Day 7 Report:

So, I finished my field notes today, but was unable to do anything related to my 2nd goal. It didn't help that I started the day with a nasty headache from a bit too much red wine last night! Yikes.

Thanks for the interest Lara - my research broadly looks at the globalization of health care, looking specifically at the context of Argentina.

I'm glad you're taking some hours off! Even JB says you have to take a day to rest! Plus it sounds like you've been under a lot of stress lately - and a night off is well deserved!

Hope you have a good one - on to Week 2!

Day 8 (which day am I on here?) Aims:

1) Field Note Entry

2) NS Report - 15 min

Good luck to all today. Does anyone else just really not like Sundays? Way too close to Monday for comfort.

Hey Lara! How is it going? It seems like its been tough to manage the papers/thesis/advisers screwing stuff around!

I've been doing a Saturday full of research, but only managed to make my field note writing goal. Arggg! I think I would feel worse if I wasn't collecting good research all day but - STILL - I need to find a time to actually write it all!

Good luck with everything on your plate - and see you tomorrow!

Day 6 Goals:

1) 15 min structured writing on biomed/culture/stats
2) 1 field note entry
3) Review reporting reqs for NS and review proposal

Happy weekend to all (Buen fin de semana!)

Hay all: about 1 AM here in Buenos Aires - and cold in the southern hemisphere winter (I'm jealous of all of you enjoying the nice weather, although I do have to say freezing rain is lovely weather for working!).

I was able to complete the two tasks I wanted to do today - 2 field work entries. I'll be back at it again tomorrow.

Hope you all are finding this thread useful for holding each other accountable - and any suggestions on how to make it more useful for all are much appreciated.

Chau!

Hey Lara - I'm holding up ok. I'm in same boat - about 11:45 here, but I've still got a couple of hours of work ahead of me. Going to keep on keepin on and log in a report when I'm done. Good luck to all with wrapping up today's work!

Thanks for the back up reminder, Lara!

Goals for Today:

1) 3 Field Notes Entries

If I can accomplish this today, I will be happy. Yesterday was unproductive for writing, but excellent for field work. I was literally doing exciting field work from first thing in the morning through the entire night. I'm exhausted but ecstatic. Tonight, I will bring my computer over to my research participants apartment that way I can steal off and type notes whenever I have moment.

Keep up all the good work - and see you later tonight!

Hi All,

Well, sad to report that I didn't reach ANY of my goals today! I had a very busy day of field work - its 11:15 here in Argentina and I'm stil working with my research participants. So, I'm just going to have count this a lost day and try again tomorrow.

Hope you all were far more productive!

Oh my lord my internet today! I made a post about an hour ago, but nothing went through. This connection is going to make me crazy!

Here goes:

Day 5 Goals:

1) Two Field Note Entries
2) 3 Participant Files
3) Structured Writing $ and Biomedicine

GOOD LUCK Silly Billy - let us know how you not only survive, but thrive!

See you all later!

Day 3: Clocking in at 12:56 AM Buenos Aires Time

* 2 Field Note Entries - Check
* 15 Min Structure Writing conference paper - Check
* Organize 2 participant files - sorta Check - pretty much done, but realize how much work I have with the organization of my data. Ohhhh . . .
* NSF Report part - NO Check. . .

Arrgg - I won't waste space posting my excuses, but I WILL say that I think i would have accomplished a lot less if I hadn't had this board waiting for me and my updates! Thanks everyone - and I hope we get at least a LITTLE bit of sleep tonight.

Thanks for the great quotes!

Hi all,

Just a mid-day check in for me down here in Buenos Aires:

SillyBilly - good luck with your presentation tomorrow - you will rock it!! A good friend of mine swears by half a shot of liquor an hour before any important presentation, but its probably not the best advice!

Zylynn: I hope your zero draft is well received! Its good that you were able to put it out there!

On another note - I love that we are spread out all over the world! Anywhere, anytime, at least SOME of us are working. I take comfort in that! :)

Yes, we are collectively getting a lot done! But the most important thing is that we are being consistent!

My Day 3 Goals:

One Section of the NSF Write up Reporting Reqs
Two Field Note Entries
15 Min Focused Writing on Conference Paper
Organize at least 3 Participant Files

zylynn: thanks for your thought on this - its something I really struggle with. I think I will also try the page approach to get a more balanced way of doing things.

As far as the time issue goes - I also wanted to pass on a handy tip I just found. If anyone uses a mac, there is a widget called the "meditation timer" you can download from the Apple site for free. You can enter any time, and it sounds these great chimes/bells at start and finish. I like it because my computer doesn't need to be connected to internet to use - and sometimes I really have to disconnect myself to focus.

Everyone - good luck with your goals for today, and we'll be checking up on each other this evening!

I actually like Refworks because you can access it from any computer as long as you have an internet connection (which comes in handy with travel/last minute bios/etc).

Also they just added a feature where you can upload pdf's directly to your reference, basically storing them online alongside your reference. If there wasn't a cumulative files cap, this would be my ideal system. A totally organized way to get all those fabulous PDF's OFF my computer!

I haven't tried the other - but will check them out! Good luck!

Hi All - time for Day 2 Report!

Today I did finish my goals - which included 2 field note write ups and a 15 minute focused writing on MT arrivals. Yay!

Seems like we are all doing pretty well with our goals today.

I'm curious - two different strategies mentioned in the JB book is timing your writing periods (e.g. 15 minutes of free writing) versus the this many pages methods. I agree with her that the page method is probably better, in so far as you are rewarded for getting through it as quickly as possible. I have found, however, that I can write fast and focused if I know I only have to sustain it for short blocks of time.

What do you all think? One strategy over another? See you in the morning for tomorrow's check in!

:)

Oh my goodness! Today is crazy. Its only 2:18 PM in Argentina, but all the time I had this AM is just disappearing! I have three of my research participants in my apt - trying to use my email, chatting, etc. Its great for my research, but I just CAN'T get my work done! Expect a late, late, late night approach!