A week (or so) ago I posted about things I want both immediately and in the distant future. I think the actual post itself helped me put things in perspective and I'm becoming happier that I deciced to do this. Last week I decided to blog regularly so Wednesdays have become "blog post day". I have had so many ideas for today's post that there is no way that I will remember it all (write down brilliant ideas should be on my list off new lifestyle changes-I always have great questions or ideas that I seem to forget).
So in addition to "blog day", I have also instituted "mouse room day" which is Tuesday (morning). My research group (3 of us..haha) uses mice as our animal model and I sometimes dread going down there. The tech takes care of most of the general housekeeping duties but I have a specific colony that I take care of and I essentiall put off going there until the last possible oppoyrtunity. This end now!!! Every Tuesday regardless of whether matings are going on (unless I'm uber busy and know that all is well) I will go check up on my guys.
I need to develop good habits which are so easy to start but so hard to maintain. If I stop one day, then all is shot to hell so I have written a general list of the things I need to get done and I am trying to stay as true to the schedule as I can. For instance, I re-started going to the gym. I went a few times last semester but I could barely keep up so I stopped. It's a dance class and I am so uncoordinated it's laughable. This black girl cannot dance, YET!!! But I will stick with it for the summer and hopefully I will improve vastly and if not, it means that I kept up the commitment.
One of the scientists I follow on Twitter posted a link to an article which I read and there was some great advice for current PhD students. I don't have it since I didn't save it so sorry, but, it did say that you should work a normal schedule eg. a 9-5 so I have also taken that advice. Before Monday (yesterday) I used to get to lab anywhere between 10 and 11 but I have now decided to go in at 9 everyday and stay till 5 unless I have to stay later to complete experiments. So that is new as well. Waking up is pure hell for me. I can't wake up and be out the house in 10 mins like some people. I need to eat breakfast (instilled from childhood) and shower (I shower 2x daily except on some Saturdays) and most importantly to me prayer/devotional time. Though it is most important it suffers most for now but hopefully as I get used to the routine things will pick up and I can spend QT with the Man up there.
Another drastic step that I took was to take a hiatus from Twitter. I swear I am addicted to it. Facebook Will be next ( I need to wean myself off social networking slowly). I love Twitter. I had 2 apps on my phone and checked them all day long for news, tidbits from all the scifolks I follow and updates into the lives of acquaintance (none of my close friends tweets regularly-IM works better for that). I took the break because 1) I checked it way too regularly 2)I figured that the great scifolks did not have the distraction of Twitter during their grad years and they turned into the awesome people they are now. Don't get me wrong, I use Twitter for news both "regular" and scientific. I follow the Times, ABC, CBS, Science, Cell, Nature so its not all mindless social networking but I need to be able to control my use of it better.
I have begun actively getting ready for my qualifying exam. I would like to set up my first committee meeting at the end of June so I have to get a small presentation ready. I am reading and taking notes systematically, unlike the notes I have scattered all over my apt or attached to the journals from which I make them. I had bought some colored paper a few weeks ago to help inspire me to get on with it (studying) but since then I have re-evaluated and I am getting on with it for the right reasons. So yes, I am using those nice pastel colored sheets to make notes on the various topics which I believe I should be very well versed in in order to successfully complete my Qual/Comp. I started over the weekend and so far so good. Just tonight I read two articles on a procedure I am using in my research and got some ideas for some assays I can use to strengthen my case. I am aiming to have the actual exam in October or November so that gives me ample time to generate some solid preliminary data and write a badass proposal.
Yesterday we got a new rotation student and today we lost her. I was looking forward to having someone around to pass on my limited knowledge to and use as a reason to read study so I could answer any and all her questions but alas, it was not meant to be. She got accepted into Medical school and will explore whether she wants to pursue an MD or a PhD. Lucky her. We are expecting one later on in the summer so I have time to soak up knowledge.
I changed my cable and Internet provider. Got a real sweet deal from my wireless provider (until they do something that makes me mad) so I signed up for the services from them. I get more channels than I do now and the same Internet speed, and some cash cards. I am trying to cut back on the amount of tv I watch during the week. Last night DWTS finale was supposed to be my last weeknight show until the NBA finals start. After that it will be a juggling act to catch some of the Olympic events that I enjoy: gymnastics, swimming, diving and sprints, without compromising my study time.
One the new friend front, I invited a classmate to lunch and she forgot, then cancelled due to illness and I have not heard from her again. Maybe God is trying to tell me something or maybe the devil is trying to detract me. How am I supposed to figure out which one it is and act accordingly? Oh the puzzles of life. Time will tell. Let's see if she initiates contact since I did the first time.
Update: She did. She messaged yesterday and we had lunch today. It went well and we agreed to do it more often. I am happy.
That was a lot of updating for one week. Hopefully I will have more updates and good news regarding sticking to the plan.
Toodles,
Dee
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