First Grant Funded!

I just found out that I got a grant funded! It is only for one year, but the money is good, and as my colleagues like to say, helps me establish a track record of success. I am so excited that I celebrated by writing a bigger grant asking for even more money. Well that and having a really great lunch with my DH. I am really pumped. My students are also very excited because I will be able to pay them. Not there was a doubt for next year, but as the start-up funds dry out I will have to be more conservative and this gives me some room.

On another note, I will be away next week. I am giving a talk overseas. I only mention this because I stupidly sent my passport to be renewed a week or so before being invited to give this talk. And wouldn't you know it I didn't expedite my passport because who would ask me to go anywhere in the next two months anyway? Well, I got my passport back yesterday but you wouldn't believe what I had to go through for it. I tried calling the passport agency to expedite and they said I had to wait until two weeks before my trip. Then I tried to call and could not get a live human on the phone. I wasn't even allowed to hold for one. Finally, I got frustrated and called my congressperson, who godblessem got me my passport. Ridiculous the bureacracy though. So next week I will be sipping wine with a fabulous view while trying to dream up new grant proposal ideas and find new collaborators.