Oct 10, 2009 18:40
Shots rang out, the cops shut down the party
Who can tell me where those lyrics come from?
Anyway, because I know some of you do not particularly enjoy LJ Idol type entries but would rather know how I actually am, I figured I'd try and bring a little of that as well.
This week has been the best I've experienced while in graduate school. I passed my first major exam by the skin of my teeth, but about half of the class failed. It was brutal! That professor scares us just by the way she talks. So, while I would've loved to have done better, I suppose I didn't do too badly either.
We also, on Wednesday and Thursday, went to a conference for the North Carolina Rehabilitation Association. This was good, because I got to meet and network with some people and find out about tons of resources that will help me with my research. I also got closer to the clique of classmates with whom I typically hang. We went to lunch at a place called Carolina Alehouse in Durham, where I got two huge pieces of fish, fries, and a delicious lemonade. I had a lot of fun just talking to and really getting to know them.
Ironically, right after my last grad school update I came back to my apartment to find that they were finally! installing the Internet. Of course having this medium definitely increases the chance for distraction, but I also think it increases the balance between work and play which I need to keep me sane. That could be the reason I feel I'm finally getting my legs under me. I do still have mounds of work to do, and am having a hard time imagining how it will all get done. But on Wednesday, I got approval to write up a research report based on the Boston conference I attended recently. And coincidence? One of the genetics counselors from that conference called me with the results of my tissue graft on Friday. She said she'll e-mail me a list of the researchers so that I can then contact them.
One bad thing did happen to me in this apartment that I don't think I noted in my last update. I guess I had my music too loud, but I blame the paper-thin walls! At any rate, a neighbor called the police on me as I entered my birthday, at 12:30 AM on September 13. After making the house rattle, they made me display my ID and took down my name and number. Ah well. I think many have done such a thing before. I had to come up with a better configuration for my equipment so that hopefully it wouldn't make the walls vibrate quite as much.
And I kind of wonder if the old lady I just met wasn't the same person who called them! It wouldn't surprise me, although she is actually quite nice. I went to chat with her some in her apartment a couple times, as she seems kind of lonely. She said she was a Civil servant for the Army for 37 years and is now retired. Since she has some medical issues, her daughter moved her up here from Albuquerque so that she could take care of her. She's originally from San Antonio, though. She also gave me a couple roller chairs, which are great as they make studying outside much easier.
And I think that basically sums things up for now. If I can keep my life on an even keel again and manage my time well, I might well be able to post regularly again. I guess only time will tell.
boston,
music,
weekend,
technology,
grad school