The Coming Plague

The One after day 3 of the main event
Well guys, day 3 is over, and my dad is still in it and in the money. While his chip stack is a very low 55,000 hes still alive and thats whats important. He worked his way up to almost 100k at one point, but lost 30k in a coin-flip situation(he had qq, person with 30k raised allin, had ak. he made the right call, he just lost the coin flip.) and with blinds and antes, your chip stack dissapears, especially if you're card-dead like he was for most of the day. Anyway the important thing at this point is he is still alive, and only 2 double-ups from average. As they say, a chip and a chair . .

The One after the first day of the main event
We're in vegas- my dad played in the last of the first days of the main event of the world series of poker. For the unaware, the main event is the bigest event in poker, with a 10,000 buyin. This year, there are close to 9,000 people in it. Anyway, my dad not only survived, hes now one of the chip leaders, with 70,000 chips(you start with 10,000). So now, he has a break today, and will play tomorrow. I just thought I'd update all of you. If you're interested, pokerstarsblog.com will probably have updates, and cardplayer.com has chipcounts(not instantaneous, but they might keep updating, especially if hes at a table with a pro). So thats it for now! I'll try to update somewhat during the day wednesday

The One after D-Day
Ahhh, D-day. Without a doubt one of the best days on the Rochester calender.

Anyway, the semester is thankfully almost over. After that horrible period known as finals, I'm going home for a few days, then driving my car up to Rochester for graduation, then for the first 6 weeks of the summer for my research, interrupted for 2 weekends, once for my sisters high school graudation, and the second to chicago for Cate's 21st birthday. Then, going back home for a few days, going to Florida to visit my grandmother, and back home for the very last time to pick up the cats to take them to Tuscon, staying with the cats for a few days, then going to Vegas for the ladies WSOP event (which I WILL be playing in!)then back to Tuscon, then back to Vegas with my dad for the Stud Hi-Li which hell play in, then back to Vegas yet again, as my dad will be in the main event. So, from now until the beginning of August, I will be making something like 20 flights. Wow.

So while finals will undoubtedly suck, the summer should be pretty sweet. If anyone else is gonna be in Vegas during July, let me lnow!

The One from the Lido Deck of the MS Westerdam
Im on the cruise, obviously. We are currently in Costa Maya, Mexico. Its going very well, and as wireless internet is very expensive on a ship, ill end this by wishing everyone a happy new year. See you in 2006!

The One from the Greater Rochester International Airport
Well, it’s the end of another semester. Thank god. I had my last and without a doubt hardest final last night, and I stayed up all night to pack and clean my room. Yes, I pulled yet another Jessica.

This semester has been suprising productive. Yes, I took waaaay too many courses, but I got the work done, and I learned stuff, and this might end up being my best academic semester yet. How strange would that be. Anyway, even more importantly, I think that I really got my act together. I finally got a job for the first time ever(actually, next semester, I will have 3 paid positions) which is important to have, for me. I also realized what I want to go once I graduate(graduate school in infectious disease epidemiology, hopefully PhD, but might end up being an MS as grad programs for undergrads are few and far between for infectious disease epidemiology). I can’t explain how much of a relief this is- now hopefully I won’t change my mind in the next 5 minutes.

Anyway, now I am on my way home, to see my cats and eat sushi. On Monday, I go on a cruise. Yeah, life right now is looking pretty good.

The One on Black Friday
Yay for Thanksgiving. However, boo for a biochem midterm this Monday. This really sucks. I can't wait until this semester is over.

Anyway, thanksgivingh has been fun and exciting. Since my laptop has disinegrated to a sorry state of getting error messages every other second, and getting the blue screen of death everyday, to the latest frustration of it not seeing my wireless card so I couldn't go online, my parents told me I could get a new computer. So, this morning, my mom and I did the improbable and went to Tysons on black friday. The apple store was having $100 off ibooks, so i bought a 12 inch one. I got the computer, as well as office and applecare, and with my student discount, it was only $1260. Its the cheapest computer we've bought in awhile. Anyway, its very pretty, and I like it.

So, we did go to tysons which was an absolute madhouse. We had to go to 2 different garages to get a spot. Once we got inside, it was scaringly crowded. However, I'm glad I went because I got to see the new expansion completed. Theres now an AMC theater, a Barnes and Noble, as well as several new stores; hollister, ruehl, oakley, the north face, urban outfitters, and those are just the ones that I had a chance to see(i also got my haircut, so I did not have too much time for shopping. besides, it was too crowded for my taste.) My mom bought me clothes, and we saw Rent which was good, in addition to Harry Potter which I saw on wednesday. I really liked Harry Potter- however, it was a bit alarming to see cedric, think hes really cute, and then hear my mom saying the same thing.

Tomorrow will be really exciting. I'm going to the library so I can study. wow. Then, i'll see Pride and Prejudice, and hopefully have some more fun before returning to rochester on sunday night, for a long evening of studying.

The One with the start of the olympic season!
Right now, I am watching the Campbell's International Figure Skating Classic, the first competition of the year. While it really doesn't matter, it is none the cless the start of the season. while watching, I thought of a drinking game for this olympic season.

Do a shot for

~Everytime someone skates to Tosca
~Every failed attempt of quads for men and triple axels for ladies. Note: this includes double-footed landing
~Every Bielmann(whether in a spin or a spiral)
~Every time Belbin's lack of American citizenship is mentioned
~Every time Lysascek or Weir's lack of a clean quad is mentioned
~Every time Sarah Hughes is mentioned as the sister of Emily Hughes

Wow. This would really get people drunk. But hey, it might be the only way to get certain people to watch figure skating!

Anyway, with the return of the season means that soon fantasy figure skating will also be beginning, with a new format that sounds like it will be more like fantasy football.

The One about classes
now that the first complete week of classes of the semester is over, i thought i'd comment about all of them in lieu of actually doing work for any of them. after all, the amazing race is on!

BCH 250 Biochemistry: So far this is going pretty well. I am understanding everything thus far, and i have a good workshop, for once. the thing that really sucks is that the first test is on my birthday.

PHY 113 General Physics I: Ugh, i hate physics. The professor is funny and again, I have a good workshop, but i really hate physics. I guess since I have to take this, at least everything else is going well.

HLS 216 Peer Health Advocacy: Wow, I love easy courses. Although I didn't get the group assignment I wanted, the class should be easy enough so it is worth it.

PM 415 Principles of Epidemiology: So far, I'm loving this class. I really like the material, and I am understanding it. It has really made me consider yet more ways to go after college(getting an masters in public health etc0

ASL 102 Beginning ASL 2: Eh, its ok. I have a video and a book assignment due tomorrow, so thats kinda bothering me.

MBI 395W Otitis Media Immunity: Yay, I love my lab. I finally got started with my project again last Friday, and though it was frustrating that I had to repeat much of my work from the summer due to bacterial contamination, my data turned out better. And, by the end of this semester, I will be COMPLETELY done with upper level writing!

CAS 356 College Mentors: Its only two credits. Thats the only redeeming factor thus far. Its not really helpful for being a freshman fellow which is the whole point. At least its only every other week.

Oh, and heres a quote from Prof Tipton(physics) when talking about the pit "Theres like 60 forms of grease. I don't know why you guys aren't one big heap of acne."

The One about orientation and the first week of classes
So last thursday was freshmen move-in and the beginning of orientation. It was pretty hot, and exhasuting, seeing as I am very, very weak, and stuff is heavy, especially carrying it up one or two flights of stairs. However, it was nice to spend time with Seth and Abby, who were helping out with move-in.

Of course, that also meant that the freshmen moved in, obviously. One minor detail that I did not mention previously was due to the assignments of freshmen fellows and d'lions, as well as the general set-up of the hall, there are 47 freshmen for who I am a freshmen fellow. Its a lot. I think(hope) I know at least all of their names by now.

Orientation was extraordinarily hectic. There was too much planned in such little time. But sunday was awesome, as more people started showing up again on campus! However, that also meant that classes were starting. In a stroke of pure genius, classes started on a Thursday. Two days of class in a week to start off the year just doesn't seem worth it for me. Anyway, my classes for this semester is:

MBI 395W Independent Research
PM 415 Principles of Epidemiology
BIO 250 Biochemistry
HLS 216 Peer Health Advocacy
PHY 113 Physics I
ASL 102 Beginning ASL II
CAS 356 College Mentors

Yes, I know that this is a lot of classes. Yes I know that I am crazy. Yes I know that this is too much. I'm going to reevaluate all of this in three weeks, and make changes depending how this is all going.

The One with changes in orientation
So now I'm pretty much done with freshman fellow orientation. yay. it was boring, and poorly organized, but its over.

Of course as part of freshman fellow orientation, we find out whats going on for orientation. you know, they really had to cut down, going from 10 days to 7. anyway, the most substantial change, in my opinion is that wilson days is no longer required, as they appaently dont have enough places for us to work. we were all shocked, as i can imagine there will be somewhat low participation for an optional event that may require immense manual labor. i will go, that is if our project doesn't require manual labor, as it means another shirt, in addition to the three i already got today.

anyway, i was watching tv, i think cbs, and there was a commercial for the local news. it was some story about a rapist. only rapist was spelled rapest on the screen. it was most bizarre and careless.

The One with another person I know
If anyone watched the daily show tonite, and saw the segment about confirming supreme court nominees, kenneth duberstein(the one compared to peter griffin) is the father of a guy who was in my class from elementary to high school.

Note to self: try to know more people on the correct side of politics. and get these people on the daily show

The First One from Hoeing
I finally completed my 6th move into Hoeing. I love my new room, even though it is somewhat smaller than my GLC room, it is bigger than both of the towers rooms. It is also in a really good location- near the women's bathroom but not too close, and close to the door. Now I have to unpack, which I actually already started. The good news about moving in this early is that by the time freshman orientation and classes start, I should be all set up. Though I will have to get more storage somehow. Cause the quad doesn't have enough.

In other news, apparently The Cutting Edge 2 is coming out, starring Christy Carlson Romano, and the original stars. This kinda scares me. I do not think the first one was the greatest movie, but I will probably see it at some point, as it is still a movie about figure skating.

So in case you couldnt tell by the fact that I found out about a figure skating movie before its release, the summer has continued to be very . . . uneventful. And by that I mean most of my time isn't occupied. Its been . . . AWESOME. I revel in doing nothing but watching TV and being online. This doesn't bode well for entering the working world, but I'll deal with that once I get there

The One with news from high school
Ok, im apparently incompetent, as I do not seem able to link to this. so heres the URL

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/13/AR2005071302448.html
http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=14888570&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=511692&rfi=6

Its an article about 3 graduates of my high school involved in some graffiti ring. Two of whom I knew personally, and the third I did not know at all. One of them Matthias Martin(who i do not think is 22) was our class president for 2 years and someone I had several classes with, as well as the only person who was on both of the Europe trips I took with my high school. I was also in band with Richard Lee since 8th grade and is better known as "my buddy Richard" in the words of my mom, because when i was really sick during band festival he was very helpful and nice, offering to carry my bass clarinet and such. While I have not talked to either one since high school, I know that Matthias was at NYU. The whole situation seems a bit bizzare, as I don't really see the two of them doing much together let alone commit crimes. I must say when i heard graffiti, I was really suprised that Matthias was involved. But upon reading more, I am not as suprised. It sounds like the kind of thing he could be involved in. Richard, I have no idea how he got involved. Between the two of them and the football captain(i think) who shot at people with i think a BB gun or something similar from his dorm window and the president of NHS who plagarized for the UVA school paper(and didn't get punished at all. so much for UVA illustrious honor code) my class is proving to be quite the example. I guess it goes to prove that its a good thing I was not 'successful in' high school, as who knows where I'd be now. And I guess it somehow explains how I could not stand so much of high school

The One in anticipation of Harry Potter
Harry Potter is coming out in 2 days. I'm excited though i stil don't know how i'll get a copy. Anyway, i thought i'd bring up several areas that might not be the main focus of the book, but will help make it.

1. Though it has been much discussed already, i submit another person that might be killed: Cho Chang. I have not seen her suggested, but she does seem a likely candidate. I definitely think that something more romantically related will happen with her and Harry again, which will be interesting within itself. This could lead to Voldemort killing her to get to Harry, or something. Either way, I think she will play some role in the next book

2. On a similar note, I don't think there is a doubt that there will be some relationships. Now, who will be involved? Will Ron and Hermione be involved? Any ideas?

3. Quiddich. I think that Harry will be Quiddich captain this year, and I'm pretty sure Ron will be keeper, and Ginny will switch to chaser. It should be interesting to see who will make up the rest of the team, since i think that the rest of the team will have left(George, Fred, Angelina definitely)

4. OWLs. I'm not sure exxactly how they work in terms of how many you can get etc. I think if you reach a certain level, then you get an OWL. I think its pretty well decided that Hermione will do well, though we'll see how they do on Astronomy, since it wasa interupted.

5. Percy. I think that he will reconcile with his parents. I just don't know exactly when it will be.

Ok, thats all that I can think of for now. If anyone has any ideas on this or any other area, feel free to comment

The One with totally awesome TV
I'm baaaaack! sure i wasnt gone well, but whatever. it was so nice to have air conditioning as well as getting to spend time with my parents and eating really good food. however, the traveling was not so fun. i had three flights both ways, and there were babies to ~5 yr olds on 5 of the flights around me screaming the whole time. it further solidified my lack of liking little kids. That, and since my second flight was late, i just made my last connection. however, my luggage did not. I'm waiting for it to be delivered, but that has to wait for the next flight, which as of now will not get in until after midnight.

so right now i am watching laguna beach. for those of you who do not watch as much television as i do, which would be pretty hard, it follows the lives of like 8 popular teenagers living in laguna beach, the 'real' orange county. its basically a teenage soap opera of pretty people with lots of money. why i watch this show, i do not know. then again i watch a lot of other interesting choices when it comes to television. this summer has included strip search, kept, real world, i wanna be a hilton, the scholar. . . the list goes on. what would i do without tv, that i do not know. i guess be really bored.

in other news, i am hopefully going to be improving my poker skills in anticipation of my upcoming birthday. if jennifer tilly can do it, then maybe i have a shot

The One from Tuscon
I'm finally in Tuscon, in my parents new house. Since I couldn't work in the lab this week, I came here, to a place thats even hotter, though with a dry heat, and even more importantly, 3 ZONE AIR CONDITIONING. Anyway, the house is beautiful, as is the mountain view, and I got to be the first to stay in the casita. Ha Ha Tracey!

So, this has been a really good week, filled with lots of people, including one important one in particular. And, I actually saw fireworks, for the first time in many years.

Thats about the basics, as I don't want to clog up the phone line. Now, I may go buy a bathing suit, gasp. Well, I might try

The One with some random thoughts
1. I am very sad and scared that Sandra Day O'Conner is resigning from the supreme court
2. Microsoft Excel has been very useful this week. It saved me several hours in the lab. I'm sure another product would have done the same thing but a. I knew how to use excel and b. that was what was on the computers at the lab
3. Some of the nurses at UHS scare me. One went off in a 5 minute tangent about the meaning of time, when all I needed was to check the TB test, which took 2 seconds
4. This weekend is going to be BORING
5. There should be ESPN2 in towers. it would give me much to do i.e. watch tennis all the time
6. Yay for being able to see someone in particular soon

The One in room #6
So this weekend was the mandatory summer room switch. I realized that this is the 6th room ive been in since comming to UR. I have also never been out of campus housing. Also, by this september, I will have been in every campus housing except the frat quad and phase.

Other than that, i finally started doing research at the med center. i am testing the immune response of 2 month olds to bacteria causing ear infections. I am really enjoying it so far. I like learning new techniques, and seeing concretely the applications of the research. Besides, the lab has really cool equipment. Electrapettes are the best invention ever!!!

The First One from towers
I'm back from 2 and a halfish weeks at home and other places. it was soooo nice to not do anything, highlights of the break included

-going to chicago and seeing Cate and my dad's work
-getting glasses for the 1st time in 5 years in addition to my contacts
-watching 1 complete seasons of Gilmore Girls as well as 1/2 a season of Popular
-eating lots and lots of yummy sushi
-seeing Erin and Joe from high school

So now im in towers in a tiny room. i think its smaller than the glc bitch room. there is not enough room for my stuff. but janice is here for another week, so we're having lots of fun. and there is going to be lots of fun this weekend. other than that, i haven't been doing anything except watch tv, dvds and go to the gym. its a pretty good life, i tell you. well, soon i will have an interview, and then i start work in the lab on the 15th. other than that, just looking forward to seeing people, especially one 6 time zones away

The One where Moveon.org is a bunch of idiots (Matt, you have to see this)
as much as I complain about Lori's Natural Foods and other dumb commercials, this one wins the prize for worst commercial EVER

http://www.moveonpac.org/savetherepublic/

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