The Daffs are coming!

Yay! My daffodils are starting to come up. I was doubting that they'd even sprout, since the winter was the warmest one in the history of my life! So here they are--maybe someday soon they'll even bloom!

Why I like vintage clothes

I had so much fun vintage shopping today. Most of the stuff from the 40s and 50s were way to costumey, but it was fun to try on stuff all the same. I saw hats covered in feathers, 50s poodles skirts, and prom dresses from this era. So much fun! Unfortunately, I saw nothing like The Dress That Got Away (See "How much is too much?") I love the clothes from this time period. Dresses from this period, especially the 40s, are so figure flattering. I tried on a suit, and it actually made me look curvy! (It was a little pricey and not a good color on me, though.) I want to start a vintage clothing collection and pair them with my modern clothes. I think it will be a really unique look--sometimes I get bored looking like everyone else.


The Dress That Got Away (with its original owner)--I'm looking for one just like it. It's like a treasure hunt!

Surfside Beach, babies, and a funeral

This weekend has been so crazy! Here's a quick recap:

Hubby and I were invited to a beach house in Surfside Beach, which is about an hour or so south of Galveston. The beach house is owned by the parents of one of Hubby's med school friends, so they invited us and several other med school couples up for the weekend. We were only able to stay Friday night, but we had a blast. We spent the evening eating pizza, playing games, and enjoying margaritas. On Saturday morning, we all hiked 2 miles to a pier and watched dolphins play in the Gulf. It was great to get to know some of the wives better. Everyone can always use more friends!

On Saturday afternoon, Hubby and I returned to Houston and went to Dinner Club. (I think it mentioned this before, but Dinner Club is a once-a-month get together with church friends.) While there, we found out that, not just one couple, but 3 are expecting babies. The girls spent most of the evening chatting about pregnancy and babies and so forth. It was really hard for me--I really want a baby, but the timing is definitely not right. I feel like I'll be left behind--once these girls have their kids, their lives will be consumed by diaper changing and play dates, and I'll still be the 8 to 5 career woman. I won't be able to relate to their lives anymore. I'm so happy for them, but at the same time, I worry that I might lose their friendship.

Well, this weekend we also found out that Hubby's grandfather past away. Hubby was not very close to him, and I had never met him, but it was sad all the same. This morning, Hubby is flying out to Dallas to be with his family and attend the funeral on Monday. I'm staying here for work, since I can't take days off until April 17 (my 6 month mark). I'm actually glad I'm not going, since I don't particular care for funerals. They're just too dreary. And I'm excited about the alone time. I'm going vintage clothes shopping today, and then tonight I'll sit back and watch Extreme Makeove: Home Addition and Grey's Anatomy. I'm excited!

How much is too much?

Okay, so I found this dress on ebay. It's absolutely gorgeous, but I'm pretty sure I can't afford it. Right now the price is $90, and there are 2 hours left on the auction (and that doesn't include the $6 for shipping!) After spending all my Christmas money a couple of weeks ago, I know I can't justify spending the money. But I don't know if I'll ever see one like this again.

Let me explain. It's a vintage dress from the 1940s. It's a beautiful black satin with little dark blue birds on it. The style transcends time. I could wear it now and it would look completely stylish. And not only that, but from the measurements the seller gave, it would fit me like a glove. *Sigh* I should probably just not worry about it, huh?

Edit--So I didn't buy the dress :-(. It's okay, though. The seller seems to be a reputable vintage clothing dealer, and she has tons of other clothes that are really pretty, too. Maybe I'll get something else!

And the world finally stopped spinning

The weirdest thing happened to me today. I got off the MetroRail on my way to work when I suddenly felt light-headed. I really thought I was going to black out. I hadn't felt so bad since I passed out my sophomore year of college and hit the back of my head on the concrete lab floor.

I was freaked, so I sat down on the sidewalk while waiting for the light to change so I could cross the street. I was able to make it to work, but not before having to sit down 3 more times before getting there. If it happens again, I guess I'll have to go to the doctor. I'm fine now, and I really hope it doesn't happen again.

Advice from an all-knowing fortune cookie

"The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into the tiger's den"

Hubby says he'll remember that next time he goes hunting.

Apartment pictures

Yay! I finally cleaned the apartment enough to take pictures of it. So here is a brief tour of our place!




Our living room/dining room. I love how bright it gets during the day.


Our really small kitchen--with food overflowing on the counter.


And finally, our bedroom. This is the first time its been clean in 2 months.

Well, that's it! I hope everyone enjoyed the tour!

Things to do eventually

Okay. I'm not exactly known for my diligence when it comes to household chores. This weekend, I want to be more productive and actually get things done. So here is my list, for all the world to see, so I better stick to it.

1. Clean the house
2. Do laundry
3. Scrub the bathroom
4. Go grocery shopping
5. Vacuum
6. Trim plants, water them, move some outside, etc.

on Sisters

I was watching American Idol the other day (yeah, I'm a dork) and there were these two sisters auditioning. They were interviewed on the show and had video from their hometown. They were goofing off and having a great time. It made me realize how much I miss my own sisters.

It's kinda weird, but I get along so well with them now. After going away to college and not being home all the time, my relationship with them developed into friendships, not the sibling rivalry we had growing up. I miss goofing off with them. We have so much fun when we are together. I feel that, now that I'm in Houston, I'm missing out on so much with them. I don't like not being there for them. Maybe one day I'll be back in Atlanta and be able to spend more time with them and get to know them better.


Here's a pic of me and Lauren last summer in Michigan (I have no pictures with Julie! It's proof that I'm not with them enough! I'll get one with her eventually. Maybe at Thanksgiving?)

When working with mice . . .

One must wear a mask, hair net, gloves, shoe covers, and a big white gown thing. In other words, I looked like a trash bag.

What's Your Perfect Major?

I'm a biologist to the core! Guess I picked right!

You scored as Biology. You should be a Biology major! You are passionate about the sciences, and you enjoy studying cell growth and evolutionary concepts which enable living organisms to survive. Pursue that! Biology 100% Chemistry 75% Engineering 58% Mathematics 50% Philosophy 50% Anthropology 50% Linguistics 42% Psychology 25% Theater 25% English 17% Journalism 17% Sociology 17% Dance 8% Art 0% What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com

Surprise of the day

Like I mentioned on my Seven 7s post, one of my favorite book series is the Zion Covenant series by Bodie Thoene. I read these books for the first time in 8th grade and fell in love with them. I bought them all and still have them, even though I've gotten rid of many, many other books. I enjoy them so much that I've just finished rereading them.

The books take place in Europe during the last few years before World War II. This is one of my favorite time periods, and I'm especially interested in the European history of this era. (Ashley, I'm sure you've read these books at some point, but if you haven't, I think you'd really like them.)

Anyway, I was at the bookstore the other day because I was interested in another series by this author. When I got there, I was shocked to find that Thoene had written 3 more books in this series! They just came out last year. I bought the first book (# 7 in the series) and I'm really enjoying it. To think that after so many years more of the series would come out! What a great surprise!

Spread the love . . .

Reply to this post, and I'll tell you *at least* one reason why I like you. Then put this in your own journal and spread the love.

We're off to Dallas!

Hubby and I both have Monday off for the MLK holiday, so we decided to head back to Dallas and have some fun. So unfortunately, that means I won't be blogging again until Monday or Tuesday. I'm excited about the day off, but it's my last day off until May (unless I get sick). Pray that I can get through the next few months without any breaks!

The world I live in

M.D. Anderson, where I work, is such an amazing international community. My boss and I ate lunch with some people who work in a lab on the floor below us. We got into the topic of language, and it was amazing to find out that one guy speaks Spanish, another girl speaks Portugese (she's from Brazil), and another lady speaks Russian. I felt very out of place (my boss is from Iran and is fluent in Farsi and English). All of these people speak English as a second language, and they all speak English fluently. It's almost embarrasing that I only speak one language! As well as I can speak German, I am certainly not fluent!

I think studying language is such a great thing. I wish schools put much more emphasis on that. Most people in Europe start learning a second language in grade school, whereas here most students start in high school, and then are only required to take 2 years. Studying another language gives you such a great perspective on other cultures. Learning German kind of opened my eyes a bit to another culture, and I'm hungry to learn much more.

Maybe I'll start learning another language soon. Once I'm fluent in German, I hope to conquer Spanish (or French, or Russian, or Italian or . . .)

Random thoughts

Here's a stream of consciousness moment . . .

. . . Whew! I think the sickness has about run its course. My throat doesn't hurt anymore. The nausea is still here, but it should be gone soon. Glad its about done . . .

. . . Stu and I are thinking of buying a new couch. I'm very, very excited to get rid of the 30 year old sleeper sofa that is literally falling apart. We haven't decided which one we want exactly, but it is such a blessing that we have similar tastes in furniture! Anyone want a couch? . . .

. . . I'm learning more about tissue culturing at work. I spent all afternoon today preparing media for the next round of tissue cells. We grow bladder cancer cells, then some of these cells are later injected into the bladders of mice to induce cancer. Poor mice . . .

. . . and a note to everyone. Please feel free to leave comments on the blog! Anyone can leave a post, not just members of Blogger.

Apartment picture

Here's a pic of our apartment (with our cute little Christmas tree). I have to actually clean the house before I take more pictures. The living room is the only room that's clean. (So much for the New Year's resolution!) I love that the apartment has a working fireplace, but since we're in Houston, it's too hot to actually use it. The painting over the fireplace was painted by Stu. I love it!


More pics coming soon!

I think I'm getting sick

Bleh. I'm not feeling too hot right now. My throat hurts, and I've felt somewhat nauseated for the past few days. I'm glad it's the weekend so I get the chance to relax and get better before Monday.

I hate being sick. I'm not sick a lot, but it's always a bummer when it happens. I think the last time I was sick was when I lived in the dorm at Covenant. Germs just seem to spread fast there. Maybe I'll go take another nap and pray I feel better when I get up . . .

Um . . .

I have nothing to say. Just thought I'd mention that!

Poor Hubby!

Stu had his first day of classes for the new semester. I think he's a little nervous!

New Year's Resolutions

Yay for 2006! This is the first post for me that hasn't been in December 2005. Very exciting!

New Year's resolutions have always been a let down for me. I make them every year, then forget about them by Jan. 2. Maybe this year will be different! I have some goals that I definitely need to work on. Here's my short list for '06:

1. Exercise more regularly
2. Keep the house clean on a regular basis (as in, don't wait til all my clothes are dirty before I do laundry)
3. Try to eat right
4. Keep posting on my blog!

I hope 2006 is the best year yet!