Crystal’s Adventures

In great news, I just accepted a new position at FHI. Starting next Monday, June 18^th, I’ll be working in clinical research operations for a major 5-country HIV-prevention study. I’m excited about all the learning opportunities and the chance to work on such an important trial. There will also be a great deal of travel in my future, coming in 2008.

Last weekend

Clinton and I had a great date last Friday night at the Rockfish Grill (cedar plank salmon –oooh, delicious!) and then a really sweet and funny movie called Knocked Up. Silly, but highly recommended.

Last Saturday I went running and then, of course, made a trip to the Durham Farmer’s Market (the best market in the world) for salad supplies (three kinds of lettuce, snap peas, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers!). Also had some fresh raspberry mint iced tea and a five cheese empanada.

That afternoon we took Charlie and our gigantic salad to north Raleigh for a Dog Party at the beautiful countryside home of one of Clinton’s co-workers - skylights, huge fireplace, a marble-tiled Jacuzzi room, and access to a beautiful stream. Charlie got a big kick out of the latter. The party’s nine dogs ranged from a tiny and hilarious Boston terrier named Gerry, a mellow Dachshund named Francis and a silvery Weimaraner named Hitch.

Sunday morning we had so much leftover salad that we decided to be “salad fairies” and drop the leafy loot at our sleepy friends’ houses on our way to church. Liz and Remy opened their door while Clinton tried to hang the salad on their doorknob. No better luck at the next place: we actually seemed to have woken Autumn and Jason up.

Last week I started a 6-week Lindy Hop class series at the Triangle Dance Studio with my new friends Rachel, Jen and Mark. The teachers are a little eccentric, but very experienced. We’re learning a lot and enjoying the music. Now if I can just get Clinton to practice with me…

Calling all dogs

In dog news: we have not been having too much luck with getting a brother or sister for Charlie. Seems that every (post-Daisy) dog we’ve wanted to adopt so far, including Jeepers and Kipper, gets adopted just when we’re filling out the applications. We realize that’s good for the dogs, of course! Or, they haven’t worked out (including Noodles and Sierra) for other reasons… We’ve decided to work on getting a doggy door installed before we try to adopt again. Temperatures are really extreme in our area and are too hot in the summer for two active, large breed dogs without access to a climate-controlled environment.

Until we get the doggy door (within the next two weeks), if you hear of a cool, adoptable dog, please let us know. We don’t have too many criteria. He or she must be playful and enjoy swimming, weigh 45 lbs or more and be between 1 and 5 years old. We prefer not to adopt good looking dogs like golden retrievers because there are so many other dogs which aren’t as “adoptable”. We’ll enjoy any scruffy-looking mutt who needs a home, regardless of color or breed.

This past weekend

On Friday, Julia and I biked to work and back, despite the humidity and super-high temperatures. This workout was a great end to a stressful week. We celebrated with a beer and veggie burger at Tyler’s Taproom.

The 5K Race for the Cure on Saturday had a record turnout of 22,000 participants and 30,000 spectators! By some strange miracle I found the best parking spot that morning. (This never happens to me!) My pacee Vivian did a great job, and together we finished the race with no troubles - running and happy. I didn’t even mind too much that I missed out on the Durham Farmer’s Market that day.

I convinced Clinton to go on a 24-mile bike ride out in Hillsborough on Sunday with all my running buddies. The course was very hilly but beautiful – rolling countryside and farmland. We gave ourselves “biking names” and also named our bikes. I’m “Narwhal: the Crystal Ice”, and I ride the Gray Hill Destroyer. By the end of the ride, we were extremely hot and sweaty, but happy. Ended the ride with a huge picnic, thanks to my running buddy Pat and her twin daughters. Then enjoyed homemade strawberry ice cream in rocking chairs on the porch at Maple View Farms with Pat’s seven grandchildren!

My coworker Vivian loaned us Season 1 of Veronica Mars, to which Clinton and I are now severely addicted. We watched a total of 13 episodes over the weekend. (Yeah, we know we’re sick.)

Wishing everyone a good week!