We realize this blog has been quiet of late. The weather has been completely wonky here, with it being warm and sunny one week and it being cold and rainy the next... we are currently going through a wet patch, which has dampened our running plans as well as have caused a number of people around here to get sick.

This weather appears to be an apt representation of the emotional roll-coaster we have been going through the last few weeks... we have glimmers of hope when we feel that the end is in sight and that things are moving along well, but then get some bad news that deflates our optimism. Marc is furiously working away making revisions to his dissertation draft, and is feeling discouraged in general. Dale has been giving him a hard time and so it seems like he might not be able to defend this Spring. We are both feeling bummed about this, but there is not much that can be done, except for Marc to keep chugging along and for Shuwen to be emotionally supportive (she has also volunteered to go over to Dale's house and TP it).

Shuwen defends next Friday. Wish her luck!