My current project is still moving along, albeit much slower than I had hoped. Once it is finally done, though, I will have enough research to get one substantial paper out of it, and perhaps an additional one or two smaller papers. The slowness of all this has me riding on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at times, because I hate being in limbo. I have to say the most frustrating aspect for me is the down time, either while waiting on others who are contributing to my work or for reactions to finish. While I have been wanting to pursue other lab projects during this down time, my supervisor advised against this, saying it would be a distraction. I argued that I have the down time anyways, and he recommended I use the time to begin writing my thesis. This wasn't something I was expecting, as I didn't think one began writing a thesis until all the work is complete -- but in hindsight, it does make sense not to wait until the end to commence writing. The suggestion has provided a nice filler for the downtimes.
I've also reconciled with the pressure to finish in three years. I don't think that will happen, simply because it's not work that I'm doing solo. I can't force other researchers and equipment bookings to work around my schedule. In discussing this with some of the veterans of our group, I've learned that out of the hundred or so graduates, only two were able to finish in three years or less. One worked eighteen hour days and weekends to do so. Everyone else took longer than three years, and funding continuation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The impression I got is that funding won't be a problem, but it's just not explicitly discussed. Worst case scenario, I can finish elsewhere.
After further delays, our research group is finally going to be moving in September to our new building. My particular area won't move until the end of the month. Next week will be the last week I can do work in the lab. The following week is when we pack. The good thing about the timing of this move is the break from work. When there is no choice about the break, it makes it easier to just let things go and relax.
My break will actually be longer than just a few weeks. I am traveling to Dartmouth in October to work under Professor Paul Calvert for a month. He seems like a brilliant guy, and I expect to learn a lot from him and his group. Michelle will be in Dallas on a business trip during this time, and we join up again in Canada in early November for the last week and a half of our trip. We'll be having a look around the University of Waterloo, and I'll be giving a short presentation to the researchers there. That university has likewise been experiencing tremendous growth and investment, lately, and it may be where I park my career for awhile (or at least establish regular collaboration). We'll be looking at the neighborhoods, as well, to assess real estate (even though it's a long ways off, yet).
Once I get back here, I'll pick up my project where I left off, and I'll probably have a paper to write from my results at Dartmouth. Additionally, I'll have my annual departmental seminar to prepare. Next year promises to be busier as I take on my final project(s) and move towards wrapping everything up.
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