dream country

Here’s one of my weirder hobbies: I love going over my study plan, adding new subjects and moving others around. At the moment it looks like I might be taking four subjects next semester: two Chemistry ones, one in Physics and one in Maths. The last one is disposable, in case I find it’s a bit too much work (I’m also getting a job next semester). Oh, and the last semester of my bachelors degree might be spent at the Humaniora faculty, taking Gender Studies and French. Just for, eh, fun?

On Friday, my group finished our lab project in Organic Synthesis and Analysis; our last lab of the semester. I have sort of mixed feelings about being done, because that lab proved to be very interesting, but at the same time it was a lot of work (basically writing laboratory logs from I got home till I went to bed on Thursdays, and still not being done). We still have a project report and an exam left in the subject, but despite that, and being behind on every other subject because of said project, I’ve spent most of the weekend sitting in our faboulous pillow-filled sofa, watching Sex and the City.

I love, love, love living in this apartment! The girls are great, the place is great, and best of all: it really feels like a home. I can see myself living here for the rest of my time in Uni.

In Norway, every university student has to take a course in philosophy. It’s supposed to teach you to question what you learn and think for yourself. I took the course last semester, and though I felt it was dull and pointless at the time, I’m coming to appreciate it more and more.

The course is supposed to be angled towards the field you’re studying, so for the MatNat faculty, the course, especially the latter half, was focused on the field of science. We learnt about paradigms, Popper, etc… The most interesting for me, though, was a brief mention of feminism in relations to science.

Newer theories on science have proposed that, even in natural sciences, you can’t have completely objective observations. The observer affects the object being observed. And, of course, the interpretation of what is being observed will be affected by the person observing.

Yes, there is a point in here somewhere. Up till the last century, scientists have, pretty much, been men. And if you buy into the whole “aggressive male” stereotype, you can see how it has affected the way natural processes are described.

In my Organic Chemistry book, there are a lot of descriptions of reactions, and reaction mechanisms. There’s a lot of talk of electrons “attacking” atoms. It’s a completely innocent way of describing what is happening, but it is also interesting to look at in connection to the previously mentioned male domination in natural sciences, and male/female stereotypes.

A woman might describe the electrons as “reaching out for” the atom?

When I woke up today, I was in a lousy mood. I didn’t want to study for tomorrow’s midterm exam, and even further: I was doubting if wanted to continue Chemistry past this year. That last thought has been pretty predominant in my mind for a while, and I think it has to do with the fact that my fascination with science and how things work have been drowned in stress and school work.

Usually when I have mornings like that, I get up, eat breakfast, and hope the bad mood will go away by itself. Today I took a different route: I stayed in bed and forced myself to think about why I applied for Chemistry in the first place, why I took two years worth of High School Maths in one year just to get INTO Chemistry, and why I have up till now been convinced that it was the right route for me to take in Uni.

Because I love science. I like to watch everyday processes and know why they happen the way they do. And there really is no other Uni-course that appeals to me more.

After I got up and ate breakfast, I proceeded to read two chapters in my textbook, and I actually enjoyed it. This must be the first time ever that arguing against my feelings have actually worked.

This past Friday presented me with two early Christmas presents.

First, I had an appointment with the dentist. I really dislike going to the dentist, especially sitting the whole time worried that he’s spotted a cavity (filling cavities is the worst thing ever). But at the end of the session I only got good news: no new cavities. So I was obviously elated.

Then I got home, and logged onto the student website to check if my spring term payment had registered. It had, and I randomly decided to check if any exam results had gone up. And surprise surprise - one had. I got an A in Chemistry!

It was a great day. The rest of the weekend’s also been good. Meeting friends I haven’t seen in a while, and having my boyfriend over (whom I haven’t seen for over two weeks); going out partying with said people… And tonight we’re going to decorate the Christmas tree. And tomorrow’s Christmas Eve…

Yay.

I have a major Chemistry exam this upcoming Monday. I should have been reading steadily at the moment. What am I doing?

• Surfing the Internet.
• Planning Christmas presents.
• Planning my moving out of current apartment. (December 15! Yay!)
• Drinking tea.
• Missing Boyfriend - who is currently at work in the North Sea.

And this despite my desire to get an A in the subject. Gah, I am hopeless.

Or at least just too used to not having to work hard.

ETA: Weirdest thing happened to me this morning. I’m woken up by a knock on my bedroom door. My roommate tells me the chimneysweeper is here, and if I can check if the chimney-hatch is in my room. I know it is, as it’s right by my bed, but I was under the impression that it was welded shut. Still, I open the door, and the chimneysweeper enters - giant brushes everywhere. It appears that the chimney-hatch ISN’T welded shut, and after I attempt to cover up my bed to avoid getting soot all over the place, he clears the chimney. Luckily there wasn’t much soot there, or else my bedroom floor would’ve been a complete mess. I just stand there bleary-eyed, and when he leaves I go straight back to bed.

When I later woke up, I had to check my floor for soot to convince myself it wasn’t just a weird dream. I wish someone had told me he was coming, but it appears communication is non-existant in this house.

This reminds me, I need to vacuum my bedrom floor…

An excellent way to embarrass yourself and humour the people around you: Belt out at the top of your lungs that the reason your exam-answer doesn’t fit with what the solution-paper says, is that the solution-paper is wrong. Then proceed to explain why the paper is wrong, proving to everyone that you haven’t really understood the difference between adding and multiplying when it comes to significant figures. Gah.

I got 96,9% on my midterm in Chemistry, hurrah! I answered wrong on one question, once again proving that limiting reactants are my Achilles heel. I am however not complaining. It’s a nice feeling to know I’ve chosen the right major.