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Tuesday, January 17, 2012 6:03pm
posted by Cecilia
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New Year
Now that it is two weeks into the year, and I've actually had a chance to test out my New Year's Resolutions, I can commit to them via the Internet. I'm not one to do this every year - because I really feel like you should always keep in mind what is important to you - but let's be honest: that doesn't always work out. This year I needed an extra reminder and so here they are:
1) Be healthier. This means eat less and exercise more. For me at least, and pretty much for everyone I think :-P It just came out that Paula Dean (the butter queen) has Diabetes. I guess that's what a pound of sugar a day will do to you! So yes, it is really important that we watch what we eat. Everything in moderation...only ONE bowl of Ramen a day (very high in sodium!) and only ONE snickers bar a day (although I just discovered Peanut Butter Snickers and holy moly are they amazing!) But honestly, it's way too easy to sit and eat all day when you are sitting in front of a computer. Harumph! But the other big one is exercise. I told my friend I've noticed I always make progress on my code in the last half hour before I was going to go to the gym. It always derails me. You know what my friend told me? She said "Go to the gym more often!" Ha, what a gem of advice!
2) Do more work. Seriously. In grad school it's so easy to get lost in failed experiments or problematic code. I've been unfocused lately and not getting a lot done. And the reality is, I am actually expected to graduate one day, so today is best day to start working towards that goal! Truth is, actually accomplishing something is a tremendous feeling. I suggest you try it!
3) Focus on myself. This may seem selfish or even obvious, but I think we as grad students need to find a way to keep in touch with ourselves. I've started yoga recently and not only do I get to see a good friend of mine there, but I also get to spend an hour just breathing and thinking. One thing being a grad student is good for is access to the campus gym - who would have thought! For anyone who doesn't have access - go to your graduate student council and fight for it! It has been a big help to me and a lot of my friends. And otherwise, I've been ignoring my cell phone when walking to/from work. It's only a few minutes but it's nice to get lost in my thoughts like I did when I was a kid... Facebook and texting are interesting, but sometimes I find I can be even more so :-)
So here's to a great 2012!
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Monday, November 14, 2011 1:28am
posted by Cecilia
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London!
So here I am in Jolly Old England! And, yep, it is gray and drizzling. But nothing will keep my spirits down today because - It's my birthday! And you know what that means - an excuse to eat all the chocolate I want :-) And European chocolate is way better than American chocolate, so I plan to royally pig out.
So far it has been awesome here. The hotel we are at is very swanky - they have 3-ply toilet paper - 3-ply!!! And the rooms each have their own "mood lighting" settings. Also, the lobby of the hotel is decorated really modern with giant chess pieces for decorations and giant teeth for seats! And the best part...there is both a gym AND a chocolaterie attached to the hotel. For those of you who aren't aware, a chocolaterie is a store that just sells really nice chocolate. Oh man. Me = heaven :-)
The other thing I really like here is the Underground. That's what they call their subway system. It is really extensive, convenient, and well run. The trains come often and they stop all over the city so you can find a stop close to anywhere you want to go. I think all cities should have good public transit, and London's seems to work pretty well. A lot of people use it which means less car pollution and more chances encounters on a subway train. Isn't that how romantic stories begin? A girl can always hope...
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Thursday, November 10, 2011 3:11pm
posted by Cecilia
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Today's post is brought to you by the number 35
This year, I'm really looking forward to my birthday. Not because I am turning the ripe old age of 35 (in base 7) and not because the day has any actual significance, but because I've decided to use it as an excuse to have fun. I feel like I am often justifying that to myself in grad school. I need an excuse to relax and not work. So, this year, I get that excuse.
For the actual date, I thought of what I love most in this world...friends, family, and chocolate! So I invited all of my friends to come up with their best chocolate creation, to be shared in celebration on Friday night. What a way to bring in another year! (of grad school!) In fact, I adopted the letter C and told them to bring anything that starts with C...chocolate, candy, chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, chocolate brownies, caramel apples, chocolate cake...the possibilities are endless! So I'm celebrating the letter C and the number 35 this week. It's like Sesame Street all over again. For those of us who remember the good old days of that wholesome educational show... Snufflupagus was always my favorite character. Does anyone remember that he was actually invisible once? Wow.
It's funny how life goes in circles and things from 20 years ago come back to us. From fashion to politics, watch for patterns and learn from history! But now another C has my attention...Code :-( Adios. (They taught us Spanish on Sesame Street too!)
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