Ok, so I haven't written in a while. . . .

A friend told me today that I am being "elusive." Well I promise I am not trying to be mysterious, just noncommittal. I had a brilliant plan which included being employed by now. So far that really has not happened. So I guess I just need to focus on MCAT without employment in the short term. Ugh!

In all fairness to me, I have been sorta busy. After all I finished my program at Georgetown. I am considering retaking one class, but overall feel a sense of accomplishment for the last year. This week has been filled with getting one of my best friends married off in style and some sanity (face it Robin, neither of us have been able to claim that one in a long time!) I did some of the ritual maid-of-honor duties which I shared with Christie, Robin's sister. I welcomed Joshua very nicely to the family and then threatened his life if he ever hurt Robin. All in a days work. The flowers were immensely lovely as usual from my mother and Merissa. While I have little desire to join the family business, it is always fun to see a project that large come to completion.

In lew of writing, any other events over the last two weeks can be told in the following pictures as well as the videos. Enjoy.

You'd think

You would think that I would want to talk about my biochem final today. Which I most certainly did not ace (Malate has only a "6 degrees of separation" kind of relationship with Pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), but the confusion came because oxaloacetate can be pulled out for conversion by PEP carboxylase to become phosphenol pyruvate then gluconeogenesis. No where close to PPP. Yeah, ridiculously obvious mistake. Actually, it is, that is what is so depressing). But I am hopeful (and distinctly prayerfully pleading) that I could still pull out a pretty good grade.

Ok, so I did want to talk about it. But moving on. Today I wandered over to the Cathedral for a lookie-loo at fair going on. It was the May Flower Fair, or something like that. The Cathedral has this nursery on site, which I must admit to never having been to until today. So the lawn was covered in booths, selling handy crafts, fair trade clothing and carvings from India and Africa,cinnamon almonds. The further I wandered in, the larger it all became. There were teriyaki chicken places, a funnel cake booth (still bummed I didn't have any cash for that) and even a small Ferris wheel (really, REALLY small). So here is small snapshot of my day.
This is the Bishops's garden, actually the last stop on my tour. I feel really silly for not having explored this part of my neighborhood further earlier.
This was the accompaniment for the first part of the booths. The sound of the rides provided the soundtrack for the backside.
Because no acre of D.C. would be complete without the Civil War horse statue (This particular one actually needs greater research to confirm that it is indeed, commemorating the Civil War.)
The longest line to any attraction at the fair was to the ice cream truck.
This was actually the nursery that is an everyday business on the Cathedral grounds. Thought these blown glass globes looked like the old glass buoys my Nana collected. Plus, they were just beautiful.
For some reason Teddy Bear Vine just didn't seem to be an appropriate moniker for this plant.
So starts are joking tour of "What every Cathedral needs." Every good cathedral needs many monks praying. These are the back up guys, ready to rush out when the other guys get sent off to different homes. Unfortunately for them, the birds have found a permanent home for themselves near as well.Every good cathedral needs gargoyles. In this case, these grimacing bad guys seem closer to a kiss than warding off evil.
This Cathedral has a reminder that there was a fallen angel, one with feet of clay.
Ok, this seems a little more Hogwarts than Hunchback to me, but hey, whatever.
All the following (except the last) are in the Bishop's garden. This was particularly touching to me. It is plaque dedicating a bench to a deceased woman, from her parents.
The alum were are at their peak. It was lovely. I found this an emotive piece, a portrayal of the Prodigal Son. I love attempting to make cool shots of pathways. I just keep trying to get them right and make them interesting, to actually show some of what I see. Didn't happen this time . . . but not bad.
I could see that I had just missed the peak of the garden's blossoms. Despite that and the people everywhere, I truly enjoyed it. I would love to spend some more peaceful time there.

And because I always seem to end adventures on the sublime. . . I noticed this truck as I was leaving
Ever wanted to rob an ATM but didn't know how to arrange transportation from the caper . . . here you are. I am assuming this is likely the most ridiculously security modified van, and bears no actual resemblance to its other assembly line fellows in its resistance to theft, however it still seems rather disconcerting. Maybe its just me.

Once again, a decision required. Can't I just choose chicken?

I have been trying rather unsuccessfully for months to sort out my future. Well that's all nonsense. I know one thing for certain in my future. I will go to medical school. I don't know which one, or where, but I will go. Do I really have to deal with everything else? I mean, really?

Today I got my last request for Georgetown recommendations done. I am hoping the review process will go adequately well. Frankly I am peeing my pants scared but still. One more thing needs to be ironed out really soon. Cross your fingers, pray, whatever you do, I will take the support in any form.

As for my future, it appears that I will be heading back to Seattle for the immediate future. While I love D.C. and am going to really miss my apartment, the lower cost of living will definitely increase my ability to pay for . . . well, anything! I am up for other adventures for sure and certain, but I needed to a place to chill for a little while. No, there is still no word on jobs. And that really freaks me out. But I will try and hit the ground running, all the same.

By Wednesday of next week, I will be done with Georgetown, at least the PBPM part.

Is it worse. . .

That I made the bad coffee or that I drank it despite its possible ability to revive people long dead to give them a heart attack properties?

Can you tell I am studying for a test? So close to winding down again. I am definitely feeling the pressing need for employment.

Do you ever. . .

Find yourself actually finishing a multitude of tasks, feel accomplished for a moment, the realize you have been avoiding the actual thing that needs to be done?

Tummy woes . . .

I think the butterflies in my stomach have started eating their way out. Do you think that could be a problem?

One thing at a time . . . finish line in sight!

I just finished my last physics problem set. Ever! This morning I checked out of organic chemistry lab. In just a few minutes I will finish my last ever organic lab report. I still have a biochem test, final and project, a physics test and final, an organic lab quiz, and an organic chemistry final. I am not done. But to only have a final left in organic really takes a weight off my mind. I think I did not do so well on the test last night. Frankly I did not talk to a single person who walked out feeling like they had solidly done well on that test. UGH! But to put it behind me! Hurrah!


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Now playing: Jack Johnson - Belle
via FoxyTunes

The pollen count is high when . . .

You leave your windows open in a 7th floor apartment near few trees and the table becomes coated with visibly thick residues. Wiping it took 3 paper towels. Thank heaven for today's rain.

Once and again, life;s little oddities

I was searching for a song called "Rain" by Patty Griffin that I heard on Bones (my new favorite show, at least until I run out of episodes anyway!) and I found the song quickly. Itunes even predict from my searching for "Patty" that "Griffin" was going to be my next word (which borders on creepy and cool at the same time). However while noting that she was also featured on other listing I noticed that the artist was listed on an itunes Essentials list for Thanksgiving dinner. I generally check out these lists since my taste in music varies and changes rapidly. What stunned me about this list was not its presence, since there are "Essentials" lists for everything for a Lazy Sunday the absolute must have Tibetan throat singers. This list was special because it was for a holiday that revolves completely around family and yet it had Explicit songs listed. Family, Thanksgiving, Explicit songs? huh? Anyone else seeing the disconnect there?

The Patty Griffin song is pretty good by the way.

As for me, I am mellowing in my apartment, waiting to do any thinking until it drops below 65 degrees. My building, despite the fact that we have now had several weeks in a row of consistently high temperatures (2-5 degrees higher than average) has still not turned the air conditioning on. In fact, they also haven't turned the heat off. So my cooling system is the two windows wide open and now hoping that not too many people will smoke for much longer. Since I seem to be able to smell quite a bit of it going on! It feels very Rear Window. I expect to see a murder and frankly I think a Grace Kelly character hanging around might add life interest for sure.

All this open window business is lovely. Or would be normally. But apparently my move to the mid-Atlantic region triggered latent allergies. Pretty much everyone has them here, it feels like. And so do I now. Argh! The pollen count quadrupled yesterday and has continued climbing today for already obscenely high. And I can tell you, I feel it! As much as I love my bike and riding around, the combined heat and pollen had me hacking like a life long smoker with emphysema. Hopefully I will get soon at least get that cool sexy raspy voice. I mean, one can hope?

Despite being Friday night, I think I will call it a day. And try to get up early tomorrow and enjoy the early morning rather than late afternoon I usually wake up to. Its supposed to be mid-80's again tomorrow and I want to have my bike ride early enough that I can spend the rest of the afternoon studying. In the library. Where its actually cool. You being forced to leave my apartment windows open in the dead of winter because it was ridiculously hot (the heat was ALWAYS on high) was one thing. I mean, when its 30 degrees outside, you want to come home to an apartment that averages the mid-80 without even trying. But when it a hot Spring, the heat indoors becomes significantly less appealing! (Grumble, grumble, sorry!)

Tracking devices and other oddities

When I went looking for a site tracker for my blog, I wanted one without one of those obnoxious and depressing counter boxes. You know the ones. "1 people have been to this site." I always look at the really low numbers and feel sad for the writers. But I was curious to see if I was just writing to myself all the time. I try to avoid checking it very often so that I don't go crazy. After all, I am not trying to be the USA Today. Just trying to . . . blog. Journal, think, put it all out there.

Well, yesterday was a red-letter day for "Lia's Life." 56 people saw my blog yesterday (and that doesn't even count me!). Admittedly I posted several entries yesterday (I just couldn't seem to shut myself up!). But apparently talking about the Pope really increased my ratings. Its hilarious! And totally won't last. But still!

My new glasses

Alright, they look similar to the last ones, this is true. But a little more startling and interesting. I am still goofy.

The Pope, protesters and more

I had realized previously that the Vatican Embassy was ridiculously close to me. But as I sat watching the news I realized I just couldn't not go and try to see something. It was just too random! Especially after I called Dad and said, "so the Pope has arrived." And he replied, "is this part of a joke? Like 'So the Pope walks into a bar. . .'"

There were tickets given to 3 parishes with specifics people to stand on the lawn of the Vatican Embassy. I was definitely in the "bleechers" if you will. The picture of the police and a glimpse of the people waiting for the Pope to come. The banners were amazing. There were definitely protesters, however they were mostly drown out with the sing of the Catholic faithful. The protesters were scary, the drumming and chant was a little unnerving as well. But it was nice that the guy on the bull horn didn't get the whole stage. The last picture is of the Iraqi Embassy. Actually, I am sorta guessing it might be the "Iraqi-Embassy-to-be" since I have never really seen movement around there. Then again, I had never seen movement around the Vatican Embassy until recently either. I wonder if they lease it out or something.

The Pope has landed

Nope, not joking. He is actually in DC. Seattle got the Dalai Lama. We get the Pope. Pretty cool.

President and Mrs. Bush met him and people started sing Happy Birthday. Its tomorrow. He may not be my favorite Pope, but it is still really cool. I wanted to see the Papal mass in person. Unfortunately I didn't want to start waiting at 5am by myself and no one else was willing to risk the Georgetown student lottery for tickets. It sounds as though he will actually be visiting Catholic University. Silly Pope, Georgetown is the first Catholic University in the United States. Ah well.

Zantac is great!

I just discovered the longer term acid blockers. I actually don't know which one is which just yet. (I got a free sample of something) and decided to try it in desperation last night after Tums galore and even some fizzies. This actually makes it really bearable.

Oh and I thought my physic homework I started last night was the right one. But oops, nope, that is next weeks. I figured it out about an hour and half ago and just punched that sucker out. I am done!! Hurrah. I even played some computer games, did some organic chemistry problems and ate lunch rather early. Malia's on her game today! Gosh do I wish I could manage this everyday. The ironic thing is that I spent most of my night last night fight for any small scrap of sleep I could get and I am exhausted!

Thank you Lord for adreniline keeping us going.

For those of you counting down until I come back to Seattle, yes it is getting obscenely close. For those that are counting until the wedding (nominally the reason I am coming home) stop it Robin! You are not allowed to count anymore! Yes, you will beat me out of singlehood. But not yet, my friend. Not yet (insert evil laugh). For those counting down until I am done with Georgetown (my mother and father), my last final is May 7. After that, its good bye.

Happy and sad times. It will be happier when I have a certain job!

Kill as few patients and possible . . .

No, its not just a tagline. It is one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. For those of us looking at going in to medicine, and those struggling with being in it, it is a much needed reprieve from the seriousness of the entire endeavor. And quite wise, I must say as well. "Rule 28: Praise Nurses and Your Patients Will Live Forever or Die Happy." I know quite a few doctors who could learn that advice! The author is Oscar London.

The second thing I bought simultaneously led to this picture which may be a bit graphic for some of our viewers. Its my version of the "bathroom reader. "

By the way, anyone who comes to visit should do it right now. The weather is absolutely perfect, the trees are in bloom, and soon DC is going to hotter than hell! It appears I will be residing here for a while though, so don't worry too terribly about rushing around and getting the cheap East Coast trip in. You have a few more months at least, and I have finals soon!

Slacker, slacker

I took the weekend off to go to Hope's and visit. I also got the find the correct size of my birthday gift from my parents at REI out in Fair Oaks. They sent a small bike jacket which has the appropriate color description "Screaming Yellow." I love it and I am really looking forward to using it on these warmer days. Today it has continued the rainy and 50 degrees. Well, off to physics lab. Post pictures later.

Plastic for heat conduction or how Malia's accident prone

I made potatoes and I made a large blister at the same time. People will tell you plastic kitchen impliments are better since they don't conduct heat as quickly as metal. That is true. However is they are accidently left exposed to flame from the gas stove they conduct heat quite well, let me tell you! The big blister now on my right hand testifies to that. Ooops.

Biochem test tomorrow. Pray, ok? On the good new front I got an excellent (near the top of the class) grade on my Physics test. Pretty cool, huh?

Big cups, big spills

I bought 4 green, plastic cups for only 2 dollars yesterday at an ill-fatedly long Target trip. I got suckered into the " I don't need it but it is such a good deal and I might need it" thinking and half the whole store in my cart before long. Luckily common sense asserted itself to a certain extent. The cups were so cheap and I have been wanting larger sized cup so I didn't have to keep getting up every few minutes to refill my water glass while studying.

Just a minute ago I remember the thing that goes along with the bigger cups: bigger spills.

It was supposed to be 65, windy, cloudy, and possibly rainy today. It turned out 76 and sunny and windy. What a lovely surprise.

FDR Memorial website

Pretty cool. Not as cool as coming to visit yours truly and seeing it in person . . . but still!
FDR Memorial website from the parks department. Takes you through the momument and explains the ideas surrounding it construction.

She is the onion queen, young and sweet

So I must admit. In another month I will have lived in DC for a total of 1 year and this is the first time I visited the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. It was amazing. (All the pictures from this particular outing are on the slideshow that is the currently on the right side of your screen.) I had planned on going down to the Mall, almost hitting a couple of tourists and then heading for a longer, harder bike ride on the Mount Vernon trail or up the C and O Canal. However I wimped out at the same time as my camera battery died and I realized despite the fact it was really warm outside (55 degree) and the fact that all the tourists around seemed dressed as though they were in Siberia (I mean, really, yelling at your kid 'cuz he took his gloves off because it was so so cold is excessive). However the wind was blowing and I was riding with thin running shorts on at "high speeds" against the wind. So took lots of pictures and then went grocery shopping. Which was good. I love cereal.

As for the onion queen, I saw them on sale and thought, "Mmmm, sauted onions, good idea." Then I got home and realized I had apparently had a similar thought recently while shopping. Twice. So anyone need two of my three bags of Trader Joe's onions, give me a call. Anyone of the 9 actually onions I own would be pleased to go home with some who will actually be able to use all of them!
Well, on to homework, then taxes. Good times, what can I say. The video is a quick (emphasis on quick) snapshot of the crowds around the Mall for the Cherry Blossom Festival, which started today and brought thousands to town. It really is spectacular to see Capital so adorned.