May 2012

 Picture dump time!

This month started out with a bang! I went to my first American Association of Immunologists conference. This year, it was in Boston, so along with seeing some great seminars, we got to explore the city a bit. I wish we had more time to explore, but all in all, it was a great trip!

We started out early in the morning. J, K, and I caught an early flight, so we could have a bit more time to explore the city.

 

Early morning, at the Bozeman airport

 

 Goofing off at the Denver airport

 on our way to Boston!!!

Boston, from our hotel room

Yay, AAI!

After we landed in Boston, quickly figured out the subway system, and checked in at our hotel, we decided to walk around the city a bit. 

 Trinity Church, I think...

 Which way do we go next?

 We found a statue of Christopher Columbus...

 This park had some really pretty tulips

 We found the Cheers bar!

We started to walk around a bit, but got a little lost... whoops...

 J and I

The next day, we had the morning to ourselves. J rented a bike and toured the city that way, while K and I took a duck tour! We saw a few of the major landmarks and then drove into the river and saw a few more!

 That evening, I had to go to a reception, and then we all went to the opening ceremony, but after that....

We attended a Boston Red Sox game! I loved telling people that that's what we were doing. Especially guys. They get so jealous! haha!

 We of course had a few beers...

 ... and tried out the hot dogs and popcorn

 It was so much fun! Although the game lasted 13 innings, and we left at the beginning of the 12th since it was getting colder and we still had to make our way back. The Red Sox lost, but it was such a fun experience!

It wasn't all fun and games that weekend. We did get dressed up and attend meetings and seminars. I learned a lot!

 Don't we look so professional?

I was able to meet up with my old lab. It was so much fun hanging out with them!

I was very happy my two labs got along so well!

 It was Cinco de Mayo, so my lab celebrated with tequila!

 All in all, it was such a fun trip! I love my lab!

 When we got back to Bozeman, it was unusually warm. I had to get my fan out of storage early. The cat was so confused why this big box thing was in his spot!

My next trip of the month was to go home and visit family. I would have liked to do what I did last year, and take two weeks off and done another Texas road trip, but unfortunately, I don't have the time this year. However, I did go home and had a mini-road trip with the family down to Austin to see Mike.

 Manda and her wrist bands. Although not totally attractive (hello 1980's) they do help with motion sickness and she was able to pull of the look. She wouldn't share them however...

We got to ride in Mom's new car, which has a fantastically comfortable back seat...

 

 The Texas state capital!

 Dad and Manda

 As always, we find a sporting goods store so Dad can try out new fly rods. While trying one out, there was a brief lesson...

 That night, Manda and I decided to go to 6th street and hang out with a few friends. It was fun to get dressed up and see everyone!

My college roommate, Elise!

TJ and his big pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea

Going home was soooo much fun! While I'm having a blast here in Montana, I do miss Texas, and I had a blast seeing my family and friends!

Unfortunately, my sister has gotten me hooked on StumbleUpon. I am already so addicted! I found this really cool recipe for Jolly Rancher Vodka, so I wanted to try it out. I couldn't find any cute flasks like the original blog I found, and I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to find anything to make it in. However, when I was at Target getting the Jolly Ranchers, I saw some beer bottles. They worked perfectly!

I'll be honest, the whole reason I made these were for the colors. How cool do they look?!?

Anyway, that's my May! The rest of the summer will be study study study as I prepare for my comps. But hopefully, I'll have time to enjoy the beautiful Montana summers!

-amyg