email to my supervisor

an embarrassing email... but still needed to be dealt with and be frank about.

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Dear xxxxxx,

Thanks for your understanding. My sore throat and the sickness that ensues have kept me company for the past few days. I have had plenty of water and nutrient intakes, plus some medicine that did away my bodily sores and aches. But almost at the same time, along came a sudden 'dear john letter' from Sharen.

I know this sounds rather dramatic and there indeed seems something completely wrong to talk about breaking-up at this point as not very long ago we were just conversing about marriage and Canada. But as it turns out that she's never been able to bring herself to believe in me and in my love for her, for whatever reason. Due to this fatal inability that is really responsibility on both her and my own part, I have spent much time and energy sorting things out and trying to be able to accept it as it is. Realising that our relationship is not yet ready for anything further- without judgment and resistance- so far has helped me deal with this situation. I am doing all right emotion-wise, and am now starting to put my attention solely onto my giving paper in BSA next week, as it is coming up very soon.

Because of the recent relationship drama and my cold, I think I will take things slow for now. I am still subject to tiredness every day, so it might be wise to just do one thing at once-- finish the presentation paper before the coming of BSA, and start revising methodology after BSA . Looking at the diary, I might give myself a week for revision after coming back from London. I am hoping that the 21st (Sat.) will be OK to hand in the new draft of the chapter. We might then be able to do the meeting on the 23rd (Mon).

I will give it a serious think about the plan of completion in June and submission in September. I am not sure which will be more well-needed: handing in asap or taking one step at a time. A couple friends of mine in Sweden are having a baby this October, and they've nicely asked me to go visit this May, as a mutual friend of ours will be there giving a paper. They thought it might be a good time for all of us to get together, and we can all think of a name for the baby. I am tempted to go, so as to let myself relax and be basked in the warmth of friendship and family life. But obviously I have to think first what is my priority at this time. I will also need to talk to my mother about the arrangements and find out asap what will happen in the year to come for my PhD, whether I want a tight schedule or a more easy-breezy one.

This is basically an update and negotiation of a date for our next meeting. I hope I have not bored you with my own private life and not taken up your precious time with which you might do other more meaningful things than having information of other people's love life in your head. It is obviously a bit embarrassing to be faced with soap-opera like events along with/in front of other people, especially when you just know that you least expect it and thought you have done everything to make it right for the other person. But it's OK. As long as I learn something and make it something part of a positive experience for myself.

Let me know if the dates will work out OK with you. Many thanks.
Terri