W17 Dead and Finals Week

Today, I had my last class as a graduate student. I was using Skype to attend Anth 586 or Research Mentorship once a week. There is no final, so that was it. 

Over the course of the quarter in 586, we discussed all sort of important topics like getting funding and grant writing, how to find a job, how to write an abstract, how to give a presentation, what makes a good conference poster, thesis time lines and much more. I really appreciate Dr. Sean Bruna at WWU letting me Skype in each week. I miss hanging out with the other grad students and being on campus. I am enjoying being home with my family, though. Track season just started and I don't have to miss any meets this year. 

I'm am officially behind two chapters according to my thesis timeline. I should also be starting data collection again, but I don't think it's ever going to stop snowing. STOP SNOWING ALREADY!!!  I can't put out liver to see if flies colonize it if it's too cold for flies to be out yet. 

I am not taking any classes or thesis credits spring quarter. I am still considered a student, but I won't be incurring any more student loan debt or use up my thesis credits, which I might need later if I can't start data collection until late summer because IT WON'T STOP SNOWING! 

I don't feel like I got enough done this quarter, but I am going to buckle down and get to writing. It was suggested in my class that I start with my methods section, so that is what I am going to do. In my next blog update, I WILL have something written.