Annoyances

Picture: LA Fall Foliage

I am working diligently on my Hebrew paper as I have been doing for the last two weeks. (I think this is it this time!) But I am distracted by my latest frustration. These few weeks are pretty intense with a lot of work in preparation for exams and projects. Plus this week, Aaron is here and my schedule is even more busy than usual so I am feeling tense about needing to balance my overloaded schedule with my need to spend time with him.

To make things worse, I decided to be proactive and respectful of my regular extra-curricular commitment and to warn them that there was a chance that I wouldn't be able to make it. The day it is scheduled is the day that I have back to back class from 8:30-6:30 and to add the program on top of it would mean that I wouldn't be home until 10:30. Ordinarily, I have no problem with this as I elected to join the program and I regularly enjoy it. I have never missed a session and in a demonstration of my respect for the program and facilitators, I informed them of my possible absence. I would rather do that than simply not show up. But clearly, I erred. I received a response saying that since I had signed on the program, that I could not miss any without it affecting my stipend. I feel betrayed by the system.

I don't understand; if I had missed a session citing illness, it would most likely be excused. But asking for an excused absence is not allowed. It bothers me because I feel that my show of respect was not returned. Clearly, they feel that needing to miss a session shows my lack of commitment and integrity and I am arguing just the opposite. That is why I am so frustrated. We are all responsible adults here. Even at school, we are allowed up to three absences; why am I not allowed even one? I guess as an autonomous person, I can choose to miss one and run the risk that my stipend will be lowered, but why set me up to fail like that?

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on the matter.