Those Personal Triumphs No One Else Will Ever Understand

BonitoDeMadrid · Postby **BonitoDeMadrid** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:36 am

I just got my Finals scores in English studies, and all in all, I got a final score of 98 (out of a hundred)!!!! =) Really helps light these gloomy flu days.

LilBee91 · Postby **LilBee91** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:06 pm

I got my AP scores, and am now officially a sophomore in college.

P3+J3^u! · Postby **P3+J3^u!** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:30 pm

I got my AP scores, and am now officially a sophomore in college.

That's a personal triumph I completely understand. Awesome.

zeroguy · Postby **zeroguy** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:01 pm

Working with technology for awhile, I've found myself in similar "big-fish-in-small-pond to small-fish-in-big-pond" transitions (and the reverse) over the years. Where I come in somewhere surrounded by people that I don't really know well and that seem to be much better/more experienced than I am at tech stuff. Over time (years, usually) I learn stuff, converse with people more, and become known as one of those more knowledgeable/skilled around. Then I'm thrown into the bigger pool and am outclassed again, and the process begins anew.

It's happened at least once in each of high school and college (and maybe a little bit in middle school, but it's been awhile). And now, in employment/"the Real World" it happens again, maybe for the last time since there's no larger population to draw from.

Each time at the beginning, things can be, well, scary. I don't know people, so I fear giving criticisms or saying something's wrong, because sometimes something is deliberately that way, and I feel stupid for saying otherwise, think people will just write me off as annoying, etc. I always question whether I should even try, even bother, as I'm just always so nervous for awhile. Every time there is at least one instance where I just want to curl into a ball and hope everyone involved just forgets about me. Usually because I was publicly unquestionably wrong about some point, or accidentally stepped on someone's toes.

But that stage always goes away. Always. Just as long as I do what I always do, whatever it is I do. People always make mistakes; I am no exception, but neither are those above me. And each time I really have to tell myself that, and try to convince myself that it's true. I never really do completely, but I manage to do so enough to get me to keep going, and it's probably just around when things get worst when it all turns around very quickly.

It was a week or two or so ago when I experienced the most recent instance of me feeling, well, inferior due to some public mistake. I thought to myself, unlike previous tech things I've been significantly involved with, this was actually part of a full-time job, so it kind of actually matters now, which made it more annoying.

But this past week, I'm starting to feel much better about this. See, at first, it was just weird having anyone listen to my technical advice... I mean, I'm just out of college, I'm new! But those were customers, they usually aren't very knowledgeable (not that they're idiots, they're usually just understaffed, but it's hard to remember that sometimes...), so it doesn't really mean a whole lot.

But now, I'm getting at least the illusion that the people I respect acknowledge me. They listen to me. Of course, it helps that man-hours are scarce, but still. That is my triumph; both as a feel-good thing, and a stepping stone to actually getting things done.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:46 pm

My new office is going to be big. With built-in cabinets that lock and its own bathroom. (It was formerly a medical exam room for a company that does drug trials.)

Sweet. Ideal for working with kids.

Postby **Oliver Dale** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:16 pm

Jealous!

CezeN · Postby **CezeN** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:51 pm

Managed to get a 3 on A.P.UShistory - I thought I would fail.

And a 4 on AP English Composition.

Woot woot.

Now I don't have to necessarily do good in AP Chem next year(Or AP Psychology and English Lit, for that matter), and pass the AP test, since my two Dual Credit classes can give me what I need, to graduate on the Distiguished Achievement Plan.

Mich · Postby **Mich** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:42 am

I finally found a copy of House of Leaves. I finally read it. It was (finally) amazing.

I count that as a triumph.

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 1:44 pm

HA HA, suck on it, doubters!

I kept a suitcase full of clothes from my ROTC days, a.k.a. my thinnest time in life as an adult. I kept it because I said, dab-nabbit, I'm going to fit in those clothes again someday and people nodded and smiled but didn't believe me.

To make checking periodically an easy task, I kept one of my drawers under my bed stocked with a few pairs of pants from said suitcase and I could hardly get them past my thighs for years.

Not today. Today, they slid right on up, the buttons closed, the zippers zipped, and I could still breathe!

My ROTC clothes fit!!!!!!!!

This makes me want to run.

LilBee91 · Postby **LilBee91** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:23 pm

Yay! Congratulations!

ender1 · Postby **ender1** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:55 pm

Congrats Alea!

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:57 pm

Thanks.

It's pretty darn cool.

Mich · Postby **Mich** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:44 pm

That is pretty darn cool! Congratulations!

Postby **locke** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:22 pm

that is awesome!

Postby **Luet** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:04 pm

yay for you!

side question...I always thought it was dag-nabbit but now I have no idea because they both sound weird?

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:56 pm

No, you're right, it is dag-nabbit. I'm clumsy with English, what can I say?

Also, thanks to those who are celebrating with me.

Postby **Jayelle** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:36 pm

I like dab-nabbit. I think I'll say that from now on.

Postby **Luet** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:09 am

I like dab-nabbit too. It makes me think of Dabney Coleman.

CezeN · Postby **CezeN** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:44 am

I finally found a copy of House of Leaves. I finally read it. It was (finally) amazing.

I count that as a triumph.

I consider it one of the top books I've read, but it was also annoying...

Good/unique, yet annoying.

powerfulcheese04 · Postby **powerfulcheese04** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 3:43 pm

I finished the drafts of my poster today. I then sent it to my research mentor to get his edits and comments. The response I got from him was glowing:

"Hi Kim - GREAT job, as I've come to expect from you. I seem to be
saying that a lot. If I can be of help to you in any way with your
career (reference, offer guidance or other assistance, etc.), please
don't hesitate to ask. You have special talents and great abilities.

[boring stuff about technical edits to the poster]

Thanks for doing this. I think your template is much better than the
darker one. Do you mind if we adapt it for our standard? Thanks -Noah"

ETA: a screencap of my poster: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/ ... ster-1.jpg

Gravity Defier · Postby **Gravity Defier** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:21 pm

You have special talents and great abilities.

I tend to agree.

Nice lookin' poster, Kim.

steph · Postby **steph** » Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:37 pm

I asked for the help that I needed. As a result, I got way more help than I could have asked for.

zeroguy · Postby **zeroguy** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:26 pm

I finished the drafts of my poster today. I then sent it to my research mentor to get his edits and comments. The response I got from him was glowing:

Even after you clearly spelled Rhodococcus incorrectly! Come on, automated spell checkers are always right, just trust them!

powerfulcheese04 · Postby **powerfulcheese04** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:24 am

It's true... spell check knows all.

Actually, that reminds me of a story probably only I will find funny, but that I'll share anyway. We get shipments of samples from a farm in Kentucky and they keep labeling them R. coccus... so, Rhodococcus coccus.

Froth · Postby **Froth** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:40 am

On my college assessment tests, I tested out of reading, got honors English, and a high math score and got the presidential scholarship for that. After 12 years of slacking off through school and being only an average student, I get 15 credits free every semester I go to college. Take that all you doubters! All you idiots that took all honors classes and called me an idiot because I actually get C's and struggled to stay above a 3.0 in my average mediocre classes!

Postby **locke** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:18 pm

There are less than 25 messages in my gmail inbox. All hail the power of filters and labels and the archive button.

I hadn't cleaned my inbox in more than a year, it was near 2000 messages when I began organizing it.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 3:21 pm

I PASSED THE EPPP!!!!!!

16 points above what I needed to pass, actually.

Hallelujah! Woohooo! I am this close to being done with everything I need to be a fully-licensed psychologist. Just need to finish the dissertation -- hopefully within the next 2-3 months -- and collect post-doc hours.

And I have passed the LAST STANDARDIZED TEST I will EVER have to take in my entire academic career.

LilBee91 · Postby **LilBee91** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:36 pm

Yay! Congrats!

I'm so jealous. I wish I was done with standardized tests.

Postby **Oliver Dale** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:43 pm

You are AWESOME! And my jealousy knows no bounds....

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 9:50 pm

Thanks! I'm pretty happy about it

Just. Gotta. Dissertate. Argh.

Syphon the Sun · Postby **Syphon the Sun** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:09 pm

I just won my first consumer fraud battle against one of the major credit card companies on behalf of my client.

Only four more to go.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 9:00 am

I got up and went straight to the gym and worked out this morning before work.

buckshot · Postby **buckshot** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 10:04 am

Thats too cool Syphon , I love to see the credit card corps get nailed ! Keep it up ! :

BonitoDeMadrid · Postby **BonitoDeMadrid** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:15 am

Today, I passed the theoretical driver's license exam on my first try!!! All the long days of preparing for it (actually, about 2 days, in total, but who cares) were really worth it.

starlooker · Postby **starlooker** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:46 pm

I graduated from internship today! We had a ceremony and I have a pretty certificate and everything!

AND

I got an email a little while ago from a professor I worked with a long time ago about a manuscript I thought was totally dead. Turns out she kept submitting it and I will have my name as second author on an article in the Archives of Suicide Research!

Woohoooooo!

Life is feeling pretty darn good. Other than my backlog of stupid paperwork.

Those Personal Triumphs No One Else Will Ever Understand

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