"Yes, but it's my research I'm really concerned about," you say. "I didn't fully appreciate how much goes into starting a program from scratch." All of your previous work was with groups that had been researching for years.
Kayla nods in agreement. "I have grand plans that I developed during my postdoc and refined as I interviewed for faculty positions. But my plans have now met reality." She sighs. "I wanted to be a professor in part because the position affords you flexibility with your time. But I didn't appreciate how many things would fight to fill that time."
"Yeah, exactly."
"Such as this meeting," Kayla says. You're pretty sure it's a joke, but it's so hard to tell.