Day Five Hundred Thirty Six

Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday!

I'm so happy it's the weekend. But the fact that it's the weekend also means that I'm that much closer to starting the madness that will be Spring semester. I'm excited to get back into the swing of things, but also slightly terrified of the sheer volume of work that will be coming my way.

But in good news, I think I figured out the problem that's been plaguing my research for the past few months. I seriously almost wept, this one issue has been driving me absolutely nuts for what feels like forever. It also helps that my boss will be very happy. It perfectly describes the research process. Long stretches of frustration followed by brief bouts of euphoria. It's exhausting.

And now, I'm going to go read...while I still have the time to do so.

Day Five Hundred Thirty Four

Today, I learned that one of the spring classes I signed up to take has a 4 hour lab. Um, what?! So much for running experiments on Wednesdays. Grad school, sometimes (almost all the time) you fluster me.

Day Five Hundred Thirty Two

After being out of commission for a week with the flu, it was almost a relief to go back to work today. There's only so much sitting around and feeling icky that a girl can take. I was a productive machine today up at campus (which means there were minimum YouTube breaks) and am ready to tackle a fresh experiment tomorrow. Bacteria, please behave. I've really had enough of your finicky behavior. It's my last week of freedom to do pure research before Spring semester starts, and I'm hoping to make the most of it. Ugh, spring semester. This one is going to be a doozy. Two classes + two labs to TA and grade for + research + spring doctoral candidacy seminar will make for one always-exhausted Allison. But after this semester...I'll be done taking classes! It felt like it would never come. Lord, please let this semester go as smoothly as possible.

One of the downers of being back at work...5pm traffic. I rewarded myself with a Schlotzkys when I got to my part of town. It was a rough week last week, so I figured I earned it. Mmmmmmm.

Oh! Have I bragged about my new backpack yet? I got it last week (yes, in the middle of having the flu, it wasn't my wisest decision), and I'm in love with it. It's my very first North Face backpack, and it definitely earns a rave review. I made everyone in lab try it on so they could feel the extreme comfort. They all agreed with me, though it's possible they were just humoring my slightly over-exaggerated excitement. I'll take it.

I hope everyone is mentally prepping for the Seahawks game this coming weekend. If you're not rooting for the Seahawks, don't tell me. It will do nothing for our relationship.

Day Five Hundred Twenty Nine

Still sick. I finally caved and went to the doctor today, where it was confirmed that I have the flu. I guess I should be thankful I got it now before the semester starts? Regardless, its no fun. Let the hibernation continue.

Day Five Hundred Twenty Six

New year, new stomach virus. Not cool, 2015. Not cool.

Day Five Hundred Twenty Two

You know you're a grad student when - you go in to work on January 2nd, even though that day falls on a Friday. There was a (very) small army of us in the chem building, because research never sleeps. I got lots done though and the laser behaved after being out of use for 2 weeks, so overall it was a successful day. I think we should have 1 day work weeks more often.   :)

Day Five Hundred Twenty One

The holiday blog hiatus is over! Yaaay! As per usual, I enjoyed a (largely) computer-free vacation in Virginia with my parents, and it was a wonderful ten day break from life as a grad student. But...it's back to the grind tomorrow (I know, first day back at work is a Friday? There's just no justice to it), where I return to my second home here in Austin - Welch Hall. Treat me kindly, bacteria...you were not cooperating with my research when I left, I certainly hope you've straightened yourselves out.

Vacation was fantastic, I got to spend lots of time with my parents, a day and a half with my brother and sister-in-law, and did a bunch of historical things all around Virginia. Here is a short picture diary of my time there...

First up was Colonial Williamsburg on Christmas Eve. The town was festively decorated with wreaths and lights, so naturally the first thing we visited was the jail. What can I say? We're a family that loves justice. And we got to go inside a jail cell that once held Blackbeard's pirates, which is just awesome.

Dad and I in front of the cell that held pirates.

For those of you that have been to Colonial Williamsburg, you know that a major tourist destination is Merchant Square. I love it too...mainly for this candy shop that sells amazing chocolate.

Then as we shuttled our way back to the visitor's center, we ended up sitting next to this guy. Obviously one of the actors, right? Well, he informed us that he's just as much of a tourist as we were. This was just his outfit from when he played the role of town crier in historical Boston reenactments. He may have been the highlight of that entire Williamsburg trip.

Feeling colonial?

Next up - Christmas! I got a bevy of ridiculous and wonderful things (my favorite combination), such as evidenced by this Blue Footed Booby ornament (aka - one of the best ornaments EVER). And we went to see the new Night at the Museum movie, which was the icing on top of a wonderful Christmas cake. I realize that was a stupid analogy, but I'm still jet-lagged so we're just going to go with it.

I'm currently taking name suggestions.

The following day we spent an ungodly amount of time in the car to get from Richmond to Dayton, Ohio to see my brother and sister-in-law (worth it). We played games and watched The Office and enjoyed spending our first Christmas together as a family of 5 (best sister-in-law ever).

The last few Richmond days were very historical. We went to St. John's Church (where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech), a military hospital museum with a weird name that I can neither pronounce or spell, and Hollywood Cemetery where two presidents are buried.

Inside St. John's Church with Ray, the best tour guide in the history of
tour guides.

Hollywood Cemetery

Grave site of Pres. James Monroe

Grave site of Pres. John Tyler

I got back to Austin yesterday after a very early wake-up call (get to the airport at 4:30am kind of early) and blissfully slept through the new year. Today, I celebrated by deep cleaning my apartment and watching Netflix. I miss vacation already.