"My life's normally about a 2, this week it's a 10"

It has been a challenging week, filled with twists, turns, and surprises. The title of this post refers to the level of excitement of my life on a scale of 1 to 10.

First, my advisor dropped a bombshell on me. I wrestled with it because he made the same decision I would have, I merely think I would have executed it a little differently. But with short notice, it means an already stressful time in wrapping up a major project is even more stressful. Though I do pride myself on being awesome when busy and entirely over-committed in every possible way, I believe that is what is presently shining through (confirmed by the comments of colleagues). It is always better to hope for strength in a trying situation, strength helps you the next time you’re thrust into a tough situation. I'm learning incalcuable amounts.

Then another faculty member had to urgently take a leave. With no provisions made for his class, I stepped up to fill some very impressive shoes. I have craved and, at times, simply begged to get more teaching experience in my PhD program. This isn’t exactly how I envisioned getting that experience. Thankfully, everyone in the class has been a good sport about it as we bravely forge on into the world of “alternative transportation approaches.”

It’s not over until it is over—or at least, until you’re off campus.