Exciting!!

Being a graduate student certainly isn't as bad as it once appeared. This could have something to do with the fact that from July 18th to August 3rd I'll be in Italy taking a summer course on paleoclimatology and from September 3rd-7th I'll be in Shanghai attending a conference on paleooceanography. I've never been out of the country, and now I'm going to be going to two countries in a matter of months! I'm really excited. Am hoping I can go a bit early to both to hang out and spend some extra time exploring. We shall see.

Other than that school is pretty much the same as usual. Being a TA is weird, but not too bad. I have a ton of grading, but I'm getting it done. Midterm for my students next Tuesday and midterm for me next Thursday. Yay for midterms...

Hm... that's basically it.

Crud, gotta get a move on.

Quick note

Wow, it's been over a week since my last post. Needless to say, things have been a little hectic. It's okay though. I feel like I can handle it. Last quarter there were a lot of moments when I considered quitting - I don't do that anymore. Yay for that. I feel more comfortable and slightly more confident (at times). It also helps that I'm making friends in my department and going on outings.

Anywho, I guess I really should be working right now. Maybe I'll post again later.

Two Feet Planted?

First off, I want to say I am in a much better mood today than I have been. Almost chipper. I think this may have something to do with the fact that after I got home yesterday (around 5) I did nothing but slack. I took a nap, watched some anime, went to dinner with Susie, watched TV with Susie and her friend, Laura, watched some more anime (Fullmetal Alchemist - which is so cool!) and then read some manga (Hana-Kimi - yes Adora, I started a new series... actually started it quite a while ago, am on 7 or something...).

That's not to say that I don't have a ton of work, but somehow it's not bothering me as much. I know that I can get it done. There's no need to be super stressed all the time.

Although... it seems like I can't get two feet on the ground and walk a path for the quarter. I keep getting pointed down smaller branches of the trail. I started off taking only one class, then Chemical Oceanography was added. Started off with three sections (actually four this week) - two on Wednesday and one on Thursday... Now have one on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The new section is during the time I had scheduled for my offfice hours - meaning I have to change that as well... Oh well... have to pick a new one... Will worry about that later.

Today I'm holding my first office hour. Wondering if anyone is actually going to come. It'll be interesting to see.

Well, I guess I should actually get some of that work done...

Exhausted and Slightly Down

Haven't posted in a while... A lot has happened - hence the exhausted.

I taught for sections this week - one of which was not my own. I have about 90 students all together. I also have to take the class along with the students, since I don't know anything about dinosaurs... Sweet...

Also started taking Chemical Oceanography - a lot of work as well.

Jim is also in this mood where he wants to meet a lot. Which is great... but also frustrating. Since he picks a time to meet, and then seems to forget what time he said and email me to meet "later" than planned, when it is actually earlier than planned. He's also disorganized, which can cause some problems. Don't get me wrong, I like him... it can just be hard sometimes.

And because I'm exhausted I'm finding myself a little depressed about things. It's hard to be optimistic when I feel so worn out. I will try though. I hope to catch up on sleep, work, and fun this weekend. That will certainly help.

Anyway... oh - almost forgot. Might get to go to Italy this summer to take a Paleoclimatology Summer Course. Exciting, but Jim hasn't said anything since the first email, so not sure if it's going to happen.

Back in Santa Cruz

Sigh, I am once again in Santa Cruz. I am extremely happy to be back in the apartment, free of parental supervision and the smoke that fills my house. Yay for clean air to breathe! Sweet.

New monitor is awesome. It's all pretty and flat and happy. Makes me happy.

School starts in a couple days - yuck. Seems like everytime I come back I dread it more and more. Well, I am here now. Not sure when I'll be leaving again. Perhaps I will come to love it... ? Not sure what the quarter holds. Guess I will find out.

Anyway... kind of a random, fragmented post, but I guess everyone should be used to that by now.