Class dismissed!

The last tutorials of the semester were held this week. The feelings are bittersweet. Sweet in that Christmas is just around the corner, yet bitter because I realize that I'll never see my students as a class again. While some students came up to me and thanked me for all my help this semester, I also had students who left the class quickly and quietly like it was just another week without saying goodbye... and of course the regular stragglers who still had many questions to ask. I really hope that what I've done for my students this semester is enough.

Nervous to get my first TA evaluations.

ABCT 2012: Washington, DC - Pt. 2

I'm terrible at blogging! I should set up my schedule to have blogging hour out something.

Anyways, the rest of ABCT...

Friday wasn't too great, the POI that my PI was going to introduce me to couldn't make the conference. I was thoroughly disappointed. The whole grad school application process has already drained the self-confidence I had, so with the conference being as overwhelming as it is (with all the awesome research and researchers) my self-esteem was destroyed and I was defeated. Fortunately, the grad students a d other RAs in my lab were there to support me and comfort me!

Once you hit rock bottom, the only direction left to go is up.

Saturday was good in that I went to some interesting talks and poster sessions. I got to talk to students of a couple POIs I'm applying to work with. My own poster presentations went well and we had an amazing lab dinner where my PI and previous grad student mentor talked about my project which reassured me that I might not be as hopeless as I've been thinking for the past few months.

Sunday was amazing in that I had a great conversation with one of the grad students of the POI who I really really want to work with. Then an epic night in DC and then home sweet home!

ABCT 2012: Washington, DC - Pt. 1

I finally have the time to blog! Well, more like I decided I should just start blogging when I go to conferences just to keep people posted. Well, whoever reads this anyways. So yesterday morning, dad and I woke up bright and early (5:30am, ugh) to get to the airport for my flight. I get all these funny looks because I have this massive tube on me. The guy at securities looked at me and thought that there was a J.Biebz poster in my giant tube... and he thought I was a high school student.... I guess it's probably because I wasn't wearing any makeup LOL. I slept for most of the flight to Minneapolis for my transfer to BWI (we meet again, Minneapolis.) This time, I made sure I triple checked the gate number for my transfer. Long story short, last time I was flying to Orlando I had a 3 hour layover and decided to work and the gate number changed on me and I almost missed my flight, good thing I heard my name being called. I still had to book it this time though, since my gate was on the other side of the airport and I got caught up helping a Chinese granny figure out her gate. On the flight to Baltimore, I had a super talkative seat neighbour who showed me all the pictures on his phone and told me everything about his kids, twice. So much for studying for the GRE. Once we landed in BWI, I just had the urge to break out in song, "GOOD MORNING, BALTIMORE!!!" Too bad it was about 7pm at night. By the time I transited to my host's place, it was 9 and I was about to die. She was super amazing and made me tea and everything. Finally had the chance to turn in for the night, texted my parents to let them know I'm safe. I was feeling super homesick for some reason and so my mom's response actually made me cry.

This morning, I got text messages from my host letting me know that there's a really awesome breakfast place with wifi nearby. Went there for an awesome omelette bagel (NTS: 2 eggs, red onion, red peppers) and freshly squeezed orange juice, got all caught up on emails and messages. Stayed for a while and then walked to Prometric for the GREs. Afterwards, went back to my host's to pick up my stuff and off I go again. Another 2 hour transit to National Harbor, got there before my roommates and got to lounge around and get all comfortable for a couple of hours which was really nice (especially after that horrible, horrible exam! 

I'm ready to start one of my favourite weekends of the year, ABCT WEEKEND!!! =)

Meeting my research hero tomorrow, I can't wait! 

LoveK.