12 years ago Carly Nichole entered this world as a screaming, healthy little girl- weighing in at 6lbs 4oz and 19 1/2 in long.
Happy Birthday baby... we love you. Forever and Unconditionally :)
Back in 1997...
President Bill Clinton
Yearly Inflation Rate USA 2.34 %
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 7908
Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 8.50%
Average Cost of new house $124,100.00
Average Income per year $37,006.00
Average Monthly Rent $576.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.22
Average cost of new car $16,900.00
Loaf of Bread $1.17
Movie Ticket $4.59
1 LB Hamburger meat$1.38
* Microsoft becomes the worlds most valuable company valued at $261 billion dollars
* A series of settlements between tobacco companies and US states is agreed to cover tobacco-related health costs
* Tiger Woods at 21 years old became the youngest ever golfer to win the Masters
* Scientists in Scotland reveal the first successful cloning of an adult mammal a sheep named Dolly
* Mars Pathfinder lands on the surface of Mars
* The Simpsons becomes the longest-running prime-time animated series
Popular Films Titanic
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Men in Black
Tomorrow Never Dies
Air Force One
As Good as It Gets
Liar Liar
My Best Friend's Wedding
The Fifth Element
The Full Monty
Batman & Robin
The Rainmaker
Popular Musicians
Mariah Carey
Smashing Pumpkins
Foo Fighters
Nine Inch Nails
The Verve
Counting Crows
Lenny Kravitz
Céline Dion
Daft Punk
Sneaker Pimps
Fleetwood Mac
Spice Girls
Radiohead
Garth Brooks
Hanson
The Offspring
Bryan Adams
Aerosmith
Isabella finally made pee-pee on the potty chair! After many moons of trying to persuade her into going, she finally did.
Carly was the one to be in the bathroom when the big moment happened... at first I thought maybe Carly was setting me up, but she wasn't! THEN, Isabella did it again... for me!
As of this morning (Sunday) at 7:30am, she has used the potty chair three times! I am beyond joyful! My baby is growing big! Tom thinks that we should get a toilet seat for the adult toity- because Isabella likes to flush the toilet paper. I am more for the idea to invest in pull-ups and let her become more accustom to the little potty. Maybe by the beginning of the year make a transition to the big toity.
Anyhow... I took pictures... I bet you can't wait (like me), for her to take her first poo! LOL... hey, I have a picture of Carly and hers :)
In this video, please excuse the filth of the potty chair... it has been in the bathroom for the last 5 months collecting dust, hair and whatever other bathroom elements fill the air!
Today it rained. Today I let my children run around outside not dressed appropriately for the weather. Today I care, but just wanted them to have fun- regardless of the gloomy overhead sheet of clouds that recklessly dropped water on their heads. Today was about fun because there was nothing else to do.
It rained all day. My kids love to play in the rain. The one kid in particular loves to be outside despite any condition... that same kid took me on a chase around the property. Six minutes into the game, mommy won, and not by forfeit. She won because she had no shoes on and was tired of getting wet, grassy and muddy. However, while playing this game with mommy, Isabella found a new favorite word: Outside.
Since I am deleting my 'myspace' page, I have decided to copy and paste a few of the blogs from there, to here. They are pretty old... but after you read them, you will understand why I don't want to just delete them. Actually, now that I am thinking about it, maybe I will print them and put them in the memory box :)
Saturday, June 2, 2007: I'm Preggo!
Well, as some of you know- Tom and I are expecting. I found out last week; however, I knew when it happened. I figure that I will be due January 29, 2008. Hopefully s/he won't be born on th 17th. My Cousin, Mother-In-Law and Nephew all have their big day on that day! Anywho, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We need as many happy thoughts as can be. We don't want to go through a miscarriage again- that was by far the worst experience I (we) have ever been though. We were not going to say anything until I was further along- but the cat got out of the bag.... So how do I feel you might be wondering. Well, sore. I know I am only a little over a month along- but BOY O BOY, I feel pregnant! Tata for now peeps!
(Ultrasound picture at about 35 weeks...maybe???)
Sunday, August 12, 2007: Cravings!
So far this pregnancy has been a blessing. No complications or issues- well, except the "food" issue! I am ALWAYS finding myself hungry, which isn't too bad- only because I have not really gained any weight yet. However, I am sure that will all change once I see the doctor on August 23. I am hoping to have only gained no more than 5lbs. BUUUUUT, here comes the kicker... the cravings! I find myself longing for pepperchinis with EVERYTHING- including vanilla ice-cream. Screw the pickles and ice-cream... give me the damn 'chinies! The other, Buffalo wings, chicken, buffalo spice-period! Instead of wasting money on buffalo spices to make your own wings, I have (or Tom I should say) come up with a cheaper, yummier alternative- Tapatio. I soak my chicken in tapitio and cook after sometime of soaking. And yes, incase you are wondering- the pepperchinis are in the maranade!I am a pleased that my cravings, thus far, are not in the sweets department. I had a sweet tooth when prego with Abby- and it got me into A LOT of trouble! At least this way, the spices will help shead themselves out of me- rather than stick to my thighs! O'gross- sorry I went there! I was getting a little hungry (as always), so I thought I would share my "foods for thought" on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, with you!
Monday, January 7, 2008: 36 weeks and getting closer
(36.5 weeks along)
Well, the countdown is finally coming. I am super excited and just want to meet Baby Werner. We have finally decided on the names. For a GIRL: Isabella Renee & BOY: Tommy Lee. Yes, like the rock has-been... but MORE IMPORTANTLY, daddy. With D-Day coming closer, I have decided to jump ahead into my class work. I am taking all internet classes this semester- and two of them are loaded and ready to go. I love Doc C... he is so on top of his courses! I do have a heafty load to keep up with though. I have Biology of Aging, Anat/Phys II, Statistics & Spirituality in the 21st Century. Baby has been moving a lot lately...ok, (s)he has always moved a lot! Baby is head down and bumps his/her head "down there"- almost feels as if (s)he is trying to escape...which wouldn't surprise me; it is an awefully crammed space! I now see my doctor once a week & have been going to St. Lukes to have a weekly biophysical profile done. The BPP measures the babys heartrate, measures the amniotic fluid and makes sure baby is active and practicing his/her breathing techniques. It is a great feeling to be able to see baby on the screen, it is reassuring to me that (s)he is healthy and (I hope) happy! I am having a baby shower soon and can't wait to see my friends that I haven't seen in a while... and hopefully their babys too! I will post more as the weeks go by... and if you don't hear/see me on-line- hopefully I will be in the Labor & Delivery room!!! Anywho, that is all for now. Tata!
(baby shower for baby Werner...gender unknown!)
Monday, February 11, 2008: Isabella Entrance
(few hours after giving birth to Isabella)
It has been a week now, and some of you have been asking about her birth. So here it is. I will tell it like it went...so if your not into graphic details (not too many), don't read on! On Superbowl Sunday (Feb 3)- my mom and I went out to the mall for the afternoon. I had some contractions, but nothing that caught my attention. They were very spread out, but hard. They hurt to the point where I would have to stop walking. (Oh, by the way, the day before I went to school and walked the track for like an hour) So anywho, we get home and nothing is happening. I was frustrated to say the least. About 10:30pm I got up to go to the bathroom and when I wiped, low and behold...I was bleeding. I wasn't having any steady contractions at this point either. They ranged from 6 minutes to 20 minutes apart. So I told Tom that I think that I might have the baby tomorrow and that I was bleeding. I think that freaked him out- he wanted to go to the L & D birthing center and have me checked out. I had my doubts, thinking (even with the blood) it was just a false alarm. But I proceeded and we left at 10:45pm. At 11pm we arived in the birthing center. The resident MD checked me and I was only 3cm and contractions were (FINALLY) about 2-3 minutes apart and STRONG! At midnight they put in a call to my doctor to ask if they could break my water to "speed things up". At 12:54 they broke my water. Holy Shishcabobs...boy did the labor hurt from there on out. I sat on the birthing ball (big yoga ball) for about 20 minutes, riding out contraction after contraction. Breathing just like the doula had taught me a month ago. I got to the point where I "knew" something was just not right. I looked at my nurse and told her..."you need to check me, now". I got into the bed and I was 8cm. I told them at that point that I couldn't do it anymore and I needed something. But that wasn't gonna happen. They knew that I didn't want drugs and it was FAR TO LATE for the epi. Even if I wanted it, there was just no time! So the scramble began. Machines brought in for baby, bed takin apart for delivery, doctor preping me for delivery. Labor was in full force. I needed to push by about 1:30am. But my doctor was not at the hospital yet. He was still on his way! I took small breaths through 4 contractions and finally had to give in. "I NEED TO PUSH". They told me to wait, Dr. was on his was and if I hold on for 2 more contractions, he will be here. HA! I told them I couldn't wait. Those two contractions later Isabella was out. After the drama of her coming into this world, I could hear my doctor running down the hallway. Sad to say, he was their to witness the placenta being born! Poor guy, and he was so looking forward to this birth. She weighted 7lbs 7oz and was 19in. Lots of vernix (cheese) on her and they kept some of it one her- per my birthing plan. It was a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. That's the story. Not too gorry or eww. Simple and fast
(Isaboos first picture...cheese and all!)
Sunday, March 2, 2008: Bella a month later
Well, almost a month! Isabella will be one month on Tuesday. Where has the time gone? Ha! I will tell you where it has gone. When she was 7 days old, she was diagnosed with Ankyloglossia- Tongue Tie. That is when the frenulum membrane is tight on the tongue. She couldn't stick her tongue past her bottom lip. She also was very jaundice. Borderline treatment. Her bilirubin levels was 17. But for some reason, the hospital didn't feel she needed treatment at the time. Duh- ya she did. We took her to our family doctor when she was 10 days (2-11). Dr. Ulland clipped the tongue and breastfeeding was a blessing after. Meanwhile, she still had jaundice. Although she was as bright as a pumpkin on halloween, she "seemed" to be improving. That's not all. On the 21st of Feb. I noticed that she had curdled milk on her tongue. No biggie- it will go away. As it turns out, she (and I) had Thrush- a yeast infection of the mouth (mine was on my nipples-real great...NO). She also had a very nasty diaper rash accompanying the thrush. Which makes perfect since the mouth is (without the details) connected to the urethra...hence the diaper rash. Then there was me. I had an infection on my nipples from breastfeeding her. I too got antibiotics. Isabella had drops for her mouth and powder for her behind. She is now clean of the thrush (as is I am), but I am not stopping the antibiotics until finished! Luckly I have a very trustworthy doctor- because I had "self diagnosed" our problem. He was compliant and faxed over a prescription without seeing us. He called me a few days after treatment and wanted to see us both in the office, as an update. OK- so we went in on the 29th. New problem (well old) arises. Her jaundice is STILL not gone. With my breast milk, it should have been cleared days ago. I was instructed to take her to the hospital lab to have blood drawn to test her level. After 2 trips to the lab, we finally got the results in. She is at a 16.5. High for 3 1/5 weeks old. As it turns out, my hormones are not "normal"- therefore not breaking down the bilirubin cells properly. I was told by our doctor it "EXCLUSIVELY" formula feed her from Friday night to Monday morning. I cried when told that. What have I done to her? Why are my hormones wacky? What a bad mom. I don't want to stop breastfeeding. I finally came to grips with it and accepted the fact that this is nothing I have done and to move on. I have been pumping and storing; then formula feeding day and night. I have been keeping track of her intake and output (as well as my milk output) like a freakin statistician! Feeding like this is a nice break and very restful at night. I have been getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep in one stretch! She takes in 5oz. late at night- which tides her over...Thank Goodness! So on Monday, March 3- we have a re-check appt. with Dr. Ulland. Hopefully the formula did a better job of breaking down the cells. Otherwise we have to think of other plans. Hospital addmittence and treatment. You may be thinking..."Niki, put her in the window." Been there, done that. Hasn't worked. So next will be Phototherapy in the hospital. I just want her to be "normal" color and healthy. So I hope that he suggests that. As much as I don't want to take her in :(
(mommy not a happy camper, feeding her by bottle)
Sunday, March 16, 2008: Cloth Diapering...humm
(one of our many Sunday trips to Barnes and Nobles) I have titled this blog "Games", because it seems to me that cloth diapering in one big game. You never know when you are going to win or lose. Today I had a loosing game. We got all ready (big deal for me...I NEVER get out) to make our Sunday venture to Barnes & Nobles- I put Bella in the swing for a while and just as we are about to load up, I decide I’d better change her. When low and behold...she is soaked thru and thru. UGH! Off to the bedroom we go- new diaper, new onsie and new outfit. Good thing I put her laundry high on the priority list this weekend. Anywho, I tried using the "chinese fold" diapers- instead of the usual 3 fold-prefolds. I put it in the diaper cover...as usual, but since the chinese folds are not as thick- her pee just went right through it. Also, because they are not as thick, the elastic around her legs is not as snug. Soooo, we sprung a leak! I was throughly bummed. Just when I thought that I had this cloth thing mastered, I’m thrown a curve ball. I have finally developed a "plan" to successfully diaper this way. It seems to work. I just have not got the courage to do it over night. Hell, I can’t even get out of the habit of sleeping with her. What makes me think I can dedicate myself to cloth at night? So for any of you interested in learning to cloth diaper... one bit of advise. OK 2. 1- It takes time, practice, patience and dedication 2- Don’t ask for my help! I am lacking the patience part PS- if you are wondering, I use the cloths with "Proraps" diaper covers. They can be found at: www.cottonbabies.com They are awesome and afordable
Fifteen months ago, on my birthday, I had my wisdom teeth pulled. All four. The bottom were pretty impacted and the top were on their way to destruction. A couple of days after the procedure I called the surgeon to ask when the numbness would go away... apparently it should have...3 hours after it was complete! Not the case here. When I returned for my post-op check up, I was told that the numbness could last a week, a month, six months, a year, or possibly forever. Now wait, lets go back a moment... when I signed all the wavers (pre-op), this was one section included- but I didn't think anything of it... I was more worried about dying on my birthday because of the general anesthesia!
Anyhow, so the numbness should have been gone- but I was a 'rare' case. How a rare case you ask? Well, my inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) runs closer than normal to the root of the wisdom tooth... as a matter of fact, it touched the root. So when the surgeon removed the tooth, he hit the nerve. When he hit the nerve, it damaged it, possibly broke it... obviously. He tells me all this during my post-op appointment- AFTER I tell him that my jaw is still numb. Sigh. Anyhow, this IAN branches from the mandibular nerves, then runs along the bottom of your jaw- it branches off into smaller nerves that surround your facial bone- in the case of the anterior mental nerve (not the one that makes you have a nervous breakdown- hahah- funny), it branches off and runs through a small hole at your chin, called the mental foramen. This nerve also has been damaged. So I basically have a tingly feeling (imagine your mouth is 'waking up' from novocaine), all the time- ranging from the posterior mandible to mid-chin.
Facial paresthesia. This is what I have. I have been living with it for over a year and it is getting really annoying. I was told that it can fixed with surgery... but in my case the risks outweigh the benefits. Double sigh. What's worse is when the air pressure changes, the paresthesia changes. Call me crazy, but it 'flares up'. The numbness grows (that's the best way to describe it) and it intensifies. Normally it is tolerable... but when the weather changes (mostly to cold/rainy or snowy), the numbness can be felt all along the bottom jaw... mid chin to the back of my mandible. It is obnoxious. When it starts to change, it is a novelty- novel because I run my upper teeth along my lips and make 'tracers' of tingly feelings... weird- and hard to explain... I guess you have to experience it to fully understand! But as it intensifies, I get rather irritated and I stop 'playing' with my lip and jaw.
Since moving to Ohio, I feel like it is worse. Worse because the weather here changes so often. Yesterday the air pressure changed pretty rapidly, and my face took a beating! It was funny at first- but not. I complain to Tom, but I think he just thinks I am crazy. Sometimes I do think I am crazy... a couple months ago I was in some pretty agonizing pain- on the left side (side with paresthesia)... I went to the dentist and they told me nothing was wrong. Well that was great news. So now I overlook pain and tell myself that it is just the numbness playing tricks on me :)
Point of this blog? I really don't know if I have one... I am just rambling about my frustrations of living with this condition. That and the fact that it is raining... again- so it is irritating me... again. I guess my main point is, for all you reading this that have lived with, or even recovered from paresthesia... I feel your pain. Ha! No pun intended!
The life of a mother is often times challenging...
...make sure breakfast is ready, backpacks are set, homework is complete, the house is up to par (whatever par is), laundry is kept, dinner is made, dishes are done, kids are showered, yada-yada-yada. You catch my drift. Now you are a mom in school, trying to further her own education... something she skipped out on after high school because she landed a great job or married into money, or whatever the case may be for not attending straight out of HS. AND, that same mom is working part or full time to earn money for the monthly bills and make ends meet. By the sounds of it, that mother leads a pretty chaotic lifestyle. Welcome to my world.
If you understand this lifestyle, you understand that it is very rare to have a *me* moment and whenever the opportunity arises you either 1) jump on it because God knows when you are going to have another chance like this, or 2) skip out on it to be with the family... after all, you are a busy mom, student and employee that sees her family but 10-15 hours a week... sometimes more, but realistically, less. You will also understand that it is hard to find time to have fitness time. That is the case here. The last time I worked out, or even stepped foot into a gym was when I was 21 weeks pregnant... unless you count that time a few months back when I worked out at the gym here at OSU, but never returned after.
So in efforts to MAKE ROOM for a little exercise, I have squeezed in a swimming class to my schedule... this way I have to go, no excuses. I have decided that enough is enough... I am already a statistic as for as weight goes... I don't want to become a statistic for health related issues- especially those that I can avoid by eating right and exercising. I did it once upon a time...I can do it again!
Yesterday was the official start of swimming... but instead of suiting up, we had to sign liability forms. So pretty much, if I drown, it is my fault- not OSU's! Good God, I should hope that doesn't happen... especially not after my experience from this summer. If you recall from a previous blog, I jumped off the diving board straight down, feet first... into 17 feet of water. If I didn't drown then, I highly doubt I will in 5 feet of water! Anyway- that took a morbid turn... back to swimming....
Mondays and Wednesdays I will be training (yeah, right... more like LEARNING) for the major strokes of swimming. Front crawl, which apparently is a prereq- that I have no idea how it do properly- the breast stroke, butterfly and backstroke. I will also have to write a routine- which can have water aerobics applied into it. Before the end of the quarter I will have to have a body composition done... which will be bitter-sweet and I have to monitor my eating habits. Which all and all, is a good thing. I need structure, discipline and motivation. If this is the only way to get me going... it will have to do!
It was quite a long day on Saturday... Tom worked all morning, finishing up a flagstone walkway that he, Kent and Henry started working on, on Friday- so while he was out working hard and earning cash, us girls enjoyed a little free time. Carly studied for the math portion of the Ohio Achievement Test (OATs)--our little studious progeny! Abby played with Ashley (Henry and Pegs granddaughter visiting from Michigan). Isabella played and napped, while mommy cleaned and goofed around on the Internet... oh, and I also tried to irritate Carly by reading parts of a textbook that came via UPS for me :)
After Tom got home, we decided to run a few errands, get a bite to eat, figure out what to do with the car and come home. Onward we went. We don't get out very often (to splurge) as a family- so we decided to take the girls to Benihanan's... they have never been, and it had been about 10 years since Tom and I had last been--so it was a treat for all of us. Their amazement was priceless!
All of us really enjoyed the tricks that Chef Alex performed as he was preparing our meals. Carly enjoyed the onion volcano and the shrimp toss into his hat. Abby liked all of them... However, during the shrimp toss, Alex mis-shot one and it landed in her lap! It was too cute and funny! I enjoyed the egg toss. He took an egg and tossed it up and down on his spatula- I really thought it was hard boiled, that is until he let it drop! He then took the yolk and did the same thing... it was mesmerizing! Tom enjoyed when Alex took the bowl of fried rice, flipped it and tossed it to Tom. Tom honestly thought that the bowl was going to fly in his face and drop in his lap! Isabella just sat there watching in awe... it was priceless!
After the fun of food prep, soup and salad, we all ate our main-course. Tom and I each splurged and had lobster tail with steak (yeah, so much for the vegetarian lifestyle). Carly had veggie rolls, steamed rice and vegetable tempura (Isabella nibbled off hers), and Abby ate shrimp and steak-with veggies :)
Looking over the menu, to decide what to order
Isabella wearing a chef hat/kids menu
Abby wearing her chef hat!
When we arrived home, the girls wanted to make smores and take a dip in the hot tub. So after getting sticky with chocolate and marshmallows, the four of us enjoyed the sounds of nature and the warmth of the tub. OK, I tried... in actuality they played around and made more noise then I thought humanly possible! But nonetheless, it was a blast!
Abby blowing off the flames of her marshmallows :)
Paul Francis Gadd... ever heard of him? If you are a sports fan or a fan of 1970s-80s glam rock, chances are you have. Have you ever heard of Gary Glitter? Well, meet PFG.
Gary Glitters long list of sexually abusing young girls started in the 80's (although who knows, maybe earlier). These charges started with indecently assaulting a young girl, consequently leading to sexually assaulting young girls and finally, 54 counts of child pornography. He was finally jailed in November 1999 for downloading child porn... which he didn't know was illegal. Um, Hello? The judge at Bristol Crown Court is reported to have replied: "You mean this defendant did not think it illegal to have in his possession photographs of little girls being bound, tortured, gagged and sexually abused in a most repellent way?" What a creep Gary Glitter is. And to top that off, some of these boys and girls were as young as TWO YEARS OLD... two years!!!! And he found that acceptable? His eyeballs, penis and hands should be removed from his body- in a torturous manner :) OK, so two months into his sentence, he was released. Why? Well because he had received at least one death threat and many threatening letters in the mail... assuming all anonymous. Last thing I knew, criminals in jail or prison for anything having to do with children, especially sexual abuse, gets treated that way by inmates and society. Who gives a rats-ass if he gets threats? Not me. Let the man be tortured... I don't care who he is--fame or not. A criminal is a criminal.
So he is out of jail. It is now 2006. The jackass is up to no good again. Yep, again. He was sentenced for three years in a Vietnam prison for molesting and committing obscene acts with two girls, ages 10 and 11. And again, the paedophile decided to try and 'pay off' the family with about $1500.00 USD. Police confiscated his laptop, and what do you think they found? More child porn. Yet he still found it in himself to scream in court, "I haven't done anything. I'm innocent". Yeah, OK.
In 2008 Glitter was released from Vietnam, after serving 27 months for the molestation charges. He was allowed reentry to his home in the UK. He was ordered to sign a sex offender registry... which he had already signed after the 1999 conviction, which was in place for 7 years--expiring in 2006. Glitter has been banned entry by 19 countries- and furthermore was deported from Cambodia in 2003 for FURTHER alleged sex offenses. Sigh.
So why all the psycho babble, Niki? I will tell you why. To this date, his music is iconic and glorified during sports games. Rock'n Roll Pt2 (HEY) is played and chanted for fans to get pumped up and feel the energy of sports... I say this primarily speaking of AT the arenas/stadiums. It is not typical to hear it at bars and home...to my knowledge. I will cut the chase and get to my point. One of the cheers that was performed by the girls (and band) last night was 'Rock'n Roll'... girls THE SAME AGE as that paedophiles victims, were chanting his U.S one hit one'der--loud and proud; all for the sake of team spirit. I find no spirit in the chant. Yes, it is catchy... but have you ever wondered about the man who made the song so big? Have you ever thought about the man behind the scenes? Well, now ya have. Do you think that it is morally acceptable that we stand back and listen to this CONVICTED paedophiles song be celebrated, while the lives of young, innocent boys and girls lives have been distroyed by the hate of this 'hero'? Glitter's music should be condemed by ALL educational systems across the world.
I wish that, for the sake of our children's innocence, schools would ban his music from being played. Is it possible? Would you stand behind me--as a mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent, godparent? I have been telling Tom for years now that I wanted to start a revolution AGAINST this song being played... I think I will start NOW. I think that I will start with the Jr. High and High School. If they don't listen, I will go to the school board... hopefully I can make this happen. Hopefully I will get more support and my dream of this revolution can come true.
PS- Please stop laughing at me Tom- I told you I would do this someday!
I am not savy when it comes to making videos... but let it be known that I wanted to make a video of childrens faces to the theme of his music... but maybe it is a good thing that I can't figure out how to do it. Instead, here is a youtube of the man and that song... incase you STILL have no idea who or what song I am talking about :)
If you think that everything I have said is bad... you should read/listen to his song, "Do you want to touch me"... creepy.
On September 14-15, I was privileged to attend the 2009 Molecular Genetics/Cancer Genetics Research Conference, held at Hueston Woods Resort in College Corner, OH. http://www.huestonwoodsresort.com/ It was a great learning experience, as well as a wonderful way to meet fellow students and network among the professors and scientists that work for OSU and surrounding companies.
We left around the 11:30am hour, to ensure that we made it by 2pm... our drive time was suppose to be about 2 hours, giving us ample time to check in, find our room and roam around the lodge. Well, in theory that sounds great. In reality, Niki was sitting shotgun with the directions... and we all know how that goes. The plan was to take I-70 to exit 10 (route 127)... We noticed something was not quite right when we passed the state line into Indiana. Which I might add has a beautiful state line sign... but does not compare to the arch for Ohio... but nonetheless it is beautiful. Anyhow, so about 5-10miles into Indiana we come to the conclusion that exit 10 was *somewhere* behind us...back in Ohio! Mensan casually tells us, "Oh, I saw that exit"... great... too bad I never told Mensan or Ayanle what we were looking for. LOL! So we turn around and find our way. We make it to the Hueston Woods Resort with, literally, minutes to spare. We check in, get our books and badges, and drop our belongings off in our rooms... well, all but Mensan and Ayanle--they were staying in the cottages, about 2 miles into the state park (same property). The four of us (myself, Dr. Simcox [Mandy], Ayanle and Mensan) enter the first conference session already underway--but not too late to not catch up. Phew!
By 4pm, Session I was over... most of us were released to set up posters and tour the lodge; so during this time Mensan, Ayanle and I went out to their cottage. Along the way 1) Mensan drove Mandy's car- now, it is a manual transmission...and it had been years since he had driven one, so I was a bit on the edgy side (I won't lie- I was nervous!) and decided I was going to sit in the back, and 2) Ayanle, ever so nicely, asked me, "would you rather have your room or a cottage?"... my response (based on the outside looks and distance) was, "my room... it is closer to everything." Doh! When we entered the cottage, it was like a diamond in the rough.... The cottages are spacious two bedroom, full bath, full kitchen and screened in balcony/rear porch. It was AMAZING... jealous of their oasis was an understatement!
Dinner was back at the main lodge at 5pm. We had Italian, in a buffet manner. Beverages were served... and since the Cancer Center was footing the bill, Mandy, Mensan and I all had a glass of wine. Yummm. After dinner came Session II. A lot of interesting research is going on at OSU. Many were focuses on thyroid cancer and breast cancer. One lab in particular is working with an outside source (from my understanding), to come up with a vaccination for a particular type of thyroid cancer. I had written down some bullet points, but can't find them... so I can't really elaborate :( Sorry. So aside from thyroid cancer, breast cancer is a hot research topic. Most of the research is done with mice--transgenic mice... if you are not clear as to what transgenesis is--basically it is taking one gene and introducing it into a living organism... the goal is to have that 'new gene' expressed in that organism and future offspring. So in a nutshell, scientists are introducing cancerous cells into a host. This is the same thing that I am working on in our lab... but now I am getting off topic. I apologize :)
Around 8:30pm that session was complete and we were off to the poster presentation session (upstairs/lobby) and reception. The reception was more of a social drinking and gathering. Each person received two drink vouchers...some got more then others... so you can imagine how much alcohol was consumed by 150+ people! 11pm and I was tuckered! I headed off to my room... and still, no sign of my roommate.... as it turns out, she never made it to the conference; neither did Mensan and Ayanles roommate. That was nice for me... It truly did turn out to be a mini-vacation!
Tuesday morning I woke up before the alarm went off... dag-nabit! So I decided to stay up, make coffee and get an early start. I headed out to watch the sunrise... which was captivating! Watching the sky turn from innocent shades of blue, to radiant shades of red was awesome...it has been a long time since I have had time to actually watch the sunrise above me. If I had the time, I would do it everyday for the rest of my life :) I found my conference mates, and we headed off to the hall for breakfast and Sessions III & IV.
By 12:30pm is was time to bid our farewells to this mini-getaway retreat. But of course, we ran into a little problem.... With the gas light on and time ticking by us, we could not find the exit out of the state park! We were trapped! Eventually we came to a crossroad with two choices... Go to Eaton, which was 17 miles away-- or to Oxford, which was 5 miles away. Mandy opted to go with the latter. After finally getting gas, we made our trek home and were back to OSU by 4:30pm. Safe and Sound :)
The morning sunrise... if you look close enough, in the far left picture you can see the moon. In the right picture, atop the roof is a big black vulture.
Our foursome... Mensan, Ayanle, Mandy and I
Mensan down by the dock
While out watching the sunrise, on day two, I decided to do a 360* video of the lodge. I was hoping to catch some of the nature sounds...but it didn't work out to well.
This is how I feel. Completely and totally drained. I thought that I was developing allergies while at the conference...but I am now convinced that I have a cold. The resort made me sick. Plain and simple. I have chills, runny nose, headache, coughing, heavy chest, sore throat... you name it... everything that is associated with a URI, I have. Blah. Sigh. I wish I were in bed right now, but instead I am at work... doing very minimal work I might add. Although I did get a lot accomplished... I just think that my body is now saying, "kaputt".
That said, I will probably not get to posting about the Molecular Genetics and Cancer Genetics Conference, tonight. :(
In the news, recently, several Jr. High Schools in Colorado have banned students from wearing these so called "Snap" bracelets; otherwise known to us generation X'ers as "Jelly Bracelets".
It amazes me how far we have come with the meaning of each colored jelly. Really? Are you serious? Back when I wore them, it was a way of signifying friendship--by sharing, exchanging and looping single or multiple colors together, to form a 'U' shape.
Instructions
Things You’ll Need:
2 or 4 jelly bracelets
Step 1:
Find two jelly bracelets to hook together. You can use the same or different colors.
Step 2:
Hold one bracelet in each hand, and place them on a table with the right one laying halfway over the top of the left one, so they look like a Venn diagram.
Step 3:
Use your left thumb to press down on the left side of the right bracelet. Use the bottom of the same thumb to simultaneously hold down the left side of the left bracelet.
Step 4:
Grasp the right side of the left jelly bracelet with your thumb and middle finger. Lift it up about an inch through the middle of the right bracelet while still holding down your left thumb on the left sides of the bracelets. Lightly hold down the right side of the right bracelet with the ring finger of your right hand.
Step 5:
Bring the bracelet you are holding with your thumb and middle finger to the left, and push it down on the table into the middle of the left opening, moving your left thumb out of the way. Hook the left side of the right jelly bracelet with the middle finger of your right hand, and pull it up about an inch.
Step 6:
Pinch the left side of the left jelly bracelet between the thumb and index finger of your left hand. Pull it up while pushing your right thumb down and pulling your right middle finger up. Keep pressing down on the right bracelet with your right ring finger.
Step 7:
Replace your right thumb with your right middle finger. Grab the free end of bracelet with your left thumb. Push down with the back of your right middle finger. Pull up with your left thumb and index finger, pinching the two bracelets together.
Step 8:
Push your right hand through the new opening that you created with your hooked together bracelets. It will be snug. You may have to push and stretch the bracelets to fit your hand through.
Tips & Warnings
You can hook together four bracelets instead of two. Use two bracelets on each side instead of just one.
But today, 20+ years later, they have taken on a new role. A sexual role. Apparently parents, and principals alike, are saying that kids are playing what is called "Snap". It sounds fun, right? I think not. I highly doubt some of these kids are wearing them for the purpose of the game- which btw I have found articles that date back 5 years ago, about school age children 'playing' this game. So why the sudden outrage baffles me. I think that if parents taught their children values and to respect their bodies... these bracelets would be worn for the sake of matching it to an outfit... or because they are 'cool'- and not in a sexual manner. But just in case you don't mind your child sporting these bracelets and leaving the house dressed to promote the promiscuity that they entail- here are the meanings and directions of how to play Snap.
Instructions:
1. Familiarize yourself with the meanings of each colored bracelet: Yellow—give a hug; Purple—give a kiss; Red—perform a lap dance; Blue—perform oral sex and Black--have intercourse.
2.Choose the bracelet that represents the acts you are willing to perform, if you are a girl.
3. Choose the girl who is wearing a bracelet that symbolizes acts you’d like to perform, if you are a boy.
4. Boys try to grab a bracelet, one at a time, and pull on it hard and quickly in an attempt to break it.
5. Perform the act represented by the bracelet “snapped” with the boy who snapped it.
Sounds fun... Let's Play!!!
I'm sorry, when I think of Jelly bracelets, I think about Madonna, bright neon flashy attire and obnoxious 1980s fashions.....
Not sex, promiscuous behavior or taking my child down to the local clinic to be checked for VD's.
(baby shower for baby Werner...gender unknown!)
(mommy not a happy camper, feeding her by bottle)
