D-O-N-E!!!!

you have no idea how good it feels to be done. if anybody out there is reading this and is still studying, the end is near. you will feel human again - i promise. it is just insane how un-human-like you feel after studying for so long. i left my apartment very few times over the past month, but tonight, after taking a post-exam-nap, matt and i went out and just drove around for a while. it was nice to be out in the soothing rain just hanging out and being together - without having to feel guilty about not studying.

so what's next?

the spa! i am heading to the spa tomorrow and can't wait! matt had gotten me a package at lasata salon for christmas, and i knew i wanted to save it for "the day after." we even added a few treatments so starting at 11 am (yay! i can sleep in!) i will be getting some sort of body treatment that matt scheduled, then a facial and a massage followed by a haircut. after a short break to eat, my pampering will be complete with a pedicure and a manicure. you have no idea how excited i am. it is going to be a wonderful day!

until then, hopefully i will be able to sleep without jumping awake every 30 minutes trying to figure out which enzyme catalyzes a particular step in a biochem pathway or what the mechanism of a particular drug is...hopefully those nightmares are over!

good night.

we have a graduate!

well folks, after 6 years matt has finally graduated! the picture is of our mini little celebration that we had here - just the two of us.

matthew, i am so proud of you for sticking to your guns and finishing your degree - especially with all the hoops you had to jump through to get it! i am so grateful that you came with me to rochester despite the fact that it meant you having to commute a gazillion miles every week and add another year to your schooling! i don't know what i would do without you here at my side. i love you tons, and i am so very proud of you! congratulations!

2 more happies

i know, i know. i said i wasn't going to post, but i have 2 happy things to post. first thing: how cute is this kid?!?!?! i just can't get over how adorable he is taking his little bath! he's my dear friend mandi's little guy named tucker. i will never forget mandi's parents telling me at my wedding that mandi had been in tears all morning convinced she would make the 4-hour-drive to our wedding despite the fact that she was having contractions. her parents wisely convinced her it was best to stay home, and cutie little tucker was born 4 days later. although it was really sad to not have dear mandi at our wedding, i am so happy that she is being such an incredible mom to such an adorable little kid!

second thing: please go to this website and post a story of sharing.
http://www.spreadthesharing.com/StoriesofSharing/
for every story shared, country crock will donate a meal (up to a million meals) to america's second harvest (a national foodbank network). a "meal" consists of "20 pounds of food and grocery products like cereal, fruit, bath soap, and diapers delivered to families in need." you can share as many stories as you'd like. let's go help some people in need!