Meh....

Well, I'm not too confident we'll have anything more than rain tomorrow.  Regardless, this system would not be at all chaseable, as it's going to come through as a giant linear pile of poo.

Oh well... What can you do?  I just need to be patient, because real live Spring is just around the corner!

However, my friends to the north are gonna get SLAMMED by this system with snow and ice!  I don't believe I've ever heard of a PDS Winter Storm Watch, but one was issued yesterday for Oklahoma!  In Northern Indiana, it won't be unheard of for people to receive 30 inches of SNOW!  I have also heard from a friend in the South Bend area that 2 feet of snow is already on the ground there!

This is going to be an epic event, even if I don't get my severe weather!

First Chase-atunity of 2011????

Well, well, well.. In my massive amounts of procrastination and whining, I did what any good weather nerd should after going outside and feeling nearly 60 degree temperatures at the end of January.  I looked at the models to see when the massive cold front was coming through!  :)

Massive may be a strong word, but look toward the week ahead it might be the first true opportunity for severe weather this week.  From looking at the GFS, it seems a cold front will move through, bringing snow to our friends to the north and action of another kind to our area.  As of right now, it appears that Wednesday evening will be the most interesting day in our area.  I just hope these storms roll through after work!!

Last night, I thought the chance of severe would be further to the south, but after looking this morning... WE HAVE A CHANCE!  And a chance is better than nothing!! :D

Preparing for the Season Ahead

Still experiencing winter doldrums around here, but hey....  It won't be long now!  My second season of chasing will be beginning soon!  Full of new adventures, busts, and hopefully, that elusive first TORNADO! :)

I'm in my 4th semester of grad school, and this one is starting out ROUGH.  FDA Submissions.... Hardest class thus far.  Constant assignments, very very difficult.. loads of writing.  See?  I can't even finish a complete sentence!

Anyway... I've been doing a lot of reflecting and thinking about last year's chase-a-tunities.  This year, I'll be much better.  My GPS should arrive tomorrow!  I need to practice tethering the Blackberry to my computer for internet access.

It won't be long now, everyone! Just on the other side of February lies Spring... The BEST season of the year!

2011-The Year of the Tornado

Is it presumptuous to say this will be the year I see my first tornado??  Maybe a little, but we all have goals, right?

I have neglected my blog lately, and neglected many other things for many months.  School is part of it, but there have been some other distractions... I'm going to do better at remaining focused on my goals this year.

The end prize... Finishing my master's degree and seeing my first tornado!  Last year, I made a list of goals.. things to accomplish, and this year is no different.  I did EXTREMELY well last year!  Let me share my list with you:

1: Chase more! I will have at least one fairly long distance chase this year. I will chase every single possible opportunity and I WILL NOT miss storms due to school procrastination!

2: FINISH my Master's this year. I'm beginning "official" thesis work this summer, but unofficially start this semester. This means I will be even more stressed, but I'm ready to get finished.

3: Get my camera and learn to use it. (unfinished business from last year!)

4: Fix things... I can't really go into details, but in my head, there are somethings that need fixing.  No funny comments from the peanut gallery!

5: Get our house ready to sell and move to my older farmy type home in the country that I have always wanted.


My list is fairly short this year... Honestly, school will be taking up so much of my time, I'll be lucky that I get ANYTHING done! 

Happy New Year everyone! 

So........

My poor blog.  All alone and neglected.  Okay, blog.  It has been awhile, so maybe we should sit down together and catch up.

Basically, I wake up really early, go to work for awhile, come home, relax for about 30 minutes, check my work email, start working on school stuff, and then go to bed.  This semester has been exceptionally challenging, and I feel like my last few semesters are going to be like this.  It sounds kind of like I'm sad about it, but honestly, I am loving all this. 

I never thought I would be the person who was so caught up in her job that she couldn't go an entire day without thinking about it in one way or another.  I have completely become that person, but that's a sign that I am truly interested in what I am doing.  I couldn't be happier to figure out I have made the right decision.

Unfortunately, my dream of a "chase-cation" this summer is probably squashed.  I absolutely have to take TWO classes this summer if I want to finish by next spring.  Sigh..........  Maybe I'll get out there someday.

Happy 5th Birthday, Rerun!!

Sorry it has been so long, but it has been extremely busy!!

Anyway, today is Rerun's 5th birthday!  It's hard to believe that it has been 5 years since that hot day in November when we got him!  We drove up to this really creepy place on Sand Mountain with this scary guy.  Stacey and I both were convinced we were going to be murdered.  I was afraid we would come upon a huge puppy farm, but when we got inside this scary guy's house (not the smartest move, we know!) we found out he really just loved his pugs!!!!  Out came the mother, the father, and about 5 little pug puppies!! The first dog ran right up to me and I picked him up, and he smothered me in little puppy kisses.  And there you have it!  That was Rerun.  There was no way I was putting him down once I picked him up.

:)

Just Relax

So... last night, we got a surprise storm!!  I went to go and grab my camera and video camera, and then I just decided to go outside and enjoy the storm.

I can't explain how nice it was just to stand outside and feel the wind and the rain like I used to.  I have become so focused on documenting every storm that I encounter that I forgot that feeling.  This is what I love about the weather!  The way the wind and air feels just before a storm hits.  The clouds rolling in....  It's so easy to forget to notice the beauty around you sometimes.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!