Venus Transit

Did you get to see the transit of Venus across the sun last week? If not you'll have to wait until 2117 to see it again. This shouldn't be a problem if you invent time travel or figure out how to download your consciousness into another body. If you figure out the time travel bit can you take me with you?

from my phone:

Old Man

The hubby turned 30! I'm allowed to call him an old man since I'm six months older. Although, if he called me an old woman he would need to bring a blanket and pillow with him to the back seat of that beautiful car he bought himself.

For the big third floor assent I threw him a surprise party when his parents where in town. It was a blast, the party not the planning. Never try to plan a surprise party at the home of a male while his father is in town. I could not get those two to leave the house, and then they came home almost 2 hours late. His father was in on it too. Note to self, do not employ the father-in-law to help with a surprise party.

In the end, it was fun, surprise was had, swimming was attempted, cake was eaten, all was well.

Isn't he handsome (black socks with sneakers and all)

A not so relaxing time of year

As most of you are probably experiencing, this time of year is not very relaxing. I have so many things to do that I simply ignore them all and pretend they don't exist. Because somehow they will magically accomplish themselves, right?

For now, let's just reminisce about those lazy summer days, shall we. (Summer in Texas is October, so these pictures aren't too old)

6 Years

This past weekend the husband and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. We have experienced so much in these past years, but at the same time it has flown by. I can't believe we have been together for twelve and a half years.

In these past six year we have moved to Chicago. We rented a house, then a duplex, then another house. We bought our first house together, and did a lot of work on it. We went on our first cruise. We experienced heartache and loss together. We navigated the path through graduate school. We moved to Texas, and bought our forever home. I couldn't imagine having these experiences with anyone but him.

I feel so extremely lucky to have found someone so early in life who is my best friend. Who finds their soul mate in high school and actually stays with them (besides you YankeeDrawl)? How lucky am I? I'm getting all teary eyed just writing this.

We are definitely not perfect, but I have never found being together hard. "Us" has always come easily. We fight, although we like to say we "discuss", but we always work things out. I know it is cliche, but never going to bed angry has definitely worked for us.

To celebrate 6 years together here are 6 great things about my husband.

1) He is funny. Sometimes I tell him he isn't funny so he doesn't get a big head, but he definitely makes me laugh a lot.

2) He is a big dork. So am I, so this makes us perfect for each other. I told him he could never leave me because he would never find any other hot chick that likes Sci-Fi, geology, and hates sports.

3)He is a great friend. He always calls his friends for their birthdays, or calls them because something reminded him of them. If one of his friends needed something he would be right there helping them out.

4)He accepts my quirkiness. Who else would make my doctors appointments for me because of my irrational fear of talking on the phone?

5)He is great with kids. My sister's son, Michael, loves him more than me.

6)He is the love of my life and my best friend.

Android: Vignette Demo: Porta Filter

Android: Vignette Demo: Porta Filter: Grungy Instant Transfer 1 Frame

Duet

I loved having my husband home for a weekend. I can't wait for him to be home for good. You almost forget all of those annoying things guys do when they are away for a long time.

Day 6: Sian Ka’an

Day 6, Sian Ka’an

Sian Ka’an means “where the sky is born” or “gift from the sky” in Mayan. This is definitely a fitting name for the water is as blue as the sky.

This is definitely one of my favorite days (although you will probably hear me saying that about everyday). I skipped day 5 because I pretty much spent the entire day in an Office Max trying to get copies of the field guide. On Day 6 the entire group was finally there, so we started doing some real research.

We started this day with the usual, waiting around. Things happen slowly in Mexico so it usually takes some time before things start to happen (hence spending an entire day trying to get copies made at Office Mex).







A typical "Yucatan Peninsula” fiber glass boat took us to measuring salinity in the first lake in the biosphere reserve.











After getting some measurements, our boat started heading straight toward the coast. The problem was that we weren’t slowing down. We were heading full speed, about to crash into the coast, when suddenly a canal opened up in front of us. I can say one thing about our boat guide; he definitely knew how to handle the boat and knew exactly where he was going.







We took a couple more hydrolab measurements in the second lake before heading to a Mayan ruin for lunch.









After lunch we got in the water in the canal to do some flow measurements. We wanted to know how fast the water was being transported from one lake to the other and then out to the sea.










On the way out to the ocean we stopped by a natural spring. This supplies fresh water to the lakes. You can even dive down and explore the cave (if you are doing research and if you are a cave diver).








We ended the day with a quick walk along the beach. You can’t beat the beautiful blue sky, the bright blue water, and the soft white sand.







I guess that wasn’t really the end of the day, because when we went to leave the biosphere we had our first (and pretty much our only) mishap on the trip. Somebody decided to take a swim with the keys in his pocket (caughDerekcaugh). Now, usually this wouldn’t be a big deal, but this wasn’t any normal car. It was a French car. You can’t start the car without the electronic locator in the key. If that gets wet you’re not going anywhere. After some attempts at popping the clutch we realized we were going to need a new car. Several calls were made, and a group of people headed off to dinner while the rest of us waited for another car.









During the wait Rich, Donna, and I hiked through the rain forest. It was getting dark and loud scary noises were heard. I swear there was a crocodile in there. Along the trail we came across a lookout tower. I swear I am not afraid of heights but this thing was scary. The wood looked like it was breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all of the termites in the Yucatan. I made it to the top with white knuckles from holding on to the railings for dear life.




We made it back to the van just in time to hear it start up. Drying out the electronics was the key. More phone calls were made to cancel our rescue van and we were off to Tulum for dinner.

This video is pretty long, but it will give you an idea of what the boat ride was like.