Dream interpretation

I've had two stressful travel-related dreams this week. In one, someone's driving me to the airport when I suddenly realize I've forgotten my beloved camera, and we frantically race against time to go back and get it. I don't know if I end up making my flight on time. In another, I get to the airport and discover that I don't have my passport. With little time to spare, I'm basically screwed. I don't know where I'm off to in these dreams. I have no upcoming trips planned. I think my flight to who-knows-where must represent this grant that is due today.

My PI and I have been working against the clock to meet the deadline. Once it goes in today, I hope that's the end to these stressful travel nightmares.

It's August already?

Wow, where has the summer gone? It's been over three months since I last posted. Here's a summary of what's new:

I'm now a postdoc.

I've had three first-author papers accepted for publication, and I'm pretty stoked about that.

I didn't get a fellowship grant I had applied for, and I'm still reeling from the reviews.

I'm entertaining a few new grant ideas in my head and trying to figure out my next projects.

Now that life post-dissertation has settled a bit, I think I'll be around here a bit more.

Wow, I actually did it

I am happy to report that...

I defended my thesis!

I still can't quite believe it. It's been a tough road. I don't yet feel the elation I thought I would. It's more just a huge relief. And I am so utterly tired. I think I could sleep for days.

Once I find the energy again, I'll be sure to celebrate for days. Weeks, even. Maybe the whole darn summer.

Ow ow ow

I have a killer headache. I almost never get this kind of tension headache.

I have my first fellowship application due this week.

I think correlation does equal causation here.

Blah

After starting off the year with a gung-ho attitude, I've already hit a low point. I feel like I'm stuck in limbo, playing the waiting game. Waiting for a committee member to confirm my defense date and to sign off on a thesis paper I'm hoping to submit to a conference. Waiting for comments on a manuscript from one of my PIs. Waiting for a followup meeting with both of my PIs to discuss my research plan for a fellowship application.

I know everyone's busy, but I'm still frustrated. I wish everyone operated like my academic advisor. He must be one of the busiest people I know, but he still responds to email promptly, even if it's just to say that he'll get to my manuscript/question/etc. soon. And then he actually keeps his word. He's all kinds of awesome. I seriously don't think I would have made it this far through grad school without someone like him.

2010 is the year

I will finish my PhD this year. It's been a long haul, but I can finally say that with conviction. But then what? That's what I need to decide. The default plan is to stay with my current group, in a postdoc of sorts, while I figure things out. With uncertainty looming, I'm struck by the desire to chronicle this transition and what might come next.