Cute blogs

So, how do you cute up blogs? I've noticed that other people have blogs that aren't one of the several templates offered, and I would like to have a blog like that. The polka dots are wearing on me. If you know anything about cute blogs, let me know. Because I want one.
In other news, I hope you all like the additions I've made to the blog, namely the buddy blog list and the "a little about us" section. The buddy blog still needs some work, as I can not yet access Andrea and Jeff's blog or Mom and Dad's. I need invites!

Yeah, the Bahamas were pretty great

Right after the winter semester ended, I went on a geology super field trip with my department to the Florida Keys and Andros Island, Bahamas. We were studying a modern carbonate depositional platform, which just means that we were looking at limestones forming. Coral reefs are an important part of that system, which meant (of course) that we were going to have to snorkel and take a look at some modern reefs. This was my first experience snorkeling, and I really loved it. I saw a shark by a patch reef in the Keys. It was pretty small, maybe 5 feet and not very close to me. I actually didn't realize that it was a shark at the time. I thought it was just a big fish. Some people who were with me when I saw it told me later what I had seen. I also got really close to some rays. I swam over one that was about 2 feet across after I almost landed on it when I got out of the boat. There was another one in the same area that was much bigger that had burrowed down into the sand so just its eyes and its tail spike were showing. Scary looking. The trip was really good and geologically fulfilling and everything, but I was glad when it was over because I really missed Mike. Next time I go to the Bahamas, I'm going to bring him.
This was a really big conch shell somebody brought up from the bottom. I saw some huge ones at several places, both alive and dead.
The ones with the black stripes are called sergeant majors, and the ones with the yellow tails are called yellow tails. Very creative.
This is the beach that was about 10 steps away from the front door of our little Bahamas hut. The red stuff is algae that washed up during the winter. We went to a place called Joulter's Cay (to the north of Andros) to talk about ooids (which are very cool) and there were all sorts of shells and sea cucumbers and star fish and urchins laying around. This starfish was obviously special because it is not, in fact, a star.
We stopped at a fruit stand on our way out of the Everglades that was called "Robert is Here." It was really cool. They did shakes (I got a key lime one that was excellent) and you could buy a whole coconut and get a hole drilled in it so you could drink the milk. They also had a honey tasting table with flavors like amaretto, avocado, and vanilla. It was great. You could also buy boiled peanuts, the joy of which I had not known before. It was probably one of my favorite stops. Definitely my favorite non-geology stop.
This was at the Everglades National Park. Sunrise. We saw it everyday we were on Andros.

This thing Rach tagged me on

Ok, ok, so it's been several months since last I posted, and I told myself I'd do this on Monday, and now since it's Thursday I figure I finally will. Also, Rachel tagged me with this thing, and I want to fill it out. So, here we go.

Where is your cell phone? Probably on the bed. Possibly on the floor or in the other room.

Your significant other? Working, bringing home the bacon, etc.

Your hair? Brown and long...but maybe not so long soon. I have an appointment with Hillary next month.

Your mother? Just helped me and Mike start devising a new and healthy diet so we can lose the weight we've been gaining since we got married.

Your father? Has already lost 25lbs since my mom made over their diet. Needless to say, both parents are great.

Your favorite thing? Baby animals. Or babies. Or cuddling with Mike.

Your dream last night? Ooo, this is a good day for this one. Last night I dreamed that I was in the show Stargate SG1 (which I used to watch when I was younger and now Mike and watch it online) and we were attacked by the Replicators (little erector set spiders) and we had to run all over the base to get away from them. Then we were hiding in the towel room and I accidentally started a huge fire (everyone in the dream was mad at me) and we had to run again and I jumped off a balcony through a window and then my dream became a little more like the last Bourne movie (Bourne Supremacy? Or is that just the second one?) and I don't remember it as well. Very action packed, though.

Your favorite drink? Probably just water. It's usually what I want, although I do enjoy exquisite drinks such as mudslides and piña coladas (both virgin)

Your dream/goal? To get done with school, for Mike to get done with school, and to have a house.

The room you’re in? Bedroom/office

Your ex? Depends on which one, but for the most part, I really couldn't say.

Your fear? SPIDERS.

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Done with school, with some kids, keeping busy.

Where were you last night? Visiting my parents, Mike's parents, and Rachel and Nate. And their new kitten, which is so so cute.

Muffins? Cupcakes.

One of your wish list items? A laptop and curtains for my kitchen. And some cute new black Sunday shoes.

Where you grew up? American Fork, Utah

The last thing you did? Had breakfast and showered.

What are you wearing? Jeans and an orange/red shirt. Also the towel turban.

Your TV? Makes an awful high pitched buzz/hum.

Your pets? Nothing. But I want Rachel's cat's kitten. So cute.

Your computer? A Dell. This is probably a better question for Mike.

Your life? I'm a fan.

Your mood? Feeling good, ready to start doing stuff.

Missing someone? Jessica mostly. Mike a little bit but not as much because I'll see him tonight.

Your car? 2005 Hyundai Elantra. It's a little trooper.

Something you’re not wearing? Makeup. In the summer I usually only put it on before I go somewhere.

Favorite store? Lately I've really been digging Lowe's. I also like Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Ross' and TJ Maxx's.

Your summer? No school!! Except the whole thesis thing. Some yard work- I want to do a little garden. Some camping, some hiking. It's shaping up to be a good one.

Like someone? I like Mike the best, but I also like a lot of other people, notably my family (this means in-laws as well) and my friends. I feel I've now answered this question to everyone's satisfaction.

Your favorite color? Red!

Last time you laughed? Last night when Mike did his kitten impression. Everyone should get to see it. It cracks me up super bad.

Last time you cried? I don't know, really.

Next time: Tales of the Bahamas

Sharing

So, a new blog. I like to think of my first one as kind of an experiment, just seeing how things went, and now I am ready to officially create the Michael and Kasia Johnson family blog. Hopefully I'll break from my former trend and start posting more, but shorter, blogs. Just to get things off to a good start, I think I'll end here.