Remember When?

Remember last year when I went to CLC National Conference in Houston? Do you recall how geeked out I reported being EVERY SINGLE DAY that I was there?

Well, my friends, Space Camp has now topped Houston. It has been a truly amazing week. I've ridden the 1/6th gravity chair, the multiple axis trainer, and talked with Apollo and shuttle era astronauts and rocket scientists from Apollo and Ares development. I'm seriously in geek heaven.

I will be posting pictures when I get home and can utilize my cool memory stick port on my laptop (which I did not bring with me... darnit).

I know this is a short post, but I have to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow for our water training. This will involve being attached to a "parachute" trainer that simulates a water dump from a shuttle launch. We also will be going through a helicopter dump. In this simulation, we will be in a "helicopter" that is going down in water and we have to swim out and away from the helicopter. I'm terrified. But excited at the same time.

Also, I am seriously contemplating a career change now. I'm looking into the possibility of this and if it is a viable change, I'll let you know. But for now, I'm keeping it between my husband and me. Hint: It does not involve me becoming an astronaut.

Space Camp

This next week, I will be at Space Camp for Educators. SCE is in Huntsville, Alabama, just like Space Camp for kids.

Luckily, I am familiar with at least two of the other teachers from St. Louis that are also going on this trip paid for by Boeing. By the way, THANKS BOEING!

I am very excited about this week. I know that I will be taking classes on Martian Math, Hydroponics (growing plants without soil) among many other fun spacey lessons. One of them even includes a pool. This oughtta be fun.

I do not know if I will be able to blog during this week, but if I have access, I will try to blog at least once. I will have my digital camera with me, so I will definitely be posting pictures when I get back next Sunday. In case you don't hear from me until I get back, have a great week!

Morganarama!

This has been a whole fun-filled week with nothing but Morgan!! Morgan came into town so she and I could work on our presentation that we will hopefully be giving this fall at the Science Teachers of Missouri Conference. But of course, while she was in town, we had hella fun. Because that's what we do when we get together. That is our super power.

I love my Morgan, and I hope she drove safely and carefully today to get home to her Mike.

Transformers Movie

Went to see the Transformers movie Tuesday night.... Drum Roll Please.... It Rocked!!!! The CGI was pretty good (with the exception that Optimus had lips... sorry, you just can't talk me into liking how that looked). The acting was superb. Shia LaBeouf was phenomenal. Totally believable as a 16/17 year old nerd kid just trying to get some. He's probably so good at it because when he was 16/17, he was the Holes star, just trying to get some. Not to say that I believe he has been untoward towards any female, but you know what I mean.

Megan Fox was good, too. She reminded me (and a friend of mine) of Jennifer Connelly back in her Labyrinth days. (Seriously, now I'm just challenging myself to see how many movies I can reference in one post).

John Turturro (from O Brother Where Art Thou, Mr. Deeds and The Big Lebowski) was hilarious, as always.

If you want to know whether or not I recommend that you go see this movie, I would say you should. It is definitely worth your $10 and two hours of your time. The action is heart pounding and the story is interesting. You actually care about the characters that you are supposed to care about.

So go see it, Bee-Otch! (This last line will be much funnier when you actually see the film.)

Dangerous

What is dangerous you ask? My husband going out of town and my sister and me going shopping almost everyday that he's gone.

The first night he was gone, we hit Target where I purchased a few things I needed for when I go to Space Camp next week. That trip was somewhat expensive.

Yesterday, we went to Garden Ridge where I bought items to decorate our home, a hubby pillow (mine is literally falling apart), and bath rugs for our basement bathroom.

Today was the mall. The Mall. JCPenney for a couple of camisoles and New York and Co. (my all time favorite store for clothing) where I bought a few things for work, and a pair of shorts for when I'm not at work.

All told, I think I spent about $300. But, I did return some curtains that we didn't end up using, so really, I only spent $225. That sounds better, right???

Space Stuff

Seriously, my NASA TV addiction is sickening. Only one or two more days of it, though. I honestly feel bad for Ben, cuz I know the guy has got to be sick of it. But I can't help it.

Even at work, I have NASA TV running on my computer 24/7. But it's so neat getting to see live video streaming from space. I feel like I know the awe that people must have felt in 1969 when Neil and Buzz landed on the moon. It just is so cool that we have this technology, that we live in this day and age. Too bad that so many people just don't even have a clue. But I know the interest is there, because when I tell people what I do, I always get a barrage of questions asking me about astronauts, the shuttle and the space station.

I just wish the media gave more attention to the space program, but since they don't, people don't know much about when missions are ongoing. I understand that people have lives, and hobbies and other interests. I know how hard it is to keep up with all the information that comes from NASA, but these are your tax dollars at work, how can you not pay attention to something so fascinating? How often do you find something that you pay for with taxes interesting? Almost never.

Oh well.... maybe when we go back to the moon people will pay attention again. If not, at least landing on Mars will catch their attention. (I hope.)

Racing for the Cure a la St. Louis Style

I'm still waiting for final numbers, but it was predicted that at least 64,000 people participated in this morning's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in St. Louis. Here are some of the awe inspiring pictures taken during my time in the "Fun Run" (during which no actual running occurred on my part).


Ben and Me

The crowd stretching out in front of us

The crowd behind us

Near the finish line

(From left to right: Jennie, Craig, Ben, Jessi and Tiff)
UPDATE: According to ksdk.com, the number of participants for the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure is over 65,000! Read here.

Also, check out this guy's commitment to finding a cure:

You're supposed to be looking at the guy in the center of the picture, just below the sign "Friends of Jenn."

Sad Day in Science

Yesterday, Don Herbert, best known as Mr. Wizard, passed away. I watched his TV show on Nickelodeon when I was a kid. It was great. He showed all kinds of great science experiments and explained the science behind them in a way that a third/fourth grader could understand.

RIP Mr. Wizard

Housewarming Party

It's been six months since Hubby and I moved into our new house. So, we' figured it was about time for a housewarming party. We also made it a M-I-L birthday party, since his mom's birthday was this past Friday.

The party was a typical June BBQ. We had grilled garlic butter shrimp, bratwurst and burgers. There were all the normal BBQ party sides, plus my yummy cute cupcakes. I forgot to take a picture when the cupcake holder was full, so you'll just have to imagine it full.


Top View

Side View
The cupcakes are Pillsbury Funfetti. The frosting is Pillsbury Classic White Extra Creamy. The sprinkles are daisy shaped, and super yummy. Finally, I got the cupcake holder at my local grocery store (Dierberg's). It also has a top that locks the whole thing together so you can carry the cupcakes wherever you want to go! Since they weren't all gone by Sunday night, I took these (plus the four that got eaten today) to work with me. I'll just have to bring them back tomorrow so Ben and I aren't stuck eating all of them. Although, we will be having cupcakes for dessert tonight.

Oh yeah... the best part is that I made these cupcakes in silicone baking cups. That means they are reusable, so they're better for the environment than throwing away more paper baking cups. I hope the FlipFlopMamma approves.

Miscellaneous

Well, it was another good weekend. And it's not even over yet.

It started with our friend Bob staying at our house Thursday night so he could see a doctor for his Vitamin D stuff. Also, we were going to be leaving that day to drive to Louisville, Kentucky to see my bro-in-law graduate. The drive down was uneventful until we got to Louisville and realized two very funny things (they're funny now, but they weren't funny at 11:00 p.m. Friday night).
1) Louisville city planners apparently really like making people search high and low to find street name signs. They are not posted uniformly around town. So it's a real pain in the butt to figure out where on God's green Earth you are to figure out where you're supposed to be going!

2) Our hotel is the same dumpy hotel that we swore we wouldn't stay in ever again. Granted, we made this promise to ourselves about two years ago, the last time we visited Louisville with Mattito. Next time, we're totally staying at the Marriott.

So, my bro-in-law graduated Saturday morning and he is now officially a doctor. Not the medical kind, the kind that tries to fix your head. A psychologist. After graduation, Ben, Matt, Bob and myself went to Wal-Mart and Target to find the Optimus Prime voice modulating helmet. We found it at Target, and had a hell of a lot of fun with it. First of all, it makes you sound like Satan. Secondly, it looks hilarious on people. And we've only had adults wearing this thing. Ben sang me lullabies with it on while I was trying to take a nap on our dumpy hotel mattress Saturday afternoon. That was really funny.

We also have decided to see how the cat reacts to it. I'll have to update you all on that front later. Ben is currently out at Toys-R-Us to return this helmet for one that has Peter Cullen's voice instead of Garry Chalk's. If you don't know who they are, don't worry, I didn't either until I met Ben. They are the two semi-famous gentlemen who have voiced Optimus Prime over the past 20-odd years. Here's the helmet ad picture:


Here's what it looks like on people I know:


The top picture is my father. The bottom picture is the newest doctor in our family reading the card I got him (with the voice changing microphone turned on). I'll try and take a movie of someone talking in it to post.

Here's a YouTube movie with the voice changer on:

Cheeky Jewelry Contest

I was turned on to this contest by the Flip Flop Mamma.

Go check out Cheeky Jewelry!

If I won the gift certificate, I'd probably get a nice necklace. I really am in need of a nice gold necklace.

Thanks for hosting the contest, AdventuresinBabywearing!

Guess What...

I'm typing this blog entry on my brand new laptop!!! Ben surprised me with it last night and actually presented it to me this evening after he improved it by putting my preferred apps and software on it.

I've seriously got the best husband ever. Just wanted you all to know that. The laptop surprise doesn't make that true, it just strengthens the argument that he is. With all he does for me, he's the best.

Talk about scary

What a way to make you take inventory of your life and health....

This past weekend, my 37 friend had a heart attack. This is a guy who runs miles, bikes for more miles and swims, too. He's what most would say would be the last guy to have a heart attack. It just really goes to show that high cholesterol IS really bad for you.

Luckily, though, he's in good health, and the attack sounds like it was minor, for a heart attack. He should be home tomorrow.

Seriously...it just blows my mind that someone that age can have a heart attack. I understand that this is possible, you just really don't think that it can happen that young.

And now for the funniest thing I've seen all week...

A day late for Wordless Wednesday, but this is AWESOME!

I've seen a million faces....

Finish it.... "And I've rocked them all!"

!!!!!!!American Idol SPOILER ALERT!!!!! (Just in case you're like me and don't watch AI right away)

So, tonight Ben, Jessica and I finally watched American Idol from this week, and whew... Blake is still on the show! He totally kicked everyone's butt with his version of "You Give Love a Bad Name."

Check it out:

Funny Names of U. S. Cities

While reading a news article about James Doohan's (Star Trek's "Scotty") ashes being launched into space, I noticed that the rocket lifted off from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

How the hell does a town get a name like that? So that had me Googling to see what other funny names were out there. So here are a few of my personal favorites in no particular order:

Monkey's Eyebrow, AZ (do monkey's REALLY have eyebrows?)
Yeehaw Junction, FL
Zook, KS
Krypton, KY
Dry Prong, LA (is there a Wet Prong nearby?)
Cummaquid, MA (I don't want to know....)
Gay, MI
Hell, MI (how close are those two towns?)
Blue Ball, PA
Intercourse, PA (the previous town was named after this one disappeared... not really, but I like to think so)
China Grove, TX
China Grove, TX (apparently there are two of them....)
Chocolate Bayou, TX (I want to live there if there is one!)

And the winner is:
(drumroll please........)
Beaverlick, KY

Luggage Update

They found our luggage! Woohoo! Although, I guess I shouldn't celebrate yet since we have no clue what condition our bag is in, but I'm sure hoping it's going to be just fine.

Compare and Contrast

So here's the dealio, I'm going to compare and contrast this past cruise with my previous two cruises.

Comparisons:

1) Jessica STILL believes that every guy on board the ship is totally in love with her (even and especially the gay ones).

2) Jessica still gets way frickin' hilarious when she's wasted.

3)Same Caribbean born Cruise director from my very first cruise.

Contrasts:
1) Mucho luggage problems this time (soaked suit bag on day of arrival, lost bag on day of departure). Still no word on that bag.

2) Loads of friends on this cruise, including two new friends from Austin, TX. I'll post their pic later. They are Too cute for words.

3) I got sea sick AFTER coming home from this cruise! What the hell? For about two days after I'm off the ship, it feels like I'm still there, but now I'm actually getting dizzy and sometimes a little nauseous. Not cool. Bigger ships from now on.

It's Cruisin' Time, Baby!

Woohoo! In less than 48 hours, I will be on the ship, enjoying a frozen alcoholic beverage of some sort. I cannot wait.

Wish y'all could/would join us.... I bet cruises are uber cheap this close to sailing.

New Blessings

1) Friends to go cruising with

2) Healthy parents

3) Cruise ships on which to go cruising.