Things that drive me bonkers

My Dad's reaction to my plan to apply for a swanky post-doc program - "Boy, you're just really working to put off the real world, aren't you?" Yes, Dad. When one of my profs made the extremely flattering suggestion that I should apply to this incredibly prestigious program, a program that's practically tailor made for my specific interests and skills, a program that would seriously help to launch any career interests I might have, my first reaction was, of course, oh goody! here's a way to continue to remain a perpetual student! Bah!

Things that drive me slightly less bonkers

The fact that Dad's reaction still bothers me so much. I knew what he would say, and I know he won't change, and I know I'm right about this and he's wrong. So I need to let go of needing him to approve the professional path I'm choosing (and will continue to choose) because it looks so different from the path he followed and therefore he will never endorse it.

Things that make me smile

Girls closing the gap on SAT math scores. Yeah yeah, SAT math scores are a highly questionable measure of anything anyway, sampling problems, does this mean girls are improving or boys are doing worse, etc. etc. It's still good news in my book.