Sexy, Innocent Child-Woman

Of reprieves and words of encouragement

I'm supposed to be pulling an all-nighter to finish my statistics assignment (WAAAAAH!) that's due tomorrow, but I just found out my professor gave us an extension till Friday, 3PM because he's still feeling sick and he wasn't around for consultation last Friday. So I'm taking a minute to update my blog. God is good--not because my professor got sick but because he was nice enough to give us an extension. God knows I could use the extension. I had such a full weekend because I presented at my school's "A Calling to Justice" conference last Saturday (and got a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card) and went to Johnna's going away party later that evening. I didn't get home till past 2AM or something, so I slept in on Sunday morning and I didn't get to work on the assignment till 4PM. And last night, Katrina and I went grocery shopping and we ended up talking for a bit after we got home (aside from replacing the light bulbs in the kitchen and my lampshade and having dinner, that is). Since I babysat for Gabriella yesterday, I was sooooo tired last night, so I passed out (translation: fell asleep from exhaustion) at around 9PM. I got up at 6AM, but I fell asleep again and didn't wake up till 830AM or something. I got to work on my stats assignment this morning but God knows how slow I am with numbers. So I'm really glad I got an extension.

On the other hand, had I known we were gonna get an extension, I would have gone to the get-together at my nun-friends' place in Rogers Park last Sunday, or done an interview with one of the house managers at my thesis site. But hey, I'm not complaining. I can't thank God enough for the extension.

Speaking of extensions, my course-mate Kristin gave me till Friday to turn in my nomination for Dr. Judy Wittner, the graduate program director of the Sociology program and one of my favorite professors. I was supposed to turn it in yesterday, but it slipped my mind, what with statistics and all. So yeah, God is good.

I hope I can babysit till 4PM tomorrow, since I'm not meeting with the undergrads I work with at my assistantship (they have a talk to attend or something). N's dad usually comes in at 1PM now because I have to leave by 1PM on Wednesdays in order to make it to my 140PM meetings. I know the change in my schedule is on short notice, but I hope N takes me up on my offer. Paalis na rin lang naman ako. By the way, I finally told N yesterday I won't be able to babysit for Gabriella anymore because I need to focus on my master's thesis. She told me, "You gotta do what you gotta do." And she said Gabriella would miss me. I know I'll miss Gabriella, too. I know I used to bitch about babysitting in the past because there were times when I couldn't deal with N's personality, but she's all right now. We actually get along much better. And Gabriella is just the sweetest baby ever. Although she has her moods, it wasn't difficult to take care of her at all. There were times when I felt underpaid, since I've heard the going rate for babysitters is $10-$12/hour (or even $12-$14/hour) and I'm only getting $8/hour, but still my babysitting job wasn't a bad racket. I know I should focus on my schoolwork and my other job, and that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Goodbye raket muna ako.

***

I spoke with the dean of the School of Social Work during the reception for the Bachelor's of Social Work and Philanthropy Certificate Program (of which I'm a student) this afternoon. He gave me invaluable advice on how to deal with my life as a Ph.D. student. Apparently, someone told him the same thing when he was getting his doctorate. Here goes:

#1. You only have to do this (get your doctorate) once.
#2. It will get done.
#3. Celebrate every achievement.

He has no idea how much I needed to hear those words. I've been feeling burned out with school and work since last semester and there have been times when I wondered if I should just quit (although my good friend Grace told me I'd be an idiot to quit now). So I'll keep going and by the grace of God, I know I'll get my Ph.D.--hopefully, before I turn 30.

found herself @ 11:12 PM