Liz Bird, alumna (class of ’11), Burlington, VT
As everyone else has said, I enjoy reading the other blog posts, and also miss being able to sit around and nerd out/bounce ideas off of one another. I have now moved to Vermont, and am settling in until I start working in the UVM Sexual Health Research Clinic on January 16th as a research assistant. The lab focuses on women’s sexual function and dysfunction and I am looking forward to stimulating conversations. *Refrain from inappropriate joke.* But really, I am both excited and nervous to be working in a lab, which appeals to me for graduate school. Naturally, I want to make a good impression. I am currently reading The Psychophysiology of Sex in preparation for working in the lab, and I am starting to do some small trainings so that I can gain access to Fletcher Allen hospital to help recruit participants. I’m not sure yet what this is going to look like, but I feel excited doing anything related to the lab at this point.
At the end of last year (whoa!), I finished up at Comprehensive Life Resources, and left with mixed emotions. My co-workers took me to lunch on my last day and sent me off with road trip supplies. After spending weeks of slowly packing up my things and some sad good-byes, Jonas, my boyfriend, and I took off on our week long road trip across the country. We stayed with friends along the whole way, took pictures and videos, and amused ourselves in the car for hours on end. Jonas says that I ramble so much that we didn’t need to listen to anything like “This American Life.” Anyone who knows me can account for my external thought processes. But don’t worry, he likes my rambling. He better cause it aint stopping anytime soon….!
Anyway, we had a wonderful time, and by the time we arrived in Thetford, Vermont at his parents’ house, we were ready for burgers, hugs, and a hot tub. We then spent a couple weeks celebrating the holidays and the new year with his family. Finally, a few days ago, we actually went to my apartment in Burlington and moved my stuff in. The apartment has three bedrooms, and I am living with two undergraduate women who I have yet to meet, but who seem nice so far! We spent a few days outfitting my room with furniture and decorations, and getting to know Burlington. I am now hanging out in Thetford for a few days while Jonas hikes with some awesome couple in their 70s that he met on trail. We will go back to Burlington in a couple of days and then on the 13th Jonas will go back to the west coast, and I will begin to battle Burlington alone!
Lastly-Jonas and I have been playing “Ticket to Ride” an amazing board game pretty much every day…and I highly suggest that you all look into it! Actually I think you can play online…maybe we should get a game going!