Retreat!

I'm currently writing from a cozy armchair in the Mohonk Mountain House, a huge old lodge on top of a mountain (as the name implies) in New Platz NY where my lab, along with most of the rest of the NYU neuroscience and cognitive science faculty, have gathered for a day and a half of lectures, poster presentations, and socialization. In total there's 175 neuroscientists here - probably one of the nerdiest bunch of people I've ever been around! I love it.

We arrived in three busloads yesterday evening and had a fabulous 4 course dinner followed by a keynote address from a clinical researcher at Cornell, Nicolas Schiff, who has done some amazing works on coma recovery. Today there were talks from 9 a.m. till 1 and then another scrumptious meal, and now we have a break until another block of talks at 4:30, during which time I went for a hike with a postdoc and an MD/PhD student from my lab.

So far most of the talks have been quite good, and it's interested to hear about what other labs around us are doing. I was nervous about coming because I'm the only undergrad here, and other than my own lab members I don't really know anyone, but it's been pretty OK so far. It's actually nice to get to know my labmates and the people from neighboring labs a bit better, since I do sometimes feel a bit out of place there, and for the most part everyone has been really nice and approachable.

Now for the hard decision - swim or take a nap?

-Celine

rain, rain GO AWAY!

mother nature and I are not on good terms right now! I am sick of this silly rain. seriously. yesterday was such a tease!

after having a wonderful weekend, this last week before break is not what I want to be doing! my friend lexi was in town from RIT for a wedding we had to go to on sunday so we spent saturday meandering around downtown (like we always do) -- she's a photo major and she got some beautiful shots -- and then time for the opera & dinner with the famjam + boyfriend for dad's birthday so that was lots of fun. sunday we took the train down to dc and then got a ride to virginia for an old camp counselor's wedding...lots of drink, food, and dancing to be had. I was a happy camper.

yesterday I half enjoyed the sun (train home + class + work) but got to walk across the park twice which was lovely, and today was just crummy. since I (think I) suffer from seasonal affectation disorder, I was in a bad mood all day even though one of my classes was cancelled and another one let out super early.

heading to queens to meet the parents for dinner tonight...nothing says "pick me up" like a dinner with them. now how to get to the subway without an umbrella....

Sleep and Sunshine

It's 80 degrees outside. 80 degrees! The weather makes me wish it was summer SO bad. It also makes me not want to work on my paper on Education policy in NYC, which is one of my biggest interests. But alas, I must.

I can't complain too much. I spent the morning sleeping away the overcast part of the day, then went down to Washington Square Park and ate some ice cream with a friend on his lunch break. Then to Trader Joe's for some groceries, and now I'm back here at the dorms.

Perhaps I'll go sit outside and work. I'm just afraid I'll end up lying in the sun...

3 days until Spring Break (no Friday classes for me!).