CAN conference - Day 1
Hilights of the day:
One of my supervisors colleagues, from back in his Master's days, called me a Superstar. Sweet!
I hop out of the cab, jet-lagged and haggard, tired as fuck and one of the other conference-goers says that they're headed to a bar and I should join. I threw my bags in my room, literally, and joined them. Good way to start. No one knew my name, I was just simply "Saskatchewan". I think they still don't know my name :S Meh. Responding to "Hey, Saskatchewan!" when standing in a crowd maybe wasn't a good idea.
My supervisor's colleague called me "Saskatchewan!" It gets better. He then told me to give Supervisor a hard time for not coming. He also told said, "Dude, once you go to sleep, jet-lag will catch up. I don't think you want that.".....and offered me a beer. It's been a good night so far.
I decided to finish the beer and come up and finish some work while I have internet. Service sucks, so I figured I should get some work done while it's good....that and I have no idea what bar the young'uns went to, so I'll get this shit done. ...if only the abstract submission site wasn't bogged-down busy. Damn.
Either way, it was well-worth the trip and I'm felling pretty good about where I am in the world and the colleagues I'm surrounding myself with.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
"OK. Why?"
...and here's the disclaimer: THIS POST MAY OFFEND, READ WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
I normally don't blog at work, but I've had an evening to reflect on the situation and think I'm ready to share with the world.
Last night was my teaching class. My touchy-feely, warm-n-fuzzy, everyone's-included teaching class. I've decided that I'm going to grin and bear it, I'm sure I'll get something out of it. I may even jump through the hoops they lay out for me.
Every class has that one person that won't shut up. That's fine, I've learned to accept it, deal with it and move on. Last night, in some group work, I was grouped with that person. Cool. I don't have to do the talking. I can deal with this.
I'll lay out the premise for the group work. We were discussing motivation and how to get students motivated, then given a quick quiz. Our "assignment" was to think about the questions, group up and then discuss what we thought were the correct answers. There was a kick though. We were timed, and it was kind of a competition. If we got the answer correct on the first try, we got 4 points; 2nd try was 2 points and 3rd try was 1 point. The incentive was to get as many correct as quickly as possible.
Here's the question we were discussing:
"Which one of the following are students most likely to identify as a motivating factor in university classes?
a) The instructor's use of student-centred behaviours
b) A course environment that is relaxed, and includes videos with guest speakers
c) The perceived relevance of the material to their future needs
d) The instructor's physical attractiveness and sense of humor"
Now, as far as the pre-group thinking, I was torn between (a) and (d). I'd like to think that the obvious answer was (c), but I'll get that out front...it's not.
Now, when we were discussing our selections, "that student" went first. They picked c. They explained why they picked c. Cool.
We went around the table, so I was next, and I stated that I was torn between (a) and (d). I liked (a) because I interpreted it as how the Prof can relate to the students. If teachers can relate to a student, it builds "relation"....here's my RCM training coming in....and that's the foundation to communication and in essence learning. I also stated that although (d) may be rash, I could see it also being a valid answer.
I was cut off by "that student" with:
"It's politically incorrect! That's not the answer! We're not discussing that possibility! Moving on!"
I thought that was rather rude and inconsiderate. I replied with "But wait, you haven't heard why I think it could be correct. You may not like what I'm going to say, but that doesn't mean that it isn't true or that it doesn't exist."
I went on to discuss that I agree with the "sense of humor" part, but that I had problems with the "physical attractive part", however there is what's called a "Halo Bias Theory" (thanks JD and Saija) that proves that in general, people are more likely to trust a good looking person, and they there is also the preconceived notion that if you are good looking, you must also be very smart. I added that it may not be true and we might be very uncomfortable in thinking, and possibly knowing, that our students judge our looks every day. Although it may be insensitive, it still happens. We're only human, we make judgements; unfortunately our society might be shallow and make incorrect judgement, but they're still making them.
The two other people in our group didn't have a chance to speak and I asked them what they thought. One reply, "Yeah, it may be inconsiderate, but I can see where you're headed with your argument." The other reply, "I don't like it, but that doesn't mean it's not true." Of course each of them had a little more to add because I gave then a chance to defend themselves and a chance to agree or disagree.
The reply from "that student", "Well we obviously don't agree! Let's move on!"
I was at the point where I was about to throw my hands in the air and say "Fuck it! Move on!". I think the only thing that stopped me was...and here's the kicker....."that student" is a Rabbi. But, in my good will, I figured that by now that I set the stage, we could discuss it a little more depth and we could find actual reasons to disregard my opinion instead of just throwing it out completely.
Instead, I replied with "OK, let's try to hash this out rationally."
There was tension, and "that student" kept quiet while we discussed some of the other options. We ended up coming back to this question at the end.
Turns out the actual answer was (b)...the one with videos and guest lectures. I don't know if I totally agree with that either, maybe because it doesn't provide me with motivating factors....at least motivating factors to show up to class...but I'm not normal. Honestly, from my point of view, I think that if a Prof brings in too many guest lectures, or too much video, they could jeopardize their credibility; mostly because we're not getting the information from them, but from another source that we could find ourselves, at least in this day-and-age of open-source information and torrents. But that's just me, and as we can see...I'm not always right....and I don't need to be right all the time. I just need to be understood and accounted for.
I think the part of this situation that bothered me the most was that my idea was immediately discounted. "That student" didn't reply with an "OK, but why?" or an "OK, how?". I think these are the two most under-used phrases to tell the truth. "OK" meaning 'I accept that there may be other possibilities that what I'm able to perceive". "But why?" or "How?" meaning 'I'm open-minded enough to discuss this', 'I think that your idea may be worthwhile investigating', 'You may not be correct, but I'm willing to listen', 'I challenge you to build on your idea'.....that sort of thing. And in all honesty, I expected a more open mind from a Rabbi.
NOTE TO SELF: Try not to immediately discount students' ideas. I'm usually pretty good with this, because I believe that everyone has something they want to say about everything; they just may not realize it yet. Give them that chance and help them realize it. After I was discounted and offended, I'd hate for any of my students to feel that same way.
I normally don't blog at work, but I've had an evening to reflect on the situation and think I'm ready to share with the world.
Last night was my teaching class. My touchy-feely, warm-n-fuzzy, everyone's-included teaching class. I've decided that I'm going to grin and bear it, I'm sure I'll get something out of it. I may even jump through the hoops they lay out for me.
Every class has that one person that won't shut up. That's fine, I've learned to accept it, deal with it and move on. Last night, in some group work, I was grouped with that person. Cool. I don't have to do the talking. I can deal with this.
I'll lay out the premise for the group work. We were discussing motivation and how to get students motivated, then given a quick quiz. Our "assignment" was to think about the questions, group up and then discuss what we thought were the correct answers. There was a kick though. We were timed, and it was kind of a competition. If we got the answer correct on the first try, we got 4 points; 2nd try was 2 points and 3rd try was 1 point. The incentive was to get as many correct as quickly as possible.
Here's the question we were discussing:
"Which one of the following are students most likely to identify as a motivating factor in university classes?
a) The instructor's use of student-centred behaviours
b) A course environment that is relaxed, and includes videos with guest speakers
c) The perceived relevance of the material to their future needs
d) The instructor's physical attractiveness and sense of humor"
Now, as far as the pre-group thinking, I was torn between (a) and (d). I'd like to think that the obvious answer was (c), but I'll get that out front...it's not.
Now, when we were discussing our selections, "that student" went first. They picked c. They explained why they picked c. Cool.
We went around the table, so I was next, and I stated that I was torn between (a) and (d). I liked (a) because I interpreted it as how the Prof can relate to the students. If teachers can relate to a student, it builds "relation"....here's my RCM training coming in....and that's the foundation to communication and in essence learning. I also stated that although (d) may be rash, I could see it also being a valid answer.
I was cut off by "that student" with:
"It's politically incorrect! That's not the answer! We're not discussing that possibility! Moving on!"
I thought that was rather rude and inconsiderate. I replied with "But wait, you haven't heard why I think it could be correct. You may not like what I'm going to say, but that doesn't mean that it isn't true or that it doesn't exist."
I went on to discuss that I agree with the "sense of humor" part, but that I had problems with the "physical attractive part", however there is what's called a "Halo Bias Theory" (thanks JD and Saija) that proves that in general, people are more likely to trust a good looking person, and they there is also the preconceived notion that if you are good looking, you must also be very smart. I added that it may not be true and we might be very uncomfortable in thinking, and possibly knowing, that our students judge our looks every day. Although it may be insensitive, it still happens. We're only human, we make judgements; unfortunately our society might be shallow and make incorrect judgement, but they're still making them.
The two other people in our group didn't have a chance to speak and I asked them what they thought. One reply, "Yeah, it may be inconsiderate, but I can see where you're headed with your argument." The other reply, "I don't like it, but that doesn't mean it's not true." Of course each of them had a little more to add because I gave then a chance to defend themselves and a chance to agree or disagree.
The reply from "that student", "Well we obviously don't agree! Let's move on!"
I was at the point where I was about to throw my hands in the air and say "Fuck it! Move on!". I think the only thing that stopped me was...and here's the kicker....."that student" is a Rabbi. But, in my good will, I figured that by now that I set the stage, we could discuss it a little more depth and we could find actual reasons to disregard my opinion instead of just throwing it out completely.
Instead, I replied with "OK, let's try to hash this out rationally."
There was tension, and "that student" kept quiet while we discussed some of the other options. We ended up coming back to this question at the end.
Turns out the actual answer was (b)...the one with videos and guest lectures. I don't know if I totally agree with that either, maybe because it doesn't provide me with motivating factors....at least motivating factors to show up to class...but I'm not normal. Honestly, from my point of view, I think that if a Prof brings in too many guest lectures, or too much video, they could jeopardize their credibility; mostly because we're not getting the information from them, but from another source that we could find ourselves, at least in this day-and-age of open-source information and torrents. But that's just me, and as we can see...I'm not always right....and I don't need to be right all the time. I just need to be understood and accounted for.
I think the part of this situation that bothered me the most was that my idea was immediately discounted. "That student" didn't reply with an "OK, but why?" or an "OK, how?". I think these are the two most under-used phrases to tell the truth. "OK" meaning 'I accept that there may be other possibilities that what I'm able to perceive". "But why?" or "How?" meaning 'I'm open-minded enough to discuss this', 'I think that your idea may be worthwhile investigating', 'You may not be correct, but I'm willing to listen', 'I challenge you to build on your idea'.....that sort of thing. And in all honesty, I expected a more open mind from a Rabbi.
NOTE TO SELF: Try not to immediately discount students' ideas. I'm usually pretty good with this, because I believe that everyone has something they want to say about everything; they just may not realize it yet. Give them that chance and help them realize it. After I was discounted and offended, I'd hate for any of my students to feel that same way.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I caught wind and hit the road running...
I'm not gonna write about research this time.
It's going FULL SPEED AHEAD!! This week is a little nuts, but I'm pretty sure I brought it on myself. Supervisor is letting me set my own deadlines. That's kind of awesome, because he's putting a lot of trust in me leaving timelines wide open like that. I suppose a large part of the Grad School thing is to make you use independent thought and self-discipline. Honestly, I'm still looking at this thing like an industry job, so I'm not having a lot of trouble keeping ahead. The problem I'm having this week is that I've set 3 deadlines for myself this week: final draft of my proposal, a poster for the conference next week and a draft manuscript of a paper to publish.
I suppose I have no one to blame but myself, but I'm still running down the hill in front of the snowball. I think I have a little bit of a head-start this time though.
That's all the research Imma write about.
Now for the good stuff.
Today I ran on the track at the PAC. It was too flippin' cold at 5AM so I dragged my stinky gym clothes to school, used the track and carried my stinky clothes around all day. (I'm investing in a travel-sized bottle of Febreeze....)
I've been running in Vibram Five-Fingers shoes....they're the ones that have individual pockets for each of your toes, so it's like you're running barefoot, but you have a sole on your feet....for protection from rocks and stuff. I LOVE my Vibrams!!
I love them so much that I bought a pair of KSO Treks as a pair of street shoes while I was in Seattle (I saved about $40 in brokerage fees there). They look awkward as fuck....but they're FLIPPIN' AMAZING!
I normally run in the Sprint model, which is pretty much as barefoot as you can go, but I think if I'll be spending more time on the track, I'm going to invest in some TrekSports or some Bikilas. The issue is that I have this feeling that I'll have to order them online if I can't get them in a sweet color or size at Brainsport.
I usually get asked why I run barefoot. I've done a little bit of "casual" research (I say "casual" because I've usually stumbled upon an article or two about barefoot biomechanics and gait mechanics while doing my regular research) and I'm convinced that running barefoot is easier on joints, forces muscles and bones to strengthen and adapt and helps improve balance and weight transfer. (If you know me, you know that I need all the work I can in the balance portion).
Another way I look at it is understanding that the "running shoe" as we know it is only a recent invention. Honestly, we only have "running shoes" because someone in the 1800's wanted to do sports and they found out that their walking shoes with buckles and shit were kind of ineffective. We've had bare feet for a very, very long time. Our bodies are mechanically adapted to run barefoot.
I've only been at this thing for a few months, but I've already noticed improvement. I have a bad ankle and it doesn't take a lot to lose balance and roll-over on it. Normally it's incredibly painful. Now this could be partial placebo effect (which is lame, but still opens the "bias-door") but I've noticed that I've been less inclined to roll my ankle, and when it does happen, it seems to bounce back a little quicker. There's still pain, and I'm still a little limpy, but it seems like less pain and my gait isn't affected for that long.
I don't have any added motion in my ankle (booooo), because when I broke it and we did a duct-tape-tree-branch-walking-cast-split and was on it for 3 days before I hit a hospital, the bones fused in an abnormal pattern and the fractured bits that aren't still floating around have managed to fuse onto other bones and in turn reduce my rotational motion. So the fused bones are kind of a pain, but I think the added muscle and ligament strength has helped me gain a little more balance.
Could be the biomechanical engineer in me....wait....that's all of me....but I'm glad I took up running barefoot. Not only can I reap all the benefits of running, like a tight(er) (more) toned ass, increased cardio strength, weight loss (I went down a pant size....need to get new jeans...boooo), more energy, etc, I also think that I'm getting the added benefits of stronger feet and improved balance. For someone studying ugly joints, and knowing that I'll have bad joints in the future, it helps me sleep a little easier.
It's going FULL SPEED AHEAD!! This week is a little nuts, but I'm pretty sure I brought it on myself. Supervisor is letting me set my own deadlines. That's kind of awesome, because he's putting a lot of trust in me leaving timelines wide open like that. I suppose a large part of the Grad School thing is to make you use independent thought and self-discipline. Honestly, I'm still looking at this thing like an industry job, so I'm not having a lot of trouble keeping ahead. The problem I'm having this week is that I've set 3 deadlines for myself this week: final draft of my proposal, a poster for the conference next week and a draft manuscript of a paper to publish.
I suppose I have no one to blame but myself, but I'm still running down the hill in front of the snowball. I think I have a little bit of a head-start this time though.
That's all the research Imma write about.
Now for the good stuff.
Today I ran on the track at the PAC. It was too flippin' cold at 5AM so I dragged my stinky gym clothes to school, used the track and carried my stinky clothes around all day. (I'm investing in a travel-sized bottle of Febreeze....)
I've been running in Vibram Five-Fingers shoes....they're the ones that have individual pockets for each of your toes, so it's like you're running barefoot, but you have a sole on your feet....for protection from rocks and stuff. I LOVE my Vibrams!!
I love them so much that I bought a pair of KSO Treks as a pair of street shoes while I was in Seattle (I saved about $40 in brokerage fees there). They look awkward as fuck....but they're FLIPPIN' AMAZING!
I normally run in the Sprint model, which is pretty much as barefoot as you can go, but I think if I'll be spending more time on the track, I'm going to invest in some TrekSports or some Bikilas. The issue is that I have this feeling that I'll have to order them online if I can't get them in a sweet color or size at Brainsport.
I usually get asked why I run barefoot. I've done a little bit of "casual" research (I say "casual" because I've usually stumbled upon an article or two about barefoot biomechanics and gait mechanics while doing my regular research) and I'm convinced that running barefoot is easier on joints, forces muscles and bones to strengthen and adapt and helps improve balance and weight transfer. (If you know me, you know that I need all the work I can in the balance portion).
Another way I look at it is understanding that the "running shoe" as we know it is only a recent invention. Honestly, we only have "running shoes" because someone in the 1800's wanted to do sports and they found out that their walking shoes with buckles and shit were kind of ineffective. We've had bare feet for a very, very long time. Our bodies are mechanically adapted to run barefoot.
I've only been at this thing for a few months, but I've already noticed improvement. I have a bad ankle and it doesn't take a lot to lose balance and roll-over on it. Normally it's incredibly painful. Now this could be partial placebo effect (which is lame, but still opens the "bias-door") but I've noticed that I've been less inclined to roll my ankle, and when it does happen, it seems to bounce back a little quicker. There's still pain, and I'm still a little limpy, but it seems like less pain and my gait isn't affected for that long.
I don't have any added motion in my ankle (booooo), because when I broke it and we did a duct-tape-tree-branch-walking-cast-split and was on it for 3 days before I hit a hospital, the bones fused in an abnormal pattern and the fractured bits that aren't still floating around have managed to fuse onto other bones and in turn reduce my rotational motion. So the fused bones are kind of a pain, but I think the added muscle and ligament strength has helped me gain a little more balance.
Could be the biomechanical engineer in me....wait....that's all of me....but I'm glad I took up running barefoot. Not only can I reap all the benefits of running, like a tight(er) (more) toned ass, increased cardio strength, weight loss (I went down a pant size....need to get new jeans...boooo), more energy, etc, I also think that I'm getting the added benefits of stronger feet and improved balance. For someone studying ugly joints, and knowing that I'll have bad joints in the future, it helps me sleep a little easier.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Seattle - Day 5
It's been an interesting week so far.
Honestly, I think 8 days was too long in Seattle for my tastes, I'm ready to go any time now really. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a really good time, I'm just not a fan of the vibe of Seattle. I thought I would be, but I've been proven wrong. I'm glad though. Now I know.
I know exactly what it is too, and I was half-assed expecting it; too many hippies, too many homeless, too many homeless hippies. The biggest problem is that you can't tell any of them apart. They might as well all be homeless hippies. They all dress the same (there are so many consignment shops around here, it's not funny) and most of them smell the same too. Yeah, I think 8 days was too long.
Last year was 8 days in NYC, and that wasn't enough. I think I might just be an east-coaster by nature. I thought the west coast would be awesome, and it is, but only in short bouts. Believe it or not, the chilled-out vibe is getting to me. Does anyone actually get anything done around here?
Either way, I am having a good time, but in all honesty I'm ready to go home. I came, I saw, I conquered, I got the t-shirt (multiple shirts).
Also, I didn't even order a drink from the original Starbucks. It was too busy. I got my special blend coffee and went down the block and got a drink there. Funny how the shops were no more than 100 apart from each other and one was packed and the other was empty. Granted one was the original, but it offers the same drinks as the one around the corner. Either way, once again, I came, I saw, I conquered.
Here's the list of my conquests:
Space Needle - Daytime - Check, Nighttime - Check.
Experience Music Project and Nirvana Exhibit - Check.
Pike Place Market - Check.
Microbreweries - Four. Check.
Pioneer Square - Check.
Underground Tour - Check.
Seattle Aquarium - Check.
Harbor tour - Check.
Waterside walk - Check.
Thrift Stores on Capitol Hill - Check. (sketchiest part, by far, but I saw Hendrix's statue)
University of Washington campus - Check.
University Village Shopping Centre - Check.
Lost on transit system - Check.
REI Flagship store - Check. (I didn't get to climb the rock wall though, they were having a big sale and didn't have a spotter - go figure. I do have a coupon though if there are any takers out there.)
Walk through Occupy Seattle and get the shit scared out of you - Check. (FDOC and mass undergrads have nothing on this. This almost triggered a panic attack.)
Hard Rock Cafe - Check.
Pacific Science Centre - Check (Highlight about going to Science Centres without kids and solo is playing with the toys in the gift shop for an unlimited amount of time and not feeling bad. WIN)
Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island - Check.
Afternoon snack in a park - Check.
To do:
Wilderness Park Zoo
Ballard Locks
Frye Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum
Discovery Park
Find the Gum Wall (I'm sure I've walked by it AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. I'm grabbing breakfast in the market tomorrow morning, I'll try again.)
Wishing I had time to go sit on Kurt Cobain's bench, but it's a 75 minute bus ride, with multiple transfers, from where I'm staying. After yesterday's experience, I won't be going. NBD.
The hostel on the other hand has been pretty sweet. I have a bed and a locker, and there's curtains around the bed, so I actually get some privacy. That's really nice because I brought some work and really don't feel like socializing.
Honestly, I think 8 days was too long in Seattle for my tastes, I'm ready to go any time now really. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a really good time, I'm just not a fan of the vibe of Seattle. I thought I would be, but I've been proven wrong. I'm glad though. Now I know.
I know exactly what it is too, and I was half-assed expecting it; too many hippies, too many homeless, too many homeless hippies. The biggest problem is that you can't tell any of them apart. They might as well all be homeless hippies. They all dress the same (there are so many consignment shops around here, it's not funny) and most of them smell the same too. Yeah, I think 8 days was too long.
Last year was 8 days in NYC, and that wasn't enough. I think I might just be an east-coaster by nature. I thought the west coast would be awesome, and it is, but only in short bouts. Believe it or not, the chilled-out vibe is getting to me. Does anyone actually get anything done around here?
Either way, I am having a good time, but in all honesty I'm ready to go home. I came, I saw, I conquered, I got the t-shirt (multiple shirts).
Also, I didn't even order a drink from the original Starbucks. It was too busy. I got my special blend coffee and went down the block and got a drink there. Funny how the shops were no more than 100 apart from each other and one was packed and the other was empty. Granted one was the original, but it offers the same drinks as the one around the corner. Either way, once again, I came, I saw, I conquered.
Here's the list of my conquests:
Space Needle - Daytime - Check, Nighttime - Check.
Experience Music Project and Nirvana Exhibit - Check.
Pike Place Market - Check.
Microbreweries - Four. Check.
Pioneer Square - Check.
Underground Tour - Check.
Seattle Aquarium - Check.
Harbor tour - Check.
Waterside walk - Check.
Thrift Stores on Capitol Hill - Check. (sketchiest part, by far, but I saw Hendrix's statue)
University of Washington campus - Check.
University Village Shopping Centre - Check.
Lost on transit system - Check.
REI Flagship store - Check. (I didn't get to climb the rock wall though, they were having a big sale and didn't have a spotter - go figure. I do have a coupon though if there are any takers out there.)
Walk through Occupy Seattle and get the shit scared out of you - Check. (FDOC and mass undergrads have nothing on this. This almost triggered a panic attack.)
Hard Rock Cafe - Check.
Pacific Science Centre - Check (Highlight about going to Science Centres without kids and solo is playing with the toys in the gift shop for an unlimited amount of time and not feeling bad. WIN)
Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island - Check.
Afternoon snack in a park - Check.
To do:
Wilderness Park Zoo
Ballard Locks
Frye Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum
Discovery Park
Find the Gum Wall (I'm sure I've walked by it AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. I'm grabbing breakfast in the market tomorrow morning, I'll try again.)
Wishing I had time to go sit on Kurt Cobain's bench, but it's a 75 minute bus ride, with multiple transfers, from where I'm staying. After yesterday's experience, I won't be going. NBD.
The hostel on the other hand has been pretty sweet. I have a bed and a locker, and there's curtains around the bed, so I actually get some privacy. That's really nice because I brought some work and really don't feel like socializing.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
I wasn't planning on "Working" tonight.
Tomorrow I go to Seattle for my annual "Thanksgiving Away" holiday, or as I like to see it "Dena does Random City Solo, V. 3.0" Soon I'll work up to something off the North American continent, but until I win the lottery or the Nobel Prize or some shit like that, I'll have to limit myself to Canada and the US.
Because I'm leaving on a jet plane tomorrow, and had yet to pack, I wasn't planning on working tonight. I was going to get my shit in order so I could edit my proposal on the plane and hand in a final draft when I get back. Seattle is known for coffee houses; I figured that this would be primo opportunity to take part in the local culture and get some work done - mostly so I could feel all pretentious and pompous in a coffee shop, with a laptop in front of me. I'd fit right in in all honesty.
Bottom line, I ended up working. After I passed off Chaos to Mom for the week, I made the mistake of going back to school to drop off some books and pick up others. On the way out, I bumped into Supervisor, he gave the usual 'Make sure you check out "this place" while you're there' advice (and he's been pretty spot-on and will usually suggest a sweet pub, like when he suggested I check out the Ear Inn in NYC just weeks after meeting him), and said that he'd sent me an e-mail for a Call for Abstracts for a conference in SPAIN! Deadline is next Friday, so he suggested that I get something together before I take off if I can and then we'll work out the details when I get back. I smiled and nodded, said "OK, sure. Sounds good."....then we parted ways and I realized what I had agreed to. I'm pretty sure I had that dumbfounded look on my face.
I think I'm getting better at writing abstracts on the fly. I hope it's good enough to get me there.
Bottom line, I guess my research is "good enough" to take to the international scale, or at least good enough to put our research group's progress on the big-ass map. Cool!
Flattered, yes. Stressed, of course. Excited, Oh YEAH!
Tonight I took work home. I guess that's OK. If it gets me to Europe, even for a weekend, I'll take it.
I guess I should brush up on my Spanish.....
Because I'm leaving on a jet plane tomorrow, and had yet to pack, I wasn't planning on working tonight. I was going to get my shit in order so I could edit my proposal on the plane and hand in a final draft when I get back. Seattle is known for coffee houses; I figured that this would be primo opportunity to take part in the local culture and get some work done - mostly so I could feel all pretentious and pompous in a coffee shop, with a laptop in front of me. I'd fit right in in all honesty.
Bottom line, I ended up working. After I passed off Chaos to Mom for the week, I made the mistake of going back to school to drop off some books and pick up others. On the way out, I bumped into Supervisor, he gave the usual 'Make sure you check out "this place" while you're there' advice (and he's been pretty spot-on and will usually suggest a sweet pub, like when he suggested I check out the Ear Inn in NYC just weeks after meeting him), and said that he'd sent me an e-mail for a Call for Abstracts for a conference in SPAIN! Deadline is next Friday, so he suggested that I get something together before I take off if I can and then we'll work out the details when I get back. I smiled and nodded, said "OK, sure. Sounds good."....then we parted ways and I realized what I had agreed to. I'm pretty sure I had that dumbfounded look on my face.
I think I'm getting better at writing abstracts on the fly. I hope it's good enough to get me there.
Bottom line, I guess my research is "good enough" to take to the international scale, or at least good enough to put our research group's progress on the big-ass map. Cool!
Flattered, yes. Stressed, of course. Excited, Oh YEAH!
Tonight I took work home. I guess that's OK. If it gets me to Europe, even for a weekend, I'll take it.
I guess I should brush up on my Spanish.....
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