I miss my family, I miss my Dan, I miss my house, I miss Chicago... But I'll be home soon! Yay! Now I can nag Christine about her wedding IN PERSON!!! You know you miss it, sisterfriend... heh, heh...

Claud 8:33 PM 

Saturday, March 08, 2003

 

Oops.

Whoops, forgot to publish my post from Wednesday. So it's below today's.


Wow, this IS going to be hard...

So Friday, me, Jenn, Liz, Janki, and Cecilia went to Target. I was good, only got stuff that I needed, didn't deviate from my shopping list. Though I was incredibly tempted. The girls were looking for cute PJs for Vik and Balaji's Pajama Jammy Jam, and there were these adorable PJs that had monkeys on them! I was so tempted... but then I reasoned my way out of it, and they were pink anyway. There was a blue set too, but the logos around the monkey said "hula girl" - I thought it would be cuter if it said Hula Monkey. But I guess you had to be there. And then today I went to Sportmart (Christine told me yesterday that they had some nice button-down shirts for 10 bucks - go figure, nice shirts at Sportmart?), so I was able to get a nice shirt that actually fits. Almost bought a pair of pants, but I think that would have counted as impulse shopping (since I had no plans to buy pants at Sportmart). Then went to the mall with Jenn, got tempted again (almost went halves on some Bath and Body Works stuff, saw some cute tank tops, but she was a good friend and wouldn't let me). I did however buy a cool, simple sterling silver ring to replace the one I've been wearing for years (the silver finish on it is wearing away). You may be saying impulse shopping, but as many can attest, I have been looking for a ring (no, Dan, not that kind of ring, you can breathe now) for a while. And the one I bought today was only 6 bucks. So I think I'm still okay.


The Pajama Jammy Jam...

Vik and Balaji had a pajama party yesterday night... they invited just about everybody and their brother. It was really fun. A LOT of people came, and it was cool to see everyone hanging out. Everybody was mingling, I got to talk to people that I don't really hang out with regularly. I was really impressed that just about everybody came in their pajamas (or robes...). I think this PJ party should become a tradition, it's a cool way to bring the class together. And I managed to amaze Jenn and Liz yet again with my drinking abilities, which if you ask me aren't that impressive, but hey, whatever. I think they're just going by how little I am (I think they're underestimating my size). All I know is I woke up this morning feeling okay, tired, but okay, so I'm all good.

Claud 9:34 PM 

Wednesday, March 05, 2003

 

Ohh, this is going to be harder than I thought...

So already the no-impulse-buying promise is being challenged. 1) DMU's bookstore is having clearance sale (apparel included), and 2) we're making a Target run on Friday - after the Physiology exam (which will make me want to buy stuff to comfort myself). I told Jenn about my no-superfluous-shopping thing this morning and she gives me a look like, "Whoa, are you serious?" So the girls will have to play bad cop on Friday and make sure that I buy only what I need. I told them to smack my hands if necessary and not to let me weasel out of my deal with God. And I realize this probably means no more World Market study-breaks when we study at Borders (it's a little further down in the strip mall). I suppose I can look, but there will be no buying. This is going to be an interesting 40 days.

Claud 1:38 PM 

Tuesday, March 04, 2003

 

Tuesday's This-or-That


1. Soup or salad? Salad. I like veggies.

2. Hot or cold sandwiches? I don't care as long as it's a sandwich.

3. White or whole wheat bread (or rye, etc)? Probably whole wheat, it's healthier.

4. Pack a lunch for work/school, or buy it? Usually pack it. I'm a poor student.

5. If you eat out...fast-food chain, or mom & pop type place? I'll eat anything. There's no McDonalds close to me, so sometimes I get a craving for it. Although at a chain restaurant like Applebees or TGI Friday's, you get more food...

6. Tuna or chicken salad? Preferably tuna, but not if I'm going to be talking to anyone in person or around people soon after I eat it. In that case I'd go with the chicken salad.

7. Cheese: Swiss or cheddar (or American, etc)? Don't care as long as it's cheese. But I like provolone if I can get it.

8. Mustard or mayo? Both, thank you very much. Dijon mustard, if possible.

9. Sandwiches: wrap/pita pocket, or regular bread/roll? Once again, I don't care as long as it'a sandwich. But if I can get the bread toasted... mmm...

10. Sweet stuff: cookie/cake or fresh fruit? Both please. But if it's between cake or a cookie, I'd most likely go with the cake.


Oh the weather outside is frightful...

It's snowing again. I'd venture to guess we've got at least 5 inches right now (it's about 7:00 PM CDT). Whoop-dee-freakin'-doo.


Holy crap! It's Lent already?

Hmm, I'm not sure what to give up. I don't drink alcohol or pop often enough anymore to warrant giving that up. I can't give up cooking, or I'll die. Hmm. I may try a combo of things. Giving up a bit here, doing more there. Exercising more regularly will definitely be one of them. I think I'm going to exercise for at least half an hour (longer, preferably), at least 3 times a week. No more impulse shopping. Especially after stressful exams. Buy only if I need it. Not that I've been horribly bad about shopping, I think, but I have bought a few things that I didn't necessarily need. The only clothing I will be allowed to buy will be a nice professional-looking button-down shirt that fits me (that's not likely to happen) since I do need some, or some nice dress pants that fit me (once again, not likely to happen). No magazines, no snacks (unless I'm at school with nothing to eat), no more makeup, whatever. OK. I'm good, I think.

Claud 5:13 PM 

Monday, March 03, 2003

 

iiiinteresting...

So I was watching this program on the Learning Channel (gotta love TLC) about amazing childbirth stories. There's this one couple who was told during a sonogram that their baby had a mass in his abdomen, which may be a harbinger of cystic fibrosis. Otherwise, he is fine. So they have the baby, and the surgeons remove the mass. It turns out that the mass isn't a mass... it's a fetus that ended up inside the other fetus's abdomen. Whoa... There's only been about 80 cases in the last 200 years. It's not that the one baby eats the other ... somehow during early fetal development when the abdomen sealed, the other baby somehow must have gotten caught up in his twin. Crazy...

don't worry, I'm studying.

Claud 5:49 PM 

Sunday, March 02, 2003

 

aww, phooey.

Okay, so apparently Blogger was a booger on Friday night/early Saturday morning and didn't post my drunken blog from Friday night. Me and Jenn had been drinking wine earlier Friday evening (along with the rest of the Scooby Gang - we had dinner at my place) then went out dancing at the Garden with Vik, Bhalaji, and Brian. So we got even toastier at the club. So the post should follow this one (it should be dated 3/1/2003).

In addendum to my drunken post, I actually had a guy come up to me when I was dancing on the stage and say, "Sweetie, I'm gay, but I just wanted to tell you that you're incredibly beautiful." Dude, I was blushing! Nice little ego booster. If he had been straight, even more of an ego booster. But I'll take it when I can get it. And Dan, not to say that you don't make me feel beautiful and boost my ego, but it's always nice when people who don't know me say it. =)

So needless to say, Saturday was interesting. Actually, Vik called to check on me and make sure I was feeling okay - how sweet is that? I woke up feeling okay, but the longer I was awake, the more I felt it. My stomach was fine, my head was another story. I didn't have a headache, I just didn't feel quite right. But that's okay, I felt better than Jenn did. And me, Jenn, and Christine went to Border's to study and actually got stuff done. I was impressed with myself.

Oh, and to explain why Jenn needed a fun night out - bad week culminating in a bad phone call from what is apparently now her ex. It's too bad, I thought they were good together. So she needed a night out with friends.

Claud 11:48 AM 

Saturday, March 01, 2003

 

dude, I'm hammmered...

Yeah, so I'm pretty hammered right now. I had 2 glasses of wine (courtesy of Beau) before 9 pm, then me, Jenn, Bhalaji, Vikas, and Brian went to the Garden, a club in downtown Des Moines, where I had 1 Red Headed Slut (no, I'm not referring to Dan - hehehe - it's a shot) and 3 lemon drops - maybe four, I'm not sure, I'd have to think about that. Oh, my, God, I had soooooooooo much fun! I have to admit, it was probably the best night out I've had here. It was a blast. It was a great way to wind up a week that was incredibly stressful. The music was great (it helped that Vik was tight with the dj) -which reminds me, some dj (dj otis? I can't remember, I'm toasted) redid "Hey Baby" that one song from "Dirty Dancing"... it was a great cover - I'll have to download it. The bartender was great, she let us dance on the stage, she hugged us all goodbye and said that we should drive home carefully and that we should definitely come back tomorrow night (tomorrow being today) . It was ever so much fun. And it was just what Jenn needed (more on that tomorrow). I don't get to hang out with Vik and Bhalaji much, or Brian for that matter, so it was a good time. We're definitely going to have to do this again.

You know what's sad? I checked over this post to make sure there were no typos. Good Lord, even when I'm drunk I'm anal.

Once again, soooooo very glad I'm in a stable relationship

More about this tomorrow, but suffice it to say, I'm so very very glad that I'm in a stable, happy relationship that doesn't cause me any more stress than it needs to.

Claud 12:54 AM