Showing posts with label lovin'. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lovin'. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
What's in a (last) name?
The other day N.A. and I were talking about a former colleague. I commented that I was surprised that she had taken her husband's last name, especially well into her career (just prior to tenure).
"Why would she take his name?" N.A. asked. "She's not proud."
Oh.
Wait a minute.
"So if she kept her name, that would make her proud?" I was confused, especially since we've already talked about my choice to keep my name if/when we get married. (In fact, I posted about it here... the comments are worth a second look, in my opinion.)
"Well, why do you want to keep your name?"
"I like my last name better," I replied, even though he already knew this.
"Well there you go," he answered.
Well, shit. Does staying Dr. Reaction make me conceited?
...or maybe the better question is, if that's true, do I even care?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Are scientists romantic?
The other day, I was talking with a friend (yes, an academic one, although a non-scientist) about relationships.
My friend complained that her husband wasn't romantic anymore, one year into their marriage. I commented that I wasn't a terribly romantic person, so I couldn't really expect N.A. to be romantic.
"Well, of course you're not romantic!" She laughed.
I arched an eyebrow in question.
"You can't be romantic-- you're a scientist!!"
Oh. Glad we straightened that one out.
True, my idea of a romantic gesture is for N.A. to turn off his blackberry so we can watch a movie vibration-free.
But surely some true romantics--who happen to be of the scientific persuasion-- are out there?
Right?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Shoulda put a ring on it...?
"Where's your ring, Dr. Reaction?" Undergrad sounded startled.
I stammered out a response. Something about blood diamonds and not wanting to support the industry. (Seriously. It's the first thing that came to mind.)
Although N.A. and I are engaged in theory, I don't have a ring. No ring, no wedding date.
I don't have a problem with this...except when I have to explain it to prying students. I'm in no hurry to get married. N.A. and I own a dog and real estate together. Sure, we don't get the tax break for filing as married, but I also don't have to combine our cell phone plans.
Is marriage really all that it's cracked up to be?
I stammered out a response. Something about blood diamonds and not wanting to support the industry. (Seriously. It's the first thing that came to mind.)
Although N.A. and I are engaged in theory, I don't have a ring. No ring, no wedding date.
I don't have a problem with this...except when I have to explain it to prying students. I'm in no hurry to get married. N.A. and I own a dog and real estate together. Sure, we don't get the tax break for filing as married, but I also don't have to combine our cell phone plans.
Is marriage really all that it's cracked up to be?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Linkage: You will thank me
Okay, so Professor Anonymous wrote a superfab (yeah, a said it) post the other day about summer classes with....wait for it.... lyrics about summer teaching set to "Summer Nights" from Grease.
Feel free to swoon onto your lab bench at any time.
While you are there, be sure to check out the list of key terms in the header. Excellent summer reading.
Feel free to swoon onto your lab bench at any time.
While you are there, be sure to check out the list of key terms in the header. Excellent summer reading.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A conversation with N.A.
UR: Oh, a package!
N.A.: Oh, really? I wonder who sent it to you?
UR: Oh, it's from you! ...wait, we said we weren't doing Valentine's day presents!!
N.A.: No we didn't. When I asked you if you were getting me anything for VD, you said no. I didn't say anything.
UR: Sneaky, sneaky.
Yes, N.A. is quite sneaky. He is also very romantic, so it all balances out. I hope you are having a great Valentine's Day / Singles Awareness Day. What are you doing to celebrate? Fancy dinner? Couples massage? Girls' night out? Running a super snazzy assay?
N.A.: Oh, really? I wonder who sent it to you?
UR:
N.A.: No we didn't. When I asked you if you were getting me anything for VD, you said no. I didn't say anything.
UR: Sneaky, sneaky.
Yes, N.A. is quite sneaky. He is also very romantic, so it all balances out. I hope you are having a great Valentine's Day / Singles Awareness Day. What are you doing to celebrate? Fancy dinner? Couples massage? Girls' night out? Running a super snazzy assay?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Does "blogging" count as having fun?
A question that has come up during a few of my phone interviews has given me pause.
What do you do for fun when you aren't in the lab?
When I was first asked this, the following went through my head:
1. HAHAHAHA....when am I not in the lab?
2. Wait...is this a trick question?
3. Crap. I can't tell them drinking, boys, or blogging. What can I tell them? Crap-crap-crap.
The big problem is that I really don't want to reveal a lot of personal details, like my single status or religion. Any suggestions on what I should (or should not) say? I know the search committees are just trying to get a sense of if I'm looking for certain hobbies in the area or if I'm well-rounded....but seriously...I don't have a lot of free time, and what I do have to myself I fill with blogging, tving, or boozing. Suggestions?
What do you do for fun when you aren't in the lab?
When I was first asked this, the following went through my head:
1. HAHAHAHA....when am I not in the lab?
2. Wait...is this a trick question?
3. Crap. I can't tell them drinking, boys, or blogging. What can I tell them? Crap-crap-crap.
The big problem is that I really don't want to reveal a lot of personal details, like my single status or religion. Any suggestions on what I should (or should not) say? I know the search committees are just trying to get a sense of if I'm looking for certain hobbies in the area or if I'm well-rounded....but seriously...I don't have a lot of free time, and what I do have to myself I fill with blogging, tving, or boozing. Suggestions?
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
How to save $$$ in grad school
After being very poor in high school (off at a public boarding school), living literally cent to cent in college, and fighting the red my first year of grad school, I finally have managed to put together a nice little bit of savings. This has come about from a number of reasons. You should keep in mind that LargeUtown has an insanely low cost of living, so I'm not suggesting this would work for everyone. Also, much of this is written with tongue firmly in cheek.
BUT...out-of-state travel aside, here are my tips for Saving Money in Grad School:
1. Help your drinking buddies graduate. My first two years in graduate school, I went out nearly every weekend. This always involved drinks and usually involved food. That shit adds up after awhile. As my friends started graduating and leaving LargeUtown, I started going out less. Sure, there are always new students coming in each year, but the older I get, the busier I get....and very often on the weekends doing laundry, cleaning my apartment, or watching reality TV is more appealing than going out.
2. Work insanely hard. If you work all the time, you won't have the time (or the energy) to do stuff. Stuff often costs money. Nuff said.
3. Have a roommate. Sure, you can't walk around naked all the time (or at least common decency dictates that you shouldn't, assuming you followed #2's instructions), but when it comes to splitting the rent and utilities, you can really free up a lot of that tiny little paycheck you're getting.
4. Ditch the significant other. After Ex dumped me during his therapy (true story. now very funny.), Friday night date night was no longer a weekly (or monthly....or bimonthly) occurrence. I could eat PB&J for dinner without judgement, and I no longer had to pick up the bill for his lazy ass. Monetary translation? Savings of at least 35 bucks a week, sometimes three times that.
What are your secrets for saving money in grad school? Plasma donation? Jelly on the PB&J only every other day?
BUT...out-of-state travel aside, here are my tips for Saving Money in Grad School:
1. Help your drinking buddies graduate. My first two years in graduate school, I went out nearly every weekend. This always involved drinks and usually involved food. That shit adds up after awhile. As my friends started graduating and leaving LargeUtown, I started going out less. Sure, there are always new students coming in each year, but the older I get, the busier I get....and very often on the weekends doing laundry, cleaning my apartment, or watching reality TV is more appealing than going out.
2. Work insanely hard. If you work all the time, you won't have the time (or the energy) to do stuff. Stuff often costs money. Nuff said.
3. Have a roommate. Sure, you can't walk around naked all the time (or at least common decency dictates that you shouldn't, assuming you followed #2's instructions), but when it comes to splitting the rent and utilities, you can really free up a lot of that tiny little paycheck you're getting.
4. Ditch the significant other. After Ex dumped me during his therapy (true story. now very funny.), Friday night date night was no longer a weekly (or monthly....or bimonthly) occurrence. I could eat PB&J for dinner without judgement, and I no longer had to pick up the bill for his lazy ass. Monetary translation? Savings of at least 35 bucks a week, sometimes three times that.
What are your secrets for saving money in grad school? Plasma donation? Jelly on the PB&J only every other day?
Monday, January 7, 2008
brief update, real post tomorrow
Status of '08 job search:
~ School #1: Phone interview in Dec, invited for campus interview in late Jan
~ School #2: Phone interview in Jan, still awaiting word
~ School #3: Invited for campus interview, Feb.
update: school #4: phone interview next week
And...in honor of EcoGeoFemme....
Status of '08 "getting some":
~ Nothing to report.
~ School #1: Phone interview in Dec, invited for campus interview in late Jan
~ School #2: Phone interview in Jan, still awaiting word
~ School #3: Invited for campus interview, Feb.
update: school #4: phone interview next week
And...in honor of EcoGeoFemme....
Status of '08 "getting some":
~ Nothing to report.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Why I don't watch commercials
I have a DVR (like my iPod, I'd probably marry it if I could), so I rarely watch commercials. Earlier this evening, I watched the N.H. debates live, while chopping away at some thesis text (deleting large chunks of text at a time is so depressing). I caught a commercial during the post-debate news for one of those dating websites.
"This new year, put falling in love at the top of your list."
After rolling my eyes, I started thinking about my list of things to do in 2008. Then that got to be a little overwhelming, so I started thinking about the things I want to do before May. Falling in love didn't even make the top five:
1. Write a thesis.
2. Finish volunteer project I committed to back in Sept.
3. Get some (the fact that this is #3 on my list is probably the reason why I've yet to get some lovin' in 2008...yeah, yeah, I know it's only the 6th...but still!).
4. Accept a teaching position I'm happy with.
5. Find a fabulous place to live that includes two bedrooms, washer/dryer hookup, no undergrads, and a large kitchen (all falling within my likely-to-be-underwhelming teaching position / faculty position salary).
What's on the top of your "list"?
(For a post on the fabulousness of making lists, check out Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc)
"This new year, put falling in love at the top of your list."
After rolling my eyes, I started thinking about my list of things to do in 2008. Then that got to be a little overwhelming, so I started thinking about the things I want to do before May. Falling in love didn't even make the top five:
1. Write a thesis.
2. Finish volunteer project I committed to back in Sept.
3. Get some (the fact that this is #3 on my list is probably the reason why I've yet to get some lovin' in 2008...yeah, yeah, I know it's only the 6th...but still!).
4. Accept a teaching position I'm happy with.
5. Find a fabulous place to live that includes two bedrooms, washer/dryer hookup, no undergrads, and a large kitchen (all falling within my likely-to-be-underwhelming teaching position / faculty position salary).
What's on the top of your "list"?
(For a post on the fabulousness of making lists, check out Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc)
Monday, December 31, 2007
End of the year meme!
EcoGeoFemme at The Happy Scientist and ScienceGirl at curiosity killed the cat tagged me for this meme.
1. Will you be looking for a new job?
Yes!! As of today, I have one campus interview and one phone interview planned for Jan. I'm hoping I'll hear back from my outstanding applications in the coming weeks.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
I loved EcoGeoFemme's response: "I'm always looking for new friends, especially women." From now until I leave LargeUtown in Juneish, I'm absolutely NOT looking for a relationship. (I'm not ruling out "boys for fun", however.) Focusing on myself this last year has been fantastic.
3. New house?
no. I will rent for the first year, until I feel out my new job and/or scope out the area.
4. What will you do differently in 08?
Date, like for reals! Like go out to dinners and stuff. Be wined and dined. And not by sucky people.
5. New Years resolution?
I very much don't like resolutions.... that said, I really need to get my IRA going (I know, I know!)
6. What will you not be doing in 08?
Hmm....well...at the rate that my (nonexistent) love life is going....
7. Any trips planned?
Yes! To Deutschland in the spring, to Various States for interviews in JanFeb (I hope), and a possible road trip with Mr. Bear after we both get doctored (teehee!) from LargeU and WarmU, respectively.
8. Wedding plans?
Gah, I hope not. Certainly not my own. I've got at least until 35....or was it 28?) before I invoke Back-up Marriage Plan with Mr. Bear.
9. Major thing on your calendar?
Thesis defense! Becoming Dr. Reaction!
10. What can’t you wait for?
To graduate.
11. What would you like to see happen differently?
Hmmm....not really sure.
12. What about yourself will you be changing?
I'll be going to church more. It's hard here in LargeUtown because people are either bible-beaters or eye-rollers. It's difficult to find middle ground.
13. What happened in 07 that you didn’t think would ever happen?
Teehee. I didn't think I'd be as introspective as I was.
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
(would anyone actually say no?) Of course.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?
Absolutely. Somehow I don't think my usual hoodie-with-jeans look will fly in a TT position.
16. Will you start or quit drinking?
Heck no! I will maintain my social drinking status. :-)
17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
Yes. Dad and I are back to speaking (posts later, I'm sure)
18. Will you do charity work?
I'll continue to do science volunteering and donate to my favorite charities.
19. Will you go to bars?
I'm a grad student, aren't I?
20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?
Of course! I'm a southern gal, after all! (Didja guess that one??)
21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?
yes.
22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
A lot! I've become ready to get my Ph.D. and move on to the next phase in my life. This time last year, I really didn't think I'd be ready to leave in 2008. I've also improved the balance between work and play. I'm still a semi-neurotic workaholic, but I sometimes take Sundays off.
23. Do you plan on having a child?
OMG, no! Not that there would be a possibility, if the last bit of 07 is any indication (see #6).
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Yes, but I don't classify casual relationships as friendships. So those that are friends (vs. the bazillion LargeUtown "acquaintances"...like people that I'll drink with, watch football with, etc etc but not housesit for or drive to nearby state airport)
25. Major lifestyle changes?
Hopefully a faculty teaching job. Preferably somewhere warm. Possible big purchases: new car.
26. Will you be moving?
yessssssss!
27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07?
I'm going to take more vacation time. In 2007, I took six days off in the summer to travel to central america, and nine days off for Christmas. That is not. cool. Already for 2008, I will be traveling home twice in the spring for graduations and going to Germany for a week. Post-LargeUtown, I hope to do a wine country trip and a possible road trip to the Dakotas....but those depend on Mr. Bear.
28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
Not sure. Definitely football with champagne. Beyond ~10:30 remains to be determined.
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Not anyone I know, unless there will be a midnight surprise visit to LargeUtown....but I dislike surprises.
30. One wish for 08?
Fall in love with someone in same zip code (say it with me now: awwwwwww).
If you decide to do this lovely meme, please let me know so I am sure to check it out! Happy 2008, all!
(yes, I am aware that I have excessively! used! exclamation points! in this post. Not sure why.
1. Will you be looking for a new job?
Yes!! As of today, I have one campus interview and one phone interview planned for Jan. I'm hoping I'll hear back from my outstanding applications in the coming weeks.
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
I loved EcoGeoFemme's response: "I'm always looking for new friends, especially women." From now until I leave LargeUtown in Juneish, I'm absolutely NOT looking for a relationship. (I'm not ruling out "boys for fun", however.) Focusing on myself this last year has been fantastic.
3. New house?
no. I will rent for the first year, until I feel out my new job and/or scope out the area.
4. What will you do differently in 08?
Date, like for reals! Like go out to dinners and stuff. Be wined and dined. And not by sucky people.
5. New Years resolution?
I very much don't like resolutions.... that said, I really need to get my IRA going (I know, I know!)
6. What will you not be doing in 08?
Hmm....well...at the rate that my (nonexistent) love life is going....
7. Any trips planned?
Yes! To Deutschland in the spring, to Various States for interviews in JanFeb (I hope), and a possible road trip with Mr. Bear after we both get doctored (teehee!) from LargeU and WarmU, respectively.
8. Wedding plans?
Gah, I hope not. Certainly not my own. I've got at least until 35....or was it 28?) before I invoke Back-up Marriage Plan with Mr. Bear.
9. Major thing on your calendar?
Thesis defense! Becoming Dr. Reaction!
10. What can’t you wait for?
To graduate.
11. What would you like to see happen differently?
Hmmm....not really sure.
12. What about yourself will you be changing?
I'll be going to church more. It's hard here in LargeUtown because people are either bible-beaters or eye-rollers. It's difficult to find middle ground.
13. What happened in 07 that you didn’t think would ever happen?
Teehee. I didn't think I'd be as introspective as I was.
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
(would anyone actually say no?) Of course.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?
Absolutely. Somehow I don't think my usual hoodie-with-jeans look will fly in a TT position.
16. Will you start or quit drinking?
Heck no! I will maintain my social drinking status. :-)
17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
Yes. Dad and I are back to speaking (posts later, I'm sure)
18. Will you do charity work?
I'll continue to do science volunteering and donate to my favorite charities.
19. Will you go to bars?
I'm a grad student, aren't I?
20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?
Of course! I'm a southern gal, after all! (Didja guess that one??)
21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?
yes.
22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
A lot! I've become ready to get my Ph.D. and move on to the next phase in my life. This time last year, I really didn't think I'd be ready to leave in 2008. I've also improved the balance between work and play. I'm still a semi-neurotic workaholic, but I sometimes take Sundays off.
23. Do you plan on having a child?
OMG, no! Not that there would be a possibility, if the last bit of 07 is any indication (see #6).
24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Yes, but I don't classify casual relationships as friendships. So those that are friends (vs. the bazillion LargeUtown "acquaintances"...like people that I'll drink with, watch football with, etc etc but not housesit for or drive to nearby state airport)
25. Major lifestyle changes?
Hopefully a faculty teaching job. Preferably somewhere warm. Possible big purchases: new car.
26. Will you be moving?
yessssssss!
27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07?
I'm going to take more vacation time. In 2007, I took six days off in the summer to travel to central america, and nine days off for Christmas. That is not. cool. Already for 2008, I will be traveling home twice in the spring for graduations and going to Germany for a week. Post-LargeUtown, I hope to do a wine country trip and a possible road trip to the Dakotas....but those depend on Mr. Bear.
28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
Not sure. Definitely football with champagne. Beyond ~10:30 remains to be determined.
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Not anyone I know, unless there will be a midnight surprise visit to LargeUtown....but I dislike surprises.
30. One wish for 08?
Fall in love with someone in same zip code (say it with me now: awwwwwww).
If you decide to do this lovely meme, please let me know so I am sure to check it out! Happy 2008, all!
(yes, I am aware that I have excessively! used! exclamation points! in this post. Not sure why.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Single Grad Female seeks new year's play
It's no secret that I usually date sucky men. (Case in point: Ex broke up with me in front of his therapist. Seriously.) So I spent 2007 single but occasionally having fun with a boy or two (erm...not at the same time).
It's been great not having to concern myself with a two-body problem while I look for faculty positions. I get to eat whatever I want (woohoo, shrimp raman! Yay breakfast of swiss miss rolls!) without any chiding (well, not in person anyways). And I always get the remote.
Recently I've been reconsidering the benefits of a boyfriend. LargeUtown gets very cold at night, so it sure would be nice to have someone to warm me up. There's something to be said for having someone to tuck you in when you're sick (which "fun boys" are no good for).
But the real kicker is the impending "holiday" of New Year's Eve.
Let's get real. New Year's Eve is good for two things: making out with your significant other or making out with a random hottie. Not having an SO or any readily available single hotties (pickings are slim in LargeUtown as I require a potential make out partner to be older than me and most boys fitting that high standard are already coupled) means that NYE is NSF. (NSF = not so fun....although I'm sure many of you saw that acronym and thought "crap! upcoming grant deadline!)
What do you think? Is NYE truly just for couples?
Ultimately it probably won't matter: there are bowl games playing until 11 that will likely result in me being too drunk to care about NYE anyways! ;)
It's been great not having to concern myself with a two-body problem while I look for faculty positions. I get to eat whatever I want (woohoo, shrimp raman! Yay breakfast of swiss miss rolls!) without any chiding (well, not in person anyways). And I always get the remote.
Recently I've been reconsidering the benefits of a boyfriend. LargeUtown gets very cold at night, so it sure would be nice to have someone to warm me up. There's something to be said for having someone to tuck you in when you're sick (which "fun boys" are no good for).
But the real kicker is the impending "holiday" of New Year's Eve.
Let's get real. New Year's Eve is good for two things: making out with your significant other or making out with a random hottie. Not having an SO or any readily available single hotties (pickings are slim in LargeUtown as I require a potential make out partner to be older than me and most boys fitting that high standard are already coupled) means that NYE is NSF. (NSF = not so fun....although I'm sure many of you saw that acronym and thought "crap! upcoming grant deadline!)
What do you think? Is NYE truly just for couples?
Ultimately it probably won't matter: there are bowl games playing until 11 that will likely result in me being too drunk to care about NYE anyways! ;)
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