hectic schedules

It's been a busy busy time around these parts.

Since my last post, I found out that I got the summer teaching job *YES!* I think it will end up taking a good amount of time for me to prepare for my teaching sessions, since there is alot of information, and I want to do the best possible job I can to help these pre-med kids feel as prepared as possible for their test.

Since I need to also devote as much time as possible to finishing my dissertation and graduating, I decided I won't get another part time job or anything. I reckon I can house/dog/cat-sit and sell stuff on ebay to build up some extra cash.

Also in the past week I have seen 3 Ph.D. defenses, 2 in my department, and one in another department. All were successfull, so there are 3 more Dr.'s out in the world now. Yay!

Today I practiced the talk that I plan to give for my post-doc search and perhaps even my own dissertation defense talk. In the past, my talks have been OK, but I havbe never felt like I had a good grasp on my data and its interpretation. Finally, at this talk I felt like I knew exactly what was going on and the audience definitely reacted kindly to that (well, those in the audience that managed to stay awake at least). The professors that had seen this talk in its infancy when not all the data was in and I was struggling with depression remarked on how much it has improved.

It is good to know that my internal feelings of improvement have been translated into how I am perceived by the external world as well.

One of them said that I should have no trouble finding a job if I take this data and put it into manuscripts. From their mouth to God's ears.

I have been thinking/worrying about this talk for the last few weeks, so it is such a relief to have it done. Now it's back to the writing! Woo!