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I'm
back in the burg for more 2 weeks. Just 2 measly little weeks. My
last 2 weeks of being a normal grad student. Kinda sad, in a weird
way... Yet exciting and completely overwhelming knowing what lies ahead
of me. Life in the DC!
The past couple weeks, I got a taste
of what life is like in the real world, with a real job and all. My
job title is Nutritionist with the Livestock and Seed Program in the
Agricultural Marketing Services agency with the United States
Department of Agriculture. whooo that's a mouthful! haha I haven't
done too much work yet, but the little bit I've done has been alright.
Nothing that made me feel unqualified for the job. But then again, I
was only there for 10 days, so they gave me little projects to
complete, sent me to random conferences in town and meetings with big
wigs of the agency to get to know everyone a little better.
My
first thought about having a non-academia fulltime job... it's
exhuasting! I pretty much went back to the hotel after work to relax a
little before grabbing dinner. And it was pretty much guaranteed that
I ended up conking out on the bed for at least half an hour. And since
I started work at 7:30am, and the commute included an infrequent
shuttle to the metro plus the metro ride itself... I had to wake up at
5:30 to shower and get ready in the morning. Basically my whole
sleeping schedule was completely thrown off. 
Second
main thing about the DC area... I have no idea how to drive anywhere
without getting lost. There was a couple times I was driving to the
Clarendon area (which is in Virginia) to go apartment hunting and
literally took a wrong exit, and a few routes or highways later... I
end up going in and out of DC like 5 times. Hopefully I'll figure out
streets sooner or later. I don't have the best sense of direction to
begin with... however I do have enough common sense to figure it out
after a couple U-turns! 
Third
thing... everything's expensive! Which means I can't afford my own
apartment just yet. So I relied on craigslist to find a place. And
after scoping out a few places and numerous emails with people, I
decided on an apt (sharing with another girl) in the Clarendon area
(exactly where I wanted to live). So it all worked out sorta.
Last thing... I already have some pretty awesome friends in the area. It's going to be a blast!
Anyways,
life is slightly overwhelming right now... with the packing and moving
and staying motivated on writing (haha). But it'll all be worth it.
I'm excited.  | | |
| I have reached that point in my grad student career that consists mainly of writing. Writing my literature review, my chapters for my dissertation, various other papers in hopes of being published and that card for my grandparents that I have been carrying around with me for about 2 weeks now. So I need a ghostwriter to help me out. Your duties will include extracting all this info in my brain and putting it on paper in a nice eloquent fashion. I'll pay in fabulously home baked cookies and crack brownies. I don't cook that well, but baked goods generally come out delicious. (sidenote: I think it is because baking is chemistry... while cooking is an art. and clearly, I'm more of a scientist than an artist).
Please apply. 
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| I got the new nano for Christmas. It's hot! 8GB, black, sleek, awesome. I'm still learning to use it but I'm learning more everyday. Especially when I have apple enthusiasts (i.e. Felix) around. Today's new discovery is the ipod bartender program. You can download this list and it saves it in notes form and you have drink recipes in your ipod. I mean I never play bartender, but for those who do... that is pretty cool.
http://www.electricstate.com/ipodbartender/
I haven't actually downloaded it or anything, but the idea is genius. Those apple folks are pretty clever.
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| Wow, I can't believe it's already 2007.
Wasn't it just 2002? I only said that cause I've been making a playlist of 2002 songs and I swear it was not that long ago when I was rocking out to Pink's Missundaztood cd. Or when Weezer sang "Dope nose" or "Keep Fishing". Or John Mayer first got popular with his "No Such Thing" song, which I still don't get tired of listening to.
Anywho... onto my new years resolutions.
1) Be more frugal-- I need to start saving up for rent money in the DC. Which means I should stop buying random things that are not a bare necessity. Basically just trying to cut down on my spur of the moment purchases. However I did break this when I was down in San Diego and bought 5 pairs of boxers from Banana Republic. My excuse is that I needed new pjs and with Alex's help, I got an addition discount on them. I mean how can you turn down cute boxers for like $3 each!?!? Of course the purchase of 3, count that THREE, hoodies from Nordstrom was a little extreme.
2) Train for the half marathon-- Ok, after alot of wavering, I've finally decided to run the half marathon in Knoxville in April with <red head> Erin. Which means I need to train for it, since I can run maybe 3-4 miles without hurting... but 13.1 miles? So we'll see how disciplined I can be.
3) Get in better shape-- I know this is on EVERYONE and their mom's list of new year's resolutions. But I figured I'd throw it in, since it's tied in with #2. And as of yesterday I'll be a bridesmaid in July! So that is additional motivation to keep running after the half marathon in april.
4) Write my dang dissertation!-- I've had writer's block for a month now... no more excuses
5) Less drinking to the point of tragic-ness-- no explanation necessary.
Happy 2007 folks!
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| So I just realized the suitcase I was planning to use barely holds a quarter of the crap I am taking home with me... sigh, my over-packing ways have returned. I'd try to use the excuse that I have so many christmas presents to bring home that I just don't have enough space to fit them in my bag. But that is not even close to the case. I have presents for my parents and brother but everything else is all clothes and shoes. I mean I need my running shoes and running clothes... I need some going out clothes... I need some Hokie gear for the Chick Fila Bowl game (to show my pride at whatever Berkeley bar I end up at)... I need regular clothes (jeans, sweaters)... I need my swimsuit for San Diego... I need some snow clothes in case I end up going to Tahoe for some boarding... and I need some CAL gear for the Holiday Bowl (once again to whichever Berkeley bar I end up at). I've pulled out my duffel bag from my closet hoping this will work. Of course this is the bag I use for like week long trips... not 3-week long trips. Good thing I'm actually going home and can do laundry whenever necessary.
YAY! I'm going home in 2 days! Huzzah!
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