qtpi's Journal

Well, those that know me, know that I'm an electrical engineering grad student. What?!? Wow! I get that from everyone who asks me what I do. I guess I don't look like I'm really that smart or something. Anyway, I'm supposed to finish my degree in early August which is good because the baby will be due in October, so I'll have some time to relax. Well, I've come to the part of my research where I have to build my prototype. Its basically big circuit on top of a work bench, and to build this circuit I have to do some things that probably aren't that great for the baby (like melting metal which creates fumes). And also running the experiments once its built will create these electrial and magnetic fields that aren't good either (its the same idea as living near a very large power line). So anyway, against what I wanted to do, I ended up telling my supervising professor. At first he was happy for me with a big smile on his face. Then when I started talking about some of my concerns he looked like he was deep in thought trying to come up with a solution so that my stuff could still get done and my progress wouldn't slow. I really want to finish before the baby comes. So I think it was probably a good idea that I told him because now I won't be worried about being expected to do things that I'm not comfortable with. So I have another student coming to help me with the soldering on Saturday (the melting metal part) and another student who will help me in the student shop to drill holes and lift things. I can do a few things like put stuff together and screw stuff into place. My prof said I could also focus on writing parts of my thesis while I'm waiting for someone to help me. I think thats a good solution too because I can write most of my thesis, except for the experimental results part. Anyway so I'm feeling pretty good about stuff. I guess I shouldn't get too paniced if I"m behind schedule because I wanted everything done by May so I could have 2 months to write my thesis. But if I'm writing most of my thesis before hand anyway, then I guess I can go over my May deadline. I'm still eagerly waiting for my appointment on March 3rd and I pray that nothing goes wrong before then like last time. I'm trying really hard to take it easy on myself. I hope everyone else is doing ok.