John,
I am really struggling with crystallizing my product (so I don't have NMR on it yet). I think I understand the concept, but I am having difficulty putting it into practice. I'll talk to Andy about it today. I came in yesterday, and earlier this morning, and I am just not having any success. I'm not sure if I'm just using the wrong solvents, or what.
Also, in anticipation of maybe being able to run an NMR, I attempted to blow an NMR tube (onto the vacuum attachment - whatever it's called) and it was also a miserable failure...let's just say that I suppose I took your advice to heart about making mistakes...now I just need help with the fixing. I had a few moments this weekend where I could sense that my head was 'starting to go down,' or however you put it so well. Then I thought back to what you said last week, and I kept on trying. I'm feeling a little discouraged/frustrated, because I feel like I should have a better idea of what I'm doing, yet I keep on coming up against stumbling blocks. I mean, this is the first time I've come in on a Saturday and a Sunday...and EARLY on a Monday (for me, that is HUGE), and I almost felt like crying due to the lack of visible progress (and because I feel like I should be doing better than I am).
I am trying to believe what you told me last week about how you know that I am capable of the PhD, and that I just need to believe it. I'm going to keep on trying to keep my head up!
I'll talk to you soon,
Janine
January 31, 2005
January 11, 2005
So it begins...
Today we (by we I mean the Chem department) had a meeting for all Gen Chem TAs. And so it begins. A brand new year. I am looking forward to my classes. One is full at 24, and the other has half as many students. I did get the Big Orange Screw, with a 3:35-6:35 lab on Fridays. Won't that be swell. I think that this is the first time I've gotten the Screw, though, which is pretty good for five years. I'm only taking one class this semester, and most of my days don't start too early, which is good for me. I do want to make more of an effort to be punctual, and more of an early riser this semester, but that's off to a dismal start. We'll see what the new year brings.
This weekend was fun. I am so glad to be back in Knoxville with friends and Calvary. I feel so at home here, and I love the weather! (I don't care how unwintery it feels. I'll take 70s in January any day!) I had an absolute blast on Friday, going over to Rachel and Emily's house, and then going dancing with Sonya and Lori. I love to dance! I've been doing it since I was, what, 4? Good times. (Even then, I was taller than all the other girls. Not that I've been feeling self-conscious lately about being tall, despite wearing great heels...I need to keep in mind that Uma Thurman is 6', and Nicole Kidman is 5'11" - and they look fabulous.)
On a side note, I have been mulling over all the eating out I did last year, and the effect that it (and my sweet tooth) have had on my health and my wallet. I'm thinking of cutting back...but I love getting to see and talk with BASIC on Sundays. Maybe we'll find another way to get together without going out to eat. We'll have to see.
Well, that's all the randomness for now.
Ciao,
J9
This weekend was fun. I am so glad to be back in Knoxville with friends and Calvary. I feel so at home here, and I love the weather! (I don't care how unwintery it feels. I'll take 70s in January any day!) I had an absolute blast on Friday, going over to Rachel and Emily's house, and then going dancing with Sonya and Lori. I love to dance! I've been doing it since I was, what, 4? Good times. (Even then, I was taller than all the other girls. Not that I've been feeling self-conscious lately about being tall, despite wearing great heels...I need to keep in mind that Uma Thurman is 6', and Nicole Kidman is 5'11" - and they look fabulous.)
On a side note, I have been mulling over all the eating out I did last year, and the effect that it (and my sweet tooth) have had on my health and my wallet. I'm thinking of cutting back...but I love getting to see and talk with BASIC on Sundays. Maybe we'll find another way to get together without going out to eat. We'll have to see.
Well, that's all the randomness for now.
Ciao,
J9
January 07, 2005
Back in Knoxvegas!!
Ahhhh, home sweet Knoxville. I am SO glad to be back. Let's just say that there was some craziness at home. [deleted] Other unfortunate things when I was home - my uncle, Jim, suffered from a burst appendix, emergency appendectomy, hemodialysis, and a collapsed lung. We were called at about 2 am on Thursday morning by someone at the hospital, saying that they didn't think that he would make it, but (by the grace of God) he is now stabilized, and his lung is inflating again.
In terms of other good news from home, I was overjoyed to hear that my cousin has recovered from Hodgkin's Lymphoma! Praise be to God! She doesn't even have to go through all of the chemo treatments she thought she would have to have, and she will begin radiation therapy next month (I think) to kick the cancer's butt, once and for all! Thanks so much to all of my friends who have been praying for her so faithfully since I mentioned it as a prayer request last fall. I saw her when I was home, and she still has her hair, and she was in great spirits. What a testament to the power of prayer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In other news, if anyone is planning on actually seeing the ball drop live, just to let you know, you have to get to Times Square by about 5 pm, because that's when they lock down the streets. If you get there at, say, I don't know, 11 pm, you won't be able to even get within two blocks - unless you meet up with two sisters who are in the military and can talk their way into anything. Then the NYPD might let you through...but let's just say that I was able to hear everyone cheer when 2005 rolled around. Along with all the other people who didn't make it on TV. I got some great pics of NYC (to come later).
To recap about Germany, too, the nativity went wonderfully. I had a quiet first Christmas day with my 96-year old Oma. On the second Christmas day, I had Kaffee (coffee - for those of you who are too tired to figure that out) with some friends of the family. That included five Torte. Just to clarify what that means, Kuchen translates to cakes. Torte means cakes, too, but better cake. Delicious! There is nothing quite like German chocolate, pastries, cookies, cakes...basically anything sweet. Out of this world good.
Well, the long drive down here is starting to hit me, so I'm going to sign off.
Enjoy the weekend!
J9
P.S. For anyone who is interested, I think I just might have an assortment of those aforementioned German sweets that I need to have taken off my hands!
In terms of other good news from home, I was overjoyed to hear that my cousin has recovered from Hodgkin's Lymphoma! Praise be to God! She doesn't even have to go through all of the chemo treatments she thought she would have to have, and she will begin radiation therapy next month (I think) to kick the cancer's butt, once and for all! Thanks so much to all of my friends who have been praying for her so faithfully since I mentioned it as a prayer request last fall. I saw her when I was home, and she still has her hair, and she was in great spirits. What a testament to the power of prayer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
In other news, if anyone is planning on actually seeing the ball drop live, just to let you know, you have to get to Times Square by about 5 pm, because that's when they lock down the streets. If you get there at, say, I don't know, 11 pm, you won't be able to even get within two blocks - unless you meet up with two sisters who are in the military and can talk their way into anything. Then the NYPD might let you through...but let's just say that I was able to hear everyone cheer when 2005 rolled around. Along with all the other people who didn't make it on TV. I got some great pics of NYC (to come later).
To recap about Germany, too, the nativity went wonderfully. I had a quiet first Christmas day with my 96-year old Oma. On the second Christmas day, I had Kaffee (coffee - for those of you who are too tired to figure that out) with some friends of the family. That included five Torte. Just to clarify what that means, Kuchen translates to cakes. Torte means cakes, too, but better cake. Delicious! There is nothing quite like German chocolate, pastries, cookies, cakes...basically anything sweet. Out of this world good.
Well, the long drive down here is starting to hit me, so I'm going to sign off.
Enjoy the weekend!
J9
P.S. For anyone who is interested, I think I just might have an assortment of those aforementioned German sweets that I need to have taken off my hands!
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