As an addendum to my "after quals" post, I'd like to add that I really miss Fridays. I miss all those good things that are normally associated with Fridays (lightheartedness, anticipation for the weekend, a general sense of excitement and happiness, etc.). After quals, I expect Fridays to be restored to their former status as being quite possibly the best day of the week. In just a few short weeks, I'll be able to gleefully sing the "Friday is My Favorite Day" song without the dread that now accompanies my Fridays. I can't wait. But, for now, I'm learning about high-gamma oscillations in lab on this lovely Friday night.
On an unrelated note, I think I'm going to make an effort to bring back the use of "psych!/sike!" and "not!" I think it's high time they started making more of an appearance in everyday language. Plus, they're hilarious to say (although potentially annoying to hear).
after quals i will be a better family member, a better friend, a better teacher, a better grad student... a better person? after quals i will not be so stressed, so self centered, so absent-minded. after quals i'll read for leisure, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, eat healthy...
after quals i will do better, be better, feel better...
after quals.
after quals.
after quals....
But what will be the "more important" thing that comes up after quals? An abstract due? A poster to make? A paper to write? The thing is, there are always things that are more pressing, more urgent, more important, and it's so easy to put off those life-maintenance activities that seem unimportant at the moment, but may be really significant in terms of, well, life and happiness. I wish I could find a better balance.
I'm not so consumed with quals that I am completely blind to the big picture. In the grand scheme of things, this a tiny little sliver of my life, an unnoticeable blip in the world. But to me, right now, it seems like everything.
Three more weeks until quals.
