Tuesday, April 29, 2008
What's Going On
First off, I can hardly breathe. Like, literally, I can hardly breathe anymore. At first it was confined to nighttime, when I was trying to sleep. I tossed and turned, feeling my chest compressing, not allowing me to breathe. I was panick-stricken, jumping out of bed in a fearful pursuit of air. Now I can't breathe well during the day either. Still scary, but the light of day makes me less anxious somehow. I know it's all an allergic reaction to something--pollen, mold, dust, Kika? I'm popping antihistamines left and right, I've even got a routine down--Sudafed during the day, Benadryl at night to help me sleep. I actually worried while taking the Benadryl last night that I might not wake up this morning since I'd had a beer at dinner. The intense sneezing and nose blowing has come to a virtual end, in favor of the persistent crush in my chest. I can hardly breathe.
Tornadoes swept through southeastern Virginia yesterday, right in the rural area where my mother grew up, and where I still have the majority of my maternal relatives. I'm concerned about their well-being--injuries, property loss. I'm still waiting to hear.
Tomorrow I leave for San Diego to visit Adam for a few days. I'm looking forward to the sunshine, ocean, sharks, and warm weather. Adam says I'll feel better because there should be less mold out there. I miss living near the coast, mostly because of the smell of the salt water. I can't wait to go walking on the beach, and breathe in the smells I miss so much. That is, if I can breathe at all.
Tornadoes swept through southeastern Virginia yesterday, right in the rural area where my mother grew up, and where I still have the majority of my maternal relatives. I'm concerned about their well-being--injuries, property loss. I'm still waiting to hear.
Tomorrow I leave for San Diego to visit Adam for a few days. I'm looking forward to the sunshine, ocean, sharks, and warm weather. Adam says I'll feel better because there should be less mold out there. I miss living near the coast, mostly because of the smell of the salt water. I can't wait to go walking on the beach, and breathe in the smells I miss so much. That is, if I can breathe at all.
A Few More
Is there a "t" in the word "across"? Here in Michigan there is. Here, it's spelled (or at least pronounced) "acrosst".
And three "h's" in height. Here, it's pronounced "heighth".
"Creek" is pronounced "crick", "roof" is "ruff", and "root" is "rutt".
Just a few more to ponder.
And three "h's" in height. Here, it's pronounced "heighth".
"Creek" is pronounced "crick", "roof" is "ruff", and "root" is "rutt".
Just a few more to ponder.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Midwestern Musings
Although we've now lived in Lansing for 6 years (I know, how did that much time get past us?), I'm still playing catchup with the VERY strong Michigan accent (I risk offending several people by saying this, but for all you non-Michiganders, clamp your nose shut and then start talking...yeah, you got it...a little more nasal-sounding...almost got it...now make every statement end with a rise in pitch so it sounds like a question...YES! that's it!.) A few years ago, I went with a friend to the airport to meet a visitor who was flying into Michigan. As soon as the friend met us at the gates, she started laughing, because she'd been surrounded by Michiganders on the plane and she said she never heard such a funny-sounding accent (she was from Georgia). On Michigan's NPR station a few weeks ago, a linguist was on, talking about the unique quality of the Michigan accent. He said it is actually considered one of the most abrasive sounding accents in the U.S., because of the nasal quality it has. He also said that the one universal trait about the Michigan accent is that Michiganders themselves are not aware of it or how (in his words--and he was a Michigander!) "annoying" it is! I don't know if I'd go so far as to call it annoying, but I am often quite aware when I'm talking to a native Michigander. The accent is hard to miss.
It has taken awhile, but I am now starting to finally sport some of the midwestern lingo, too. Below are some of my favorites:
Example: sweet. Or "saw-weeeeeeet!" if you're really enthused. It means something is really great, fab, cool, you get the point.
My other favorite is "tool", as in, "that gross guy who was hitting on me at the bar last night was such a tool." OR "my roommate is always trying to brag about how good he is at sports, but i always kick his butt; he's such a tool." There's not even a real definition for "tool", because it can kind of change meaning depending on the situation. A tool can be a jerk, an annoying person, a schmuck, a deadbeat, a suck-up, whatever. The one thing I've never heard is a female being called a tool. Not to say it couldn't happen, but I just haven't heard it yet. Seems to be a guy word. The other interesting thing about the word is that Adam hates it. He says he was always taught that a tool was someone who would allow themself to be used by someone else; it meant you had no backbone, no spine. He doesn't use it to describe other people, and seems surprised that anyone would use it for anyone else. Different regions, different meanings, I suppose.
As I log off tonight to tuck into bed, I am just hoping that all of my Michigan friends who read this blog are still talking to me tomorrow...
It has taken awhile, but I am now starting to finally sport some of the midwestern lingo, too. Below are some of my favorites:
Example: sweet. Or "saw-weeeeeeet!" if you're really enthused. It means something is really great, fab, cool, you get the point.
My other favorite is "tool", as in, "that gross guy who was hitting on me at the bar last night was such a tool." OR "my roommate is always trying to brag about how good he is at sports, but i always kick his butt; he's such a tool." There's not even a real definition for "tool", because it can kind of change meaning depending on the situation. A tool can be a jerk, an annoying person, a schmuck, a deadbeat, a suck-up, whatever. The one thing I've never heard is a female being called a tool. Not to say it couldn't happen, but I just haven't heard it yet. Seems to be a guy word. The other interesting thing about the word is that Adam hates it. He says he was always taught that a tool was someone who would allow themself to be used by someone else; it meant you had no backbone, no spine. He doesn't use it to describe other people, and seems surprised that anyone would use it for anyone else. Different regions, different meanings, I suppose.
As I log off tonight to tuck into bed, I am just hoping that all of my Michigan friends who read this blog are still talking to me tomorrow...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Oh yeah, Happy Earth Day
Since it's now so trendy for everyone and their brother to be "green", we original greenies (or I'll speak for myself) feel a little bit blase about the celebration. It's so corporate and stylish now; whatever happened to the grassroots tree-hugging effort, and being made fun of by mainstream America and the establishment? I miss that.
But anyway, Happy Earth Day, everyone.
But anyway, Happy Earth Day, everyone.
Daydreamin'
So this won't come as a surprise to those who know me well, but I have a pretty active imagination (really????). I've been seeing things (shadows? orbs? ghosts?) moving in my peripheral vision lately, I tend to err on the side of raunchy, and I always think my friends (or strangers I've just met) look like a famous person, and of course I have to tell them that. Shouldn't someone know if they bear a striking resemblance to Ernest Borgnine? Hey, people used to compare me to Oprah when I was younger, so I'm just seeking vengeance now.
Anyway, today is one of those days at work where the time just can't pass by fast enough. Yesterday flew by, but today the minutes are crawling along. So I've resigned myself to fantasizing (get your mind outta the gutter) about really dreadful things happening to me that could get me out of work early, with tons of sympathy from my coworkers. The first scenario I conjured up was getting faint from the increasingly hot and humid microclimate in here. I would stumble into the main lab, and make a lame attempt at commenting on the heat before I fell over and knocked my head ever-so-dreadfully on the floor. Next, I would wake up at a hospital, Adam hovering over me, worried. Then, he'd say in a really sexy, husky, concerned and loving voice, "You really took a nap there, beautiful." (because he always calls me "beautiful" in a sexy, husky voice, you know). When I'd ask what had happened and how long I'd been unconscious, he'd pat my hand reassuringly, and tell me not to worry, just go back to sleep and not worry about working for another few days. And of course, I'd get paid for all that time I was out of work. Of course.
Scenario number two is more along the lines of a campus emergency, like a gas pipe has burst, or the campus is about to flood due to some water main break. Everyone would have to be evacuated at once, and there would be no word when we could return to work. But of course, we'd all get paid anyway.
Yesterday, I went shopping with my girlfriend and got caught up in the 90% off section at Kohl's. You wouldn't believe some of the fab clothes that are actually in the 90% off section. Really. It's not like at DSW where all the shoes over 70% off are wretched and ugly, and leave you wondering who the awful designer was who had the nerve and gall to think up that crap. Kohl's is pretty good about marking off even the nice-looking stuff. Problem is, my big french-fry eating butt is finally paying the price for all that beer and nosherei that sustained me during the cold months. It took yesterday for me to comprehend how fat I actually am now. Okay, maybe fat is a little over-the-top, but I have definitely packed on the pounds. But in my typical imaginative way, I've decided to enjoy the weight loss regime ahead of me. I love a challenge, and trust me, there ain't no bigger feat than fittin' my butt back into a size 4 again. But (no pun) it has been done before; it shall be done again.
So that fitness regime I so shamelessly bragged about starting a few weeks ago must now go back into full effect. At least 2-3 miles of running a day...and walking, and biking, and...How much weight do you think I'd lose passed out in a hospital bed with just IV drips sustaining me?
Anyway, today is one of those days at work where the time just can't pass by fast enough. Yesterday flew by, but today the minutes are crawling along. So I've resigned myself to fantasizing (get your mind outta the gutter) about really dreadful things happening to me that could get me out of work early, with tons of sympathy from my coworkers. The first scenario I conjured up was getting faint from the increasingly hot and humid microclimate in here. I would stumble into the main lab, and make a lame attempt at commenting on the heat before I fell over and knocked my head ever-so-dreadfully on the floor. Next, I would wake up at a hospital, Adam hovering over me, worried. Then, he'd say in a really sexy, husky, concerned and loving voice, "You really took a nap there, beautiful." (because he always calls me "beautiful" in a sexy, husky voice, you know). When I'd ask what had happened and how long I'd been unconscious, he'd pat my hand reassuringly, and tell me not to worry, just go back to sleep and not worry about working for another few days. And of course, I'd get paid for all that time I was out of work. Of course.
Scenario number two is more along the lines of a campus emergency, like a gas pipe has burst, or the campus is about to flood due to some water main break. Everyone would have to be evacuated at once, and there would be no word when we could return to work. But of course, we'd all get paid anyway.
Yesterday, I went shopping with my girlfriend and got caught up in the 90% off section at Kohl's. You wouldn't believe some of the fab clothes that are actually in the 90% off section. Really. It's not like at DSW where all the shoes over 70% off are wretched and ugly, and leave you wondering who the awful designer was who had the nerve and gall to think up that crap. Kohl's is pretty good about marking off even the nice-looking stuff. Problem is, my big french-fry eating butt is finally paying the price for all that beer and nosherei that sustained me during the cold months. It took yesterday for me to comprehend how fat I actually am now. Okay, maybe fat is a little over-the-top, but I have definitely packed on the pounds. But in my typical imaginative way, I've decided to enjoy the weight loss regime ahead of me. I love a challenge, and trust me, there ain't no bigger feat than fittin' my butt back into a size 4 again. But (no pun) it has been done before; it shall be done again.
So that fitness regime I so shamelessly bragged about starting a few weeks ago must now go back into full effect. At least 2-3 miles of running a day...and walking, and biking, and...How much weight do you think I'd lose passed out in a hospital bed with just IV drips sustaining me?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
My Money's On David...
After Tuesday night's performance on "American Idol", my money is on David Cook. He is the most creative, original, and arguably talented contestant on the show this year, and I love him! I caught my breath in my throat during his Tuesday performance of "Always be my baby". You can download it for free on YouTube; someone online compared it to "the first time you heard the Police's 'Every Breath You Take'". David Archuleta, whose outstanding performance of "If you believe" made me want to cry a little, will take second place, but he definitely has a professional career ahead of him. I venture to say that either Syesha or Jason will round out the top three.
Although I haven't been a big fan of Kristy Lee Cook's throughout this season, I really feel like she's stepped up her game and come out doing well. I thought she did great the second week of "Beetles week" and I was bowled over by her rendition of "Coat of Many Colors" on Dolly Parton week. This week I thought she held her own with Mariah Carey's "Forever", but the fans didn't seem to think so, and neither did the judges. I thought she was much better than both Carly and Brooke, yet Kristy got the boot. I would've voted her off much earlier in the season, but I'm glad that we've had a chance to see a little more from her; she really proved that she deserved to be in the top 13, at least. And she made me appreciate country music a little more, too. :-)
Can't wait till next week...
Although I haven't been a big fan of Kristy Lee Cook's throughout this season, I really feel like she's stepped up her game and come out doing well. I thought she did great the second week of "Beetles week" and I was bowled over by her rendition of "Coat of Many Colors" on Dolly Parton week. This week I thought she held her own with Mariah Carey's "Forever", but the fans didn't seem to think so, and neither did the judges. I thought she was much better than both Carly and Brooke, yet Kristy got the boot. I would've voted her off much earlier in the season, but I'm glad that we've had a chance to see a little more from her; she really proved that she deserved to be in the top 13, at least. And she made me appreciate country music a little more, too. :-)
Can't wait till next week...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
New Day, New Template
Hope that you are enjoying the lighthouse/maritime background. I was getting a little gloomed out by the black backdrop and dots.
Have loads of pics to post from yesterday. We went on a hike with some friends and couldn't figure how to get outta the woods. We weren't lost so much as unprepared to go snorkeling through all of the ephemeral pools that have popped up since our heavy rains of late. It was all good fun, though, especially since I finally got my camera back from the repair service and was able to take some good pics and videos, a la "Blair Witch".
I'll post later today; that is, before Ads and I make the mad dash to get our tax forms mailed on time. Gotta love the procrastinators like us...
Have loads of pics to post from yesterday. We went on a hike with some friends and couldn't figure how to get outta the woods. We weren't lost so much as unprepared to go snorkeling through all of the ephemeral pools that have popped up since our heavy rains of late. It was all good fun, though, especially since I finally got my camera back from the repair service and was able to take some good pics and videos, a la "Blair Witch".
I'll post later today; that is, before Ads and I make the mad dash to get our tax forms mailed on time. Gotta love the procrastinators like us...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Condi and I
So I am (and always have been) really sensitive about the way I look in photographs. Since I've been feeling a little pudgy of late, I am even more critical of my photogenic qualities. So that's why I've been critiquing the picture of me doing the water sampling that I posted a few days ago. I've been really unhappy with the picture, resenting those chubby cheeks and big teeth. Today I realized I'm starting to look like Condoleeza Rice. Maybe it's age, stress, I dunno, but we are starting to look like one and the same person. The only positive thing I can take from that is that despite our HUGE differences in political opinions, she is a very smart lady. Did you know she is a classically trained pianist and an accomplished figure skater? That's right, our very own Condi could give Kristi Yamaguchi and Nancy Kerrigan a run for their money. Can you picture that--Condi Rice with her perpetual pissed-off-looking face gracefully doing a triple axel followed by a triple toe loop? She also graduated from university by age 19 or something and is fluent in Russian. I would love to have her smarts (and maybe even her sleek little figure--she cuts a nice suit), but maybe not her angry little face (or her perfectly-coiffed 'do). At least I'm smiling in my picture. Now I just have to get down that triple toe loop.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Happy 13th Birthday, Kika!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My baby is 13 years old, and still going strong. We love her so much!
Happy Birthday, Kiksa!
Love,
Mum and Daddy
Happy Birthday, Kiksa!
Love,
Mum and Daddy
Have You Seen This Man??
So the story of SCM gets even more intriguing...my Oregon roommate recognized him from the news photos and sent this along to me. Where oh where has SCM gone, oh where oh where has he gone????
http://www.newsreview.info/article/20080324/NEWS/466541264
http://www.newsreview.info/article/20080324/NEWS/466541264
Ahoy, Matie
So much to report tonight. I had a full weekend and it was wonderful. First off, the weather here this weekend was beautiful--60s and sunny and we Lansing-ites took full advantage. Adam and Kika got out to the park for a nice Kika-Daddy walk on Saturday, while I helped a girlfriend do some fieldwork for her PhD research. It was my first time doing aquatic sampling; I got to ride around in a boat and sample some lakes around southern Michigan. Super cool, I tell ya. Almost as cool as canoeing down the Willamette River with Art and the girls back in Oregon last summer. Tons of wildlife were out and about--Buffleheads, Sandhill cranes, loads of songbirds and frogs. I'm loving that spring has returned.
Today we spent taking advantage of yet another beautiful spring day. Adam worked on our cars and got our bicycles road-ready while I did yard work. I'm putting my greenhouse to good use, getting all my vegetable seeds going so they'll be ready to plant in the garden by May. Then I decided to tackle our backyard, which has become a bit shabhy in the last couple years. I've decided to "go native" by getting rid of a bunch of invasive non-native shrubs I have, and also getting rid of the grass in our backyard. In its place, I've decided to plant lowland plant species (we live in a wetland type area) with lots of fern, wildflowers and low ground cover species. I'm excited about it all and hope it comes out well. We don't have a large backyard, so I'm thinking it won't be too hard to get things going. I'll take pics as things come along.
Happy spring, everyone!
We luckily had a perfect day for fieldwork...I could hardly wait to get out on the water!
I dip, you dip, we dip...for water samples...
Gorgeous spring day in southern Michigan
Today we spent taking advantage of yet another beautiful spring day. Adam worked on our cars and got our bicycles road-ready while I did yard work. I'm putting my greenhouse to good use, getting all my vegetable seeds going so they'll be ready to plant in the garden by May. Then I decided to tackle our backyard, which has become a bit shabhy in the last couple years. I've decided to "go native" by getting rid of a bunch of invasive non-native shrubs I have, and also getting rid of the grass in our backyard. In its place, I've decided to plant lowland plant species (we live in a wetland type area) with lots of fern, wildflowers and low ground cover species. I'm excited about it all and hope it comes out well. We don't have a large backyard, so I'm thinking it won't be too hard to get things going. I'll take pics as things come along.
Happy spring, everyone!
We luckily had a perfect day for fieldwork...I could hardly wait to get out on the water!
I dip, you dip, we dip...for water samples...
Gorgeous spring day in southern Michigan
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Happy Birthday, Natasha
Can you believe we go back all the way to 1994??? How old were we then? Ya tebe lyublyu, maya ruskaya sestra.
C dnyom razhdenya!
Lauren
C dnyom razhdenya!
Lauren
I Heart Jill Scott
We have been fortunate in the last few weeks to see quite a few good movies. Last night we saw a brilliantly crafted Israeli film (winner of the Israeli Academy award), "Three Mothers". It's the story of triplet sisters who put their relationship with each other above all else, sacrificing relationships with spouses and children. The soundtrack to the movie is amazing and I'm hoping to download it soon.
We've also seen "Why did I get married?" one of the latest in the Tyler Perry film drawer. I admit I wasn't sure about it beforehand; I only know the "Madeia" character from Perry films, a character I haven't been able to identify with or really appreciate. But I decided to give this film a chance since that character is not in it. Boy, were Adam and I bowled over! This was a really great, classy, funny movie that explores the trials and tribulations of four married couples, all college friends on their annual "couples retreat". Stand out performances by many in the cast--Tasha Smith is the hilarious, over-the-top Angela, a character a bit stereotypical, but not offensive; Richard T. Jones is wonderful as Mike, the guy we love to hate; and Michael Jai White, Malik Yoba and Tyler Perry are all brilliant in their understated performances as the husbands to three very strong-willed and minded women. However, my favorite performance was by Jill Scott, who plays the insecure and unhappy Sheila, who is desperately fighting a losing battle in her marriage. Her next-to-last scene monologue captured the entire movie for me, and literally drove me to tears. I Heart Jill Scott!!!
We also saw "Atonement", an interesting film set in the WWII era, about the consequences of bearing false witness. I thought it was a great film, but I know a few people (my mother included) have had trouble with the ending. It suited me just fine.
Before that, we rented "No Country for Old Men", which was great, but only if you don't mind grisly, gory scenes. There is a lot of murder in that movie. But there is a reason it received "Best Picture" at the Oscars. It deserved it. And Javier Bardem definitely deserved his award; and I'm not just saying that because I'm afraid he'll kill me, either...
This is an older flick by now, but I finally saw "I am Legend". This was one of the few movies that has been able to scare me in recent years. It's not even considered a horror, just sci-fi, but it is well-done in terms of concept, performances (mostly Will Smith), direction, everything. It left me feeling unsettled and a little nervous. What a great movie.
Hope this has given someone some ideas for future movie rentals. There are some great films out there!!
We've also seen "Why did I get married?" one of the latest in the Tyler Perry film drawer. I admit I wasn't sure about it beforehand; I only know the "Madeia" character from Perry films, a character I haven't been able to identify with or really appreciate. But I decided to give this film a chance since that character is not in it. Boy, were Adam and I bowled over! This was a really great, classy, funny movie that explores the trials and tribulations of four married couples, all college friends on their annual "couples retreat". Stand out performances by many in the cast--Tasha Smith is the hilarious, over-the-top Angela, a character a bit stereotypical, but not offensive; Richard T. Jones is wonderful as Mike, the guy we love to hate; and Michael Jai White, Malik Yoba and Tyler Perry are all brilliant in their understated performances as the husbands to three very strong-willed and minded women. However, my favorite performance was by Jill Scott, who plays the insecure and unhappy Sheila, who is desperately fighting a losing battle in her marriage. Her next-to-last scene monologue captured the entire movie for me, and literally drove me to tears. I Heart Jill Scott!!!
We also saw "Atonement", an interesting film set in the WWII era, about the consequences of bearing false witness. I thought it was a great film, but I know a few people (my mother included) have had trouble with the ending. It suited me just fine.
Before that, we rented "No Country for Old Men", which was great, but only if you don't mind grisly, gory scenes. There is a lot of murder in that movie. But there is a reason it received "Best Picture" at the Oscars. It deserved it. And Javier Bardem definitely deserved his award; and I'm not just saying that because I'm afraid he'll kill me, either...
This is an older flick by now, but I finally saw "I am Legend". This was one of the few movies that has been able to scare me in recent years. It's not even considered a horror, just sci-fi, but it is well-done in terms of concept, performances (mostly Will Smith), direction, everything. It left me feeling unsettled and a little nervous. What a great movie.
Hope this has given someone some ideas for future movie rentals. There are some great films out there!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Happy Birthday, David!
April Fool's! I mean, Happy 30th Birthday, David! Adam and I are thinking about you here on our side of the Atlantic!
As my b-day prezzie to you, I'm working on improving my accent!
Cheers, mate
Lauren
As my b-day prezzie to you, I'm working on improving my accent!
Cheers, mate
Lauren
Surfing the Information Highway
As much as I consider myself a salt-of-the-earth, no frills, crunchy granola hippie, truth is I love the Internet. Love, LOVE, LOVE the Internet. E-mailing and surfing are my favorites, but now that I'm plugged into Skype, being able to talk to folks the world over is a close third.
In the last few months, I've been able to get in touch with two friends (one in Germany, one in the States) who I haven't be in contact with for ~3 years and 15 years, respectively. With the help of Skype and Myspace, I've been able to rekindle old friendships and dispel sad thoughts that they were, like many, friendships lost to the depths of memories.
I've also been able to put a face to my international friends, literally. I have been lucky enough over the years to establish friendships in Russia, England, and Germany, but of course we are fortunate if we see each other every few years. Skype has allowed me to see these friends on a daily or weekly basis, making the geographic distance seem much smaller.
So for all you technocrats out there who love the Information Highway as much as I do (a trip you don't even have to drive to be on!), shoot me an e-mail from time to time. Or find me on Skype. The handle is Wacky Dame.
In the last few months, I've been able to get in touch with two friends (one in Germany, one in the States) who I haven't be in contact with for ~3 years and 15 years, respectively. With the help of Skype and Myspace, I've been able to rekindle old friendships and dispel sad thoughts that they were, like many, friendships lost to the depths of memories.
I've also been able to put a face to my international friends, literally. I have been lucky enough over the years to establish friendships in Russia, England, and Germany, but of course we are fortunate if we see each other every few years. Skype has allowed me to see these friends on a daily or weekly basis, making the geographic distance seem much smaller.
So for all you technocrats out there who love the Information Highway as much as I do (a trip you don't even have to drive to be on!), shoot me an e-mail from time to time. Or find me on Skype. The handle is Wacky Dame.
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