STS-128/17A

Cory and I are both currently working the Shuttle mission in the MCC. We started a couple days ago and we have 8 more days left! STS-128 means it's the 128th Shuttle mission, and 17A is the ISS assembly stage. Cory and I are both the leads for our groups for this mission. That means we've been the ones doing all the prep work for months leading up to it. It also means we're working the same shift, which is great since we're working weird hours.
The goal of this mission is basically to bring some stuff to the Space Station, the most well known item being the COLBERT, or Combined Operational Load-Bearing Resistance Treadmill. Or just 'treadmill' for short. I'm sure you remember when NASA was having the contest to name Node 3 and Colbert wanted it to be named after him. Well NASA had put it to a popular vote and Colbert actually won. So he had astronaut Suni Williams on his show to tell him the fate of Node 3's name. Sadly, it would not be 'Colbert'. But NASA did name this treadmill after him, and it's being brought up on our mission!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Space Module: Colbert - Sunita Williams
http://www.colbertnation.com/
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Protests

Here's to a successful mission, and to the COLBERT!

Vegas, Baby!

Well, the Shuttle slipped a bit, and Cory and I got to go to Las Vegas to my cousin Jessie's wedding! Neither of us had ever been before, and we had a great time celebrating and hanging out with family. My immediate family was there, and so were some of my extended family, including an aunt and uncle and some cousins. I don't get to see these cousins very often anymore, in fact I can't remember ever spending this much time with them since we are all 'adults'. It was really fun!!

We got there early Thursday and pretty much ended up being awake for more than 24 hours except for a brief nap. The guys gambled and me and my sister and mom walked the strip, seeing all the cool hotels (and awesome high-end shoe stores). That night was the bachelor and bachelorette party and the girls had lots of fun!

Friday we relaxed at the pool and the bride and groom hosted a cocktail hour. After that we went with my immediate family to see Cirque du Soleil's 'O' at the Bellagio. We got to see the fountain and lights show before-hand. These two things were by far the highlight of the trip (other than being at Jessie's wedding and seeing family, obviously)! The fountains were just so cool, and 'O' was simply amazing! I highly recommend it if you ever find yourself in Vegas.

Saturday was the wedding, and the reception at the Mandalay Bay buffet, followed by open bar at the Mix Lounge on top of Mandalay Bay's 'THE Hotel'. All was delicious and lots of fun, and Jessie looked beautiful!

Cory and I left early Sunday morning and now we're back in H-town, waiting for Discovery to get off the ground!

Mentees, or 'I am old'

My freshman year in college, I participated in WEPO, the Women in Engineering Program Orientation. It's a program where freshman women entering an engineering major at Penn State head up a few days before freshman orientation and meet other women in engineering, do a design project, and meet people in industry. When I was a senior and a super-senior, I became a mentor for this program. Being a mentor, and meeting Cheryl, the woman in charge of this masterpiece, were the best parts of WEPO for me.
One of my little mentees, Chloe, has followed in my footsteps, or so I like to think. She's all grown up and graduated and lives down here in H-town and works at NASA. Chloe has remained close friends with two of the other girls that were in our group, Shannon and Ashley. This past weekend was Chloe's birthday, and the girls were in town from Austin to celebrate.
It was so great to see my mentees again, and I can't believe they've graduated already! I feel old, but it was great to see them!

Chloe and me

me, Shannon, Chloe, Ashley

Wedded Bliss

Happy Anniversary Heather and Aaron! Two years ago today, my little baby sister (haha that's so funny, 'cause we're twins, get it?) married the love of her life. I can't believe it's been two years. Two years of pure bliss, right guys? We love you!

Recreating Paris, and other yummy treats

Cory finally came home on Thursday, after two weeks in Russia and one cancelled flight. To celebrate his homecoming, I planned a dinner to recreate our trip to Paris. We started with homemade french bread and brie. I'm really enjoying making bread, and it's super easy with my Kitchen Aid, and oh so tasty. For the main course I made lamb curry; I realize curry is not french, but we had a lot of lamb there and Cory had a curry dish he really liked. The lamb was delicious and tender and I can't wait to cook with it more! I finally tried out our kitchen torch on the creme brulee I made for dessert. We had creme brulee in Paris just about every night and we love it! It was much easier than I thought it would be to make and it turned out delicious! All of this was, of course, accompanied by some French wine. Bon appetit!

My good friend Beth had surgery a few weeks ago, and in my opinion, nothing says recovery like food :) So I made some chai tea latte cupcakes and some vanilla fro yo for her! I also gave some cupcakes to my other chai-loving-friends, Jaime and Lisa.

Last week I went to Alicia's for dinner and brough some macerated berries with cool whip for a yummy healthy dessert. What do do with leftover berries that are getting mushy? Why, make a mini berry crisp of course! And then eat the whole thing yourself. Not that I did that. Maybe.