I LOVE the research area that I work in! I just went to a nerdy lecture on Emerging Infectious Diseases, and now I am PUMPED!

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Madness abounds outside my office for 'tis the first day of classes for the year. I bravely forged out amongst the masses on my bike to fetch a salad from the Refectory ... There were sorority and fraternity recruiters (but funnily enough I was approached by neither), and religious fanatics pedalling their (be)wares. "Hello Kitty Sisterhood". "God ( Read more... )

Yesterday my boss said to me, "I'm so glad you're here" and "I'm so glad you're working on this project". Just now a collaborator rang me from LAX (on his way to Indonesia) to discuss the project, and said that "We're so excited to be working with you on this" and that the guy I have been working with in Florida "said he's so happy to have you ( Read more... )

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I got my Californian driver's license yesterday - thank goodness. I was so very nervous before the test. I left work an hour early to get a bit of practice in (apparently most experienced international drivers usually take a few lessons before they attempt the test - oops). During my practice drive, I completely focussed and concentrated like it ( Read more... )

Life is good. However, I have had to make a conscious effort to not plan any trips this weekend (it's my first at home in about 5 weeks). Adventures will most certainly need to be planned for next weekend ( Read more... )

I went wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma with two new friends yesterday. I know, it's very cliche - but it was a tonne of fun!! We were an American, a Pommie and an Aussie .... and what a grand time we made of it. And the wine! Bloody nora!! Out.Of.This.World.

Oh, and I bought a car.

We're heading to Reno next weekend.

The sea kayaking trip on Saturday was BRILLIANT fun. The group was great, and I even made some new friendies. Conditions were overcast and the sea was relatively calm, so we paddled out of Bodega Bay and around near the point to the San Francisco Bay. There were loads of birds and sea lions - we paddled up to this island where there were hundreds ( Read more... )

In point form, because I am exhausted and have an early meeting tomorrow ( Read more... )