Last Year / This Year (in photos)

The time leading up to my birthday week has been a lot less stressful this year than it was last year. And I’m happy about that. I realize that an easy, stress-free week around my birthday will not happen every year, but let’s compare last year to this year.

LAST YEAR: I got into a bike crash the Sunday before my birthday and still went on a ride on my birthday, painfully shifting using my right hand (I didn’t yet know it was fractured!).

THIS YEAR: I was unscathed in bike action this week, and will be riding to bridge club without any pain!

LAST YEAR: I worked on my birthday, teaching. (This was not a bad thing.)

THIS YEAR: I won’t work — today is an observed holiday since Independence Day is on Saturday this year!

LAST YEAR: In the weeks leading up to my birthday, I was frantically preparing for teaching my summer course.

 

THIS YEAR: In the weeks leading up to my birthday, I was frantically preparing for job interviews and negotiations.

 

LAST YEAR: I wasn’t sure if I was going to be funded in my final year of grad school.
THIS YEAR: I am sure that I will be funded for a first job right out of grad school.

 

LAST YEAR: My birthday marked an on-ramp based on the Theme that I have chosen: the beginning of teaching EXCEL students. THIS YEAR: My birthday marks an Interstate junction: leaving Highway Grad School and entering Highway Postdoc.

 

 

LAST YEAR: I was stuck on a research problem for my thesis. THIS YEAR: I am stuck on a research problem for extra pay. (The photo is a #FBF photo: June 2007 and research annoyance in RUTE. Thanks, Frances!)

 

LAST YEAR: I had a master’s degree.

THIS YEAR: I have both a master’s degree and a PhD.

LAST YEAR: I ate homemade blueberry muffins for breakfast.
THIS YEAR: I ate homemade blueberry muffins for breakfast.
Hey, it’s good to have some control constants!

And then, since I’m mentioning holidays, I might as well add one more line:

השנה הזה: אני כאן (THIS YEAR: I am here)

לשנה הבא אהיה ברושלים (NEXT YEAR: In Jerusalem!)

(The last set is not likely… at least in a PHYSICAL sense.)

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NABC: 34 days.

Menomonie: <= 50 days.

UW-Stout classes begin: 68 days.