def abspath(rel):
    """
    Take paths relative to the current file and
    convert them to absolute paths.

    Parameters
    ------------
    rel     : str
              Relative path, IE '../stuff'

    Returns
    -------------
    abspath : str
              Absolute path, IE '/home/user/stuff'
    """
    return os.path.abspath(os.path.join(cwd, rel))