I've started using Twitter, and I update it more frequently than this: http://twitter.com/dzou . So, if you want to see what I'm up to at the moment, check it out.

Some random updates from the last few months:

- Tabitha and I got a new car! The Saturn was starting to show its age (and it stranded us in IC twice in six weeks), so it was time to say goodbye. Plus, Tabitha didn't like driving a standard, so we have an automatic now. We have a 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid. It's fun. I'm still getting used to driving a hybrid though. I like how it constantly updates my fuel mileage while I'm driving; I can use it to see how high I can get it to go.

- We're moving to our new apartment (Jessica's old apartment) in a couple months. We're excited to have our own place, but we'll miss living with chanzi and Christine, too.

- The semester is over. It seems like it's been a particularly busy one, especially considering how often I've logged in to LiveJournal. Does grad school just keep getting busier as it goes on? I'm glad it's summer for now, though I'll have to start writing my comps soon. I also have several papers to write up this summer so we can submit them.

Happy Darwin Day everyone!

(Hmm... the website says it was Feb. 12, but the Iowa City celebrations are today and tomorrow.)

Horray, the semester is finally over! I don't know why this semester has seemed so long, but I'm glad to have a break. Now I've got a week to hang out in the lab before Tabitha and I head to NY for the holidays.

80% of Christmas shopping is done.

Our first-year projects are due next Monday, and I'm sick of writing it. I'll be happy when it's done and turned in.

We're having Thanksgiving at our house this year with tabsq, chanzi, Valerie, Bob, and Becka. That means we have to go food shopping tonight and clean up the house tomorrow.

Also, the new Nintendo Wii looks really cool.

Seattle pictures and Minneapolis pictures from August.

Things have been busy lately with finishing up my first-year research project. The big news in the last few weeks is that Greg and Erin had their baby, named Raina. :) Tabitha and I went to Seattle for her baptism a couple weeks ago. They are having fun being parents, though it seems to be a lot of work. We had fun visiting. I'll post some pictures later (but here are some that Greg posted). What we saw/did while we were there: Seattle from the top of Columbia Tower, the Space Needle, Pike Place market, the swimming upstream salmon, a ferry ride to a winery on an island, and a robot competition. We stayed at the Capitol Hill Guest House, which was really cool, and I recommend if someone is visiting Seattle and needs a place to stay.

Getting back to Iowa City from Seattle was a bit of a pain. We were supposed to be back last Monday night, but due to thunderstorms/hail/tornados (I heard varying reports) in Chicago, our plane was diverted to St. Louis. So, we got to spend the night wandering around the airport watching CNN. I got some sleep, but Tabitha didn't. Luckily, we were able to leave first thing in the morning and got to Iowa by noon.

I've posted a video tour of our house on our website.

Hey Arcadians and especially former Science Olympians,

Mr. Lewis has won the Inspirational Teacher award from U of R. Press release here. Ben nominated him, along with some other Olympians. Congrats Mr. Lewis!