What a frantic few weeks it's been. Just when I was finally pulling myself together to start on that paper for the Tasmania conference, they informed me that the grant was not approved, and instead, I would go Chicago.
What followed was a mad scramble to make bookings for the trip and to rush out all the work needed for Chicago (and apparently, I still need to write that paper for Tasmania, even if I'm not going!). No, wait--first, I had to convince myself to go. When it became clear I would possibly be staying there and taking the flight by myself, I hesitated. It's all very new to me: my first trip to the US, first overseas conference, and first working trip. I know, I know, I was just waxing lyrical about getting lost in a foreign place in the last entry, but pontification is pontification; gettting lost in transit is quite another thing!
My work neighbour "counselled" me and told me to step out of my comfort zone and just go! He said no matter what happens, it'll turn out OK. The persistent optimist. :) I agreed with him; it would be a good experience, or at the least, edifying. I've got to learn to be more independent, and this would be a start.
I spent an entire day in the office calling 1 agency after another, chasing after some very scarce air tickets and accommodation. My office mates, seeing how frantic I was, helped out by passing me agency numbers, websites etc.
Anyway, the frenzy hasn't ended--I have papers to write, work meetings to prepare and other details to settle. That means lots of overtime for the past week and the next. I'm starting to feel the onset of sickness already. And although I still feel some apprehension, I'm looking forward to exploring the city and its tapestry of art and architecture. I just hope the jet lag won't be too bad. :)
What followed was a mad scramble to make bookings for the trip and to rush out all the work needed for Chicago (and apparently, I still need to write that paper for Tasmania, even if I'm not going!). No, wait--first, I had to convince myself to go. When it became clear I would possibly be staying there and taking the flight by myself, I hesitated. It's all very new to me: my first trip to the US, first overseas conference, and first working trip. I know, I know, I was just waxing lyrical about getting lost in a foreign place in the last entry, but pontification is pontification; gettting lost in transit is quite another thing!
My work neighbour "counselled" me and told me to step out of my comfort zone and just go! He said no matter what happens, it'll turn out OK. The persistent optimist. :) I agreed with him; it would be a good experience, or at the least, edifying. I've got to learn to be more independent, and this would be a start.
I spent an entire day in the office calling 1 agency after another, chasing after some very scarce air tickets and accommodation. My office mates, seeing how frantic I was, helped out by passing me agency numbers, websites etc.
Anyway, the frenzy hasn't ended--I have papers to write, work meetings to prepare and other details to settle. That means lots of overtime for the past week and the next. I'm starting to feel the onset of sickness already. And although I still feel some apprehension, I'm looking forward to exploring the city and its tapestry of art and architecture. I just hope the jet lag won't be too bad. :)
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