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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Transit of Venus
Today is the big day! Venus will pass between the earth and the sun this afternoon. If you have the proper viewing equipment you will be able to see a small black spot travel across the surface of the sun. Pretty neat if you ask me…
If you have any interest in checking it out, you need to take advantage of it today. It’s not going to happen again for another 105 years! So unless you think you are going to live well into your 100’s, I would take a peak!! (Just click on the photo above to go to Nasa’s online stream of the event.)
Anyone planning on viewing it today? If you are, when are where? Inquiring minds want to know!
I’m a bus rider!!!
Today was my very first time, ever, taking public transportation to work. And let me just say that I wish I never had to drive my car again! It was so much more relaxing than merging onto the freeway, just to stop, go, stop, go, all the way into to town. I brought a book, a nice person gave up his seat so that I could sit, and before I knew it we were pulling over, already there!
I’ll enjoy it for the summer while my kids are out of school and I don’t need to drive them in. But I’m going to enjoy every single minute of it for the next twelve weeks! I’m going to get SO MUCH reading done. To that end, can you guys recommend some good summer reading? I would really appreciate it. Yay!!!!
Solar Eclipse 2012
We were lucky enough to witness the solar eclipse yesterday. It was pretty awesome to see. Luckily we have a decent camera and were able to get some photos of it, although not very good ones. Had we a different lens and the proper filter they would have come out much better, but the ones we got are still fun to look at!
Thankfully, no retinas or corneas were hurt in this process…
Solar Eclipse May 20, 2012
My Dormant Brain
Yeah, yeah, I know. Where have I been?! I guess I just haven’t had much to say lately. I’m getting anxious for school to start. I just want to learn!
Truth be told, I’m just tired of sitting at a desk all day doing the same mundane thing over and over. I honestly think I’ve been dumbed down. I used to be smart. My IQ is impressive. But here I sit, doing the same thing day after day after day. Monotony is not good for me. It makes me lazy. Which brings us right back around to me not blogging! I’ve just been lazy! Oh good, I feel better that I’ve figured that out…
Generation 1 and Generation 5…amazing.
I flew back east a couple of weeks ago to see my family and spend time with my 96 year old great grandmother. I’m always impressed with her. I love listening to her talk about when she was young. She was born in 1916, can you imagine the things she’s witnessed?! I only spent a couple of hours with her, but I’m so glad that I had that time.
Crystal remembering her friend.
We went intoNew Yorkand visited the 9/11 Memorial. Wow. I did not expectthe emotions that overcame me when we went in. It was overwhelming. The sound of the fountains while looking over all of the names of the victims was surreal somehow. My sister showed me where the name of their friend was on the memorial. It was powerful to see her standing there looking at it.
Matt, Chris and Me
The rest of our day in the city is pretty much a blur of walking and drinking. LOTS of drinking. In fact, I couldn’t tell you how much, it was that good of a time! My cousin and her boyfriend met us for dinner and drinks. We also hung out with two of my friends from high school, one of which I hadn’t seen in about 20 years! My dad made the outing and my sister and I were both impressed with his stamina. A 19 hour day is tough enough on the young! 😉 Thank goodness we were able to make our way back to the (correct) train. I don’t think being stranded at Grand Central Station would be a good time…
The whole trip was just fantastic. Even at the airport on my way there things were interesting. I like to get to the airport early, especially if I’m taking a red eye so I can get a couple glasses of wine in me before boarding (helps me sleep). I was joined by a gentleman who happened to be an astronomer. I’ve never met an astronomer before. I have a meager telescope and have occasionally pulled it out to look at the stars. I can name maybe three constellations and I love watching those Discovery Channel shows on space, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge in that area. We started talking and I brought up the fact that I would be starting my meteorology program in the fall, to which he replied that he studies atmospheres on other planets. What?! How interesting! So now this dormant little brain of mine has been kick started and my gears are once again spinning. I have absolutely no idea if I can apply my degree to anything like studying atmospheres on other planets, but it’s worth looking into!
I just think everything happens for a reason, that we meet people for a reason, nothing happens by chance. Look back at your life and think of those pivotal moments, and how just one decision, encounter, success or failure had forever changed your path. A simple conversation with my new friend Stan could be one of those moments…
Time to Get in Shape
Ok, if you know me personally, you know that one of my LEAST favorite things in the world to do is exercise. I always spill my wine all over me and my carpet, it’s not pretty. 😉 Seriously though, with my 20 year high school reunion coming up in October, it’s time I get up off my backside and take care of the extra fluff I’ve got going on. (I mean, I’m not the Stay Puff Marshmallow man or anything, but I could stand to get some lean mass going on…) So today, the torture starts! Hubby and I will be whining, whimpering, crying, crawling, soaking, (more crying), through the next 90 days with P90X. I’m not going to lie, I’m scared.
Even with the fear, I am looking forward to feeling better and having more energy. I’m going to need a fair amount of energy when school starts in the fall!
So, If you see me over the next several months, please, don’t make any sudden movements, scare me, or smack me on the back to say hello. I don’t think my muscles are going to be able to handle any kind of extra jolt. On the other hand, if you see me in a crumpled mess on the sidewalk, don’t be alarmed, it’s just that my muscles have given me all they can and are tired and resting. Feel free to call 911; a stay in the hospital would get me out of my next workout… J
Hopefully I’ll be giving you updates on my progress, assuming the muscles in my fingers are still functional during this process…
I’m Alive!
Oh My God…I feel like I’ve just written an entire 20 page paper and have lost the whole thing. I finished my blog post and then POOF! gone. Grrrrr!!!!!!! I blame this on a friend of mine who made a comment today about whether or not I’ve been keeping my blog updated because he’s been forgetting to check it (you know who you are). SO, I go ahead and update everyone on everything and lose it all. Along with several important strands of hair… Soooooo, here we go again…
Image via Wikipedia
I finally received my official admittance letter from Mississippi State University! I am a Bulldog baby! (Whatever that means.) J Do not expect me to be parked in from of the TV during college football season. I don’t like college football (sshhhhhh, that’s just between you and me, don’t tell anyone at MSU!) But seriously, I am so proud to be admitted to MSU to begin my meteorology degree. I feel like I should be partying every night and dragging my hung-over butt to class every morning. But I guess it would be pretty pathetic to get sloshed in my living room then drag myself to my computer to attend my online course. I guess that college party bit has sailed for me. Sadly…
I did hear from the local meteorologist that I had been emailing. I spent Monday, President’s Day, seated in a chair just off camera during the morning show!!!! It was AMAZING! Up until that point, I didn’t think that broadcast meteorology would interest me. I was SO wrong. I saw a green screen for the first time and honestly, I thought it would be confusing, but it wasn’t at all. I was kind of in awe the entire time. Everyone was super nice, but I especially enjoyed my time with the meteorologist (I am avoiding giving a name to my readers for fear that you will all get the same idea and start sending a ton of emails!) Of course, if I were to be completely honest, all three of you wouldn’t really blow up an email account… J I have been invited back when we have some real weather action going on around here. Because, let’s face it, Phoenix weather is only exciting a few days a year! That station is definitely my first choice for my internship. I am so thankful for the generosity of others that has allowed me this opportunity. I can’t wait to go back!
Until next time…
Super Excited!!
So, the thing that started this whole blog adventure was me searching the web for information on meteorology as a second career, grants, scholarships, etc. But the very first thing that started me on that path was a simple email to a local meteorologist. She lead me to Mississippi State University and their online Meteorology program. I’ve applied and am waiting for my official evaluation. I can’t believe it! I’m so excited to finally be working toward something that I’ve been interested in for so long! Anyway, I sent my new meteorologist friend another email inquiring about possible internships and she kind of invited me to spend an hour on the morning show!!!!!!!!! I’m beside myself. It’s the same channel I’ve been watching for at least the past 16 years, so I feel like I know them all. Then to see what goes on behind the scenes during live news broadcasts is kind of blowing my mind! I keep telling myself…ok…calm down…it’s not a big deal…oh, but who am I kidding?! Aside from getting to check out the inner workings of a live broadcast, I get to really take a look at one career in meteorology (if only for a moment) and get an idea if that is the direction I would like to take!
I wrote that first paragraph over a week ago. I haven’t heard back from her. I’m trying my hardest to be patient. I mean she doesn’t know me, she might find it a bit creepy if I emailed her everyday like we’re best friends. I would find that creepy and I know me. And I certainly don’t want to become a pain in the backside about it. So I sit…and wait…and wait…and wait…at the same time that I sit and wait…and wait…and wait for my evaluation to get done at the college. ALL THIS WAITING IS DRIVING ME NUTS!
Happy 2012! (sort of…)
Wow, here we are already, the 10th day of 2012 and I don’t even have my Christmas list done! Ok, I guess I have a little bit of time, but if this year screams by like last year then I already feel a little behind. I spent the entire first week sick. Oh yeah, ringing in the new year on a high note! I thought for sure it was strep throat. I was wrong, but boy did it feel nasty. I find it interesting and a little bit ironic that I’m the one in the house getting the freaky fun bugs (pink eye, mystery bacteria…) when my kids have been perfectly healthy! (Knock on a frigging Redwood tree…) Anyway, after two trips to the doctor I was FINALLY prescribed an antibiotic and now, I don’t feel my throat! I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy! Little piece of advice, DO NOT try honey, raw garlic and cayenne, no matter what the “natural remedy” sites tell you. Ick and Ow. That’s pretty much all I have to say about that. 🙂
So now, onto the new year. I’m struggling a bit with topics for my blog. I have all these interests that range from crafts to weather to cooking to whatever else tickles my fancy at the moment. I feel like I should stay on track, but the weather excitement isn’t really exciting yet. Just classes (which I haven’t even registered for yet for the spring…) involving nothing weather related at the moment. Blah. Who really wants to read about that?! So here’s my challenge. Give me a topic, any topic, and I’ll see what I can come up with! I’ll cover as many as I get (because I’m pretty sure I’ll be lucky to get one!) Readyyyyyyyyyyy, GO!
Merry (Belated) Christmas!!
Well, it’s obvious that I’ve totally and completely neglected my blog this month (or more…). The holidays nearly killed me this year. Between baking and crocheting and working and finishing my class and raising kids and pink eye (YES, pink eye!!!! Unbelievable!!!)…I’m EXHAUSTED!!! But here we are, two days after Christmas and poof…it’s over. I feel a little lost now. What worries and stresses will occupy my mind and time now? I can’t believe I even asked that question. In my case, there is never a dull moment, never a time when I don’t stress about whatever. I’m sure I’ll think of something….
So this last month and a half has been super busy. We had family and friends over for Thanksgiving where I made a ridiculously tasty turkey if I do say so myself. And yes…that is BACON!!!!) I found the recipe here (which of course I found on Pinterest). It did not disappoint! It even made my father’s Christmas letter as a highlight of the year. Now THAT’S amazing! Two weeks later I finished my History class (YAY!!!!) with an 88 average. So close to an A, but hey, I’ll take it. Then it was a race to the finish to get ready for Christmas.
The weekend of December 10th we hopped in the car and drove over to Palm Desert to see the in-laws and have our family Christmas early. We had a great time even with 8 kids and 6 adults hanging out for two days in a three bedroom house. Woohoo!!!! But really, it was fun and the kids had a fantastic time playing with their cousins. We really don’t see them enough…
We FINALLY got our Christmas tree on December 15th. We never really did finish putting all of the decorations on it. But it is beautiful just the same. December 18th was the day I bought my very first present for the kids. I really really wanted to start early this year, then BAM!, it’s a week before Christmas and the only thing stirring in my house was the sense that maybe we better get some presents.
Both my hubby and I kind of had a hard time getting into the spirit this year. I think that Christmas had become over commercialized and it seemed the only purpose was to shop, shop, shop! If I could show you just one page from my email account that has apparently been changed to receive only spam and advertisements, you would see what I mean. I’ve been emailed ads for after Christmas sales ON Christmas Day! Can’t I have just one day, say…Christmas DAY…that I don’t have to think about spending any more money?
Oh yeah, then I found out today that some low life stole my debit card information and attempted to purchase almost $800.00 with it all over Illinois! Luckily my credit union is ON TOP of it. A friend suggested I add them to my Christmas list next year. Not a bad idea…
But now we can move on to the New Year with new opportunities, experiences, classes, projects and possibly a little P90X. The food was amazing this season…
meteorologygirl 