First day of school

Matt went looking for jobs today and he found two companies that represent sports teams. They do the marketing and advertising. He had one interview today, and they asked him to come half day on Monday for a long-term second interview so the people can get to know him. The other company scheduled an interview with him tomorrow around 10:30. Hope something comes out of it, especially the one that he interviewed with today. They are right up the street and represent the Round Rock Express. Pretty cool?

First day of classes was okay. We only had one class, Organic Review. We only have 2 tests in that class, but otherwise it will be fun. The other class I have tomorrow is taught by the same professor, so I see him everyday for the 2 classes I'm graded in. He said for that class that when he is on trips, we have to go to class from 9-11 on Saturdays to make up the classes. Bummer. I had to work on some of my lab experiment today. I will finish it tomorrow. UT is crowded, but not as bad as LSU. They have about 52,000 people, but the school is bigger so it doesn't seem as big as LSU.

But all is well, because there are only 16 Organic Graduate first years (sounds like Harry Potter when they label us first years). We have all the same classes. I got to go home early today, which was nice for the first day. I will be there longer tomorrow because classes are later and I still have an experiment to complete. At least I have company, because the rest of the group has not finished either.

Oh well, back to filling out my insurance forms. At least the OSHA training is over with. I still have Compliance training that HR requires. I'll do that this weekend when I have time. Au revoir.

Candace

Done, with T.A. Training and Orientation

Sorry, it has been awhile, but the last week has been hell for the newcomers to UT-Chemistry. We had a full day of Orientation last Tuesday. Wednesday was a little better and Thursday....well, more T.A. Training. Friday we had to sit and listen to lectures from all the organic professors in the world. They want us to chose our new bosses wisely. I find that hard when they are all speaking Greek for 5 straight hours. Anyway, as I know who I am going to work for already, this was a complete bore to me. Especially, the synthetic, catalysis chemists.

Today, we had to test the experiments and they gave me three of them. I had a bad yield on one of them and a great one on the other. Oh well, that's chemistry. We also found out our lab schedule and I get to teach engineers and chemistry majors, not pre-meds. I am so happy. I do not want to teach pre-meds as they will complain about every single point they are not given.

We start school on Wednsday and labs start next week, and so tomorrow is my last day off.

Until then, I'm off to eat the delicious food Matt cooked for me. Pray that he gets the Hibernia job. We find out tomorrow.

I rode the bus

Okay, not that bad. The buses that are near the apartment are called Express buses. That means they only stop at about 6 places along the way in town. From my stop to school, there is only 1 stop in between. Also, because it is an express bus, the buses are similar to coaches...really nice (not normal city buses). Matt rode with me and I get to ride for free with my UT ID. Not bad??

Today, we have been watching the Olympics. I enjoyed the Opening Ceremony. I am interested in Swimming and the Gymnastics the most, but I will watch other events. At the very end, a guy I went to high school with (Caesar Garcia) will be competing in the Diving competition. I hope he does well. I remember in high school going with my friend Mary during the summers and watching Caesar at the LSU Natatorium.

There is also a party going o nat the pool/office at the complex. Since we can see the pool from our balcony, we can also hear the loud DJ. Kinda annoying if you are trying to read or take a nap. Me, I am trying to read. But right now, the music in my room is blaring loud so as to drown out the DJ's excessive love of RAP. Rap sucks: can't understand what the hell they are saying and half the people don't have a great comprehension of what english grammar is. Oh well, it will be over soon enough. We are ordering pizza tonight. Woohoo. I LOVE pizza. I used to eat it almost every night. :)

All is well. Orientation is Tuesday.

Ok, I will update

You know, I have been so lazy this summer because I start school in 2 weeks and I honestly will not have a break for the next 5 years. Hmmm... Well, I did go to UT yesterday to get my ID. I am official now, and next Tuesday-Friday is orientation. We have to be there from 8-5 everyday. Oh well. I hope that catching a city bus to school everyday will not be so much a hassle, but I think it will. Especially because I have to drive up the street, park my car and then ride the bus 20 minutes to school. Because I chose to live in the great area of town, I have to suffer with the long bus ride. Consequences.

I met up with my friends at UT yesterday, who I know from all the Grad school recruitment weekends. Brian, who is from Georgia, has already started working for a Polymer genius. This polymer genius developed something for computers and it is why everyone's computers run faster than before. My other friend Matt from Florida, is a little iffy about starting school. I guess he did not realize how long and tedious this will be. 5 years of working 8-12 hour days in the lab and working on Weekends. Brian and I already know the commitment, especially because we are in Organic. What a tough division. Whew.

I am becoming even more obsessed with Harry Potter. Nicole, read the 5th book even if you have to check it out from the library. Ok, I have been reading the message boards and getting some great and interesting inputs on JKRowling. Anyway, that is my distraction. In two weeks, it will be Chemistry again.

Matthew still has not found a job and I just hope that he actually puts forth some effort. no way is he living off of me. :)

I guess I think it's time to go to boed. Last night I went to sleep at 2, and was sleeping very well. UNTIL, 6 am, BAM...my cats are chasing each other down the hall, come in my room and both land right on top of me. I was up until about 8 and finally went back to sleep. I am going to bed early now. Au Revior. I should learn it in Spanish, I guess since I am in Texas.

New Blog

I decided since I changed my home for 5 years, that a new site was in order for the new change. The title, you're asking...well, it is a Jimmy Buffett song, of course, from my favorite album A1A. I think it will fit the new hustle and bustle of graduate school. Ahh, 5 years of research, stuck in a lab for hours upon hours. Well, the only aspect keeping me going is the knowing that in 5 years, you will be addressing me as DR. :) I do not think most of you will, because the Ph.D. will not change my mentality. BUT, I will be achieving my goal and that is what counts. Also knowing that Matt is here every step of the way cheering me on. Thanks Matt. I hope that I will be successful, as I hope you too. See you soon.