Celebrating my Independence Early

I passed. The oral was a surreal journey. My committee members asked me no hard questions. They imparted lots of wisdom. They referred to me as their child. They told me to live long and prosper. They took a few stabs at the Great Oz.

Some written revisions are needed to the final thesis. I was going to start those today, but I have other plans...

Who wouldn't want to go take the GRE again two days post-defense? It's a long story that will soon be posted... but I have been rescued by Glinda. And there is no place like home.

This makes me laugh

i am the bunny... and this cracks me up

Angst

Thesis approved for defense in a week. Yeah. And ugh. And oh... why such anxiety? Perhaps its that today I just feel like this was a gigantic expensive distraction from my long term goals. Ugh. Barf.

Job search extended

It has been a rough time since the last post. The thesis went through various revisions before the Great Oz would even accept it. Even now, I am not entirely sure it was accepted...haven't heard back since Friday mornings submission. Lack of sleep makes me ill. Vomiting after staying up all night is no fun.

So I had a wonderful interview for a super cool academic research position. Unfortunately it pays very little. Nearly $20K less than what I made prior graduate school. Ugh. But I would do it for a few years I think... the PI is amazing. The interivew was a surreal 3.5 hour journey through his work, my graduate experience, my weaknesses, his desire for me to have a Ph.D. because he thought I deserved one... that was nice. He said from where he sat he thought I did not receive enough of the right kind of guidance.... Anyway, I think I could learn a lot in the position, and it is a great position really. A rare opportunity. I should hear within another week or so.

I also applied for several other academic jobs- project management jobs. Haven't had any interivew for those yet...

And more industry jobs... it would be nice to get an interview industry. I am starting to feel a little desparate... like this changing career idea was completely stupid. I got my last paycheck from the University last week.

Yipes.

Beating the Monster

Accepting Donations

When it rains it pours. Last evening, after driving into campus to attend a workshop that I really didn't need to attend, my good car decided to act up. as I rounded the corner to leave school, it suddenly sounded like I had run over a bicycle and decided to drag it home. The check engine light came on, the engine shook. I got out and looked under the car- nothing was there.
I made it to the mechanic which is just a few blocks from campus...but the bad news is it is still there... and he thinks it could be a costly repair. I should hear from him later today.

So I am reading while I await that call, and I am still waiting on the plumbers to show up this morning! They have yet to arrive to fix the main drain line in the house. A most costly repair...
Ugh.

I am accepting donations from anyone in the Universe feeling generous. Any contributions must bet a donation, not a loan. I am maxed out on loans. Ok... I realize I probably won't get any, but I thought I'd put it out there anyway.

New Beginnings

So tomorrow I have an interview for a lab tech position. It is a very cool position... but I am not sure I will be able to stomach the work (lots of animal work). We will see how things go tomorrow at the facility. Keep your fingers crossed that my cookies stay in place.