An important notice: If you tend to misplace receipts or just lose things in general, DO NOT BUY ANYTHING AT BORDERS!!! We just tried to exchange a book in MINT condition with the Borders barcode still on the book (knowing that we'd probably only get store credit) and they wouldn't take it without the receipt. Even though we bought it less than a month ago using my Borders rewards card! Seriously!?!? Horrible customer service. What's the point of even having the stupid rewards card then!?!?!
As you can understand, not only did I not get to return my Spain travel book, but we walked out without buying the Brazil book. But, we found them on Amazon.com for $10 cheaper with free shipping, so maybe it's better this way...
27 February 2011
09 February 2011
The best reason's NOT to continue doing academic science research
This is an excerpt from a "Postdoc Fact Sheet" that I downloaded from the National Postdoc Association wesbite. This information was updated a year ago, but you can consider it extremely accurate since in December 2010 Senate decided that post-docs only get a 1% increase in stipends despite already being grossly under-paid. Mom, Dad, I know there was hope that I might find a cure for some crazy disease and help thousands of people, but it doesn't pay enough.
Food for Thought:
Quick Facts about Postdoctoral Scholars (based on available data)
• A postdoctoral scholar (“postdoc”) is an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of his or her choosing.
• According to the Science and Engineering Indicators 2008: “Recent S&E doctorate holders who entered academic employment at research universities were more likely to be in postdoc than in faculty positions.”
• Traditionally, institutions have not kept records of postdoctoral scholars (although more and more institutions are doing so today); as a result, it is not clear how many postdoctoral scholars are in the United States—but the National Science Foundation (NSF) has estimated that there are from 43,000 to 89,000 postdocs in the United States. The NSF emphasizes that these numbers are estimates, because its surveys focus mainly on postdoctoral scholars who have earned their Ph.D. in the United States and thus do not include representation of international postdoctoral scholars who did not complete their degree in the United States.
• The majority of postdoctoral scholars (estimated at 60 percent today) are “international postdocs,” here on temporary visas.
• The number of science and engineering postdocs with temporary visas at U.S. universities has tripled in the past 20 years, from 8,900 in 1985 to 27,000 in 2005.
• In spite of holding a Ph.D., the median salary of postdoctoral scholars is $38,000 a year—far below the median wage of individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees.
• The average postdoctoral scholar puts in significant “overtime,” working 51 hours a week, although they are not paid for overtime.
• The average postdoctoral scholar, or “postdoc,” is in his/her early thirties and married.
• There is a good chance that this scholar has at least one child, although at least one survey indicates that many delay having children because of the cost.
• While the majority of postdoctoral scholars are in the biomedical fields, these scholars are also found in the social sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, engineering, and the arts and humanities
• Where do scholars go after the postdoc? Forty-one percent find careers in business/industry; percent in government; and 49 percent in education (includes all positions in education, administrative, tenure-track, and other).
Food for Thought:
Quick Facts about Postdoctoral Scholars (based on available data)
• A postdoctoral scholar (“postdoc”) is an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of his or her choosing.
• According to the Science and Engineering Indicators 2008: “Recent S&E doctorate holders who entered academic employment at research universities were more likely to be in postdoc than in faculty positions.”
• Traditionally, institutions have not kept records of postdoctoral scholars (although more and more institutions are doing so today); as a result, it is not clear how many postdoctoral scholars are in the United States—but the National Science Foundation (NSF) has estimated that there are from 43,000 to 89,000 postdocs in the United States. The NSF emphasizes that these numbers are estimates, because its surveys focus mainly on postdoctoral scholars who have earned their Ph.D. in the United States and thus do not include representation of international postdoctoral scholars who did not complete their degree in the United States.
• The majority of postdoctoral scholars (estimated at 60 percent today) are “international postdocs,” here on temporary visas.
• The number of science and engineering postdocs with temporary visas at U.S. universities has tripled in the past 20 years, from 8,900 in 1985 to 27,000 in 2005.
• In spite of holding a Ph.D., the median salary of postdoctoral scholars is $38,000 a year—far below the median wage of individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees.
• The average postdoctoral scholar puts in significant “overtime,” working 51 hours a week, although they are not paid for overtime.
• The average postdoctoral scholar, or “postdoc,” is in his/her early thirties and married.
• There is a good chance that this scholar has at least one child, although at least one survey indicates that many delay having children because of the cost.
• While the majority of postdoctoral scholars are in the biomedical fields, these scholars are also found in the social sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, engineering, and the arts and humanities
• Where do scholars go after the postdoc? Forty-one percent find careers in business/industry; percent in government; and 49 percent in education (includes all positions in education, administrative, tenure-track, and other).
07 February 2011
Let your colors shine
I'm so excited to share my wedding colors with you! I've been working crazy hard on my wedding so that when I start writing my dissertation I won't have to worry about it. One of the hardest things that I did was to pick colors. I FINALLY was able to do that but not until I had tried several different options! I'm so excited! I think that the colors are absolutely lovely! Aqua is the accent color (think tablecloths) with yellow and blue being the main colors for everything else. Tell me what you think!
Winter Time
Have I told you yet that Ginny LOVES the snow.... seriously, she can't get enough. We bring her to a park in our town that is just a huge field and the dogs can run run run, and that's exactly what she does. Last Thursday she was spayed and so she's been cooped up for 11 days! She is going stir crazy!!!! At first she was just uncomfortable and in pain, not to mention the cone of shame we kept on her so she wouldn't lick the stitches. We had tons of fresh powder from about 3 storms that hit that she would have LOVED to go play in. Instead, she's been bothering us to take her out every hour so she can "hunt" because she's tired of being inside. The worst part about it is that we haven't been able to even play with her much in the house. She wasn't supposed to jump or run at all. That lasted about 3 days, then she was back to new (she thought). Today is the day, she will get her stitches from the surgery out. YAY!!! I'll be working, but hopefully Dave will bring her to do some running!
Sad Puppy
Really Sad Puppy
Puppy smart enough to know that the cone of shame comes off when we take her outside to do her business.
But seriously, we have been absolutely SLAMMED with snow. Slammed! There hasn't been a full work-week since Christmas. This week just might break that streak though. Snow is expected for tomorrow, but only 1-2" and a high of 32. Nice and warm! Is it sad that when it's 32 I feel like I don't really need my heavy jacket?? Starkly contrasted to Thursday, where the high is expected to be 19, I will be doubly-bundled up! Since I don't know where I'll be next year, I'm trying to enjoy ALL of the seasons of New England. So far, so good. This is probably the most intense winter we've had here in terms of precipitation, although similar to my first year here 5 years ago... maybe nature is rounding everything out for me as I prepare for a new adventure!
Sad Puppy
Really Sad Puppy
Puppy smart enough to know that the cone of shame comes off when we take her outside to do her business.
But seriously, we have been absolutely SLAMMED with snow. Slammed! There hasn't been a full work-week since Christmas. This week just might break that streak though. Snow is expected for tomorrow, but only 1-2" and a high of 32. Nice and warm! Is it sad that when it's 32 I feel like I don't really need my heavy jacket?? Starkly contrasted to Thursday, where the high is expected to be 19, I will be doubly-bundled up! Since I don't know where I'll be next year, I'm trying to enjoy ALL of the seasons of New England. So far, so good. This is probably the most intense winter we've had here in terms of precipitation, although similar to my first year here 5 years ago... maybe nature is rounding everything out for me as I prepare for a new adventure!
06 February 2011
Engaged, December 21 2010
I'd like to announce- blog style- that Dave and I are officially engaged. To many this is old news, but I figured I should write up a little something. I did know that it was coming, but I didn't know when. I thought he was going to propose when we were home for Christmas, but it ended up being a day and a half before we left for the holidays. Overall, the evening was very low key. We went to dinner at Stephanies on Newbury for dinner and then cruised Boston Public Garden where there were lines of Christmas trees lit up with twinkle lights. It was when we were cruising the pretty, albeit cold, garden when Dave got down on one knee and said, "well Michelle Hartman..." and held out the ring. He actually forgot to say the words "will you marry me" but that's OK because as it turns out, I forgot to say "Yes!" I just kept saying "I wasn't expecting this" at which point he stood up and said, "you haven't said yes yet!" haha... oops! We didn't have a camera and so I waited until I found a passer-by that looked friendly enough to ask to snap a quick photo of us with an iPhone. I made a couple of attempts which Dave intercepted because he was worried that they looked too much like people who would want to steal my ring! haha... that made me laugh. I finally asked a guy who looked friendly. He was so excited for us! It was cute. He said, "Oh my gosh, Congratulations!! Can I give you a hug?" Who can say no to that!?! Hugs all around! :) He proceeded to take about 7 pictures, determined to get a good one despite the lack of light, and he went on his way. Well, that's the end of it! It was very nice. We went home and opened a bottle of champagne. All in all, a great time.
We went home to California almost right after that and got to celebrate with our families. It was absolutely lovely. My mom and dad threw an engagement party for us. We weren't sure who would be able to make it because it was in between Christmas and New Years, but we had a great turn out! My Aunt Listy and Uncle Bob wrote us a song to the melody of a couple Christmas carols that was so nice! Such a fun party!! It's been plan plan plan ever since, but we are sooo excited!!! :)
Celebrating with his mom, Denise and sister, Colleen.
Here are some pictures from the engagement party. Enjoy!
We went home to California almost right after that and got to celebrate with our families. It was absolutely lovely. My mom and dad threw an engagement party for us. We weren't sure who would be able to make it because it was in between Christmas and New Years, but we had a great turn out! My Aunt Listy and Uncle Bob wrote us a song to the melody of a couple Christmas carols that was so nice! Such a fun party!! It's been plan plan plan ever since, but we are sooo excited!!! :)
Celebrating with his mom, Denise and sister, Colleen.
Here are some pictures from the engagement party. Enjoy!
2011, a BIG year!
Well everyone, as I'm sure you know by now, This year will bring a lot of new changes and a lot of exciting times! I'm sorry that it's February 6th and I'm just not posting regularly. Part of that is because I am trying to graduate!!! I have a thesis committee meeting on March 11th and I am desperately hoping that on that day, I will be given permission to write my dissertation!!! If you don't know, to graduate with a PhD in the sciences, you don't just reach your 4th year and automatically get your diploma. Noooooo not at all like that! A committee, chosen by myself and my thesis advisor, decides when I've sufficiently proven that I deserve a PhD. I'm lucky because I've got great faculty on my committee and they are all rooting for me to be finished soon! I'll say this. I don't think I deserve a PhD at all. I think I'm lucky to finish this darn thing and am wildly exstatic that I've fooled them enough to think that I might actually be worthy! But don't tell them that or they might change their minds! So. Big year. If I start writing my dissertation in March, I will defend in July, although I will walk in the commencement ceremony on June 5th, also my dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad, I'm actually graduating!!! I hope. So keep those fingers crossed.
Other events going on in 2011 include Dave's GRADUATION with his Masters degree in Economics (May), my GRADUATION with my PhD in July. We are GETTING MARRIED (more in the next post) in October. We will find jobs. ???? Aaaahhh... seriously, why do you have to stress me out like that!?! Jobs, well, I hope so. Where? No idea. We hope to go abroad. We'll see. If we don't go abroad, we'll be moving west. Perhaps not CA, but definitely closer. What will we do? Whoa... way too soon to be asking that!! You think that last question induced stress, well, the "What" question absolutely paralyzes me. Let's not go there. Anyways, all together it implies that we will also be MOVING.
Graduations, moving and getting married. Like I said. Big year 2011!!!
Other events going on in 2011 include Dave's GRADUATION with his Masters degree in Economics (May), my GRADUATION with my PhD in July. We are GETTING MARRIED (more in the next post) in October. We will find jobs. ???? Aaaahhh... seriously, why do you have to stress me out like that!?! Jobs, well, I hope so. Where? No idea. We hope to go abroad. We'll see. If we don't go abroad, we'll be moving west. Perhaps not CA, but definitely closer. What will we do? Whoa... way too soon to be asking that!! You think that last question induced stress, well, the "What" question absolutely paralyzes me. Let's not go there. Anyways, all together it implies that we will also be MOVING.
Graduations, moving and getting married. Like I said. Big year 2011!!!
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