| | Is it healthy to think about science 23 hours a day? I think not. I don't dream about science (usually), and when I do, it's always a nightmare. We have been working way too much lately, and because of that waking life has been kind of a nightmare as well.
I didn't even get to relax when I took 3 days off to go to San Diego. Yes part of the reason I wasn't relaxed was that one day was spent interviewing. Yes it was more stressful than a normal interview because if I liked the lab it would have made my two body problem much more complicated. Yes there is a 3 hour time difference between CT and SD and that kind of jet lag isn't so great on a 4 day trip. But still, I needed to relax! And I didn't. FAIL.
I did like my food though, don't get me wrong. I liked that In-N-Out that I sought out until 11pm Wednesday night when I arrived (so worth it! and why aren't there more In-N-Outs in SD?!?). I liked the "it's not going to be like LA" Thai food that I had with two friends I met up with for dinner after my interview Thursday night. I liked the Japanese food in West LA for lunch on Friday with one of my favorite people from college (so worth the 6 hour round trip! seriously, not relaxing to be in the car for 6 hours, but still totally worth it). I liked the poncy Mexican food we sought out once Dr. bf arrived Friday night, even though it was so overpriced and Dr. bf's dinner was even less worth it. I really really liked the breakfast we had at Hash House a Go Go (smoked salmon scramble with brie, tomato, and pesto... yummmmm!!!!) and loved the company of another one of my favorite people from college with his fiancee. I tolerated the chain restaurant lunch with my relatives but liked introducing them to Dr. bf. Thankfully no politics or religion came up. Whew. And the hors d'oevres at the wedding were very tasty! It was wonderful to see one of my favorite people from hs get married to a guy who seems very sweet and caring. I can't wait to spend more time with them in the future.
So, I ate a lot of food, but I've been working far more than I've been eating so the net feeling has still been stress stress stress. I have another long experiment tomorrow which will require me to be on the Expensive Machine all weekend (12 hours or so). Not Cool. Then I have to prepare and do another experiment on Monday with more time on the Expensive Machine Tuesday night. Finishing the experiment Wednesday morning will then be followed by approximately 6 hours of driving Wednesday afternoon/evening. Too much going on. I'm looking forward to learning more about Science Policy Thurs-Fri, but absolutely can't wait to get home Friday night so I can finally veg out!!!
I know that Academia can be a very satisfying career, but I just don't know if I have the commitment to have a chaotic life like this forever. A part of me just wants to know what it feels like to work a normal 9-5 with benefits. A bigger part of me knows that if my life was spent being a cog in a corporate machine where the rich were getting richer and I wasn't really valued, I wouldn't be happy. And really, aren't all scientists some sort of cog when it comes down to it? I don't know what the answer is. I guess all we can do is take it day by day and try to make the best of what we're working with.
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| | Posted 10/15/2009 7:11 PM - 12 Views - 8 eProps - 4 comments
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