hang on....i think there's been a change

what a difference a week makes! everything has changed! and i'm thrilled.

new new job: hepatitis scientist (epidemiology) at the centre for infections, health protection agency. it is a research post that will involve generating an understanding of the epidemiology of a new hepatitis type (C) and predicting the future burden of hepatitis (and resultant severe liver disease) using...wait for it....mathematical models. oh, be still my heart! i also will have the opportunity to teach at the london school of hygiene (probably on the surveillance course, but maybe modelling too!) and will be doing some part-time exam marking for the distance learning master's course at lshtm. sweet.

eep. this means i have to call UCL and reneg on my acceptance of the other job. this scares me, but apparently i can make a good case for the hepatitis job being a segue into a phd (OMG!) and a longer contract, therefore more security. still got the butterflies tho'.

second exciting piece of news: found a cheap, nice flat in a great area (stoke newington) with a guy called ian and another one called chris (recap: i have a brother called iain and i am currently living with a guy called iain). yay yay yay.

and in trying to sort out the most economical way of getting to work everyday, i've decided i need a vespa. ooooh yaaaa. been pricing them and doing the maths and i think i'd like a red one with a matching helmet.

i think i might bust a gut, i'm so happy and excited right now. please let this feeling last until it washes all the badness out of me.............

(but i think if my blog becomes less vitriolic, it may prove less fun to read. so some of you might root for 1) ian being a psychopathic maniac, 2) my new boss being a crazy b****h, and/or 3) my (as yet unpurchased) scooter getting swiped. you be devils.)