What a few weeks it has been. I think this week is a great microcosm of what Matt and I have going on. We spent last weekend in Omaha, Nebraska celebrating the marriage of Matt's best friend Brian to his sweetie Jenn. We meet up with Joan Larson and her now fiance Keith. It was a BUSY weekend, full of lots of old and new friends. Both Matt and I are really happy for Brian and Jenn, and we are looking forward to traveling down to Chicago to visit them this fall.
Once we returned on Sunday night we were greeted by news that Fargo and Jamestown, our hometowns, were in danger of floods. My Uncle Terry was in Germany on a business trip, but his house was in danger of going under. Luckily his co-workers and friends were able to help fight it off. Fargo's fight with the mighty Red River has been all over the news. Joan and Keith decided on Thursday to leave Fargo for higher ground in Fergus Falls. Matt and I are happy they are safe and sound with Jim (Joan's brother), and grateful for Jim's kindness in taking them in. Mom has two people staying with her, Kathy Davis and my Aunt Sherry. Both of them live on ranches with their husbands, and neither can pass through the awful roads to get home. It is nice to know Mom has company. I think both Sherry and Kathy lay claim to the bedrooms that Karen and I consider ours. Heaven forbid we are all home at the same time....a real fight could break out!
On top of the all the flood stuff, Matt is busy with softball coaching. He leaves the house at 7:30 am and doesn't get home much before 7:30PM. I have not been much better, and I have had thesis committee meetings and other business keeping me late at lab. I unfortunately heard back about our paper submission. The journal we submitted to did not like the work and passed on it. All I can say is that it is pretty bad when one reviewer (or group) imposes his/their views on an entire field of research, and does not allow for other hypothesis to flourish. This is NOT good for patients and leads to stagnation in the area. I have a fear that this is where the sickle cell research community is heading. I will be happy once my paper is out and my PhD is finished so I can find a more open minded research area.
I started Medical Spanish last week. Boy am I overwhelmed! I have not used my Spanish heavily since I took classes at NDSU. I really have no need, since Matthew can usually cover my ass. This class is totally in Spanish, and students CAN NOT use English under any circumstances. The next eight weeks will be a crash course for me. Matt just laughs.....
Well, pray for the entire state of North Dakota. I know that I watch anxiously to see if Fargo and hang on, and also hope that the Army Corps of Engineers is wise in their decisions to release water from the Jamestown and Pipestone Dams.
Until next time!
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