Big news!  This morning I got the long awaited email that my first manuscript made it through another step of the publication process: Review.  This journal is known for its quick turn-around time so we actually got a formal apology for how long it took (although it was a blessing in disguise that reviewer #3 held onto it until after my prelims were over.  I should bake them a cake.) So, now I have 45 days to really hit the grindstone and channel my inner Carl Sagan (scientist and Pulitzer Prize winner) because not only do I have to make the "major revisions" to my manuscript to ensure it's publication but I also have to finish writing and submit my dissertation proposal  as well as complete another $50,000 grant proposal all due by the end of October.  

I have hinted in a couple of past posts about a big adventure I will be having this year.  And, now that all the plans are officially finalized and everything is paid for, I can share the big news.  

Three weeks from today I will be arriving in Africa for a three week adventure throughout South Africa and Namibia.

I will be spending two weeks in Nelspruit, South Africa with Wildlife Vets learning about wildlife conservation medicine, then, post course, I will be spending an extra week traveling South Africa and Namibia with Dr. Derr meeting with professional hunter organizations to discuss some ongoing research projects.  I might even have the chance to go hunting myself (eek!).

People have been making and breaking  New Years resolutions for millennia!  In Roman times, on January 1st the highest officials would swear oaths to the Emperor and make resolutions to remain loyal to the republic in celebration of the two-headed god of new beginnings, Janus (for which January is named for), who looked both into the past and future.   

I don't usually make "resolutions" but I, like many other people, do take the dawning of having to remember to add one when writing the year as a time to reflect on the past 365 days and determine what can be done to make this year even better.  And, after a two week - much needed - holiday vacation, I am ready to get back into the swing of things and start 2014 off right!  This includes getting my body back to a healthier and happier state preparing me for the loads of adventure ahead of me this year (more to come on that soon).  Due to the hustle and bustle of trying to see everyone while in California and falling victim to the sweets and good eats of the holidays, I am starting off 2014 with my back hurting worse than it has in a long while and bouts of fatigue are setting in with a vengeance.  I have been noticing the deterioration of my good habits and the development of ones which I am sure are the culprits for getting me to this point, most of which revolve around food.  So, while mentally I am happy, physically I am not, so, it's time to make a change!

To "restore [my] body's natural ability to heal itself" I will be doing a 21-day cleanse, detox and diet called Clean by cardiologist Dr. Alejandra Junger, M.D.  I have done "detox" diets before.  The detox phase of the FatSmash diet is my typical go to get myself back in-line and has never steered me wrong but, this time, I wanted something more.  I don't want to just re-teach myself to eat better and get myself back on track after two weeks of cheats; I want to help myself through the healing process of my illness and I think this program could do just that.   The program focuses on both inner and outer (mental and physical) health and there is a whole section on Nutrigenomics and gene expression, which really speaks to my scientist side.  This program is about rebuilding and restoring your whole body to become healthy and happy.

I will be going through this program with the help and support of the Curry Girl's Kitchen, my cousin and aunt's company which teaches healthy eating habits.  If you are interested in trying this type of program yourself, check out www.cleanprogram.com and contact the Curry Girl's Kitchen (tell them Caitlin sent you).  If you're in the Los Angeles area, you can even participate in weekly classes during the program where you will be guided through each week learning "clean" recipes.

2013 was an incredible year, but I have a feeling 2014 is going to be even better!