Follow the white rabbit
Wake up, Neo.
The Matrix has you.
Follow the white rabbit.
Knock, knock, Neo.
Today, I had my meeting with Fotini Markopoulou-Kalamara. My fears of the conversation being forced or filled awkward pauses were quickly calmed. She is friendly and down-to-earth, and we immediately started chatting away. We talked for two hours. I think we really hit if off. She gave me some good advice for dealing with exams. I have to stop caring so much. We even talked about skating. She wants me to send her information about the Campus Rec Learn to Skate program. For lunch , her friend from Paris joined us and I got to hear their stories of telling chauvinists to shove it and their frustrations with their mistakes on easy math. Nice to know that they are regular people who make mistakes. Not to mention, that was some incredible quiche. And of course, I felt pretty special when the bill came and Fotini took care of it with the explanation that I was her "guest".
However, it was even better than all that. Not only did I get to sit and chat with a world class physicist who also happens to be the only female long-term researcher at PI; not only did she treat me to a delicious meal; not only did I get valuble advice while starting a relationship with someone that I really admire; but I apparently impressed Fotini, because she is trying to get me a job working at PI with the outreach programs this summer. I didn't even imagine that would be a possbility after my first year, let alone to have Fotini endorsing me. But she strongly recommended that I do this now and do research during summers in my upper years. And as I was leaving she said, "I'd really like to see you working here." Sonia says, "Thank you." Sonia thinks, "WHOA! *excited flappy hand action* She actually wants to see me working here? Here...as in Perimeter Institute. *girlish squeal*"
I imagine that right now you're feeling a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Needless to say, I've been pretty excited all day. I'm trying to avoid thinking about the logistics of working here in the summer (i.e. housing, money, and the fact that I've already committed to a great job in Toronto). On the one hand, I have commitments, financial security, and comfort at home. On the other hand, I could be at PI doing part of my dream job, but there's more uncertainty and risk and less money with that. If Fotini gets me a job, I'll have to choose between disappointing the Monczka's or disappointing Fotini. Either way, there will be consequences. There would definately be more risk in staying in Waterloo, but it is an incredible opportunity. I may have to make this decision and make it fast.
You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes....
The Matrix has you.
Follow the white rabbit.
Knock, knock, Neo.
Today, I had my meeting with Fotini Markopoulou-Kalamara. My fears of the conversation being forced or filled awkward pauses were quickly calmed. She is friendly and down-to-earth, and we immediately started chatting away. We talked for two hours. I think we really hit if off. She gave me some good advice for dealing with exams. I have to stop caring so much. We even talked about skating. She wants me to send her information about the Campus Rec Learn to Skate program. For lunch , her friend from Paris joined us and I got to hear their stories of telling chauvinists to shove it and their frustrations with their mistakes on easy math. Nice to know that they are regular people who make mistakes. Not to mention, that was some incredible quiche. And of course, I felt pretty special when the bill came and Fotini took care of it with the explanation that I was her "guest".
However, it was even better than all that. Not only did I get to sit and chat with a world class physicist who also happens to be the only female long-term researcher at PI; not only did she treat me to a delicious meal; not only did I get valuble advice while starting a relationship with someone that I really admire; but I apparently impressed Fotini, because she is trying to get me a job working at PI with the outreach programs this summer. I didn't even imagine that would be a possbility after my first year, let alone to have Fotini endorsing me. But she strongly recommended that I do this now and do research during summers in my upper years. And as I was leaving she said, "I'd really like to see you working here." Sonia says, "Thank you." Sonia thinks, "WHOA! *excited flappy hand action* She actually wants to see me working here? Here...as in Perimeter Institute. *girlish squeal*"
I imagine that right now you're feeling a bit like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Needless to say, I've been pretty excited all day. I'm trying to avoid thinking about the logistics of working here in the summer (i.e. housing, money, and the fact that I've already committed to a great job in Toronto). On the one hand, I have commitments, financial security, and comfort at home. On the other hand, I could be at PI doing part of my dream job, but there's more uncertainty and risk and less money with that. If Fotini gets me a job, I'll have to choose between disappointing the Monczka's or disappointing Fotini. Either way, there will be consequences. There would definately be more risk in staying in Waterloo, but it is an incredible opportunity. I may have to make this decision and make it fast.
You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes....
posted by Sonia Markes at 12:01 AM
1 comments
