First my freak-out section: I AM FLIPPING OUT ABOUT MY THERMODYNAMICS CLASS IN THE FALL!!!! I just found out that the one teacher who scares the crap out of me will be teaching. I managed to get through my undergraduate degree without having him as a professor, but now I have to face him. I am trying to tell myself that losing my 4.0 GPA won't be the end of the world... That doesn't mean I won't be working my butt off day and night to get an A, but I'm extremely concerned. I plan to brush up on my calculus and physical chemistry over the summer... along with studying to get a license for work, working on my seminar, moving, and most importantly doing research.
:::Deep Breath:::
:::Deep Breath:::
:::Deep Breath:::
Okay. It's going to be alright. It wouldn't be a PhD without a ton of work, and I know in the end it will be worth it. I've made it this far. I had my inorganic final this morning, and tonight is my kinetics and catalysis final. I feel good about that one. I have one more final on Monday for my organic synthesis class. One another good note, I found an awesome new setting on the software for my instrument at work. Yay! Now away from school talk...

On to the fitness related section: The challenges are going great. I am seeing wonderful results! My butt looks tighter (I'm sure that will pick up some Google hits), and my arms are starting to actually have some definition to them! My abs are much tighter than before, although I think that is the result of the three one-minute planks we do each work-out. On Saturday we are going bathing suit shopping for the cruise! I am actually pretty excited! Just 10 days until my cruise!!!!

I'm off to grab some food and relax before my final. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Counting down to vacation!

Tuesday I did not end up running. I slept in, which was wonderful. I went to work and my experiment cooperated for the most part, which is always nice. Just as I was getting ready to leave, I started to feel really bad. Rather than running, I opted to go home and take a nap. I slept for at least an hour. Then I went to the tanning bed. I don't usually tan. In fact the last time I tanned was probably a year ago. I wanted to get a little bit of a tan so the people on the cruise wouldn't be blinded by my whiteness. Apparently I stayed in a bit too long, and I have a slight sunburn.

On Wednesday Caitlin and I had a great legs work-out. We took our cardio a little easier due to Caitlin's headache, and we ended up walking up and down the stairs and ramps of one of the parking garages. It wasn't so much cardio, but it was a good work-out. By the way, the squats challenge is really making my butt hurt! I don't think my butt has ever had such a great work-out. Sad, I know. But soon it will look great in a bathing suit! Why is that so great? Because.... Two weeks from Saturday starts my cruise! I absolutely need a vacation, and I cannot wait for it get here! (Oh yeah, I know you're sick of reading about it.)

Wednesday Caitlin and I took a study break to go shopping at Ross. We each found three dresses for our cruise. The dresses are very casual and we intend to wear them over bathing suits. My dresses came to a grand total of $34! I love Ross! I can't believe I'm actually intending on wearing so many dresses. It should be fun.

Tomorrow we meet at the gym in the morning, then we will spend the rest of the day studying. Bleh. At least the semester is almost finished.

Look Out For Motorcycles!

Today I saw an emergency helicopter picking someone up from an accident involving a motorcycle. Please, please look out for motorcycles!! And for those of you who have a motorcycle, don't be idiots!! Drive with care! And I don't give a shit if you have the insurance, where a helmet! And the rest of the gear! (Note: In Florida if you are at least 21 and have the appropriate insurance, you are not required by law to wear a helmet. As an additional note, my dad was wearing a helmet, so I know that they are not a cure all, but dammit your odds are better when you're wearing a helmet!)

Today's Motivational Quote

“To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.” ~Unknown

My current favorite commercial (just a clip of my favorite line):

First day of the challenges

Today Caitlin and I started our challenges. We did the top level for sit-ups and squats, and we decided to do the second level for push-ups (but doing the push-ups on our knees). We decided we would go through the challenge once doing the push-ups on our knees, then in six weeks do it again with the push-ups in the proper position. Hopefully by that point I will have more upper body strength which will help me do the correct position.

I'm pretty tired from today's work-out. Sadly this is the day I'm on campus from 6:30am to 9pm. Bleh. I can't wait to go home today. On a happy note, seminar is canceled today, so I can work on my kinetics and catalysis paper. On a sad note, I'm grading my students' presentations today. The other lab group went way past their time schedule, so I imagine my group will do the same.

There was talk of going for a run in the morning. To be honest I just want to sleep for days. I'm so tired. I didn't sleep well this weekend. Tonight wasn't too bad, but 6am came pretty quick. We'll see what happens. Maybe I'll run tomorrow. Or maybe I'll sleep. My sinuses have really started to bother me, and I really don't want to get sick. I may use that excuse to sleep in, then run in the evening. That could be nice. Or maybe because the boss is away, I'll run in the morning then have a wonderful nap before going to work. That sounds pretty fantastic as well. I'll let you know.

Have a great week!

P.S. Good Luck Boston Marathoners!!!!!!!!

Completely not fitness related... venting.

Friday I went to the "Women In Science" luncheon where I met the inspiring Dr. Mildred Dresselhaus. She told us about her life and how she came faced adversity to get where she is today. I hope I can influence the scientific world even a fraction as much as she has. I think it is really great that she travels and holds these discussions to encourage women in science. It's nice to have another female role model in such a male dominated field.

Yesterday was also the chemistry picnic which included an awards ceremony, and I was the recipient of an award. I was told it was considered the most prestigious award that the faculty hand-out. I called my mom after, and she was so proud. One of the first things she said was, "I know your dad would be so proud of you." I know she's right, but I really wish I could tell him my news myself. He was always my biggest supporter in school. I looked forward to telling him about my internship, some exciting fact I learned about in school, or my research. He was the one who cheered the loudest when I got into grad school the first time (for my Master's degree). I hate that he won't be there to see walk when I get my PhD. One of the last times I saw my dad (the last pictures I ever took with him) was at my graduation for my B.S. degree. He said, "Did you see those people getting hooded for their PhD? That could be you." And he was right. That will be me. I would give anything to have him there. Sometimes life isn't fair. Sometimes it just sucks.

I'm sorry about the rant. I just needed to vent. No need to reply.

Challenge Tests

We did the challenge tests today. I cannot successfully do one real push-up. I can't make myself go all the way down. I can do at least 10 on my knees, but since I can't do one full push-up, I'm going to say that I'm starting at the lowest level for the push-up challenge. The squat and sit-up tests were much easier. I'm in the top rank for both of those.

After the tests, Caitlin and I did our usual Friday work-out. This afternoon is a Women In Science Luncheon that I'm really looking forward to. After is the Annual Chemistry Picnic at school. That is usually fun. Good food and a lot of nerds. It's my kind of place. (o;

Oh, I got an A in seminar! I am so relieved to be done with seminar this semester! In the fall I will give the official seminar to faculty and students, but until then I will just be doing more research on background materials. By the way, my seminar is on stand-off detection of explosives using photothermal imaging and a variation of photoacoustic spectroscopy. I've linked some articles about them. The actual journal articles are pretty interesting. I'm excited about it (I'm such a dork!).

Time to be lazy before the luncheon. Have a great weekend all!

I'm adding on the 200 Squats Challenge!

Maybe I'm over-doing it, but why not add on the 200 Squats Challenge too? I might as well work each area of my body consistently. Caitlin has also agreed to do this. I have been consistent with my daily lunges, and I'm really noticing a difference in my thighs and butt (gotta love that!!). We are planning on doing the tests tomorrow and starting the actual work-outs on Friday. I'm hoping that it won't make my abs or legs look too bulky. And I'm afraid I won't be able to do all the push-ups without ending up on my knees at some point. If that is the case, then my goal will be to repeat the challenge trying to do the full push-up position.

Okay now I have to go give my seminar presentation for the semester. Since it is my first semester of seminar, my presentation is only in front of my adviser and the professor. I've already practiced in front of my adviser a few times, so I'm not as nervous as I could be. In the fall I will have to give the presentation in front of students and faculty. I am already dreading that. My topic is actually pretty cool, and I'm sure I'll talk about it later. Time to present! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Challenges

I finally clicked on the link for the Two Hundred Sit-Ups Challenge that I've seen mentioned on a few other blogs. Caitlin and I have decided to accept that challenge as well as the One Hundred Push Ups Challenge. I'm more excited yet scared about the second challenge. I think we are going to start next week and incorporate them into our 3 days of weight training. I'll keep you updated!

The Bouncing Turkey on BONES

Does anyone watch the TV show "Bones"? I personally love the show. While I do find it unbelievable, it is also extremely entertaining (much like CSI). Not to mention I think David Boreanaz is hot!

On this past weeks' episode, a body was found that appeared to have been shattered into a million pieces. The theory was that the body had been frozen in liquid nitrogen and dropped so that it shattered. The characters then conduct an experiment where they froze a turkey (like one would cook for Thanksgiving) and dropped it from a balcony. Rather than the turkey shattering, it BOUNCED (consequently then hitting Angela in the face)! Later in the episode, a "physicist" states that "everyone knows a body will bounce if frozen with liquid nitrogen". I've embedded a video that I found off YouTube of the bouncing turkey. Extremely amusing.



I honestly don't know if a body would bounce once frozen with LN2. I tried to convince my adviser to let us perform an experiment, but sadly he did not take the bait. If I find out whether or not this is true, I'll let you know. Either way, I still laugh when I watch that part of the episode! And I must have had a great ab work-out, because laughing is making my abs hurt more... lol.

Have a great Wednesday! (Happy $2 Latte Day to me!)

My Easter Weekend

(I apologize for multiple posts today. I actually wrote this earlier today but didn't have access to my photo I wanted to attach.)

Today's work-out (legs) was really good. I wore myself out. Monday was a little slow, because I didn't get a lot of sleep Sunday night. My Easter weekend was nice. I ate a ton of not-so-good-for-me food and candy. I very much enjoyed that. I also was able to see my Aunt, who happened to be in the same town where Chris's family lives. That was awesome!

On Saturday, we went to the pet store, and I played with a little golden retriever. She was adorable! We won't be getting another dog anytime soon (three cats are plenty!), but I am looking forward to having another one eventually. Chris really wants a husky, so I told him he could get whatever dog he wants first (after we have a yard of course). Then I think I will get another golden retriever. Syd really was the best dog ever! (I'm still working on the post dedicated to just him... It probably will not be posted until after the semester ends, because I cry whenever I try to type it.) After, we went to a fantastic Mexican restaurant where we met my aunt for lunch. Then Chris, his mom, and I went shopping and got pedicures. Then we got pictures in front of this cool statue in Sarasota called "Unconditional Surrender". That's right... I convinced Chris to get a pedicure (sans nail polish of course). He enjoyed the massage chair and the leg massage. It was a great finish to a long day of shopping and walking around. That night we watched the movies "Yes Man" and "Bolt". I liked them both.

On Sunday we got brave. We actually bathed all three cats. That was a very challenging task. lol. Later we ate Easter dinner (and plenty of candy). Before leaving, we watched the movie "Twilight". I have not read the books and had not previously seen the movie. It was alright. I've never really been into vampires movies, but it wasn't bad. I liked the soundtrack. After the movie, we drove home. Of course we didn't get in until late, which resulted in my lazy Monday work-out.

Despite some very sad news that I found out on Friday, the weekend went well. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

Second post for the day...

Since I'm killing time before class, and I just ran out of The Lawsons did Dallas! posts to read (I had months of catching up to do!), I figured I'd write about today's workout.

Caitlin and I worked out chest, triceps, and shoulders. We also had a great ab work out which included three 45-second planks. (We rock!) Then we did intervals on the elliptical machine (since my knee was feeling a little sore). I'm very proud of us!

Now we've spent the last two hours doing absolutely nothing, and it has been wonderful! Sadly I must head off to inorganic class. Boo.

I hope everyone has a great Easter!

The Pageant

I realized I completely forgot to mention how the pageant was this weekend! The roommate and I had a great time! Our girl looked AMAZING (see pink dress picture)! Her talent was spectacular, and I was so proud! She ended up being first runner up. Now I had never been to a pageant before, and I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. But seeing those girls on stage looking so confident and showing so much talent was quite inspiring. I really enjoyed myself. I also really enjoyed getting dressed up. I appear to have found my girly side. I LOVE getting dressed up! And I finally had an excuse to wear that dress I bought my cousin's wedding back in 2007. The night before I wore another dress I had in my closet. It was great! I intend to dress up for dinners on my cruise. I can't wait!!
First night


Second night

I'm Going On A Cruise!

Okay so it's finally official... tickets are purchased! I am going on my first cruise one month from tomorrow! We are going to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. I am so excited!!!! I will have to make sure to go bathing suit shopping before the trip. Oh I can't wait!

Today was a legs work-out. It was a really good work-out! I didn't run yesterday, but I was at work and/or school all day long. I have an inorganic test in about 20 minutes, then I have to give a practice seminar presentation today and tomorrow in preparation for the real deal next week. Bleh. And I have another presentation for my organic synthesis on Monday. YUCK!

Despite all the presentation practicing I'll be doing this weekend, I'm looking forward to going to Chris's parents' house for the Easter weekend.

Well I better head over to my test. YAY for my cruise!!!!!

Interval Day

Today was chest, shoulders, and triceps day. My arms are really tired. Then we did abs. Then we did 20 minutes of intervals on the track. The track is only an eight of a mile loop. We jogged one straight and the curves and sprinted the other straight. We did six before walking a lap, then did six more. I pushed myself pretty hard on the sprints just trying to keep up with someone else (she's crazy fast!). The work-out was a really exhausting, but also a really great work-out.

So it's looking like my potential cruise might be in May. I was hoping to have a little more time to tone before the cruise, but I the earlier we go the cheaper the trip will be. I also have to take a test to get a new license for work sometime in July, and I may be going on a work trip to South Carolina in June or July. Of course in May I am also giving a poster presentation (no big deal), and I was supposed to run a 5K... I can't skip the presentation, so my 5K may be rescheduled. We'll see what happens. Now I need to find a bathing suit!

Tonight I go to watch one of the girls I tutor in a pageant. I think I'll be a fun experience. I'm looking forward to getting dressed up, although the weather outside is pretty dreadful today. I'm hoping the rain will pass so my hair will look decent tonight.

Back to working on seminar... bleh.

$2 Latte Day!

Yesterday I was pretty tired, but Kelly and I ran two miles at a fairly fast pace (I believe it was 9 pace then 8:30). Today Caitlin and I did our leg work-out. David decided to join us, but unfortunately ended up getting sick. He isn't used to working out. The best part about Wednesdays is that following our leg work-out we get $2 lattes at the coffee shop on campus. The frosted mint mocha is fabulous!! Now I'm taking a little break between homework/studying and class. Oh it turns out that I aced my organic synthesis test! I'm oh so happy!

And I'm loving my new gym clothes! These are by far the most form-fitting gym clothes I've ever purchased, yet I'm feeling really confident and good in them. I'm so proud of myself. LOL.

This weekend I am going to watch one of the girls I tutor compete in a pageant. I'm really excited. I think it'll be a lot of fun. On Friday my roommate and I are going to see the girls compete, and on Saturday is the crowning and the competition for another pageant. My favorite part is that we get to dress up to go to this! I've been looking for an excuse to dress up!

Time to head to class. Have a great rest of the week!