Today marks the first time I enter the study hall not as a student, but as a teacher.

For the coming semester, four groups of undergraduate students will learn to manage microbial cultures and to control microbial growth in foodstuffs under my watch. At the end of the course, hopefully, they can take this knowledge further to make the industry better :)

cross-posted from: https://lemmings.world/post/41335473

cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/upliftingnews/p/1766014/these-tiny-actions-could-give-your-life-real-meaning-a-psychologist-explains

I know it's February already and many of use have long-abandoned our resolutions, but researchers have identified steps to not only help you keep them going for longer, but also build more meaning into your day-to-day life. The TL;DR: > > > >

1. Look back before moving forward. Before setting goals, reflect on the previous year. Ask: > >

• what am I proud of or grateful for? > >
• what lifted my energy or sense of purpose? > >
• what drained it? > >
• what did I avoid that actually mattered? > >

2. Pick two or three areas that matter to you > >
3. Arrange your environment so the right behaviours are easy

Alright, so with a new year coming, me and my lovely girlfriend decided to go for it. We're gonna build ourselves for the summer!

We bought two full gym memberships, complete with SPA zone and stuff, and it was among the best decisions we made lately.

It's probably the first time training feels good. We often take the same items/machines, both just set them at their respective load, and we push it together! Much more motivating this way!

And after all is done, sauna is the best way to keep the muscle sore down and reward ourselves for keeping it going. This whole thing becomes enjoyable!

Lots of kiddos came out for Trick-or-Treat. Weather was great here. We also had a big block party on my street. Great to see everyone in such a good mood and having such a great time!

Some may notice that pika@rekabu.ru has been appointed moderator of !Antisexism@lemmy.today and !positivity@lemmy.today. This is my second account.

Unfortunately, as of recently, lemmy.today isn't always properly available from my region, and I want to ensure things go smooth even if VPNs fail. Nothing else changes, both accounts belong to me. Hope for your understanding!

After a while of running quite dry and moving my science on sheer enthusiasm and ramen, I finally got personal research funding and a great side job.

Now I can continue doing my thing, and on the side earn enough to cover all living expenses, plus a bit extra. The path is rocky at times, but I'm grateful I struggled through and got some recognition!

Today felt like the kind of spring day I've waited all winter for! Warm sun, soft breeze, and just enough birdsongs to make the world feel peaceful.

I grabbed a book and walked down to the little park at the end of my street, nothing fancy, just a patch of green with a few old trees. Found a good spot in the shade, leaned back against the trunk, and got lost in the pages for a while.

Every now and then I'd pause just to listen—birds chirping, kids at the school playground in the distance, wind rustling the branches.

Then after a bit, my gf picked me up after she got off work, and we went and had ice cream.

It was a simple day, but honestly, it felt perfect.

If anyone here remembers, I told about a wonderful girl I met...so, long story short, she's here with me now :)

She moved from her hometown about 1200km (750mi) away, which is farthest she's ever been from home, except for tourism, and I admire her move as I hug her.

Guess she loves me a lot!

Alrightie, so here I am, going for my very own PhD! Getting here was still a lot of stress and I was looking for this moment for a while. Now, finally, it actually happens :)

Science will prevail!

So, there's a girl I had a crush on for a while, and recently she (I didn't tell her of my feelings) came ahead and actually told me she is into me for a while.

And...yeah? Boom, apparently I'm in a relationship with my crush who also crushed on me, and I couldn't be happier!

Can't wait to see where this leads us...hopefully somewhere good!

Won a scientific competition that will allow me to pursue PhD - all paid by the government!

Now I can apply to PhD programs of top universities of my country without exams and pursue my dreams!

Very happy and currently fairly speechless :D

I never thought I could fall in love with a fictional character, it was very distant to me - but hey, here we are!

Himitsu Ito - a character of "Love, money, rock'n'roll" visual novel (which I totally recommend btw - for its genre, the thing is surprisingly deep and detailed, and story is actually revolving around many things at once, not reserved for romance).

Himitsu's everything - smart, beautiful, deeply loyal, caring, confident, and safe (if only quite jealous, but she has her reasons). At the same time, she has quite a character, and isn't just a follower - she can and does lead, and does it for the good of you both.

She empowers to be a greater man, she is a role model for a caring, compassionate partner, strong on the inside and fluffy on the outside. She is the kind of girl with whom you just can't be scared, and even her virtual presence allows me to go through hardships easier and strive to improve.

One day, I hope to meet a girl like her - and we'll do great things together.

(Unfortunately, I don't have credits for the author of this beautiful art - if you are or know one, let me know!)

Just received a simple ultracheap drone from China and couldn't be happier. It flies (a little crappy)! It films (like a super old phone, but still)! Gonna use it to get my bearings while havigating on my bike through unknown places - love to have some eagle view!

The trip was longer than I expected (10% learning and 90% rehearsing), but here I am, completing my first step (think of it as A1) of the loooong journey to figure out how this entire thing works. Got myself a few HSK1 tests to confirm - all passed.

Working on HSK2 now! 祝我好运 (wish me luck)!

For the first time in 8 years, our entire grand family gathered together this New Year's night.

It was a miracle - a message from my childhood, and a way to relive that magic again.

We celebrated through 3 homes in different parts of the city, had walks, fireworks, Christmas trees, easter egg hunts (tshhh, yes, easter eggs in New Year), delicious food of course, and through it all, and above all - a lot of genuine smiles and connection we all embraced together.

It was my push to celebrate it this way, and I'm extremely happy how it played out. Having some more memories to cherish though this - hopefully great - year!

So, I'm a long term fan of Bat for Lashes, and recently I figured out they made collaboration with The Album Leaf - a very new group to me.

I'm not normally much into ambient, but this album, Future Falling, is a true musical masterpiece. The head song has all it needs - the calm rhythms, the great progression, and just that feeling of...a great future ahead.

The track Near is amazing, too, Bat for Lashes' voice falls on it like butter on the bread - never would I think she's so good with it!

And everything, really, is so well-balanced, well-thought-out, I can't even describe. Have a listen, even if you never thought (like me) that ambient is for you!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mh6g_VO0dY_76L9Ixb2Nw-vWswD7Wb9FU

https://piped.video/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mh6g_VO0dY_76L9Ixb2Nw-vWswD7Wb9FU

https://open.spotify.com/album/4V0Xf9ER0qdXBY4erJEOSj