Anyone out there?

I'm a terrible blogger. I also apparently failed at getting past 31 days of project 365. Ugh. I disappoint myself. However, it is summer and I'm bored out of my mind, so why not take up blogging again? Unfortunately, nothing overly exciting is happening that is worth me writing about, so I'm sorry to say that most of my summer blogs will probably be me just giving voice to my anxiety and fears about the next phase of my life.

Speaking of which, here is my new life game plan:

1. Move to Memphis.
2. Live there for the next four years. (Please Lord, only four years. I need to get done on time and while I still have funding.)
3. Complete my PhD program.
4. Graduate and officially start my career as a college professor! (All at the wonderful young age of 30. Phew.)

Things about this plan that make me nervous (sorry, there are a lot):

1. The coursework. It's going to be HARD. I know this, however, I'm trying to remain positive and tell myself that I can do it. I like challenges, so hopefully this is one that I can push through.
2. The people. I've become so spoiled here at Ball State by the faculty, student, and my cohort. I love Ball State and the time that I've spent here. My professors are amazingly encouraging and supportive. I would not have been able to complete the past two years without them. I'm going to miss them a lot. The students that I've taught (while a pain at times) have overall been fantastic and respectful. Especially the group I had this past semester. Maybe it was a mixture of the students and the comfort I'd reached as a teacher, but it was a great semester with the best interaction and grades that I've seen during my time at BSU. Finally my cohort is just exceptionally wonderful. It took a bit for us to gel, but once we did, it was awesome. I'm sincerely proud of all of them and cannot wait to see what the future brings for them.  I'm going to miss the level of support that they have become in my life, and while I know that I will still remain in contact with some of them, it's not going to be the same. I guess I'm just scared that BSU has put me in the bubble of awesomeness and I won't know how to function outside of it. I know that Memphis will be great for it's own reasons, I'm just not sure I'm ready to let go of BSU yet.
3. The move. I just really, really, REALLY hate moving. It's long and expensive and ugh, just such a pain. It's going to take a total of about three days to move everything from IN to TN and then come back to IN to drop off the cargo van and then finally head to PA for the next month and a half. So. Much. Driving. I just...I don't even want to think about it, because it stresses me out.
4. Living in a big city! I'm equally excited and terrified about this. Granted, I lived in Chicago for a summer, but I don't consider that the same thing. I'm going to actually be living in this city, on my own. I'm nervous about navigating it and just really settling in. Although, for the amount of things that worry me about settling into Memphis, I'm also excited to live in a place that is the total opposite of Muncie and High Point. It's going to be an adventure...and I think I'm ready.

Well, I think that's it for now. I'm sure (for anyone who really even reads this anymore) I will provide you with more word vomit over the summer.

Also, totally random, but The Civil Wars released their new single the other day, and boy, is it good. I've been playing it on repeat for two days solid. Give it a listen!