Last minute nomination

Yesterday I ran into the head of the department in the hallway and he informed me that I, and one other student, were being nominated for some type of scholarship. He wanted to make sure I'd be around the next few days because there's a lot of paperwork to put together. I got the official award nomination packet via email today. I have to work on a research and career interest statement, polish up my CV, track down undergrad and grad transcripts, get my supporting letters...all by Wednesday. The scholarship is a long shot, and it seems odd to have to drop everything for a few days to work on this, but it is still nice to be nominated. There are two majors offered in our department (environmental science and engineering, and biochemistry and molecular biology) and a student was nominated form each. It's a honor just to know that the department got together and collectively decided that of all the students here, I stand the best chance of getting this award. Like I said, this is a long shot, but regardless, even just being nominated for this is CV-worthy in itself, so it's not a bad deal...even if I do have to drop everything and figure this stuff out ASAP.

Ammendment to warning lable

Sleeping last night was nearly impossible. I walked through stinging nettle for almost an hour yesterday while looking for a disc. My legs wouldn't stop burning. I couldn't sleep because of it. By 3 am I had had enough. I hit the bottle of pain reliever pm. The bottle tells you not to use unless you can devote 8 hours to sleep. Well, I did. I didn't get up until almost 11. Regardless, I felt completely zonked out and useless until well into the afternoon. And I'm still not feeling 100%. What the bottle should say is "do not use unless you have nowhere to be and nothing to do for the next 24 hours." Adding insult to injury, my legs are still burning and itching, and I never found the disc.

Do it again for the first time

With the school's merger came new policies. Before, us at the West campus sort of flew under the radar as far as our medical records and compliance was concerned. Now we're all required to show proof of immunization, and get tested for TB and hepatitis etc. That's what happens when you merge with a med school I guess. I had already gotten my first skin injection for the TB test a few months ago. Of course, I forgot to go back 3 days later to have the test read. That means I have to do it again...for the "first time." One clear test isn't enough for the compliance people either. We need to have two. So today I went to the primate center where some folks were sticking us again. No my favorite part of my day. Hopefully I'll remember to go in to have it read on Friday. I don't want to do it a third time for the first time.

4th of July

Fourth of July was yesterday, a Friday. Even though it was a national holiday, I couldn't help but feel guilty for taking it off. Regardless, it was a fun day. I sleep in until 9, woo hoo! And then Ryan and I headed down a bit south of Albany to play a course in Waterloo that we had never played before. It was great! Still in the construction phase, but it will be a really fun course. Once back in Portland, we went out to the pub and split a double nachos and had a drink. Oh yes, and then there was pool. We played 6 games of pool, and I won 5 of them...but not because I'm any good at pool. It was crazy.

1st game: Ryan scratches on the 8 ball
2nd game: Ryan scratches on the break
3rd game: I won it outright
We then decided to start a new best out of three series
1st game: Ryan scratches on the break
2nd game: Ryan wins outright
3rd game: Ryan scratches on the break

Heck, a win is a win, (and 5 wins are 5 wins) and I'll take any I can get, but what a weird series.

Once at home we decided to set up the tent in the backyard and sleep under the stars. Of course, by stars I mean fireworks. Some small fireworks were being lit off in our little neighborhood and we could see them through the mesh ceiling of the tent. It was great! Of course, we had the rain fly off so we could see the fireworks and stay cool, but it started raining at around 3 am, and I had to scurry to put the fly on. Funniest thing was when I woke up in the morning and got out of the tent. I looked towards the slat fence separating our backyard from the neighbor's...and I saw that they had set up a tent in their backyard too. I laughed. I wonder if they camped out in the rain too.

Edible Yard

A lot of edibles grow in our yard. Most came with the yard and had nothing to do with us. A few were actually planted. And one came up by happy accident.

Rosemary-2 huge bushes of it. Very fragrant.
Mint-Growing in a little planter-like box right next to the side door. (Oh, and Ryan claims it as his since he "discovered" it.)
Lavendar-A recent discovery.
Filbert tree-(Hazelnuts to those of us not from the Northwest.)
Cherry tree-At the rate the squirrels are eating, I don't know we'll get many.
Rasberries-A few have started turning pink in the last day or two!
Rhubarb-Never watered it. Slugs got the best of it. Oh well.
Strawberries-I've been enjoying these a bunch. Probablly got 6 pints thus far. They make great smoothies!
Squash-I planted this, and it's actually growing and doing well!
Onions-Planted this too. Still alive, but I have no idea how the onions are actualy doing since they grow underground.
Garlic-Happy accident. Ryan threw some old garlic out the back door and it took root. Go figure.