2012- 13 days in

The number 13 scares me.  When I was on the track team, my number was 13 and someone told me it was unlucky.  Ever since then, I have been a little afraid of the number... silly, I know.

Anyway, I teach the 13th section of Genetics and today is Friday the thirteenth.  I always feel a little anxious- it is a personality flaw, for sure, but I am always so worried every Friday the 13th.  This was a good one though.  It marked the end of the first week of spring semester 2012.  This is an intense semester. I am teaching micro- on Weds/Friday (instead of the normal Mon/Weds), Genetics, and I am in charge of 13 sections (up from 5) of Genetics labs, and 5 micro sections (up form 4) AND, I am teaching a course that is 100% new to me.  Viral Discovery.  As I always find- yet it is always a nice surprise- I really love teaching new courses.  I am an embryologist and I like the work I normally do as a lab coordinator, but this viral discovery work is so much fun!

I now have my very own virus I will be working with.  It is in the refrigerator of a lab just waiting for further characterization.

This week, for me, was absolutely intense.  I literally was in rush/rush/rush mode all week.  My only break was yesterday (Thursday) when I had enough time to take pictures of the fly mutants we use for Genetics.

This week has been exhausting.

At home, we have been our busy selves as well.

Car repairs (twice in a week), Valerie is prepping for exams, Asher is busy, Luken has gotten sick twice (also in one week) and Matt could work tomorrow, but it is not required. I asked him to stay home because I need a break.  I never get to sit still until Asher is asleep and by then, I fall asleep too.

This weekend, I plan to go grocery shopping, get a haircut (since my last one was in August, and before that, it was December of 2010), make food for the week, and find some jeans for Asher.  He has one pair that fits.  This is not good.

Anyway, I am very motivated and inspired by my job.  I wish to impart on my students, a love for learning and that that love should never wane.  Neither should our quest to learn new things.  Why? Well, speaking from personal experience, it adds value and confidence to one's life.

I got a $5 (-20% = $4, regular price $40)  dress-up outfit for asher

He is a werewolf

Teal and purple eyeshadow for Valerie and candra.  Mabelline has these paint pot products for $5 that are really popular for Valerie and Candra.  They are very much like MAC paint pots (which are $25) and they are called Eye Tattoo.  The love them!