Rocktober

Matt has taken to calling this month Rocktober and tonight kicks off our 2 concerts in 3 days music-palooza. We are going to see Death Cab for Cutie tonight at the fox. Then thursday we will be seeing Ben Folds at the Pageant. 

I think we're enjoying living in a city where we can go to a concert on a weeknight and not have to worry about needing to take the next day off. 

Next week we're heading to Carl's wedding in Hawaii. Tuesday night we fly to Phoenix and then Wednesday during the day we head to Honolulu. In addition to the wedding events, we also plan to take some surfing lessons, do some snorkeling and swim with sharks! We will be sure to post some pictures when we get home. 

Well, Matt did say he didn't promise to update you

Well shortly before our last update on the status of my exams, Matt and I went to the Ryder Cup. It was my first golf tournament and what an introduction! We walked for miles and miles, stretched and strained to see over people's heads and ultimately saw many exciting shots and had a great time. The concessions ran out of water on Sunday and it was really hot, so Matt even offered to leave early (even though we both knew he didn't mean it). I was glad we didn't miss the awesome finish when the U.S. won the cup. I think maybe next time we're going to a golf tournament I will buy some water early in the day. 

Last weekend, I took off to Maryland for a few days for a visit with my mom and to go to my Aunt Susie's wedding. We had a nice time at the wedding (even if we did get lost in Baltimore thanks to my new Uncle Mark's terrible directions). We had even more fun just getting to spend some time together. It really makes me long for east coast living again. We bought all the stuff so I could start my wedding scrapbook, but as of yet it's stayed in the bag. 

This weekend, we are both staying in town. Tonight we are off to an Oktoberfest party in Soulard (St. Louis' french quarter) with some friends. Tomorrow we are going to another friend's birthday party. I definitely plan to enjoy being at home and sleep in a bit. Monday, I start jury duty. Hopefully I don't get picked because it's not a great time school and teaching wise to be missing out on my life. I guess since it's my civic duty and all I will do it though. 

I met with my advisor this week and we set up a new experimental design and set a deadline for my dissertation proposal. That means I need to come up with one more chapter of research to do and get it written by the end of the semester. So grant proposals, the dissertation proposal and studying for my oral exams are all on my plate. 

Matt has been working hard on a quarterly report and 4 page press release for work. That went out this week. Also, I know that his boss has asked him to sit in on their Monday meeting to explain how another large press release he wrote got picked up by at least 4 media outlets and that it's a valuable way to get free publicity. So I am sure that once the brokers get that idea in their heads, Matt won't be wanting for work to do. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the crisp fall air coming in,

Courtney