I am a few month into my second attempt at a Phd and I am liking it. I had to do a few adjustments in my life. The biggest being the restoration of my cannabinoid system. At past jobs, it was okay if I was at a 40-70% of my cognitive ability. Not here. I am surrounded by very smart people and suddenly I am the one who is lagging behind, and weed doesn't help that. I got to a point where I feel the few spliffs from the weekend all the way till tuesday evening, it is crazy.

It is also the first time I realize that there are people that are 10x more suitable for science than I am. Brighter, more knowledge, better memories and smarter. It sucks to admit that, but it is the truth. So I have two options. Either throw my hands in the air and lag behind or learn as much as possible from those people around me because it is so fucking inspiring. You can guess which option I chose ;)

With decisions like those also come the consequences. You often hear the saying "with 8 hours a day you cannot make science" and I understand it now. It does not necessarily mean that I have to work for 14 hours a day (which sometimes happens, though), it is more about the attitude. If you are serious and passionate what you do, your brain is constantly occupied with it. My weeks are chopped into work days, where I generally work for 10/11 hours in the lab, come home, have dinner and then do another hour or two of data analysis, paper reading or anything else for work. And weekends, where I meet up with friends or go out.

For now I have "flow" when it comes to research even though my weeks don't feel so fluid as they used to. I wonder how long I will keep it up. I am looking forward to the christmas break, family, some time alone and to the new year with all the ups and downs that it brings...

btw, if we would ever meet in a real pub, I wouldn't talk less.

Ah, and, hello Hubski, I missed you guys! :)