Writing

Right after I returned from Spain, in mid-September, my boss handed me a big professional growth opportunity - writing a grant proposal. I had asked for more chances like this, but of course I should be careful what I wish for. I have had to suspend my work-life balance for the past two months and put in some very long days. Writing a proposal is only partly about writing. It's also about working with your partners to come up with the best ideas, figuring out how to demonstrate that you can do everything you say you will do, making a budget, and following many, many rules. (That part is a bit like doing your taxes; there's a 300-page guide from the National Science Foundation on what people must to do correctly ask for, and then spend, their money on science.) 

The end is nearly in sight. The deadline is Wednesday, and NSF only extends deadlines in the case of natural disasters, something that is a blessing right now as I just want to submit it. Preparing far in advance meant that we could polish and tweak and make it the very best, but I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving break. I *will* most pointedly not sit in front of the computer, I *will* eat healthy food again, and I *will* get more exercise than I have since September. And six months from now, I will find out if they decided that our idea was worth funding.