one year down

"the time to relax is when you don't have time for it"
-sydney j. harris

this quote could not be more true. this week has been a bit hectic.

i'm done with my first year of classes [yeay!] now i just need to crank out 3 more papers before i'm officially a "second year." [wow, that flew by fast]

and apparently this week the weather has vacillated between days of pouring rain, thunder, and lighting...to picture perfect spring days of sunny skies and bright, green grass....most of which i was completely unaware because i was off somewhere with my nose in a book or furiously typing on my computer :) but throughout all the work i tried to enjoy some of it..which was usually during my 20 minute walk to and from the library.

so as part of my "relaxing" time, i took some photos of my peaceful walks...the pretty blossoming trees, the sunny blue skies, and a sweet little duck, who i see every morning and evening by my building...he greets me with a quack, and i reply with a "hey there buddy" [thankfully, no one is ever around to hear our little exchange ;)]

better get back to those three papers...apparently, they're not going to write themselves.

tired eyes

this is what my next few weeks look like...

...these books and my poor tired eyes.

although i must say that i'm learning SO many interesting things.

from how to conduct an effective qualitative interview

[more complicated that it appears]

to building a portal based on usability engineering principles

[surprisingly interesting]

to discussing the philosophy of science & technology

[which is really confusing, yet fascinating]

so, although my eyes are tired,

i'm starting to feel more like an "academic"

...and i suppose that's a good thing :)