You got some NERF!

Posted 01:39 AM, January 19, 2007, by saerni

Getting back in the cycle of classes is hard, but there's nothing like a few great classmates to keep you motivated! Today Alex popped out of nowhere with some Nerf guns!!! He was attacking us, and then happened to have a second one! Of course we started a war, which resulted in Amar saying it was "going in the BMI handbook"! No Nerf guns allowed in MSOB!

Alex tries to attack me!

Alex sneaks around SMI. Look at unsuspecting Maureen!

Noah is cowering in fear!

David helps Noah pick shrapnel out of his hair.

We're getting back into the swing of classes. We are going to get our first homeworks this week, and we have to seriously start thinking about projects. Stanford, or graduate school classes, are different in the sense that the projects are far more focused on getting papers out! Which is certainly a challenge.

I need to learn how to think that it's possible, at the moment I don't believe it. Every extra minute devoted to these projects, is one less for research, which is a hard thing to balance. I came to this school for research, and I know the faculty is amazing, but I spend a lot of time wondering if I will be able to do what I REALLY want, and be recognized, if I focus too much on courses. It's super strange to let yourself realize grades are no longer your focus. Russ told us if we're getting all As in our classes, we're probably working too hard in our class, I really need to take that to heart.Russ also said that we should be doing as much research and classwork as we can, without going insane, maybe I'm enjoying myself too much?

On Wednesday I had to present at my lab meeting. It was pretty stressful, I had quite a bit of work to do before getting there! I was awake most of the night, and was working on my presentation, but when I was mostly done, powerpoint crashed!!! IT WAS HORRIBLE! I had to start FROM SCRATCH! I was so upset. I just wanted to give up. I was exhausted, Ryan was already in bed, and I was up alone, frustrated with Microsoft, but I managed to get my butt in gear and go.

I think the presentation turned out pretty well, I hope Arend thought the same! I realized how sad I was to leave the lab at the end, and that there were some pretty great people in the lab. I'm not sure what the normal way is to end a rotation, but I still have some things to finish up. I was supposed to meet with Gill on Thursday, but it looks like were going to hold off until he gets here on the 1st since we couldn't find a time that worked for both of us in the next two weeks. I am really looking forward to that rotation.

We had a going away party for a visiting professor, Guenther. It was sad to see him go! He has been a great smiling face to see every day I came in. Everyone showed up to his party, and Amar had some wines that he showed to everyone. It was pretty funny. All this free food is really dangerous! They also had cheese, crackers, and most importantly, CAKE! It was really good!

Jane Peace, a student visiting from UW at Madison in Mark's lab. She only wanted a bite of a cake and let me have the rest of the piece! I was going to just have a bite also, but everyone else wanted their own, so I just scarfed it down! She's super nice! I only feel bad for her for having to sit near me since I'm so obnoxious! Guanglei on the other hand helped himself to a massive piece! It was pretty hillarious! Even so there was still quite a bit left! I can't believe how healthy all these BMI folks are. I guess I should learn from them. I'm still hurting from the time I brought cupcakes and no one ate any! I will never bake again! Except for Guanglei! He obviously knows good dessert when he sees it!

After the party I was having everyone over to play the Wii. Angela came ALL the way from Berkeley!!! It was so great seeing her! She has a ton of work, and also is heading into quals, but made her way over. She almost didn't but realized she wanted the break. Alex, Marc, David and even Noah showed up! Maureen came by for a bit as well! It was great! We played doubles tennis, and Maureen and I kicked some boy butt! She is a natural (hahahah). She was hitting the fast serves her first time playing!

I made some strawberry milkshakes (with real strawberries). Since they required minimal effort I thought that would be okay. I did not bake, however. I went to the store and bought chips, sliced meat, and bread. It was a build your own Mii and Sandwich party! Well actually, I took over and started designing people's Miis! We all decided I should quit grad school and pursue my real talent! We'll just have to see! Too bad I'm not good at making my own Mii!