We returned from VA Beach late last night - much later than anticipated. On our way home, we got a call from our favorite C-ville friends who were pleading for help with their flat tire fiasco, so we helped them out, which didn't get us actually home home until 10:30pm. We were both tired from a weekend of beach fun, good food, and great friends, as well as from long drives in a LOUD Jeep and flat tire rescues. All in all, it was a great trip and nice to have such wonderful friend, whom you can go months without seeing yet feel like you haven't skipped a beat when you do!

Over the weekend, I got an email from our department secretary letting me know that the director (and my favorite prof) would like me to speak to the incoming grad students during our department orientation. My first reaction: "Great." My second: "Why me??" My third: "What will I possibly have to say??" My fourth: "This must mean they like me." And now: "I guess I will do it, but I don't know what to tell anyone and what this means for my future in the department." I suspect it means it will be harder for me to slip out post MA than I thought. Of course, because of my ridiculous insecurities, my other thought was "All my colleagues will think it is really stupid that the department picked me to do this and they will think I don't deserve it and don't have anything of value to say." *Sigh* I really need to get over the self doubt.

That said, I gotta jet. I'm working at my fellowship today and actually managed to be able to sign onto the computer in my office and waste time while my supervisor is out and I'm making "phone calls." Four phone calls doesn't take nearly long enough.