Gemini has been a source of great amusement and comfort lately. Sometimes I look at her and wonder whether she might start talking back (me, myself and my computer have gotten a little slap happy lately). She looks like she has so much to say, you know? She definitely has her ways. Gemini has not, however, attacked the printer recently (though she certainly doesn't like it when objects make noise and do unpredictable things).
This link really made me laugh, which I definitely needed on this Monday morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REQRHdMRimw
Yes, yes, I know, back to work. I can't stall out now!
Oh, and Happy Autumnal Equinox... it really is the best time of year here!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Ahoy, matey!
In my mid-exam delirium, I remembered that today (well, September 19, really; I can't believe it's already after midnight) is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Why? Just because it's fun. What a great concept. Saying "arrrrgh!" can be quite satifying, especially for someone in the middle of her exams. And you know, all pirates really say is "arrrgh." If you want to learn a few more words, check this out:
So, yeah, I'm at the midpoint: 3 weeks in, 3 weeks to go. I am more than halfway through my second question, which is right on target. Things have been a bit tough, especially this week (hence the predicted drop off in blogging) but all in all I am still feeling pretty proud of myself. I can do this! Today I finally managed to schedule the official oral exam date (where I will be grilled on all of this writing I am doing now). Getting three faculty in a room together at the same time is quite a challenge: like herding cats, some say. So, for the record, it will be Monday, October 20, from 10:00-12:00. So the countdown can really begin.
Somewhere in the middle of all of my stress, TMH and I managed to find a place and set a date for our wedding! The last weekend in September, 2009.... so excited! Stay tuned for more fun details.
There is so much more to report (re. wedding plans, annoying students, extended birthday excitement), but alas, I am exhausted. Want to hear some of the voices in my head?
-Avast, smartly, me lass... finish that A-exam.
-Aye aye!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear PMP, happy birthday to me!
I know I am jumping the gun a bit here, but in one hour and 41 minutes I will officially be 33, though I was born in England so who knows what that means about the real time. I like to use midnight as the start of my birthday, anyway.
It took me a while to figure out how old I was the other day. I guess that means I'm getting old. Either that or it just doesn't matter. I think such forgetfulness tends to occur in the early years of a decade. Does it matter if you are 32 or 33? Right. I thought not. So maybe I'm still 32.
I thought I would take a moment to commemorate my birthday. As I predicted, I have been consumed by my questions. Today I felt like I was going a little bit batty... I've been holed up in my apartment writing, with no human contact, for the past two days. So, there you have it. At least I am making good progress. I am on page 19, and I hope to turn in about 25 pages (my first finished question) on Friday. I am definitely past the half-way point with this one, anyway. (Right now I won't think about the three questions to come. One step at a time). I alternate between feeling accomplished and proud of my work and how far I've come in my scholarly endeavors... and feeling completely insecure and scared that my committee is going to laugh and say I'm not ready. A normal range of emotions, I'm sure. I will say I am impressed by my reference list. I was always in awe of long bibliographies.... until got a year into my PhD program. I have read a lot of stuff!
I know my birthday celebrations were really supposed to be last weekend, but I am saving a few things for tomorrow so I can at least briefly celebrate myself. I have one present from TMH that I haven't opened yet, three cards, and the promise of at least one more card to arrive tomorrow. So that's good. I have to go to work tomorrow, too, so that will be fun. At least I'll have some human contact (no offense to Gemini, but I don't really want to get a point where she starts talking back). I finally have my teaching/work schedule ironed out, so I know what time is mine and what time is theirs. I start teaching on Tuesday.
My friends here know my situation, but I don't think they'll let me be a complete hermit tomorrow. There just may have to be time for a post-work drink, or something. It's my birthday... and a big time for me! I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year ahead.
I know I am jumping the gun a bit here, but in one hour and 41 minutes I will officially be 33, though I was born in England so who knows what that means about the real time. I like to use midnight as the start of my birthday, anyway.
It took me a while to figure out how old I was the other day. I guess that means I'm getting old. Either that or it just doesn't matter. I think such forgetfulness tends to occur in the early years of a decade. Does it matter if you are 32 or 33? Right. I thought not. So maybe I'm still 32.
I thought I would take a moment to commemorate my birthday. As I predicted, I have been consumed by my questions. Today I felt like I was going a little bit batty... I've been holed up in my apartment writing, with no human contact, for the past two days. So, there you have it. At least I am making good progress. I am on page 19, and I hope to turn in about 25 pages (my first finished question) on Friday. I am definitely past the half-way point with this one, anyway. (Right now I won't think about the three questions to come. One step at a time). I alternate between feeling accomplished and proud of my work and how far I've come in my scholarly endeavors... and feeling completely insecure and scared that my committee is going to laugh and say I'm not ready. A normal range of emotions, I'm sure. I will say I am impressed by my reference list. I was always in awe of long bibliographies.... until got a year into my PhD program. I have read a lot of stuff!
I know my birthday celebrations were really supposed to be last weekend, but I am saving a few things for tomorrow so I can at least briefly celebrate myself. I have one present from TMH that I haven't opened yet, three cards, and the promise of at least one more card to arrive tomorrow. So that's good. I have to go to work tomorrow, too, so that will be fun. At least I'll have some human contact (no offense to Gemini, but I don't really want to get a point where she starts talking back). I finally have my teaching/work schedule ironed out, so I know what time is mine and what time is theirs. I start teaching on Tuesday.
My friends here know my situation, but I don't think they'll let me be a complete hermit tomorrow. There just may have to be time for a post-work drink, or something. It's my birthday... and a big time for me! I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year ahead.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Test me
Normally I tell people not to test me... they might be upset by what happens. But in this case I have no choice. I have officially started my A-exams, which are supposed to show that I am ready to be a scholar in my field, and that I am sufficiently versed in all the major streams of literature related to my work. They are the big obstacle standing between me and my research right now. Me and my future. Me and the next step. You get the idea.
TMH was here on the weekend, and we had a fantastic time. The weekend existed as sort of a buffer between me getting back and getting organized and actually getting to work on my exams. It was perfect. We had a party for my birthday and for our engagement on Saturday night for our friends here, which was lots of fun. It was great having him here... maybe I'll even get some pictures up at some point.
Then he left and I started my exams. Well, first I freaked out, cried (as per usual, though this time seemed a little more desperate), and rearranged my entire apartment. I love it! I have set up a new workspace in front of my sliding glass doors in the living room, and I still have my desk in front of the window in the my bedroom. It feels like a whole new place. I figured it's good to be excited about it, since I will be spending a lot of time working in here over the next 8 weeks. This is the first time I have rearranged in two years of living here, too, so it was needed. Once I figured out that the television actually could go in another spot, I was all set.
Anyway, my questions are challenging, but fair. They are appropriate and useful. I think I will feel accomplished when I finish them... so overall my reaction has been good so far. I am just a little concerned about managing my time and getting them done. I have to balance reading and writing, and I am supposed to spend two weeks on each of them. I also have to figure out how to do them and manage my work schedule. I know I can do it. I think the key is just sticking to a routine. Many people seem to go underground for this time period (which is why wedding planning will certainly not start until after I'm done). So don't be surprised if my blogging drops off a bit. I blog for my own sanity, though, so we'll see. Plus, I can't have my loyal readers getting too lonely. Wish me luck in my scholarly quest! All I keep saying is, "we'll see how it goes." We certainly will.
TMH was here on the weekend, and we had a fantastic time. The weekend existed as sort of a buffer between me getting back and getting organized and actually getting to work on my exams. It was perfect. We had a party for my birthday and for our engagement on Saturday night for our friends here, which was lots of fun. It was great having him here... maybe I'll even get some pictures up at some point.
Then he left and I started my exams. Well, first I freaked out, cried (as per usual, though this time seemed a little more desperate), and rearranged my entire apartment. I love it! I have set up a new workspace in front of my sliding glass doors in the living room, and I still have my desk in front of the window in the my bedroom. It feels like a whole new place. I figured it's good to be excited about it, since I will be spending a lot of time working in here over the next 8 weeks. This is the first time I have rearranged in two years of living here, too, so it was needed. Once I figured out that the television actually could go in another spot, I was all set.
Anyway, my questions are challenging, but fair. They are appropriate and useful. I think I will feel accomplished when I finish them... so overall my reaction has been good so far. I am just a little concerned about managing my time and getting them done. I have to balance reading and writing, and I am supposed to spend two weeks on each of them. I also have to figure out how to do them and manage my work schedule. I know I can do it. I think the key is just sticking to a routine. Many people seem to go underground for this time period (which is why wedding planning will certainly not start until after I'm done). So don't be surprised if my blogging drops off a bit. I blog for my own sanity, though, so we'll see. Plus, I can't have my loyal readers getting too lonely. Wish me luck in my scholarly quest! All I keep saying is, "we'll see how it goes." We certainly will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)