happychemist

...escape was not long enough...

WOOO! Two whole days away from lab!!!

the_marchioness arrived, safe and sound :D

Safe!

Tired!

Later!!!

Need to catch up on entries.

Need to catch up on everything.

But I had a REALLY BEYOND AWESOME TIME this past weekend, with the_marchioness, the_marchioness's friend Moo, and jennlynnfs!!!!!! Will give details, but let's just say that I think the_marchioness and I saw more of LA than some Los Angelinos see in their lifetime.

After reluctantly saying goodbye to A, I turned to the apartment.

I've finished moving and started the next chapter of my life: in which I am a Betty Neels heroine. Took pictures teeny tiny apartment. Will definitely share those, and pics from the LA Tour...

But for now?

I REST.

I'm hiding in the humanities library at MIT, in front of a large window that looks over the Charles River. I feel like a freshman and it's 1999/2000 all over again.

It's snowy outside, and I'm trying to keep my joy to myself, but I'm pretty sure that I'm radiating it. I've already gotten some strange looks from the staff. And though I'm stressed and I know I have a lot of work to do, I can't stop looking out the window!

I'm signed on line as my good friend Margaret D, as she's maintained a staff status on campus and my account has lapsed. I'm also VPNed into Caltech so that I can access some of the things I left behind. Never in a million years did I think that this would be my life, and I'm...overjoyed.

If I could have told Freshman Crystal she would be sitting here 8 years later...

Dr. J is very good to me, and I am beside myself with happiness at seeing him again. He's working away in the lab now, though, so that I can focus on ribonucleotide reductase.

I wish I brought my camera cord! I've already gone a bit batty with the picture taking.

Last post of the year. Let's make it sound fun and exciting! Oh wait, it is :)

I had an absolutely amazing time in Las Vegas and San Diego with Dr. J. So fantastic that I, of course, felt completely downtrodden and depressed after I dropped him off at the airport on Saturday morning.

I was ready to mourn the loss of my dear doctor with plenty of DVDs and knitting, all the way through the weekend.

But of course, my friends always are so wonderful :)

bijoux called a few hours after I'd dropped Dr. J off. Taking shameless advantage of my hazy mental state, within twenty seconds she'd engaged me for Sunday with her and jennlynnfs down in Long Beach. Which I am very glad for, because the ladies were oh so awesome. We had a wonderful time chatting, watching the battle scenes from Lord of the Rings, and playing our altered version of Whoonu.

While hanging out, I got a phone call from kilroi and made plans to walk up the street from my apartment to watch the Rose Parade on New Years Day. And when I paused to check my e-mail, I got fantastic news from my friend 987s, who decided at the last minute that he wanted to drive down from Mountain View to hang out this New Years Eve.

Official proof that my friends are oh so awesome.

Other things are going on. I had some fantastic wine in SD and watched some fun and amazing movies. My cat's noticed I need a bit more lovin', so she's been very generous with her purrage and snuggling. Today was the first day in at least two weeks that I've gone out without a sweatshirt or a coat on. (Don't slap me, my cold-weathered friends!!) And...my apartment is clean! :)

I still miss Dr. J like crazy, but with all this lovin' I'm getting, well, it'd be an insult to stay mopey.

Happy December, dear f-list!

In less than two weeks, Dr J arrives and we'll be off to Las Vegas/San Diego for holidays! His sister is graduating and we'll be there for the felicitations, and then of course, a try Byers-style holiday.

It's very difficult to stay motivated at this point. All I want to do is listen to lots of Christmas music, curl up with my cat, and just...well, just fall asleep.

Stuff's done. Poster's done. Office is moved. Stuff is packed.

Going tonight to the Huntington Gardens for the first concert of the Summer Festival of Southwest Chamber Music. Am really really looking forward to showing up early with a blanket and a book, and staking my place out on the lawn :D Piston and Beethoven tonight!

Beyond early morning tomorrow, I'm off to Munich to see Margaret D! Have a great two weeks, everybody!

...from my parents visit a week or two ago.

Click here for the set. I can't say that I took the pictures; my dad did. He's an amazing photographer (hobby). I totally cut out a lot of the pictures, and I felt bad doing so. But I think these are the ones that expressed the pure joy and beauty of being around my folks. :)

( But this is my favorite )

Got my registration, airfare and accommodations booked: I'll be attending the International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry in Vienna, Austria from July 15-20.

But! I arrive July 9 in Munich, where I'll be meeting...Margaret D!!!!!!!! (Yes, she's still in England; it's been a whole two years since we've seen each other!) We will be going across Austria together! I get to see pretty mountains! And Austrians! And Margaret D!

I can't believe it. It's actually happening!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!