Have I mentioned that my family is coming to visit this weekend and I am super excited?
This past weekend was Hamster grrl's 30th Birthday Extravaganza! To celebrate, we did a little ice skating (ouch -- I am still sore!) and then had a Viva Las Vegas party at a friend's house! Lots of fun had by all! And I thought I would share some of the fun photos!
(This one is my new all-time favorite photo of Ry and me!)
It doesn't really mean anything at all, but a research paper that I wrote is actually in the top 15 most read articles in this journal the last 12 months.
Honestly, it means nothing. No one even knows about it unless I tell them or they happen upon it while browsing Ethology (like Dancing Fish does -- thanks for the heads up!)!!
But I was just excited, because it's almost like I am a real scientist or something. Crazy!
Just wanted to send another thanks to everyone who cheered me on during the last month and sent their congratulations!
Here are some pictures of the awesome "Q survival kit" that Kathryn gave me (complete with whale chapstick, Napoleon Dynamite Flippin' Sweet Peppermints, clown fish gummi snacks, and many many other treats!) and some congratulatory cookie bars from BJW and his future wifey!
Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, I'm free at last.
Just 2 days after MLK's birthday, I am free at last.
I passed the Qs!
Yesterday was a crazy day that ended with my oral Qs. My department is looking to hire a new evolutionary biologist (yay! more on that later) and I was busy all morning / afternoon with lunches and talks because of the search. Then, suddenly, it was 2:30 and I was in a room with 3 committee members and a speaker phone (because my 4th committee member is now at another university, which is why we're searching for a new faculty member).
It lasted 2 hours, but they flew by. I was talking the whole time and stumbled only a little. My final question was the scariest. Ry's advisor (who happens to also be one of my committee members) had told me to study subjects dealing with neurons in a specific area of the brain during development that are important in reproduction in adult animals. Which I did, and answered his first question with little effort. His final question to me was about the beginning of brain development. Which I have not even looked at for about 6 months.
It was like telling me to study George W. Bush and then asking me about George Washington.
But, I opened my mouth and words just came out. I was able to explain the groundbreaking experiment about early neural organization. I even drew diagrams -- complete with salamanders with smiley faces.
It was weird. I was surprised that somewhere in my brain, I do actually know stuff.
The absolute best part is that I passed -- with no strings attached. Sometimes students pass on the condition that they take another class or give a lecture to undergrads on a topic they stumbled on or write a paper. But I passed!!!!
Now, I promise to never write about Qs again and get on with my life!!! YAY!!!!
And thanks to everyone for their support!! Especially Ry, DancingFish, Hamster_Grrl, mamagumm, Kathryn, Anna, George, BF Kim, BF-in-law, BJ, Dr. D., Joe, V, and the family (who understood that I couldn't be home for the holidays because of this). Without you all, I would have dropped out of school a long time ago!!
Wednesday afternoon I will be taking my oral Qs!
I am so happy that they are scheduled, but freaking out because Wednesday is actually very close. And I have been slacking a little this last week, with very minimal studying.
So, for the next few days, it's cram cram cram.
And then, hopefully, I will pass. And be done with this stupid test forever!!!!
Well, I decided for sure today that I will NOT be traveling to Costa Rica over spring break.
No, I was not headed on some awesome college spring break. I was supposed to be hanging out at a nature reserve watching fish swim.
One of my labmates is down there doing some research this semester, so it seemed an obvious time to go. But, the week long adventure turned into something more extreme with rented cars and far away flights and staying at an all-inclusive resort. Just far too complicated for me for something that is NOT a vacation!!
Besides, I should be here in the Little Town focusing on my dissertation proposal (see New Year Goal #9) and sending out my five manuscripts (see NYG #8). This year, I also want to vacation with friends and visit the Southern Yankee and baby Katherine (see NYG 18 & 19).
I'll just have to go to Costa Rica to visit the fishies in 2008 ...
It was a relaxing weekend, as I decided to stay away from all things biology and put off studying for the next step of my Qs for 2 whole days.
baked a cake for Timmy's birthday, though we knew Tim wasn't showing up. That's how we roll. Oh, and Ry ate about 3 dozen swedish meatballs. Oh, how we eat and drink with Dr. & Mrs. D!
After day 2 of the Qs, I was EXHAUSTED!
You'd be surprised how tiring it is writing for 12 hours ....
coupled with the inability to sleep for a few nights and a few shots at South Side Steel!
I hope I passed.
The last section was especially difficult.
It was the subject I was least comfortable with, there were far too many questions, and I just wanted to be done.
Here's hoping I'll be allowed to take the orals and move on with my life!
As for this weekend, Ry and I are going to relax, do a little shopping, and head to Dr. D's tomorrow for some football!
No studying for me ... until next week!
Not that I really believe in such things .... BUT ....
Aquarius
January 05, 2007
Provided by Astrology.com
Today you will reach your destination, but you might not realize that you've arrived. With all the energy you've been directing toward the journey, your vision is blurred as to the reality of your situation. So wait things out today, and don't make any rash decisions -- you've got to give yourself time to settle into the way things are and fully realize that you are finally, undeniably done! To make a change now would be shortsighted.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if I passed and I could stop blogging about Qs?
Oh, and move on with my life?
I survived the first day of my written Qs.
Here are a few words I was able to work into the 6 hours of writing:
In one day, I will be starting my written Q exams.
12 hours of testing over 2 days. Then, if I manage to pass those, on the 15th I will spend hours in a room with my committee, trying to show them that I know enough about their subjects to be considered a for a PhD.
I am starting to question these hoops that I must jump through.
This test is seeming more and more pointless the more and more I study.
I just want to watch some fish swim!
Well, must go ... only 23 hours and 45 minutes left to study ....
It started today -- Project 365!
I will be taking a photo a day for the entire year of 2007.
To keep them all orderly, I will be posting the photos every few days at
The Oddity Effect: Project 365
Check it out when you get a chance!
I'll post here whenever I update it, so if you read this one, you can link right over to the other blog!
Happy New Year!!
Ry & I rang in 2007 with some champagne, a view of the Little Town fireworks from my living room window, and some fun phone calls from my friends!
All in all, a wonderful start to 2007!
In light of the new year, I figured I'd set some goals for 2007. I know many people feel that New Year Resolutions are "lame". But, the Babylonians did it 4,000 years ago and the Romans continued the tradition -- they can't be all that bad.
The generally theme of my 2007 goals is "To be a better ...". Which I guess is what resolutions are all about -- being better.
Lately, with my focus on the Qs, I have felt like I haven't been the best Sneks I can possibly be, so I hope this outline will serve as a motivator for 2007!
Be a better:
Person
1. Exercise 3-4 times a week & eat better
2. Save 10% of my income
3. Clean the apartment every Sunday
4. Take a photo everyday (see The Oddity Effect: Project 365)
5. Read a few non-science books
PhD Student
6. Pass the Qs
