Do you ever have one of those days when your mind is on something important and you just can’t put anything else together – except what you are working on? Oh my gosh, I had one of those days.

Well while I was busy doing my million and one things on my plate in and out of my office, running this way and that way, the students kept walking into my office??? It was so weird. I yelled in the way that I do – more silly than serious, “What the crap – get out of here?!?” They giggled and ran off. I was so busy I never thought twice about it.

They did it again!

And again!

I was confused. They were looking for something.

Finally one of the students walked out of my office with an ‘Aw Shucks’ look on her face. I just stood there sort of confused. She said that they were looking for my award for teaching excellence. Specifically they wanted to know the year that I won the award because they wanted to nominate me again this year and they wanted to know if I was eligible. They had already written the letter and had it signed. Sadly I am not.

I thanked them, but at that time I didn’t realize how much of a wonderful moment that was. As I came home, after a long day, it finally sank in.

I really appreciate the relationship I have with our students in the physics department. Its fun, silly, intense (because of the exams, MuHAHA) and just nice. Three separate times today I used the word family when describing students in the department.

It feels great to be appreciated! THANK YOU!