Laughing hysterically

See, I knew this would happen, I just thought I would have another week. But, alas, nature has worked against me and thus, I have the flu, which automatically puts me behind in the homework department. Do you know how hard it is to read and take notes and make sense of Russian history/gender theory/Jewish history/collapse of the Soviet Union, when you're sick. I don't understand gender theory when I'm not sick. In addition, I have funding applications due on Feb. 7th that I absolutely have to fill out this weekend. And I still have to attend lecture this afternoon. But I'm driving instead of taking the bus, because I get motion sick. I have, however, e-mailed all my friends to let them know to stay off the streets during the times I'm driving, just for their safety (unless they may be competing with me in the future job market; I forgot to e-mail those people). This is when I wish I had a boyfriend. I need milk, tampons and a DVD to watch this weekend. And there's a package at the post 0ffice, and I have to swing by the bookstore to get those two books I have to read by next Friday (along with the other six books I have to read by then, and that might actually be underestimating it). So a man this weekend could be useful; he could pick up all that crap and bring me a hot cup of tea every 20 minutes. And order me a pizza and better yet, pay for the pizza.

As if the flu weren't enough, I got some extremely bad news. For some stupid, idiotic, unknown, unexplainable reason, even if I take my pre-lims in the fall, I will not be dissertator status until the spring semester. For those of you who are wondering why it even matters, let me explain it. All the applications for research funding are due between Nov. and March. You have to be a dissertator to qualify and apply for funding. Therefore, I will miss half the deadlines for funding, which could possibly put me a year behind in my research. Yes, there are other things I can do for research during that year, but that's not the point. The point is, if I take my pre-lims, then I am a dissertator and want to start working on my dissertation. I told my advisor this last night, and she was very nice about the whole thing and said it wasn't my fault (which it isn't) and that I am exactly where I should be with everything else. I'm meeting with the department advisor on Monday to figure this out. I'll let you know how it turns out.

And finally, my friend Andrea, who is getting married, is calling me every week to give me wedding updates. I'm happy for her, I know she's excited, but if I ever get married again, I'm eloping. It's not worth the money, the time, the aggravation. Besides, everyone in my family whose had a successful marriage eloped: my grandparents (57 years), my parents (27 years), my aunt's third marriage (1 year). (ok, maybe that last one wasn't a good example).

ok, I'm going to crawl back to the couch and read about the collapse of the USSR. I'd rather be taking a nap! Hope everyone feels better than me.

Stacia