Every semester, I look forward to the last day of class. There is always a panic rush this time of year. There is lots of grading, student questions, and somehow I am always behind. The students are always happy that the school year is coming to an end. Finals stink, but they do motivate. And students are usually excited about interesting adventures they have planned for this summer. The energy is amazing – most of it is positive.

This year not so much. I went to a thesis defense last week. The student did a great job and we went through the ritual in a normal fashion. And… There was nothing. That usual moment of reflection, moment of excitement, moment of transition, and the moment of friendship developed by years of hard work was just not there. It couldn’t be. How can you do all that in Zoom? In person, all it takes is strong hand shake or a toast. To the credit of everyone in the thesis, we tried our best.

I have a couple of thesis defenses this week. I am not going to hold back showing my enthusiasm, pride, excitement, and joy in the student’s hard work. We got to find a way to make these events even more special. Tonight is the physics departments award ceremony. Expect me to be over the top!

I am exhausted. The last few months have taken a toll. I have been sick. Colleen has been sick – still sickish. I have students I still haven’t heard from who I know were REALLY sick – who . I am trying to plan for unpredictable future. I need this semester to end. I miss that positive energy.

Whelp I had an extra bowl of cereal this morning! I am going to need it! TIME TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING I GOT!