Because Brittney Told Me To...

Kat: "What does ATP do?"
Lauren: "Turns into ADP, which sucks up energy, and causes a nucular explosion."
Kat and Lauren: *moving arms* "Explosion, explosion, explosion!"

Kat and I have our first quiz here tomorrow, so we've been studying for it on and off all week. In reality, this translates to Kat lecturing me since she already understands everything, but I am her needy friend, so I figure I should fill in the role properly. This seems to be the only class where we take proper tests (not online), so I'm a little nervous in that I have no idea how hard it's going to be. For example, we talk about fairly complicated muscle matters, but the professor also feels the need to tell us that the breakdown of ATP produces energy. Really? Amazing! I had no idea...

This past weekend Kat and I visited a nature center (I should have pictures as soon as Kat uploads them), and it was quite a good time. The butterfly house, however, was a little disturbing. They had what I believe were dead butterflies sitting on the food, pretending that they were still alive. Not sure. I suppose they could have been. But they were not moving. At all. But we got to hold a bearded dragon!

Kat: "Let's go sit on this bench"
Lauren: "Okay"
Kat: "You just sat on a butterfly."
Lauren: "WHAT?!...oh...Kat, you jerk!"

Also, I think the guy at the center fancied Kat a bit, because he followed us around and also let us hold a python, which was equally as cool. We ended up talking to him for at least half an hour. It turns out that you don't need any kind of degree to work in a nature center over here; I believe he was in his last year of high school and was planning on starting zoology courses. He also wanted to learn to manage the center's GIANT boa, who liked to climb up the class and then fall back down, resulting in a massive thump. I was hoping he would come into the reptile room so I could try managing Teckwyn the Tegu, but no such luck. Teckwyn himself looked relieved, or perhaps he was just sleeping. Also, I saw some hissing cockroaches, which reminded me of summer and didn't freak me out quite so much behind glass and not across my face.

After that, Kat and I saw millions of birds, which we effectively stalked. Blue tit: check! We also went over to see the ponies. As soon as one of them saw us, it came barreling forward at full speed. I have to admit, I never thought ponies were scary, but it did make me a bit nervous for a second. The ponies were fat and adorable in a way only fat and adorable ponies can be.

Also, I'm excited for this weekend. One of my friends from Ripon is coming up, and we are planning on going on a moutain walk in Snowdonia and seeing some of the local sites as well. He said he wanted to see countryside, which is lucky, because that's pretty much all we've got! However, I am hoping that my shower is fixed by then. The other day, the drain stopped working altogether, and, because I didn't have my contacts in, I managed to flood the entire bathroom. Whoops!

The good news: The fire alarm has not gone off yet
The bad news: It could go off at any time this week or next, and it will.
The good news: I learned in fire safty class that you can put underwear or a condom over your fire dectector to mask the smoke from your cigarette.
The bad news: The alarm is going off early in the morning. And, if everyone is not out in 3 minutes, we have to do it again at a different time.
The good news: I haven't started a fire yet. Or burnt anything.
The bad news: I haven't read any classic literature like a good English major. I promised myself I would, but Virginia Woolf remains unopened on my desk.
The good news: I went to the library today to RETURN books. Ended up getting three more. All of them are crap. I love it.
The bad news: No one here knows where Wisconsin is. I've had two people ask me whether it is a state or not. Everyone goes to Florida.
The good news: It's gorgeous here. Have I mentioned that already? Oh, and I've got some good squash stories for next time! :D

Cheers,

Lauren