I worked a half day today. I didn't have a particular reason for going in, but there were a few things I wanted to catch up on, so I fired up the bike and rode up to campus. I spent most of the day sitting at my desk, reading a mathematical physics textbook, and tinkering with a simulation I'd written earlier in the week.
A recurring theme of me-at-work, pretty much ever since I started working when I was 15, is the thought, Sigh...if only I had a few million dollars, so I could do X instead of this... Today, it struck me that, if I was independently wealthy and could do whatever I wanted, I probably would spend my time doing what I did today. I'd find somewhere quiet to sit, and learn some new physics.
On top of that, I found out a couple of weeks ago that I won a competition for a federal research fellowship, so I'll get an extra $4000 or so per year to do exactly what I'd be doing anyway, with no strings attached. (I worked out the total value of the fellowship, and was surprised at how large it is: it pays for everything for three years, which comes out to be around $150,000!) As an additional bonus, it's considered very prestigious, looks good on a CV, etc. (not that I'll be applying for jobs anytime soon...).
I hesitate to say so, but I feel honestly satisfied with the way things are going. It's the first time I've felt this way in a long time, so it's a bit alien to me, but...I'm happy. (On a related note, I also feel completely vindicated in my decision to switch research groups.)
No comments:
Post a Comment