Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Good morning all!  In case you were wondering where I've been, we had a Hurricane here that shut down most of the city ;)  (I know you know that). 

Brian and I were pretty lucky that we're located in one of the only neighborhoods that didn't flood and didn't lose power.  On the UES, we dealt with mainly downed tree limbs.  When we walked around yesterday morning, it seemed like every tree we past had lost branches or entire tops.  Central Park isn't allowing anyone in - there are big barricades and from observations made outside said barricades, it looks bad.  Tree limbs are everywhere.  I'm not sure when it will be cleaned up enough that it's safe for us to return.  Hopefully soon!!!

After 2 days off work, I finally have work today.  Brian has another day off, though.  I'm about to head back in and get things going again.  Hopefully we'll have pics of our little dogs in the big park again, soon. 

Have a great one!

Friday, October 26th, 2012
Central Park East - 6:55am

Good morning! 

So yesterday after we exited the Park, I wrote my blog, and got into the shower.  Whilst in said shower, I heard a yelp.  When I stuck my head out to see what was going on, Sofie had a terrible limp.  i.e. she was not putting any weight on it.  Last night when I got home from work, it had not improved.  In fact, it looked worse.  I waffled around about what to do.  Should I take her to the upper east side vet emergency (i.e. at least a 500$ visit) - NO.  I called my parents.  I may be getting my PhD in immunology, but I still need to be told what to do in situations like this.  A side note, I'm embarrassed by how much I still ask my dad & mom.  It ranges from "how to boil eggs," to "how long X thing lasts in the fridge."  The other day I thought about calling but I too embarrassed about this one.  It was "how do you boil potatoes?"  I ended up googling it.  I didn't know whether you put them in before the water was boiling or after (like noodles). 

I digress

So I called my Mom & Dad.  Now my Mom recommended that I soak Sofie's foot in epsom salts at around 1pm that day.  Did I listen?  No I did not.  That and, I mean, I was at work.  Who has time to go home and soak their dogs foot?  She recommended it again when I got home from work, but did I listen?  No.  My Dad got on the line (I had heard him grumbling around in the background and assumed I was on speakerphone) - and said "YOU NEED TO SOAK THAT DAMN DOG'S FOOT IN SALINE."  And I did.  And she was better.  And she enjoyed it. 

This morning, I let Brian take her on a shorter walk while I took Bear to the Park alone.  When I got back home, Sofie was barely limping anymore.  I think that she'll be back to normal by this evening after work. 

Problem solved. 

My parents know everything.  

Have a wonderful day!

Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Good morning!  There's no picture today - I'm glad you noticed.  I have an absolutely ridiculous reason for not having one.  Here goes...

In the process of cleaning up after my dog in a half-asleep stupor/dark street, I got poo on my hand.  And I didn't notice until after I had transferred it accidentally to my other hand.  Due to this debacle, I decided not to remove my phone from my pocket and have to disinfect it later.  Sorry (mostly to myself).  I ended up having to wipe it on my jeans (and Sarah wonders why I don't buy nice stuff!!) 

Besides that, last night was great.  Brian and I planned a little mid-week, Halloween, scary movie date night so we ordered pizza, got some beers, and I had 2 ears of popping corn that we successfully popped on the stove.  We didn't end up watching a scary movie - instead - Eastern Promises.  Well, I guess you could argue that that is a little scary - what with all the throat-cutting.  Yesterday was insanely busy for me and today promises to be the same.  I'm so looking forward to this weekend, though!  Lab Rock climbing at Brooklyn Boulders, crashing the bosses kids' birthday party (Bosses kid's b-day party is at Brooklyn Boulders), our friend's Halloween Party in Hoboken.  Some trashy club night following said party that I actually spent 10 dollars buying because everyone else is going, Mom & Dad.  Can't.  Wait. 

Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
View from my lab yesterday morning upon arrival - not bad - better if that stupid building wasn't blocking it. 

Good morning!  The Park was nice this morning but the pictures were dismal - it was just a bit overcast but now that we are transitioning into winter, that means that it was really dark the entire time.  I tried to take a picture, but it ended up looking pretty bad so I thought I'd share this one from my adventures in lab yesterday morning. 

We had an exciting thing happen yesterday!  Bear's breeder contacted us about the possibility of breeding Bear when he gets bigger!  We don't know for sure whether it will all pan out, but that would be pretty exciting!  It also wouldn't be for awhile yet, as he'd need to be at least 2 years old.  I already told Sarah I expect her to take one of the pups :)

Well I took a video of Bear and Sofie playing in the dog park yesterday - here's the link:

http://youtu.be/G5GLeHqKJro

Have a great day!

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
6:42am

Good morning!  You'll get no regular post today from me - sorry!  As I sit here and eat my oatmeal & have my coffee, Brian is out with the ruppies in Central Park on their usual walk.  I have to be in lab by 7 this morning for an experiment so Brian's taking on little dogs in the big park today, sans post.  

I'll be back at-cha tomorrow. 

Have a great one!

Monday, October 22nd, 2012
Mohonk Mountain House (Thursday & Friday Oct. 18th-19th, 2012)  Sunset-ish

Good morning!  Sorry I missed you all last week on Thurs. and Fri.  I was away at Mohonk Mountain House for the second time this year at the Immunology Retreat.  It was a great success - lots of fun.  We invited an external speaker from Harvard to give the Keynote address on Thursday evening and his talk was absolutely fascinating.  We also had time for some hiking (pictures shown above), dancing, drinking, eating, and enjoying the place.  I absolutely love Mohonk - I don't think it could ever get old. 

All of that fun was eliminated this weekend when I spent literally 15 hours in lab over Sat. and Sun.  I have to give lab meeting this morning, and I had a ton of data to organize, process, and think of how I would present it.  It's weird how time just slips away when you're in lab on a weekend.  You walk in at 11:30am, and when you leave it's dark and 6pm and you've just been sitting at your computer the entire time.  I've practiced a few times now and give it at 9:30am this morning.  I'm a little nervous, but mostly just excited to get a chance to share my data. 

Well - time to practice and make a few little updates to my slides before meeting! 

Have a great day!

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012
Central Park East - 6:50am

Good morning,

Interesting things happen at sunrise and dusk.  The sky often does things that are beautiful while it makes way for the morning sun or nighttime sky.  Since I live on the East side, I often don't get to see the spectacular West side sunsets over the Hudson.  Honestly, I'm also usually still at work when the sun is setting for most of the year.  Because of all of this, I savor my morning sunrises in the Park.  I've learned that some of the most beautiful skies are produced mornings after thunderstorms in the summer and on the coldest of cold days in the winter.  That's just anecdotal - but it's something I've noticed.  Sometimes you're just surprised and there's no reason apparent for the lovely sky. 

This was one of those mornings I was so thankful to be up to see it.  When I opened my door to go outside, it was cold - not uncomfortably cold - cold enough to jolt your senses.  It was quiet in the Park when I arrived - and still dark.  Dark enough to make me feel mildly more aware of my surroundings.  I was alone - except for the long-time Parks Conservancy worker (John) cleaning up around the benches.  The cold air against my face and in my lungs, and my hands warm in my pockets I started whistling and waved good morning to John.  I didn't see many folks until I broke on to the Great Lawn.  This is when I was greeted with this stunning sky.  It only lasted about 10 minutes before it transitioned to bright blue with high, streaky white clouds.  I stopped for a few moments and leaned against the fence to survey the pink, cold sky against the backdrop of changing leaf colors - it's not hard to love Fall.  I feel this way every year. 

There's some magic in the early mornings.

Carpe diem!