Well, after a bit of time clicking around online, my Christmas shopping is now complete.  This is probably the earliest I've ever managed to finish, but there is the added factor that I'll be flying this year and am hoping to avoid paying a luggage fee ($15 for the first checked bag? Ridiculous!).  Being petite - and thus able to fit a few changes of clothing into a carryon - does have its advantages.

Other than that, work's going well and I've been doing my MCAT prep.  The program hasn't hit the first full-length practice test yet, but I'm curious to see how I'll do on it.  Hopefully I'll score a few points higher than I did on my diagnostic.  45T all the way, baby.

Well, my Christmas season is off to a lovely start - just received a gift certificate for Powell's Books!

I'm about ready to sing out a Hallelujah chorus.

I've been under the weather for a week and a half or so - nothing too awful, but enough to grate after a while - and this morning was the first time since I got sick I didn't wake up feeling more tired than I did when I went to bed.  It's amazing how much a good start like I got this morning will do for one's mood.

Nim's been sure, for the last half hour, that breakfast is imminent.   Sorry, kitty boy, but you get fed at 6 AM and 6 PM, and it's been that way for the last year!

Dangit... I had the guitar almost in tune and then there came a *SNAP*! from the E string.

Serves me - and the brother - right though for trying to convert it without a real clue.

I've found it can be helpful sometimes, when trying to change habits or work on long-term goals, to remember little moments of triumph. 

Today I found out a coworker was selling a laptop I love, and at a steep discount and in perfect shape.  I have enough in the bank I could pay for it in full immediately.  The hitch is, I don't really need a laptop at this point in my life - I've got a desktop I'm very happy with - and I am trying to save right now.  I considered it... briefly thought of going ahead and buying it anyway, or borrowing from one of my parents... and said no. 

The computer will go to someone who needs it more, and when I'm in rock-solid financial shape I'll be able to buy one without having the nagging feeling that I really shouldn't have.

This, my friends, is why Sarah Haskins is awesome.

I just realized something rather funny.  In the past few months, I don't think I've received any ~*~pre-approved~*~ credit card offers in the mail.  Not a one. 

Could this be one positive effect of the bad economy?

Just got the news -  I got an A in my physics class this quarter too!  That makes my final physics GPA 3.75, which I am very happy with.

Of course, I do still need to figure out what I'm going to treat myself to as a reward...

I'd prefer not to get into details,. but it's been something of a tumultuous time at work.  I might wind up staying in the job I'm in, transferring to a brand-new company, or searching for another job in research.   Have I mentioned I really don't like this sort of tumult?  Not that anyone does, of course.

Anyway, I'm just praying I make the right choice.

I'll be working most of tomorrow (holidays, what are those?), but should still have a few minutes to devote to honoring two deceased veterans in particular.

One, my grandfather, served in WWII as a counterintelligence officer.  He survived to live a good long life.  The second was my father's best friend, who was killed in action in Vietnam just a week before his tour was up.

I am more of a pacifist by nature, but my criticisms are directed at the institution of war rather than the soldiers.

'Those crazy kids'.

10 Reasons My Mom is Awesome

1) She's always willing to give help or advice if I really need it, but otherwise gives me the chance to work things out for myself.

2) If something is important to me it's important to her, even if she doesn't fully understand why I feel the way I do.

3) She's conscientious in everything she does.

4) She encourages me to be *my* best self, and not shy away from the work it takes.

5) She's artistically gifted, which I really am not and thus admire.

6) I've never questioned that she loves me.

7) She's one of the most emotionally strong people I know. 

8) She's taught me to be organized and on top of things, though it doesn't come naturally to me. 

9) She's very good with people, especially young ones.

10) We truly enjoy spending time together, and I think would even if we weren't related.

Happy Mother's Day!

Our president reminded me why I have a bit of a geek-crush on him again today. 

He  was speaking at the National Academy of Sciences about his efforts to support science and math, and pointing out how far we've slipped in that regard since the post-WWII years.  I'm still fairly young, of course, but I'd say he's the most unabashedly intellectual president of my life time.   He's not a fellow scientist, but he knows enough to value us (and say so publicly) and I appreciate that.

It's that time of year to clean and clear out, and now that I'm going through my clothing I wish my mother was here.  She's decisive - 'no, that just doesn't fit right anymore', 'oh, nice, keep that' - and would be a second set of eyes.

Looks like we've got a few days of nice weather on the way - yahoo!

I'll be spending most of it studying (first test of the quarter is coming up) but I always find some sun and warmth an energy boost, and I could really use that right now.  Between recovering from a minor injury and not sleeping all that well I'm feeling a bit worn. 

Really do wish I could get a handle on the sleeping thing, by the way.  I've tried various relaxation techniques, home remedies, 'sleep hygiene' measures like going to bed at the same time, etc. with no success.  Tried prescription meds too; they worked but I didn't  like how I felt on them.  The one thing that does seem to work is not having much on my 'to do' list, but I don't have full control of that obviously.

I really, really enjoy getting a day where I don't have to go to work or to school. 

It was an ordinary day, really - got groceries and a couple of plants at Trader Joe's, did some housework, did yoga, studied for the MCAT - but it was all on my schedule.  I didn't wake up until 6:30 (sad, but that's sleeping in for me), and didn't have to be out of the house at any particular time.  The kitties got some attention too; I feel like I've been neglecting them.

I'll be working most of tomorrow and the spring quarter starts the day after, but I'll take my breather while I can.

For those not in the know: Earth Hour is a campaign for people to turn off  their lights, TV, and other electrical appliances. from 8:30-9:30 PM on March 28th. 

I know that the direct impact is minimal; it's one hour out of one day out of the year.  Last year though I participated and found it beneficial.  It reminded me of ways to entertain myself that don't involve electronics, and made me more aware of my energy use.  It's so easy to just turn things on and virtually forget about them.  Such reminders only stick so long, however, so we need them to come around regularly.

As of around 6:30 this night, I finished my second quarter of physics.  I'm glad to be done with it - electromagnetism is particularly tough for most students, and I've had less time to study.   The material for next quarter isn't simple either, but it is more concrete and therefore should be easier for me to comprehend. 

Now, I've got two weeks where I'll still have plenty to do but it won't be as scheduled.  For me, that counts as a treat.

My mother's coming up to visit this weekend, which will be nice.  We always manage to find something new to do.  The wrinkle in the plan, however, is that my brother is counting on us taking his kitten, Mali, while he goes to see the future in-laws.   I'm sure Mali's a sweetheart, but it just makes things more complicated.  I've got no idea how my two will react to him (I imagine Babycat'll start romping with him immediately, and Nim'll spend the entire time Mali's here hiding) , how he'll react to them, and then there's the stresses of the several hours' car ride.  Hate to say it, but I don't like that I'm the one worrying over these things. 

So, my little brother is engaged!  The whole family is pretty thrilled; we really like his fiancee, and they're good for each other.  It's too soon for there to be any real plans, but I'm hoping I'll get to be a bridesmaid or usher.