Nervous

OMG...I am so nervous about my new job.

I was interviewed for the position of Clinical Research Coordinator II about two months ago and I was given an unofficial job offfer from the Principle Investigator about a week later. She said I couldn't be offered the position officially until the girl I am going to replace gives her letter of resignation. So finally a month later, the girl declares her last day of work, and I get the phone interview with HR soon after. I figured the interview went well, and I'm assuming that my former boss gave a good letter of rec. I'm supposed to start on August 27th, but I still haven't heard anything from my workplace!!!!

So I finally decided to call today and I find out that the HR woman that I was working with left and now there's a new person in charge of my paperwork and doesn't have a clue as to who I am!!! I had better have a job waiting for me when I get back to Boston or else I'm gonna go insane!!!!!! ARG! It has to happen this way, doesn't it?! AGLK!

btw...my life has been wonderful for the past month. Ususally, when I don't write for a while, it means that life is great, I'm super busy, and that I don't have much to complain about. I should really write about the cool/fun stuff that goes on too, so it doesn't seem like I have a miserable life. Anyway, quick update: I went to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany for ten days with Carlos and a week after, I came back to California to see my lovely family, and awesome buddies for two weeks. Hopefully when I come back, I'll be employed.

My name is out, baby!

I'm a published author people! WHOOOHOOOO!!!!!

Check it out! http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/papbyrecent.shtml
And here's my manuscript!!!! http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jpet.107.121640v1

*screaming* I'M SOOO EXCITED! *jumping up and down, doing the happy dance*

Justine's Last Day

It was Justine's last day and we celebrated her future job at a nearby Thai restaurant, Brown Sugar. Everyone in the medical area is crazy about this place. I brought my camera to take pictures, but I totally forgot until the end of the meal. Fortunately, I did remember in time to take pictures of giant goldfish they have in the restaurant.

And here's a quarter for size reference.

OUR LAB (From left to right, top to bottom: JiHye, Suzanne, Justine, Wendy, Me, and Songhua):

Her parting gifts (wrapped by Wendy):

Pretty creative with the fork, huh?

Work

Bleh...yesterday I was so bored at work. I had things to do but I had no urge to do any of it. I need a new stimulating job. It's really too bad that I plan to stay her another 5 freakin months! I hope they go by quickly. All for the sake of getting a good rec letter.

Well, this hasn't been a total waste of time. By working at this job:

1. I'm gonna get my first paper published ever! Let alone, be first author! *keep your fingers crossed, that it gets accepted to the journal* I might even have a second one coming out, as well as be second author on my co-worker's paper.
2. I've learned how to deal with a difficult boss. Unfortunately, mine is so difficult that it took me a whole year to really know how to work with her.
3. I've learned a lot about the Chinese culture and the joys of motherhood through my co-worker. She has really become my closest friend in Boston (after Carlos of course). Although I don't like the pressure she gives me about having a baby sooner than later. I don't have the money or the maturity to support a child!
4. I get a cake for my birthday and I get to indulge in my co-workers' birthday cakes too.
5. I've learned that research is only fun when I get to think of my projects and develop them myself.
6. Research is only fun when you have enough funds to do it.
7. I've gotten over some fears, i.e. holding big-arse bullfrogs and rats.
8. I've learned that guinea pigs are so cute! (Why do we have to use them in experiments?)
9. Learned completely new (to me, but ancient) techniques.
10. Got to work with summer students - totally fun and exhausting

I guess that's all I can say about my past year and a seven months of working in this lab. Not too bad.

Anyway, I totally need a new job. I don't want to do research anymore, but it's the only thing I know how to do. If I apply for any other job, they require experience and crap that I don't have. Job searching is gonna be fun (in a uber-sarcastic voice). I hope that in my next job, I'll be able to talk to people outside of my co-workers, and make a positive influence on others' lives.

Now, where do I look? Let the hunt begin!...in June. =)