It's been 9 months. No, I haven't been gestating a baby. But I have been really really busy. So much so that my happiness unfortunately suffered a bit. And then I don't particularly feel like writing or at least anything that can be posted for all to see. By the time it was all sorted out and I had found a new place to live, I had already fallen out of the habit. (And I was still really really busy). Plus, I'll be honest, I don't want to look more exciting on the internet than I am in real life. Sp I've taken the following steps to insure that this year will be better than the last.
1) Quit my 2nd job of teaching adults in the evening.
I only had one class anyway, but I still had to go the whole way to Barrandov at least once a month to turn in my paperwork so I could collect my 1500 cK or so. It just wasn't worth it. (Barrandov is a part of Prague that's really far away.)
2) Got rid of my private lessons.
Two more free nights!
3) Stopped taking Czech lessons.
This may not be the greatest for my Czech skills. But it saves a boat load of time and money.
4) Moved into a new apartment.
Well, I did this twice. But the most recently I found a new place that is cheaper, closer to most of my schools, and more visitor-friendly than the place in which I lived from Feb-June.
I don't have any special reason for returning to the blogosphere except that I have a bunch of really cool things I want to write about.
And since I'm soooo cool in person, there's no danger of me looking more exciting online.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
das Umweltbundesamt
Here is my first publication as a professional chemist. 
I had to take a screen shot because it was done in PowerPoint and wouldn't give me the option to save it as anything but .ppt or .hml. I may have been able to figure something out if this computer were not entirely in German. Not that I can't read the German, it's just I don't know what I'm looking for in English. So the picture is tiny, but you should be able to make out that my name is listed second (maybe if you squint...well just trust me). I photoshopped the diagram of the person and the three pictures of in lab stuff are mine! The data found in the graph are also (mostly) mine, although Anja made the graph. I contributed to the written stuff as well, but most of what I wrote got edited or changed by the head of the Department who did the final editing. He's the one who took the poster to Sweden back in May. I actually haven't seen the actual huge poster version, but I know it exits somewhere.
Currently in lab we have a new column for the GCMS (Gas Chromatograph, Mass Spectrometer) and the power went out which through something off during the calibration process, so we have to start over. So basically I do nothing but watch people move around really small, expensive objects, and type things into computers.
But mentally I'm still on the American college student schedule, so I've been on break for a month now. So doing nothing fits my plans nicely.
I had to take a screen shot because it was done in PowerPoint and wouldn't give me the option to save it as anything but .ppt or .hml. I may have been able to figure something out if this computer were not entirely in German. Not that I can't read the German, it's just I don't know what I'm looking for in English. So the picture is tiny, but you should be able to make out that my name is listed second (maybe if you squint...well just trust me). I photoshopped the diagram of the person and the three pictures of in lab stuff are mine! The data found in the graph are also (mostly) mine, although Anja made the graph. I contributed to the written stuff as well, but most of what I wrote got edited or changed by the head of the Department who did the final editing. He's the one who took the poster to Sweden back in May. I actually haven't seen the actual huge poster version, but I know it exits somewhere.
Currently in lab we have a new column for the GCMS (Gas Chromatograph, Mass Spectrometer) and the power went out which through something off during the calibration process, so we have to start over. So basically I do nothing but watch people move around really small, expensive objects, and type things into computers.
But mentally I'm still on the American college student schedule, so I've been on break for a month now. So doing nothing fits my plans nicely.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dein Konto ist abgelaufen
I haven't had a computer at work for the past 2 and a half days. Thankfully, it worked after lunch today. I got a glimpse of what my life would be like in this was 1995 again. It's not that I need to have access to a computer 24/7. In fact, I would be perfectly content without a computer (at work) if my job involved a little less waiting. I'll be the first to admit, sometimes I don't work quite as efficiently as I could when I'm on the computer. For example I'll wait on the computer for the GPC or Turbo Vap, or Collmn or Accelorated Solvent Extraction or you name it, it involves waiting, to be completed in its entirety before pre-rinsing the glasses for the next step or something. But this week I worked as efficiently as possible. I even started with the sedimentary extraction while the luqid one was finishing and I still had some rather long stretches of nothing to do. I cleaned my office, wrote a letter, and drew pictures. It's not that I need the internet so badly, but I couldn't even type up protocol or look at past results. I don't know how you folks from previous generations did it. Two and half days was enough for me.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Ich fahre mit dem Rad zur Arbeit.
I biked to work today for the first time since the purchase of my old lady bike. I bought it last week from someone on craigslist. It's a one speed with only the right handlebar brake which is to be used in conjuction with back pedaling. I bought it because it was cheap and it already has a light on it. The problem with Paul's extra bike was 1) it's technically his ex-girlfriend's so I can't really take it with me when I move. 2) it doesn't have a working light and die Polizei are very strict when it comes to biking at night. A fine for not having lights is more than 2 months rent. No thanks. So I bought myself this beauty. It has a really wide seat and a basket on the back. It also has a bell on the left handlebar. So I pretty much look like an old lady casually pedaling to the grocery store all the time. It's not really a magnet for fine young gentlemen, but since when have I needed a ruse? I rode it home from my shady back alley purchase of it (just kidding, we were in a courtyard). It was dark, cold, and rainy on the ride home, but it was only 2 km away and I knew the way, so it was kein Problem (no problem). However, the next morning my calves were sore. That is apparently how long it had been since I rode a bike. I swear the fact that it was cold contributed greatly to the aching muscles, or I'm just that pathetic that I can't bike 2 km (which is 1.2 miles for all of you English system users) without being sore the next day.
I had the rest of the week left on my Monatskarte (month pass for the U-bahn) so I continued to ride it to work instead of biking (out of laziness and the fact that it wouldn't stop raining). I decided to give it a try today though. I had no idea how long it would take. According to google maps, it was 10.something km that would take 2 hours and 15 min to walk. I was going to leave early to give myself plenty of time for getting lost (the probability of which I thought was relatively high) but ended up leaving 45 mins after I wanted to. I was probably somewhere between 1 and 2 km away when I got stuck behind an actual old lady casually pedaling somewhere (probably from somewhere since her basket was already full). Not wanting to bike that slowly, I made my move to pass her.
Some things about Berlin you should know:
It is very bike friendly. On almost every street there is either a bike lane on the road, or on the sidewalk.
German roads and sidewalks are very often cobblestone.
The bike lanes are indicated by a different pattern in the cobblestone (normally small, close together stones to allow for a smoothe ride).
On this particular road, the bike lane was on the sidewalk. Separating the bike lane from the pedestrian lane, was a small line of bricks. Ontop of the bricks were lots of colorful autumn leaves. So in order to pass this lady, I would have to simply ride over the slightly raised bricks and go around her. Most people with basic bicycle maneuvering skills would be able to accomplish this feat without much of a problem. But for some reason, I forgot to take Physics into consideration. There are a series of laws pertaining to motion, that most people naturally execute. I failed to do so at this moment. I pretty much hit the bricks with my wheel directly parallel to it, which changed the direction of the movement of the wheels to directly perpendicular (sideways) to the one in which they were moving (forward). In laymen's terms, my bike stopped and I fell off. Now I was only going like 2 km/hr so the only things bruised were my pride and my left knee. There was no blood (and no 12 stitches needed). The bike was a little twisted at the handlebars, but I was able to move them back in place with relative ease. For a second I contemplated going back and taking the U-Bahn, but then I remembered some saying about falling off a horse and getting back on, so I persevered.
The remainder of the journey was uneventful. I didn't get lost and I made it there in about 50 min door to door. So it's pretty much exactly the same as the U-bahn. I was, however, really sweaty when I got there, and therefore got really cold once the sweat dried. Does anyone know how to fight that? I'm going to leave work early today in hopes that it will still kind of be light while I learn the way back. We'll see how sore I am tomorrow.
I had the rest of the week left on my Monatskarte (month pass for the U-bahn) so I continued to ride it to work instead of biking (out of laziness and the fact that it wouldn't stop raining). I decided to give it a try today though. I had no idea how long it would take. According to google maps, it was 10.something km that would take 2 hours and 15 min to walk. I was going to leave early to give myself plenty of time for getting lost (the probability of which I thought was relatively high) but ended up leaving 45 mins after I wanted to. I was probably somewhere between 1 and 2 km away when I got stuck behind an actual old lady casually pedaling somewhere (probably from somewhere since her basket was already full). Not wanting to bike that slowly, I made my move to pass her.
Some things about Berlin you should know:
It is very bike friendly. On almost every street there is either a bike lane on the road, or on the sidewalk.
German roads and sidewalks are very often cobblestone.
The bike lanes are indicated by a different pattern in the cobblestone (normally small, close together stones to allow for a smoothe ride).
On this particular road, the bike lane was on the sidewalk. Separating the bike lane from the pedestrian lane, was a small line of bricks. Ontop of the bricks were lots of colorful autumn leaves. So in order to pass this lady, I would have to simply ride over the slightly raised bricks and go around her. Most people with basic bicycle maneuvering skills would be able to accomplish this feat without much of a problem. But for some reason, I forgot to take Physics into consideration. There are a series of laws pertaining to motion, that most people naturally execute. I failed to do so at this moment. I pretty much hit the bricks with my wheel directly parallel to it, which changed the direction of the movement of the wheels to directly perpendicular (sideways) to the one in which they were moving (forward). In laymen's terms, my bike stopped and I fell off. Now I was only going like 2 km/hr so the only things bruised were my pride and my left knee. There was no blood (and no 12 stitches needed). The bike was a little twisted at the handlebars, but I was able to move them back in place with relative ease. For a second I contemplated going back and taking the U-Bahn, but then I remembered some saying about falling off a horse and getting back on, so I persevered.
The remainder of the journey was uneventful. I didn't get lost and I made it there in about 50 min door to door. So it's pretty much exactly the same as the U-bahn. I was, however, really sweaty when I got there, and therefore got really cold once the sweat dried. Does anyone know how to fight that? I'm going to leave work early today in hopes that it will still kind of be light while I learn the way back. We'll see how sore I am tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Mittwoch 3.September
What I've learned about myself so far: I have a short attention span.
I guess I never realized it before, but it was very apparent during the fantacy football draft (which lasted three hours) and it's apparent now while I'm at work. My first day at work (Monday) was nice. It was slighty boring at times, but it was nice. I met with the head of the Labor für Wasser Analytik (Lab for water analysis) who was the same guy who interviewed me, but not my direct supervisor. He's my supervisor's supervisor. He's around my parents' age I would say and wears fitted, faded jeans, T-shirts, and closed-toed sandals. He's very hip looking. We spoke for a bit, and then he gave me a tour of the place, including (he comes the fun part) my office! I have an office all to myself with a computer (where I am typing this now actually) and my own phone (extention 5719). I'm not good with spacial relations, but I think it's bigger than my room or at least the same size. Both of which are bigger than any room I've lived in thus far in life. But it's nothing gigantic, I've just had some pretty small rooms.
After the grand tour, I went with my direct supervisor (George Sawal), who sort of looks like Uncle Mike, to a Vortrag über Arbeitssicherheit und Umfallschutz. (Seminar on work safety and accident prevention). It was me and a bunch of new Auszubildene (trainees) all of whom were in college. I'm a Praktikantin (intern) which is different. I'm sure you've all experienced the work saftey lectures when starting new jobs in the states. They are, in general, pretty boring. Let me tell you, when it's in another language, it makes it 10 times easier to not pay any attention.
After that there was an Einführung in die Aufgaben des UBA (introduction to the duties and responsibilities of the UBA). This was as thrilling as the first lecture. Then I had to sign some papers and get a few more office related things, after which I went to a neighboring lab to have a tour of that. It had nothing to do with my job, but I couldn't get started until Herr Sawal gave me the saftey speach about the specific labs I'd be working in, which he couldn't do until the next day. So I went with the college kids to the lab with the animals. It was the biological department with the animals the do research on. So we got to see all of the different types of flies, rats, and roaches. By this point, everyone knew I was american because we had all introduced ourselves, so everytime we got to the American coachroaches or lice or whatever it was, people would look at me.
And that was my first day of work. All in all, it was pretty painless. Yesterday, during my second day of work, I got introduced to the research I'll be doing. Herr Sawal explained the background to me, and then Anja, the girl I will physically be working with, handed me a gigantic stack of stuff to read. Everything is in English except for one (the one I'm working through now). All of this reading has taught me that I have a shorter attention span than I thought. On an exciting note, I got a lab coat and gloves and goggles yesterday on my lab saftey tour. I've never had a lab coat before. This is the real deal! I should get back to reading.
I guess I never realized it before, but it was very apparent during the fantacy football draft (which lasted three hours) and it's apparent now while I'm at work. My first day at work (Monday) was nice. It was slighty boring at times, but it was nice. I met with the head of the Labor für Wasser Analytik (Lab for water analysis) who was the same guy who interviewed me, but not my direct supervisor. He's my supervisor's supervisor. He's around my parents' age I would say and wears fitted, faded jeans, T-shirts, and closed-toed sandals. He's very hip looking. We spoke for a bit, and then he gave me a tour of the place, including (he comes the fun part) my office! I have an office all to myself with a computer (where I am typing this now actually) and my own phone (extention 5719). I'm not good with spacial relations, but I think it's bigger than my room or at least the same size. Both of which are bigger than any room I've lived in thus far in life. But it's nothing gigantic, I've just had some pretty small rooms.
After the grand tour, I went with my direct supervisor (George Sawal), who sort of looks like Uncle Mike, to a Vortrag über Arbeitssicherheit und Umfallschutz. (Seminar on work safety and accident prevention). It was me and a bunch of new Auszubildene (trainees) all of whom were in college. I'm a Praktikantin (intern) which is different. I'm sure you've all experienced the work saftey lectures when starting new jobs in the states. They are, in general, pretty boring. Let me tell you, when it's in another language, it makes it 10 times easier to not pay any attention.
After that there was an Einführung in die Aufgaben des UBA (introduction to the duties and responsibilities of the UBA). This was as thrilling as the first lecture. Then I had to sign some papers and get a few more office related things, after which I went to a neighboring lab to have a tour of that. It had nothing to do with my job, but I couldn't get started until Herr Sawal gave me the saftey speach about the specific labs I'd be working in, which he couldn't do until the next day. So I went with the college kids to the lab with the animals. It was the biological department with the animals the do research on. So we got to see all of the different types of flies, rats, and roaches. By this point, everyone knew I was american because we had all introduced ourselves, so everytime we got to the American coachroaches or lice or whatever it was, people would look at me.
And that was my first day of work. All in all, it was pretty painless. Yesterday, during my second day of work, I got introduced to the research I'll be doing. Herr Sawal explained the background to me, and then Anja, the girl I will physically be working with, handed me a gigantic stack of stuff to read. Everything is in English except for one (the one I'm working through now). All of this reading has taught me that I have a shorter attention span than I thought. On an exciting note, I got a lab coat and gloves and goggles yesterday on my lab saftey tour. I've never had a lab coat before. This is the real deal! I should get back to reading.
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