Resolution 2008 was to blog more, let it out, keep track of my progress in school by keeping a tidy list of "to dos" and "benchmarks". Fail. Perhaps it was a failure because I didn't make progress, and documenting said lack of progress became sort of depressing. Or maybe I just forgot or got lazy... who knows.
Just this past week I was discussing with Justin about how I never seem to have time to read blogs that I used to enjoy reading, so why bother writing one? Two reasons (for me).
1. my younger sister has started writing a blog (theartichokesdemise.blogspot.com). I figure this is a good way to respond to hers and to provide some more regular updates for the rest of the family. 2. I have (some) free time again now that I'm a recovering PhD student and I'm taking up my more regular hobbies again. I hope to keep project updates here (although we shall see how successfully I update, as Facebook, Ravelry, and Twitter are easier).
My year in review post will follow in the coming days, as will a new look to the blog.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
another week...
Month of February is now about half over... wowza. I'm still not following through on the "daily post", so need to work on that one... The monthly to do list is coming right along. Preparing lecture is turning out to be more time consuming than expected, but I think I'll get the hang of it soon. This week in addition to the italicized, I need to catch up on reading big time.
Also, Richie's birthday bash is this weekend, so I can't say I'll be super productive... oh well, mental health weekend :-)
1. email prospectus to entire committee (need to create spreadsheet of experiments to date first)
2. set up pre-prospectus meeting with committee
3. think about feedback and respond to mentor
4. first draft of outline for dissertation chapters
5. prep two lectures for class (finish one this week)
6. talk with adviser on new plan for experiments, including surgery updates
7. order extra batch of experimental animals, begin twice a week data collection
8. analyze any and all data collected
9. prepare presentation for CI class
10. prepare group led discussion for CI class
11. write response paper for business class
12. complete exam one for NEUS class
Also, Richie's birthday bash is this weekend, so I can't say I'll be super productive... oh well, mental health weekend :-)
2. set up pre-prospectus meeting with committee
3. think about feedback and respond to mentor
4. first draft of outline for dissertation chapters
5. prep two lectures for class (finish one this week)
8. analyze any and all data collected
9. prepare presentation for CI class
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
dreary tuesday
from freezing, ice and snow to 60 degrees, rainy and flooding streets... can't we get a break?! just kidding, i much prefer the latter.
still going on the neuroscience exam, hoping to finish it tonight. it's been really difficult to locate resources that are written at my level... seems to be nothing between super genius and fifth grader. oh well, almost one step closer to completing that minor! yay!
yesterday's experiment didn't go well. another one bites the dust. we'll try again friday.
the monthly list is now as follows (w/weekly goals italicized):
1. email prospectus to entire committee (need to create spreadsheet of experiments to date first)
2. set up pre-prospectus meeting with committee
3. make any edits required for prospectus
4. first draft of outline for dissertation chapters
5. prep two lectures for class (one this week)
6. talk with adviser on new plan for experiments, including surgery updates
7. order extra batch of experimental animals, begin twice a week data collection
8. analyze any and all data collected
9. prepare presentation for CI class
10. prepare group led discussion for CI class
11. write response paper for business class
12. complete exam one for NEUS class
still going on the neuroscience exam, hoping to finish it tonight. it's been really difficult to locate resources that are written at my level... seems to be nothing between super genius and fifth grader. oh well, almost one step closer to completing that minor! yay!
yesterday's experiment didn't go well. another one bites the dust. we'll try again friday.
the monthly list is now as follows (w/weekly goals italicized):
1. email prospectus to entire committee (need to create spreadsheet of experiments to date first)
2. set up pre-prospectus meeting with committee
3. make any edits required for prospectus
4. first draft of outline for dissertation chapters
5. prep two lectures for class (one this week)
8. analyze any and all data collected
9. prepare presentation for CI class
10. prepare group led discussion for CI class
11. write response paper for business class
12. complete exam one for NEUS class
Friday, February 1, 2008
caution: slippery when wet
we were supposed to get a really nasty winter storm last night complete with snow and ice. it's not nearly as bad as anyone expected, but for some reason people still can't figure out how to drive or walk in it. i've been entertained for the last hour watching people slide down the hill outside the design house (on foot, not in vehicles).
so the big project for the weekend is the first take home exam for my cellular and molecular neuroscience class. the first question asks me to examine the idea of how our genes and behaviors interact, in this case investigating the molecular cause and possible treatments for phenylketonuria. phenylketonuria (which is an autosomic recessive disease) is characterized by the bodies inability to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to eventual mental retardation via a lot of complicated molecular interactions. phenylalanine is abundant in many foods, therefore the simplest treatment is a strict diet eliminating any food that contains phenylalanine (meats for example). the problem with the treatment is that it's extremely hard to limit one's diet for their entire life. i mean can you imagine? don't eat that steak, honey, it could lead to permanent brain damage... yikes.
so the big project for the weekend is the first take home exam for my cellular and molecular neuroscience class. the first question asks me to examine the idea of how our genes and behaviors interact, in this case investigating the molecular cause and possible treatments for phenylketonuria. phenylketonuria (which is an autosomic recessive disease) is characterized by the bodies inability to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, leading to eventual mental retardation via a lot of complicated molecular interactions. phenylalanine is abundant in many foods, therefore the simplest treatment is a strict diet eliminating any food that contains phenylalanine (meats for example). the problem with the treatment is that it's extremely hard to limit one's diet for their entire life. i mean can you imagine? don't eat that steak, honey, it could lead to permanent brain damage... yikes.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
holy crap, tomorrow is february.
where is the time going? this month went by so quickly, and i'm finding myself getting more and more behind my timeline of completion. yikes.
i've been noticing a lot of other female phd students have blogs like mine (only they are a bit better about updating, i'm afraid). hence, belated new years resolution one: blog more.
i find that when i do blog, my frustration and (sometimes) doubt is relieved, even if just for a moment. that should be reason one. second, it really is a nice way of looking back on the year and having a good sense of what you finished (or didn't).
belated new years resolution two is related to blogging: to do lists and the follow up. i need to be finished with this degree. yesterday. recently i encountered a blog post by sciencewoman with her list of helpful hints on finishing your phd in a timely fashion. i've already missed the boat on several of her suggestions, but on those that i can salvage... take less time off on holidays, commit to external deadlines, make to do lists and goals, these i can do.
goal one: Chapter outline for dissertation by end the of February.
goal two: Advance to candidacy at end of semester.
goal three: Prep one lecture for class every fortnight.
goal four: Finish data collection for group one by April.
from this I arrive at these to do's for the month of February:
1. email prospectus to entire committee
2. set up pre-prospectus meeting with committee
3. make any edits required for prospectus
4. first draft of outline for dissertation chapters
5. prep two lectures for class
6. talk with adviser on new plan for experiments, including surgery updates
7. order extra batch of experimental animals, begin twice a week data collection
8. analyze any and all data collected
9. prepare presentation for CI class
10. prepare group led discussion for CI class
11. write response paper for business class
12. complete exam one for NEUS class
blast, i'm tired already...
i've been noticing a lot of other female phd students have blogs like mine (only they are a bit better about updating, i'm afraid). hence, belated new years resolution one: blog more.
i find that when i do blog, my frustration and (sometimes) doubt is relieved, even if just for a moment. that should be reason one. second, it really is a nice way of looking back on the year and having a good sense of what you finished (or didn't).
belated new years resolution two is related to blogging: to do lists and the follow up. i need to be finished with this degree. yesterday. recently i encountered a blog post by sciencewoman with her list of helpful hints on finishing your phd in a timely fashion. i've already missed the boat on several of her suggestions, but on those that i can salvage... take less time off on holidays, commit to external deadlines, make to do lists and goals, these i can do.
goal one: Chapter outline for dissertation by end the of February.
goal two: Advance to candidacy at end of semester.
goal three: Prep one lecture for class every fortnight.
goal four: Finish data collection for group one by April.
from this I arrive at these to do's for the month of February:
1. email prospectus to entire committee
2. set up pre-prospectus meeting with committee
3. make any edits required for prospectus
4. first draft of outline for dissertation chapters
5. prep two lectures for class
6. talk with adviser on new plan for experiments, including surgery updates
7. order extra batch of experimental animals, begin twice a week data collection
8. analyze any and all data collected
9. prepare presentation for CI class
10. prepare group led discussion for CI class
11. write response paper for business class
12. complete exam one for NEUS class
blast, i'm tired already...
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2007: Year in Review
An end to another year; they seem to pass more quickly as you grow older. 2007 was eventful, blessed, frustrating, sad, the whole gambit...
I shall bullet point for brevity purposes :-)
January
We ring in the new year with Justin and Liz!
We attend Jim and Sarah's BEAUTIFUL winter wedding. Cooper is adorable as always in his little mini tux :-)
February
Ice-storm of 2007 hits Bloomington and IU CANCELS classes?!?!
We become temporary football fans and cheer our Indiana Colts to Superbowl VICTORY!!!
Richie celebrates his 28th birthday with a BOATLOAD of sushi :-)
March
Chantel presents NIH award poster at American Auditory Society in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Brittany graciously visits us for spring break, what a treat! Chantel is SO excited to dote on her baby sister for a week :-)
April
Honestly, April was boring. I'm pretty sure we both spent the entire month working on class projects. Yep, boring.
May
Chantel relives her early 20's by celebrating with Shannon for her 21st birthday.
Chantel spends one more weekend with her AuD friends as she watches them graduate :-)
Richie attends CHI 2007 in Sano Jose, California.
We meet up with the Kowalski's at the Indy Zoo. Cooper's favorite animal by far is the big tortoise.
Richie attends Pervasive 2007 in Toronto; delivers an outstanding workshop on "Designing and Evaluating Ambient Information Systems".
Chantel spends a wonderful weekend with Carrie in South Bend; delighted to see her great grandfather's carvings at the Studabaker mansion.
We spend a fun weekend with the Hazlewoods, where we attend a minor league baseball game (The Marion Miners!) and Honey enjoys rolling in duck poo.
Our nephew, Gavin Nicholas French, arrives healthy and happy to a very excited mommy and daddy :-)
June
We celebrate 3 wonderful years of marriage at the restaurant where we were engaged, Tallent.
We are so blessed to have each other's love and support, and our anniversary night was the perfect celebration of just that.
Chantel turns 27, celebrates with a trip to the Bloomington Speedway for a night of "redneck fun" :-)
Chantel and Shannon take a wonderful trip to Florida to meet our new nephew Gavin.
July
Realizing that Gracie's itching is likely due to a food allergy, we begin elimination diet number one: California Natural Lamb and Rice... quite a lot of improvement in itching, but her GI tract does not tolerate the richness of the food well...
We celebrate our country's birthday in style with a bbq on our fancy new grill... mmm... kebobs :-)
Little gray kitty adopts our porch as her home.
Tomato harvest of 2007 begins... so many tomatoes...
We visit the Kowalski's for a weekend where Sarah's family takes us boating, Jim shows all of us up on the waterski's, and Cooper becomes a fish.
August
Richie visits Georgia Tech Living Lab; returns in awe.
Richie gets into accident with the Camry, 8 weeks of repairs later, we have a brand new door and side panel.
A new academic year begins at IU, only two more years to go!
Richie begins his qualification exams.
September
Chantel branches out into the athletic scene and takes tennis lessons with Jenya. We are now tennis pros ;-)
Weekly HBO night and Sunday dinners at Jenya's instated, Flight of the Conchords style. Seriously, if you still haven't caught this show and love awkward humor, rent it, you will not regret it.
Richie attends week-long conference in Brazil; sees many beautiful "moons". ;-)
Chantel takes qualification exams for the first time.
Richie advances into candidacy, he is now officially "ABD"!!!
Annual camping trip with friends in a Bloomington area state forest, pyromania ensues.
Lotus Fest 2007: for the first time in 10 years we attend Lotus Fest, an annual world music fest here in Bloomington. It was AMAZING.
October
Our dear friend, Chuck Stringer, passes away on October 11 at the age of 44. His humor and smile are sorely missed.
We take the win for "most creative" at the Mad Scientist Ball as the cast of "Pacman"
Gracie begins food number two: California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato. Two months of chronic diarrhea and stinky dog farts begin.
November
Chantel has the pleasure of meeting her new baby cousin Bella :-)
Thanksgiving at the Hazlewoods. Madeline and Thomas still love jumping on Uncle Richie.
Chantel finally passes her qualification exams, yay!!!
December
We celebrate Cooper's second birthday with him. Cooper blows his candles out at least 4 times :-) Grandpa and Elmo make friends...
We move for the 900th time since arriving in Bloomington: this time house-sitting for 7 months while my PhD mentor is on sabbatical in Australia... we heart living in a house.
Richie attends WisdomTools annual retreat in Chicago, raves about best sushi he's ever had.
Visit with Carrie and family in South Bend. This visit may forever be known as household project disaster of 2007 :-)
Gracie begins new food number 3 in hopes of alleviating her allergies. Honey gorges on potato and duck, she LOVES it.
Our first Christmas at home: Chantel plays hostess to two families for Christmas. Seriously no travel = best Christmas ever!
Happy New Years!!!! Chin Chin! :-)
I shall bullet point for brevity purposes :-)
January
We ring in the new year with Justin and Liz!
We attend Jim and Sarah's BEAUTIFUL winter wedding. Cooper is adorable as always in his little mini tux :-)
February
Ice-storm of 2007 hits Bloomington and IU CANCELS classes?!?!
We become temporary football fans and cheer our Indiana Colts to Superbowl VICTORY!!!
Richie celebrates his 28th birthday with a BOATLOAD of sushi :-)
March
Chantel presents NIH award poster at American Auditory Society in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Brittany graciously visits us for spring break, what a treat! Chantel is SO excited to dote on her baby sister for a week :-)
April
Honestly, April was boring. I'm pretty sure we both spent the entire month working on class projects. Yep, boring.
May
Chantel relives her early 20's by celebrating with Shannon for her 21st birthday.
Chantel spends one more weekend with her AuD friends as she watches them graduate :-)
Richie attends CHI 2007 in Sano Jose, California.
We meet up with the Kowalski's at the Indy Zoo. Cooper's favorite animal by far is the big tortoise.
Richie attends Pervasive 2007 in Toronto; delivers an outstanding workshop on "Designing and Evaluating Ambient Information Systems".Chantel spends a wonderful weekend with Carrie in South Bend; delighted to see her great grandfather's carvings at the Studabaker mansion.
We spend a fun weekend with the Hazlewoods, where we attend a minor league baseball game (The Marion Miners!) and Honey enjoys rolling in duck poo.
Our nephew, Gavin Nicholas French, arrives healthy and happy to a very excited mommy and daddy :-)June
We celebrate 3 wonderful years of marriage at the restaurant where we were engaged, Tallent.
We are so blessed to have each other's love and support, and our anniversary night was the perfect celebration of just that.Chantel turns 27, celebrates with a trip to the Bloomington Speedway for a night of "redneck fun" :-)
Chantel and Shannon take a wonderful trip to Florida to meet our new nephew Gavin.
July
Realizing that Gracie's itching is likely due to a food allergy, we begin elimination diet number one: California Natural Lamb and Rice... quite a lot of improvement in itching, but her GI tract does not tolerate the richness of the food well...
We celebrate our country's birthday in style with a bbq on our fancy new grill... mmm... kebobs :-)
Little gray kitty adopts our porch as her home.
Tomato harvest of 2007 begins... so many tomatoes...
We visit the Kowalski's for a weekend where Sarah's family takes us boating, Jim shows all of us up on the waterski's, and Cooper becomes a fish.
August
Richie visits Georgia Tech Living Lab; returns in awe.
Richie gets into accident with the Camry, 8 weeks of repairs later, we have a brand new door and side panel.
A new academic year begins at IU, only two more years to go!Richie begins his qualification exams.
September
Chantel branches out into the athletic scene and takes tennis lessons with Jenya. We are now tennis pros ;-)
Weekly HBO night and Sunday dinners at Jenya's instated, Flight of the Conchords style. Seriously, if you still haven't caught this show and love awkward humor, rent it, you will not regret it.
Richie attends week-long conference in Brazil; sees many beautiful "moons". ;-)
Chantel takes qualification exams for the first time.Richie advances into candidacy, he is now officially "ABD"!!!
Annual camping trip with friends in a Bloomington area state forest, pyromania ensues.
Lotus Fest 2007: for the first time in 10 years we attend Lotus Fest, an annual world music fest here in Bloomington. It was AMAZING.October
Our dear friend, Chuck Stringer, passes away on October 11 at the age of 44. His humor and smile are sorely missed.
We take the win for "most creative" at the Mad Scientist Ball as the cast of "Pacman"
Gracie begins food number two: California Natural Herring and Sweet Potato. Two months of chronic diarrhea and stinky dog farts begin.November
Chantel has the pleasure of meeting her new baby cousin Bella :-)
Thanksgiving at the Hazlewoods. Madeline and Thomas still love jumping on Uncle Richie.
Chantel finally passes her qualification exams, yay!!!December
We celebrate Cooper's second birthday with him. Cooper blows his candles out at least 4 times :-) Grandpa and Elmo make friends...
We move for the 900th time since arriving in Bloomington: this time house-sitting for 7 months while my PhD mentor is on sabbatical in Australia... we heart living in a house.Richie attends WisdomTools annual retreat in Chicago, raves about best sushi he's ever had.
Visit with Carrie and family in South Bend. This visit may forever be known as household project disaster of 2007 :-)
Gracie begins new food number 3 in hopes of alleviating her allergies. Honey gorges on potato and duck, she LOVES it.
Our first Christmas at home: Chantel plays hostess to two families for Christmas. Seriously no travel = best Christmas ever!
Happy New Years!!!! Chin Chin! :-)
Friday, October 12, 2007
a friend lost
Yesterday was surreal. Started the day by reading an email telling us our dear friend was gravely ill and ended the day toasting him in an Irish Pub in downtown Indy. Chuck Stringer was one of the most genuine and good hearted people I have known and he is missed so much already. One of our friends put it best when he said that this is the type of thing that isn't suppose to happen to our friends for another 40 years. But here we are.
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