on safari. in the cretaceous period.

So, last time Ali went to Africa, I sent her with very particular instructions. The conversation went like this:

Ali: Ha! I'm going to Africa, because my job is awesome.
Me: *jealous face *
Ali: Can I get you anything? You know, while I'm in AFRICA?
Me: I want a baby elephant.
Ali: Okay. I'll see what they have.

So anyhow, when she got back, Ali gave me a container of "magic beans," which you are supposed to throw into the tub and watch expand into cute little creatures. Observe:


And once they are all expanded out of their magical beans, if you are the target audience for such a product,* you stick them on the walls of your bath/shower thusly:


So there I am, looking at all the recognizable shapes -- lions, dolphins, monkeys, giraffes -- when I realize there is one I cannot name. I recognize the silhouette, but have no idea what it could be.

So I stared at it for a few minutes, and then it hit me.


That is TOTALLY A TRICERATOPS.


Did you know these were still alive in Africa? Because I didn't. And I can tell you right now I would be way more likely to book my next big trip to Africa if I knew we'd be going all Jurassic Park on that shit. Man.


But I digress. The moral of the story, folks, is that Ali likes us. In fact, she did get me a baby elephant, after all:


Well done, Ali. Well done, indeed.

Hope you're enjoying Ethiopia!
Stephanie

* IE, someone typically between ages 2 and 5, or in this case, one very infantilized grad student.

New Year, New Cat

This is my roommate's cat. He brought her back from the States after Christmas. Mostly she is like other cats. She wakes me up at around 7 in the morning by pawing my face so that I will feed her. She's kind of a jerk.

Happy new year, everyone!

procrastination is awesome

I recently found a classic Mario Bros game online which has been steadily ruining my academic career. Aside from being addictive, it has a certain novelty because we never had video games or computer games as kids (unless you count MathBlaster for DOS, but I don't think < / C : LEARN MATH / EXECUTE is exactly a recipe for hours of fun).*

Anyhow, the few times I did get to play Mario Bros was at my best friend's house, because her parents were older and totally buying her love with gadgets. I always played Luigi because I felt bad no one ever chose him for things and Mario always got all the credit.

More exams to come, so I expect a higher score is on the horizon.

Stephanie


*This is a total lie. I kicked ass at Math Blasters and thought I was the shit, besides. How did I not get beat up more as a child?

It snowed! My cat ran into the bushes.

feliz navidad

to continue the "merry christmas from africa" theme so tastefully set before me

Finals are not fun. But fish are. And peppermints.

I know I was thinking about posting a photo of my desk covered in books (and me, buried amongst them), but right now I'm too lazy to do that and then upload it all to the computer, so you're getting a preview of the tank with new plants! The fishies love their new home and it's much more serene than the older version, so it'll be nice to switch them up now and then.


Also, it has come to my attention that York Peppermint Patties have been reformulated. I feel everyone on this blog should be aware: they are now thicker and have a smaller diameter, and the filling is smoother and softer.* The result? A more pleasing mint:chocolate ratio, and the ability to let them melt in your mouth without chewing like a cow. Hurrah! The most wonderful time of the year, INDEED.

More to come from up here in Philly. Yay! for Ali having a blog and inviting us to join!

Stephanie

* That's what she said. ZING!

My first snow in Indianapolis, I'd just like to point out that I made it to work on time and all the people who live here and are used to it were all late ....