I stank of clove oil for about a year in high school, but it really helped me get through the wisdom teeth coming through.

(Skipping)

Damn.

Remember that internship in the U.S. I'm trying to apply to? It's three days before deadline, and I asked a friend who agreed to write me a recommendation about it, as she didn't send it yet.

She said she's sorry, but she's probably too busy to write it, in the end. That's after I contacted her earlier this week to remind her, and she said she'll do it by Tuesday.

It's three days before the deadline. I'm trying, but I don't think I'll be able to find someone with a similar background who knows me and worked with me in such a short notice.

I really hoped for this one to work. Not necessarily the "you're in!" part, because that will take crazy amounts of luck, but I really hoped to apply to this internship.

Rant, out.

What sort of background does your reccer need, Shir? I'm sorry the one you'd counted on let you down.

She said she's sorry, but she's probably too busy to write it, in the end.

Shir, you might offer to write it for her. I have done this for students and done it for myself - write the letter you wish she'd write, and then she'll only have to edit it and sign her name.

I agree, Shir. I've asked people seeking references to just write something up for me to sign, then added a bit to it. It is a lot easier than having to compose the letter. When seeking testimonials from customers I have provided samples from other customers as an example of what I need. If you make it easy for her she may provide what you need.

These are good suggestions!

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I'm a bit better now - I'm trying to do Onerous Tasks Weekend (starting today), and that was a very bad start to it, with a roommate who suddenly got cold feet about something (I had to talk her through our decisions one by one, once again, during work, to see where the problem was), and I ended up doing some of her tasks (because Onerous Tasks Weekend isn't enough, apparently).

The background of the person to recommend me has to be quite specific, I'm afraid. Due to the nature of the internship and the second letter I'll get, they have to have both technical (at least technical-theoretical) and humanist/critical thinking background, preferably academic one. They also have to know me, or worked with me, in the past. My choices are quite narrow - it took me three weeks to think of the person who eventually couldn't do it.

In the meanwhile, I'm happy to say that Nilly said she might be able to write it for me, if I won't find anyone else by Saturday.

Your advice about writing the letter myself is a good one, but it'll be my first time trying this. I'm quite worried. Any letter I got until now colored me, in my eyes, 800% better than the way I see myself. As an example, yesterday I got the grade on one of my seminars. It was 98%, but when I opened the file and saw all of the notes, all I could think that if I'd really, really like myself, I'd give myself about 90% with these notes. I'm just very strict. But if that what it takes to complete the application, I'll try to write one. Possibly while using sentences from other letters I received before.

This day, so far, has been a roller-coaster of mostly not-fun. Thank you for your help.

If you write a draft, some of us will be happy to edit it to your actual awesomeness, Shir.

I just got this fundraising letter, from an organization I've never heard of before called "Israel Special Kids Fund."

Dear Friend,

They hide in their homes. Afraid to be seen.

Embarrassed, even in front of family and friends.

Unable to look at themselves in a mirror.

Who are these children? And why are they hiding?

What could cause such fear? Such pain?

A burn victim whose features are cruelly distorted.

A disabled child with muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis or cerebral palsy.

Who has the courage to help these children? Who volunteers to visit with them?

Who treats them with the love and care they so desperately need?

Israel Special Kids Fund

I think this is even worse than Jerry's Kids. (The rest of the letter goes on to describe what the Fund does, which is provide volunteers to help at home and with therapy stuff, and run summer camps.)

yep, it's right up there.