It's a beautiful day

Not bad for the first picture with my brand new Rebel Xsi. Not my favorite picture of the day, but it's not too bad. If you're curious what I look like at 6 months pregnant, here's a picture of me, also taken today.



Notice the happy, relaxed, post-prelim smile :)

Aftershock

I was sure we wouldn't feel any aftershocks from an earthquake of magnitude 5.2 as far south as the original, yet, I just felt one. What a day this is turning out to be.

Update: after looking at the seismograph on the second floor, this one was actually about the same magnitude here as the earlier one. I'm guessing we'll be rocking and rolling all day long!

Update II: turns out the aftershock was actually a magnitude 4.5, so wasn't as big as the original. Coincidentally enough, the graduate lunchtime seminar was on liquefaction near the Ohio river. We had really good attendance, and everyone was asking questions.

Earthquake!

This morning I woke up because my bed was shaking. At first I wondered if I was just dreaming, but I could hear the building creaking, which convinced me the shaking might actually be an earthquake. To which my mental response was, "I'm in the wrong state for that." Guess not: the USGS reports it here.

Cool friends

I just got back from my surprise baby shower. I have to say, I was completely surprised. I gather they planned much of this at a 999 (happy hour) when I was present, so I'm rather impressed they managed to keep me out of the loop. Well, actually it probably wasn't to much of a challenge given that Derrick was in town then and I spent much of that particular 999 talking to a prospective grad student who went to tech for a year. I'm not sure it would be that difficult to keep me in the dark in general, to be honest.

It came at a perfect time, though--I've been very focused on my research proposal and a break, especially one that was so pleasant, was much appreciated.

Thanks!

Who needs good when you have good enough?

Thank you, Katie.

Remember, perspective in all things.

blog rating

Last time I checked my blog on this site, it told me reading my blog requires post-graduate education.

Now,

TV Reviews

Guess kids do make you smarter :)

D'Aargh!

So, I had an agreement with a guy at the Utah Division of Wildlife resources to get a set of new natural samples. You know, those funny things I need to get data? And graduate? Then, bureaucratic nonsense started. First, I couldn't reach the guy I'd made arrangements with. So I found his boss and asked what was going on. Now I have to talk to some new guy who evidently has to make sure my sample request is "legal" and a "good use of department resources" before he'll agree to help me. I've spent the last week working on a proposal for him rather than working on my thesis proposal I'm supposed to hand out to my committee in, oh, a week. Argh.

I think for stress relief I'm going to stare for a few minutes at the face of my beautiful unborn daughter.





Ah, that's much better.

For those who don't know, she's due July 23rd-ish.