10.25.2009

Also in my absence

A few other things that happened when I was gone:
  • I cut my hair. Probably about 10 inches off and above my shoulders for the first time since my first year of grad school. I had a serious case of hipster-hair and needed some new (although belated) postdoc hair. Of course, it has been 2 (+) months and I haven't had it re-cut but I want to keep it short and sassy for a while!
  • I started getting into awesome-physical-activity in a more serious way, getting all my own gear and making a commitment to a year of partaking in the fun. A-P-A really requires a lot of focus and thus, is worthwhile pursuing while I am in Postdoc City. Often I come home from lab, eat and open my computer to work some more. Now at least there are a few hours every few days that I am completely away from the computer and restricted from even thinking about work. It is good for non-work related life difficulties as well. Working through my A-P-A related goals helps keep me positive despite missing the Grackle and Company. Plus, my guns* are as sweet as ever!
  • I got a Mac. It was time to finally make the switch and time to have an apple in the family. The switch itself is still underway. Two important programs are missing from the new machine and I need to secure them asap. Other than that, I love the design and how it works. Luckily, my MS lab was mac and I use them currently in my lab so I am familiar with the finer points of using these things. My machine is great!
  • I got an iPhone. Continuing with the materialistic theme, this phone is amazing. I'm still in the honeymoon phase and hope that I don't continue to be that obnoxious girl with her phone. Or at least I hope I stop being self conscious about it. The best thing yet- I use it to take notes during seminars and lab meetings. My handwriting is atrocious and it is so nice to be able to make sense of my notes post meeting!

*'Please stop referring to your arms as guns'

7 comments:

Julie @ Bunsen Burner Bakery said...

I took golf lessons all fall (it was time to move on from the golf school of father & husband to real, actual lessons) and I loved having a scheduled activity that no matter what, I did. I MADE room for it in my research. My last lesson was last week, and I am totally bummed... the golf course is also 4 miles away, and now that it is getting dark and cold early, it is way too far for me to walk in the evenings. :( I guess I am stuck to just going on weekends when Husband comes to visit. I can't wait to start back up in the spring, though.

I hope you continue to like your Mac. I have one that is 10 months old, and after about 6 months, it all went downhill. I hate it now. My 4 year old laptop PC and 2 year old desktop PC are FAR and away better than my 10 month old Mac now... and both combined were half the cost of the Mac! I will not forgive the lab for forcing me to buy the damn iMac. I tried to love it, but it crashes on me ALL THE TIME. I do, however, love my iPhone. :)

ScienceGirl said...

Oooh, a Mac AND an iPhone? Must. graduate. now.

Albatross said...

EtBr- I hope my luck with Macs is very different from yours!!

SC- Yes, nothing like finishing to upgrade! I will be paying off the machine for a year though and Grackle got me the phone for my birthday....and probably anniversary and xmas too =)

WS- good to have you back!

Albatross said...

Etbr- forgot to add- golf lessons sound fun! I used to knit to get away from lab stress (and still do occasionally) but the physical activity is so much better at getting out stress

Albatross said...

Etbr- forgot to add- golf lessons sound fun! I used to knit to get away from lab stress (and still do occasionally) but the physical activity is so much better at getting out stress

Amanda@Lady Scientist said...

I love my mac. A. Lot. I'm currently lusting after an iPhone. That may be my graduation present to myself, if I ever graduate... :)

Albatross said...

iPhone is amazing. It makes life so much easier!