The nicest part of TAing the Peru class?

Extended time with graduate students who aren’t interested in PhDs and are still idealistic, upbeat, and full of romance over the belief that public health can make a difference. Sometimes I feel that being cleared to graduate with a PhD happens once all the love and enthusiasm for the field has been beaten out of you… slowly… until you can barely articulate what it is you are doing, why it matters, and why you matter.

Since returning, my contact at the church (where I’m suppose to be holding interviews, starting tomorrow) has disappeared and the pastor is not responding to email or phone calls. I’m feeling awkward, uncertain, and frustrated, and in general… just feeling like this darn thing is never going to happen. It’s not that I can’t figure out a next step, it’s just that the steps themselves are grating on me.

Which is why this resonated with me today: