[queenofnerds]

I'm going to see one of my fave bands tomorrow. So yay! I'm travelling a lot of places alone too, I'm making a point of it. Plus I'm learning to talk to people, I've found it's the best way to get stuff done. I always used to do stuff online but actually nothing beats talking on a phone. I've saved loads of money on my travels just by phoning instead of doing it online. Awesome!
I will get over this avoidance disorder one call at a time

[queenofnerds]

My niece has started to call me aura! She seems to want me to go everywhere with her. Auntie aura

[solfatara]

Finished my last day of undergrad lab work! And successfully synthesised an Fe(II) triazole polymer complex which has a spin transition with a colour change from purple to white when heated!

[queenofnerds]

I am back from a meditation retreat. Who'd have known how hard it is to sit still!
Amazing, one of the best things I have decided to do. I particularly like the walking meditation, which is strange because when I first saw people doing it I wondered if I was about to get dragged into a cult.
But even that thought and feeling could be brought into the meditation. The shame of some stranger walking past and seeing you wonder like a zombie, it's ok to feel exactly what you feel without judging it or getting too caught up in it.

The sitting was so painful after the third day, I can't even imagine the retreats where they sit for hours on end with no break. Even the pain of sitting was used, by the end it was something I looked for because it kept me in the moment and taught me not to run at the first sign of discomfort.
I need to practice in order to keep this.

So if you have the chance to go to a retreat I recommend it wholeheartedly, only if you can let go and give yourself to the process.

[queenofnerds]

Another day done. Fuck yeah.

[solfatara]

Back on the farm for the easter break, and it's sunny! Went on one of my favourite little walks up the mountain side, and on the way down I slowed to a stop to look around this spot where I've previously seen a weasel and on another occasion a red squirrel. Only half a minute later a squirrel launches itself comically from a bush onto the path and sprints up the same tree where I saw it with my gf last time. This time it's accompanied by a second red squirrel. I've forgotten how small they are compared to the chunky grey ones. Hopefully they'll be raising little ones soon. To top it off, after exiting the pine woods, I saw two big crows chase off a large bird of prey, probably an eagle as we've seen an increase in them the last couple of years.

[solfatara]

And on the week-end I'm going alpine skiing :> :>

[solfatara]

by the way, queenofnerds, very happy for you that your retreat was such a success! I've never tried meditation but I think I would benefit from it if I just found the determination to properly try it..