Grad school is almost done.  I went through a lot of strange emotions.  Not strange in that they were unfamiliar... just, unexpected, I guess.  I didn't expect the sudden surge of excitement and aspiration before the MA exam.  I didn't expect the calm that followed.  In fact, I sat on my couch if I weren't in class or teaching, and did nothing.  ( Read more... )

Usually it's hovering somewhere in the mid-50's, low 50's in my apartment (trying to cut back on the gas bill), so I never really feel like typing, but today is nice and warm.  It's a pity it was one of those 8am-5pm no break kind of day (with classes and teaching and meetings) that I didn't get to run.  Well, at least I'll get to run tomorrow ( Read more... )

This semester is off to a hectic start.  I'm already "cramming" for the MA exam.  I found out my date... March 25th... that will be the day I sleep like a baby at night for the first time in the last few months.  It's over a month away, and yet it feels like it is next week... mmm... must... study... Syntax!  Re-studying Transformational and ( Read more... )

I'm going to have a sister-in-law!  My brother told us he's getting married in the summer.  =)

Where to start... Well, I'll start with last semester... and its end.  The second fall semester in grad school started off with much zeal and excitement.  And then, the last two weeks of it pretty much killed me again.  How is this even possible?  I thought only the first year is supposed to be soul-crushing.  I spaced my work out enough that I ( Read more... )

After spending 3 weeks of not running, I come down with the flu of a life time!  I'm generally really healthy; I take vitamins, I eat a balanced diet, I exercise a lot (I've been swimming in the mean time), and I never compromise sleep.  So when this flu hit... it hit hard.  I spent two straight days in bed, and last night the sudefed wore off ( Read more... )

Soo... still recovering from the half marathon.  turns out my left knee has been inflamed for the last two weeks and so the half didn't help... I limped around yesterday after the race and now my left foot is cramping pretty bad I refuse to take a step if I don't have to.  The doctor says I have to keep icing and stretch.  When the doctor told me ( Read more... )

First Half Marathon of my life... COMPLETE!  And, I didn't even walk!!!!!

Nittany Valley Half Marathon... known for its hilly route... you don't scare me anymore!

The second year of grad school is much better.  In essence I'm more busy than last year because I'm doing lab-work, but I always have this safe feeling that everything will eventually get done.  I pretty much go to campus in the morning (usually early), go to class, work in my cube, come back, go running or swimming (every other day now), then back ( Read more... )

I got back from Japan last night, and I am already mentally readjusted to America.  I did pretty well in Japan in terms of jet-lag.  I didn't completely get used to their time, but I'm still struggling right now ( Read more... )