OMG...It's Chemistry!

Someone is a little TOO excited...

2010-01-16T15:38:00.005-05:00

The LOST season premiere is only 17 days away.

17!

I'm more than excited, but saddened at the same time. I LOVE this show. LOVE IT.

The only time that it really made me angry was that stupid first half of season 3. What was that all about? Who were those people? Oh Nikki and Paulo, I'm glad you are no longer part of the show. (Even if it means you were b****d a***e, sorry even though it sucked, I'm not going to give anything away).

Why a LOST post when the season doesn't even start for another 2.5 weeks? The reason is two-fold:

1) I just heard this week that both Michael (Malcolm David Kelley) and Libby (Cynthia Watros) are returning for the final season.

I couldn't really care less about Libby (but it would be nice to have some kind of closure with the mysteries surrounding her character).

(image source)

Michael on the other hand, I'm stoked! Especially if it means more Walt. More Walt = Happy Laura

(image source)

2) I have been sporting a pretty dorky, but WAY awesome accessory on my lab-coat these days.

Yes, it is a dharma patch. I actually have 2. The other is on my bench in lab. I wear it with all kinds of pride. I would say 90% of the people that see me in it don't have any clue what it is. My boss pointed at it and said (in his british accent) "What is that alchemical symbol?" Yeah, it was fun explaining that one.

Anyways, I'm excited. (If you couldn't tell already)

This week in Chemistry pictures....

2010-01-12T08:19:00.005-05:00

For starters, Happy 2010!

There will be a few changes around here that include:

1) Blogging.

...yep, that's about it. I'm not going to try to do a post-a-day but at least a couple a week, otherwise, what's the point?

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So I've had my iPhone for about 6 months now (maybe a little less) and feel that I do not utilize the camera as much as I should. I listen to my iPod occasionally in lab and decided that it really easy to just pull it out of my lab coat and take a picture every now and then, and behold! A new post is created: This week in Chemistry pictures.

Yeah, I know, it's really dorky, and kind of boring, but I like doing it, so there you go!

1) This is the rotovap cold finger. Its a really stupid thing to take a picture of. However, for the non-chemistry people [both of you] I wanted to let you down gently because unlike how they do it on Fringe [which premiered last night, btw] our cold finger is full of dry-ice, not a boiling bright blue solution.

2) One of my reactions on the rotovap. It was a cool color, so I took a picture. Can you see that I was a] bored and b] spent some time with the rotovap last week? When I did my summer research at UCONN a couple of years ago, one of the other guys there made up a song about rotovaps to the tune of 'Fat bottomed girls' by Queen. It was sweet.

3) My prep-plate. It turned out wonky. There are a few things that you wouldn't realize a chemist would use so much and aluminum foil is one of them. It is so versatile! Also, sharpies, cannot live without sharpies, show me a chemist who can/does. I don't believe it.

4) Did I mention my prep-plate didn't turn out? Yeah, it didn't which meant that I had to do a column. It was a mini-column though so it didn't take hours-upon-hours. Here is a picture when I'm beginning to TLC ,Thin Layer Chromatography, not Tender-Lovin'-Care, or the R&B group from the 90's. RIP 'Left-eye', don't even get me started on The Learning Channel, 18-kids-and counting? No thank-you.

5) ...and finally, my TLC plates running, see more aluminum foil...maybe I'm the only one obsessed with it though, hmmm...I should check into that.

Apologies..

2009-11-13T10:42:00.011-05:00

Well,

We all know it has been exactly forever since my last blog post. Really, I have no excuse.

My last post was on "The Proposal", it is now available on DVD. Yeah, that really sucks.

Because I have been so bad at blogging, I've decided to take you on a pictoral journey of the last 4-ish months.

Enjoy!

(and please keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times!)

Ash and Lauren bought a beautiful house in Ohio!

I was honored to be a bridesmaid in my friend Jenny's wedding (my 6th time!)

I was on our school's chemistry softball tournament team. We lost every game....and so we decided to play the other losers in a friendly beer game (hence above picture). It was by far the best game of the day. Best of all though, my roomie from undergrad JV came and played for us too!

I ran my first ever race! 4 miles in central park! I had a time of 44 minutes, which is slow as hell, but it was still a lot of fun, sweaty, but fun!

I went to Las Vegas! (I have tons more pics of this trip!)

I taught myself how to frenchbraid! (Ignore my eye in this picture, it was hard to take this on my phone!)

There were quite a few happy hours. (I was particularly proud to be sporting OSU apparel to represent my home state in the bottom one!)

We went bowling! Its kind of expensive here, and I didn't technically bowl, but it was still a lot of fun!

Sheena came to visit me...and her brother and parents, but still! (Bad/blurry pic!)

Leonard got a new carrier!

I joined the chemistry dept.'s soccer team. Again, we lost every game and again it was fun. I even scored a goal! One of two for us for the season.... (ps, I am wearing shorts in this picture!)

Since chemistry is in the title of this blog, and it's what I spend most of my time doing, there had to be a some kind of chemistry shot!

Movie Review: The Proposal

2009-07-27T11:30:00.001-04:00

So I'm a little late in writing this, but better late than never!

It was July 4th and the theater was surprisingly packed!

The Proposal, rated PG-13 (for sexual content, nudity, and language).

[Ok, how is nudity not in the realm of sexual content?]

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Did you know that Sandra Bullock is 45?

She looks damn fine for 45! I can only hope to look half as good, and as far as nudity goes, don't worry your eyes won't be scarred, there are no 'parts'.

I feel like I have said this with just about every movie I have seen this summer, but I'll say it again: The previews don't really do this movie justice!

I was thinking, ok, another romantic comedy, I'm sure it will be fine, but it was actually really funny! Like, laugh out loud funny in some parts (mostly do to Betty White who I hear tried to get a nude scene of her own).

The storyline was a bit far-fetched, but honestly in a day of vampires and wizards its ok to be a little out there!

My favorite character in the movie [besides Betty White]: Kevin the dog.

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He is an American Eskimo and I believe he is a puppy in the movie, but I want him [only if he remained small like that though].

....oh, and Ryan Reynolds isn't so bad to look at either! :)

Happy Anniversary!!!!

2009-07-20T17:56:00.012-04:00

not to me...

or my blog...

...but to two of my favorite people in the whole wide world: Ash and Lauren!

[Leaving for their Honeymoon in a sea of bubbles!]

[This picture was taken at the rehearsal the night before the wedding]

They were married on July 21, 2007 and I was more than honored to be a part of their wedding!

[The dresses were orange and yellow and PERFECT!]

Happy 2nd Anniversary Ash and Lauren! You have both been such great friends to me and can't wait to come home [or you can come visit anytime...really, anytime you want] so we can be together again!

[They were getting ready to cut the cake :)]

It was even baby Myla's 1st wedding!

[She was just 2 months and 5 days old!...and for some reason looks all drugged out in this pic?]

Part of the wedding favors were pens [be still my heart] and if you can't tell, I still use mine about everyday [it might help that I have about 10 of them...just saying...]

Happy Anniversary! I love you both!

Font color...

2009-07-20T17:26:00.001-04:00

Quick question:

Is the black font hard to read?

post in the comments and let me know!

Thanks as always!

...have I mentioned how much I like reading comments?!?

18 days?

2009-07-20T17:18:00.003-04:00

Someone fell off the blogging wagon, and that someone would be ME.

I really don't have an excuse.

I just don't feel like I have anything exciting to blog about, but since I have gotten multiple messages from faithful readers, I am jumping back on the blogging train [cue whistle].

So, what have the past 18 days been like in this part of the woods??? Let me consult my iCal for a quick recap:

I spent the 4th of July with my dear friend Kris and we saw The Proposal (don't worry there will be a Movie Review later in the week)
I was in my GLORIOUS home state of Ohio for a long weekend. [several posts on its own including my niece, a wedding and Ash and Lauren's new house!!!]
I saw HP 6 on premiere day, but alas, not at midnight due to other HP fanatics [again, a Movie review is in the works...be patient!]
I ran in MY FIRST RACE EVER!!! Its true! I ran in the Race for Central Park 4 mile run this past weekend and had a B-L-A-S-T!!! [Race report to follow!]

Whew. A little bit more going on than I realized! All the better to blog about! :)

Look for an update in the next 24 hr!

Ready to Run!

2009-07-02T21:57:00.005-04:00

Well, there's no going back now...

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Yep, I have signed up for the 'Run for Central Park' on July 18th in NYC! (No, that is not me in the picture, ha!)

Have I ever run 4 miles before? No.

Have I ever competed in a race? No. (Though my mom might disagree with me and point to a a scar on my foot from a 'foot race' this past Christmas, but that's a different blog post all together!)

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I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

I've been running/jogging/walking in the mornings before I head into lab. It really hasn't been as hard to get up as I thought it would be! (Hopefully this will continue!)

[I could possibly be more excited about the 'free' t-shirt than the race itself..]

Oh!!!! Rachel is busy working-away on my new blog design, and let me tell you it is SnAzZy! (Just you wait! It is awesome!)

I'm thinking that I will have to do a give-away to accompany the new design! :)

If you want to make a world a better place take look at yourself, and then make a change

2009-06-26T11:19:00.004-04:00

More Cowbell!

2009-06-24T17:14:00.007-04:00

...or pictures.

My posts are so B-O-R-I-N-G without pictures. What's a girl to do?

...obviously take random pictures from lab and make it into a semi-coherent post.

And Voila: I give you pictures...

This is a 56 oz. (XXL) bag of regular M&Ms. It was placed on our lunch table earlier this week (or late last week, I don't remember). My labmates [myself included] will eat anything and everything. The yellow post-it with EAT only accelerated the consumption because no one had to wonder whether or not the M&Ms were up for grabs.

Today (less than a week after the arrvival of said M&Ms) right before lunch (and just after I took a small handful) this is what the bag looked like inside:

That's right. There are about 20 M&Ms left in the bag. Needless to say they were totally gone before the rest of the group even came to the lunch table.

...and now I'm craving candy.

I think I should admit that although I have been eating out far less for dinner and lunch than I used to, I am by no means a cook, a baker, a chef, or anything related to it. I know, I know, you are probably thinking "but you are a chemist, you should be able to follow instructions, its just like a reaction". Maybe it is, but I'm still awful.

I did however purchase the Hungry Girl cookbook (Thanks to Kris!) and on the menu tonight is the Buffalo Chicken Choppity Chop!

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I don't think this picture does this recipe justice....at all. It is going to be DELICIOUS!

This just in...

2009-06-23T14:34:00.002-04:00

...I won a new blog design!!!!!!!

Woo-hoo!

So long blogger template, hello customized goodness via Rachel!!!

Hop on over to her blog to read all about it :)

And...this is just the kick I needed to get back on the bloggy-bus!

Any comments/suggestions will be much appreciated!

Woo-hoo! Now if only my new raincoat would come in!

Random Bits O'Crazy-ness

2009-06-22T18:05:00.004-04:00

You know those posts that are totally cohesive and have a good general theme?

....This isn't one of them! This is going random facts with some pictures interspersed of the past week.

Let's start in reverse order:

1) Monday 6/15/09: I hang out with Kate and aah every Monday to watch Gossip Girl, however since the season has come to a close, the Bachelorette has filled the void. I don't know what you think, but for me watching the Bachelorette with these girls is a lot better than watching it by myself while yelling at the TV and the crazy foot-fetish-break-dance-instructor 'eligible' bachelors. However, this Monday was a particular treat because I got to meet Leonard Hamster for the first time:

Here he is on his little wheel...being absolutely adorable. I have to admit, I don't think I have ever actually met a hamster before and was pleasantly surprised to learn that he is nocturnal and that he has a very short memory. He would got to do a little walk-around, scope out his food, exercise routine, and then repeat. repeat. repeat.

2) 6/16-6/20: B-O-R-I-N-G week. Nothing really happened, except rain. Rain happened. A lot of rain. (which led to the buying of the yam orange rain coat).

Obviously SYTYCD was in there and I have to make a confession: I don't watch the results show. I REALLY enjoy the performances but couldn't care less about who gets kicked off...yet...I'm sure some of the dancers will grow on me.

On Wednesday I woke up, sneezed twice (fine, normal) and then sneezed again and my whole upper back froze up. I was like WTF? I had no clue what happened and was thankful that I could continue to breathe and would not be needing to call 911 because I had a punctured lung...and then I felt silly. Who injures her/himself while sneezing? So, I googled it and apparently it is more popular than one would imagine. Case in point: Sammy Sosa. If an MLB star can do it (and admit to it), then I guess it can happen to common folk like me as well.

I have also started running in hopes of actually competing in a race (obviously this would be a race against myself and not a real competition). Right now there is no way you could call it 'running' more of a 'walk-jog' type of thing. I have done it consistently though and am planning my 1st 5k (in which I'm sure all of the power walking grandmas will beat me). I hope I stick with it. I think once you blog about it, its written in stone. Don't fret, I'll keep you informed of my progress....

3) 6/21/09: Driving range! This is my 2nd adventure to a driving range in the past 2 weeks and I have to say that I am awful. I've gotten two blisters (one from each excursion). The first time it was on my right hand, which everybody said was ok, b/c I'm a southpaw and that's where it was supposed to be. Yesterday however, I got a blister on my left pointer-finger. How does that happen?!? I have to say though, I got into the groove at the end and didn't swing-and-miss every shot. :) [real progress here people, real progress]

4) 6/22/09: After my morning exercise and shower I was getting ready to head out the door to come to school. I was about to get my lunch out of the refrigerator and then stopped dead in my tracks because I was terrified. This is what I saw:

Scary, right? At first I though he was inside my window and then thought "OMG, how do I get a squirrel out of my apt. without getting rabies?". Then I realized he had wedged himself between the screen and the window of the open skylight.

I yelled at him and snapped my fingers and then he scurried away (sounds like a magic spell doesn't it?).

Needless to say I managed to snap a few pics of the invader before I yell-snapped. I particularly like the shot above because either a) his tongue is out or b) his mouth is open. Either way he brought a little bit of un-welcomed excitement (but great material for blogging) to my morning.

...and with that, I am done!

Off for another round of The Bachelorette with the girls!

Bad Laura, Bad!

2009-06-19T00:09:00.002-04:00

To my 5ish readers out there, don't fret. I'm still alive.

My life has been way boring and I apologize I haven't posted since, SATURDAY!

GASP! I let almost a whole week go by!

I have been watching my trashy summer TV including the Bachelorette, SYTYCD, and Wipeout...don't worry, I'm sure I'll have more to talk about regarding thee subjects.

In other news: I bought a raincoat! (Seriously people, this is the biggest excitement of the week! and the color is yam orange. Seriously.)

I have been collecting graphical abstracts for round 3 of what will hopefully be a weekly segment!

Sorry I'm not being a good blogger, *hopefully* I will bounce back swimmingly!

Until next time (which better be soon, darnit).....

Graphical Abstracts: Round 2!

2009-06-13T14:33:00.011-04:00

Back as promised for round 2 of interesting and crazy graphical abstracts from the world of chemistry.

(for a background and to see the selection from last week click here).

This week didn't have as many eye-popping pictures...but I think its because I'm actually looking for them, so as a note to any authors out there, pick crazy graphical abstracts!! It makes for easier blogging!

Now, onto the show:

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Even though they had pacman in the title, they decided to include a picture of him superimposed behind the macrocycle, just in case we forgot what he looked like.

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I'm not really sure what this is supposed to tell me. I would guess that, yes indeed this is a picture of water (a crazy picture of water, but water none the less), however I would not have gotten: "Catalysts based on Amino Acids for Asymmetric Reactions in Water" out of this. Also,the subtitle is "Wet and Wild" which is just downright silly.

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I think this is a strawberry. In reading the abstract and introduction of this paper, I still don't know why they have a super zoomed in strawberry in the graph. ab. (other than the fact that Botrytis cinerea is the cause of gray mold in plants).

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So. Stinkin.' Cute!....but, why? Is the lizard's tongue catalyzing the reaction with his saliva? Nope, not quite: "Taking advantage of the chameleonic ability of sulfones to be transformed into different functionalities...." Oh. A chameleon. Ok, I guess I get it....isn't he so cute?

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And finally, this one was alluded to in the subtitle post earlier in the week, and actually I kinda like it. Its out there, don't get me wrong, but with a subtitle of "2009: A Boraanthracene Odysessy" you just can't help but let your inner geek shine.

That's all for this week. Hopefully some wacky pics will come my way via google reader in the week to come!

Zack Morris Lives!

2009-06-11T19:13:00.000-04:00

By now I'm sure you have all seen/heard of this (except for my mom), but Zack Morris showed up to Jimmy Fallon Monday night.

Zack Morris or Mark-Paul Gosselar? It was so Zack Morris alright! Oh, snap!

Complete with the Saved By The Bell theme song, Zack-isms, early 90s attire, 'Time-Outs' and of course the Zack Morris Cellphone!

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By now my mom, one of my 3 readers, is surely shaking her head in disgust because we [my sister and me] weren't 'allowed' to watch Saved By The Bell.

The reason? Zack didn't treat women with respect.

Seriously. Nevermind Jessie Spano being an abusive girlfriend to Slater...

Needless to say we watched it anyways and loved every minute of Bayside High including afternoon visits to The Max for cheeseburgers and milkshakes.

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There was really no point to this post, just my sheer giddiness due to a Saved By The Bell reunion that might happen on Jimmy Fallon.

UP in 3D!

2009-06-10T08:47:00.000-04:00

Wow.

I've seen quite a few movies recently (Star Trek, Angels and Demons, and The Hangover)..and now I can successfully add UP (in 3D of course) to my summer movie seeing marathon!

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The previews do not do this movie justice! I was thinking, oh cute a Disney/Pixar movie, sure I'll see it...but its SOOO much more than that!

Its heartwarming. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh some more.

Yes Dug, the dog with the talking dog collar is as cute and silly as can be, but there's more! There's so much more!

I feel like Disney has always done a good job of providing moral/life lessons....

-Don't judge a book by its cover

-Lying won't get you anywhere in the end

-Hard work pays off

-Value friendships and family

-Trust/believe in yourself

Without giving anything away Up had a different sort of message, a message I'm not too sure young children will understand, but a great opportunity for parents (or relatives, or teachers, or anyone) to explain it to them when the opportunity arises.

...and don't you think that Carl Fredricksen is the cutest pixar character ever?

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Only downside?...the $14.75 price tag that came with the ticket and 3D glasses! :(

Subtitles from Angewandte...oh dear.

2009-06-09T18:32:00.002-04:00

Angewandte = Applied (in German)

Angewandte Chemie = Applied Chemistry....and also a chemistry journal that along with crazy graphical abstracts also contains subtitles that feature puns, movie titles, and other silly phrases.

Its only fitting that I share some of them (from the past week) with you.

I didn't have to search hard for these they are ALL from the last 7 days!

Now without any further ado....

1. Gettin’ a little sugar—no alcohol required (<-- My personal favorite!!!)

2. Pincers do something for U that sandwiches don't

3. A click by any other name

4. Unstable? We’re Able!

5. Al together now! (This is not misspelled)

6. Strike while the iron’s hot

7. Getting their feet wet

8. Water molecules doing time

9. Going fishing!

10. 2009: A boraanthracene odyssey (Seriously, this is what it said. The pic to go with it is great too! It'll be up later this week!)

So maybe these aren't haha funny, just dorky funny, but I still enjoyed them immensely!

(All subtitles from Angewandte Chemie. Int. Ed. early view)

The Hangover

2009-06-08T23:02:00.001-04:00

Since I have chronicled all of the other summer movies I've seen so far, it would only be fair to continue this trend. Remember, however, I like movies, the good, the bad, and in this case the laugh so hard you regret getting the diet soda in fear of bladder control issues.

The Hanover

Rated: R

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Laughed.

So.

Hard.

This movie reminded me why I like to go the movies: to be entertained, to think 'OMG, this is crazy' and to laugh my ass off while doing so.

It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision to go, but boy am I glad I did. The previews looked funny, but all too many times I've seen previews for funny movies and lo and behold, the only funny parts were in the previews. This was NOT the case, HILARIOUS through and through.

...and, Bradley Cooper is yummy.

An Etsy Interruption

2009-06-08T00:10:00.001-04:00

Oh Etsy.

How did it take me until June 4th, 2009 to peruse your charming online marketplace full of homemade and vintage goods???

I mean, I had 'kind of' heard of Etsy before, but never gave it much thought...until 3 days ago!!!

I bought two (2) wayyy cute headbands featured here and here.

It was a bit overwhelming, but if you know what you are looking for, then you are in luck for sure!

I am thinking it would be perfect for a bride-to-be (which would be approximately 0 of my current readers).

And...I think a certain Art teacher-best friend-whose-name-will-be-spelled-out-if-needed, should consider setting up an Etsy shop of her own. (Hint Hint!!!)

The Artist in question (and me!) circa 2007

So what can someone buy/sell on Etsy?

Art

Accessories

Bags & Purses

Clothing

Jewelry (<-- Wayyy awesome!)

Knitting

Paper goods

Patterns

Quilts

...and so much more!

NC Part 3: Mylapalooza!

2009-06-05T00:10:00.008-04:00

This is the 3rd and final installment of the NC series (you can catch up on the adventure by reading parts 1 & 2).

My one-and-only sister made the trek from Ohio to North Carolina with a 2 year old (in a car for 9 hours). I would tell y'all she is crazy, but from what I hear Myla was a perfect angel in the car. Funny how those terrible two's come and go...

Name: Myla Regan

Age: 2

Occupation: Toddler

Interests: Pools, Spongebob, and meow-meows (aka cats)

Sporting an adorable sun-dress for a perfect day in North Carolina

Petting a horse in Old Salem

I'm sure her nose just 'itched' in this picture.

She's a lady through-and-through

Showing the world its never too early to pick up on fashion trends, taking the over sized purse fad to the extreme!

Finally, something that is her size.

Doing her best 'meow-meow' impersonation.

Taking after her Aunt Laura with the no-shirt while eating messy foods trend. Fortunately I grew out of this before I started dating (much to my parents relief), and I'm sure she will too! ;)

I'm willing to bet she enjoyed her 1st out of state visit especially after the trip to the kiddie-water-park @ the YWCA. "I PooOOool, I PoOoL" was all we heard for about 2 hours, which coincidentally sounded a lot like something else no toddler (or anyone for that matter) should ever do while in a pool.

NC Part 2: Family Ties

2009-06-04T23:05:00.007-04:00

Back as promised for round 2 of my North Carolina visit!

While Part 1 featured the real reason for traveling to the Tar Heel state, part 2 is going to focus on the people that made the visit so special. <3

My Aunt Mart and Cousin K on her graduation!

The boys looking quite dapper!

Look who made the trek from Ohio! My amazing sister and adorable niece Myla!

Siblings @ graduation lunch in Old Salem

Cousins!

(I stick out like a sore thumb in this pict for 2 reasons 1) I missed the blue/neutral memo and 2) I am way short. My 12 year old cousin E is almost as tall as I am!)

How adorable are they? Wayyy adorable is the correct answer ;)

Siblings sporting the shades.

(look @ that, alliteration in action!)

The girls!

(again, my short stature is quite noticable! I think I need to go dress shopping. In all of my recent pics I've been wearing this dress.)

Photo-Op w/the graduation cake!

Coming your way tomorrow? NC Part 3:Mylapalooza. Did you really think that I spent an entire weekend with my niece and only snapped one picture of her? Ha, you are sadly mistaken....

NC Part 1: University of North Carolina...High School!?!

2009-06-03T22:31:00.009-04:00

Yes, yes...this does exist:

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) High School.

(Google it, wikipedia it, see for yourself! I am not lying to you!)

It just so happens that my B-E-A-utiful and talented cousin K graduated from this prestigious school almost a week ago and I got to hop on a plane and spend a glorious weekend with my family!

Friday Night? Garden party for graduates and family!

Haha, a picture of the graduate! (I couldn't resist). Showing off her now 3D-less 3D glasses!

Guess who was giving a Q&A (as an honorary degree recipient and speaker) right around the corner???!!??

Kristin Chenoweth! Oh My Goodness!

Do my eyes deceive me?!?

Nope, its really her. That's right, the star of Wicked, Pushing Daisies, Mrs. Noodle on Sesame Street....and...

...coming this Fall to Fox on Glee! :)

(I will do a post on that gem of a show at a later date, mark your calendars!)

Saturday = Graduation of course!

This isn't your classic high school graduation....unless your high school has:

a) no dress code for commencement,

b) Harry Potter-esque diploma delivery to the stage via a professor dressed as Dumbledore complete with Fog, magic wand, and the HP theme song!

c) KRISTIN CHENOWETH (ok, so she really spoke at the college graduation, but still...)

The UNCSA class of '09!

Diplomas being delivered to the stage!

Cousin K getting her diploma :)

Part 2 coming your way tomorrow! Get ready for family photo overload <3

Graphical Abstracts: The good, the bad, and the ??!!!??

2009-06-03T21:20:00.016-04:00

Ah chemistry journals, you provided me with ample blog worthy material today as I scrolled through my google reader.

For those of you familiar with chemistry journals [all except maybe 3 of my 7 readers] skip on down to the pics!

(Go ahead, you're not missing anything, I promise!)

Ok non-chemistry folk, you may or may not know that all relevant chemistry journals are available online to peruse at our will. As graduate students we are supposed to keep up-to-date by reading these journals so we can know what's going on in the chemistry world around us.

In order to catch your attention the author of an article provides a reaction equation or some other graphic to represent the chemistry and give the reader a concept of the article as a whole. (It also makes it way easy to skim to find the important stuff) <-- This is the 'Graphical Abstract'

The most common graphical abstracts are reaction equations:

It's simple, but it gets the idea across.

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Some people are a bit more creative:

An equation with a bit of flair mixed in. I'll take it!

(Source)

Sustainable lithium-ion batteries? I see what you are going for here...

(Source)

Another popular option: A collage like this one on fluoride recognition and sensing pulling together the chemistry and everyday life.

(Source)

Others, however, decide go in a different direction:

I don't know about you, but this picture makes me want play Atari, oh and have CONTROL! In no way am I thinking about 'Self Fabricating Polyoxometelate Microtubes'

(Source)

This one makes my head hurt...and..nope, that's it, nothing else. But for those of you who want to look at this for longer than 2 seconds, you may find there is no route from (1) to (10) in the maze. Maybe that's the point? [I could be wrong about this, I did it quickly]

(Source)

Seriously?!? Is it a pictograph? 'Isonitriles are stinky, but reacting isonitirles and benzoxazole with n-butyl lithium and RCOX will smell like a cherries?'

Hmmm....

(Source)

...And this is where it is good to have common sense enough to know that little rats and syringes aren't being reacted with alkynes to give 'starred' triazoles with pickles attached.

(Source)

Feel free to sound-off in the comments below!

...and I'm going to *try* to make this a weekly post because it was wayyyy too fun!

I graduated?

2009-06-02T17:39:00.005-04:00

...well, kind-of

...technically

...a fake graduation.

I got my master's a couple of weeks ago, which is cool, but not too exciting since:

a) I still have 2-2.5 years left of grad school

b) I am still making my grad. school stipend

c) my day-to-day life hasn't (and won't) change at all.

However, it was wayyy fun because:

a) My Momma (and her husband) came to visit, which is the 1st time since they moved me in almost 2 years ago.

b) There was a pretty sweet honorary degree recipient :)

c) It was good practice for the real thing!

And now some pics from the day:

Me and Kate before we had to 'parade' to commencement

Fellow Chemistry people getting ready to go!

The only 'artsy' shot of the day. I have no clue who these people are, but I'm grateful that they donated their backsides to my picture :)

My momma, me, and my stepdad Bill

(I really only noticed now that they matched...haha)

You know, one other thing...the actual diploma is ugly. Not like 'oh this could be cuter' but black&white, all in latin (which is actual pretty cool), and completely blah.

I mean, I'm going to get a nice frame for it (thanks to my Aunt Sarah) only because:

a) I'll lose it if I don't frame it

b) I can save the frame for the real one and use my master's as a place holder until then

Is it really June 2?

It does not feel like summer at all

...but I'm going to fix that TONIGHT by going to Kate's to grill some Brats. Yum, yum, yum!!!

Also, today's post included a lot of lists, I would say that I'm sorry, but I'm not, it's how I roll.

Next post? Cousin K's graduation in North Carolina (and a special honorary recipient there as well!!!!!)

Lightning Bolt!

2009-05-29T21:26:00.003-04:00

LARP, LARPing, LARPer...I really had no clue what these terms meant before last week.

Live

Action

Role

Play(ing)(er)

That's right...now I'm sure we've all heard of people playing Dungeons and Dragons and such, but I hadn't truly appreciated the 'Live Action' part of the whole ordeal until I saw this video (via YouTube):

...watch it again....and again...and again (like I have)

Goodness

!!!

Now, are there rules to this type of thing? I mean can you just be like --"Invisibility Shield!"--and then just be immune to everything?

According to wikipedia:

A live action role-playing game (LARP) is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may be mediated by game rules, or determined by consensus among players.

So, I guess if there are 'pre-determined' rules and outcomes then--"Invisibility Shield!"-- is out of the question.

And so I leave you with this:

"Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt!"

New arrivals...really?

2009-05-27T21:44:00.009-04:00

Inspired by Rachel's post on geezer trends for teens, I decided to share some fabulous* finds from payless.com

Ok, I know the whole gladiator look is in, but really Gladiator + 2nd grade easter shoes do not a fine pair make!

Polka dots? Awesome! Polka dots and Platform? Alliteration is not always your friend...and neither are these shoes.

I feel like this shoe is the rejected parts from other shoes. A braided band here, a striped cuff there, mix in cross straps and a stiletto and you get this terribly ugly, do not even think about wearing after or before labor day, horror of a shoe.

I feel like this shoe is what a peep-toe/kitten heel/nurse shoe would look like and I don't think they will be making an appearance in your local hospital anytime soon (or ever).

So what's up with the patent white leather-ish shoes? Am I totally missing something here?!?

I have nothing against Payless, I definitely enjoy the occasional trip, and its probably good it is occasional because I always walk away with something, including the time I bought 2 pairs of the exact same shoes in 2 different colors for $4 each...

*Fabulous: Fab-u-lous |ˈfabyələs| -- adjective, extraordinary, amazingly good. A word that should NEVER be used to describe the shoes featured above.

TV season has ended....so what's on?!?

2009-05-27T20:22:00.008-04:00

Season finales have come and gone which leaves me with one question:

What's on TV?

(I know some [or all] of you might be thinking, its summer, shouldn't you be doing something outside instead of watching TV? And yes I should, but TV is my weakness, I love it, I love it, I love it!!!!)

So, now the answer to the question.

For Tuesday May 26, 2009 (according to EW.com) here is what America Watched:

Time	Show	Viewers (in Millions)
8 p.m.	NCIS (CBS) TV's 50 Funniest Phrases (NBC) House (Fox) According to Jim (ABC) Reaper (The CW)	12.2 (repeat) 6.6 4.2 (repeat) 3.9 2.2
8:30 p.m.	According to Jim (ABC)	3.6
9 p.m.	The Mentalist (CBS) Mental (Fox) Diamonds (ABC) Hitched or Ditched (The CW)	12.3 (repeat) 5.8 3.1 1.5
10 p.m.	Without a Trace (CBS) Law & Order: SVU (NBC)	9.6 (repeat) 6.4 (repeat)

What do I see here? Repeat, repeat, repeat.... BORING! (but mad props to CBS for pulling in 12.2 and 12.3 million people for repeats of both NCIS and The Mentalist.)

I do have a theory though: Fox, NBC, and ABC all put shows online and CBS does not. I have cursed them many, many times for not doing so, but I guess if you can show repeats of shows and still pull in more viewers than the other networks combined, you are probably doing something right.

So, what am I watching this summer?

The Bachelorette -- I think Jillian is wayyyy cute, however these guys are wayyyy weird, what is up with that?!?

So You Think You Can Dance -- (Its actually on right now as I type) I really enjoy this show, and if I remember correctly I tried doing pirouettes in my mom's living room when the show premeired in 2005 and ended up twisting my ankle. [Have I mentioned that I took Ballet for a grade in college and got a B? I did, it was wayyy fun, but I think I was in it more for the legwarmers, which I sported daily]. Anyways, as much as I love the show, I HATE the beginning auditions, get to the choreographed routines already!!!!!

Wipeout -- So technically it is on right now as well, but I had a decision to make and SYTYCD ended up getting my vote. What can I say about this show? Giant Red Balls, that's it. Its hilarious, watch it when you need to laugh.

...and I'm thinking about checking out Fox's Mental. (I mean it only drew in 5.8 million on Tuesday, but hey, I like me some TV!)

Did I really just list 3 reality competitions? Yes, yes I did. That's how I roll in the summer. If evil Dick didn't win Big Brother 2 years ago, you can bet I would be DVR'ing it (if I owned a DVR that is), but he did win and I completely lost my faith in the show...but honestly, its Big Brother, its reality TV, its on 3 times a week, and you can watch 24/7, which is just way creepy so I think its ok that I'm not going to be tuning in this summer season. (unless they bring the guy back from Urbana, OH [close enough to my hometown], then I'd totally be down.)

And a special shout-out to my great friend Kris! Happy 24th, I know you'll always hold it against me that I'm 6 months older than you!!!

Now I'm off to drink some Oolong tea, my favorite! :)

Angels and Demons... x 2

2009-05-25T23:36:00.006-04:00

So,

I know we (meaning I) have already discussed how my personal views of movies don't really carry any weight, however, I saw Angels and Demons not once, but twice this weekend.

(Image source)

It wasn't one of those, 'OMG, that movie was amazing, let's see it again!' type of deals but rather I went on Friday with my friends and then my mom came to visit (more on that tomorrow hopefully) and she had been dying to see it so we went to the cinema.

I like movies, I just do, however, Angels and Demons underwhelmed. I felt like you couldn't be part of the mystery because it all went too fast.

It was definitely one of those times where I should have read the book before seeing the movie. Now, don't get me wrong, I liked it, I just think I would have liked it more if I have read a little Dan Brown before hand...and I really wanted to like it because I really, really enjoyed the Da Vinci Code.

This my friends is what you call a very pathetic movie review (get used to it)! :)

And you can bet I won't be doing that with 'My Sister's Keeper', I already have it on my library queue.

The 'Why' Behind The Buckeye State Visit: A Visual Journey

2009-05-21T18:08:00.018-04:00

Yes yes, I know, you were all eagerly awaiting this post: The reason behind my visit to Ohio, and really do I need a reason to visit my hometown? ....I think not!

However, I've never gone home (from Grad. School to Ohio) without some reason:

November = My birthday and Thanksgiving

December/January = Christmas/New Years

May =

1) Mother's Day

2) Sister's Birthday

3) Niece's Birthday

4) Garage Sale Day

(and obviously to spend as much time with my family and hometown friends as possible!!!!)

Hmmm...I hadn't really realized that before. I never go home 'just because', but really if I did go home some random weekend in say...September, my family would have to work, my friends in school (undergrad., grad., Law), or teaching school, would all have...well...school. So I guess its o.k. that I go home for reasons, because when I'm there....my people are there. Simple as that!

So without further ado I give you: Ohio In Pictures (with captions of course!)

So this picture would fall under the 'mother's day' realm. It was actually taken on Friday and not Sunday, but it was at the mother-daughter banquet hosted by my Mom's Church. Now this could be another post entirely, but the women always make/prepare food for the men on Father's day...however, a few WOMEN in the church make the food for the mother-daughter banquet and then the men just serve it. How this is fair, I haven't a clue, but I think that if they can't make the food they should at least have it catered! (And I'm pretty sure my mama would agree with me on that one!)

This is my sister (Emily) and my only Niece (Myla). Her birthday (my sister, not my niece) just happened to fall ON Mother's day this year and so it worked out quite well to be home! She is 2.5 years older than me, and while we are best friends, we are extreme opposites in many, many ways. (However, pop-culture is one passion we both share!) [She was also featured 2 days ago in my 'why I love my hometown' post]. Happy Birthday sister...can you believe you are almost 30? You are getting so old! :)

Both of the above pictures were taken at the Columbus Zoo! Part of my birthday gift to my niece was a family pass to the zoo! I figured that its probably going to be about the last time I could do something like that and she would be none the wiser. We had a BLAST! It was threatening to rain the ENTIRE time, but it only started down-pouring when we were headed for the exit. A baby elephant (Beco) was born about 2 months ago and so we got to see him with his mama as well!

Can you guess the theme of Myla's 2nd Birthday party?!?

...That's right, cupcakes! We had cupcakes, cupcake cones, and a giant cupcake cake! (I can only take responsibility for the cupcake cones, and though they are quite tasty, they are unbelievably easy to make!)

Here is the birthday girl (and my sister)! She was allowed to pick out which shoes she wanted to wear and she picked her blue rainboots which was actually genius for two reasons: 1) They totally matched her dress and 2) It was raining cats-and-dogs outside. Unfortunately, Aunt Laura was in charge of putting them on and 1) Forgot socks and 2) Put them on the wrong feet at first :( Oops!

Here I am with the Birthday girl! (Ignore the massive amounts of BBQ potato chip remnants one her face...SHE LOVED THEM). I cannot believe she is 2!!! She was born on May 16, 2007 which was a Wednesday and my finals week for my last quarter in college! Yes a lot has happened in my life in the last two years, but it is crazy to look at her and see all the milestones she has made (and continues to make) in her little life! :)

Here she is demonstrating her 'pretty smile' which basically consists of a huge cheesy grin and squinty eyes. I do love this picture though...you can see her new Little People farm and her super-cool Bert and Ernie themed New Balance Tennis Shoes! Way too cute!

Her birthday just happened to fall Garage Sale day in West Liberty. Garage Sale day, say what?!?? Yes yes folks, there are 3ish events that people come to West Liberty, OH for:

1) Labor Day festival

2) Christmas parade [which is actually held the day after Thanksgiving for some reason]

3) Garage Sale day.

According to the West Liberty historical website (Which I may add, I didn't even know existed) on Thursday, May 13, 1880 the majority of the downtown business district [**Can I say, what downtown business district?!?!?**] you see today was lost to what will long be remembered as "the day of the fire". The blaze began in the stable of Mrs. Lyman Cook and soon spread to the main part of town [**Which is a grand total of 3 blocks**]. This event is remembered in May in West Liberty with a village wide garage sale and sidewalk sale, known as "The Annual Fire Sale".

Since it was raining, I didn't grab my camera...but let me tell you, I will totally bring it next year!!! ....there were many a sites to be seen:

a) lawn mowers with trailers attached hauling the owner's garage sale finds

b) 4-wheelers doing the same thing [on the streets!!!],

c) FAR FAR too many people with less than appropriate clothes on (or no clothes as was the case for some...).

I was with my sister in the morning, and while she spent $27.00 and got a whole winter wardrobe for Myla (including an adorable unicorn Halloween costume with wings!) I got a Bratwurst and soda for a total of $2.50.

Later in the day I met up with Ryan (one of my best friends from High school who just completed his 1st year of Law School!!) and ended up buying a hotdog and soda for a total of $2.50.

Yeah, I totally sucked at Garage Sale Day this year, but since my suitcase was already at 40 of the 50 lbs. weight limit, I wasn't really looking too hard!

Star Trek

2009-05-21T12:02:00.013-04:00

So I know I promised a post on the why I was visiting Ohio, but I just had to say that while I was home, I had the immense pleasure of seeing the new Star Trek movie with two of my very best friends.

LOVED.

IT.

J.J. Abrams, you continue to do right by me. I am by no means a trekkie (I did however used to watch Next Generation religiously) and you don't have to be to enjoy this movie. Sci-Fi, action, romance, good looking actors...it's all there.

Wow, when Leonard Nemoy appeared my little heart almost burst with joy. There is even a little chemistry in the beginning during the Vulcan school-session-thingy (I'm sure that is the correct title of it too).

...and can we talk about Chris Pine for a second? Ooh baby, he is good looking, he could save me from the Romulans anytime.

(image source)

[*Disclaimer*]: I LOVE movies. I love to go to the movies, I love to watch movies at home, I just flat out love movies, old ones, new ones, bad ones....you name it. If I haven't heard that its awful, chances are I'll be down for seeing it. My opinion on them probably isn't the greatest. I don't have any great insight into the character development or internal struggles or such, but man I sure do love to watch them.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder <3

2009-05-20T16:51:00.011-04:00

So, sorry for the long-period-of-no-posting:

I was on vacay in the wonderful state of Ohio (I will do another post on why I was visiting tomorrow)! Specifically, Logan County, Ohio, which lays claim to my hometown which is actually a village, the village of West Liberty (population = 1738 [as of July 2007]).

Let me just say that, I LOOOOVEEE my hometown, our relationship has never faltered, ever.

Why is West Liberty such an amazing homevillage?

1) 1st and foremost, Marie's Candies. Best Candy Ever.

(and my sister has worked there for ~9 years)

www.mariescandies.com

Go there, check it out. Some of my favorites include peanutbutter fancies, dutch treats, chocolate-covered rice krispy treats, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

That is my sister in the middle, some hard candy (I think) making on the left, and yummy chocolate covered oreos on the right.

2) The LGP (Liberty Gathering Place)

A hometown farmers diner with hearty meals for local people.

I worked here for 8 years, yes yes that is right 8 years. I started when I was a freshman in highschool and then worked some weekends throughout college.

They serve a mean hamloaf, tenderloin sandwich (grilled or fried) and some of the best homefries you've ever had!

I would have to say the rest of my list would go something like this:

3) West Liberty-Salem highschool, home of the tigers, my graduating class = 70ish. It is literally in the middle of a cornfield, and you know EVERYONE'S business which can be bad, but sometimes very, very juicy!

4) The Ice Cream Parlor, literally, that is its name! And...it was my first job the summer before my freshman year of highschool at the ripe age of 14 and a half (I had to get a work permit). I don't think I have ever eaten so much ice cream, but it was good because I discovered some flavors that I probably wouldn't have liked/tried other wise such as Butter Pecan (which is what ALL OF THE OLD PEOPLE CHOSE) and Blueberry cheesecake wafflecone. My all time favorite though was (and still is) Peanut butter cup!!!

5) and 6) The Ohio Caverns and Piatt Castles. They are landmarks just outside of town (still within West Liberty limits however). I haven't been to either of them in a very, very long time, but 2 of my BEST BEST BEST friends live within half a mile of the castles and so whenever I'm home I get to drive by.

I think that is my 'Top 6' places to see in West Liberty (with an alternate being the former Tastee-Freeze now called Good-Eats 'N Treats).

Oh West Liberty, how I would like to grow old within your city limits, but alas, there is no need for a chemist within Logan County, therefore I will rely on my family and friends to STAY-PUT so I can always visit.

Home definitely is where the heart is!

In other news.

ALL OF MY SHOWS HAVE ENDED FOR THE SEASON AND I'M FREAKING OUT (whew, glad I got that one out). Literally though, what is there to watch?!?

Today is Wednesday which normally means LOST, LOST, LOST, but NOOoooOOO, no LOST tonight :(

Good thing reality summer programming is setting in this week:

The Bachelorette (That Jillian, she sure is cute...but what is with all the weirdos? I mean seriously a break-dance instructor and a guy with a wee bit of a foot fetish?!?

So You Think You Can Dance premieres THIS WEEK!!!! I looove this show, however, multiple nights of programming a week is not conducive to Laura getting to watch all of it (HINT HINT Fox, put it online!)

...and a show that is always good for a laugh: WipeOut, yes yes, it can be ridiculously stupid, but it is so funny and I almost pee my pants watching it, almost

I think that is all!

Have a great Wednesday!

Science Consultant? [CHECK] yes please!!!

2009-05-04T16:41:00.006-04:00

So people ask me (especially when I'm home in Ohio) what I want to do with my life once I'm done with graduate school. I always give the same type of response "Well...Idk, not teach right away" and then go onto say something about industry and possibly the government, but I had an epiphany today:

I want to be a Science Consultant for television/film

(How one goes about doing this, I have not a clue...but I am willing to learn)

Now you might ask yourself, how is she qualified? And I would have to say that, maybe I'm not quite qualified yet, but I could give a pointer or two:

Case in point my newest addiction: Fringe (Fox, Tuesdays @ 9 pm)

For any non-chemistry people out there (my mom), this is a rotary evaporator, but this is not how you use it. (See this is where I could help).

Google tells me the science consultants are Rob Chiapetta and Glen Whitman and let me tell these two do a fine job, but if anyone knows how to contact them comment away (below). I am close to Boston (where I believe filming takes place) and would be so excited I'd probably pee my pants (which probably won't go over too well)

25 years....that's like a 1/4 of a century!

2009-05-01T17:10:00.010-04:00

Kris's parents had their 25th anniversary celebration not too long ago...and it was AWESOME! Kris did an AMAZING job planning it and making sure everything went smooth, smooth, smooth.

The food? Fabulous
The wedding video? Flashback to 1984 complete with purple poofy bridesmaid dresses
The weather? GORGEOUS

It really couldn't have been better!

Since 25 is the "silver" anniversary Kris and I silvered some bottles a couple of weeks before with Tollen's silvering reagent (they turned out so cool!)

The venue:

The food (some of it):

A shot with the amazing hostess:

And the best of all...A still from the wedding video:

An Ode to Sheena...

2009-05-01T16:41:00.008-04:00

Our beloved undergrad Sheena is graduating in a few weeks, and so this post is dedicated to her.

Oh Sheena, how two people could ever have the EXACT same taste in TV/Movies is beyond me, but I will certainly miss you coming into lab saying "Did you watch ____ last night?" with ____ being filled in with LOST, Fringe, DWTS, or AI (and "High School Musical: Get in the Picture", yes, we both watched it!)

I'm glad you took my (and others) advice to read Twilight and then fearing the movie would be all out at Blockbuster renting it on demand, watching it twice, and then buying it for real the same week.

What other college senior throws an HSM3 sing-a-long to commemerate the video release? Yes, that would be Sheena.

Congratulations on your Graduation!!!!

Sheena getting ready for her presentation

Opening her HSM card with Dharma logo drawn on that sang "You are the Music in Me"

(perfect for gradation?...not so much, but those cards were boring)

Champagne to celebrate!

And after the celebration (complete with ice-cream cake) we talked about new LOST theories, looked up Dharma patches and jumpsuits ($7 and $90 respectively), followed by DWTS and SYTYCD videos on YouTube.

Needless to say it was a fun day, and I'm totally going to miss you!

*PS, for anyone who is wondering, she did real lab work too, we didn't just talk about TV all the time*

A Good Day In Lab!

2009-04-23T17:31:00.009-04:00

Why you ask? Well the reasons are multi-dimensional (we'll start with the most important!)

1) A passed her orals (with flying colors I might add)...so that means were are going out to celebrate tonight!

2) I was attempting the synthesis of 4'4[[(Trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy]-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine from the pyridone and triflic anhydride (JOC, Vol. 56, No. 15, 1991), so basically you add the reagents, stir at RT for 48 (!!!) hours and then pour into ice-water and filter. So you were supposed to get a light brown solid....and mine was white....usually in chemistry you want a white solid and you get light brown. So, I dissolved in hexanes and then evaporated and took an NMR....and this is what I got:

(What is this you might ask? Well, it is terpy-triflate!!)

3. It was so B-E-A-UTIFUL here today!

My least favorite picture of the day, but pretty clouds out of the lab window!

A pretty, pretty tree I pass everyday into lab

A B&W of said tree

And with that...off to celebrate! Happy Thursday!

Some Green for Earth Day...

2009-04-22T18:00:00.010-04:00

4/22/09 = Earth Day!

So, how did I spend Earth Day?!?

In lab of course, so in order to pay homage to Mother Earth I took some pics of the green, green grass from lab.

(Even though it was a rainy, rainy day...)

View of E.R. park in the distance (and unfortunately the parking garage)

Mansion behind the lab (...I think it's an academic building, but I have no clue which one)

Also, the window glare ruins everything :(

Another view from the building (and lots of clouds!)

The walkway up to the chemistry building

...and last but not least, my fav. photo of the day:

(ignore the broken heart)

Have a happy Earth Day!

No new LOST tonight which means watching last night's Fringe (and probably some Dexter season 2 as well....)

2 months and 15 days?!?

2009-04-20T15:53:00.018-04:00

Really? 2 months and 15 days since I've last posted?!?

Some people thought that I had given up, but no-sir-ee, I've just been planning THE BEST BLOG ever! (Ok, so probably not the best blog ever, but certainly a full-packed blog on what life has been like in the past 2 months and 15 days comeplete with pictures!!!)

Oh orals, you consumed my life...but now that I've qualified has life really been any different? Let's look at the evidence:

N and McB before my Orals (above)

N and McB (and G!) after my orals (above)

See, besides the fact that N might have an evil master plan and B is somehow trying to attack him (Notice, G is the only one actually working, thank goodness no more MOFs!) everything is back to the way it was.

I'm not saying life was all sunshine and rainbows during this hiatus, but all in all the whole ordeal left me with a greater understanding of my project and was a good motivator to get back into lab!

So, let's look at this by numbers:

28 days stuck in CRB 218
~56 fast-food meals (oh yes, 56 meals of McDonalds, Wendy's, and Subway for dinner, and Carts, Manna and Nica's for lunch....can we say a heart-attack waiting to happen?!?
~84 cans of Pepsi
3 meltdowns (1 major, 2 minor)
~15ish hour days
1 poster presentation
2 Ten page papers
1 qualifying exam

So what was it like might you ask? Oh there were definitely hard-at-work study days, there were, I think we have all lost our mind days, there were a few meltdowns (3 to be exact), loads of laughs and CHEMISTRY of course! Let's go through a photographical journey shall we?

NO2-Phenyl-Terpy Synthesis (above)

G's new hat (notice the Pepsi endorsement)

Yummy, Yummy Bar salad for dinner one Friday night!

A brief glimpse at the room (and K8) soo many papers!

So I'm sure you are asking yourself, what has changed since then? Well for one, no more fast food for breakfast and dinner everday, just every-other day, J/k, but fast food has become a rarity, also, one huge change for me has been:

During Orals (above): Let's count them: 10 Pepsi cans, 1 Coke, 1 Cherry Coke (although I think that is K8's)

After Orals (above): 7 Pepsi One's, 1 DD coconut coffee (w/Splenda) and 1 Nalgene of water

That's right, after rotting my teeth for a good 20ish years, I have made the move from Pepsi to Pepsi One, and let me tell you it has been a smooth transition, I will even drink Diet (gasp!) if no Pepsi One is available. For y'all that don't know, Pepsi One is sweetened with Splenda instead of Aspartame and it is has every bit of caffeine that this body needs....but occasionally DD coconut coffee is just calling my name!

Another change?!? PRIMETIME TV!!!! (Can I get a "Reunited and it Feels So Good"?) Oh yes my dear followers (all 4 of you) I am indeed back to watching a full line-up of awesomely awesome and awesomely trashy television shows!

Quick Run-down:

LOST (Duh....)
DWTS
Gossip Girl
90210
American Idol (sometimes)
Lie to Me (new fav.)
Dollhouse (new fav.)
The Mentalist
ANTM (sometimes)
Biggest Loser (sometimes)
The Unusuals (I'm giving it a shot)

....and I think that just about does it!

(It feels good to be back)

Not a LOST post, I promise...kinda...

2009-02-05T18:10:00.005-05:00

Well Well Well,

Thursday = Group meeting!

Up to bat today were: Newbie TB and 3rd year McB.

TB did a lit. talk on Asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic enamines (JACS, 2009, 131, 1366-1367) and McB talked about his research, which involves putting a solar farm over Nevada...seriously...ok, well maybe not seriously.

The week is winding down! And what does that mean in my neck of the woods?

Not a whole lot actually. Saturdays have become workdays, not full out workdays, but still spending the greater part of Saturday in the lovely lab. Sunday on the other hand is my lazy day. (Grant it, I do have lazy days quite often, but on Sundays sometimes its a miracle if I get dressed).

What's on my to-do list for this weekend that is not Chemistry related?

Go raincoat shopping with B
See Kris on Sunday
NOT see He's Just Not That Into You (Because K8 is in Philly and WILL NOT allow me to see it without her!)
Out to dinner with B probably

...but...I really should be productive in lab this weekend, I'll fill you in on how that actually goes!

What? No T.V. to talk about? Oh yes ladies and gentlemen (which I should actually put lady and gentleman, b/c let's face it only 2 people are probably even reading this) I have been watching my shows this week! AI is into full swing with Hollywood week, Gossip Girl was an eh-ok episode, and 90210 was FAB. (Privileged was pretty good as well).....

BUT

My absolute favorite this week would have to of course be LOST.

*Spoiler Alert*

Jin isn't dead!!!!! wooooooooo....how he survived, I have no idea, but my heart melted like butter when young Danielle found him, oh leaping lizards the world is at peace once again.

AND! I knew it, I knew it! Miles was on the island before!...which corroborates my theory that he was the baby in the flashback!

Oh and I totally thought Charlotte was D-E-A-D....soon enough! The sickness is going to get her...

So, one of my 2 readers admit ed that he stopped reading the posts when they started talking about LOST, because he doesn't watch it. So from now on IF I say anything about LOST then I will make sure to save it to the end so as not to lose any readership. :)

Have a great Thursday night!

(filled with The Office, Grey's and PP [oh and its a crossover episode tonight!])

8 weeks until qualifying Exams!

2009-02-03T22:35:00.005-05:00

Ok, so 8 weeks is a long time, right? .....well, I hope so at least! I have exactly 8 weeks left until qualifying exams? What are qualifying exams you might ask? Well, here they are broken into 2 parts (both given on the same day back-to-back): A thesis and an antithesis. The 1st is your research and the 2nd is an original research idea.

Doesn't sound too bad right?

Let's hope not. (I'll keep you informed as I get closer and closer to the edge of the building..Ok, I kid..but honestly)

Anyways, onto a less dramatic and way more awesome subject...SUPERBOWL commercials! I have to say that the '09 pick wasn't so bad! My favorite though was definitely the Mr. Potato Head commercial (followed by Conan and the Doritos crystal ball). Check them out at nbc or hulu!

Random fact of the day. You know, its January, and by all accounts winter is depressing, but honestly, did it really have to be called: Season Affective Disorder aka SAD? I think what is worse is that the National Organization for Seasonal Affective Disorder is NOSAD.

Crack-Me-Up!

I now have to admit that I did one of those "25 random things" notes on facebook, you know the ones...everybody is doing it (doesn't that sound like one of those lines they teach you in D.A.R.E. in 5th grade...I do believe that would be the "bandwagon" approach). Anywho, it was hard coming up with 25 things, but in the end, I was very satisfied with my list and realized how much of a weirdo other people must think I am.

All for now.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL???

2009-02-01T11:04:00.005-05:00

Super Bowl Sunday is upon us!

So...I might have to admit that though I am attending a Superbowl party, I have NOT watched a single game this season.

(The first step is admitting you have a problem, haha)

I do however know who is playing and a couple of the major players...besides that though, I'm really in it to watch the COMMERICIALS!!!

There was a thing on CBS last night that did a supposed 'countdown' of the best superbowl commercials of all time. My favorite did make the list along a couple other good ones, but honestly, in the top three were 2 commercials from last year (The tide talking stain one and the Budweiser one with the Clydesdale and the Dalmatian which I do love).

Anyways, the Mean Joe Green commercial is probably still the BEST of all time, but my favorite will always and forever be the cat herding commercial. I don't know what it is about it, I think my fav. part is when they are climbing out of the water...oh cat herding, how I love thee.

One other major revelation I have to admit....last night...I had my 1st ever Big Mac. That's right folks, in my mid 20's (ooh, scary mid-twenties) I have never had two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun....and the verdict? Meh, I'll take Chicken McNuggets any day. It was good, don't get me wrong, just nothing I would crave, but it is something I get to check off my list!

Have a great Sunday!

Group Meeting Thursday!

2009-01-29T19:03:00.007-05:00

Well it's Thursday and in my neck of the woods that means...(drum roll please)... GROUP MEETING!

(If you guessed, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, or The Office then you get an honorable mention).

N-dizzle and J$ were the presenters today and it was a great way to start of the semester! Oxidative Mannich from Chem Comm....not a shabby idea (Chem. Comm. ASAP 2009, I forget the author at the moment...)

Besides GM the rest of the day wasn't too exciting:

The ice is melting and the walk to work was def. less hazardous than yesterday (Oh yes, I totally wiped out and k8 was there to witness).
I set up 2 reactions
I tried to figure out my 'green substance' from yesterday with no success
Danced to pop music, most notably Beyonce's "Single Ladies", BritBrit's "Womanizer", and some Kanye West ("Heartless" AND "Love Lockdown")

...

Yeah, my life is pretty much the most exciting EVER.

(I think the # of times k8 laughed at me today was down from yesterday although my dancing is always something that adds to the tally)

No new Grey's, or Office tonight and so I do not have to choose between them...PP and AI are the only shows I'll be watching today

Ooh Ooh Ooh...*New LOST Theory* (Ok, it was by somebody at lostpedia (www.lostpedia.com) Ok, so remember Ellie (the girl watching Faraday with Jughead?) there is a pretty sweet theory that suggests she is actually Ms. Hawking AND AND AND...what if she and Charles Widmore were actually Faraday's PARENTS???? That's right that would mean that Penny and Daniel are halfsies...think about it...could be??!!!???

Ok, so I'm thinking there needs to be some kind of theme days (Remember spirit week from the days at Sweet Valley High???? ...or whatever High School you might have attended). I'm thinking something to the effect of 'Talent Tuesday' or something, I don't know, it's just a baby idea at the moment...but perhaps it could develop into something...

*sigh*

Ok, all for now...Goodnight and Good luck....ok, so maybe there will be another post tonight, but signing off for now :)

See you in another life brotha

2009-01-28T22:10:00.009-05:00

Oh LOST you never let me down (Ok, maybe you did with the whole Nikki and Paulo storyline...)

I heart Desmond!

Wow Wow Wow

Charles Widmore is an "other"?!? Soooo many questions! When did he arrive on the island and more importantly WHEN and HOW did he get off???

I so believe that Ms. Hawking is Daniel Faraday's mom...Oh but so much more!

And who was the 'other' girl that he recognized with the H bomb?

...and the girl that was in 'a coma' of some sort in England? What is that all about?

I totally think the 'sickness' got Charlotte (plus I heard that she was leaving the show anyways!)

So many questions and not enough answers...not quite yet anyways

(Oh and the compass too!!!)

Cannot wait for next week!

LOST!

2009-01-28T21:05:00.003-05:00

4 8 15 16 23 42

Movies.TV.Chemistry.Life

2009-01-28T18:58:00.001-05:00

So...I decided to start a blog.

Why you ask?

Well...I do read quite a few and decided that it could be fun...therefore OMG It's Chemistry has been created!

I enjoy...chemistry (duh), TV, Movies...and life in general and so those will be the topics!

...more goodness to come...