Statistical mechanics, molecular simulation and high performance computing. That is the centre-point of nearly all of my effort in life. Nearly everything I do is based around getting a deeper understanding of this field or being able to employ my understanding more effectively.

My entire life is based around the academic route. I fell in love with a girl whose great desire in life was to settle securely in one place and have a family. To have a 9-5 job where she could spend the rest of the time in leisure with the person she loves, who presumably would also have a more laidback career. This is the opposite of the life of an academic. Stress, poor schedules and constant intense work and study. A professor who I deeply respect worked from 6AM to 11PM, 6 days a week for most of his post-doctoral years. I personally love the intensity of an academic life and working at breakneck pace is something I deeply enjoy.

Recently, I chose my scientific career over her. I suppose that I will be wondering my entire life whether I made the right choice.