Oregon Weekend

For those that watched football this weekend you probably already know that Stanford was not able to beat Oregon at Autzen Stadium last weekend. That being said, it was a great game (the first half at least) and we had a wonderful weekend.

Here we are outside of the Molecular Foundry in Berekely right before hitting the road. Kevin did a great job in his presentation and I really enjoyed getting to be there.

One of the best parts of the Foundry is the view. It is in the hills above Memorial Stadium and overlooks the bay where you can see San Francisco, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge on a clear day. Leaving from Berkeley cut off about an hour from our trip and we made it to our campsite at about 11pm. Our friend Dennis and his girlfriend Rachel had a fire going when we got there. We stayed up for a little bit before heading to bed. We had our alarms set for 5:30am to head to the Stadium for College GameDay.

Kevin and I didn't bother showering before the event so we are looking a little gross here. There were few Stanford fans and an abundance of Oregon fans. Their ability to show up at the crack of dawn is why GameDay keeps coming to Eugene.

Both bands took turns playing during commercials and I like this picture because it shows the Oregon band (who were very proper) looking down at the Stanford band (which is known for being laid back). The Stanford band was having such a blast and I like to think Oregon was a little jealous.

Rachel, Dennis, Kevin, Cara

After leaving GameDay and grabbing breakfast we headed back to our campsite to get cleaned up. Dennis couldn't resist pretending to stomp on the "O" on our way back to the car.
We found a place called The Cooler where we ate breakfast and went back to to later on to watch the Wisconsin game. Both Dennis and Rachel graduated from there so we thought we'd cheer with them.
After awhile we headed to a tailgate by 'Toby the Van' They have a big van painted red with the Stanford S and tree on it. It was a really fun tailgate and we got to hang out with a bunch of band members while we were there.

This guy here is a drummer and also the guy in the red body suit from the last home game.

When the band unveiled the new tree last home game against Wake Forest, Kevin and Dennis called the tree over to us in the stands and grabbed it's leaves. The tree would respond, "Don't grab my leaves". Then a little bit later they would call the tree over again and grab his leaves. What we couldn't figure out was why the tree kept coming over to us. This happened probably 5 times. Not the tallest tree in the forest.

Of course they had to grab his leaves when they saw him again.

We had to get all of us in a picture with the tree!
The stadium was packed like I guess it always is. There was a sea of green and yellow and specks of red here and there. It is hard to describe how loud Autzen gets. It is supposed to be one of the loudest stadiums and I believe it. When people are yelling your head vibrates and it is pretty intense. The first half was amazing and we were cheering like crazy even though everyone around us was cheering for the other team. Then something happened in the second half and Oregon just dominated. It was pretty difficult to watch and tough with only 4 of us there. Many of the fans were great and really nice, but those that are bad are really really really bad. We had wheat thins chucked at us from up above (those corners are really sharp when thrown from far away)and the entire stadium booed when one of Stanford's players was down on the field for a little bit. I don't think we have ever wanted Stanford to win so badly before.

After losing we went out for pizza before heading back to our campsite and building a huge fire. We were all so tired from the long day before though that we headed to out tents early out of sheer exhaustion.

The next morning we hung out for a little bit before Kevin and I needed to hit the road for another 10 hour drive. Dennis was driving with Rachel 2 hours to Portland and flying back the next day.
We thought about stopping on the way back for some pictures, but we really wanted to make it home so I settled for a picture from the car. The view was incredible and I'd like to spend a little more time in Oregon.
We were pretty tired the first few days this week, but I think we've managed to recover. It is a good thing too because we have another tailgate this weekend. Stanford is playing USC and my Dad is coming to visit for the first time since we've been out in California. I'm very excited to have him here and I can't wait for another football game!

Oregon Bound!

Today Kevin and I are in Berkeley since Kevin is giving a talk on his work at Stanford and the Molecular Foundry (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab). I am looking forward to getting to see Kevin give a presentation since it has been awhile since I've had the opportunity to do so.

Immediately after Kevin presents we are hitting the road and headed up to Oregon where we will watch Stanford take on the Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Both teams are 4-0 and I think it is going to be an amazing game. Look for us on College GameDay...we might be there if we can wake up early enough to make the 6am live taping after a 10 hour drive today.

If you want to know more about tomorrow's showdown you can check it out here.

Palo Alto Moonlight Run

The K-State game is on hiatus due to lightning so I thought I'd take the time I'd being watching football to work on a few posts.

We decided a week or so ago that we should run in the Palo Alto Moonlight Run this year. I managed to get Kevin and Moria to agree to it even though we didn't exactly have a lot of time to train. I was a little nervous since I'd only been running sporadically over the last few months but we wanted to give it a shot anyway.


We ran into a few other friends who entered the race as well and it was fun to hang out before the race started. Our friend Brett who is a serious runner did the 10k and ended up winning the whole thing. His final time was 34:46...a 5:35 pace!!!The rest of us stuck with the 5k.

The start of the race was a madhouse. It was a mass of people funneling into a small opening to the baylands trail. After getting past the first 400 meters it was little less insane.

It was pretty dark out there. Luckily there were a few headlamps scattered throughout and we all had glow bracelets so it wasn't a hazard or anything. I was actually feeling pretty good during the run and it felt great to race again. I found a guy in a white bandanna that I tried to keep pace with. It helped me to keep pushing at the end of the 2nd mile. I tried to pick it up a little in the last mile and I had enough to pass white bandanna guy in the end. My goal was to beat 25 minutes and I was pleased to finish in 24:44. I just found out I was 9th in the 20-29 year old female division so I was excited about that.
Brian did a good job of getting us all at the finish. I don't think Kevin was as happy with his time as I was, but now we have a starting point and we'll just have to run another one in the future.
Kevin and Luke enjoying free food after the race.

This was Moria's first 5k and I was very excited to run it with her.
Whitney, Kendra, me, and Moria.
This was Palo Alto's 26th annual moonlight run. They had record registration this year with 3500 participants in all three events (5k walk, 5k run, and 10k run). I'm so happy we did it and I truly look forward to the next race. Luckily there are tons of races in the bay area so it shouldn't be too hard to find one close by.

Trivia Night

The Graduate Student Center (GSC) does a monthly trivia night. We had never been before...mostly because we suck at trivia, but we thought it would fun to check it out. Our team didn't end up doing too bad although I'm not sure how much I ended up contributing. I offered to take our sheets up to be scored after a few of the rounds so I guess I earned by keep.

Kevin balancing a bunch of pitchers while helping clean up after the event.

Our team! While we didn't win we still did okay. I hope we can go again next time and try to win at least one round. It was also fun because we got to meet Colin's girlfriend. She lives in Canada where they are from and it was exciting to put a face with the name and stories we've heard over the years.

Amy's Visit and Wake Forest

Last weekend I was lucky enough to have Amy in town for a visit. I picked her up late Thursday afternoon and she stayed until Sunday. First thing we grabbed something to eat in downtown Mountain View so we could have a chance to talk and catch up. We talk on the phone...but there is nothing like chatting with a great friend in person.

On Friday we go up to go do a hike at Rancho San Antonio. Kevin and I have been there a few times and I thought Amy would like it. We got a very nice workout in and were able to enjoy the mild weather which Amy is definitely not used to from Phoenix this time of year.

We stopped to check out the petting zoo on the way out.
We did a little shopping and later Sarah and Jonathan came over. Sarah had met Amy briefly the the last time, but then she and Jonathan were gone for the rest of Amy's visit. It was nice being able to introduce friends to each other.

The main event during Amy's visit was the Stanford football game. Since we are running the Chemistry Dept tailgates this year Amy came along to give us a hand.

James and Kevin with a former graduate student Chad. Chad originally started the tailgates about 7 years ago. I was glad he could make it and see that we've helped keep the tradition he started going.
Since Stanford was playing Wake Forest it was a little difficult to find any fans from their team to beat in our usual Flip Cup competition. We found a group of people that looked like they were up for the challenge.

Kevin, Dennis, and I always play standing next to each other since it seems to work for us. At one point we switched up the order of the three of us so that I was across from a young man that seemed to have a problem with being across from a woman. He began talking trash and when we won again and he still talked trash I challenged him to a little one on one action. We went head to head with 5 cups each and then I beat him. He was clearly not happy with the results.

My expression here is.... "this guy actually thought he could beat me" and I like to think that his is the sour taste of defeat.

A few of us celebrating our win.

There was a great student turnout for this game since it was the first game that the undergraduate students and first year graduate students were present.
A random Stanford fan. I thought he looked a little crazy so I had to take a picture.
Go Stanford!

We felt like it was a great tailgate and a great game. This win gave Stanford their third win in a row. It was especially nice to slaughter the Deacon Demons since they handed us our first loss last year.

For this game the band unveiled a new mascot. We aren't sure if it is a permanent thing or a one time only deal. Either way I think it is still pretty bad. I did a side by side so you can be the judge.
Kevin with random guy wearing a red spandex body suit.
Sunday morning Amy and I went out for brunch and then to Shoreline Lake to sit and talk a little more before she had to head back to Phoenix. I had a wonderful weekend with her and I hope she enjoyed it just as much.

Football and a Beer Festival

Since Stanford was playing UCLA down at the Rose Bowl we decided to have people over to watch the game on television. Stanford hadn't been able to beat UCLA on their turf since 1996 so we were ready for a win.
Luckily we were not disappointed when they shut them out 35-0.

At half time we made a cake (from the box), and Sarah worked her magic with a little whipped cream. I was quite impressed with her block letter skills.
The next day a few of us headed up to San Francisco for Brews on the Bay. We had such a good time last year that we had to go again.

Kevin, Dennis, and Brian on Caltrain.
Here we are on the Muni headed to Pier 45 to board the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien.
It turned out to be a really nice day although I was glad I remembered by sweater.
It was a little windy.
This year was a Van-Halen cover band. They weren't as good as the Bono cover band from last year...but how can you not appreciate a guy willing to wear leather pants and sing for you?
They had more of the ship blocked off than they did last year so we weren't able to wander around very much. It was still cool to be able to hang out on a boat in the city all day with great friends.

We grabbed dinner afterward before catching a train back home. With the long commute it was a long day, but we definitely had a blast!

First Tailgate of the Season!

Football season is finally here and that means we are going to be busy this fall. Kevin and I (along with the help of our friend Dennis) are in charge of the graduate chemistry tailgates for the year. We've been mentally getting ready to take on this task for quite some time and it was exciting for the first game to finally be here.

I was wanting to make something special for the first game so I decided to make helmet and football shaped cookies. I spread out the stages over the week so it wouldn't be so overwhelming and Moria came over one day last week to help me decorate them. I was very grateful for the help.
Here is a picture of the final product.
I was very happy with how they turned out. I love excuses to make themed cookies. Plus when I make them for an event Kevin and I aren't stuck with a bunch of cookies to eat.
Lupin wanted to get in on the action.
Our awesome tailgate spot. This picture was taken early on so there weren't many people there yet. I was actually surprised with the number of people who came out to watch Stanford against Sacramento State on Labor Day weekend.

Daryl, Dennis, Chris, Kevin, and Scott. It was our friend Chris' last day at Stanford before heading back to New York. Luckily we'll see him next month when he returns for a wedding.I finally broke out my new shirt (Thanks Patti!).
Miguel is a post-doc in Kevin's lab and is from Germany. He brought his friend Francesca who is from Italy. Neither of them had even been to an American tailgate and we were very excited to show them a good time. They beat us in beer pong (Kevin and I aren't very good) but I was able to beat Miguel in one on one flip cup later on.
Kevin on the grill.
After beating Miguel in flip cup.
As you may remember from last year we try to find fans from the opposing team to take on in flip cup. Sac State fans were a little slim for the picking, but we were able to find some older gentlemen to play us.
We had to teach them how to play, but I think they had a really good time. They were really good sports and they took getting annihilated pretty well.
Overall I think our first tailgate was a success. Stanford also beat the tar out of the hornets so it wasn't a bad day for them either. My friend Amy will be in town for the next home game and I'm really looking forward to that...stay tuned!