So updates: Yes, I'm still in the same doctoral program. Yes, I'm still desperately trying to complete said program with my sanity intact. I have to admit though, that at some point during this year (perhaps during the summer?), I completely LOST INTEREST. I just stopped caring. I know that this isn't really the best approach to completing my degree and becoming a self-sufficient adult with, you know, a JOB, but I just couldn't bring myself to give a shit.
I find (and most other graduate students will agree), that one's level of interest and therefore productivity, comes in waves. From personal experience, I'd say that your interest relates to the research project you're completing. In the beginning, you're starry-eyed and eager to see whether your experimental paradigm works so you work quickly to collect your data, hoping that you won't come across any roadblocks during the process. Once data collection is out of the way, you focus on writing your results. And me? I'm not the best when it comes to writing. I can do it and do it relatively well, but I get distracted quite easily. So that's where I'm at currently. I've begun to regain my interest in my project so that's my current goal: writing. Blah.
I also have to admit that all responsibilities have fallen to the wayside, now that I've fallen madly in love with one of my newest hobbies. A hint:
Yes, I am now the proud practitioner of Muay Thai, a deadly combat sport originating from Thailand. Also called "the art of eight limbs," it's essentially kickboxing except you're also required to use your knees and elbows (hence the 8 limbs business). In any case, I started in June and decided to take the sport seriously and train as much as my schedule allows, which is about 4 times a week. The training is intense, especially on your cardiovascular system. To say that I've noticed an improvement in my cardio and endurance is an understatement; I'm physically a different person.
If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be exercising and training in one of the most physically demanding sports, I would have thought you crazy. But there it is. This is what I'm up to, and I love it. The satisfaction that comes from punching and kicking something REALLY hard, well it's unparalleled. But this just isn't about pummeling each other blindly and wildly. No, there's technique involved, such that you have to think about your retaliating move and anticipate your opponent's move as well. Like chess, I suppose. A bloody, violent form of chess. My enjoyment also stems from the gym that I frequent as well as the trainers and the other patrons that attend. All of them are warm, patient and highly talented individuals, people that I'm honored to learn from and spend time with.
In any case, I've just decided to focus on things that I truly enjoy doing for a while and seeing where it takes me. Another hobby that I've completely neglected and am slowly learning to get back to is my beloved knitting. I've decided to use my insanely long commute time to complete small, portable knitting projects. And here's my latest:
Kat by Kim Hargreaves
Needles: 3 and 6
Yarn: Berroco Vintage, Tide Pool
Skeins: 1
Size: one size
This was a very fast knit, completed entirely on the subway. It looks very complicated, with the beautiful cables and interesting texture, but it was such an easy knit. I made it even easier by knitting it in the round (the original pattern has you knitting it flat and then seaming at the end). So all I did was use circulars, omit the first stitch of every round, and change the stitch on even rounds (so for every knit I purled, and every purl I knit). Other than that, I followed the pattern to a tee.
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| Look at these cables! |
This was my first time using this yarn, and it was pretty nice (for something that has acrylic :yarn snob:). But really, the yarn was pretty great after having survived frogging twice in the past. (I had originally purchased it to make a hat for a guy I was dating, but fortunately we stopped seeing each other before I could complete that project and gift it to him. So more yarn for me! [Also, he was a douchebag so he wouldn't have deserved it anyway. But that's another story for another day.]) I like acrylic/wool mixes actually, since the acrylic prevents felting and the wool still gives the item a sheep-y feel.
Bottom line: a super-fast quality knit that I've been rocking everyday. Fortunately I finished the thing in time for this arctic blast that New York is currently experiencing.
I hope to keep up with this new, end-of-year resolution I've instated: to indulge and engage in the things that I love to do. This also includes keeping up with this blog of mine. I'll definitely discuss my knitting, and who knows what else? I might gush about my Muay Thai love as well. We will see. No pressure. No stress.
:)
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