Oh, Mondays
Oct. 17th, 2005 02:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tarigwaemirSherman Fairchild, on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch
So, I wasn't terribly coherent about it before, but last Friday I pulled an all-nighter churning out a draft of a paper that summarized the results of the research project I've been working on since the summer after freshman year, and on Saturday, I spent nearly four hours editing it in order to submit it to this Young Generation Technical and Leadership Conference (YGTLC) that the KSEA is sponsoring in January. (In other words, a trip to LA, an opportunity to practice presenting my project, etc. Also, a chance to reunite with people I met in Korea over the summer, although all the people I actually kept in touch with live in other countries so clearly this last is hardly a motivating factor.)
Anyway, they call it a conference, but it's hardly as professional as it sounds. They accept papers previously written for classes as well as essays on the Korean-American experience (yes, I'm serious) or "global networking among young Korean scientists" (in other words, a recapitulation of YGF and how unforgettable it was, blah blah blah). Since I knew I would have to write way too much of this kind of nonsense for grad school and scholarship applications next year, I decided to spare myself and use the opportunity constructively by writing up an actual technical paper instead. Which was a good learning experience. No, really. Except...
Today I get an email in my inbox saying that the deadline for applications has been extended to the end of the month. Oh wonderful.You could have said this before so I wouldn't have wasted all my time on Saturday revising that paper instead of doing actual homework. You know, this whole postponing business wouldn't have been necessary if they didn't notify people of the event a month before papers were due.
Not that I'm all that surprised. KSEA events all seem really haphazardly organized. I mean, I sent in my YGF application two days late because no one told me about it until the day before it was due, and I wasn't even the last person to apply. Nonetheless, I think the people running the event must be pretty inept. I mean, the kendo club puts together a huge intercollegiate event like the Shoryuhai every year (which has several times as many participants), and even when the club was down to about four members, we still pulled it off with more flair and discipline. It may have been a huge organizational mess behind the scenes, but at least no one else could tell. >_<
Why am I putting all this energy into these events again? Oh right, scholarships. And connections. And one more line on my distressingly short resume. Sometimes I disgust myself.
I've been reading the friends list but haven't been leaving comments at all, despite all the great fic that's being posted. ;_; Shall make more attempts to leave feedback once I stop feeling so guilty about being behind on schoolwork. Also, I will catch up on the email backlog tonight. Yes, I will.
Yours &c.
Post-script: To put a cap on everything, I've just read today's uplifting message (see bottom of this post), which tells me to "show your scars" and to "not be afraid of getting hurt". Hah. Please don't tell me something like that when I have to grit my teeth and receive who-knows-how-many kote strikes in a couple of weeks. Then the entire world can see the beautiful red and purple bruises that will flower all along my right forearm.
So, I wasn't terribly coherent about it before, but last Friday I pulled an all-nighter churning out a draft of a paper that summarized the results of the research project I've been working on since the summer after freshman year, and on Saturday, I spent nearly four hours editing it in order to submit it to this Young Generation Technical and Leadership Conference (YGTLC) that the KSEA is sponsoring in January. (In other words, a trip to LA, an opportunity to practice presenting my project, etc. Also, a chance to reunite with people I met in Korea over the summer, although all the people I actually kept in touch with live in other countries so clearly this last is hardly a motivating factor.)
Anyway, they call it a conference, but it's hardly as professional as it sounds. They accept papers previously written for classes as well as essays on the Korean-American experience (yes, I'm serious) or "global networking among young Korean scientists" (in other words, a recapitulation of YGF and how unforgettable it was, blah blah blah). Since I knew I would have to write way too much of this kind of nonsense for grad school and scholarship applications next year, I decided to spare myself and use the opportunity constructively by writing up an actual technical paper instead. Which was a good learning experience. No, really. Except...
Today I get an email in my inbox saying that the deadline for applications has been extended to the end of the month. Oh wonderful.
Not that I'm all that surprised. KSEA events all seem really haphazardly organized. I mean, I sent in my YGF application two days late because no one told me about it until the day before it was due, and I wasn't even the last person to apply. Nonetheless, I think the people running the event must be pretty inept. I mean, the kendo club puts together a huge intercollegiate event like the Shoryuhai every year (which has several times as many participants), and even when the club was down to about four members, we still pulled it off with more flair and discipline. It may have been a huge organizational mess behind the scenes, but at least no one else could tell. >_<
Why am I putting all this energy into these events again? Oh right, scholarships. And connections. And one more line on my distressingly short resume. Sometimes I disgust myself.
I've been reading the friends list but haven't been leaving comments at all, despite all the great fic that's being posted. ;_; Shall make more attempts to leave feedback once I stop feeling so guilty about being behind on schoolwork. Also, I will catch up on the email backlog tonight. Yes, I will.
Yours &c.
Post-script: To put a cap on everything, I've just read today's uplifting message (see bottom of this post), which tells me to "show your scars" and to "not be afraid of getting hurt". Hah. Please don't tell me something like that when I have to grit my teeth and receive who-knows-how-many kote strikes in a couple of weeks. Then the entire world can see the beautiful red and purple bruises that will flower all along my right forearm.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2005-10-18 12:13 am (UTC)And I like your generous description of the mess that was ACTUALLY the Shoryuhai my year, but I do agree that it went very well last year. And it shall be even better this time! And I'm going to do less work! *grin* Cuz I won't be an officer... yeesssss!.
As for the kote... it'll be all right. We'll wear wristbands this time, yes?
(no subject)
Date: 2005-10-18 12:14 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-10-18 01:00 am (UTC)