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!

January 31

SO COLD TODAY!!!! Indiana is so weird. It has been beautiful and warm and then I woke up today to cold and snow. I had to go into the office a little early for a meeting, but then I got a little bored. All of my grading was done, so I started playing with my calendar. I have a daily desk calendar that has famous "mustaches" that give clues and you're supposed to guess who it is. Yesterday's was William Shakespeare. I think it looks pretty good.

Also went to VGR to check out the vinyl they got in. I got Of Monsters and Men and then two used vinyl, a Debussy and the Jackson 5. Catlos came with and now I've converted him to the dark side. Muahaha.

January 30

Since I only have one class this semester, it's been harder for me to fall back into a normal schedule. I function better if there's constant pressure. Wednesday's I have nothing that I "have" to do except for my thesis meetings at 12. Thankful for those or else I probably wouldn't leave my house, especially in the cold!

Also, since I only have one night class, I've had more opportunities to cook and try out new recipes.  The recipe of the night was cheesey tortellini and chicken meatball soup. I must say, it turned out pretty good! Next thing on the list to try is banana pudding cheesecake. :)

 

January 29

Today was audience analysis day in class. This is usually the day where I reveal some of my crazy to my students. This semester was no different. One of my students told me that I shouldn't take everything in the media so seriously. Oh boy. There's never a dull day.

I ordered this little sign from fab.com to motivate me to get stuff done. We'll see if it works.

January 28

I don't know why Monday's are such a struggle, but they always are. Whenever my alarm goes off, it's always an internal battle to make myself start the day. But I started the day, made it to lecture, the meeting, and class. I actually got pretty much done today, but I'm starting to feel the pressure of the mid-term. It's crazy, time moves so fast.

I came home to lesson plan for tomorrow, and Olive apparently thought my flash drive was something to play with, and she tried to rip it out of my computer, which snapped it. Thankfully, I was able to fix it with duct tape. She's such a jerk.

The culprit.

The crime.

The solution.

January 27

Sunday Funday! Spent the day catching up on some homework and basically just relaxing and recovering from the night before. Tonight was minority girl dinner at Robin's house. I made the shrimp and grits that Eliza's mom had made for me and I have to say that I think they turned out really well! I'm proud of myself. I'm loving trying all of these new recipes. Marilyn made chicken, Tynesia made green bean casserole, Jumah made mac and cheese, and Robin made baked veggies and sweet potato pie. Everything was delicious! It was nice to hang out with everyone and just catch up. Such a fun time. I can't believe another week starts tomorrow. Time to get back to the work grind!

January 26

Sparkle party day!!! Spent the day doing some things around the house, then went to Sarah's to help her set up a little. It was such a blast. I think everyone had a good time. It did get a little crazy, but a good crazy. Sarah and Jumah got me a cookie cake with an owl on it! It was so cute! I think everyone had a fun time, I know I did.