(no subject)

YES.

I have finished the last lab I have to teach this semester. I have survived it! I can't tell you what a relief that is. I still need to help with grading and getting grades in and whatnot, but at least I'm done with standing up in front of people and trying to sound intelligent for a little while. I really think this semester went better than last semester. I'm a little amazed myself. I wouldn't say it was stellar by any stretch of the imagination, but it was definitely an improvement. I think it has to do with that I had some experience, we had a ton more guidance with how to teach and grade and whatnot, the material was simpler, the students were easier to deal with (possibly because they weren't all surly upperclassmen), and I think I'm slowly learning the art of "Not caring so much that I make myself sick over things like whether or not I handled a situation with a student in the best manner." I still feel like I have a lot to improve, and I'm still a little afraid to see what sort of feedback the students give me, but at least I'm not crying my eyes out on a weekly basis. I'm really hoping I'll be able to teach the same class next semester. I feel like I would do even better if I did it again.

But enough of that. I'm now going to geek out in the worst way. Some of you have heard me profess my love for PCR. But I bet you didn't know there was a song about it!

It's amazing what heating and cooling and heating will do!