cardolinu archeologicu

We’re all professionals, but sometimes you catch yourself realizing how weird things are looking when handling human remains

Trying to shake out clumped together dirt from someone skull

Brushing someone’s teeth with an actual toothbrush, something they have never done in their lives

Comparing someone’s bones to yours

Judging their dental hygiene

When the earworm of the day is Johnny Cash’ s “Ain’t No Grave”.

Scooping someone’s eye sockets clean with a spoon (or just their whole brain)

When some bones are just … off … you judge hard

B1-B2: wow, what I know is enough now

You know when that big ass opportunity just presents itself and your life completely changes in a matter of ten days?

I won a pretty nice research grant almost unexpectedly and in a couple of days I had to pack four years of my life and start all over again.

I was extremely lucky because I’ll be working in my hometown and I’ll get to work on my PhD proposal while tutoring the students. It’s my dream job and so far I am enjoying it a lot. [(Also, this may sound weird to my non-Italian followers but finally I’m getting paid to do my job feels a bit surreal) In Italy many post grad don’t get paid. That was me until a month ago]

All of these changes are surely stressful but I kind of like the predicament of not knowing what life has in store for me and the feeling of always being on the go. I know it isn’t everyone cup of tea but as of now it’s mine.

I know academic life is mostly about moving around and being flexible, but they expected me to be ready to move and start working immediately. Again, that’s not a problem for me. I thrive on a fast-paced lifestyle and I’m always up for new challenges. However, the logistics of finishing projects with one institution, organizing a move (it was a horrible experience!), and diving immediately into a new job environment takes a lot of time. I'm only human with only 24 hours in a day to use. I can't help feeling like I have to handle more than I can take and feel pressured to do it all correctly and quickly. All I need is a little time to adjust! Also, professors should stop assuming we can read their minds and clearly state what they want from their team, especially when we're just starting out. Figuring all this out on my own has been the most frustrating part.

Chaotic as usual

the last time I reblogged this post right before I got a great job, in a permanent work-from-home position, with benefits, retirement, and a salary literally 3x what I was making before, doing something I really like. 

So you know. 

Hymenoptera. Sketches of British insects. 1877.

snail and strawberries

book of hours, Bruges ca. 1510-1525