Exciting news, coming my way!

Brag time.

I finished my thesis a couple weeks ago, and as I’ve already shared with most of you, I nominated to pass with distinction (which is the highest honor you can get for your honors thesis). It goes into review April 25th, and I should know after that if I won such honor. I had lunch with my thesis advisor yesterday, and he told me I shouldn’t worry – he’d be surprised if I didn’t pass with distinction. He said usually on committees the four evaluators duke it out, for they have to be unanimous in their favorable vote. In my case, all four evaluators, without hesitation or discussion, nominated me.

I also got recommended and submitted my research for two undergraduate research awards. I presented at a symposium on Monday to a board of six research professors, and I should hear back from them soon. They had quite a few positive things to say about my project – one professor praised my thorough research, another my writing and writing style. In fact, one of the evaluators is friends with my advisor, Jesse, and told him (in confidence, so shhhh) that I had a really good shot at winning. So we’ll see!

But the biggest news, is that I found out the day I presented at the symposium that I won the other research award; the Emeritus Society Award. I was ecstatic, to say the least, and unbelievably proud. I haven’t won something of that magnitude ever, so it was so fulfilling and something I will always remember. I attend an awards ceremony Tuesday to accept the award. Check out the announcement on WSU’s website by clicking the title of this blog.

Yesterday, Jesse took me out to lunch to celebrate. It was a great time, and in the end, he told me that I was no longer my advisor or professor, and I was no longer his student or mentee. From now on, he said, we should refer to each other as friends. We promised to keep in touch, and meet up whenever I come to Pullman or if he’s in Seattle. I will definitely miss him, and am so thankful for having the opportunity to work with him.

At lunch though, Jesse shared with me one more piece of exciting news. An Emeritus professor at WSU read my work and was enamored by it. He asked Jesse to give me his email so that I could potentially send him another copy. He also asked if he could share it with a professor at a different university who is in the process of writing a book on Jewish history. I considered this request such an honor. What’s even more exciting is that this Emeritus professor is in the education field and is a leading researcher and advocate in school reform in Washington State, specifically in regards to the WASL. Jesse stated this might be a good opportunity to get into contact with him, as I myself am going into education and he is certainly well established and respected in the field. So I am beyond excited to talk to him and feel so proud that someone with such high credentials felt so strongly about my work.

Alright, enough bragging. I apologize, but it’s been a whirlwind of a last week or so, and I had to share all this exciting news! Thanks for listening to my ramble on, yet again, about my thesis!

Boys vs. Girls

Harry Burns was right.

I wanted to deny it, for years. But when Harry turned to Sally Albright and told her guys and girls couldn't be friends (because the sex always got in the way) he unfortunately spoke the truth.

(Buy the way, if anyone is lost about who I'm referring to, I'm disappointed in you. Get off my blog.)

When I came to college, I formed many friendships...primarily with guys. I naively thought "How great! I love hanging out with such low-maintenance, low-drama people who want to talk about baseball and eat giant burgers with me!" Many even moved past the trivial baseball-watching, burger-eating friendship and became people I thought i could be real, true friends with. People I could talk to, cry to, and count on. I'm approaching the end of college in 5 short weeks, and honestly? I don't know if I can truly see myself staying contact with any of these "friends" once I leave here.

It does kind of make me sad...some of these guys I honestly though I was close to- thought we'd be lifelong friends. So what happened? Well, several things. In some instances, I'd start dating someone and the "friend" would suddenly not want anything to do with me. Or' they'll decide they have feelings for me, tell me, and it'd get awkward and they'd retract. Or. they'd start dating someone and would no longer have time for a platonic female friend (although I can't always blame the guy completely for this one -- some of the blame must be placed on their controlling, insecure girlfriends who aren't comfortable with their boyfriends fostering a friendship with me).

Now, there are a few exceptions to the rule, and, though rare, they do exist. But true friendships are very difficult to form with members of the opposite sex. Friendships with males can only (for the majority of the time) only really exist if they stay in the superficial sports-food-and-beer-drinking stage. And, even then, I wouldn't count on it lasting. I want to say that maybe this will change as I get older, and men will no longer act like the horny, selfish guys that I've encountered. Unfortunately, I'm under the belief that boys will be boys, regardless of age (sorry to my male readers out there!)

So what does this all mean? Well, I'll still enjoy the fun, superficial friendships I foster with males, I'll cherish and appreciate the rare REAL friendships I am able to have with males(shout out to my only guy friends and pseudo-brothers Seth and Matt!), and I'll be FOREVER thankful for the girls in my life.

I'll now leave you with the full quote...god, I love this movie:

Harry Burns: You realize of course that we could never be friends.
Sally Albright: Why not?
Harry Burns: What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.
Sally Albright: That's not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.
Harry Burns: No you don't.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: No you don't.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: You only think you do.
Sally Albright: You say I'm having sex with these men without my knowledge?
Harry Burns: No, what I'm saying is they all WANT to have sex with you.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: How do you know?
Harry Burns: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally Albright: So, you're saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry Burns: No. You pretty much want to nail 'em too.
Sally Albright: What if THEY don't want to have sex with YOU?
Harry Burns: Doesn't matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story.
Sally Albright: Well, I guess we're not going to be friends then.
Harry Burns: I guess not.