ORLY?!

Before I go back to the days in which I failed to blog...I cannot believe that I just went through all of that to get my phone to work. And it doesn't even fully, offically work yet!!! WTF?!?!?!?



haha...well, finally it works!!! I'm actually really excited about it. So...should I talk about the past weekend or.....hmmm. I don't know. I'll do a "long story short" version:
Friday: Praia Joaquina, the "after-after" party...on the beach....off the coast of Brasil :) Thanks to Marco and Ricardo for that ;)

Saturday: was such a beautiful day!!! I went and ran along the lagoa leading to Praia Mole and Praia Joaquina...good run, good run...other than that I was EXHAUSTED from friday night, haha. Pretty much slept ALL DAY after that. Then totally random, Alessio and I started chatting on facebook and I ended up going and eating at Nigiri, a sushi spot in Lagoa!!! Very interesting experience. Kinda bold on my part if I should say so myself...he was fine though, like the convo was fine, kinda hard considering the only language he's not that great in is English and all I speak is English. Sorry I don't speak 5 languages like you!!!! Yeah, you heard right. He speaks Italian (he's from there...southern border of Italy and France, perhaps??), portuguese, french, spanish, and english. I have to say. I was quite impressed. It went sort of like this...we met up and he would speak to me in English, we went into the resturant and he spoke to the hostess in portuguese, then he ran into some Italian friends and spoke italian with them...then his roommate or whatever called (who is French) and spoke french with him...THEN if I didn't understand something he was saying, he would ask me in spanish. i was very tired at the end of that night!!! He was fine. Oh really?!

So still excited about the phone situation...I just need somebody to call or text me now, haha. Like Diego maybe :) stay tuned...

Copo Do Mundo 2010!!!!

Watching...actually PARTICIPATING in the World Cup, is not just a favorite Brasillian past time...I'm beginning to believe that it is more a part of the culture than anything else!! I love it!!! I like that I can say that for every game that Brasil has played I've had a different experience with the people of Brasil. Game one: Brasil vs. North Korea...I strolled into Cafe da Lagoa and was later joined by and Italian professor...Game two: Brasil vs. The Ivory Coast...house party at Dr. Padua and Jania's where I ended up getting pretty drunk off wine and champagne...thanks Jania :) It's amazing the kinds of heart-to-heart convos you can while while under the influence...either way, it was pretty awesome!! Great food, great host!!! Great way to end the weekend!!!! For Game three: (which is scheduled for this Friday) Brasil vs. Portugal I will be watching in the lab with the people I work with!!! I'm really excited...everybody who's anybody in Padua's Lab will be there...except for the man himself who took off to Curitiba today :(

"Rejection is God's protection"

I have assignments due. Today. But yeah, I have yet to start on those...And I won't be getting home til late today...so bascially, I telling myself that I have to get this stuff done, but am kind of afraid that it won't. Story of my life!! Nobody knows you better than yourself :)

I must apologize for abandoning my blog for over a week. I had just been spilling my guts out to actual people and getting some sort of a feedback vs...well...no, but it's all good. Really though, to be completely honest...I just have nothing else to do right now...ok, that's not entirely true either since I did say that I had alot of homework to do, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!! I'm over facebook, I've been in a lab since 8:00 am, and still have a couple of hours to go on the "familiarization" portion of this protocol...i.e. 15 rats with 10 min sessions each...yep...I'm actually enjoying myself though...I'm beginning to wonder if I'm actually a born again loner or something...you'd think that being a a foreign country for the first time on your own that you would want to cling to anything familiar and comfortable. I find myself wanting the complete opposite. It's like the more uncomfortable the situation, the more I want to be there and explore that...not only that, but I think I'd even rather do it all by myself...weird? So, obviously there are more intimate thoughts that I could share but that's what a personal journal is for...well, for me its my email messages to Candi and Hajra. So I've just saved our email conversation, and if there ever came a time where I would want someone to read them...I would have to edit and sensor the hell out of it. Can't help it.

Yeah, as you can imagine, ALOT has happened since the last time I blogged...blah blah blah, Dorian came in from Curitiba...blah blah blah....went to a nice dinner followed by my watching everyone get drunk, haha...blah blah blah...I made out with some RANDOM (need to find out how to say "random" or its equivalent in Portuguese cause I most def say that alot) definately sexy, definately drunk Brasillian guy, named Felipe, or however you spell it. Good weekend for sure...Was planning on winding down the weekend on Sunday by going over Dr. Padua and Jania's home to eat a little lunch, watch some Copo do Mundo action...then head home say at about 5pm or so, ya know, after the game...if you know anything about then you know that when I start with a more than perfect senario then, the actual event are nothing close!!! I ended up getting drunk and didn't get home til 9 or 10 pm...I was totally screwed on Monday, to the point of where I had to go home early!!!!

The title of this blog is dedicated to Hajra. We don't have that "Vanessa and Hajra" quote book for no reason...which by the way, I spent over 2 hours hand-crafting while at work listening to Arab Money and Amplifier on repeat...2 weeks of summer life in the states was all I got :( It's not worth asking about what were talking about for that quote to come out of her mouth...

I'm also getting really excited about the upcoming year!!! I know it's going to be great!!! I hate to think that I won't be in Brasil anymore, but I think I'll come back, for what, I don't know, but I know I'll come back...so, now I don't have to be so sad about leaving!! I could totally live here and be straight. I'd miss my fam and my lovers of coarse but...there's just something different about the way people are here...its so hard to explain. Its just so obvious that the mentally here is more "worldly" than in the US. Like, EVERYONE travels to other countries, frequently and at a young age...they know of a bigger world that I don't think very many Americans are aware of. Americans go on vaca and travel as Americans. If you're think what I'm thinking than your thinking, well what's the point? You come back as you were. Sounds kinda dull to me. So I'm in love with this part of Brasil. I want to see more!! More of Brasil and more of the WORLD!!!!!

Have I ever mentioned that I completely and utterly lucked out by getting put in Dr. Padua's lab?

"Let's Take The Long Way Home"

I can't remember...have I ever confessed my homesickness??? Maybe I did in an email to Hajra...its usually when I'm having some sort of a moment. It's not bad or anything...It's just that those 2 weeks before I left for Brasil, I was having to get used to moving away from Lan, whom I had been roommates with for 2 years, and moving into an apartment with Ana. Basically, once I got used to the idea of living in Cordova...and not the U of M area, Midtown, or downtown :( I left for Brasil!!! My point is just that so much changed in my life so FAST!!!!

I have not had any coffee today...I actually think its been making me kinda of sick. I love variation in my food, but I usually don't eat alot of variation in my daily diet. I need to probably go back to that as well. I went to the UFSC "mess hall" today...ummm.....yeah, very interesting...I wanted to go and see what it was all about. It was cheap. That is the ONLY justification for eating there on a daily basis...I felt like a real student though...on the menu today: rice, black beans...duh...batata fritas, "salad", tangerine, some kind of creamy chicken stuff...hahaha...I don't know...it didn't LOOK good, but it wasn't that bad. I already feel better without all of that caffeine. Probabaly should have just eaten fresh veggies and good soild meats today, but I wanted to have lunch with the boys of the lab today :)

Which I'm very glad I did!!! Rimenez told me about a really great band from Australia. The Beautiful Girls!!!! They are awesome!!! I love discovering new music. But I am LOVING the fact that this album will forever remind me of my summer in Brasil :) So I'm downloading the album tonight and wearing it out while i'm here!!! Living proof of the memory conditioning that I'm researching in lab!!!!

*****O*P*E*N*I*N*G***C*E*R*E*M*O*N*Y***W*O*R*L*D*C*U*P***2*0*1*0******
Yay!!! Shakira and the Black Eye Peas are performing!!!!!

All of the graduate students are such hard workers :) This lab is great and I feel really lucky that I put Dr. Padua's lab as my first choice. He's very good at what he does. Think I'm going to sneak out of here shortly...

Carpe diem

Such a simple statement...yet so true. I keep wanting to think about how much I'm going to miss it here when it comes time for me to go...I can't help it, it just happens...

Best this that's happened today so far...getting a blowdryer that will run on 240V...Muito obrigada Cris :)

I did not end up going to see a movie last night..I mean a went to look for that girl, but didin't have her number and even if I did, I wouldn't have been able to communicate with her!! So, it was best I went home anyway...I was EXHAUSTED!!!!! Passed out at around 22:00. It was great. I still didn't really feel like I passed out cold...like I did the other night, I kinda had a light sleep:( don't know what thats about...

I ended up staying at the lab fairly late and rode to the mall with Dr. Padua and Jania. Found a really cute "Brasil" shirt at Renner in honor of the world cup this year!!! Will be getting more of those shirts. Before that we sat and had some espresso and pao de queijo. Amazing!!! Not for your figure but definately for the taste buds, haha. Oh and I must confess...I had a brigadeiro. Just sinful, absolutely sinful. Just imagine soft chocolate fudge rolled into a ball then rolled in chocolate sprinkles...OMG!! I somehow justified why I needed that to myself...it was worth it...I mean, c'mon, I'm in BRASIL!!!! Summer in SOUTH AMERICA?!?!? How did that happen? I still don't know...

I was so tired, I almost passed out on the "onibus" last night. Prob wouldn't be the greatest idea. It was pretty late and very dark out. I wasn't nervous or scared though...

I love it here...

'Cause i always have to steal my kisses from you...

I know it looks like I'm a total eaves dropper whos butting into other peoples conversation...but the truth of the matter is...I have NO CLUE what you're saying...I guess I'm just watching for certain mannerism etc, etc, etc...plus, some words stick out to me, and then it's like trying to put together a puzzle...I like TRYING to figure out whats going on...even more, I like to see the way in which native brasillians interact with one another...

I just looked at the list of things to remember to write about...and well, I think that that reminder list should suffice to do just that...

I will expand on some details that I feel are more important or significant however...basically Haju loves me and doing a spin class in the dark with disco lights and techno remixes to my personal faves, such as Ben Harper and Bob Marley was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. I'm coming to terms with how great EVERYONE looks at the gym...There's nothing I or they can do about it...it's most likely genetics...one thing that does kinda bother me...I saw one of these infamous girls at Subway (yes in Floripa) eating a footlong whatever....actually scarfing it down better describes what was seen...annoying. Incredibly annoying. I just sat there with my Submelt BLT salada. It was good though, especially after that spin class.

I decided to put a comforter on my bed...GREATEST IDEA EVER!!!! I slept like a baby last night. I miss having that longing for your bed. Like the one you have right now for your coveted bed. That's part of the reason I've been homesick I think. Either way it feels good to WANT to go to bed when the time comes.

Rode the bus this morning with Brittany. We both walked to the station with our Northface backpacks, really gay-like. Made it to our destinations though!!!! I even got a light walk in first before lab...

Nobody was really in the lab today so I watched Julianna do brain surgery on some rats...this may sound really sick and weird but there is something about them that is so cute. She takes really good care of them.

So Cris is pretty much my BFF here...but I did make a new friend today!!! This will be a little bit more interesting of an interaction considering the two of us don't speak the same language. We tried it out today!!! And it was great!!! At first she really wouldn't try to talk to me...I'm sure it was because her English wasn't as great as some of the others but we managed to make plans to go see Sex & The City II tonight :) It was hard and took alot of time to communicate these intentions but I know it made us both feel like we accomplished something. Even though it was something so little. This is going to be the best way for her to learn English and for me to learn Portuguese. I've already learned alot from that one conversation. Information that will stick because I have an enjoyable memory to go with it!!!

I really miss hearing my mom's voice...I need to find a way to call her asap!! They are sending me a package!!! I can't wait to get it!!! This is all for now...

tchau beijos

I better write a little bit every day, otherwise it'll become a blur!

I can't believe how much has happened since the last time I wrote. The rest of the holiday weekend was pretty good.

Thursday night: Got semi-dressed up and decided to get some dinner. Place of choice? A gourmet pizza place called "Pedra N Lagoa" or something like that. It was alot fancier or upscale than I was thinking but the food was good nonetheless. Maybe I thought is was fantastic because I just felt proud of myself after leaving there. I successfully, keep in mind that none of this was said in English, went in for dinner and drinks and got exactly what I ordered!! It was alot of work and brain power. First asked if they spoke English..."nao"...well, okay...now on to my standard protocol. Told him, the waiter, that I spoke very little and in fact very poor portuguese. He smiled and laughed and said that he spoke very little and very poor English!! Great!!! We can make it work then!!! Long story short...table for two, ordered drinks, ordered dinner (I got a hearts-of-palm salad and a meat and cheese tray that had pan-seared eggplant...yum), asked for separate checks, and asked to have my food boxed!!! Whew!!! 2 hours laters and we were exhausted...we would not be going out tonight :(

Friday night: Risoletta from Brittany's lab along with her 15 year old son, Livero, came to get us and took us to Praia Mole!!! Great and all but it was so rainy and foggy we couldnt see ANYTHING!!! The resturant we went to was called "Ponto de Vista" and it was situated on a bluff over looking the lagoa. Beautiful!!! The place was really cool too!! They had Sublime playing in the background when we first walked in. We all shared Pink Congo in a Champagne sauce with shrimp and mushrooms!!! Of coarse it came with some rice and steamed potatoes. Oh but for an appetizer, we had fried shrimp and hearts of palm with olive oil!! Delicious!!! ....And I alway order agua com gas :) just a little FYI. After lunch we did some shopping at the local mall, I forget what its called. I'll remember later since I WILL be going back to get a couple of essentials. Love the store Zara, which is a popular European department store apparently...and the food at the mall's food court is AWESOME!!!! Got a cute bag (a bag that I saw a girl at UFSC with, who as a side note, doesn't really seem to like me), and some faux denim leggings!!! There a few, 3 to be exact, crucial outfits that I NEED to set up. As Candi would say, I need to get my set all put together. So, we people watch as we wait for Riso to pick us up and Pedro walks by. blah, blah, blah...we make plans to go to the Blackswan to meet up with some peeps!!! Yay!!! Right??? Wrong!!! Got all decked out for nothing basically...great band though!! Highlight of the night was when the band covered Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". So great, so great!! Tried not to walk home too disappointed...wistled at...which is nice...we had swore we had "lost it". What?? Vain??? Naw....

Saturday night: HAHAHAHA, I don't have time to write about that right now...need to monitor some rat behavior and go to bed!!!
Just as a personal reminder on what to write about so I'm all caught up on my blogging:
a) Marco e Andre (Blackswan)
b) John Bull
c) Sunday-flea market, dreads, "hippies", floral bags, cafe com leite e canela e acai bowl :)
d)grocery shopping, cooking frango, and how I "thought" I was going to do my laundry
e) Saturday day-Dr. Padua, Praia Joaquina
f) Haju sunday night!

Monday: "way to start off a monday, yeah right"..."great way to end a monday" :) Spin class with Cris!!!

Can I catch a break? At least I'm trying?

It's been a pretty laxed week...maybe it has alot to do with the upcoming holiday, Corpus Christi Day...maybe it's just that Brasillians are just super laxed in general...either way, though...

Wednesday was my first full comfy routined day. I got up, drank coffee, got dressed, rode to UFSC with Cris, got to lab and even though I haven't started on my research project yet, I did some work on facebook and read some emails. I'm just now getting used to the diet situation. So it feels good. It makes me feel much more like myself. OMG!!! Lunch has been AMAZING!!!!! Lots of fresh produce and grilled meats...so good, so good...can't even explain...I love that Dr. Padua always comes to lunch with us :) then after a good lunch, we had a much needed expresso break...of coarse!!! I like it, I'm beginning to feel like it's a part of my own culture...an hour and a half later, back to lab!!!

I was going to ride home again with Cris, but Wednesdays are her long days...she had a seminar at 6pm and wouldn't be able to leave til like after 7pm...so...I rode the bus!!! Rimenez 100%, TOTALLY hooked me up with how to do all that...I mean, and this may sound incredibly bratty I'm not denying that, but i've NEVER ridden a city bus before. That and I've only ridden those yellow schools buses a few times for field trips and stuff. What can I say, my mom's only "job" has been to raise us kids so she was always driving me around!!! What I'm basically getting to is that I was asking Rimenez ALOT of stupid questions, at least I felt stupid asking them, hahaha...it was all good though. He even drew my a map of the paths that the buses go in and went with me to my first bus riding experience. I think he was a little concerned for me, it was cute...once I got into the terminal, a point where he couldn't pass, I kinda just looked back at him and awkwardly waved goodbye. It is sad. I don't know why. I wanted him to come with me. Now that I think about it, it was very dramatic. Once the bus marked "333" to "TriLag" took off, I saw him standing by his car still...put a little warm, soft spot in my heart :) I didn't recognize anything for the first 15 minutes...hmm....I'll have to admit I was getting a little nervous...finally I saw familiar surroundings!!!!! I made it!!!!! Pretty much all by myself!!!! It felt good. What's interesting is that at first, I felt a little ashamed having to ride the bus...I don't know why, probably because I'd never HAD to do it before, but that's the norm here. Everyone rides the bus. I love how the "TriLag" terminal is right by my gym "PowerFit" both of which are situated at the end of my residential street!!!!

I walked home from the terminal all proud of myself...it had been such a good day!!! Got to talk to Dr. Padua and Rimenez. It was fun talking about what my schedule would be once I started my project. Pretty much whatever I wanted it to be!!! I told Rimenez straight up that I wasn't necessarily a morning person...he took it well!! I feel like they all "get me". Can't wait to do this!!!

I went to the gym to sign up and actually work out for the first time!!! The girl at the front desk was gorgeous, of coarse. So I was intimidated by that along with the intimidation of having to deal with the fact that she didn't speak English and my portuguese sucks. We made it work. She wasn't so friendly, but...whatever. I've done that to people back at home before. It's nothing personal I don't think. It's just that sometimes you're just not in the mood to think about communicating in another language. It's tiring. And hard. Sometimes hispanic people will come into my office that only speak Spanish. I know enough Spanish that I could probably try and figure out how to help them...but there have been times where they would say, "Se habla espanol?" and I would respond, "nope." It's rude, yes, and I don't do it all the time...but...it does happen...so karma's a bitch I guess...it sucks being on the other end of that. I asked that girl, in the worst, most broken portuguese, if she spoke English, and all she said was, "no." I don't even think it was the "English" no, it was "nao". Followed by a blank stare. Not even a smile. Hmmm...ok, I get it. Cause I've done it to people before. So being that I'm in her country, I tried my best to recall any portuguese words I've ever heard...it worked. I sucessfully joined a gym and was even able to ask for a locker key!!! So, yeah...one word conversations that can only be done in the context of the immediate situation...pretty doable. Give me a break though!!! I'm totally trying!!! I would even rather have the natives speak to me in portuguese even though I wouldn't understand a word. Just to keep hearing their language. I want to learn. I actually don't want you to direct me to someone who speaks English!!!

Brittany and I wanted to go somewhere for dinner. I facebook messaged our new friend from Cafe da Lagoa...he blew us off...I don't like that, hahaha...I will give him a bunch of shit for that later, the next time I see him :)

It's called a "stereotype" for a reason

I think that yesterday was the first day that I felt like I was doing some sort of a routine with my "new life" here as a Brasillian resident. At least thats what I'm going for. Maybe some people would say that during my time here I should do the things that I don't ever do on a daily basis back at home, since its a "once in a lifetime" opportunity that I'm even here. And even though I do agree that this has been a great opportunity and that I'm really lucky to be here under the circumstances that I am, I also feel that it's not once in a lifetime. Or maybe it is, but because they say it is, I'm going to make sure that it's not. And according to a neurobiology professor from Stanford University, this type of behavioral characteristic is the main thing that sets humans apart from other species...including other primates. I recommend viewing this lecture!! His name is Robert Sapolsky.

Each day keeps getting better and better. Better and better in terms of feeling like a local, like I belong here, like I could make it here!!! I went into a couple of stores and was able to describe, in my broken portuguese, that I aware of how bad my portuguese was and that if they spoke slowly I could understand them some...I also, know how to ask if someone there speaks English...I want to learn portuguese, and they either want to learn English or not talk to me. Which is sad :( Today is a good day to represent how I want to live here. The key is to do the things that make you who you are no matter where you are. I like to drink my coffee every morning, that is the first thing I do. I could really care less about where I am...I like to have coffee with sweetner and cream or milk first thing in the morning :), I like getting up and going to school or work after my coffee, followed by going to the gym all the while trying to eat as clean as possible. So that's what I'm doing here...it's what I do in the states as well...these are the things that keep me at in even keel emotionally and mentally and have no relevance to where I am physically. The one thing that I had no choice but to conform to is mainly a cultural one. Their eating/coffee schedule, which I've come to really like and may even consider doing in the states.

My American eating schedule: Coffee in the morning, fruit or bar in the mid morning, light lunch, maybe another piece of fruit or something, then a big meal (with or without carbs depending on if I worked out or not).

My Brasillian eating schedule: Coffee in the morning, fruit/bar/nuts in the mid morning, big paleo lunch, expresso break, light dinner and possibly some more espresso :)

Since I've been in Brasil, I've joined a gym, gone on coffee dates with new friends, gotten really familiar with the local grocery stores, and anticipate loving the work that I will be doing while here. It's only with these things in place that I feel I will be able to take full advantage and truely appreciate Brasil. It's not so much where you go that makes the impact on your every changing every evolving life, its the relationships with the people you encounter that will make the most drastic, significant, and lasting difference. It is not always true that the wonderful relationships you form with people throughout life will remain indefinately...most people just come and go, but the ones whom have allowed you to grow and mature will stay with you forever.

On a much, much lighter note, the wikipedia definition of a "stereotype" is a commonly held public belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. You know the stereotype for what most people think someone from brasil would look like...although it is alot more diverse than I ever thought possible, it's called a stereotype for a reason, that being that brasillians are incredibly good looking. Well, this realization came to me real quick and kinda out of no where...The local fitness center that I joined recently in the heart of Lagoa, down the street from where I'm living...Dear, God, I've never been so "put in my place" and insecure in my entire life!!!!! Exotic, tall, slender, but curvy all at the same time, dark skin, light eyes, and overwhelming sexual...yeah...I didn't want to go back there and also felt that now would be a good time to stop eating. Period. It's called a "stereotype" for a reason...only problem is that the food here is amazing...and I love food...

I could totally look like those girls though...

I would like to thank Pedro for the ride to lab this morning ;)

I didn't feel like writing yesterday. I don't know why. just wasn't feelin' it. Had a pretty awesome day though. I absolutely love Dr. Padua, my mentor for this research project!!! I definately love this being on "brasillian time" even more. Dr. Padua and I are very much on the same wavelength as far as this is concerned. Perfect example...God, and this is TOTALLY MY STYLE:

Dr. Padua- "So I will be by the pousada to pick you girls up tomorrow morning at....uh....around 10am or so...is that ok?"

Me & Brittany- "Yeah, sounds great!!! Obrigada e Tchau!!!"

Sounds pretty basic and standard right? Be ready by 10am. Well this is how is went down: Brittany wakes me up at 8:45am. I take my time getting out of bed, made coffee, made scrambled eggs, ate it, blow dried my hair, did my makeup, changed outfits a couple of times, did the dishes, straightened up my room a bit, chilled out on our balcony for a minute...and who do I see outside at our front gate? Well, Dr. Padua of coarse!!! Who only came by to say that he still had to go home and get something first before we could head off to the lab...guess what time we ended up leaving for UFSC? 10:45am!!!! Brittany was a little agitated. I was ready right on time :) ...happy.

The first day in lab was not what I expected. Very overwhelming. Everyone at the lab is pretty great!!! I feel comfortable already and have alot in common with a couple of them. The few that stand out to me are Rimenez, Chris, and Julianna. Chris, Julianna, and I have alot in common. More so with Chris, though. We all like to work out and eat clean!!!!! Chris is a post graduate at UFSC in the department of pharmacology, who is disecting and preparing rat brains at the moment. I could get used to doing research in a lab. It's self-paced and kind of secluded but if you're lucky enough to become a part of a good lab group then I would say you would be set. I mean I love people. Like, meeting new people. Which isn't so much what you do as a researcher, but research appeals to me because I feel like I would get the much needed alone time along with the high energy of being around a bunch of people at the same time. And I would be the one to determine which one I wanted and when. I like how Chris said she got up this morning, went to workout, came in to lab, put her lab coat and headphones on and went about doing what she does!!!! I kind of love it!!!!

I also got the run down on the details of my research project which I will have to go into details later, thats a page worthy of its own...behavorial neuroscience is really awesome...where is everyone in my lab today though...hmmm....they must not be worried about it.

I actually went to bed at a decent hour last night. Midnight vs. 4am. I didn't have it in me to get up this morning and run though. It was actually pretty cold. Loved breaking out my CBU sweats :)

Brittany and I chatted up a storm about boys last night!!! And alot of other things...over a couple glasses of wine...i could get used to that...I was sad to see her leave and go to her own lab today:( we've been together 24/7 for the past 3 or 4 days...I'll have to confess that I'm having a little separation anxiety...hope she is enjoying her lab...I wish I could get the run down on what she'll be working on...surely she'll fill me in later!!!!

I'm getting hungry...time for lunch!!!!!!!