http://contemporan.com/news/new-nestrest/
That is all.
01 November 2010
18 October 2010
Sunday Inspiration
After some reflection and meditation on topics like "what do I want out of my career" and "how do I want to influence my world", I found a few recurring themes which all come back to the idea of personal inspiration and motivation. It's not just having the great idea, but being motivated to get up and do it. To stick with it. And to follow through. The question is, how do you do that?
For me, it takes the form of inspirational people. You know the people who say something which sticks with you even months afterward, whose encouragement or advice plays in your head at just the right moment, or whose energy and personality boost your creative energy by merely thinking about them. This is my current list of people who inspire me to action:
1. Simon Sinek, Start With Why (www.startwithwhy.com)
2. Jean-Luc Dumont, Making the most of your presentation (www.treesmapsandtheorems.com)
3. Dan Meyer, math teacher (blog.mrmeyer.com)
4. David Zyla, author, The Color of Style
5. Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser (TV show, personal trainer)
6. Morgann Wagner, my first spin instructor
7. Julz Arney and Jay Blahnik, Schwinn master instructors (my spin certification teachers)
Who are your inspirations?
For me, it takes the form of inspirational people. You know the people who say something which sticks with you even months afterward, whose encouragement or advice plays in your head at just the right moment, or whose energy and personality boost your creative energy by merely thinking about them. This is my current list of people who inspire me to action:
1. Simon Sinek, Start With Why (www.startwithwhy.com)
2. Jean-Luc Dumont, Making the most of your presentation (www.treesmapsandtheorems.com)
3. Dan Meyer, math teacher (blog.mrmeyer.com)
4. David Zyla, author, The Color of Style
5. Jillian Michaels, The Biggest Loser (TV show, personal trainer)
6. Morgann Wagner, my first spin instructor
7. Julz Arney and Jay Blahnik, Schwinn master instructors (my spin certification teachers)
Who are your inspirations?
04 October 2010
Procrastination
So you may think that writing this entry is the inspiration for the title. But you would be wrong. It actually came from this interesting New Yorker article: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2010/10/11/101011crbo_books_surowiecki?currentPage=all
I actually *aspire* to write a blog entry much more often than I actually sit down and put virtual pen to virtual paper. Somehow the act of creating an entry has a huge activation energy - partly because I still wonder if anything written here is worthwhile, or whether it just fills the ever-expanding digital universe with more virtual space junk. Or whether my random ramblings will sound self-absorbed, trivial or inane. Maybe by just thinking about these things I find reasons enough to keep from writing.
But, often I feel that I think I am communicating a lot more than I really am. So I find reason to keep trying to write here. Enough introspection.
So yesterday I started in on refinishing a new, old chair. A few of you may have heard or seen my rose chair from the first year here in Atlanta. It was a fun project, but it didn't turn out all that comfortable, so it found a new home during the Great Compromise of moving in together last summer. This one is more comfortable - at least right now - so I am giving this thing another shot. Old carved wooden armchair with a grandmotherly, light blue jacquard that sports a nice rip across the front of the seat. It's getting a metallic (pewter, maybe?) paint update, with a retro mod fabric covering. Pictures to come!
I actually *aspire* to write a blog entry much more often than I actually sit down and put virtual pen to virtual paper. Somehow the act of creating an entry has a huge activation energy - partly because I still wonder if anything written here is worthwhile, or whether it just fills the ever-expanding digital universe with more virtual space junk. Or whether my random ramblings will sound self-absorbed, trivial or inane. Maybe by just thinking about these things I find reasons enough to keep from writing.
But, often I feel that I think I am communicating a lot more than I really am. So I find reason to keep trying to write here. Enough introspection.
So yesterday I started in on refinishing a new, old chair. A few of you may have heard or seen my rose chair from the first year here in Atlanta. It was a fun project, but it didn't turn out all that comfortable, so it found a new home during the Great Compromise of moving in together last summer. This one is more comfortable - at least right now - so I am giving this thing another shot. Old carved wooden armchair with a grandmotherly, light blue jacquard that sports a nice rip across the front of the seat. It's getting a metallic (pewter, maybe?) paint update, with a retro mod fabric covering. Pictures to come!
01 October 2010
Where to go next
Having completed my thesis proposal last month I now have a nicely laid out plan to complete my thesis research that should see me graduating by next August or December at the latest. I am thrilled to have finally set up the steps toward a solid project, and even more thrilled that I will graduate. Soon. Yes, graduating and getting a "real job" is exciting in itself, but even more so since it involves another person.
Most of you reading this know my boyfriend, J. Besides the fact that I think he's hot stuff (intellectually and otherwise :-)), scientifically he is also pretty stellar. When we started dating, 3 and something years ago, he was on track to have a high impact publication. Right out of the starting gate in grad school. Amazing. So it may not be such a surprise that he is almost done with his thesis project, and has secured a job offer with one the most renowned labs in our field. But...it gets better. He most likely will have another, stellar, job offer by the end of this month. Just wow.
So, that brings us to the idea of graduating. He will graduate a few months before me, so his decision on where to post-doc obviously affects where I will search for jobs. This has not been a one-sided discussion either. Unlike some men, who would do what was best for them and worry about anyone else later, the availability of jobs for me has been one of his concerns in discussing which job to take (love that man of mine!). Luckily, both of his job offers have ample Biotech industry in the area, so finding my job should be no problem. That means that - at this point - we will be either in Boston or San Francisco area for the coming few years! More to come on that soon!
Most of you reading this know my boyfriend, J. Besides the fact that I think he's hot stuff (intellectually and otherwise :-)), scientifically he is also pretty stellar. When we started dating, 3 and something years ago, he was on track to have a high impact publication. Right out of the starting gate in grad school. Amazing. So it may not be such a surprise that he is almost done with his thesis project, and has secured a job offer with one the most renowned labs in our field. But...it gets better. He most likely will have another, stellar, job offer by the end of this month. Just wow.
So, that brings us to the idea of graduating. He will graduate a few months before me, so his decision on where to post-doc obviously affects where I will search for jobs. This has not been a one-sided discussion either. Unlike some men, who would do what was best for them and worry about anyone else later, the availability of jobs for me has been one of his concerns in discussing which job to take (love that man of mine!). Luckily, both of his job offers have ample Biotech industry in the area, so finding my job should be no problem. That means that - at this point - we will be either in Boston or San Francisco area for the coming few years! More to come on that soon!
07 September 2010
It's all Greek (yogurt) to me?
I have fallen in love with the smooth, dense, creamy Greek yogurt that is now readily available in the grocery stores. It can be used to make frozen yogurt, or topped with berries and granola as a healthy snack. And it's guilt-free - there are 0% fat versions available!
So when our local grocery store had Yoplait Greek yogurt on sale, I stocked up. 100 calories per container, you can't go wrong, right? But I had never tried Yoplait's version. I figured it was worth a try. I was SO wrong.
Normal greek yogurt is formed by straining normal yogurt to eliminate more of the water content. However, the cheapskates at Yoplait decided to add gelatin and other additives to try and simulate the authentic Greek yogurt. Instead of doing it right, they cheated and created a chemically, dry-tasting product that left a lot wanting. I guess they just lost a customer.
(As an aside: did you know that the second ingredient in Yoplait Light yogurts is corn syrup? Really? WTF)
So when our local grocery store had Yoplait Greek yogurt on sale, I stocked up. 100 calories per container, you can't go wrong, right? But I had never tried Yoplait's version. I figured it was worth a try. I was SO wrong.
Normal greek yogurt is formed by straining normal yogurt to eliminate more of the water content. However, the cheapskates at Yoplait decided to add gelatin and other additives to try and simulate the authentic Greek yogurt. Instead of doing it right, they cheated and created a chemically, dry-tasting product that left a lot wanting. I guess they just lost a customer.
(As an aside: did you know that the second ingredient in Yoplait Light yogurts is corn syrup? Really? WTF)
08 August 2010
Zen-ing my productivity
One of J's favorite sites, LifeHacker, is a trove of useful everyday information. It serves up tips on everything from brewing a mean cup of iced coffee to more random geek hacks, to just plain advice.
A recent post caught my eye. Although I am a habitual list maker, rarely do I cross off much from the list. Having a place to dump all my thoughts - from dropping off dry cleaning and dusting, to more lofty goals like learning a new language and losing 10 pounds - can be cathartic, however, tt also tends toward a stream of consciousness journal rather than focused task manager.
In the article, it gave some solid advice (http://howtogetfocused.com/chapters/how-to-get-things-done-like-a-zen-master/). To summarize:
1. Get an off-line, pen-and-paper weekly planner. Online ones get too complicated and distracting.
2. Using the weekly layout, designate specific days to accomplish certain tasks. I.E. PRIORITIZE.
And the best one...
3. Every time you sit down at your desk/computer/workspace, have a sticky note present with three (3) tasks to accomplish. Focus on those tasks ONLY.
The first two should be productive, work-related, but the third one could be a more pleasurable task, like watching a TED talk, browsing music for spin class teaching, or finding movie times for Friday date night.
I like the idea of having a carrot - a little reward is enough to motivate me to get through my work first!
A recent post caught my eye. Although I am a habitual list maker, rarely do I cross off much from the list. Having a place to dump all my thoughts - from dropping off dry cleaning and dusting, to more lofty goals like learning a new language and losing 10 pounds - can be cathartic, however, tt also tends toward a stream of consciousness journal rather than focused task manager.
In the article, it gave some solid advice (http://howtogetfocused.com/chapters/how-to-get-things-done-like-a-zen-master/). To summarize:
1. Get an off-line, pen-and-paper weekly planner. Online ones get too complicated and distracting.
2. Using the weekly layout, designate specific days to accomplish certain tasks. I.E. PRIORITIZE.
And the best one...
3. Every time you sit down at your desk/computer/workspace, have a sticky note present with three (3) tasks to accomplish. Focus on those tasks ONLY.
The first two should be productive, work-related, but the third one could be a more pleasurable task, like watching a TED talk, browsing music for spin class teaching, or finding movie times for Friday date night.
I like the idea of having a carrot - a little reward is enough to motivate me to get through my work first!
19 June 2010
Tables, part deux
I spent some time perusing - more aptly described, determinedly hunting for that one picture I could not seem to find. That long, distressed, highly used and loved table covered with empty wine bottles from the night before and the kids coloring there over their morning toast. It still drives me nuts that I can't find that picture!
Luckily, I was able to find some images that contain a bit of that same idea. I still want that table though.
I think I like this last one mostly because it reminds me of Brazilian tiger wood.
Luckily, I was able to find some images that contain a bit of that same idea. I still want that table though.
I think I like this last one mostly because it reminds me of Brazilian tiger wood.
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