exsequar: (Dublin at night)
exsequar ([personal profile] exsequar) wrote2008-11-06 11:19 pm

Hope dangles on a string, like slow spinning redemption

This morning, I woke up to an email from Dr. Rozas (my putative advisor at Trinity) telling me that two of her grant proposals were refused.

I spent about an hour total today crying or fighting back tears. I haven't had something hit me with such an emotional blow in... a long time. I couldn't even be enthusiastic about Obama today.

My tears were largely born of guilt and shame. This bears out what has been tickling at the back of my mind for a while now - going to Trinity is probably not a smart decision, academically and careerwise. But for my heart? It was the ONLY decision. So I couldn't manage to even consider denying MYSELF the chance to go to Trinity. I can't be that self-disciplined. Considering other options seemed like admitting there was a good chance it wouldn't happen. Oh, I rationalized, I argued, I reasoned, but in the end - I didn't want to admit that there was anything but Trinity.

My first reaction was to go to the GRE website and look at possible dates I could take it. It turns out this was the best impulse, and having talked to my advisor, my biochem professor, and both of my professors, I've got a plan in place. I have registered for a date to take the GRE (Dec 2) and I have looked at most of the top chemistry schools. I am limited by time (a lot of the BEST schools have application deadlines at the beginning of December) but there are a number of options still open to me, and so far I've got the following list:
  1. University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
  2. Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)
  3. University of Washington (Seattle)
This is going to be a new burden to me in this extremely stressful last month of the semester, but I think with this massive reality check, I have the motivation and drive to accomplish what needs to be done. I'll use Thanksgiving largely to write applications and study for the GRE.

To be clear, my Trinity hopes are not gone. She's applying for other grants, and still really wants me to come. However, this bucket of ice water has made me realize that I really probably *should* stay here and take advantage of our incredible schools. And be a part of the Obama revolution.

So while this extremely disappointing, I am not crushed to the ground. Will I miss all my Dublin loves? Of course. A lot. If I think about Niall and Dara and Paddy and Louise my stomach clenches uncomfortably with missing. But, you know, they won't disappear. I can go visit next summer, or take a postdoctorate position at Trinity. Who knows.

I'm still sad though :(

[identity profile] thelemic.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs* I'm sorry it looks like the thing with Trinity isn't going to work out.

I can't speak for the other two, but I know University of Michigan is definitely good. And Ann Arbor is one of my favorite towns (my grandparents live there)

[identity profile] hebrew-hernia.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
That sucks so so so hard, Anne. That being said, I know that you will end up somewhere fantastic, doing amazing things. ♥

[identity profile] mysweetsolitude.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
ahh i'm so sorry. :( ever since i left spain i've only ever thought about going back. i know what you mean about your heart. mine's still over there.

but i also just wanted to say...yayyyy university of michigan!!! :)
ext_6545: (Default)

[identity profile] bunnymcfoo.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
#3 University of Washington (Seattle)

THIS YES COME TO MEEEEE. er, i mean. i'm terribly sorry about trinity. i live on the west coast, and would love to have you end up here. so. um. <3?

[identity profile] crediniaeth.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
The University of Washington (known around these parts as 'u dub') is a really great school as well, and Seattle is... fantastic. I do hope that Trinity works out, but yay for considering something that is relatively close to me!

[identity profile] theaerosolkid.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 08:13 am (UTC)(link)
:(

bb, this is awful news. I'm so, so sorry.

ext_7299: (Default)

[identity profile] redbrickrose.livejournal.com 2008-11-07 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* Oh, honey, I'm so sorry the Trinity thing isn't working out the way you wanted! Good luck!

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* Thanks hon.

UofM is in the top 20 for Chemistry programs, so yeah, pretty good :) I hear lots of great things about Ann Arbor too. I've been there many times, ironically, but basically we just stayed with my uncle for a few days every time and then went up north to see my cousins in Lansing. Weirdly I don't think I've ever been in downtown Ann Arbor, even though I've been there dozens of times! Can you tell me what you like about it? :)

[identity profile] crystal-lily.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh honey, I'm really sorry to hear about this. :/ But I'm gonna join everyone else in saying that I'm sure you'll end up somewhere great because you are such an amazing person and you deserve nothing less. <3

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Haiiiii bb, wanna go on MSN so we can chat for the first time in FOREVER?!?

Thank you sweetheart. *hugs*

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It really does :-/ Stupid economy! I blame Bush! :P

Thank you <3

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, exactly this. The pain of missing and the need to go back still has the ability to catch me by surprise, at any moment. I miss Dublin so much :(

Ooh, do you go there?? Tell me things! What's the school like? What's Ann Arbor like? The more firsthand info the better!

[identity profile] crystal-lily.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I only have like 30 minutes, but OMG YESSSSS!

Ummm... it appears that my MSN is not really functional... you still have aim?

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Heehee. I DO have a lot of interwebs friends over on the West Coast, and that would certainly be an awesome benefit! Can you tell me anything about Seattle? <3

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I've heard great things about Seattle, but only in the abstract! Can you tell me more?? Just your general impressions that might help my decision making :)

[identity profile] exsequar.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes yes! Come to meeeee! *grabbyhands*

[identity profile] pau494.livejournal.com 2008-11-08 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Honey, I'm so sorry it might not work out. Having your heart and your mind in two different places must be hard.

I'm glad you're looking at different options, but I still want Trinity to happen for you!

<33333333

[identity profile] why-me-why-not.livejournal.com 2008-11-09 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs*