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the little things
Dec. 3rd, 2008 07:26 amMonday, I threw down the book I was studying and picked up the phone. There is a point at which one needs to recognize one is not getting any farther until one makes some time and effort for oneself.
So, I got a haircut.
Last haircut was in early September, and it held up amazingly well. But once again it was long enough to tie back, and that was vexing. So despite three different people complimenting me on how much they liked my hair over thanksgiving, I'd made up my mind.
So I got a nice shampoo and headmassage, and a leisurely cut with good conversation, and I felt worlds better. Nick says it looks a little dykey, but I think it's cute. And so much lighter.
Then, the grades for the stats exam were released. I knew I'd gotten things wrong– I didn't even get down the hall before going 'Oh Crap'. But there was an extra credit question on the exam as well, and I knew I'd nailed that one. We haven't gotten the exams back yet (they make copies for the department office?!), but apparently she was as generous as possible and I somehow with the help of the extra credit got a 100%.
And from the mean and median scores, this exam was only a little easier than the last— average score was 71.5%, and half of the class got below a 76%. Last exam, the average was 73%, and half the class got below a 72%.
I said something irrelevant to her on the way out, like 'have a good day' or some such. 'Oh!' she said. 'I was so happy to grade your exam, you did so much better. Now! Now I expect great things from you. I expect you to do very well on final!'
'Oh no!' Honestly, this was a bit worrisome. But I couldn't help from smiling anyway.
...
If she had a decent TA, the class would be fine. Her instruction drives me crazy at times, mostly in the area of semantics. But there is no denying that she's brilliant and means well.
Its hard to explain just how much better I was feeling overall yesterday afternoon. It's the little things.
ETA: And the sunrise this morning was spectacular; a ruddy fire surrounded the capitol dome while the washington monument was still shrouded in indigo sky. So pretty.
So, I got a haircut.
Last haircut was in early September, and it held up amazingly well. But once again it was long enough to tie back, and that was vexing. So despite three different people complimenting me on how much they liked my hair over thanksgiving, I'd made up my mind.
So I got a nice shampoo and headmassage, and a leisurely cut with good conversation, and I felt worlds better. Nick says it looks a little dykey, but I think it's cute. And so much lighter.
Then, the grades for the stats exam were released. I knew I'd gotten things wrong– I didn't even get down the hall before going 'Oh Crap'. But there was an extra credit question on the exam as well, and I knew I'd nailed that one. We haven't gotten the exams back yet (they make copies for the department office?!), but apparently she was as generous as possible and I somehow with the help of the extra credit got a 100%.
And from the mean and median scores, this exam was only a little easier than the last— average score was 71.5%, and half of the class got below a 76%. Last exam, the average was 73%, and half the class got below a 72%.
I said something irrelevant to her on the way out, like 'have a good day' or some such. 'Oh!' she said. 'I was so happy to grade your exam, you did so much better. Now! Now I expect great things from you. I expect you to do very well on final!'
'Oh no!' Honestly, this was a bit worrisome. But I couldn't help from smiling anyway.
...
If she had a decent TA, the class would be fine. Her instruction drives me crazy at times, mostly in the area of semantics. But there is no denying that she's brilliant and means well.
Its hard to explain just how much better I was feeling overall yesterday afternoon. It's the little things.
ETA: And the sunrise this morning was spectacular; a ruddy fire surrounded the capitol dome while the washington monument was still shrouded in indigo sky. So pretty.
