The Last Bit of Calm Arrives

There is something wonderful to be said for walking around with your bathing suit on under your clothes. It gives you that feeling that it's not an ordinary day, and that you could just strip down and jump in the ocean at any time. If you haven't tried it, perhaps you wouldn't understand it so well. I had this afternoon slated as an afternoon off, so I was ready to go to the beach if the fancy struck me, but alas, the weather was overcast and "like walking through a jacuzzi," to quote Cheryl. Indeed, when I stepped out for the fun of my choice, the weather muffled all around me. But I like jacuzzi's, and the sun is not my friend, so it was all a good situation.

Perhaps some people would feel that I should be out seeing all the island has to offer--that "You should" voice in my head would certainly agree. But man, I just need to relax. I worked through the weekend, and worked waaaaay too hard on Monday. I was making great progress and doing well, so I think I was on some sort of multi-tasking high. But I came down hard on Monday, and by the end of the day, when I forgot to load one important sample on to a gel in its proper place, I was very much ready to cry, alot. Athletes know that you've got to rest your muscles at some point, and students should respect their brains and give them breaks too. I just needed a break, and some alone time to unwind. Thankfully, I felt much better after a hot shower and a good night's sleep, and after wandering around the shops of Ward Centre, blowing all my money at Borders on Hayseed Dixie's "Tribute to Mountain Love" (rocks songs like "walk this way" done bluegrass style), "Facing Future" by Brother IZ (a deceased hawaiian musician who did the "somewhere over the rainbow" song that's been on Finding Forrester, and ER, and a billion other places), and a book called "Obake Files" which is a big heapin' bunch of hawaiin ghost stories and supernatural happenings. I wish I would have bought it earlier, but heck, it's never too late. Went to Ross and tried on the perfect pair of jeans. . . but had no money to buy them so I hid them in the 7/8 size section, hoping the smaller ladies would not be interested in them and leave them be till I return with fistfuls of cash.

Work is starting to wind down. I've stopped work on my marker exchange project for my potential threonine auxotroph, and it looks like we won't be doing a regression analysis with the baby squiddies just yet. So for now it's basically one project, and then tying up all the loose ends. I've gotta talk with Ned at least one more time, so I can get pretty pictures for my APEX presentation and also ask about good grad school programs--and hope he offers work in his lab. It IS like dating, trying to bait someone into saying they like you. Craziness.

Finally, my family has sent in requests for what presents they want. Mom want's earrings that scream hawaii, Liz hasn't responded yet, but she's a 13 year old girl and I think I can find her something she'd like. Don want's a "cool hawaiian looking necklace"--I can't recall Don ever owning or wanting any sort of adornment, so this IS interesting (he goes to college on Friday btw. . .MY BABY BROTHER AT West Virginia University!?). Dad want's a ukelele. I hope I can find one cheap, but I'll still try my darndest to bring one home for em'. Evening jam sessions on the back porch just wouldn't be the same. . .

Tomorrow I go to the Aloha Flea Market!!!!! If I'm lucky, I'll find all my presents for the family there!