I was trying to get the kids fed after yoga class. My computer is back! Yay!

I was orienting new hires. One seemed outstanding. The other one seemed stoned. Orientation was a bit short-notice so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he was just tired.

I'm working on my PCP's quilt (here's a picture of the first square: [link] ). I should probably be in bed, but I'm not tired, so I'll work a bit longer.

I had cleaners come out and do a deep clean on the house today. Nice eh? Except even though I told them the size of the house and the scope of what was needed, they still underestimated the time, so I'm going around the house making a list of what they missed and they are coming back in the am to finish. They did a lot, but man, now the stuff they didn't do is even more glaringly dirty. I feel like such a slob.

Suzi, I thought their estimate was on the light side, time wise, since I knew how long it took the first time they came out to my place to do a deep clean. Good that they're coming back out tomorrow morning. Did they do an okay job otherwise?

I'm getting overcome by end-of-semester stress. I'm giving a final on Thursday, and it's the first time I've written a final by myself, and I'm all nervous that it's too long or too short for the time period, or that I've got a typo somewhere that'll mess up a question.

I think it's a very good letter, Kristin.

I also think you need to charge her when she fails to show/fails to give you adequate notice - and I have been that flake, and been charged for my flakiness, and thought at the time that it was fair enough. But I appreciate that it can be difficult to instigate this policy midway into your relationship. (Although it's what my singing teacher did to me, fwiw.)

Laura - yay! SO pleased that this is working out with your mum and dad!

it's the first time I've written a final by myself, and I'm all nervous that it's too long or too short for the time period, or that I've got a typo somewhere that'll mess up a question.

Hil, don't worry about it. If it's too long or too short, everyone has the same advantage or weakness. It just helps you for next time. Also, make sure that you are in the building during the final, so if there's a question or confusion, you can clear it up. You can always extend the test time by any time that you have to give explanations.

Ooh, Hil - I asked my colleague again about Botswana, and she reiterated that she'd go back tomorrow. However, she said that her husband worked at the University of Botswana, and that he found it rather frustrating. Whether that was because of his particular job or a reflection of what it's like to work there I don't know - if you're interested I could get his email addy, though.

Thanks, Fay. I'm not going to be applying anywhere for another few months, and I have no idea if that job will still be available then, but I'll keep that in mind.

I'm going to be in the classroom during the final. I'm pretty sure the questions are all OK -- most of them are similar in form to things they've seen before, and the ones that aren't are things that they ought to be able to figure out.