Thursday, September 17, 2009

PSA

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT try to write your thesis while working full time.

DO NOT.

I have the shortest fuse I have ever had in my life. The other day, when going to pick up Mr. Phizz from the airport, I called his airline to see the status of his flight. The stupid voice recognition didn't understand me, even though I was saying simple words like, "Yes." Finally, after a few foiled attempts to get the answers I wanted, I yelled "YES!!!!" so loudly that the sigproc filter on the other end detected that I was deranged and said, "I will transfer you to an agent immediately." I had heard rumors before that all you have to do to talk to a human is shout or curse, but this is the first time little old me ever got to that point.

More recently, I have found myself wanting to cry randomly. Just now, my advisor kindly told me to rest and take a break. I was so touched that I almost started to cry. I am sort of crying now. I am so tired.

I wanted to complain to someone, but Mr. Phizz is asleep and I was pacing around my room, holding back tears and frenetically trying to hold it together.

That's when I decided to blog. Thank you blogosphere, for being the receptable for my venting. I am sorry I haven't paid attention to any of you lately. I hope you understand.

15 comments:

ScientistMother said...

we understand. whether you were working or not I think writing a thesis is an extremely stressful and tiring process. It is OK to feel the way your do. Hugs

MomPhDstudent said...

Oh my dear CPD.. I hope you get over this phase soon...You are almost there.

Alyssa said...

Crying during writing is perfectly normal...I hope :S

Hang in there, PD - you'll get there. And if you have to take it out on a voice-recognition system (which are annoying in the first place) once in a while, then so be it :)

Professor in Training said...

I know it's a difficult time but just try to put your head down and crank it out. Make a list of small, attainable goals for each writing session and keep chipping away at it until it's done. You'll get there :)

ScienceGirl said...

Sometimes a little crying can help relieve the pressure ;) Hang in there, soon, it will be over!

Anonymous said...

I often find crying cathartic, getting it off my chest makes me feel better.
Sending virtual chocolate to make it better (or at least tastier).

blank said...

I have no job and between finishing off in the lab and trying get the silly thesis written, I cry. Lots. And I panic. And freak out. And usually once I manage to stop panicing long enough to sit down and organise something, so that I can achieve something I feel better. But it only lasts so long before the next wave will set in.

And wow for the tiredness. Pure exhaustion, but can't stop yet :(

So don't feel bad about the tiredness and the crying and the short fuse. Myself and two friends are all aiming to submit end of october, and I swear I could have written your post. Well not the shouting at the voice bit, I haven't had to do that yet. But I did give out to the chatty peoples in the office.

Nicky said...

Ugh, hang in there. I'm starting to have freak outs, and I'm still several months away....

Unknown said...

Awwww. Hang in there Phizz. I know how you feel. This kind of frustration won't last forever, but as long as it does feel free to vent. We'll listen.

PhizzleDizzle said...

thank you all....

i am SO CLOSE....i can taste it!!!!!!!!

Ioana Burcea said...

It's ok to have a short fuse. Just have patience with yourself. Months from now everything will feel much better.

Amanda@Lady Scientist said...

I've always considered crying and yelling (at machines) kind of like that little valve on a pressure cooker. (Come to think of it, isn't that what this whole graduate process really is?) So, don't feel too bad about that. I know that you can make it through. And we're always here to listen to you vent.

Gail Carmichael said...

Thinking of you in this last stretch!

PhizzleDizzle said...

You all are so kind!! Your encouraging comments really do help :). Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Silver Fox said...

Sorry, belatedly, that you've been having a rough time.

Re: phone calls. Sometimes pressing zero will do it, sometimes pressing zero 2-5 times in a row will, sometimes holding zero permanently will. Bleeping phones! (Didn't know about the yelling, cursing angle before.)