out of lemons

I was trying to think how I could connect my making lemon bars with these special lemons from my friend's aunt's tree (fedexed from my hometown Fountain Valley ironically!) and the fact that my SAS program seemed to be on the brink of self-destruction yesterday. But I can't really say I made lemonade out of the situation. I just turned off my computer and prayed it would be "better/healed" this morning. I had to fiddle with a couple of things but it looks like SAS is safe and sound. Thanks, God! I did have my data and syntax backed up on my jump drive and there are other computers with SAS installed but it still would have been a pain...

My advisor suggested I look at one student's paper for an example of how my methods section of my dissertation should be and another former student's chapter for a good summary of past RS results...this along with everyone gathering for practice talks to help each other with presentations reminds me that getting through a PhD really is a group effort and very difficult to do on one's own.

The stress has definitely been getting to me. Wednesday night I came home and just cooked/baked - made some yummy salmon and the aforementioned lemon bars. Denial is not a good coping strategy in this case I think.

Last Sunday was a beautiful spring day. Before heading to Flushing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of my sweetie's parents, we explored Brooklyn neighborhoods new to us. There were some cute stores and restaurants and homes...and a great number of white, upper middle class families and tons of babies and toddlers. One was more likely to get run over by a stroller than by a bus. I love the Sabbath and taking a day of rest. Since I've been working days and nights and weekends they really mean more. This Sunday we're going to go to MOMA to see the Munch and Spanish architecture exhibits and then go to an Open Forum (culturally relevant sharing of the gospel) on Coltrane's spiritual music at Redeemer.

I can see how people develop blog addictions. I love it when people I know post updates and wish they would post more often. I've been following along with a friend's trip to China to pick up her adopted daughter. Other blogs I frequent are the dining blog at NYTimes, a baby names blog, and my sisters'.

Had Greek yogurt with honey for lunch today...a tart/sweet combination my sister shared with me. Tonight is dinner with a friend from Seattle at Blue Smoke...e and I are fans of Danny Meyer's restaurants but haven't tried this one.