Ready-Set-Run

My half-marathon is coming up in ten days!  The past two-three weeks my right foot has been really bothering me.  I cut back on my distances, but every day after I ran it still made it pretty sore.  I was going to give in and go into the health center, but the health center here is awful.  So I started doing some of my own research and I think that I have peroneal tendonitis.  I've been icing and giving it a rest but it makes me nervous that I had to miss my 14 mile run this weekend.  I'm not sure how much longer I should try to stay off of my foot... I would look into new shoes to help as well, but I don't think I want to switch shoes this close to the half marathon!  I'm hoping that it will be better in the next couple days and I can get in another long run, but that might be pushing it!

What do you guys think the best plan of action is?

Researching Away

Today I finally sent in my top labs I want to do my research in for the next nine months.  I had a surprisingly hard time narrowing it down.  There are so many great opportunities, but it is no longer in my hands.  It's kind of nice having my professors make the final decision.  I ended up putting UCSD researching diabetes at the top of my list.  I had a really hard time because I liked the mentor at UCSD and Stanford so much!  And with a name like Stanford, how can I turn it down?  But apparently UCSD has one of the top bioegineering programs.  And at this point I am still unsure if I want to continue on the get my PhD.  Another consideration is that everyone else (most everyone) in the CIRM program will end up somewhere in San Diego, because Stanford is only taking 1-2 interns.  Those wanting to go to UCSD are thinking of all renting a big house and living together, which would be a lot of fun... I guess I will wait to see how it all works out!  It should be about two weeks until we get preliminary matching and then from there I think I have to go on a couple of interviews... 

Some fluorescent images from a primary literature article of recent diabetes research.

On another note, today one of my classes went on a field trip to a radiation oncology site.  It was pretty neat to see all of the technology that they have.  And since I did well on my midterm I got to be a volunteer : )  They made me a mask that they would use to treat a brain tumor.  It helps to hold the head in place and make sure it is in the same place each day.  They also put marking on the outside of the mask to align the lasers in the correct position.  It was pretty neat.

All in all, it was a pretty good day!

Valentine's Day

I had a great weekend.  My sister and her fiance Brian came to visit and we had a blast.  We went to the Cliff's for happy hour and it was beautifl.  It's in Pismo Beach and you can watch the sunset on the ocean.  We also went to the pier and guess what we saw?

 
Isn’t he beautiful!  And he didn’t seem to be scared of people.  Brian was nice enough to accompany us to go see Valentine’s Day.  It was a really cute movie and I would recommend it.  I am so blessed to have my sister, she is such a great person and so generous and caring.  I think this weekend was just what I needed to get in a break and be around family.  This morning we had the most perfect Sunday morning with some coffee from Joe Mommas and a view of Avila beach followed by a walk on the beach.  I was sad to see them go and on Valentine’s Day! But my roommate and I made a nice dinner together and now get to watch the ice skating tonight.  I do however wish that I had a special Valentine this year.  Oh well.  I better focus on catching up on some homework that I have been slacking on this weekend. 

Hope you all got to spend Valentine's Day with someone special : )