Fishing in liquid nitrogen

So the other day I happened to have one of the funniest moment in the lab I could possibly conceive.  A lot of our experiment recently have involved fluorescent dyes that require us to work in the dark.  We try to keep our samples as cold as possible and when we are done with them (ready to store them for an extended period of time) we flash freeze them in liquid nitrogen.  This is done by dipping a ladel in a large tank of liquid nitrogen and then dropping the small containers into the ladel.  Sounds easy enough right?  Well try doing it in the dark with containers that like to stick to your gloves!  Anyway, I dropped two of three containers into the large tank of liquid nitrogen which instantly disappeared out of site.  The third container was in the ladel but when I tried to pour out some of the liquid nitrogen the container flew out and landed in the tank as well.  For a few minutes I blindly tried to scoop up the samples.  Naturally to no avail.  I even got fancy and tried to create a vortex by moving the ladel around in a circle.  Still to no avail.  I gave up.....for the time.  As many of you know liquid nitrogen tends to evaporate quite quickly so I had to close the tank up as soon as possible.  A few hours later I came back with a co-worker.

Inside this tank of liquid nitrogen are 6 racks of square boxes, each containing several samples for various experiments.  We got the idea that if we removed all of them we could see more clearly.  We also turned on the lights.  As we removed all the racks a great deal of mist/fog formed at the opening.  From experience I learned that if you put one rack back in the fog goes away (not sure why).  Anyway, I put a rack back in and again began to create a vortex, this time using the rack.   It was much easier to create a vortex this way and soon I could a great deal of movement as well as feel the pull of a circular current.  My co-worker was handed the ladel.  As a sample floated into sight briefly he would attempt scoop it up with the ladel.  After a few minutes we were finally able to fish them all out.  Naturally we turned off the lights as soon as possible and covered them up so we could return the racks with the light on.  If nothing else it left us with huge grins and a funny story.  It became the day we went fishing in liquid nitrogen. 

Long Day

Today I knew would be a busy one, turns out I was right about something for once.  I went in early to the lab to get some experiments going.  I knew that an acquaintance from school was starting his internship at the lab today so I figured that if I got the boring stuff done early enough that he might be able to do some of the other things.  Even that way there was a lot of "down time" which I took advantage of to teach him as much as I could about what we are doing.  I showed him around and helped point out key locations he would use.  We also spent a great deal of time talking.  There was a pretty wide range of topics, but mostly we just talked about more important things like my fair lady, our missions (his and mine), school, etc.  It was a pretty productive first day for him and a very long day for me.  I'm surprised I still have a voice after talking all day.

After work I tried to get my car in shape by getting an oil change and attempting to get my blinker fixed.  It looks like I still have to wait for the light though.  Then I ran to Wal-mart in hopes of finding some microcassettes that I could record for my sweetheart.  I guess they don't sell them anymore....at least not at Wal-mart.  Someone suggested radio shack, but by then it was late enough that I was certain I would have to wait at least another day.  So I drove straight to FHE where we had a quick lesson and the proceeded to play Bunko.  Its usually a fun game, but I had such a bad luck streak that it wasn't really fun at all.  I lost 9 of 11 games.  Not a vegas night, that was for sure....well, unless I bet against myself.

The majority of the day my thoughts were on my girlfriend.  As such I felt like I multi-tasked the entire day because I wasn't always left with time to stop and think about her.  Naturally I brought her up in nearly every conversation, but  not everyone shares my interest in that area.  I miss her a great deal.  It was our year anniversary of when we started dating.  It has been an amazing and wonderful journey.  I often wondered if I could ever be so happy.  Now I know the answer is yes, and it only gets better.

Sound familiar?

Have you ever watched "The Best Two Years"?  If you haven't, please do.  It gives insight into the life of a missionary and many of the comical things that seem to happen to them.  Today I felt like I was acting out one of the scenes when I noticed there was mail in the mailbox.....on Sunday.  Obviously I hadn't checked yesterday.  Anyway, to my surprise I had a package from my fair lady.  As I opened it I was surprised to find a microcassette.  This is where the enactment of the movie kicked in.  I was suddenly in a craze to find something that would allow me to listen to this tape.  I zoomed around the house looking everywhere, but to no avail.  Just to be sure I asked my aunt who confirmed my suspicions, there was no tape player in the house.  I looked for the nearest shoes (in the movie I believe they were wooden shoes) and convinced myself that I would go over to neighbors and ask if I could borrow one, if they had it.  Luckily my aunt was being visited by our bishops wife at the time who mentioned her husband may have one.  In my wooden shoes (sandals) I drove over to his house and borrowed the prized possession.  Its so good to hear her voice again.  Oh, just so you know I didn't get dumped like in the movie.  Thank goodness there were some distinct differences.  Anyway, it made my day to hear from her and for once I mean that in a literal sense.  Emotions are so much easier to detect by voice than by letter, especially when the tape cuts out ever so often mid-sentence; poor girl probably almost drowned recording the tape.  I sure do love her though and I know she loves me too.  We miss each other.  It isn't easy.  She struggles on a daily basis to not think about me so she can focus on her work.  I struggle waiting for the next time I will be able to receive word of her.  Everytime I hear her name or hear news about her, whether it be from her or someone else, I consider to be a gift.  I treasure each of these gifts.  I'm certain that their value far surpasses any offer that could ever be made on them.  Those who can, treasure those who are close to you, while they are close to you.

Is it wrong?

So I can't help but almost feel bad about using some old stake directories the way I did.  Near the front it always has a little note about using the directory only for church purposes.  What exactly does that mean?  Here is what I used it for.  Before my girlfriend left we did a little bit of wedding planning.  Some would say it is a little premature, but if you think about it, if you don't plan to succeed it will be nearly impossible to succeed.  Obviously we understand that things may happen but we are more than willing to be prepared and do a little work for nothing if that is the end result.  If the result is success than we are prepared, which is of greater benefit than any downfall to the idea.  Anyway, she gave me an old stake directory with highlights on all those she wanted to invite to the big event.  Likewise I obtained an old stake directory, highlighted it, and then transferred data from the two onto a file we have been working on for the wedding.  In effect I created an initial guest list/invitation list to add to the other info we had decided on (such as colors, a few songs, etc.).  I must say, those kinds of lists are dull to type and very time consuming.  I hope that it was not in vain.  Obviously it will need updated when the event is much closer to happening, but this initial information speaks mountains for remembering those who need to be invited.  If plans go badly then if nothing else, my half will make an excellent Christmas card list.  Church use....not sure, but who can really define that anyway?