The sweater: finished product

Here's what I did this weekend: the sweater is done! I did, however, discover what the book means by cast off loosely: I had to redo the neck when I realized that I couldn't get the collar over my head. ooops. Please admire the finished product.

Photos from last weekend and more

Firstly, I'd like to thank people for the sympathy about Minou. I greatly appreciated the words of encouragement. Things are starting to feel more back to normal although I think it's going to take some time getting used to coming home and not getting the "Welcome back. I missed you and my food bowl's empty" song and dance.

Wanted to upload those photos from last Saturday's dinner (which I've been slow to do) before heading into the lab to go over my kazillion powerpoint presentations I have coming up (by a kazillion, I really mean 5).

Thesis Update

People who have endured my whining over the past few weeks will be glad about this one (but don't you fear: there will still be whining to be done). After umpteen re-writes, changing variables to be measured and re-hypothesizing, the supervisors have okay'ed a final version of my proposal!

It is printed, 3 copies are sitting in the lab. I have report covers. They will be deposited in the morning.

I will be requiring alcohol... My "yay my supervisors have stop changing things celebration wine" I've been saving for this occasional was drunk at a dinner party last weekend, having been convinced by Eric that by the time they stop changing things, something stronger will be the order of business.

Sad...

Well, folks, I got thrown a curve-ball today and you, lucky people, get to come along for the ride (okay, bear with me: I really need an outlet).

Minou's been sick to varying degrees since the fall. She's been on steroids for bowel issues which she seemed to responding well to. I mentioned before my trip that she'd developped a bit of a limp. The vet saw her, couldn't see anything wrong, figured she'd done something clutzy.

She just hasn't been right since I've been back from PR: initially thought she was ticked off at me, then I thought it was the bowel again. However, when I got in from a visit home this weekend, she ran over to greet me dragging both hind legs behind her. For the past 2 days, she's refused to move (I have had to carry her to the food bowl to get her to eat). Took her to the vet today: she's got bowel cancer that has spread all over with bone mets and spinal cord impingement. Was told that the only way I'd be able to keep her comfortable would be to keep her at the vet on a hydromorphone drip. What sort of quality of life is that for a cat? Kind of hard coming from the medical / palliative world to know when enough is enough...

I had her put down this morning. She has cuddled up in my arms and purring right 'til the end. Gonna miss my little friend. May she be in cat heaven curled up on an armchair with a big bowl of potato chips...

My daily commute

PR 3: Beach, etc

After all the crazy climbing and exploring, there was time to be more laid back (once the sun came out). We apparently got to experience a rare tropical winter storm during our time there (thank goodness for the mall and a certain guy's insatiable love of shopping).

So basically, my buddy, Martin showed up in time for beach time, we hopefully weren't too big a burden on Ricardo as houseguests.

The beach was beautiful (though only Canadians are crazy enough to get in the "cold" winter water). Martin will hate me for posting the photo of him looking into the ocean (he doesn't think he looks hot enough) but I love it (looks soulful). Though we weren't cheesy touristy enough to want a photo in front of the San Juan Hard Rock Cafe, we decided that getting a photo with Senor Frog was a-okay.

To be continued...

I still have San Juan and beach photos to go. However, it is later, Blogger doesn't feel like uploading photos and I wrote the stats midterm from Hell today. I am going to bed but will try get some more posted tomorrow. Hasta luengo.