Perhaps the main reason I have time (or rather am taking the time) to blog is the fact that Rick is gone, so I have only my computer to keep me company. Rick headed towards Hurricane Ike. He has been talking about wanting to go see his family for a while now and the opportunity to leave work just so happened to coincide with a natural disaster. He and his father both have assured me that they will be fine as they live near Dallas--200 miles from the ocean. Anyway, the poor guy drove 12+ miles today against the mass exodus alone. I couldn't go. You know, school.
Speaking of school, three weeks down (and too many to go). This semester is going fine so far--I only have 2 "real" classes and 2 seminars and no classes on Friday. I foolishly think that because I have no class on Friday that I will somehow magically finish work early and start my weekend early. Today was a perfect example of my typical day--I planned to leave around lunch and didn't leave the lab until 5. As a master's student, I am supposed to work half time (while the PhD students are supposed to work full time). I started keeping track of my hours lately for no real reason (besides depressing myself) and this week I worked 36 hours and attended classes. Eight hours of class a week. The lab tech I work with told me the other day that I am putting in far too much work for a master's. I told her I knew that, but there's no way I'm sticking around longer for the PhD. In fact, I had my committee meeting (where appointed faculty 'help' you choose your classes) and everyone signed off that I plan to graduate December 2009. Almost half done. I think it's going quickly, but I hope the momentum keeps going...
Outside of school and working in the lab, there's time for Mario Kart Wii, Cyclone football (the whole clan has season tickets and tailgating has been fun in the Minnie Winnie), and some quality friend time. A good friend of mine turned 30 at the end of August and had a party that had me acting young and foolish (and I felt it the next morning). As if the party wasn't enough, a few days later I was picked up in a limo to celebrate the big day. It was a ton of fun. 
Allyson and Chad decided to join Ames Racquet and Fitness and therefore we decided to join up as well. So far no stellar results, but I'm proud that we go pretty regularly. There are 3 different gyms in town under the one membership and group classes are free. They also have tennis and racquetball courts and the one gym has a pool too. Nice facilities. Almost makes me want to work out. Almost. Allyson and I tried a group class this week and it was so hard! The woman that helped us pick out our weights overestimated our strength and it was a long hour. Basically, it was weight lifting to music in a "come on guys, and one, and two" kind of environment. We didn't realize the weightlifting moves were actually timed with the music until half of the class was over--we were concentrating too hard. My arms were visibly shaking by the end of the workout. My legs ached for two days afterwards. She also wants to try cycling, but I was thinking more along the yoga lines...
And now is the weekend--I'm excited for the Iowa/Iowa State game tomorrow. It's the one game I will actually watch in its entirety much less look forward to. More homework/reading/writing, cleaning the apartment, sleeping in, etc. in store for the weekend. Hopefully I'll get something accomplished. GO CYCLONES!!!
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