A Day of Wins

Today was definitely a day full of wins. For context, the American Education Research Association (AERA) had their conference proposal deadline earlier at 11:59PM (PST) on Monday. And with that in mind, here are the wins I've had today: 

ONE | The research team I am a part of was able to submit our proposal. That in it of itself is pretty sweet, but I think the added bonus was it being a really smooth process that was clearly delegated with a manageable timeline that we all worked really hard to stick with. As such, we turned it in a full 7 hours before its deadline. Hooray (because that def. didn't happen last time HAHAHAHAH~)

TWO | Last year, I wrote a paper for one of my classes that was probably one of the more controversial theorizations I have done-- I would even argue that it's less of a theoretical paper and more of a scathing indictment of what colleges and universities are performatively doing to deflect progress with campus activism. The professor I worked with was wonderful, supportive, and encouraged me to submit, but I sat on it instead. But today, I decided (last minute) to take it out, brush it off, and give it a go. The submission was less about me getting it done, and more about me, being okay with whatever feedback I'm going to get because while not all feedback is great, me resisting feedback because of fear might be worse. 

THREE | My friend and I pulled a fast and furious and raced to the finish line— submitting a joint proposal at 11:55PM. I have been so excited for the work she is doing (preview: emotional labor and that's all I'll say as not to spoil it)~~ so we decided to try writing something together since I'd been tinkering with survey data that has some elements to her broader research questions in mind. It was exhilarating, stressful, and something we have both agreed not to do again (hahaha!) I am super proud of us because about three hours prior to, I think we both weren't sure if we could pull it off. But we did. Holy shit, we did it. 

FOUR | I mentioned in an earlier post about the conference stuff I do, and today, I held the last of the three orientations with the group of conference organizers I'll get to work with. At the closing of it, I think it hit me that this is real— a feeling I keep getting at every milestone, and this is a big one for me because now the whole group is ready, on board, and about to get started. Woah.

And lastly, | FIVE | earlier today, I saw the proof of my solo-authored article I submitted for back in January. For those of you not in academia, a "proof" is essentially the final version of whatever you've submitted (article, book manuscript, etc.) that you see before it goes to print. I'm still stunned that I'm going to be published, and I'm also stunned at this 6-month timeline (because most timelines can be a year, upwards to 2 or even 3 years for an article to go from submission to acceptance to print.) And this ridiculous article is a testament to people believing in me when I didn't believe in myself and dragging me to this point while I doubted, cried, stressed, and cleaned my kitchen nonstop. Obviously, I cried in reviewing the proof because it still feels unreal and a very incredible, humbling win. 

Also for |SIX| , I went to the gym which is always a win because I hate going, and frankly, every victory, no matter how small, is a win. What a wonderful day of wins~ And | SEVEN | I'm drinking a favorite glass of white wine while writing this and it tastes just as good as I remember.