I am apparently a camerawoman and producer now...

Kidding! But my partner did make me film this for him so check it out. I figured it jived with the whole PhDLifestyle aspect of my blog anyway because grad students definitely have a need for quick, easy and cheap meals.


So what do you think? Do I have a career in cinematography if science doesn't pan out? (Please don't answer that)

But please answer in the comments below: What weird things has your partners/roommates/parents/yourself? made you participate to stay sane in these crazy times (i.e. COVID19 Pandemic)?

Check me out on PhDetails!

I was featured on PhDetails last week!

Hey look it's me! Thank you @PhDetails for this awesome & fun opportunity! #scicomm #WomenInSTEM https://t.co/2h5FK2Q1SY

— Caitlyn Cardetti (@CaitlynCardetti) March 20, 2020

What's PhDetails? "PhDetails is designed to be a blog to share the ups and downs, ins and outs and stories behind biology PhD students from all over the world. We hope to remove some of the mystique surrounding PhDs and give a real insight into what a variety different PhD students did to end up where they are, what they're currently doing with their time, and what drives them."

It was definitely fun to be a part of and easy. Please check me out (here's the link). But don't forget to check out the other profiles and maybe even consider doing it yourself!

OH THAT ACADEMIC AUDACITY: COVID-19 EDITION

Virtual classes good but kicking students out of the dorms because of precautions for COVID-19...

What?

And by what, I mean what the f*ck?!

That's a mighty assumption you're making that all your students have the privilege to just simply "go home". 

Thank gawd my university hasn't done that. And neither has my alma mater. At least not yet.

A list of universities that have shut down their dorms:

Harvard University

The University of Maine, Orono
Stanford University
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Trinity University, San Antonio
Bellarmine University, Louisville KY
MIT
University of South Alabama
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Fordham University, Bronx NY
Columbia University, New York NY

What universities are missing from this list?

What are your thoughts on this?

Update on March 18th, 2020.

Well Stony Brook University has officially done it - they've closed their on campus housing too.

You can read the public announcement here: https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/campus-residences-announces-move-out-requirement-to-reduce-density/

But let me make it clear, this announcement was not disseminated to ALL students and staff via email. I found out through a forwarded email and the grapevine. Also the email I saw was specific to RAs, TAs and GAs who are still working and how they had less than 24 hours to appeal if they wanted to stay. LESS THAN 24 hours. So best make sure people are checking their email religiously during our SPRING BREAK!

I am so not happy about this. While I understand that there are tough decisions being made about reducing public interactions I do not agree with the closures of dorms. See my Twitter rant here:

I am trying to generate a list of universities that have kicked people of the dorms. I know @Harvard has and so has @UMaine.
Please comment below if you know of other universities. And please RT. @AcademicChatter #PhDChat

— Caitlyn Cardetti (@CaitlynCardetti) March 15, 2020

If you read the comments on the official post and Facebook (link to FB post) you'll see I'm not alone. Just last week they assured us the dorms would remain open then sent everyone on spring break only to now be told a few days into spring break, just kidding? Regardless of opinions about the actions they (SBU admin) are taking, their communication is whack. WHACK!

P.S. The labs are still open though. Unlike our neighbors Memorial Sloan Kettering and Columbia University who have chosen to close theirs.

Check me out on 46 Questions!

I was featured on 46 Questions last week!

Meet #46Qs scientist: Caitlyn Cardetti (@CaitlynCardetti)!
Caitlyn's a PhD Candidate in Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology at Stony Brook University. Her research focuses on RNA processing in human mitochondria. Her other interests… https://t.co/R4OmroK8XM pic.twitter.com/7Lw3GgZQlB

— 46 Questions (@46Questions) March 9, 2020

What's 46 Questions? They are a blog that is "Making Science Inclusive By Highlighting Those That Do It Via A #46Qs Interview Everyone Gets To Read" [from Twitter bio].

It was definitely fun to be a part of and easy. Please check me out (here's the link). But don't forget to check out the other profiles and maybe even consider doing it yourself!

30 Lessons I've learned in my 30 years

I had this post mostly written and meant to post it sooner but with all that's happening other things took priority. Anyway, I'm 30 now and here are "30" lessons I've learned over my 30 years.

1. Growing pains never stop! You are not who you were a year ago and accepting yourself is a lifelong process although it gets a little easier every year - this isn't to say it isn't still hard though.
2. Who your family is is your choice. Genetics be damned!
3. Female friendships are the best.
4. True friendships will survive distance and time.
5. Hang out with friends one on one, it's lovely. Not saying group outings aren't great but one on one is the best for intimacy and not feeling lonely.
6. Take the risk and be vulnerable, if it's not received well they're not worthy not you
7. Don't overthink it (okay, I lied, I am still learning this lesson)
8. The power of habits is no joke. Breaking bad habits are just as important (if not more important) than building good habits.
9. Most of your habits are hidden, take some time to really look at them.
10. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Just make sure to ask the right person.
11. Never stop learning.
12. Leave your comfort zone more often.
13. If there is something you want to try, stop making excuses and try it!
14. Putting yourself first is not selfish. Full stop.
15. The greatest reflection of your priorities is your time (okay so I didn't come up with this).
16. Being late is fucking rude and inconsiderate - it's saying your time is more important than the others. Thank you Dad for teaching me that anything other than 5 minutes early is late. But for real be on time. 
17. Your shit stinks too. Keep this in mind when it comes to being empathetic and forgiving of others. We're all human and no one is perfect. Let the little things go.
18. Expectations set you up for failure - be open, be present, be mindful.
19. Spend time outside everyday!
20. Stop comparing!
21. Drink more water!
22. You might not be able to control your emotions but you can control your reactions. Take a breath and a moment to decide what you want to do.
23. The human body is extraordinary, it does amazing feats, respect yours and celebrate it instead of always focusing on what it isn't or can't do. E.g. I am always blown away by how quickly a body can make mucus, like is this something I enjoy? Absolutely f*cking not but to say it's not amazing is an an understatement.
24. There aren't rules for roommates, significant others, or adults - people have different views on how to live life and that's okay but that doesn't mean either of you are wrong just maybe not compatible. 
25. Just get started (also a lie because I'm definitely still working on this!).
26. Saying no to others is usually saying yes to yourself.
27. Read more, if you don't like reading listen to a damn audiobook.
28. It's okay to have a pet hamster in your late 20s, even into your 30s. Hi Zinc!
29. Learn to be honest with yourself without judgement. Self reflection helps you grow the most.
30. Know that you have the power to change if you want to. Key word want. If you don't want to then learn to accept it. If you do want to, be patient with yourself and give yourself reasonable time to make this change.
31. Having life figured out is a lie, there will always be a next hurdle, if you get stuck on this you'll be stuck on this until you die so might as well ditch this terrible concept now. Having it all is BS!
32. Be kind to yourself. If you don't know how imagine whatever it is you're struggling with is what a friend is struggling with and then give yourself the love and advice you'd give them.
33. Rules are social constructs and social constructs are fake. So f*ck them. That's why this list is longer than 30 because ain't no "real" rules! **Getting arrested though is very real. 
34. Wear sunscreen.
35. Be true to yourself!
36. It's never too late!
37. Sorry for listing cliches but it's not like the idea of a post listing life lessons for a birthday is original anyway... And you know what those cliches are cliches for a reason. May not be original but they are true. So I guess I need to make this a lesson in which case who cares if you like shit that's not original, we all do. Own what you like no matter what. Now bring me some pumpkin spice!
38. Find an outlet (e.g. bad blogging, journaling, screaming, running).
39. Don't let someone claim you're not being grateful or appreciative or whatever for wanting to seek out more or better. Because guess what? You can be both grateful and appreciative while still wanting more. Tell them to STFU because they are a hypocrite because they are full of sh*t if they claim they don't do the same.
40. But do be grateful and appreciative. 
41. "The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea." - Karen Blixen Okay, so this is a quote but it's also a lesson because it is so true!
42. You don't have to be good at something to enjoy doing it. 

Okay so this poor quality photo is from my 29th birthday but we're gonna work with it. I didn't do anything big for my 30th because I'm old and tired. Well not really but I am definitely tired because grad school (my very valid excuse for everything). Don't worry I did have a nice dinner out though. 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Credit: goneintorapture.com

It's my 30th birthday today!

I can't believe I'm 30! I don't feel 30! And according to others, I don't look 30 but then again I don't question them too hard on that. ;) Honestly, I'm kind of weirdly excited to turn 30. Here's to hoping I feel the same way for the coming decades. 

Cheers!

P.S. I've been dying to use this comic for years! 

What I Read in February

And what I read in January since I didn't make a post for then. I'm still finding my voice for this blog so for now I'm trying out the types of posts I see on blogs I like. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

My rating system:
5 - Loved it and recommend it!
4 - Liked it and recommend it!
3 - It's not my cup of tea but that's not saying I didn't not enjoy it or not to read it.
2 - Pass!
1 - I'm surprised I didn't put the book down. Actually I probably would put the book down so you probably won't see this rating on my blog.

The 5's
Mrs. Everything by  Jennifer Weiner
In my opinion, it did a great job embracing the complexity of women and their relationships and how society treats them.

Sadie by Courtney Summers
Nice crime drama. The ending was amazing, I don't want to say anything more. Would definitely recommend it.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I was inspired to read this because it's being turned into a TV show. I loved it. I love the ending. I'm now reading her book Everything I Never Told You.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Haven't read The Handmaid's Tale but I watch the show which is why I wanted to read this book. It was great.


The 4's
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert 
It was written as if an older woman was accounting her past in letters. I

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 
This was a solid psychological thriller. I also really liked that how the actual psychology was portrayed in it. Definitely kept me on edge the entire time.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
I read this because it's coming out as a movie soon and that's the kind of person I am. The beginning started off sounding like a rambling crazy woman which I guess it is but it took me a bit to get into. But when I did get into it, I was into it. Had some great twists.

The 3's

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor reminds me of what's his face in Catcher in the Rye and by that I mean annoying. But overall, it was a good book but I think a little overrated.

Alpha Girls: The Women Upstarts Who Took on Silicon Valley’s Male Culture and Made the Deals of a Lifetime by Julian Guthrie 

I read this for our Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWiSE) Book Club. I went in with expectations of female empowerment and was let down there. But it was an interesting history of the internet/e-commerce as we know it and the women behind it so I can't say I didn't enjoy it. Just didn't meet my expectations which I guess maybe I shouldn't have had? *shrugs

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty 

Eh, neutral on this. I would recommend it if you like Big Little Lies but I’m not a fan. Lots of dramatic characters.

The 2's

Start Without Me by Joshua Max Feldman
Eh, I mean I finished it. I didn't hate it. But I wouldn't recommend it to others. Also I didn’t like how he wrote the female character.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells 
I read this because I want to see the movie that has a modern take on it with Kate Moss. Also I thought a book on a mad scientist would be my cup of tea, but it was not. I just could not get into it.

Have you read any of these books? What were your thoughts? Do you have any book recommendations for me? Comment below.

Also if you're curious how I got through 12 books in two months while in grad school it's because I listen to a vast majority of them as audiobooks on my 40 minute commute, while I wash dishes, at the gym, etc. I use Libby which is an amazing free app that checks audiobooks out using your local library card so it's free!