It’s almost a new year and scientists in Indonesia have just discovered a new species of viper. The smooth scaled pit viper was found along with three new species of salamander. What a treasure trove. What’s interesting about this species of snake is that it molts (sheds its skin) only one time in its life.

Speaking of shedding skin, it’s the last day of the year. Time to start fresh. Get rid of my old skin and watch the new one grow in. A completely new year. A completely new slate. Feels like every year, the new skin is going to be better than the last.

Oh yeah, a “friend” from my old days got in touch. Don’t know how she tracked me down. But I felt like I couldn’t ignore her so we met for a drink. And it’s like a wave of familiarity and at the same time, a completely uncomfortable sensation washed over me. Like I felt so eerily detached from her and sucked in like the tide to something I didn’t want to do or think about. I’m turning a new leaf tomorrow, and that means feeling no obligation to keep up with my past. I have new friends now and those are the ones I’m going to focus on.

Here’s some exploration of carnal animal behavior…

We had our holiday party tonight. Just the company and some of their better halves. It was okay. It's always funny to see some of the guys get tanked because its usually such an anal and serious atmosphere at work. I'm glad I only get to see it once a year since these guys, who are normally so quiet, studious, suddenly act like rabid cats. Not to mention the jokes they come up with. It's like they're in school all over again.

Sorry it’s been over a week. But I’ve been in the weeds at work. I still can’t figure out my feelings for this guy. I guess I’m the spineless one considering I don’t have the fallopians to go up and talk to him.

I’m feeling a lot better about things, though. It’s really true how time heals even the worst conditions. I’m taking some serious time off to just be with myself. Float around, hang out and focus on me, what I want, my work. Besides, if I want to get ahead, I’ve got to really catch up on everything Andrew’s doing (my boss). He’s always willing to help me out but I want to be self-sufficient so lately, I get home at 10PM every night because I’m trying too hard to be self-sufficient. Too tired to go out anyway.

Funny to read what I've written already. These blogs are like little cathartic diaries that everyone in the world can read. Never realized they’d serve as a written pressure valve. The married guy I broke up with last week tried to get back together with me. He called me and said I misunderstood the situation. I told him that he is the one who misunderstood the situation. “Click.”

Well, while marine biologists were discovering a new species of squid in the Northern Atlantic, my research facility stumbled upon a huge discovery the details of which I am legally and morally bound from revealing within these confines. Anyway, it’s going to change the world in a small but potent way.

It’s times like these at work where I really appreciate my goal for a doctorate. So many times I regretted my career course and dreamt of being on those large research vessels, trolling for new species and working in the environment. But on days like today, where OUR discovery can make the world a better place, it makes me forget what other people are doing and achieving. It makes me feel important. It makes me feel like we’re all part of an important contribution.

Anyway, I'm sure all of you are pissed that I've teased you with my own experiences. Here's a little bit to chew on. I think I'm falling for someone. I think. And speaking of squid, he's not an invertebrate like the last guy.