if only i had taken...

AHHH!!! sometimes being a grad student in an interdisciplinary field is so frustrating... I consistently think something like, "if I only had studied engineering then I would have a wide range of exposure to mathematics in an application mindset.. that would be so handy," or "if only I had studied physics, I would have had plenty of math classes, and stats classes, and any number of other classes that I could easily utilize", and today I've thought, "if only I had taken more computer science classes... I could write code so much easier and not spend all day doing a 'simple' automated calculation!" I know this is a very pessimistic outlook.. I should instead say, "well at least I have taken so many computer science, biology, physics classes, math classes, stats classes so that I could catch on to the material that I have to learn," or, "I'm glad that I took lots of humanities classes to fill my time because it really was interesting to learn about history and religion and all those other things.. it helps me have something besides science to think and talk about," or, "even though I took a lot of math classes where proving theorems was the dominant subject matter, and I don't use that much anymore, I did learn how to break up problems logically, make an argument, and think critically with creativity." However, I tend to have a pessmistic outlook when it comes to me and a positive outlook when it comes to everyone else. I guess I'll need to try and change that... in the meantime... I hope my little computer code works and does what I want to soon...

whoooohooo... time to decorate!

So my title was a lame attempt at sounding like a ghost haunting my apartment. But let's talk about how much fun it is to buy decorations and decorate the apartment! People are always so surprised that I decorate when I live by myself and have no kids... but I am going to enjoy my life in whatever stage I'm in... and I enjoy decorations. So this year I bought some new decorations - the tree, the 3 tombstones (they say beware, spells, and rest in pieces). I also bought a 'wooden sticks wound into a pumpkin decoration', but its the centerpiece of my table - so at a different part of the room and not in the picture. I think my little bit of halloween looks pretty good though. I think that it is funny how my decorations have become 'scarier' now that my garland of skeletons have lost some legs and feet and arms - can you see the skeleton lacking legs? It's like some horrific attack occurred in my closet where my decorations live - maybe I shouldn't keep the door closed all the time ;). Anyways, I'm excited for Halloween... maybe i'll let you in on my future celebratory plans!

Artwork excitement!

So when I was in New Mexico I went to the Georgia O'Keefe museum in Santa Fe. I was very impressed with her artwork. A few paintings really struck me. Luckily they had a print of one of my favorites, and for only $10!! and it was an 11x14 print, I was quite impressed with that cost. So I've been looking to find some matte and frame to complement the artwork. I just got back my custom matte the other day and I am so impressed with my choice. It looks super great! I am so excited to get it framed and hung on my wall. The matte made the dimensions a 12x16, so it's a little harder to find a frame for it. I envision a metal blue frame.. I don't really want to do custom framing, but I might go that way if it needs be.. I also decided that a frame that is the color of my table wouldn't look bad... So I guess taking a picture of the artwork has at least 2 main benefits - I can show off the amazingness AND I learned that a neutral brown frame would be a good second choice! Anyways, let me know what you like and if you find a metal 12x16 blue metal frame ;).