It's happening again -- three tests in one week. The only thing quelling my aching brain is a moderately delicious cupcake and coffee from the OU cafe. Internet window shopping helps, too.

Seriously, for the love of god, I cannot wait until the weekend. I could go for some Chobani yogurt right now.

"buck melanoma, moley russell's wart"

I'm exhausted! Week one is over and I've got gnarly shin splints. School is stressful and since the weather broke I have no excuses. I  have too many lazy, duldrumy days during winter. I pack on ten lb's while chillaxing in my warm living room watching Wife Swap marathons. I get it but then again my grades tend to dip during this time. The classic combo of winter funk and seasonal depression. Does ash tray gray snow lumped up on the curb make anyone feel good? No, I don't think so.

~*~*~*~

I wrote the above yesterday but fell asleep before finishing. My first math quiz was a buzz kill. I'M NOT RAIN MAN and given I'm taking a 'remedial course' for math non-geniuses, I CANNOT DO SIX PROBLEMS IN A COOL 15 MINUTES. My test taking skills fall short and I believe slow and steady wins the race when it comes to double checking. It's not beyond me to bubble in the wrong column on a standardized test (see my ACT) because I easily fluster. On a high note, yesterday's Japanese quiz went swimmingly.

Welp, I'm at a loss for words because I don't understand the correlation between beauty and skin resembling the nommy, crusty deep fried bits found in a bucket of KFC's finest. My youngest cousins are hypnotized by tanning beds and no matter how much I drill into them that 'exposure to UV light increases your chances of developing skin cancer' they don't seem to give (excuse my cuss) a flying fuck. Is my approach wrong? Probably, but I'm extremely moved by this video I watched courtesy of reddit created by the David Cornfield Memorial Fund (dcmf.ca). This message is one worth spreading!

I'm off to work on my my mother's day gift. It's a surprise! Catch ya later. 

Hey, did you hear? I suck at studying!

Organic Chemistry by Brian Dettmer

This isn't news or anything. Whenever there is work to be done I'd rather waste time reading Harry Potter or marvel at my sticker collection. Seriously?! How do super brains do it? I'm studying glycolysis right now and I swear I yield a single molecule of ATP instead of two -- I have zero energy! In the same way the body stores glycogen to use later, my brain stores minuscule nuggets of information I pick up while working in a lab studying none other than cellular metabolism. Go figure.

I was reamed a few weeks ago because I forgot that one molecule of glucose yields two molecules of pyruvate which in turn is converted into two molecules of lactate. If you don't give a single fuck about this last sentence, do not go into biology!

I mean, biochemistry is fascinating (really, aspects of it are). The catabolic break down of sugar molecules like glycolysis are universal and our cells are badass little pieces of machinery cranking out energy allowing us to do work son!

Now for some inspired music to motivate!

happy coffee day!

Caffeine molecule

Finished my paper! Woo-woo! I really put that one off, eh? Time for a Twin Peaks marathon (the series was recently added to Netflix instant view, I'm so lucky). Technically I should study some for organic chemistry but I have all tomorrow to do so...

Caffeine is a funny drug. I usually drink two cups of coffee mid-morning because if I have more than two I'm wired and if I have less I'm about as useful as when I succumb to the bottle (super sleepy)! I stay far, far away from energy drinks.

WebMD just published an article detailing that a genetic predisposition may contribute to caffeine cravings. Two genes influencing caffeine metabolism were identified by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.

It's possible I'm one of those folks unable to metabolize large quantities of caffeine, thanks mom and dad!

I got 99 problems and the biggest bitch of them all rules the world

Organic chemistry exam tomorrow and my head is feeling wonky. The sooner this semester ends the better. If I didn't have to work on Friday my modus operandi for Thursday night = boozing it up.

I'm in a constant battle with my curriculum. Organic chemistry is an elephant and when you try to shove an elephant into a corn kernel it doesn't work out well for either party. I tell myself to 'be better' constantly. Study more, pay closer attention, work out more problems -- in the end I still struggle to remember every fundamental and fact.

If you look at my transcript it's plainly evident I'm not cut out to ride with top-notch, wound up pre-medical students. I can't take another four years of memorizing trifle I can look up in books. I accept this truth. I like to write and scouts honor, I do it billennia times better than test taking. My use of the possibly made up word billennia may  negate this...

(picture source)

salvation army post #3

This reminds me of Blood, Sweat & Tears the band my parents are into.

Friday night blog sesh anyone? As far as the Salvation Army goes, I'm intrigued. I had no idea the organization was so Jesus-y. Um, I guess pulling into a church parking lot was a dead giveaway. I find religion fascinating and cRaZyYYYYYY. If an organization is doing good for others by way of faith and in a respectful manner I'm all for it. However, if the motivations behind a groups deeds are to fulfill an agenda, BOO! That's dumb in my opinion. Others will argue, who cares about an agenda as long as they are getting the job done? I dunno. If an earthquake trampled my home, livelihood and family the only thing on my mind would be survival, my loved ones and the bare necessities. Not scripture or God's ultimate plan. Prayer is a personal journey and if the afflicted find solace in doing so that is their decision.

Would you willingly read a blog about the Salvation Army? I wouldn't. How much can be said? "Salvation army started in blah blah blah. I sorted yellow balls. They have a pretty decent facility. Volunteer your time. It makes you feel good because you contribute a priceless gift to your community. They help alcoholics." Perhaps it's our paltry attempt at spreading awareness which is cool but trying to motivate others is questionable. I find people who want to help have the match lit under their asses already. Listening to me garble on about the cause is...well, sad.

salvation army post #2

I would rather study for my biochemistry exam than help at the Salvation Army this afternoon. I know, I know...it's only two hours that I'd usually nap away anyway. I've managed B's on the past two exams but I'm desperate to raise my grade before the semester's end. I have so much to do before the summer each moment I salvage is precious. I wonder what we'll be doing at Salvation. Rumor has it something outside but today's weather mimics the gloom-and-doom of an overcast winter day. Did you know the Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian church?

salvation army post #1

It was nice helping out at the Salvation Army last Thursday because I spend an inordinate amount of time absorbed in myself -- my schoolwork, my family and friends, my dog, my various internet pursuits, yadda yadda yadda. Don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to volunteer work. I spent a year + cleaning cages at Leader Dog for the Blind but I was wholly motivated by self interest and adding a notch to ye old veterinary school app. It was a good diversion from ordinary academia and a well-needed reminder that people exist who are less fortunate.

assignment: a response to Julie/Julia (for school)

bonjour bitches! I'm Julia Child!

I'm enjoying a French glass of wine while I work on these questions for school, pardon my slur (or rant).

To begin (not that anyone really cares) I didn't like the film Julie & Julia -- not the first time I saw it, nor the most recent.  I was dragged to an MJR Cineplex by my mom and accompanying neighbors on a steamy mid-August day in 2009. The mission: girls day. Why is it a requirement that on every stinking girls day I must endure at least one chick flick? Nothing against the genre (I have mad love for Meg Ryan and her kinfolk) but come on!! I oftentimes deem ear-friendly music adored by women in their early forties "mom jams" -- EVERYONE, the movie Julie & Julia is a total visual mom jam. The whole time Amy Adams whines while Meryl Streep burbles with Julia Child likeness. I don't get it. The movie's only saving grace: Stanley Tucci. Who am I kidding, I'm a Stanley Tucci fan girl. Ever since he chased down Beethoven in his cow skin boots my heart's been a flutter. Now, for the stuff you actually care about.

1. Julie Powell used her blog to relay bits and pieces of her life, specifically the Julie/Julia project. The writing is good. I'm finding words I wish I knew how to use. There is an ever present effort to give recognition to her readers. This line specifically (from October 27, 2003) made me laugh,

"God, it’s like how Hemingway would feel if he suddenly, against all his instincts and will, took a job writing Hallmark cards."

2. I think there is a definite blending of journaling and memoir. Sometimes she relays a day's events and in her most recent post (detailing Julia Child's death) she writes from the heart. A storytelling quality also exists in her posts.

3. Um, did Amy Adams utter the F word once in the movie? The real Julie seems a bit ballsier than Amy Adams piss-poor portrayal of her. I wish the real Julie played Julie in the movie -- that would have been a better spent $7 indeed. Ticket sales probably would have plummeted per my requests (damn!). AA's Julie went from super whiny to less whiny when she finally gets her end-all-be-all book deal at the film's finish. As far as authenticity goes clearly I like the real blog more. I don't think the movie makers integrated enough of it. Who would pay to see some thirty-something spat about her poorly laundered wool coat, no one cares. The screen play dabbled in enough of the blog to let the plot flow smoothly on screen.

4. The film was partially about blogging but I found part of it focused on Julie getting over whatever insecurities she harbored about her own failures and successes. The other half was Meryl Streep donning skirts aching over her bellybutton as she attempted to flambe her way through culinary adversity. The whole point was well meshed for the move because Julie looked up to Julia for strength and encouragement. Like an Aesop fable a lesson was presented, don't give up on life just because your job sucks and your friends are more successful -- good things will happen to you too!

Can you really blame Mrs. Child for not giving a turkey's tail feather about some blog in her late years? She was probably like what the hell is the Internet? All that was on her mind in '04 was getting drunk on wine that had notes of dunkaroos in its bouquet (just like me).

To conclude, I hope this makes sense.

down to the elements...

A pile of tinker toys is sits haphazardly on my floor next to the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly and my pair of Vans that are living on borrowed time. Ok, ok. I'm 21 years old and have celebrated most of my birthdays emblazoned with a rite of passage. Thirteen, my first teen year: braces and awkwardness. Sixteen, the year I was too chicken shit to get my license. Eighteen, lottery tickets, cigarettes and pizza -- party stores only roll one way. The Michigan 21 at 19 years of age (hello Canada!) and finally, the legal pinnacle. The next big thing will be AARP in the mail at 50 and qualifying for social security at 65, if it's still around. So why exactly are tinker toys in my possession?

Organic chemistry is her name and ruining GPAs is her game. (Was using she in good taste? The mother that sometimes comes before earth makes me think so.) It's a course requirement to purchase a green tackle box full of component parts called Molecular Visions and as my professor quipped last class, it's to my benefit I try constructing some ball & stick molecules. Red, pink and blue sticks attach to black and white orbs while gunmetal grey double bond doozies link two plastic oxygen atoms. Thanks to pdf files and the Internet to clarify instructions, I know how I'll be spending my Monday evening...

P.S. it's a pity the fundamental element organic chemistry is based on, carbon, is not included in the picture...c'est la vie.

Photo courtesy of freshphotons