Test

I've been working on a movie of pictures for my grandfather's upcoming 90th birthday party. This is the only venue I could think of to show it to members of my family, to get their input on it. If you're not a member of my family, you will find this REALLY boring.

Close Call

While filling up the gas tank of our Uhaul truck in Nebraska, I glanced down at the tire and noticed this:



Apparently the inner tire on this side was flat, so all the weight on that side had been going on that one tire. I can't even begin to describe how glad I am that I noticed this and we got it fixed (NOT at our own expense) before the tire blew out.

We'll be in NC on Monday!

The Plague

Congrats to Linda, Lauren's Nana, for correctly guessing the disease. Her guess was "bubonic plague", which is only half-right. It's actually septicemic plague, but they're both caused by the same bacterium, so close enough.

That blackening of the flesh? Yep, that's why the called it the Black Death.

Pop Quiz!

If you see this...

...what disease do you probably have?

Hint #1: this blackening in the flesh is the source of one of the common names of the disease, and despite what it may look like in the picture, is not due to fire or otherwise burned flesh.

Hint #2: this disease is endemic (naturally-occurring) in the four corners states.

Hint #3: If you DO actually have this disease, then by the time you see these symptoms, if you aren't already on antibiotics (meaning...it's caused by bacteria), then you'll soon be dead.

Anyone? Marissa, you're not allowed to answer.

UPDATE: The answer will be posted on Friday, April 17.

I need to read The Onion more often

Prague's Franz Kafka International Named World's Most Alienating Airport

Thanks, Unkie Steve, for reminding me how hilarious The Onion really is.

Going to Carolina in my Mind

Well, it's official. We're leaving Provo soon after BYU graduation, and will move into our new home in Chapel Hill at beginning of May. We haven't completely pinned down where we're going to live in Chapel Hill yet, but that should be decided quite soon.

Apparently, Utah has decided to remind me just how much I dislike it by giving us another snowstorm, after a week of 60-degree weather. Stupid jerk-state.

Accepted

UNC called me this week, and I'M IN. Lauren and I will be moving out there as soon as possible.

I'll be entering the program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and after a year, I'll enter the Ph.D. program in Microbiology and Immunology.