It's Summertime!

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!

It's summer! Yesterday, I finished my two big projects of the year/quarter. I got my thesis to my committee! And I submitted a proposal to the Institutional Review Board for our daily study we'll be doing next winter. Ah. Feels so good.

I'm celebrating by taking the day off and catching up on housework and some projects. I'm going to finally finish making my wall hangings, using this fabric:

I think it's going to look great in our living room!

And I'm waiting on pins and needles for this to arrive:

My mom bought me a KitchenAid mixer (in beautiful Cornflower blue) for filing my thesis. Since I am about two months or so from filing, I will be tortured by its presence. Motivation for getting it done stat, once I get feedback! I'm trying to decide what I am going to make with it. I think I want to make a gluten-free lemon meringue pie. Mmm... I'm already salivating!

In one week, I will be in Salt Lake checking out Emily, Taylor, and Daphne's new home! I can't wait to celebrate Daphne's first birthday! Sean is going to come out to Salt Lake for the Fourth, and we'll leave Salt Lake heading to Honolulu. Now that it is so close, I am SO excited!

Happy summer all!

Read More

Cruisin' for a Bruisin'

Yesterday, at 83 MPH, I received my first speeding ticket thus joining the ranks of millions of ticketed Americans.

Le sigh.

I calmed myself with a bag of Haribo Gold-Bears. Delicious.

My family was so sweet, letting me know that is wasn't too big a deal. And really, for all the driving (and speeding) I've done, it's been a long time coming. :-)

Sean surprised me with just what a girl with her first speeding ticket needs...

STEAK. He makes the most delicious steak. So juicy, with bits of crispy goodness.

It's all good. But for the next two years, I'm going to be one of those weirdos in the right lane going 60 MPH, poking along. At least I'll be getting better gas mileage!

In other news... yesterday was our lab's celebration for those graduating! Our lab is about to be half the size it was this year. Our awesome people are going on to really cool jobs. It makes me excited and nervous for the future. But mostly I'm just going to miss everyone.

My thesis is in good/ok shape. In just a week and two days, it will be to my committee! That's good news!

And tomorrow, I am heading to Yosemite to set up camp, relax away from everything, and eat delicious camping food. Sean and I tested out our new air mattress and sleeping bags last night. It's going to be so fun! Yay for summer!

Read More

Thesis, Wedding, and Point Bonita!

Hello hello! It is feeling like summer here. Upper 90s weather, weddings, and spontaneous mini road trips! Hoorah!

South Lake Tahoe

Yesterday, Sean and I went to his friend's wedding. It was in Tahoe. Beautiful day, beautiful view of the lake. Just doesn't get any better! The food was amazing -- I had a delicious salmon salad with gluten-free crackers! For the cake, Erin had cute gluten-free cake bites. Yum yum! It was so fun and informal and the ceremony was officiated by her brother. It was also nice to get to know some of Sean's friends better and put faces to names. I can't wait to go back to Tahoe for Caitlin and Evan's wedding in August!

Last night I completed a draft of my thesis! FINALLY! Some sections are more polished than others, but it should be in great shape in two weeks. Then, once I get feedback from my committee and my committee members' signatures (if I'm so lucky), I will be done with my Master's. Woohoo!

To celebrate my thesis, I took today off. Sean told me about a beautiful place about a week ago: Point Bonita. We decided to take a day trip to the spot. It was amazing. So special, unique, and romantic.

Point Bonita Lighthouse and Bridge

It was a half-mile hike, including a hand scraped tunnel and two bridges. The bridge above just opened.  It sways in the wind, which was a little scary. While the bridges, lighthouse, and tunnel were scenic enough, there was also an amazing view of my favorite landmark -- the Golden Gate!

Doesn't do it justice!

Such a great weekend. I am so excited for this summer. Camping, bridal showers, weddings, trips to Utah, Hawaii, and Seattle! Lots of fun coming up!

Read More