Howdy Folks From Thesis Hell!

Wow! Just when I thought that graduate school couldn't induce any more humiliation and self-loathing ... it's thesis writing time!

So I spent all of last year on a fellowship ... and to make the last little bit of money that I have last through my thesis writing this year, I've moved in with my parents for a few months.
Now the only income I have is from selling things on eBay. My goal is to be finished with my first draft in March. I've done my introduction and methods chapters ... I'm in results pergatory. I know, I know: do the introduction last. But don't worry - I have to write it again anyway. One of my committee members called it "misleading." Ouch.

Now, I love my parents. We get along just great. I've been quite a distance from them over the last five years, so it's been a nice time to catch up with our relationship. But I have to tell you, being asked five times a day, "So, do you feel like you're getting a lot done today?" is a bit hard to get used to. Lucky for all of us, I'm a chronic people-pleaser (not to mention that I'm not an ingrate) and I haven't asked them to stop talking to me. I have started answering "no" every time, though. I hope that this will work.

Me and a fellow grad student used to bitch a lot how the first-year grad students would ask about how our projects were going - like every time they saw us. God, we just wanted to punch them. They're all eventually beaten down though, and stop asking about people's projects for fear they'll be asked about theirs.

Days and weeks are certainly not the proper time-scale by which to judge progress in gradual school. Sometimes months aren't appropriate either. My parents - bless their generous hearts - think that hours are.