The start of a new semester...

School is starting up again and you can already tell on campus. The incoming grad students have had all sorts of activities this week to help prepare them for their first year. What used to be handled in a matter of a few days is now drawn out to almost a week and a half. It all started Monday, with an introduction to the department, a Q&A session and continues through the week with advising with faculty, entrance exams, and finally, several teaching & TA workshops and lectures. As it would turn out, I have been lumped with the first years terms just because I had to reapply. It's more of a pain than anything else. I've shown up to the Q&A session, did advising (which turned into a "future plans" talk with my adviser) and all the free food stuff.

I had a pretty productive summer, got lots of data, and was able to get a much better handle on my work and instrument. Now, since I'm officially back, I have to start working on my next hurdle, the Original Research Proposal. Basically, I have to write a proposal for an innovative research idea and defend it in front of my committee. It's doable, but tough. I didn't do it before I left a couple of years ago, and so, before I can really say that I'm "back," I have to pass this thing. Otherwise, it's back to TX for me! lol That would be so terrible, I just don't want to move AGAIN!

I also have to worry about putting my scope back together. Research was going great this summer and last week, I broke it. It happens. It just sucks. lol I'm rebuilding it, slowly but surely, and hopefully, it will be up and running by the end of the week. **fingers crossed** This is such a corny comment, but it's been very helpful to have to rebuild my scope, I've learned a lot and understand what's going on so much better.

Anyway, with the new semester here, I decided I would take better care of my eyes and go get a exam, contacts, and a new pair of glasses. I'm still blind, my eyesight in my left eye is definitely worse, but no random eye diseases to report. I finally got my glasses! I was debating between a "fun" pair and a "regular" pair and decided on the fun pair.

Sorry for the "serious" look on my face, I just felt silly taking a picture of my glasses and this is actually a pretty good picture. :) Anyway, I like them, they are definitely different and I can SEE!!!

Well, I'm gonna go back to work and start looking for articles for my ORP... wish me luck!