I SAW A SEA COW.

Oh yes. I may not have posted in awhile, but there is good reason. I have been far, far away on...

VACATION!

I spent most of last week with Carl and Victor in a Boca Grande, Florida. While there, we performed several acts of relaxation, including (but not limited to):
1) Reading on the beach
2) Eating on the beach
3) Drinking on the beach
4) Swimming in the 80 degree water
5) Diving for Sand Dollars in the 80 degree water
6) Swimming after manatees

Ah yes, all this and more. The island is a trip back in time. Everyone rides around on bikes and golf carts and no one wears shoes (because we all know there were no shoes in the past). Much fun, much needed. AND I got a "Chandler Tan" meaning my skin tone is now close to normal, and will be for at least another two days!
I left last Friday morning, and got into Birmingham where Liz picked me up. We went to Western Supermarket to get breakfast and saw what we thought was a stray dog. When we asked inside we were informed she was a "greeter dog." No lie. The dog shows up in the morning and then leaves apparently. After that we went to the Botanical Gardens to eat. We fed some absolutely crazy fish who almost jumped out of the water to get the pieces of biscuit we offered them. And I found the biscuit to be mediocre at best.
That day (still Friday) I drove to Murfreesboro where I met up with Jenn to go to a friend's wedding. We had a great time. Its always nice, the weddings. People are happy, there is alcohol, and in this instance, it was a lot like a class reunion of many friends from 'Southern. The wedding was beautiful, and the reception lasted 3.5 hours at least. And there was much dancing (yes, even Jenn and I danced. Without the aid of alcohol!) and merriment. And all rejoiced and feasted. After all of the fun, my friend Jenny Carter (I used to say it like JEEENNNNYYY CAAAARRRTERRR) is now Jenny Logan. Jeremy is a great guy. I guess I should start practicing. (JENNNNNYYY LOOOOOGGGGAAAAN).

Tomorrow I drive back up to Tennessee to leave for Chicago for a few days for the APS conference. I am a social butterfly, I tell you. Flap, flap.

All this adds up to the fact that after my first year of grad school I have had nothing but fun for at least a solid week, and will continue on that trend for a few more days. After that its off to work... But with Jenn in Birmingham I have a feeling this summer will be super keen to the jiggity max.

Jiggity Max.

I hope everyone is well.
Peace,
Joe

So this guy walks into a bar and says,
"Hey! The semester is over!"

The funny part is, this is not a joke. I have finished my first year of grad school!

::Grand music plays::

All my grades are in, and I pulled a 4.0 for the year. As Yoda might not say,
"Happy am I."

In other news I have started the three jobs I am working for the summer. Job #1: Work in my home lab on thesis, etc. Job #2: Work in a clinical lab doing interviews with kids and parents for a grant. Job #3: Do weekend assessment of promotion candidates for Mercedes Benz. Again, Yoda: "Busy am I."

Also, everyone on earth is getting married. I have been to two weddings already this year and will go to at least two more in the next month. Much happiness and tossing of Penguins will ensue.

And Chicago is in three weeks. Fun times.

And to save the best for last, Jenn and I have now been dating for a full year (well, actually a year and four days now). On May 8th, 2003 we were set up by one of her best friends to go to the One-Act Plays at BSC. I made a totally dorky fool out of myself, and the rest is history. Good year, I can tell you.

I hope everyone is well,
Peace,
Joe

Perfect Job.

Host.

Keen hats.

Superpowers.

(Writing a Grant will make you go crazy).

I hope everyone is well,
Peace,
Joe "What was that, Zorak?" Chandler