Could I have some Dust, Pretty Please?

[AmberGretchen]

OK, so I''ve been much more of a lurker than an active participant around here the last few months, because I''ve been working my tail off trying to collect data for my thesis - I''m about 3.5 years into a PhD in Immunology (study of the immune system - I work on HIV).

I have a thesis committee meeting next Monday morning, where I''m going to pitch the theoretical framework for my thesis project to my committee, and hope that they agree that if I do everything I''m outlining/proposing, that will constitute a completed thesis. This would also mean I could be done in about another year, which would be amazing.

I''ve been working so hard on this, but its very frustrating - every time I send my advisor a new draft, he keeps adding things I need to know, articles I need to read and incorporate, and then wants a whole new re-written draft by the next day (in the meantime I''m still doing experiments because I have samples coming in).

At this point, I''m so anxious about it I actually cried a little bit at my lab today, which is something I would normally NEVER do. So even though I''m going to be working so so so hard between now and then to do the best job I possibly can, I could use a little PS fairy dust to help me get through it all. So please, if anyone has dust that they''d be willing to share, I could use it right about now!

 

[iheartscience]

Loads of PS dust heading your way! Best of luck to you on your PhD!

ETA that my 3 kitties told me to send even more dust your way from them since you're such a knowledgeable animal lover and animal friend!

 

[somethingshiny]

3..2..1 HUGE bucket of dust launched!

Stay optimistic, sounds like you''re doing great!!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Of course you can have some dust! Wishing you the best of luck ... you will be fabulous - All of your time and effort will pay off!

 

[strmrdr]

You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You will blow their socks off!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Good luck to you! Sending you much dust!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/4/2008 11:36:12 PM
Author:AmberGretchen
OK, so I've been much more of a lurker than an active participant around here the last few months, because I've been working my tail off trying to collect data for my thesis - I'm about 3.5 years into a PhD in Immunology (study of the immune system - I work on HIV).

I have a thesis committee meeting next Monday morning, where I'm going to pitch the theoretical framework for my thesis project to my committee, and hope that they agree that if I do everything I'm outlining/proposing, that will constitute a completed thesis. This would also mean I could be done in about another year, which would be amazing.

I've been working so hard on this, but its very frustrating - every time I send my advisor a new draft, he keeps adding things I need to know, articles I need to read and incorporate, and then wants a whole new re-written draft by the next day (in the meantime I'm still doing experiments because I have samples coming in).

At this point, I'm so anxious about it I actually cried a little bit at my lab today, which is something I would normally NEVER do. So even though I'm going to be working so so so hard between now and then to do the best job I possibly can, I could use a little PS fairy dust to help me get through it all. So please, if anyone has dust that they'd be willing to share, I could use it right about now!

AmberGretchen,
Can I just give you a HUGE hug?? The work you are doing , is so needed. I am not being a downer, but I wish people like YOU were around when I lost my brother to HIV. So with that in mind sweetie, I send you buckets and buckets ot PS fairy dust, your reasearch will help many. You know, I tear up reading how important this is to you. And at the same time, it's so important to me. That's something that makes me smile. You have always touched me in a positive way. So good luck, you have your heart behind this, so rock it!!!

Lisa

 

[AmberGretchen]

Aww...thanks you guys. Its so nice to get such lovely wishes so quickly

Helps motivate me to go get ready for bed so I can get plenty of sleep and be extra-productive tomorrow (fingers crossed), especially since the boss wants another draft by "the late afternoon" (his words) with changes he sent this morning

 

[Selkie]

Ugh, advisors. They''re all the same! Good luck, lots of dust coming your way! You know your stuff, and you''ll do great!

 

[robbie3982]

Good luck! Tons of dust coming your way!

 

[LegacyGirl]

Oh good luck!! Here''s lots of dust your way!

 

[isaku5]

Truckloads of fairy dust coming your way!!!You''re working very hard to lead the way in helpful research for so many. I applaud your choive of thesis topic

Best of luck and many hugs for blowing them away with your research

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Ton-o-dust! Keep going girlie, Dr. AG sounds fab!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Maisie]

Good luck!!!

 

[allycat0303]

Hey AmberGretchen,

Too long since I''ve seen you. Here is to truckloads of PS fairy dust. Hang in there! Hopefully you will be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Hugs! Keep us updated.

 

[mercoledi]

I hear ya, I''m in year 7 of my PhD, oddly also on HIV. First, Kudos to you for being so far along in 3.5 years and to being so proactive with your dissertation outline.

Second, loads of dust! Stay motivated! The work we do is really really hard and it''s easy to forget that when all your time is spent in lab. I started seeing a counseller this year for stress/anxiety and it really helps, so maybe see what resources your university offers to you. It sounds like a little thing, but it can make a big difference.

Hang in there!

Lemme see if I can borrow DKS''s dust-loaded sand blaster...

 

[scarleta]

"use a little PS fairy dust"
Amber Gretchen: you have got my good wishes coming to you..

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks so much everyone - just checking these responses in the middle of a killer long library day and its really helping me stay motivated to keep pushing through. I have about 3 more hours to finish this draft, so I''m going to get back to that now, but please know how much each and every good thought helps.

 

[Skippy123]

Sprinkle sprinkle!!! Hope that helps and it will all be worth it once you are done!!! I have a friend who published a book from his thesis which is pretty cool!

 

[bee*]

Best of luck!! hope that it goes well for you.

 

[Delster]

Oh Amber I feel your pain! My supervisor once gave me TWO WEEKS to write 30,000 words FROM SCRATCH! He just announced ''hey, you should write something on topic x, have 30,000 words to me in two weeks!''. I had just gotten off a transatlantic flight and was too zonked to object. I still have no idea how I managed to pull that one out of the bag.

Hang in there, you can do this!!! We are all rooting for you big time!!! Go go go girl!!! It''s super thesis week!!!

 

[FireGoddess]

I just saw this AG and I hope you got your draft done! I''ve been there (literally) as you know and it can get quite frustrating and nerve wracking sometimes! Just keep on going girl, with lots of *sprinkle*sprinkle*sprinkle* from here! And head bonks and purrs from the girls of course.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks a lot you guys - it really helps to hear from others who have been there and know that its not just me

I did get the draft of my thesis proposal off successfully (no idea how good it is, but its different than the last one), now I''m going to hit the gym for 30 minutes or so to clear my head and then start working on the presentation portion of things...

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Good luck!!!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

It worked for me, girl- so here ya go **SPRINKLE**

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks Chargr - I''m SO GLAD to hear that the fairy dust worked for you - congrats

Lisa - also, I''m so sorry I didn''t respond earlier to your beautiful post. I am so sorry, from the bottom of my heart, for what I''m sure was a devastating loss of your brother. I hope it will comfort you at least a little bit to know that the people I work with in this field are some of the brightest and most passionate people you could ever meet. They eat, sleep and breathe this work and I have faith that if they can''t find the answers to this devastating disease then no one can.

 

[BlueJeans]

Oh no am I too late!!!

Here''s some extra special dust! Wooosh bang!

Allright let me know how it goes!

 

[RadiantMe]

AmberGretchen,
I just want to say I commend you. You are obviously a caring and passionate person to put all of your time and heart into researching an epidemic that affects others. I wish you all the dust in the world because its people like you who help to change it for the better.
Good Luck.

RadiantMe

 

[AmberGretchen]

Thanks you guys. Bluejeans - you''re definitely not too late, the meeting isn''t until Monday morning (sadly, I wish it was sooner so I could just get it over with

).

I really really appreciate all the dust and support.

 

[princesss]

*dustdustdust* Best of luck!