"It's the End of the Summer"

may these following thoughts be stand-ins for a more cohesive and coherent overview of the past few weeks until more time for recording such endeavors surfaces.

five guys. watch below. nuff said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJFdCmN98s

i do NOT know how to read a scientific paper and will NOT be able to for 2 years.  but science must go on anywho (sarcasm/bitterness)

PV=nRT  (pronounced PIV-nert) is relevant to all.  even chemotaxis in biology.  don't argue, just giggle.

although they're Mom's favorites, hot dogs with a crispy shell created via grill burn are schnast (aka nasty especially when they're pretty cold). viva la hamburguesa.

speaking of spanish, i need to work on it.  especially for future patient care/research opportunities.  wowzers.

failure will and does occur on a daily basis. of this i am becoming more and more aware.

not everybody has to be besties with everybody.  (a certain sister of mine will probably love this statement).  gotta learn to respect and basically get along with everyone, but those we choose to let in are up to us.  that being said, i've met some really amazing and wonderful people this summer/early fall and can't wait to keep saying "hi my name is Alex"

on a very serious note,  i think i hear the word 'retarded' used incorrectly (and in a derogatory manner) at least twice a day.  to those reading this,  i ask you to please, if you've not done so already, find another word.   http://www.parents.com/blogs/to-the-max/2011/10/13/uncategorized/a-mom-stands-up-to-teens-who-use-the-word-retard/

oh and Kathryn's beautiful quiche :-)

Call It What You Want

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1prhCWO_518

I say tavern, maybe you say sloppy Joe (to which I would say what about sloppy Jane.... Gen Chem lab joke, sorry).  Either way, the best way to eat one is by smushing it and flipping it upside down.  I seem to not be able to tear my eyes from the fabulous 2012 'lympics, so easy dinners are da BEST! (oh, and homemade mac'n'cheese from last night.  it was... interesting.)

Just a few...

Top to bottom:

Lava brownies, courtesy of roommate.  So very yummy :-)  
'Murica cake.  Yay 'lympics!
African violet.  Perhaps thriving.

If you know me...

... you know that I am a red meat, full fat, all-out kind of foodie.  Tonight  (ba ba buuummm) I tried something a bit different- a FoodNetwork "Lightened Up" fettuccine alfredo.  If you know me, you might also know that I had a strange aversion to both alfredo sauce and chicken when I was between the ages of 7 and 15ish.  Although I now have no problem with the original white meat, I rarely if ever order alfredo sauce (or make it for myself). I suppose I felt adventurous tonight.  Oh, and I added chicken (sautéed in a pan) to the recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/low-cal-fettuccine-alfredo-recipe/index.html

I feel fortunate to have leftovers to bring for lunch tomorrow!

HOLY cats!

I really don't have any idea where that expression came from (neswap, sorry).  If someone reading this post can remember, please inform me.  I titled this post "Holy cats!" because I have been in the big D (as in... DALLAS!  hello, Texas) for 4 WEEKS, and more importantly, I'm starting my 4th week of work (ha! work doesn't feel like the right word for it) tomorrow! Below is a summary of my adventures so far (most likely in reverse order)...

1.  RODEO!  We went to a rodeo in Mesquite, TX, last night. Other than the "mutton busting" I thoroughly enjoyed it.  There's just something about kids (4-8yo) riding (and subsequently being trampled by) sheep that makes me uncomfortable.  http://www.mesquiterodeo.com/

2. AIRHOG BASEBALL! We visited the lovely Grand Prairie (I kept saying 'Grand Prix') for the 4th of July and watched an AirHogs baseball game.  Let's just say when the 'Hogs are playing the Sioux Falls Pheasants and/or Sioux City Explorers, I may make a return trip to QuikTrip Field. http://airhogsbaseball.com/

3.  SMOKE!  Mom, Dad, and I ate here while we were moving into the apartment.  It was a very fun place.  Let's just say I may have eaten Thumper (ahem rabbit sausage).  http://www.smokerestaurant.com/

4. IKEA!  We (as in Mom, Dad, and I) made our first-ever trip to Ikea.  We may have overestimated the space in the Audi and compensated by sharing seats.  I am saving up some money to purchase a comfy study chair soon!  

5. POOLTIME!  I've gotten plenty of sun since I've been here (minimal burning, believe it or not).  It's so nice to have a pool about 1/4 of a football field away from our front door.  Compared to last year when I think I was only poolside 2x, I'm lightyears ahead this year.  

Misc: It seems like every time I'm downtown, I drive through Dealey Plaza.  Dad and I visited when we were in Dallas in 2007, and obviously a return visit will be necessary soon.  http://www.jfk.org/

I am really loving my apartment (minus the occasional cockroach aka waterbug?) and UTSouthwestern.  I've been working in the lab ~40hrs/wk and won't start classes until in mid August. 

 photos: Kathryn's red, white, and blue cake; stars'n'stripes at baseball game, famous 'white bridge' (famous in my head only), rodeo!


More pictures to come soon!

Wedding Pretties

Flowers of the 605

check out  more of my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/awillcockson/sets/72157630098366924/