It’s that very magical time of year (for me at least) – my birthday is coming up! So naturally I start cultivating list after list of all of the pretties around the interwebs that seem fitting of a birthday girl (completely separate from my normal wish lists, of course). I’m not sure why, but items take on a certain special glow when they’re for my birthday…
While January seemed to drag in a flurry of lecture-giving and lecture writing and trying to appear as if I know what I’m talking about (all the while wondering how I was going to keep up that pace for four whole months), suddenly I feel as if I’m nearing the halfway mark of the semester. And I’m proud to say I’ve hit my groove a bit. This is not to say that life has magically returned to normal – we are still living in a sea of unpacked boxes and most weekends I am camped out at the dining room table…
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching next week, my mind naturally goes to all of the loved-up colors in the world: reds and pinks and pastels seem to be bursting out of my closet with glee. I know there are some that see St. Valentine’s as a harbinger of gloom – but remember that February 14th is first and foremost about loving yourself.
Well 2017, we are NOT off to the best start. What. A. Month. I know we’re all still reeling from the events of the new year, not the least of which is the chaos surrounding our new “leadership” (and I use those words very, very loosely). This has been a trying month for us all. The only hope I feel is in the upwelling of unity and support – not just around the country but around the globe.
On the weekend Mr. Dressed and a lovely friend and I skipped off to the theatre to see La La Land (Ummm, Ryan Gosling AND a movie musical? Point me to the popcorn). I fell completely in love with the story, the music, and the splashes of primary colors in every which direction (including one rather unforgettable yellow dress). Needless to say, I was inspired to pull a few primary colors out of my own wardrobe today…
There’s this interesting phenomenon in Science (and I’m sure every profession) called The Imposter Syndrome. I’m sure we’ve all fallen victim to it now and again. This constant, nagging doubt that barks in the back of your ear that you are a fraud waiting to be found out. That despite the impressive title beside your name, the company that has decided you deserve to be paid for what you do, or the people who look up to you, the day will come when they finally figure out you really don’t know all that much. If you’ve ever written off your…
Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of love and support after my last post. Anyone who is or has been a pet owner has to experience the pain of losing a furry companion, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Somehow, writing it on the blog is yet another step in the healing process for me – almost as if being forced to put cyber-pen to cyber paper, I’m admitting it’s real. But I felt your collective hug and it meant more to me than I can ever say.
This morning marks my first lecture as a fully-fledged University professor. As you read this (chances are, as you are enjoying your morning coffee), I’m up in front of 94 undergrads trying to convince them that neuroscience is awesome and exciting (which they shouldn’t need to be convinced of, because neuroscience is, in fact, awesome and exciting. But, you know, youth). I’ve handed out the syllabus and am explaining just what they’re in for this semester. And, if I must say, I am wearing some pretty fabulous shoes while doing so…
Well that day is nearly here: The First Day of School. Of course, this time I’ll be behind the lecturn instead of sitting in the auditorium waiting to learn. I officially start my new Professorship tomorrow, and then have to impart wisdom on 94 eager (?) and willing (?) students a week later. I have to admit I’m shaking in my red sparkly boots a bit. I’ve been spending so long preparing for this moment – orchestrating the move, getting my lab samples safely to NC, building a home and frantically trying to write lectures in the hopes of being somewhat mentally prepared…
Well, we’ve reached the day where we get to count down the final hours and minutes of 2016. It’s absolutely crazy to me that another entire year has gone by, and at the same time I find myself feeling as if an entire lifetime has passed since January of this year. It’s like the paradoxical feeling of putting your feet into a hot bath and feeling cold.