Day Six Hundred Sixty Three

Not a whole lot happened today besides work and going to bible study. So today's post will be the previously mentioned/promised photos! First, Round Rock Express game (the AAA affiliate for the Texas Rangers).

This is Drew Stubbs, a former UT Longhorn!

I had to capture the pure genius that is the Albuquerque Isotope logo.

And here's a couple photos of the storm aftermath (I didn't take either of these).

The middle of downtown. Under water. 

Crazy clouds that covered the entirety of Austin after the worst of the storm
had passed.

Day Six Hundred Sixty Two

The flood waters in downtown Austin and the surrounding area receded overnight, but communities down the Colorado river are all bracing for some serious flooding, so keep those prayers going!

My day was remarkably low key compared to the madness of yesterday. I got up, drove to work, took care of some lab business, then drove home. Then, in my distraction over watching the new NBC show that my favorite comedian (Jeff Dye) is in called I Can Do That, I forgot to upload baseball photos to post. So, photos tomorrow it is! I promise. If I remember. I promise.

Day Six Hundred Sixty One

You guys, it rained today. It rained hard. And thunder-ed and lightning-ed and tornado-ed. At one point, downtown Austin was under 4 feet of water. Thankfully, my little slice of Austin wasn't flooded, though we still had some intense weather. People all around me are definitely in need of prayers and any help they can get, though, so if anyone reading this is in the mood to give to charities -- might I suggest looking up Austin Salvation Army?

During the brief break from days and days of rain yesterday, my friend and I took in a Round Rock Express baseball game, the AAA affiliate for the Texas Rangers. They played the Albuquerque Isotopes, and since I'm a chemist, I clearly had to root for the Isotopes. So naturally, the Isotopes lost (I still took photos, which I'll post tomorrow). But in better baseball news, UT baseball won the Big 12 championship yesterday! That means they get an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament, and I couldn't be happier. And since I can't go root on my Longhorns in the tournament, I'll just throw myself into Round Rock Express baseball! Don't worry, I already got myself a hat for the team. And don't worry, the hat was on sale.

Tomorrow, it's back to the grind. Research. It never ends. Hopefully things don't start pouring again, which would basically trap me on campus. But then again, I don't think any kind of storm could take down Welch Hall, so maybe that's the best place to be.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Five

Today was a nerve wracking day. I gave my 2nd year seminar this afternoon, which is the final step for doctoral candidacy in my graduate program. It was a 20 minute talk open to the public, and afterwards it was just me and the analytical faculty where they asked me questions and critiqued my presentation. I was terrified. I'm happy to say that it all seemed to go pretty smoothly! I'm so relieved its behind me, and am now in a state of full body exhaustion as a result of this seminar combined with what was the most tiring semester I've ever had. I celebrated with bowling and a delicious dinner from Raising Cane's. So it was a stressful day, but a good day as well.

Now, on to the next few years of research!

Day Six Hundred Fifty One

Everyone....I got a B- in my Cell Biology class and an A in my Optics class. Do you know what this means? This means I'm officially done with graduate coursework! I NEVER have to ever take a class again!!! It hasn't sunk in quite yet, but I'm seriously pleased with myself.

Also, it was my brothers birthday 2 days ago, so happy belated blog-post birthday to you Jeff! You're one of my favorite people to ever exist, and I'm so very lucky to have you as a brother. You're lucky my phone won't let me post photos on the blog, or I'd find a gem of a childhood photo to put on it.

Now, back to seminar prep. Next Tuesday is the day I battle doctoral candidacy head on...so that's not stressful at all. Thank goodness its almost the weekend.

Day Six Hundred Forty Seven

I turned 25 today! Wait.....what? I'm already 25? Weird.

Regardless, it was a pretty fantastic day today, and I have a feeling 25 is going to be a great year. I went to work (because it's still a Monday and I'm an adult and have to go to work), met some sweet friends for lunch, then went to see the new Avengers movie this evening with another friend. And Austin even gave me some rain! Like I said, it was a fantastic day.

On an unrelated side note - I'll never understand why some people carry umbrellas during a thunderstorm. Come on, Texans...you're smarter than that. When there's lightning, maybe don't walk around with a big metal stick. While it wasn't a good life choice for those of you choosing to become human lightning rods, you all gave me a good birthday laugh, and I appreciate that.

Day Six Hundred Forty Two

I had what was (hopefully) my last final exam EVER this morning. Unless I didn't do as well as I needed to to have it count towards my degree (which is entirely possible, the exam was rough), in which case I would be taking yet another class in the summer. Ugh. Come oooooonnnnnn B-! All I need is a B-! Why is Cell Biology so DIFFICULT?!?!

So, to make myself feel better, I spent the evening at an Ed Sheeran concert. And it might have been the best thing ever. Literally, ever. He's incredible live.