English final: Done! Followed by a celebratory sleepover

Well, my first final experience at a bona fide University has now passed, allowing me to finally breath and to play Fishdom to all hours of the wee night without any feelings of guilt that I should be doing homework or other useful, productive activities. Before when I played Fishdom until 2 in the AM there were sporadic thoughts of "I should be working on my research paper" but then those thoughts were quickly put out of my mind as I passed yet another level (Current level: 521 baby!). Anyway, fishdom is a whole separate blog in itself. Right now, let me regale you with my adventure at this particular "sleepover". Don't be fooled by the word, sleepover. This was definitely not your average sleepover. I haven't been to many sleepovers that started out with a urine sample. Haha, let me back up a bit. So I volunteered to participate in a sleep study. I've had insomnia and such for as long as I can remember and my Doctor, who is aware of this, sent me an info pamphlet about this sleep study. It sounded like fun so I signed up. Boy was I ever in for a surprise. Last night was my first "sleepover" for the study. I knew there would be some wires or whatnot that I would be connected to but didn't realize that there would be a grand total of 24 wires. First off, they had to "prep" my skin by scrubbing it vigorously with alcohol, at which point I got a major high just off the fumes. After that, they pretty much sandpapered down the areas of my skin. All that was followed by an hour of being glued down with various wires over my face, neck, ears, legs, and head. Along with 2 straps over my chest and stomach and the omnipresent heart rate monitor finger cuff. The most common thoughts going through my mind during all this was "Now I know how lab rats feel like." Closely followed by "Well I guess going to the bathroom is out of the question." After the poking and prodding and violations of my body and personal space I was allowed to lay down and "sleep". On the plus side it was a very comfy bed. A full if not a queen size complete with a fluffy duvet. Not the best nights sleep I've ever had, but also not the worst. Waking up multiple times during the night with a nurse checking the wires and reattaching the ones that came loose. And then waking up completely in the morning as the nurse was pulling all the wires off me and saying in a chipper voice "Good Morning", with no thought or qualm as to the ripping and hair pulling that the detachments were causing. Well, good morning to you too! Quite an interesting adventure that I get to do all over again next week. No rest for the lab rats of the world.

The "Bests!" in my life

I would like to show you all what you are missing in your lives. The following is a personal list of all the "Bests!" in my life at this moment. Obviously I will be acquiring more but as of now, here are the best ones. Grandma's Cake Batter Ice Cream, from the Masters at Tillamook. I would like to thank my good buddy, Heiporo, for introducing me to this master confection that makes me weak in the knees and gives my heart diabetic palpitations. This ice cream has made my world right again when everything seems to be going wrong. It is filled with a rich, delicious yellow cake batter ice cream (and who all doesn't love eating just plain yellow cake batter? I for one L.O.V.E IT!) sprinkled with chunks of delicious cake pieces, crunchy yet delicate sprinkles (and not those yucky ones you get at regular ice cream shops that taste like artificial twigs) and swirled with a heavenly cream cheese frosting. So, I want all of you out there to go buy some of this ice cream right now, share some with me, and then frantically write persuasive letters to Tillamook to keep this ambrosia in my freezer for a long, long time. The Maze Runner, by James Dashner. Oh My Freakin' Heck! I almost can't even describe to you how wonderful, exciting, nerve-wracking, gripping, mysterious, SO-FREAKIN-AWESOME-I'M-GOING-TO-PEE-MY-PANTS amazing this book is. The Maze Runner is the first book I've read in a long time that has made me want to ignore all other lifestyle necessities (eating, sleeping, peeing, etc.) just so I can keep reading and getting lost in it's glorious wonders. I seriously cannot think of any words in the English language that could begin to describe how amazing this book is. Just, seriously, do yourself a huge favor, go out and buy this book (trust me, you'll want your own copy) and read it! Just make sure you don't have any deadlines or places you need to be in the next 6-7 hours. Cause you won't want to do anything else. I didn't. Heiporo and Sophie Bradley. This is a homage to my bestest buddy and her adorable little chunk daughter. (Surgeon General's Warning: The following passage is full of cheese and sentimental sayings, please proceed with caution! The writer is not responsible to damage caused to your computer due to uncontrolled tear ducts or lack of tissues) These two people have saved my life. Literally. I don't know how my life would be if I wasn't hanging out with these freakin' awesome people almost daily. Thank you so much, Heiporo. Though you'll probably never read this blog (I'll make you read it anyway) you can't possibly know how indebted to you I am for all that you've done, and continue to do! You, Sophie, and Troy are amazing! I wish I could make/raise/steal a million dollars for you guys cause you deserve it and so much more. If you ever need anything, let me know. Seriously. Whether you need to be bailed out of jail; break out of jail; commit the perfect crime; or just have someone join you in the obscenity dropping workout of P90X, I'm the one to call! You are the best, Thanks you guys!