Professorship Duties

How odd that in the last two weeks I have had two requests that normally would be fulfilled by a professor. Last week, one of the profs who is unfamiliar with the program asked me to advise an incoming graduate student. Hrm! I thought that would be fun and exciting. I spent some time on it and really enjoyed it. But, the other request has unnerved me a bit. One of the undergrad RAs asked me to write a letter of recommendation for her. Jeesh! I've only done this once before when my star student listed me as a reference for a babysitting job and the potential employer actually emailed me. Plus, I don't know if I should do it because letters of rec should normally come from a professor, not a graduate student. But, on the other hand, I probably know her better than anyone because she's worked in my lab (which was not really being overseen by any professor). I'd love to write the recommendation letter for her, but I'm not sure what the formula for doing so would be. I suppose I might ask my advisor, but only after I have my thoughts gathered. Yeesh! This will be interesting.

Finals Week Freak-Out Fest

As is tradition, I document and compare the last-minute work to be done by the graduate students in my department and whomever has procrastinated the most is awarded the winner of Final Week Freak-Out Fest. However, finals week is supposedly already over and I haven't had the time to ferret out the procrastinators in the department. From what I have determined already, I think two people should share the award this year: myself and "Tisha." We are both at home, the Sunday night after finals week, planning to pull an all-nighter to get everything done by the Monday deadline our professors have so generously extended towards us. We both have to finish the methodology paper, which I was able to persuade our professor to allow us to write together, so that we can absorb the impact of our procrastination rather than each taking to brunt of it individually.

However, I'm sitting here writing on my blog instead of writing my paper. I think it is actually so that I can get everything off my mind so that I can work with a clear head. I just want to say that I think "Tisha" is much better at handling this last minute procrastination stress than I am. I'm very impressed by her keeping a cool head through all of this. In contrast, I fell apart two or three times this week, and unfortunately, my friends were there to witness one of my nervous breakdowns. I just want to apologize to Karen and Jael for my behavior last week. It had nothing to do with you guys. It was all me. I was just angry at myself for falling so behind that I couldn't go out and enjoy the evening with you. After the weight of this work is lifted tomorrow, I hope we can all have some fun again.

Here's to the night. May it carry forth with energy and productivity.

Whew! Almost done...

I've pretty much fizzled out already. I have massive amounts to do, but none of it is really sinking in. I'm just going on as if I'm already done, and it's time to be on summer vacation. Man! That is just NOT helpful.

Yep...that's all I have to say...