Brief Job and Teaching Update

First, and most importantly -- my research babies gave their presentations today, and they did a WONDERFUL job! Sure, I still haven't seen two of their papers (although one did submit it), and sure, none of them practiced and it was totally evident! but I think the way I structured the garbage-fire curriculum I was given actually worked well. We focused on the process rather than the product, and I think it really did help the kiddos. One of my darling ducklings did not find a confirmation for his research question, but he was able to talk about what he did, what he learned, what he might do differently, and it was great! No results is actually a result! I am so proud and still so annoyed with them, but the annoyance is much lower and really, I think, fair. The procrastination (she wailed, as if she doesn't have a stack of compositions to grade that have been waiting for at least a week)!

I complained about the kiddos to a wise friend, who said, "Wow! It sounds like you're all actually dealing really well considering all the trauma, and the bs these kids are pulling is of the totally normal adolescent variety, which is wonderful in the circumstances!" And it is!

On the job front. I'm still bitter about Vilnius. I declined a second interview with Sofia. I should have an interview with Hsinchu, Taiwan, next week. Fingers and toes crossed that I will be able to choose between two or three equally good things in the next few weeks. And that I make it through the end of the year without yeeting a teen into the sun.