Quick update

So, I never have time to blog as it turns out. But here are the thoughts I'm having about post-graduate education right now:

1. This is where I belong. I finally feel like I am surrounded by people who are at or above my level when it comes to reasoning skills. I realize this makes me sound arrogant, but it's just how it is. I spent the last 20 years in school bored out of my mind, doodling in my notebook while the teacher explained something painfully obvious to my cerebrally challenged classmates. Now, my classes involve intellectually stimulating discussion and challenging questions. Imagine that! I'm learning so much and it is fantastic. I do realize that this makes me a big nerd.

2. Cancer epidemiology is enthralling. It's ironic because when I applied to Yale, I was so mad that they didn't have any faculty members with research interests in obesity prevention. They closest I found was one woman who did research in nutritional epidemiology of cancer. I thought that sounded tedious. I wanted nothing to do with it (though I lied and said it was my passion in my personal statement.. not that it matters, I didn't get it anyway). But now I am finding it to be so fascinating! I am even applying to attend a week-long seminar on nutrition and cancer prevention at the National Cancer Institute during my spring break. Sadly, I am more excited about this than I would be about going on a beach vacation! Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. I'd rather go somewhere tropical, truth be told. But, I am excited nonetheless!

3. I'm not sure all of this excitement and learning is good for me. I can't seem to shut my mind off ever. I am always working on something for school or thinking about what I have to do. Even when I'm sitting on the couch watching a favorite tv show and "relaxing," I'm usually missing half the show because I am simulataneously reading a text book or searching PubMed. I lay awake at night for an hour or more unable to fall asleep. I need a break. I need a vacation more than anything. But I will have to wait about 8 more weeks.