Just sitting here . . .

. . . trying to get motivated to open up the reviews of my research proposal and work on my oral presentation which must be given Tuesday. The biodiversity paper is finished, thus that excuse is gone. I AM rather sleepy since I didn't get to bed until 2:00 (I'm getting too old for that), I got up at 8:30, and it's POURING rain right now. Good thing I didn't have plans to go to Jazz Fest today. Reba's clinging to me because we've had a couple of big claps of thunder (one of which set off two car alarms -- made me laugh), so I have to be careful every time I move or I'll run over her.

::Nickleback begins playing on the WinAmp:: Oh, that might help me wake up.

:: Huge Sigh ::

The proposal has been handed in, for better or worse. I don't really care which. Had a biodiversity exam today which was preceded by the prof saying that university regs require him to give us a final exam, so we've just had an exam added when we thought today would be it for exams. So, not only do I need to finish all the other things I'm sure I've mentioned at least a couple of times, but I have another freaking exam.

I'd curse like a drunken sailor, but religious people read this and might lose what little respect they have for me.

Add to that my dad having the rest of his toe amputated (the first half of which was whacked off only a mere month ago) and my three-year-old niece having her tonsils and adenoids removed (that's too young to have to even know what a tonsil is), and I'm a cheery, chipper girl.

I don't even have enough change to hitch the bus to the store and buy a bottle of wine. If I drank wine.

Maybe I'll actually sleep tonight and then maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

Doing a happy dance

Thank the Higher -- I'm almost done with my proposal. ::huge sigh:: I just need to put my budget in tabular format, justify the money I need, write up why my research is significant SLASH what it will contribute to the scientific community, write a summary, and fill out the university routing and animal subject certification forms.

Egads, I might actually finish it by tomorrow night. Then I can start studying for Thursday's biodiversity exam.

Have my third . . .

. . . committee member as of Wednesday or Thursday night. AND I have a basic outline of my research, so I'm going to talk to Barney about setting up my qualifying exam for the middle to the end of May.

Dad was sprung from the hospital Friday. They really have never conclusively figured out what happened, but it wasn't his heart and it wasn't his pancreas. They did a scope on Wednesday and removed some scar tissue from his esophagus, and he steadily started feeling better. I'm not totally convinced that was all, but what do I know?

Drooled over microscopes and vans on Ebay. Alas, but I can afford neither at the moment.

Long awaited (I suppose) updates

Dad was admitted to the hospital today. He was having a pain in his chest that was too low for his heart -- they think it's his pancreas. Shades of when I was in middle and high school and he was diagnosed with lupus. I hope that stuff's not flaring up again.

You may or may not note the time of this entry. Yep, it's that time of the semester again. Was up in the office working on a presentation for my seminar course on temperature dependent sex determination in reptiles. Rather interesting stuff. Finished a paper over Spring Break on the effects of endocrine disruptors on alligators in Florida -- you know, teeny weinies. The scientists are laughing, all the mundanes are scratching their heads and saying, "Huh?" ::giggle:: If you want to know -- if you REALLY want to know -- email me.

Speaking of Spring Break -- I actually went out for the first time in . . . in . . . oh, hell, I don't even remember. Went down to the Quarter (I didn't feel like transferring buses), bought some truly HEAVENLY Cashmir lavender essential oil, shared beignets with my pals Natalie and Erika, and went to the Hookah Cafe to eat Indian food and smoke a little hookah. It's not nearly as interesting as it sounds, and no, Mr. Chairman, I didn't inhale. Bus home was the downer on the whole fun time. I swear pretty soon all the buses in the city are going to have my photo along with a note that reads, "Do what you have to do to get her on the bus, just so she doesn't call the ride line."

Well, I suppose I ought to do some more sex in reptiles stuff. Or maybe I'll just play Bejeweled until my attendant gets here. Where is my cousin on the MSN Messenger when I need some entertainment? Probably on a date, damn her!

Balance by Ralph Marston

If leisure is the only thing you know, then you cannot ever fully enjoy it. If effort is all you know, then you cannot ever fully experience the fruits of your labors. Leisure has meaning only when it is balanced with effort. Effort has meaningful results only when it is balanced with leisure and relaxation. A full day's work will enable you to get a good night's sleep. A good night's sleep will enable you to perform a full day's work.

When life is in balance, it is powerful and effective. When life gets out of balance, it cannot continue that way for very long. When you balance one thing with another, you're able to achieve maximum value from both.

So balance effort with rest, excitement with serenity, fellowship with solitude, and expression with observation. When the load is balanced, you can carry it a long way. Keep your life in balance, and you will surely go far.