Last Friday evening I received an email from the IAS. In spite of the the excitement, I was a bit reluctant to open the attached letter concerning the position that I have applied, knowing it is just likely to delight me as it is to disappoint. At the time I was too comfortably lying in bed to want to face its implications on my career and my life in the short future. So I left it be, and went to bed. I slept especially well that night.
To my dismay, the next day did not begin smoothly. After getting to the office, I found my MacBook Pro frozen yet once again. These system meltdowns have been quite routine after I got the Time Capsule, and I knew better than to let it ruin my day again. You see, I have my mind set on something else.
After restarting my laptop, I began eagerly working on my thesis. My advisor’s lecture series last week and the letter from IAS gave a much-wanted boost to my desire to work, and I am just doing my part to convert this desire into action. Several times I wanted to actually open the letter, yet the uncertainty stopped me short of actually doing it.
Finally I did, turns out I am “the first on the waitlist.” I guess a cynic may see it as just a rejection letter; but I believe it is a good new to say the least, and I am keeping my hopes up. Considering the state of our economy, I have to be grateful for this glass half-full.
