Things have gotten rather dusty around here. It’s been a while since I came around here. Between writing the dissertation, preparing for the defense, and various family dramas blogging hasn’t been a very high priority. Today, though, I got the urge to blog and I decided to run with it.
It’s a new year and I’m feeling very good about it. Not that last year was a bad year altogether. I mean, I got my Ph.D. last year (with about 10 days to spare, but who’s counting?). It’s more that I remember starting last year feeling like I was never going to graduate and feeling rather blah about life in general. Starting this year I feel hopeful. I already accomplished the biggest thing I thought was never going to happen (read: graduate) and that makes me feel like I can do just about anything. My postdoc focuses on an entirely different subject matter and the field really is wide open.
Also, I think the root of this hopeful feeling has been my recent (since my defense) change in work habits. I’m working normal work hours and not at all on weekends. I’ve started seeing Dr. Man in the daylight and spending more time with the Dixie Dog. I’ve read a ton of fun books and caught up on Doctor Who (except for the fifth season– I’m still waiting on Netflix). I had forgotten that I have interests outside of the lab and that taking off two whole days every week can recharge me. I just need to keep this in mind as I start my postdoc and fight the whole feeling of being under time constraints. Because I guess, I’m sort-of under a time constraint, as I’ll have a little one joining our family in the beginning of July. And from what I understand the wee one will take up a lot of my time and will not tolerate me working too late at night. At least this is what I’ve heard about having a new baby. I’ll have to wait to empirically test this until July, but after the trials of the first trimester I’m inclined to believe all I’ve heard.
Oh, congratulations! I'm so happy for you and Dr. Man (and Dixie Dog) on the upcoming arrival of a little one!
Second, welcome back – I missed you. It sounds as though you're doing wonderfully though which is exactly how I picture those who go quiet on the bloggy front. So yay for you! 🙂
Congrats on the defense (who cares how tight it was? YOU DID IT!!) and the impending arrival!
Congrats Amanda! On the PhD, the new postdoc and the new baby! 2011 will be a great year for you. 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS! Good news all around, and a great start to 2011!
Good to see you back blogging, too!
Hey, congratulations, and welcome back! That sounds like a lot of awesome changes for 2010/2011 🙂
Congrats!! 2 days off a week is a miracle 🙂 (I got reminded after my post doc… but inbtween grad studies and post doc it is VERY important to rest and be happy and recharge!
I look forward seeing you – or at least knowing that you are done with PhDstudies and are well!! HAPPY!!
Congratulations on a successful defense and your new arrival! You have an exciting year ahead of you.
Hey!! Congrats! Babies are awesome!
Congrats on both counts! How wonderful!
Congratulation! That sounds great!
I am happy for you.
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'Manda, it's when you think you have nothing that you in fact have it all. I love you!