GRE test prep

May the gods help me but I am in the middle of preparing to take the GRE next week. I decided to do this just in case I might actually need the scores one day. Most PhD programs in the US want them and a lot of funding agencies do as well. So I figured since I have the time to prepare I might as well get it over with since the scores are good for 5 years and it is silly to miss an opportunity over a lack of test scores. And the last time I took the test it was ONLY offered in the paper based version. So this new fangled computer version should be fun!

One of the biggest surprises has been how much basic math I have forgotten. I am slightly embarrassed that as a scientist I couldn't even remember some of the basic principles of algebra! Luckily I found a GREAT reference source online for math review that is free. If you need a math review for any reason I highly recommend you check out the Virtual Math Lab from West Texas A&M University. Thanks to them I might actually have a chance at scoring decently on the quantitative sections:)

Potato Prezzies

After being in Denmark, the land of all things potato, for almost 5 years, today is the first time I have ever set eyes on these red beauties. One of the veggies I have missed dearly has been red skinned potatoes. This week I randomly decided to order some extra potatoes with my veggie and fruit boxes. I expected dirty brown Danish spuds but instead got these!
Thanks Aarstiderne!

2 months in Review?

It has been over two months since I last made any sort of entry to this blog. Yowser!!! A lot has happened, some good, some not so good. We had a great trip to America to see our best friends get married, spent lots of time with my grandmas, and spent 2 weeks at 2 different beaches. Not enough time to see and do all we wanted but alas that is the nature of the beast living so far away from family and friends and a former life. Mark and I also completed a half marathon while in the US!

I finished my masters from the University of Copenhagen though still do not have my diploma. I am hunting day and night for a job or a potential PhD spot Unfortunately they all want to see a copy of the missing diploma before I can even be considered for a position. I am searching far outside the realms of conservation and ecology and considering any position that looks remotely interesting.

Lots and lots of other drivel I could write on about for days but for now I think I will leave the rest of my little update to some pictures instead :)

 Mom and Patrick before the wedding

 

Trick or Treat for the first time in Salvo, NC

Visiting with my dad and Mama Greer

Erimitageløbet 2011

Mark and I finally ran a race together! One of his all time favorite races is the Erimitageløbet and last year I set a goal to run it with him in 2011. It is 13.3 km through some of the most fantastic forest areas in Sealand. The race sells out every year with 19,000 participants. Now that I have been a part of the run, I understand why it is one of the most popular races here and why people do it year after year. He did manage to finish almost 45 minutes faster than me but hey, I finished AND it was a big improvement on my time. All pluses in my book. My girl Kim had a record run as well and I had a nice cheering section waiting for me at the finish. If we are around this time next year I definitely want to do this run again and I hope to see a nice improvement in my performance as well!

Wish I were here

Aww look who is coming to CPH while I am in the good ole US of A! Love these guys!

15K Trail Run

I tested out another section of the previously mentioned trail system, this time from Jyderup to Svebølle. The official distance was 11.1km but since I ran to the train station (rode the train to Jyderup) and then an extra bit back home that gave me my first 15K! The trail was really fantastic in some places and not so fantastic in others. There were some spots I could barely walk along much less run. All in all it was a nice adventure and I got to explore some new and interesting places around where we live. And I got to see a bunch of really hairy cows!

 

Still in the Fight

Mike Corrado is a friend from my alternate life in the music biz. Mike is both an active duty Marine and a musician and his latest project is called Still in the Fight. He is using his music to help raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warriors project. It is a great cause and I admire Mike so much for the work he has done. Please share the video and spread the word if the it moves you as much as it has moved me.

Fun run with mommy

Erik had to go to the doctor today for his next round of the MMR vaccination so I decided we would take the jogger and go run and explore after. There is a walking trail system that goes through our town called Sjællandsleden and we have been slowly but surely exploring parts of it. Today we went on a new section and despite the rain had a great time!

A friendly horse we met along the way

He fell asleep less than 2k from home

Buns for boobs

Buy bread, help boobies! Why didn't I think of this???

Slight interruption

 Blogging will resume once I have handed in my thesis in approximately 2 weeks. Even with a snazzy mobile blogging app I just can't seem to make it happen. I promise to be back soon though!

I Heart Heartsy

I haven't bought anything *yet* but I love the idea of Heartsy! It is like Groupon for Etsy. Incentives and discounts to splurge on new handmade stuff. FUN! If you haven't checked it out. Go!

The Captain and Maybelle

I still find it a bit surreal that one of my friends and his wife are on America's Got Talent and are probably one of the most talked about acts even if it is just for the "eww" factor. Only a couple of hours left to vote today (ends 27/7 6am EDT) but watch the clip, vote if you can and let's see how far they make it! Even if they don't win, I am so thrilled they have gotten this experience and exposure.

Click HERE to vote!

And I LOVE Maybelle's dress and the set they picked for them! Too stinkin' cute.

Mapping joys!

 

I am in the home stretch towards finishing my thesis. Yay!!! and EEEEK all at the same time! First draft is due July 31 and final is due Sept. 15. So as a distraction I thought I would share one of the maps I have been working on today. It is a map of priority areas for chameleon conservation in East Africa which will be combined with the Protected Areas (wildlife preserves, parks, etc.) that are already in those area. This is one piece of the puzzle that will help me make recommendations as to which areas are a priority to develop new reserves and conservation initiatives.

I still love love love my project. Probably even more so now that when I first started. But wow I never knew finishing a science masters degree would take this much work!

My First Half!

 

October 23 Mark and I will be running in our first half marathon together in Myrtle Beach, SC! This means I have to figure out how to run 13.1 miles in less than 3:30 which is the max course time. Eeep! I am so excited and nervous but I think this is the perfect first one for me. It fits in perfectly with a beach vacation we have planned with my family and is a course in an area I know very well. It's super flat and the weather in October should be perfect! I have been in serious training mode for a couple of weeks now and am up to doing 5 mile runs. At my current pace I am on track to finish in 3:10 but my goal is to come in under 3:00. I still have three months before the race so I know I can do it.  

I always have had this on my Bucket List but never actually thought it would happen. Well watch out world because it is!!

Snail mail?

This little guy was hanging out on my mail box this morning. A new meaning to snail mail perhaps?