Shrinking

So I started South Beach Diet a couple of weeks ago. Scientifically, it seems more logical to and physiologically healthy then most other diets. It seems to work so far, too, as there is about 10lbs less of me to love. But I've also been working out for a month or so, so there has been a redistribution from fat to muscle with little weight change. The combination of diet and exercise is getting me closer to that speedo I've coveted for so long. (How's THAT image seared into your brains!) If only I could breast feed and speed things up like Rachel. We went to a fancy awards dinner last week and everyone commented to either her or me that she looked amazing 6 weeks after delivery. As he who called dibs on her years ago, I totally agree.
Last week I won a research award, and it really felt weird to have people commenting on how good my research was and how they enjoyed my presentation. It's nice to get recognized for your hard work. So now I'm an award-winning scientist. Cool. I'll embroider it on my lab coat.
I also had my yearly report to my advisory committee, and they spent most of the time berading me because I didn't have my postdoc set up. This is a refreshing change from their berading me for my not doing some random experiment to saitiate their every question. They all agree that I'll graduate in August, and then who knows where we'll go. The Italy thing kind of cooled down, but both my committee and my dissertation advisor really want me to try for the Italy job. In fact, he tried to repeatedly convince Rachel during the awards dinner last week. His being Italian probably has nothing to do with it. But it is a great opportunity, if I get the position. But we'll be looking at all of our options. We would like to go back to the West, and stay out of academia. I need money and Industry (big pharma or biotech) is where it is. But I'm open to anything right now. Well, anything with health insurance.