I'm back on mornings! I'm genuinely excited to be back at school bright and early, every day. The routine of it is soothing and helpful for me. I find my afternoon schedule to be mixed up and harder to get a handle on. I was at school by 7 as usual in these circumstances and I could not be happier. It was a lovely ride in, and I'm expecting a lovely ride home. So yay to that.
I'm still trying not to think about end dates and when to finish by etc, since that seems to do nothing for motivation and everything for anxiety, so my latest strategy is to just keep plugging away and it'll end when it ends. I want to enjoy my summer and not feel pressure, just like when I chose to come back in the first place.
So that's it, mostly I'm focussing on feeling healthy and happy and allowing myself as much time as it takes to do this thesis, which I think will help me just do it. Plus, who wants to spend the summer feeling assy? Not me!
And it's time to get ready to plant seeds and seedlings! IN a few more weeks I'll get stuff into Claire's back yard and we'll start the hovering and loving care of quite a few different veggies and melons. Ah, food, the best part of summer. That, and slushy drinks.
Remember, the WWII sign with the best message: Keep calm, and carry on.
It's a mantra. My mantra.
xo!
Monday, 5 May 2008
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Don't forget
To pay tuition, ladies. Close your eyes and make it happen. Then, pretend it didn't. Heh.
Oh, bank account.
sigh.
Oh, bank account.
sigh.
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Signing back on...
Thanks for the reminder to post, Claire!
Things for me have been slow, though now that I think about it I can't quite figure out why...I guess there were a few small events that I parlayed into days and days doing something else!
Like Claire, I have a daily goal of either writing or editing what I have (which ends up being writing, but such is life). It' too much but still a good goal for me every day. I have a long ways to go with this thesis since I still haven't done any interviews (though I will only do two or three), so I spend a bit of time every day trying not to get too anxious about it. I'm trying to remind myself that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and if I don't make my defend-by-June goal then that's okay, it's not worth feeling horrible abot it all the time.
It doesn't always work, but I'm trying.
My sister and brother in law are coming in tomorrow and staying the night on their way to move into Degrassi Street! I can't wait to go see that place, apparently it's got the most stolen street signs of naywhere in Toronto. Quelle surprise ;-)
Keep going!
Things for me have been slow, though now that I think about it I can't quite figure out why...I guess there were a few small events that I parlayed into days and days doing something else!
Like Claire, I have a daily goal of either writing or editing what I have (which ends up being writing, but such is life). It' too much but still a good goal for me every day. I have a long ways to go with this thesis since I still haven't done any interviews (though I will only do two or three), so I spend a bit of time every day trying not to get too anxious about it. I'm trying to remind myself that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and if I don't make my defend-by-June goal then that's okay, it's not worth feeling horrible abot it all the time.
It doesn't always work, but I'm trying.
My sister and brother in law are coming in tomorrow and staying the night on their way to move into Degrassi Street! I can't wait to go see that place, apparently it's got the most stolen street signs of naywhere in Toronto. Quelle surprise ;-)
Keep going!
Reviving Nathewrimo
Hey guys!
Well I have been super busy with visitors over the last couple weeks. My aunt was here last week, and my brother and sister were here for almost a week. My work has suffered as a result, so I am buckling down to get my draft finished by the end of May. It's a pretty ambitious goal, so I am a little nervous, but I'm thinking that there is no use in getting stressed out about it. I've just got to sit down every day and work on it! I figure I have about 50 pages to go....so that works out to about 2-3 pages every day, not including weekends or the odd procrastinat-y, unproductive day. It's attainable...although I still have to go through my interviews, which is going to suck.
There are a few things that I have on my plate that will distract from the thesis work. For one, I have the OCE Discovery conference coming up in a couple weeks. Somehow, I've been nominated/roped into participating in an oral competition at the conference. It's only a 5 minute presentation, with 2 minutes for questions, so it's pretty straight forward. However, somehow, the OCE is recommending a 2-day course to prepare for the presentation!? I'm attending day 2 of the course tomorrow, and I *think* it's called "networking and communications". I definitely need some help with networking, so it'll be a good course regardless. I'm also STILL waiting to hear about the WWEC conference at the end of June. At this point, I think that I am going to recycle the grad conference posted I prepared, because it is getting ridiculous. I emailed the organizers, and they said that they are STILL going through the abstracts for the conference. Totally disorganized.
Anyways, the visit with Paul and Jocelyn has been great. We spent time in Toronto, out at the lake with our family, and yesterday Paul and I went to Niagara for wine and Buffalo for chicken wings. It was awesome, except for Paul forgot his camera at the restaurant in Buffalo, so we had to go through the border TWICE to get it back. Luckily we look innocent and honest because the border guards had three chances to find the booze we had in the trunk that we did not pay duty on.
Anyways, good times! I'm actually itching to get back to work so I think it's a good sign.
What's up with you guys?? Don't forget to update!
Well I have been super busy with visitors over the last couple weeks. My aunt was here last week, and my brother and sister were here for almost a week. My work has suffered as a result, so I am buckling down to get my draft finished by the end of May. It's a pretty ambitious goal, so I am a little nervous, but I'm thinking that there is no use in getting stressed out about it. I've just got to sit down every day and work on it! I figure I have about 50 pages to go....so that works out to about 2-3 pages every day, not including weekends or the odd procrastinat-y, unproductive day. It's attainable...although I still have to go through my interviews, which is going to suck.
There are a few things that I have on my plate that will distract from the thesis work. For one, I have the OCE Discovery conference coming up in a couple weeks. Somehow, I've been nominated/roped into participating in an oral competition at the conference. It's only a 5 minute presentation, with 2 minutes for questions, so it's pretty straight forward. However, somehow, the OCE is recommending a 2-day course to prepare for the presentation!? I'm attending day 2 of the course tomorrow, and I *think* it's called "networking and communications". I definitely need some help with networking, so it'll be a good course regardless. I'm also STILL waiting to hear about the WWEC conference at the end of June. At this point, I think that I am going to recycle the grad conference posted I prepared, because it is getting ridiculous. I emailed the organizers, and they said that they are STILL going through the abstracts for the conference. Totally disorganized.
Anyways, the visit with Paul and Jocelyn has been great. We spent time in Toronto, out at the lake with our family, and yesterday Paul and I went to Niagara for wine and Buffalo for chicken wings. It was awesome, except for Paul forgot his camera at the restaurant in Buffalo, so we had to go through the border TWICE to get it back. Luckily we look innocent and honest because the border guards had three chances to find the booze we had in the trunk that we did not pay duty on.
Anyways, good times! I'm actually itching to get back to work so I think it's a good sign.
What's up with you guys?? Don't forget to update!
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Presentation day!
Yesterday was a busy day. I make 2 presentations in 6 months, and of course they both were yesterday. In the morning I was in Oakville for the Eco-Innovation conference hosted by T.A. Blakelock. It was actually super fun, although I was nervous to speak in front of a bunch of 15 and 16 year olds. Anyways, I gave two talks to groups of about 40, and it went really well! I brought chocolate, and anyone who answered any questions got candy, so people actually participated ;). I got a swag-bag, which was also cool...so all in all it was a great experience!
After the high school conference, I raced back to campus for my "poster judging". The judge was a biology prof, and at least 80% of the people presenting were biology students. I have a feeling that i didn't win the iPOD...but it was a good practice run for poster presentations.
Anyways...after my brief break from writing, it's time to get back to it. I'm still aiming to have a draft by the end of may...so Nathewrimo month #3 is almost getting going!
Talk soon!
After the high school conference, I raced back to campus for my "poster judging". The judge was a biology prof, and at least 80% of the people presenting were biology students. I have a feeling that i didn't win the iPOD...but it was a good practice run for poster presentations.
Anyways...after my brief break from writing, it's time to get back to it. I'm still aiming to have a draft by the end of may...so Nathewrimo month #3 is almost getting going!
Talk soon!
Friday, 18 April 2008
Update from Guelph
So, I just finished my first week at my position for the City of Guelph as a Water Efficiency Program Assistant. I really like my new job; the people are great, and the project I'm working on is innovative and engaging.
I didn't get the OPA job because I didn't "have enough experience". I was "over-qualified" for the intern position... I guess they need to find me a position where I have the "right" amount of qualification. Either way, I know I made a good impression on them so there are opportunities for the future. I'm obviously disappointed, but not discouraged. It's all part of the process I guess.
All in all, I am happy I have the job at Guelph because I will have a lot more time (and rest) and have more energy to work in the evenings on my thesis... that is.. if I avoid the pubs and patios on the way home from work.
I also found out that I wasn't accepted to the PhD program at York. But, I'm actually relieved. I only put a half-hearted effort into the application. I think I need a bit of time before I dive into another 4-6 years of school.
So, I'm pretty happy. I feel a bit weird to have so many rejections in one week.. but better to get that out of the way now I guess.
I didn't get the OPA job because I didn't "have enough experience". I was "over-qualified" for the intern position... I guess they need to find me a position where I have the "right" amount of qualification. Either way, I know I made a good impression on them so there are opportunities for the future. I'm obviously disappointed, but not discouraged. It's all part of the process I guess.
All in all, I am happy I have the job at Guelph because I will have a lot more time (and rest) and have more energy to work in the evenings on my thesis... that is.. if I avoid the pubs and patios on the way home from work.
I also found out that I wasn't accepted to the PhD program at York. But, I'm actually relieved. I only put a half-hearted effort into the application. I think I need a bit of time before I dive into another 4-6 years of school.
So, I'm pretty happy. I feel a bit weird to have so many rejections in one week.. but better to get that out of the way now I guess.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
