Overhaul, In Need

My oh my! It seems like ages since I last wrote here! I am actually planning for an overhaul but I just can't find time and I still need to learn the how-to's in editing html and customizing the theme and layout of this blog to my own preference (not really a computer geek girl and I already forgot all those I learned in high school about programming, tsk tsk). I'm guessing it'll take me a long time to be able to accomplish my dream overhaul. I love reading other blogs and I was like, "How did they do that?!? Their blogs are so beautiful, so unique...but me, I'm using the same old blogger template." Okay, so I just want to make this blog like my home, like everything is so me. Sometimes I wanted to shift to other blog sites but I just can't leave everything behind here. It's been more than a year already and every single thing written here has been part of my life. Thus, the dream overhaul/redesigning. Anyway, I still don't know when because I'm really busy with my laboratory life. We're having laboratory meetings every Friday. It is consist of giving a presentation to update the professor of the results of the experiment. And it's not just presenting the results, it's about presenting your study in a very organized way (which include introduction, objectives, methodology, results, and further activities). My turn was every other Friday. At first it was giving me a lot of headache, especially if I don't have good results or no results at all to present. But the good thing about this is that I realized that I need to work well to obtain good results. Slacking off is not an option anymore. Time is important, so I really have to prioritize and organize the things that I should do in my two experiments. Also, I'm eyeing to join a conference so I really need to finish my experiments in a few months time. The professor hasn't told me yet if our lab is going to join that conference but I'm hoping and praying that we'll be able to attend. That's another motivation, aside from our weekly lab. meeting, to do my experiments excellently. 




xoxo,
The Scientist err The Grad Student


Note: I can still remember all my rants before about being a grad student here in Korea (e.g. working all day until 9pm or even at a later time in the lab) but now, I'm used to it. It has become the norm and my day-to-day activity. And I must say after almost one year, now's the first time I'm starting to love what I'm doing. There's enthusiasm, which I've been praying for a long time. Thank you God for the answered prayer!

Red Cape♥

Capes and lace dresses have been in the fashion scene these past few months and I do think they’re those kind of pieces that are classy and romantic. I've also seen a lot of fashion bloggers donning them. And they have become one of my must -buy-items. When I finally got them, I never intended to pair them because I was planning to wear the lace dress if there comes a special dinner or event. But last minute decision yesterday led me to wear the black lace dress with the cape. And even though it’s quite cold, the cape really gave good coverage and warmth. I just love the combination and I feel like that girl we call Little Red Riding Hood.

By the way, Happy Solnal everyone! 

Note: Solnal is the celebration of lunar new year here in Korea.

Blogger favorite: eat.sleep.wear.

This morning while I was browsing the net, I discovered that one of my favorite fashion bloggers replied to my comment. And I think I just have to copy and paste the thread here as a remembrance. Call me sentimental or whatever, but it's just happiness! By the way, if you're into fashion or just want to update yourself about some trends in fashion, I recommend you visit her site, eat.sleep.wear.

Below is the picture of her in the post in which I left a comment.

eat.sleep.wear

Friday the 13th

Yesterday was Friday the 13th and when you say Friday the 13th, it is always associated with bad luck. But since I was in zombie-mode, it slipped in my mind. I had my report for our lab meeting in the morning. Being the crammer that I am, I did my power point presentation the night before and just slept for two hours (resulting to a condition I refer to as zombie-mode). But thank God everything went well and I got a good feedback. The prof said it was better compared to the last one. I know, I know, the last one was really bad.  Anyway, there are still some corrections and lots of things to be done in my experiment. I just hope and pray that I'll get good results.


So I completely forgot about Friday the 13th...until afternoon came. Yes, I got my bad luck. The prof was asking about something in the experiment and I just don't know how or where to get the answer. And I think he was disappointed. But since I really can't find the data, he just told me to pass it on Monday. Evening came and our lab had some dinner in a Japanese restaurant. Good thing the atmosphere was just light and it's not that awkward the way I thought it would be. And I must say the food was really, really delicious! Sorry, I forgot the names but we got some tasty noodles, Japanese pizza, rice with pork, and something that looked like meatballs. For our drink, we had hot sake (rice wine). Hot sake is my new favorite now! It's perfect for the cold winter and has a milder taste compared to soju. 

All in all, just when I thought I had a bad day turned out to be a good day after all. TGIF! Screw Friday the 13th! Haha!

This too shall pass

Something has been bugging me lately. But I do hope that, This too shall pass.

P.S. I guess I just have to remind myself to Keep Calm & Carry On and move on with my life and forget about 'it' and just focus/prepare for the coming lab meeting on Friday (must do good to redeem myself).

First snowfall on the first day of 2012

I spent New Year's eve with my family thru Gmail video chat. Even though we're oceans apart, it's like we're just a computer screen away (thank you, internet!). And this afternoon, after going to church, an unexpected thing happened. While walking in downtown, I noticed some white thing falling from out of nowhere. I thought maybe those were just small flowers. But, flowers in the winter?!? Or maybe just some dirt. But then, I realized the answer.

Weeeee! My first ever snowfall experience! I never expected it would happen today, January 1, 2012. Before, I used to only see it in the movies because living in a tropical country like the Philippines will never allow one to experience winter. But now, it's like a dream come true seeing snow! Definitely, happiness!♥

The past year had been a great year for me. It's like a roller coaster ride - with ups and downs, and some unexpected turns. But I'm very thankful to God for being there for me all these years, for not giving up on me and for giving me the strength to survive all the challenges of 2011. I just pray that may He enable me to face this new year with a good and brave heart, a strong faith, a determined soul, and a motivated mind.

Happy New Year everyone!!! Hoping for greater things to happen this 2012! Let's all live life to the fullest and continue following and making our dreams happen!

Christmas in a foreign land

How does it feel to celebrate Christmas in a place far from home, from family, friends, and relatives? It's definitely a sad one but Christmas should not be spent in such manner. Everyone deserves to be happy on Christmas.

This is my first Christmas in a foreign land. I was expecting all the merriment this holiday brings but reality check, I am in Korea. Since people here are not mostly Christians or Catholics, Christmas is not a big thing. Unlike in the Philippines, the start of the -ber months (from October) means the start of the most wonderful time of the year. Come December, Christmas decorations are already everywhere, Christmas songs are being played in shops and malls, and people are all in rush buying presents for their family and friends. I just missed the Christmas spirit back home.