Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I need a vacation.

I had a nice chat with my research advisor today about my research plans for the next few weeks. In addition to trying to get more data and training the biochemistry student who'll be my successor on the project, I'll be teaching an REU student about research. Oh, and I haven't finished the work I need to have for TFA institute. It's going to be a busy few weeks.

My research advisor seemed pleased but somewhat surprised that I'm going to be hanging around the lab. He told me, "I'll completely understand if you want to spend a week on a beach somewhere instead." Alas, that just isn't what I do. Since starting college, I've traveled a lot, but I've been on just one trip that didn't have some purpose beyond visiting people, and that was a Christmas vacation spent sleeping on an air mattress on my aunt's floor.

I think I need to commit to saving for a fun trip in the next twelve months. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it absolutely must not involve working in a molecular biology lab forty hours a week, touring nanotech start-ups, interviewing for a job, presenting a poster, or attending a funeral. This may not be the most prudent possible use of my money, but it may be key to maintaining my sanity.

2 comments:

Revanche said...

I wholeheartedly support the vacation savings. This is the first time I've ever had one, and an investment in your sanity (ie: "If you haven't got your health, what have you go?") is well worth the effort.

Anonymous said...

Spring Break of Next year, you'll want to do something.

The fall of the first year fly's by. Plus you'll have a lot of built in breaks (thanksgiving, election day, and xmas). Between xmas -> spring break is a really rough time as there's no end or anything to look forwards.

As soon as you get back, summer's on the horizon (distant though)