This meme just about sums up my year so far. Although it has been exciting moving to a new country and starting my PhD, it has also been a series of life changing decisions which is kind of a lot.
May was a bit calmer – no big trips this month. I started getting data for my first research chapter and got access to the computing system at AgriBio. I love that the login screen is a cow, makes me smile every day when I start work.
I also started logging cow behaviors for the sensor trial I was helping with. Although it’s not quite as good as being on farm with the cows, I did enjoy the hours spent watching them interact and graze. I especially love how silly their little tails look when the video playback is 10x speed.
(My home office set up)
I saw a kangaroo just outside the office on my way to the bus stop. It is wild to me that you can just see kangaroos in Melbourne.
La Trobe has quite a few areas around campus that are bush reserves. I enjoy seeing the natural Australian landscape around the office and university!
May also included a nice dinner out with my lab mates. I think it is so fun that my lab is so diverse – we have PhD students from Canada, Columbia, Iran, and the US (me). We also have a visiting student from Italy in the Computational Biology group.
May saw me finally starting Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This game is the entire reason I bought my Switch, and I kept putting off starting because I was too excited. Glad I finally started, the game is incredible! This is definitely the most complex game I’ve played to date and I am amazed at the story line, puzzles, and artistry of the graphics. Incredible!
Whenever I feel a little homesick, I like to use my favorite knick knacks from home, like this mug and tea steeper, to remind me of everyone back in the states. Thankfully, the internet provides us with so many opportunities to stay in touch without costing an arm and a leg!
The Daily Laura 
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