Breakneck speed.

[rivka]

I've found a qualified research assistant to finish collecting my data after I go back to Maryland. She graduated in May, she was the first name on every faculty member's lips when I asked for recommendations, and on the phone today she sounded like I was going to be doing her a favor by bringing her on board. We're meeting tomorrow morning so I can start explaining the study to her and showing her the procedure. I hope she's as good as she sounds.

I met with the Department of Pediatrics. They're sorry I had so much trouble recruiting my control subjects there before, and now they're willing to knock themselves out identifying subjects for me - including flagging suitable candidates in their appointment database and having a representative of the department personally approach them about my study. Not a nurse trying to do six other things - a research representative. And all of this was their idea, not me having to beg for it.

I worked out a concrete plan with John about how to address the specific sub-part of the study that wasn't working at all. We now have a revised research plan, and are attempting to set it in motion. If it doesn't work, John will help me construct an approach to my committee that will allow me to abandon that sub-part as the hopeless cause I suspect it is.

I regained, or rebuilt, a comfortable working relationship with John. Prior to this trip, the very thought of him or sight of his name in my inbox sent my heart into the pit of my stomach. Now things are okay between us.

I got happy about my dissertation research again.

I'm very tired, and this trip isn't over yet - nor am I going to be able to slack off any time soon. But I'm so pleased with what I'm accomplishing. And I really believe that this will be the start of a new leaf. Because I. Must. Finish.

Comments

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

i believe that i speak for many people when i say

wooooohoooo!

[wcg.livejournal.com]

All right! Sounds like a very productive day. I'm happy for you darling.

Bill

[mittelbar.livejournal.com]

Well, gosh. :-)

[jodawi.livejournal.com]

Maybe your research assistant feels like finishing my electrical engineering masters thesis for me after she's done?

All i had to do (as i recall) to get the degree was to finish writing the damned thing. But i was insufficiently interested.

[(Anonymous)]

Wow. You are friggin' amazing, my dear. Maybe once you're back, we can talk again and you can send some of that feeling my way?

-impressedJ

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Go Rivka!

[redbird]

Oh, excellent!

Thanks for sharing the good news.