All work and no play makes peppers cold

You might've noticed that I'm trying to write anonymously. It's actually surprisingly difficult, and some of what I write ends up sounding terribly vague. Oh well.

Yet another morning in the office. I have now been here at the institute for a week now, and it is not too bad. My purpose is to write a review on the research they are carrying out jointly here and in the lab where I used to work. It is exciting to see this end of the research and their massive experimental set up. However, writing the review reminds me too much of writing up my PhD thesis. The all-too-bright fluorescent lamps in the office that make my eyes hurt. The drilling sounds next door where they are building new labs. The lack of concentration, the procrastination, the need to think about something else for a bit. The moments when writing just flows.

And the air-conditioning! Why do they have to keep the room temperature below 20C? Why do I need to take a jumper and a scarf with me to work when it's 33C outside? And why oh why do I catch a cold from sitting under the air-conditioning unit? Yesterday went past in a haze, having a sore throat and confused brain. Luckily I fell asleep soon after eight and slept for ten or eleven hours straight, and now I feel much better. Not that the confusion ever goes away! I'm determined to go and explore the area independently more over the weekend. I've spent the whole time allowing people to take me to places, or alternatively being lazy and reading in my room. The books in the local supermarket cost about one euro though, so I haven't been able to resist!