Utah/4 weeks

Last week I had the pleasure of traveling to Utah for a little R&R while Spencer stayed behind in Wisconsin and did all his school-like stuff. What started out as a graduation trip gradually shifted to a visit-the-sister-and-in-laws trip since the sister decided (wisely) to delay her graduation and I decided not to pay the $150+ fee for changing my flight. Highlights from the trip included: a day trip to Park City, "How to Train Your Dragon," the Women's Expo at UVU, trips to get ice cream, and seeing some old friends/family. Oh yeah, and the awesome minivan I ended up driving since the rental place didn't haven any other cars. Go stow-and-go seating. Great concept. If I didn't see you while I was there, I apologize, but one can only do so much in 4 days without feeling totally insane and driving the length of the state several times (which I did not feel like doing in my minivan). Also, I did not bring my camera on the trip (stupid) and my sister failed to bring hers along when we did fun stuff (I'd say stupider, but she'd probably virtually hit me or something :P). So...no pictures. I know, you're all sad now.

One other brief comment: Whose idea was it to make me give 4 weeks notice instead of the regular 2? I could be done with my old job by now and on to the new. This waiting period seems to be dragging out forever and seems only to serve to highlight how boring my current job really is. I feel like I have adult onset ADD or something. I know I've been working every day, but seriously I feel like I've accomplished zilch since giving my notice. Here's to a time warp for the next couple of weeks!

Shopping: A Love/Hate Relationship

In the last few days I discovered the joy that is shopping. I think desire to shop first crept into my brain when I started watching "What Not to Wear" right after I got home from work (This is why our husbands don't like it when we watch this show, by the way). The contestants get a whole $5000 to spend on an entirely new wardrobe, plus they get a complete hair/makeup styling session with some of the industry's greatest talents. Soon I was staring at my own wardrobe and wondering if perhaps I shouldn't weed out some of the overly-worn out and ill-fitting items that gummed up my closet and were so much easier to throw on than the nicer pieces I owned. Unfortunately, it also made me want to shop to fill out the newly made gaps with some pieces that would have the potential to take my wardrobe from drab to fab.

It started out innocently enough. A new shirt for my job interview from Banana Republic. Then a great deal on sweaters at the Gap. Then a sweet coupon for 40% off online at Banana. And then some great shoe finds at Macy's, pants for Spencer, and an Amazon order filled with pair after pair of deliciously low-priced sandals. With each click of the mouse or swipe of the card I triumphantly purchased my exciting new article of clothing/pair of shoes.

At first, I was in blissful state of pure and utter joy--but today, I rediscovered why I hate shopping. No, it wasn't the amount of money I'd spent. No, it wasn't even that I had buyer's remorse over getting things I didn't need. It had more to do with one teeny simple problem: sexy shoes hurt my feet and ordering clothes online lends to them not fitting, thus requiring you to return them. Yup, that's right. I now have a pile of shoes and clothes that need to be returned to their respective stores. Are the sandals I got the most flashy cute shoes imaginable? Yes. But they also cut into my feet and hurt like h-e-double-hockey-sticks. Do the Banana Republic tops live up to their exceptionally high price tag and make me look ever so chic? No. No, they do not. They look good, but no where near as good as they need to look for me to justify keeping them. And so, though it may return my credit card to a (slightly) less egregious balance, I'm stuck with the chore of lugging all this stuff back only so I can head out and try to find things that will work yet again. I worked so hard to get it right the first time that it's really irritating me that I have to try again. Ah well, such is life.

If at first you don't succeed, buy buy again!

New Job/Hamsters

I haven't wanted to say anything because I didn't want to jinx it, but I got a new job. I'm still with the Medical College, but next month I will begin my life as a Quality Improvement Specialist in the the Office of Human research doing more database stuff and for-cause audits of research studies. I'm super excited to start, but it's going to be a bumpy month here getting everything ready to go so that I don't leave my current position totally in shambles. It's a move I've been hoping to make for at least 2 years, and now that it's happening I'm a little nervous. I am looking forward to being more on the rules side of research and to be in a place where research is the focus instead of patient care. It will be a chance to flex my bioethical brain muscles as well. I might even get the chance to teach! To sum it up in a word: yipee!!

PS: Quick hamster update. I took my babies (I mean the hamster's babies) to the pet store where I got mom a couple nights ago. I gave them 5 beautiful little guys and then kept 1 for myself. I also got him one super cool, fun, tube-filled cage for him to live in. I think mom's jealous. I was going to leave them together for a little longer, but it looked like they were *ahem* enjoying each other's company just a little too much (please! no more babies!!). I'm still deciding on a name, so I will post his picture when I do. He's a beautiful blackish grey with white spots around his eyes.

Explination

Some of you may be wondering about my last post, "iPad." Truly, if I had come upon it, I would also scratch my head and wonder why someone would bother to post the title without the text to go with it. Allow me to illuminate you.

Like so many other technophiles, this past Saturday Spencer became the proud new owner of his very own iPad. The computer count has now risen to 8 (10 if you include the Tivos). Let me break it down for you: 3 desktops, 2 laptops, 1 iPhone, 1 iPod touch, and now 1 iPad. Again, if technology is ever going to overtake us and enslave the human race, it's starting at our house. Or maybe my inlaws...

The newest addition to our ever-expanding home is pretty nifty. Though it is nothing more than a gigantic web-browser, it does have a lot of cool apps. Take, for instance, the app that lets me look at real estate in the area as displayed on google maps. It has prices, pictures, and even estimates a monthly payment. I probably spent a good hour or two browsing the various listings in the greater Milwaukee area, ogling million dollar homes and imagining how much fun it would be to actually be going through them. With each passing flick of the wrist, I flipped through picture after picture, only taking breaks when Spencer threatened to buy me my own iPad because I was using his too much or to show it delightedly to any other women in the near vicinity. (They all loved it, by the way). The ABC app was also a hit as it allowed up to delight in the silliness that is "Modern Family" while curled up in our comfy king-sized bed. (Let's note, there's now a 32" flat screen tele also in our boudoir.)

But other than that, I can't say that I see the hype. It's not a word processor, which means it's not super useful, and you can't even do certain things like type a post from it's touch screen (hence the post with title only). The website touts it as "a magical and revolutionary product at an unbelievable price." Magical? maybe. Revolutionary? not so much. Unbelievable price? yes, but not in the way they were thinking. It's more of a 'I-can't-believe-this-stupid-thing-cost-$500' than a 'wow! it's only $500' unbelievable. Still, I'm glad we got it. Spencer really wanted it and I'm apparently a sucker when it come to giving into his wants. I just have a hard time saying no to such a cute face. :)

Heaven help me when we have kids.

iPad