Colorado Trip

I've been back from the conference in Colorado for about a week...and I'm SO behind in class and TAing! I'm getting things caught up and I think after this weekend I should be sitting pretty well.

Conference in a nutshell: Lots of amazing scientists, awesome new friends, gorgeous mountains and some impressive science. I think it was quite a successful trip overall.

I did have to pass on what would have been my first ice climbing outing this weekend. Since I was out of town all last weekend, have tons of crap to catch up on and didn't find it fair to ask my roommate to watch my dog (again) for the weekend, I had to skip out. Hopefully it won't be my last chance and I can try it sometime. Sounds like some of my friends are looking to hit the climbing gyms pretty hard soon, I can't wait. It might be time to go ahead and buy those climbing shoes and harness I've been keeping my eye on... :)

Ethics class is calling my name...

Movin' on

is tough. This is definitely the most broken up I've been over a breakup, ever. And I even knew it was going to happen. It's really frustrating. I'm not usually someone that can't control my emotions, but I'm finding myself letting it get the better of me. I'm getting sick of wiping up tears and blowing my nose, seriously! Hopefully, a week in Colorado, keeping busy with talks and posters, is just what the doctor ordered. I'm heading out EARLY on Tuesday morning - 3:30AM Michigan Flyer to the airport!! I've got lots to do tomorrow to finish up at work and packing. This 3 oz rule is really starting to tick me off. I don't even think they make contact solution in bottles that small! No to mention liquid foundation makeup! Gah! I'm annoyed. Maybe I should just go to bed... :)

Reflecting on my resolutions

I think I'm pretty happy with the resolutions I've come up with, though I thought of one more. I'd really like to have a 200 species year for birding. I think striving to see 200 different types of birds in one year would be awesome! It won't be easy, but with some effort, I think it's doable! I got a great start helping with the Allegan County Christmas Bird Count (CBC) yesterday! I'm pretty sure I was able to see 32 species yesterday!! (I'm awaiting confirmation from fellow birders). It was the most picturesque CBC ever. I think almost a foot of snow fell while we were hiking around the county, big, huge, fluffy flakes. Very refreshing since there is hardly any snow in Lansing! Thankfully I got new hiking boots and a new North Face jacket for Christmas, I was completely warm for all 6 hours out in the frigid Michigan winter! Awesome!

So, just 168 more species to go!

Happy New Year!

Not just Happy New Year, but Happy New Decade as well!

I think 2009 shaped up to be a pretty good year, lots of firsts including my first Olympic Triathlon and First Marathon!

Here is a quick list of "My year in review"

January - Superbowl party with great rockband memories

February - Went on my first hash with GLH3, the Red Dress Run on Valentines Day, and met some awsome new and crazy friends

March - Spartans kicked @ss in March Madness - Final Four!

April - Found a great gym buddy and competed in my first indoor triathlon

May - Moved into a new house and got a Blackberry :)

June - My little brother graduated high school and I competed in my first olympic tri

July - Roadtrip to Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park, first time in the mountains and hiked 3 14ers in one day - most amazing trip ever

August - Mom came to visit for the weekend and I successfully made homemade sushi

September -First time birding, mist netting and learning to drive a motorcycle

October -Roadtrip to Minnesota for my first marathon

November - First committee meeting with PhD committee

December -hmm, should have been the Christmas Bird Count, but I was too hungover :( Oh well, there is always next year!

All in all, pretty great year, I think.

Now, resolutions...those are always tough. This year I'm actually going to document my resolutions, so I remember them and know when they're broken :)

1) Do something active every day. Walk when I would have normally driven, swim, bike, run, etc.

2) Use my camera twice a week.

3) Eat healthier: no more than 1 sweet per day, get better about eating protein, fruits and veggies

4) Keep my clothes put away - this is a HUGE problem that I've had since I was in middle school. I've bagged up a bunch of clothes to get rid of in hopes that making more room in my drawers and closets will make it easier to keep it clean.

5) Purge all the clutter in my room

6) Read 1 fun book per month

So there they are. Let's see if I make any changes or break any of them...

Happy New Year!