4.23.11 - Bread picnic

Jack learned how to make bread.

It is absolutely delicious.

So we got grapes and tomatos and cheese and stuff and went to find a picnic spot.

We actually drove around for kind of awhile, but it was worth the view when we did land.

4.17.11 - Noodle Theory

It was an overcast day, though not too chilly to sit outside comfortably. We walked from the apartment. Even so, the warm noodle soup was pretty enjoyable.

4.15.11 - Surprise A and a BBQ

Jack was off work!!  He's been working way more than usual lately so it was nice to finally get to spend some time with him.  He drove me to campus and on the way we listened to several On The Rocks songs, which makes a great start to any day.  When he dropped me off I got out of the car right as my history GSI was walking by, and she and I discussed my research paper rough draft, which she believes I should submit for a research scholarship.  Woot!

History discussion was more interesting than usual.  We talked about whether or not the feminist movement of the 1960s/70s had any effects and if so what were they and to what extent.  Flew by.  Then I walked in the gorgeous springtime weather to history lecture where we learned about the background to affirmative action.  It was interesting.  The professor showed this chart about how many more women started getting more Bachelors degrees in traditionally male-dominated fields after Title IX.  I wish she had gone into more detail about how programs readjusted to qualify for Title IX funds; was it quotas or something more subtle?  She also talked about how affirmative action really drove a wedge between the civil rights movement and the labor movement.  I'd never thought about that.  I really enjoy this class.  The professor clearly has her own views but overall I think she does a fairly good job of showing both sides.

Anyway, then I walked through more gorgeous spring weather to my Pchem class, where I dreaded getting my midterm grade back because I was fairly sure I bombed it.  I dreaded it even more after getting to class and learning that the class average for this midterm was even higher than the first midterm, meaning less of a curve, damn.  But THEN I found out that I actually did one point higher than a standard deviation above the average which basically means: A!  Woohoo!!  Maybe I will get straight A's this semester after all, bwahahaha!  I was really excited about that.

Jack picked me up.  Not long after we got home Ellen texted to see if we were busy and she decided to come over and hang out for the day, so that was a pleasant surprise.  We went for a walk and talked, talked, talked.  I picked some more flowers for pressing because why not.  Then there was a lazy evening in between in which Neil, Jack, and eventually even Ellen took naps while I just did some craft-type things.  If I'm not going to get homework done I may as well get something done.

Then Ellen, Jack and I went to Doug's for a bbq and it was very enjoyable.  Brauts, grilled zucchini, artichoke with mayo/soy sauce mix (surprisngly good), Lambrusco.  We met a guy from Minnesota and bonded over midwestern weather and other cultural differences.  He had a good sense of humor.  Super pleasant evening.