Lindsey

If you know what song the title is from, I would be impressed.

Anyways, the last few weeks have been eventful.
The internship is going alright. There have been some expiration date issues and some schedule switching and confusion, but I feel like I’m getting some good hands on experience, I’m excited about my future career. I really like both parts we have done work in–DNA/Biology and Toxicology (drugs/poisons in biological matrices).

In further disappointment, the St. Paul positions required a start date in March, and the directors of the program decided it would be “detrimental to the program” to allow me to substitute the remaining weeks of the internship with on-the-job training. And it’s total BS, for sure. I could explain why I say that, but we will leave it at that. There is always a possibility of another position opening, but its better not to get my hopes up. I have applications out in Maryland, Arizona, Denver, and St. Louis. Honestly, I could picture myself in any of those areas. Maryland is along the ocean, Arizona is warm, and Denver and St. Louis are much closer to home than Philadelphia.

This week, I went to Washington D.C. for a forensic science conference. The hotel staff were inept and annoying, but the conference was great. Saw some gruesome and interesting presentations and had some fun with my classmates. We scientists with our morbid interests.

However, it was bad for my biggest loser weight loss. I had lost almost 8 pounds, but I put 3-4 back from eating out every meal. When you get reimbursed for meals, you eat things you’ve always wanted to try or are a little pricier than you would normally order. There are three weeks left in the contest (hint hint if I haven’t gotten your check) so I think I can get back down there plus some.

Giving up alcohol has been helpful for the weight loss and the pocketbook, but it also has helped physically. I feel better and we go to bed earlier, and so I think lent may help me long-term by lowering the frequency I drink, as well as the quantity on the occasions I do. I think Bryce agrees to a large degree. It may also be helping mentally, but it is hard to measure that.

Also, I think I am getting sick. My friend Megan and I were bed-buddies (not what you’re thinking!) in D.C., and she was hacking up both lungs the entire time. Now, I’m coughing with a sore throat and some congestion. Great.

So, as many of you know, at the beginning of the season, I decided that I needed to adopt a local team because I would not be able to get many of the Vikings games back here. After little to no mental exercise, it was obvious — the Giants. Why? Can’t stand the eagles. Can’t stand the Patriots. And, I felt Eli Manning was always getting picked on, like the dorky younger brother of Peyton that he is. And I felt bad for him. So, I got an Eli Manning jersey and have supported them every game except the Vikings/Giants game.

And guess what… I AM AWESOME! Clearly, I know how to pick them! Superbowl champions!!

Also today, start of the biggest loser contest! To enter, just email me at lindsey.nelsen.rausch@gmail.com. there is still time, then I will send out an email after a few days with an address to send the $5 entry fee. If you start late, that is ok too!