Hooray for yarn!

So, I'd been looking for a place to buy yarn to start some projects I had in mind - a hat/scarf/mittens set for me amongst other random things I've never knit before such as socks - and I found out through a friend about Sit N' Knit in South Bend. Wal-Mart is fine, but they only carry so much, so this was exciting! I decided to make a trek out there after work on Friday, only to find that the shop was closed. Closed as in I think they are shut down and emptying out the place.

Fortunately, I went to the farmer's market with one of my friends and on the way saw a crafts shop having a sale... and yes, they had yarn! I got some nice silky wool for my hat/scarf/mittens set, not quite in the color I really liked (they didn't have enough) but I think I might end up liking this one better. It's a limey green (not quite highlighter) but it also has some flecks of other colors in it. I think it will turn out nicely. Also, since they had a sale, I bought other stuff too. I got some sock yarn (I can't believe I'm gonna try to make a sock!) and other colorful yarn that was like $2. Sadly, I think I'm starting my stash. :)

I learned my abc's

Ok, just to make things clear, I learned my abc's a LONG time ago - ouch, nevermind, a few years ago. I hate remembering how old I am. lol

I did however, learn how to use the STM in lab this week and have managed to get some pretty decent scans. Fortunately, I can now come into lab and pretty much work on my own already - for the most part. I keep learning new things everyday and I hope that I can get some good results this summer. Alex keeps saying that I should be able to get a couple of publications out, I think I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Also, I found out that I got the fellowship I applied for! I am very excited, since this means more money (for a year) and my health insurance is also paid for for the year, both very HUGE pluses. I have yet to meet anyone involved with the fellowship yet, but I believe we will meet for lunch on Monday. The whole point of the fellowship is to take science into the high schools, so "lucky" high school students will be learning to use the STM with me. It should make for an interesting year...

Back to School...

Tomorrow is my first day of school. It sounds kind of funny, actually. I'm back at Notre Dame and I start going to lab tomorrow. I've been out for a year and a half, it feels like forever. Fortunately, I was teaching this last year, so I haven't completely abandoned the school setting. I'm basically redoing my 3rd year, so it seems as though I will be hear about 3 years. I can't wait to finish - how sad is it that I'm already anticipating getting out of here, when I haven't even started up yet?

I'm starting a new project, with a different professor. The professor I was working with before is way too busy now and really, working on a different project will probably be better. I'm learning new equipment and I hope I catch on easily.

I've been steadily working getting settled into my apartment. I love the location, it looks great, and the dogs seem to like it. It's really funny to see them freak out over the geese from the lake behind my apartment. I'm sure they are wondering what they are looking at. I'm happy to report that I'm done with my kitchen - all dishes are in cabinets and I actually have groceries. My living room is sort of done. I've got all the furniture in place, I've got books in the bookcase, but I have random stuff in boxes that I need to figure out a place for. My bathroom looks adorable! I got a black dotted shower curtain with green accents. My bedroom on the other hand is another story. I got my bed put together but I have clothes EVERYWHERE! I'm hoping to put a dent into it tonight, but we'll see. All in all, I think I've had a productive weekend. I even painted my dresser today. :)