countdowns, hams, and bones

It's about that time of the quarter again. Midterms are right around the corner, and despite just finishing my last huge anatomy test, I am already counting down the days and making plans for accomplishing all the work I have to do in the next 2 weeks. Here's what I'm looking at...

6 days until completed maxillary quadrant wax up is due

7 days until neuroscience exam

8 days until oral health sciences exam

9 days until psychology exam

10 days until TMJ presentation

At least there are a few good countdowns I am also looking at.

3 days until NASCAR race

7 days until Glee returns to TV

Anyway, I had a nice Easter this past weekend (my first one without family!), even if the celebration was cut short by all the studying that needed to be done for today's anatomy exam. My friend Robbie and his wife Kristen that live in the apartment building next door hosted a potluck Easter dinner. I brought the ham, because it just isn't Easter without ham. It was my first ham cooking experience, and I'm pleased to report that it went well. After taking it out of the oven, I walked down the sidewalk and marched it right into their apartment. I must have looked a little funny walking down the sidewalk in my Easter dress carrying a large foil wrapped ham still wearing oven mitts! The food was tasty and the company was wonderful. Sadly, my pictures didn't turn out all that great.

And now a random story about the strange thing that happened to me today. (Before I share this story though, I need to give a little background information. I park my car in an assigned spot under the carport next to my apartment building. When the weather gets hot, the birds like to sit on top of the cars in the shade of the carport. Normally this wouldn't bother me, except for the car gets COVERED in poop. I can't wash it off fast enough! The picture is what the car-sitting bird culprit looks like. I have even tried to think of ways to keep the birds and their poop off my car, but haven't figured out anything plausible though.) Anyway, today I went down to my car to go run some errands with my friend Allie to discover a BONE on top of my car. It was a pretty decent size, and definitely belonged to an animal of some sort...maybe to a rabbit skull. Now it seems that in addition to these grackles (apparently that is what these car-sitting birds are called), larger birds such as owls or hawks have also been roosting atop my car. Now, my poor car is getting covered in both poop and vomited up bones. GROSS. I wish I knew a way to stop these dumb birds because seriously...a BONE?!?

Good news though. I managed to get a good deal on a portable gas grill (only $8 after my coupon). This means that the NASCAR tailgate can proceed! I am realizing that it is quite hard to plan a tailgate when you have no tailgating materials. I have no tables, no chairs, no beach umbrellas, and no baggo. However, I now have a grill...so at least we can make a legitimate attempt at a tailgate. Besides, the food and the beer is the most important part, right? :)

Well, I think I am off to bed. I want to try and watch a bit of last night's "Dancing with the Stars" episode that I missed because I had to study. Although I already know who got voted off, so no need to keep secrets...poor Buzz.