Right now I've one reaction running in the machine which will take three hours, and my other reaction is waiting to go into one of those giant centrifuges (size of a laundry machine) which won't be free until 11:30. This means that I have about thirty minutes right now, presumably to read the paper that I've been handed and perhaps to get ahead on my project. ...Except I have no motivation of whatsoever to start that, since the project isn't due until the end of the quarter and I still haven't even gotten through half of the lectures yet, which are required for me to pick a topic on.
That, and the paper I have to read isn't that interesting.
I worked with radioactive materials for the first time yesterday! It was dyed a florescent green, possibly to remind us that it is radioactive (otherwise the liquid looks the same as water and dozens of other reagents in the lab). A labcoat was required in case of contamination -- and contamination did happen when we discovered that the outside of a container that was supposed to be "clean" was contaminated. Then followed a massive sweep to try to find the source of contamination (kind of sad, since I only used 0.1 mCi). For some reason we had one spot on the table cover that was very radioactive. I wonder how it got that way.
The radioactive freezer was kind of sucky. Okay, make that very sucky.
I had a lecture on antipsychotic drugs, antidepressant, and CNS depressants (sedatives and the like) today. It was supposed to give us an idea of the different mechanisms of drug action as well as the differences between the drugs. Aside from developing a new-fond respect for barbituates, the rest of it was a little disappointing.
Iwanttea.
20090428
20090426
20090425
Mom's been at the sci-fi again
In case any of you out there is wondering, it is not possible for people (me or anyone else) to die / mutate from spilling DNA on themselves. We routinely handle and/or consume more DNA than what's concentrated in a tiny 1.5mL tube in lab. (Anything you eat/handle that has cells / had cells potentially has DNA.) (Which is why we go through all the trouble in labs with the 1.5mL tubes because we want our DNA and not the random stuff that's around, all over the place.) (Also we want just the DNA and not all the random cellular millieu that it usually comes with, but that's story for another day.)
It always makes me cringe when I talk to my mom and she says something along the lines of "Oh and I read this book, so now I understand a little bit about what you're doing now!"
Science fiction. Hello.
Poor mother. She tries so hard.
I wonder if it's possible to make casserole in a loaf pan.
It always makes me cringe when I talk to my mom and she says something along the lines of "Oh and I read this book, so now I understand a little bit about what you're doing now!"
Science fiction. Hello.
Poor mother. She tries so hard.
I wonder if it's possible to make casserole in a loaf pan.
20090423
Even if you can never prove a theory
Received in my email today from the shelter:
March at the county shelter:
Dog adoptions – 229
Cat adoptions – 167
Other adoptions (includes bunnies) – 36
Volunteer hours for March – 1230 Hours
March at the county shelter:
Dog adoptions – 229
Cat adoptions – 167
Other adoptions (includes bunnies) – 36
Volunteer hours for March – 1230 Hours
20090421
20090420
Did I miss the memo?
Summer has arrived.
I was out in a t-shirt at 8 in the morning (though of course the long sleeve has to come back on within 30 minutes of stepping inside a building, the genetics room required a sweater). The weather was gorgeous. The stats professor (who is actually a PI of the lab five aisles down from where I sit) remarked that it's a great beach day and then mock-apologized to us for keeping us in. He concluded the lecture with "And now you can go to the beach."
The guys behind me were discussing whether or not to wear wet suits, because they are apparently very uncomfortable when it's this sunny out. (I don't know. I know nothing about surfing.)
One of my classmate fractured one of her fingers over the weekend playing football. (Which was kind of funny in the beginning because she's British, so I couldn't figure out if she's talking about soccer or American football. It was American football.) The sport seems to be as violent as I remembered it from PE. Learning how to correctly catch the ball seemed more important than ever.
The current lab is trying rather hard to recruit me. It makes me suspicious.
I was out in a t-shirt at 8 in the morning (though of course the long sleeve has to come back on within 30 minutes of stepping inside a building, the genetics room required a sweater). The weather was gorgeous. The stats professor (who is actually a PI of the lab five aisles down from where I sit) remarked that it's a great beach day and then mock-apologized to us for keeping us in. He concluded the lecture with "And now you can go to the beach."
The guys behind me were discussing whether or not to wear wet suits, because they are apparently very uncomfortable when it's this sunny out. (I don't know. I know nothing about surfing.)
One of my classmate fractured one of her fingers over the weekend playing football. (Which was kind of funny in the beginning because she's British, so I couldn't figure out if she's talking about soccer or American football. It was American football.) The sport seems to be as violent as I remembered it from PE. Learning how to correctly catch the ball seemed more important than ever.
The current lab is trying rather hard to recruit me. It makes me suspicious.
20090415
Augh
Dear Diary,
Last night I could hear a loud humming sound in my bedroom, which was less noticeable in my living room and totally undetectable outside of my apartment. It sounded a little like the bathroom ventilation fan if you've ever listened to that sound with the bathroom door closed. However, it was more sporadic than continuous. In fact, it sounded like there was a giant angry bee hovering just outside of my bedroom window, trying to break in.
I had to move to the living room to sleep. The old decrepit fridge was quieter and more soothing than that humming.
I am currently tired and very cranky.
I could still hear the humming sound this morning.
Sincerely,
S
Last night I could hear a loud humming sound in my bedroom, which was less noticeable in my living room and totally undetectable outside of my apartment. It sounded a little like the bathroom ventilation fan if you've ever listened to that sound with the bathroom door closed. However, it was more sporadic than continuous. In fact, it sounded like there was a giant angry bee hovering just outside of my bedroom window, trying to break in.
I had to move to the living room to sleep. The old decrepit fridge was quieter and more soothing than that humming.
I am currently tired and very cranky.
I could still hear the humming sound this morning.
Sincerely,
S
20090414
In which sales lady was desperate, and I was amused
Went in for follow up today and purchased my contact lenses (and realized that I have different values for both axis and cylinder when they wrote up my prescription for the record...that's a lot of decimals....) Given the frequency that I will probably wear them, I now I have a supply that will last for over a year, which is pretty good for 15 dollars (there's a discount). Of course this means I have to a bit more careful about where I store them, but at least the expiration date is in two years.
On my way back I noticed that the so-called "farmer's market" is currently selling clothing and jewelry. There is something very odd about walking down library walk and seeing manikins. (Also? Gives me weird DR. WHO flashbacks.) Near the end of the booths I was waylaid by a very enthusiastic blonde lady who shoved a box into my hands, causing me to stop walking.
"You like makeup, right?" She asked.
"...." I said, wondering what on earth can lead her to that conclusion. Usually the way I dress is enough of label for most people, but I guess she was very determined.
"Right?"
"...."
"A little makeup?" She asked, sounding a little desperate.
I felt bad - I really did - but there was something called "observation skills" and one ignores it at ones own peril.
...
During this morning's bus ride I realized that it been a while since I drew manga-styled characters. I use to try to do them fairly often in high school, and then it eventually petered off and I started doing comic-style (I dunno how I'd classify what I do...it' not entirely Western and not entirely Eastern and not traditional or anime, exactly) instead.
I should. Start drawing them again, I mean. There is just something about the implausibly skinny people with lethally pointy chins and gigantic eyes. They're also often very sparkly, even without their ruffly costumes. It's more than the fact that it's pretty. I think for me the fact that they're so implausible makes it easier for me to stick them in strange, dramatic postures and odd articles of clothing without it ever looking out of character. Also: excellent line practice. Especially with the art-nouveau style that some of them adopt. Or maybe I need to establish that fictional characters are firmly fictional and that I can do whatever with them that I like, including sticking them in strange clothing and strange postures.
I guess I'll start drawing and see what comes out.
(I suspect that I'll adapt the clothing style far more easily than the person style.)
(I also suspect that Mike will object to the sparkles and that Nick will not be able to hold a dramatic pose for longer than two minutes without cracking up. Zach? Zach will be hiding.)
On my way back I noticed that the so-called "farmer's market" is currently selling clothing and jewelry. There is something very odd about walking down library walk and seeing manikins. (Also? Gives me weird DR. WHO flashbacks.) Near the end of the booths I was waylaid by a very enthusiastic blonde lady who shoved a box into my hands, causing me to stop walking.
"You like makeup, right?" She asked.
"...." I said, wondering what on earth can lead her to that conclusion. Usually the way I dress is enough of label for most people, but I guess she was very determined.
"Right?"
"...."
"A little makeup?" She asked, sounding a little desperate.
I felt bad - I really did - but there was something called "observation skills" and one ignores it at ones own peril.
...
During this morning's bus ride I realized that it been a while since I drew manga-styled characters. I use to try to do them fairly often in high school, and then it eventually petered off and I started doing comic-style (I dunno how I'd classify what I do...it' not entirely Western and not entirely Eastern and not traditional or anime, exactly) instead.
I should. Start drawing them again, I mean. There is just something about the implausibly skinny people with lethally pointy chins and gigantic eyes. They're also often very sparkly, even without their ruffly costumes. It's more than the fact that it's pretty. I think for me the fact that they're so implausible makes it easier for me to stick them in strange, dramatic postures and odd articles of clothing without it ever looking out of character. Also: excellent line practice. Especially with the art-nouveau style that some of them adopt. Or maybe I need to establish that fictional characters are firmly fictional and that I can do whatever with them that I like, including sticking them in strange clothing and strange postures.
I guess I'll start drawing and see what comes out.
(I suspect that I'll adapt the clothing style far more easily than the person style.)
(I also suspect that Mike will object to the sparkles and that Nick will not be able to hold a dramatic pose for longer than two minutes without cracking up. Zach? Zach will be hiding.)
20090413
In which I miss my garden
Sent by mom.
Yes we do have a community garden nearby that I can rent a plot in, but as the place is hilly, the soil poor in nutrient, the ecology unnecessarily enriched in gophers (will require extensive amount of wrestling with wire-mesh), the cost of renting a plot doesn't seem all that plausible. Also, I'm more invested in the rent of my apartment.
My potted plants are doing well though.
(In case anyone's wondering, the collinsia I seeded last September, before I left for SD.
20090412
I plonked in my contacts again this morning, since I needed to wear them at least once before Tuesday for the follow up. The second time around was much easier. The new solution that they switched me to didn't sting and I managed to get both lenses in without poking myself in the eye in less time than it took me to get in one lens my first time around. Conclusion: there's hope for me yet.
Of course, as soon as they were in I noticed that the bathroom counter needed scrubbing, so that was what I did. Great way to start off a Sunday morning, right? (Which reminds me to note that the rent in our area is still going up steadily, as it has been for the past few years. If this keeps up in two years I'll definitely need to have a roommate in order to afford both rent and food in this area. Which brings up the question of just whom I can find from my department who'll put up with a roomie that needs quiet time to start at 10pm each night and clatters around the house at 8am on weekend mornings?) I think I shed more in the spring. Figures.
The church people should congregate soon. In the famed words of Christine, happy "Zombie Jesus Day"!
(I'm pretty sure it's today. Otherwise the guy in the bunny suit at the grocery store yesterday would be a lot harder to explain.)
Mom emailed me a box of food (such as pastries and chips) and in the odd spaces that were left she stuffed in Ramen. My reaction to receiving the entire thing yesterday was pretty much "lol mother". If anyone ever wondered if there's a genetic component to my need for efficiency, here is evidence.
I also squished a bug against the wall this morning, which left a very unattractive smear that I can't get off. Anyone know a trick for squished-bug-be-gone?
Of course, as soon as they were in I noticed that the bathroom counter needed scrubbing, so that was what I did. Great way to start off a Sunday morning, right? (Which reminds me to note that the rent in our area is still going up steadily, as it has been for the past few years. If this keeps up in two years I'll definitely need to have a roommate in order to afford both rent and food in this area. Which brings up the question of just whom I can find from my department who'll put up with a roomie that needs quiet time to start at 10pm each night and clatters around the house at 8am on weekend mornings?) I think I shed more in the spring. Figures.
The church people should congregate soon. In the famed words of Christine, happy "Zombie Jesus Day"!
(I'm pretty sure it's today. Otherwise the guy in the bunny suit at the grocery store yesterday would be a lot harder to explain.)
Mom emailed me a box of food (such as pastries and chips) and in the odd spaces that were left she stuffed in Ramen. My reaction to receiving the entire thing yesterday was pretty much "lol mother". If anyone ever wondered if there's a genetic component to my need for efficiency, here is evidence.
I also squished a bug against the wall this morning, which left a very unattractive smear that I can't get off. Anyone know a trick for squished-bug-be-gone?
20090411
In which math is an illusion, and there are muffins
The paper count for this week isn't too bad, and though I did have to go through 19 pages of DNA sequence in one day (at the insistence of the PI) the workload is fairly light, still. Which was why I was puzzled by my three day's worth of doom and gloom (and sleeping a lot) in the middle of everything. My view about life, the universe and everything (which naturally includes grad school and my classes) didn't change at all. I was no more and no less enthusiastic than before, but for a few days I found everything to be vaguely depressing. Or maybe "depressing" is too harsh a word. Cheerless? Less shiny.
Anyway. I felt much better yesterday for no discernible reason, despite of the sudden onset of stats homework. As predicted, our statistics course featured no math, really, but is program based. Our "homework" essentially consists of us analyzing sets of data (blood pressure, sleep cycle, etc.) using the program (i.e. clicking the buttons in the right sequence and selecting the right parameters) and then answering questions about what the analysis tells us about the patients, that kind of thing.
I didn't like stats the first time I did it, but even so, I wish, just a little, for a part where I actually get to handle the numbers and not the GUI.
Orientation today went well. The animal shelter is unusual in that it works in partnership with all the humane societies and kennels in the area (they swap animals around, apparently, in order to increase their chances at adoption). I think volunteering there will be really fun! I signed up for cats. We're not allowed to branch off into other species until we've worked there for a while, but I think I'll do rabbits too. (Speak of which, there's a bunny there named "Kari" that looks just like Lucy!) They do need more cat and rabbit people than they do dog people, which means that I do get to set my own schedule (yay). I had my picture taken for the ID tag today so as soon as I went through a round with my assigned mentor I'll be ready to start.
Then I went and did grocery shopping and got baked-goods. The pineapple-orange muffins beckoned. Life is good. There may be curry later.
Anyway. I felt much better yesterday for no discernible reason, despite of the sudden onset of stats homework. As predicted, our statistics course featured no math, really, but is program based. Our "homework" essentially consists of us analyzing sets of data (blood pressure, sleep cycle, etc.) using the program (i.e. clicking the buttons in the right sequence and selecting the right parameters) and then answering questions about what the analysis tells us about the patients, that kind of thing.
I didn't like stats the first time I did it, but even so, I wish, just a little, for a part where I actually get to handle the numbers and not the GUI.
Orientation today went well. The animal shelter is unusual in that it works in partnership with all the humane societies and kennels in the area (they swap animals around, apparently, in order to increase their chances at adoption). I think volunteering there will be really fun! I signed up for cats. We're not allowed to branch off into other species until we've worked there for a while, but I think I'll do rabbits too. (Speak of which, there's a bunny there named "Kari" that looks just like Lucy!) They do need more cat and rabbit people than they do dog people, which means that I do get to set my own schedule (yay). I had my picture taken for the ID tag today so as soon as I went through a round with my assigned mentor I'll be ready to start.
Then I went and did grocery shopping and got baked-goods. The pineapple-orange muffins beckoned. Life is good. There may be curry later.
20090407
Sequences, sequences
Presentation yesterday involved trying to talk over the extremely loud air conditioning (room v. cold, by the way). My voice was giving out near the end but luckily the class wasn't that large and so I think most people heard me. I did cave in and got a laser pointer (a cheap red one; I think when I graduate I'll celebrate by getting one of those nifty green ones) from the bookstore. Statistics continues to be very theory-based. I don't think math will be involved at all, since we're being taught how to use JMP instead, which does all the calculations so long as the right buttons are clicked. In other words, the class doesn't seem like it can get much more interesting.
Contact lens appointment was also yesterday. I was given two pairs in addition to the pair that I plonked in (they had to change the contact lens solution for me because the first one stung) and was told to wear the last pair during the follow up next week. (Was also ordered to wear them home to get used to them.) Going through campus without my glasses is very strange, since I always wear my glasses on campus. It's a little bit like going through campus without your backpack on a school day. I felt exposed and concluded that I will always prefer glasses over contacts, except for special instances where the benefits of not wearing glasses significantly greater than the reassurance of the familiar weight across the bridge of my nose.
(For the record: taking them out is harder than putting them in.)
Feeling tired today, not too sure why. Got only two papers to read before Thursday. Lab is...eh. I think one of my classmates is thinking of joining it. I also have to subtract a point, I think, for the fact that the PI is not that experienced as a thesis adviser.
Contact lens appointment was also yesterday. I was given two pairs in addition to the pair that I plonked in (they had to change the contact lens solution for me because the first one stung) and was told to wear the last pair during the follow up next week. (Was also ordered to wear them home to get used to them.) Going through campus without my glasses is very strange, since I always wear my glasses on campus. It's a little bit like going through campus without your backpack on a school day. I felt exposed and concluded that I will always prefer glasses over contacts, except for special instances where the benefits of not wearing glasses significantly greater than the reassurance of the familiar weight across the bridge of my nose.
(For the record: taking them out is harder than putting them in.)
Feeling tired today, not too sure why. Got only two papers to read before Thursday. Lab is...eh. I think one of my classmates is thinking of joining it. I also have to subtract a point, I think, for the fact that the PI is not that experienced as a thesis adviser.
20090406
It's sad
It's 8:20. Lab's empty. Meeting's in ten minutes. I had two separate dreams about being late for my presentation.
20090404
Random question
In the jump-rope game that starts with "Ice cream soda, cherry on top..." what happens if you get through the entire alphabet?
With regard to my shift this morning, I've had a lady asking me what to do after she finished going through all the booths. I don't think she fully grasped the concept of "fair".
With regard to my shift this morning, I've had a lady asking me what to do after she finished going through all the booths. I don't think she fully grasped the concept of "fair".
20090403
In which there are schedules
Okay so in a sudden fit of philanthropy, instead of just going to the SD science fair tomorrow I answered one of the desperate pleas for volunteers (the fact that I'm in BMS means that I get a LOT of those emails from the bio booths) and will be working somewhere for at least an hour tomorrow. Shouldn't be too bad, since I've been doing two hours shifts for both FFO and UCD Arboretum during the UCD picnic day for the past two years (and the Arboretum is REALLY popular. I learned to bring a bottle of water with me because I just end up talking that much). In any case, despite of the presentation on Monday (I'm going first this quarter, reverse alphabetical order is such fun), I intend to enjoy myself on Saturday.
Which reminds me to mention that I actually got a letter (well, it's a form letter, but whatever) back from the local animal shelter! After a three month wait. (Clearly expediency is not a concern here.) I've a orientation next weekend and, because I'll be working with either rabbits or cats (or both, they're not very clear on details) and apparently most people prefer to work with dogs so there's a shortage of people for the other animals, I'll get to set my own schedule, which will be awesome. (Because I like having my own schedule for practically everything.) I will therefore have something to do on weekends that will not be directly related to the academia. I wonder what orientation will be like.
Got email back on the May 13th department retreat also (everyone seems to be going -- all of our classes canceled lectures on that day), in which we're told to pick roommates for our stay at Arrowhead. (I keep typing -lake at the end. My brain defaults there now.) This may or may not be a problem, since given my previous experiences at any given social event I tend to end up in bed at least two hours before everyone else. Therefore if I'm lucky I'll be too deeply asleep to notice what's going on two hours in. Well, here's to hoping.
New lab tally so far:
-1 inability to have a conversation with labmate (yesterday's conversation involved hair styling, which apparently can cost up to 300 dollars, and I had nothing to contribute to the discussion)
+1 really good working environment (there's a window! And light!)
+1 really educational lab meetings, the PI is a GREAT teacher (I swear I learned more yesterday than in six weeks of my previous rotation)
+1 PI is a visual learner who likes diagrams(we ended up arguing over targeting vectors in front of a whiteboard using markers), which makes communicating ideas across so much easier. I'm thankful
? I felt smart after the discussion with the PI and the grad student (I'm trying to think of a nicer way to say "ditzy") (in reality she isn't that bad; it's just my standards have gotten higher since fall quarter). If I'm feeling smart, I'm probably not learning that much. On the other hand, constantly feeling stupid also gets old.
-1 the people I'm working with are NEVER HERE. I'm pretty much left on my own to figure out where everything is. There is not much communication between lab members, for such a small lab. Or maybe it's just me. (Actually it probably is just me.)
? I get to go home fairly early each day and don't have to come in on weekends, which is nice. On the other hand the lab pace is slow and it'll probably take waaaay longer for finish a degree here.
(Aaaah the scores are always so close)
I hear neurophysiology is painful. Anna, consider yourself warned for your future endeavors.
Which reminds me to mention that I actually got a letter (well, it's a form letter, but whatever) back from the local animal shelter! After a three month wait. (Clearly expediency is not a concern here.) I've a orientation next weekend and, because I'll be working with either rabbits or cats (or both, they're not very clear on details) and apparently most people prefer to work with dogs so there's a shortage of people for the other animals, I'll get to set my own schedule, which will be awesome. (Because I like having my own schedule for practically everything.) I will therefore have something to do on weekends that will not be directly related to the academia. I wonder what orientation will be like.
Got email back on the May 13th department retreat also (everyone seems to be going -- all of our classes canceled lectures on that day), in which we're told to pick roommates for our stay at Arrowhead. (I keep typing -lake at the end. My brain defaults there now.) This may or may not be a problem, since given my previous experiences at any given social event I tend to end up in bed at least two hours before everyone else. Therefore if I'm lucky I'll be too deeply asleep to notice what's going on two hours in. Well, here's to hoping.
New lab tally so far:
-1 inability to have a conversation with labmate (yesterday's conversation involved hair styling, which apparently can cost up to 300 dollars, and I had nothing to contribute to the discussion)
+1 really good working environment (there's a window! And light!)
+1 really educational lab meetings, the PI is a GREAT teacher (I swear I learned more yesterday than in six weeks of my previous rotation)
+1 PI is a visual learner who likes diagrams(we ended up arguing over targeting vectors in front of a whiteboard using markers), which makes communicating ideas across so much easier. I'm thankful
? I felt smart after the discussion with the PI and the grad student (I'm trying to think of a nicer way to say "ditzy") (in reality she isn't that bad; it's just my standards have gotten higher since fall quarter). If I'm feeling smart, I'm probably not learning that much. On the other hand, constantly feeling stupid also gets old.
-1 the people I'm working with are NEVER HERE. I'm pretty much left on my own to figure out where everything is. There is not much communication between lab members, for such a small lab. Or maybe it's just me. (Actually it probably is just me.)
? I get to go home fairly early each day and don't have to come in on weekends, which is nice. On the other hand the lab pace is slow and it'll probably take waaaay longer for finish a degree here.
(Aaaah the scores are always so close)
I hear neurophysiology is painful. Anna, consider yourself warned for your future endeavors.
20090402
What echo?
Day 4: discovered that my first presentation is due next Monday. This will be a fun quarter.
20090401
It's not just Mike this time, either
A couple classmates and I are going to go see the Redbull Air Race when they come to town. It should be fun.
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