where did 2006 go?

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No really, 2006 was always in the future - how did it magically become the past? What with interviews, grad school decisions, Ditch Day, graduation, wedding, and Cambridge it's definitely been one of the most memorable years in my life - and is likely to remain so. But somehow, it's all passed by in the blink of an eye and vanished into memory-land. I'd like to say a lot has been accomplished, but really it's been more a case of a lot of people have been convinced that I will at some point accomplish something. Except for Ditch Day - that was real. I have a distinct feeling that 2007 is bound to be somewhat disappointing; it really can't help being, by comparison. This is going to be the year where the pressure to actually start producing original research will begin. Though at least it won't be seriously laid on until 2008 when we finish rotations. It's also the year where for the first time we have to justify a year's worth of existence based on what we've actually accomplished instead of what we learned. And that's distinctly scary. But, well, the transition had to happen sometime; so now we just cross our fingers and hope that we're ready for it. Meanwhile, though, there's a year-worth of awesome memories behind us and hopefully a few more to come.

Oh yeah, and appropriately enough, I finally finished my two big free-time TV-watching / audio-book-listening projects from the Caltech years. Got through the backstitching on the wolf picture at last and framed the thing. And, with my mom's help, put together the skirt I've been knitting for who knows how long - it actually fits too, contrary to all expectations. One of these days I really oughta learn to sew properly so I can put the knitted pieces together myself.

The accordion has be broken out and the usual rollicking party will soon begin. It's good to be home again if only for a few more days. But now I should probably go help with the perpetual cookery...

Happy coming New Year to all!