If I wasn't so busy, this car situation would be damn funny. Yesterday morning, I decided I was finally going to take my car into the shop to have the shocks and struts looked at. I knew they needed fixing, but since J has been out of town since March I didn't really need a second car. I had an hour and a half free, though, which is so rare, I decided to take advantage of it. I drove my little red car up the street to the mechanic, left it there with instructions to check the shocks, struts, and brakes, then walked home. Then I went to my 11:00 meeting, to work on the weeklong science camp for teachers we're doing next week, and my phone rang.

mechanic: hello, is this Jill?
me: yes. how can I help you?
mechanic: we were wondering how you normally start your car.
me: usually I just put the key in the ignition and turn it *eye roll*
mechanic: so there's no trick to it?
me: not that I know of... why? *dread is filling me now*
mechanic: we can't start it.
me: what?
mechanic: we just can't start the car.
me: why? (why do I even have to ask this question?)
mechanic: we don't know
me: what do you mean, you don't know? don't you guys, um, fix cars?
mechanic: well, we just can't start your car. it has battery power but won't turn over. what would you like us to do?
me: you can't fix it?
mechanic: not without starting it first. we keep trying but can't start it. we're sorry. what would you like us to do?
me: just keep it. I'll have it towed elsewhere tomorrow.

Ok, srsly?? I spent an hour and a half dealing with this dumb car again today! I had it towed to a trusty shop while I went to work, and these other guys are trying to fix it. They think it's the crappy after-market alarm some jackass put in and then took out wrong. It's just so weird that a mechanic would call me to ask me why my car wouldn't start! I hope these other guys can fix it cause I just can't deal with this kind of shit right now. Damn.

1. What was your favorite class/subject in school?
Since junior high, it's always been science. The only science class I didn't like in high school was physics, and the only science class I didn't like in college was quantum mechanics. Both of those classes were taught by a teacher I didn't like.

2. Who was your favorite teacher?
I had two: Mr. Lynch, who taught biotechnology in 10th grade, and Mr. Ellison, my high school chemistry teacher.

3. Why was your favorite teacher your favorite?
Both taught incredibly challenging, inquiry-based courses, and I knew that I wanted to be a scientist after I took them. Mr. Lynch used a curriculum developed at the U of W centered on the human genome project, so we spent a semester sequencing human DNA. We didn't have a thermocycler, so he stayed at school and transferred tubes b/t water baths. And my chemistry teacher, he challenged me more than any other teacher ever had. It was the first class I ever took that I had to actually work for the A, and I was incredibly proud of myself for accomplishing so much in his class.

4. What would you have liked to major in in college? Or what will you major in if you go to college?
I majored in chemistry, and I was just a couple of courses short of doubling in psychology.

5. Would you rather go to a small, medium, or large college, if you had the money to go to any of the three?
The undergrad I went to had only 1500 students, and that was too small. I am in grad school at a medium sized school, and it suits me much better.

Yesterday I went running with Zoey, my five dollar watch, and my iPod shuffle. Let me tell you, the five dollar watch is probably the best workout investment ever. It's comfortable, and it has a timer on it so I can tell how long I've been going! So I made it 20 minutes yesterday. 20 friggin minutes. Srsly, I really need to keep this up so that I can go longer! Zoey seemed pretty tired by the end of the run, too, and since she has such wee legs that's not too surprising. My legs are a bit tired today but overall it's not so bad. And my iPod has good running music on it too, though I have to figure out what to do with the extra thousand feet of cord hanging from my headphones...

I can find happiness in the smallest things, like today when I walked through campus barefoot and could feel the grass tickling my feet :)

1. What do you feel is the most important quality in a close friend?
He has to be comfortable enough with me that I can tell him anything, not be judged, but still be called on my shit. Like, I don't want him to make me feel like I'm an intrinsically bad person because I messed up, but I want my friend to be straight with me to make me a better person.

2. What is the one quality in a stranger you'd just met that would make you want to get to know them better? The stranger must be intriguing... otherwise, why'd I want to learn more? I don't want to know everything about him or her, but enough little teasers that tell me, wow, that person is cool! Those little tastes could be interesting political views (not necessarily mine), excellent taste in music, a brooding temperament, etc.

3. What do you think is the most important quality in a good leader? The leader needs to be able to admit when he or she was wrong and be willing to learn from the mistake.

4. What is the one thing that makes a child likable to you? Being polite. Too many children are self-absorbed (well, too many people are that way) and it's so refreshing to see a young kid with excellent manners.

5. What do you think is the one thing that makes a good parent (other than loving their children)? Too many parents today focus on being a friend to their kids. They need to be actual parents, and set reasonable limits so that their kids know who's in charge. Trust me, you're not doing your children any favors if you don't set limits.

I haven't written in so long, but I have to talk about LOST.

( cut for spoilers )

Ever felt nauseated and hungry at the same time? It's quite disconcerting.

1. What is your favorite song right now? Why?
Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah.' It's a testament to love, which is possibly the deepest emotion there is, and that song just makes me feel.

2. What genre of music makes you the happiest?
A cappella music, mostly those songs performed by college groups and the like, where they sing versions of popular music. Windmills performed by the 1999 Middlebury Dissipated Eight is gorgeous, as is I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by the 2000 U of Notre Dame Undertones. It's hard to be sad when listening to this type of music, even when the song isn't cheery. There's just something about the singers making all sounds with their own voices that is uplifting.

3. What would you name your band and what kind of music would you play?
My friends and I were joking a long time ago about 'The Dangling Frog' and decided that would be an awesome name for a band. I have no idea why, and I can't even remember what we were originally talking about, but I guess that's what our band would be. And I'd want to play acoustic, singer/songwriter, coffeehouse stuff.

4. What is your favorite lyric of all time? Why?
That's pretty much impossible for me to say. Music means something to me because it sparks emotion with the way I am now, and as events in my life occur and things change, different lyrics take on different meanings. I love the following lines, though:
Love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
One would think that love is amazing, but it isn't always. It's deep, true, but it doesn't always feel good.

God it's so painful when something that's so close is still so far outta reach
I live this line every damn day

In this beautiful life, there's always some sorrow, and it's a double-edged knife, but there's always tomorrow
There are few songs I can listen to that are an instant pick me up, but this is one of them. I love it. I've had many terrible things happen to me in my life, and I love this song because it helps keep everything in perspective.

5. What band/artist could you never live without? Why?
There isn't one. My taste in music varies enough that I am always finding new stuff to love!

1. Smells, and memories. Do you have a scent that when you smell it, brings up a memory? Do share.
The smell of an airport tarmac - that cold, crisp scent mingled with jet fuel - reminds me of travel and going to meet my then-boyfriend when he was coming back from school.

2. Songs. Is there a particular song that brings back happy memories? Song title and memory, if you care to share that much. Crush by Dave Matthews, The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkle, and anything from the Nutcracker Suite.

3. How about a song that brings up painful memories? Closer, by Nine Inch Nails. I recognize it only a few beats in and start freaking out.

4. Food. Is there a certain food that conjures up memories? Not really. Although I saw a cafeteria tray (an honest to God tray like from elementary school) at Target today and when I picked it up the clacking sound put me right back to Truman Elementary School.

5. Clothing? Do you have an item of clothing or if you see a certain item, does it make you think of a time/place or person? Male boxer shorts on a female remind me of a certain person.

Stolen from honest_illusion. I have to say, I have read a shamefully small number of these books, although that could be partly due to the fact I took advanced theatre instead of american lit my junior year of high school.

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicise those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them ;-)
5) Strikeout the ones you started but never finished
6) Add an asterisk * if you've read the book more than once.

( i loved you dearly )
1. One book that changed your life? A Brave New World. I hated it while I was reading it and then as soon as I was done, I immediately read it again. It changed the way I viewed many events in my life.
2. One book you have read more than once? Any of the Harry Potter books.
3. One book you would want on a desert island? How to escape a desert island.
4. One book that made you laugh? So many do! Any of Kim Harrison's Hallows novels make me laugh, especially when Jenks is talking.
5. One book that made you cry? I cried at the part in Deathly Hallows when Snape died.
6. One book you wish had been written? No idea.
7. One book you wish had never had been written? The book version of Forrest Gump was terrible, but I don't really care that it's been written. Uhm, maybe Mein Kampf?
8. One book you are currently reading? I'm reading Atonement and The Kite Runner for fun, and I'm also reading this book called The Empty Tomb.
9. One book you have been meaning to read? My friend Emma told me about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and I'd like to read it.
10. Now tag five people. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO IT!

Go to www.careercruising.com. Use the username "nycareers" and password"landmark." Fill out the "Career Matchmaker" questionnaire. Post your10 top results. Bold those you've seriously considered.

1. Pharmacy Technician
2. Medical Imaging Tech
3. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
4. Genetic Counselor
5. Epidemiologist
6. Medical Lab Tech
7. Forensics Specialist
8. Pharmacologist
9. Pharmacist
10. Biological Tech

Something tells me that I really like science! I think at one time or another, I have considered all of the above careers, with the possible exception of genetic counselor. I might be able to meet with people who are considering having children, but not after a couple already became pregnant. I don't really like the idea of abortion, although I don't see anything wrong with it if the mother's life is in danger. However, I don't think I could encourage a couple to have an abortion, even if the child would be mentally/physically disabled. I do like the rest of the list, though. I guess theat's good, since I'm currently working on my PhD in biochemistry!

Imagine you are on your deathbed. Recommend to those who remain in your life...

1) One book to read:
Sounds cliche, though I think the one book everyone should read is the Bible. I find so much hope in that book, even though I haven't read it all the way through. I also think that the lessons found there can be applied to just about anybody, whether you agree with the entire book or not.
2) One movie to watch:
Forrest Gump. I love this film because it shows a lot of American history through the eyes of several very different people. I love how the main character is so innocent, and that while many consider him "stupid" he actually has a better grasp of how to treat people and live a good life.
3) One food to eat:
Tiramisu in San Gimignano, Italy. That is the first place I'd ever had that dessert, and it was so phenomenal. But really, any ethnic food in its country of origin is something you have to eat before you die.
4) One place to go:
Vatican City. I think because the Catholic Church has been so historically important, and because they own so much money and property and hold so much influence in all the world.
5) One life lesson to leave behind:
A quote from Love Actually: "Tell her that you love her. You've got nothing to lose and you'll always regret it if you don't." There is nothing more painful than knowing you told somebody too late.

Title: Starting Over
Genre: Beginnings challenge
Characters: George Weasley, Molly Weasley
Rating: G
Word Count: 223

( DH SPOILER WARNING )

1. Have you ever been to summer camp?
Why yes of course! I grew up going to church camp for a week in the summer starting in elementary school. In fourth grade I almost didn't get to go cause I woke up sick in the middle of the night, but I convinced my Dad I was just excited :)

2. Have you ever made a s'more?
Yes, though I don't really like chocolate, so I'd rather spend my time just roasting and eating the marshmallows.

3. Have you ever slept under the stars (no tent/tarp)?
Many times. The best memory I have of that was on a whitewater rafting trip down the Deschutes River in Oregon.

4. Have you ever had a member of the opposite sex sleep over at your house?
Yeah, but I've been married for quite awhile, so this question is no longer interesting. And I fail to see how this directly relates to summer...

5. What type of bed do you have (queen, twin, bunk, etc.)?
Again, what does this have to do with summer? My bed is the same all year. It's a queen size Tempurpedic. So comfy!

What is your favorite quote....

1) ... on family?
By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong. – Charles Wadsworth

2) ... on relationships? (marriage, friendships, etc) *This is a long one, but so worth it*
Most people get married believing a myth. They believe that marriage is a beautiful box full of all the things they’ve longed for. They believe the box is full of companionship, sexual fulfillment, intimacy, and friendship. The truth is, that marriage at the start, is an empty box. You must put something in before you can take something out. There’s no love in marriage, love is in people, and people put love in marriage. There’s no romance in marriage, people have to infuse it into their marriages. A couple must learn this art, this form of the habit of giving, of loving, of serving, and of praising. It’s up to you as a couple to keep your box full. If you take out more than you put in, the box will be empty.

3) ... attitude?
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. – Herm Albright

4) ... happiness?
Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods. - Japanese proverb

5) ... success?
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary - Vince Lombardi

I never update this thing. Never. But I'm going to try writing in it. I am supposed to write for my job, and I hate it (the writing, not the job. See? I do need practice). Maybe, the more I write, the better I will get at it. So I am writing on the "writers block" topic, which is weddings.

Alas, it's summer. That means it's WEDDING SEASON. This summer, I had three to attend. One was for my cousin, and two are for friends of my husband. He is in one of those. You know what this means? We're spending our summer vacation money on other people. Now, I love weddings, but my husband is not excited about this aspect of attending the nuptials of our friends and family. And I think that's hilarious.

I get to buy two new fabulous dresses to wear to these events. Two of the three weddings are a week apart and will have many of the same people (both of the brides graduated from college in the same year as my hubby) so I can't wear the same thing twice in a row now, can I? Of course, I don't mind spending the money on clothes. But then there's his clothes, which will be pricey. Add travel expenses, gifts, and drinks during the rehearsal dinner, and that's a nice chunk of change!

Even though wedding season does seem to cost a lot of money (I don't even want to go into how much more we've had to spend on people having babies) I still love it. It's so exciting to share in the joy of the "happy couple" and reunite with many acquaintances, friends, and family.

I had to delete the old journal and start up a new one....

I'm not much of a writer so don't expect much.  I am mostly active in my communities so I guess that's where you can find me!