This week kind of sucked. My research hit a huge bump and crashed for a while. Everything I tried failed, either because of instrument faults or human errors, but nothing worked. So I took a quiet weekend to try and recover before I return for a new week of science. But, of course, the weekend was extremely rainy.
I hope that this week will be better.
Passover is getting close and we have started planning the Seder. Since it is on a Monday, I'll have to decide if I want to take Monday off or if I prefer Tuesday. I really don't want to take a longer vacation because I know that I have to work as much as possible before CJ arrives (not too far away!).
We have started checking out the option of getting a local driving license. The bureaucracy of the DMV is astonishing, we need to bring so many documents to prove who we are, when we were born, where we live, if we exists, and so much more... oh, yes. You can't use one document (like a passport) to prove more than one thing. Yes, a passport can prove your identity OR your date of birth OR your signature, but not all things together. And apparently, if you try to be a "smart ass" and try to use one document for more than one fact you will be denied a license and will have to try again another day. Stupidity at its best!
So with hopes of a better week. Bye.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Springtime in Boston
Spring time has arrived to Boston (at least at the time being). The frozen river has finally melted and the rowing teams started training. This week that started with snow and winds ended with blue skies and scorching heat (Boston style - which means around 13 degrees). And it seems that this beautiful weather will stay for most of next week.
We have decided to enjoy this beautiful weather with an outing with friends. We have walked around a small man-made lake close by and had a nice brunch on the open patio of a small restaurant close to the lake. It was kind of strange to look at a big group of Israelis (we were 9 adults and 3 children) walking around the lake disturbing all the joggers, cyclists and other "healthy" Americans. Apparently, walking on the right side of a road, any road, is almost impossible for Israelis. They have to walk in the middle of the road, and preferably to zig-zag from side to side.
I have spent most of the remainder of this day shopping - my most hated action. The story begins yesterday night when we went to hear a talk by an Israeli author/screen play writer/columnist in one of the synagogues in Brookline. I know him from high school, and The MRS. knows his wife from work. We started talking and ended up going out for dinner and drinks, and inviting him to join our walk around the lake. After we finished the walk and the brunch, he said he needed to buy gifts for his wife and kids, so we got back to Boston and went shop-hopping for several hours. Never mind - hospitality is an important aspect of the Middle Eastern culture, and we are all Middle Eastern!
It feels like (not true - only feels like!!) this whole week was socked in alcohol, and not in the chemistry sense of things. We had a group meeting this week - which means a few beers - then the group went out for some more drinks, and a day later I found myself drinking again with the visitor. I do not get drunk (I don't drink enough for it, because I don't enjoy the feeling), but I do get more "loose". No extreme emotions (happiness, depression and so forth), just more fun to talk to - or at least I hope so. But my note-to-self from this week is - I shouldn't have so many drinks in the future.
As for work - I am pretty excited. It seems that my research progresses in the right direction, I started getting agreeable results. I also had a few words with the boss (which is a great achievement by itself) and got him really psyched towards my research. He really wants me to finish these experiments and to start writing a paper. I hope I'll be able to do this ASAP, since just as I started seeing great results, different delays and problems have already popped up. I guess I will enjoy long days in the lab until I can wrap up this project.
So that was another week towards the success we strive for. Until nest time...
We have decided to enjoy this beautiful weather with an outing with friends. We have walked around a small man-made lake close by and had a nice brunch on the open patio of a small restaurant close to the lake. It was kind of strange to look at a big group of Israelis (we were 9 adults and 3 children) walking around the lake disturbing all the joggers, cyclists and other "healthy" Americans. Apparently, walking on the right side of a road, any road, is almost impossible for Israelis. They have to walk in the middle of the road, and preferably to zig-zag from side to side.
I have spent most of the remainder of this day shopping - my most hated action. The story begins yesterday night when we went to hear a talk by an Israeli author/screen play writer/columnist in one of the synagogues in Brookline. I know him from high school, and The MRS. knows his wife from work. We started talking and ended up going out for dinner and drinks, and inviting him to join our walk around the lake. After we finished the walk and the brunch, he said he needed to buy gifts for his wife and kids, so we got back to Boston and went shop-hopping for several hours. Never mind - hospitality is an important aspect of the Middle Eastern culture, and we are all Middle Eastern!
It feels like (not true - only feels like!!) this whole week was socked in alcohol, and not in the chemistry sense of things. We had a group meeting this week - which means a few beers - then the group went out for some more drinks, and a day later I found myself drinking again with the visitor. I do not get drunk (I don't drink enough for it, because I don't enjoy the feeling), but I do get more "loose". No extreme emotions (happiness, depression and so forth), just more fun to talk to - or at least I hope so. But my note-to-self from this week is - I shouldn't have so many drinks in the future.
As for work - I am pretty excited. It seems that my research progresses in the right direction, I started getting agreeable results. I also had a few words with the boss (which is a great achievement by itself) and got him really psyched towards my research. He really wants me to finish these experiments and to start writing a paper. I hope I'll be able to do this ASAP, since just as I started seeing great results, different delays and problems have already popped up. I guess I will enjoy long days in the lab until I can wrap up this project.
So that was another week towards the success we strive for. Until nest time...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Craziness
Sometimes it's just too much. The long hours, the stress. This week was just crazy. I have worked hard and long, and I still cannot say if I've got exactly what I want or not. This upcoming week should not be much different, it will be as crazy as the previous, with synthesis, measurements, and more.
We have witnessed the crooked ways of the American health system this week. The hospital where we are to give birth has invited 75 pregnant couples to a "Meet the Docs" event. 10 doctors sit in front of the invitees and answer questions, trying to hook the costumers. Even though The MRS. and I do not have a choice of hospitals, most people here can choose from different places. The hospitals earn money by the number of people who check in so they try to get as many people to come over to their institutions. It is really different than the system in Israel, since here if you have a good insurance you will be treated like a king and be courted endlessly (where as in Israel you will always be treated like a nag and there will never be an opening for you) but I cannot say that the system here is good.
I've also went to a Tax Session for foreign scholars. The tax system here is really strange. You will have to submit the tax report by yourself - when there is a tax treaty with foreign countries it means you need to fill several forms and send them to different government agencies (federal, state and more) just to tell them "Hey, I don't need to pay anything". And after 2 years my employer will start taking tax out of my paycheck and only in the middle of the following year I can ask for the money back.
They do not have the system where an employer takes the right amount of tax and that's it. Here the employer will usually take more tax than needed, and you HAVE to ask for money back.
Getting used to living here still requires more work!
The MRS. celebrated her birthday this weekend, and I would like to wish her a very happy birthday, may all her wishes come true. I love her.
We have witnessed the crooked ways of the American health system this week. The hospital where we are to give birth has invited 75 pregnant couples to a "Meet the Docs" event. 10 doctors sit in front of the invitees and answer questions, trying to hook the costumers. Even though The MRS. and I do not have a choice of hospitals, most people here can choose from different places. The hospitals earn money by the number of people who check in so they try to get as many people to come over to their institutions. It is really different than the system in Israel, since here if you have a good insurance you will be treated like a king and be courted endlessly (where as in Israel you will always be treated like a nag and there will never be an opening for you) but I cannot say that the system here is good.
I've also went to a Tax Session for foreign scholars. The tax system here is really strange. You will have to submit the tax report by yourself - when there is a tax treaty with foreign countries it means you need to fill several forms and send them to different government agencies (federal, state and more) just to tell them "Hey, I don't need to pay anything". And after 2 years my employer will start taking tax out of my paycheck and only in the middle of the following year I can ask for the money back.
They do not have the system where an employer takes the right amount of tax and that's it. Here the employer will usually take more tax than needed, and you HAVE to ask for money back.
Getting used to living here still requires more work!
The MRS. celebrated her birthday this weekend, and I would like to wish her a very happy birthday, may all her wishes come true. I love her.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Oops - forgot again
It's already a Monday, I just totally forgot to post in the blog yesterday.
It's been a busy week, as usual. Work has kept me busy throughout most of the week and We had a visit from Dani and Maayan that allowed me to take a breather and site-see Boston a bit.
Time is moving so fast I can't even keep up. I work long hours, which typically includes lab work, paper work, meetings and seminars. And it seems like the week is way too short.
Dani and Maayan spent 2 nights in Boston, and we went around the city to see different sites, including historical sites, Harvard and MIT. Luckily for us the weather was nice and warm (at 6 degrees) after a short snow episode.
CJ seems to be growing fast. You can even see him moving from time to time inside the MRS. It's a good thing he is due in the springtime when it will not be too cold to take him outside.
Other than that I have nothing to tell. It's becoming pretty routine, working and resting cycles everyday.
It's been a busy week, as usual. Work has kept me busy throughout most of the week and We had a visit from Dani and Maayan that allowed me to take a breather and site-see Boston a bit.
Time is moving so fast I can't even keep up. I work long hours, which typically includes lab work, paper work, meetings and seminars. And it seems like the week is way too short.
Dani and Maayan spent 2 nights in Boston, and we went around the city to see different sites, including historical sites, Harvard and MIT. Luckily for us the weather was nice and warm (at 6 degrees) after a short snow episode.
CJ seems to be growing fast. You can even see him moving from time to time inside the MRS. It's a good thing he is due in the springtime when it will not be too cold to take him outside.
Other than that I have nothing to tell. It's becoming pretty routine, working and resting cycles everyday.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
NYC, music and more
Coming up this week : NYC, music and visits...
So THE Mrs. went to New York for a couple of days, just to see the Big Apple. She claims that the whole city is megalomaniac, and I guess she is right. I really don't like New York, but she didn't find it as annoying as I do.
While she was spending time in NYC I have bought a guitar. Since we have a federal vacation almost every week (This week is Presidents Day), the stores have sales events every so often. This time I have decided to use one of those events to save up to 80% on guitars and accessories. I didn't want a classic guitar, but I wanted to upgrade to an acoustic guitar. I bought a beautiful black guitar with all the needed accessories for not very much!
Then on Saturday I had a friend come over with his guitar and we played together for a couple of hours. Just music and beer. How juvenile!
I am anxiously waiting for the middle of next week, when Dani and Maayan will come and visit us in Boston. We are slowly starting to fill our visits' calendar. Luckily for us we have a high-tech inflatable bed that is very comfortable.
The science is moving forward as usual. Last week was five full days of work, all science, with a better understanding of the system I've been working on. Let's wait and see if this week will be as productive, if so then I'm really on the right track.
For all of you who forgot - Sunday was both Valentines Day (internationally) and Family day (ex-Mother's day) (in Israel), so if you forgot make sure to wish your parents a happy delayed family day and make sure you buy your loved one something nice. Just because.
and on this mushy note, I'll end this post.
So THE Mrs. went to New York for a couple of days, just to see the Big Apple. She claims that the whole city is megalomaniac, and I guess she is right. I really don't like New York, but she didn't find it as annoying as I do.
While she was spending time in NYC I have bought a guitar. Since we have a federal vacation almost every week (This week is Presidents Day), the stores have sales events every so often. This time I have decided to use one of those events to save up to 80% on guitars and accessories. I didn't want a classic guitar, but I wanted to upgrade to an acoustic guitar. I bought a beautiful black guitar with all the needed accessories for not very much!
Then on Saturday I had a friend come over with his guitar and we played together for a couple of hours. Just music and beer. How juvenile!
I am anxiously waiting for the middle of next week, when Dani and Maayan will come and visit us in Boston. We are slowly starting to fill our visits' calendar. Luckily for us we have a high-tech inflatable bed that is very comfortable.
The science is moving forward as usual. Last week was five full days of work, all science, with a better understanding of the system I've been working on. Let's wait and see if this week will be as productive, if so then I'm really on the right track.
For all of you who forgot - Sunday was both Valentines Day (internationally) and Family day (ex-Mother's day) (in Israel), so if you forgot make sure to wish your parents a happy delayed family day and make sure you buy your loved one something nice. Just because.
and on this mushy note, I'll end this post.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Toes and the Super Bowl
So another week has passed, and one of the most important days of the year for Americans has arrived. Super Bowl 44 just ended with a win of the New Orleans Saints. The streets emptied out around 18:00 this evening and just a few people roamed the streets in a frenzy to get some more beers or snacks for the game. Quiet was all around as the Saints pounded the Indianapolis Colts.
And now for something completely different - I have been conducting my own small private research in the last several weeks. Riding the T every day for long periods of time has made me observant of a very special thing. This special thing had me watching the feet of people riding the T. Not ALL the feet on the train, and I am not talking about legs(!), I have been watching the feet of people who have to ride the train standing up. It's really amazing to see how EVERYONE uses their toes the exact same manner. Apparently, toes exist to keep us in balance. People falling forward will instinctively push down with their toes and people falling back will try to wiggle their toes to keep balance. This has been observed for people of both sexes, all ages and all races. I now believe that toes are the most useful body organs for people riding the T. Therefore, the results of my small research - You don't have to use your arms to stay standing, only toes.
So remember that when you lay in bed and ponder on the origin and role of TOES.
Now for the weekly update - things have been going well this week. It just WOOSHED by as I worked on my samples, ending all of a sudden. Yes, weeks are getting shorter as my science progresses. But I must admit that it's pretty fun.
I think that THE Mrs. has settled in nicely. She is very independent in getting around Boston and in scheduling different activities for herself. This makes me happy to see her trying to find her niche.
So, your "take home" lesson here should be - Keep your toes in good condition, you never know when some strange guy will check them out on the train!
And now for something completely different - I have been conducting my own small private research in the last several weeks. Riding the T every day for long periods of time has made me observant of a very special thing. This special thing had me watching the feet of people riding the T. Not ALL the feet on the train, and I am not talking about legs(!), I have been watching the feet of people who have to ride the train standing up. It's really amazing to see how EVERYONE uses their toes the exact same manner. Apparently, toes exist to keep us in balance. People falling forward will instinctively push down with their toes and people falling back will try to wiggle their toes to keep balance. This has been observed for people of both sexes, all ages and all races. I now believe that toes are the most useful body organs for people riding the T. Therefore, the results of my small research - You don't have to use your arms to stay standing, only toes.
So remember that when you lay in bed and ponder on the origin and role of TOES.
Now for the weekly update - things have been going well this week. It just WOOSHED by as I worked on my samples, ending all of a sudden. Yes, weeks are getting shorter as my science progresses. But I must admit that it's pretty fun.
I think that THE Mrs. has settled in nicely. She is very independent in getting around Boston and in scheduling different activities for herself. This makes me happy to see her trying to find her niche.
So, your "take home" lesson here should be - Keep your toes in good condition, you never know when some strange guy will check them out on the train!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Yes, I know I'm late...
Unbelievable, me, late! Yes, I know it is a Monday and I should have updated the blog yesterday, but the movie we were watching (Inglorious Bastards) ended at midnight and I was too tired to write, so... only a few hours late.
This week we have experienced crazy weather, it plummeted from a nice and warm 12 degrees to an extremely cold -25 degrees (counting in the wind chill) withing two days! I guess I can now understand this strange Fahrenheit scale. If 0 Celsius means water freezing than 0 Fahrenheit means that humans are the most uncomfortable they can get and they should not be outside.
THE Mrs. and myself even went grocery shopping at -17 degrees and it was a harsh experience. Luckily our winter coats we bought here do a great job in keeping the cold away from our torsos.
We celebrated TU BESHVAT with friends at our place last Saturday, it was the first time we had friends over for dinner and it worked out nicely. We had dry fruits and ice-cream for dessert and we really enjoyed the evening.
As for work, it progresses nicely. I spent 3 days last week making 18(!) different samples so I'll be able to use them this week in my collaboration. I really felt like a robot in a manufacturing plant, repeating the same actions over and over again, but now it's over (or should I say - for now) and I can use these samples for research.
Dani is in the States (and Maayan will join soon) and will visit us in a couple of weeks, which will be great to have house-guests. I just hope we will have good weather and can show them around the place.
This week we have experienced crazy weather, it plummeted from a nice and warm 12 degrees to an extremely cold -25 degrees (counting in the wind chill) withing two days! I guess I can now understand this strange Fahrenheit scale. If 0 Celsius means water freezing than 0 Fahrenheit means that humans are the most uncomfortable they can get and they should not be outside.
THE Mrs. and myself even went grocery shopping at -17 degrees and it was a harsh experience. Luckily our winter coats we bought here do a great job in keeping the cold away from our torsos.
We celebrated TU BESHVAT with friends at our place last Saturday, it was the first time we had friends over for dinner and it worked out nicely. We had dry fruits and ice-cream for dessert and we really enjoyed the evening.
As for work, it progresses nicely. I spent 3 days last week making 18(!) different samples so I'll be able to use them this week in my collaboration. I really felt like a robot in a manufacturing plant, repeating the same actions over and over again, but now it's over (or should I say - for now) and I can use these samples for research.
Dani is in the States (and Maayan will join soon) and will visit us in a couple of weeks, which will be great to have house-guests. I just hope we will have good weather and can show them around the place.
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