Haven't seen you for a while

Dear Amanda,

Where are you? We haven't seen each other in over three weeks and I'm a little concerned. I'm sure you've been out doing adventurous things now that you aren't tied to your computer for school. I've even caught wind of a few them - you're a boss now, your Masters graduation, your WHOLE family visiting you for the first time EVER. But does all that really mean we can't chat anymore? I know I'd love to hear your stories.

So, I hope you're well and everything with you is great. Hope we can catch up soon!

Kindly,

Your Blog

Relax, take it easy

Tonight was my first full evening at home post-Emancipation Day. It's not like I've never had a non-homework evening in the last couple of years, but even if I did take the night off, it was always in the back of my mind. I've also had some school breaks, but I'm always traveling over Christmas, May 2008 - fixing my compy and buying a new car, August 2008 - Grandparents!, May 2009 - setting up the new apartment and logging HOURS of solo driving.

So, yeah, quiet nights at home without big projects looming over me is quite nice.

How did I spend my night of nothingness?

I . . .

• Practiced a song I'm singing in a few weeks
• Grilled a couple of pounds of chicken (microwave, add veggies, instant dinner for a week)
• Folded laundry
• Worked on catching up on my Google Reader (down to 88 from 150-something)
• Watched Mystic Pizza (recorded from AMC) and HawthoRNe (so THAT'S what B/C-list TV actors do over the summer, guest star on random cable shows)

Tomorrow night? I'm reckoning more of the same, but add one workout and possibly some writing.

(Since I told you I'm going to the gym, maybe I'll actually go . . .)

I'm free-I'm free!

I know you've probably forgotten by now, since I really never talk about it, but you know how I've been in school for the last two years? Well, I submitted a 17-page single-spaced report on Saturday morning, and, just like that, I'm not anymore. It's both completely surreal and completely awesome. Unlike Canadian Dave, a friend since high school and a fellow MLIS-candidate, I have had a few enthusiastic shouts of joy and I've certainly happy danced. More than once. He's right about one thing though, that the biggest sensation is one of relief. I. Am. So. Relieved.

I'm also really energized. Unlike the last time I finished a degree, I'm not depressed and burned out. I'm single, childless, have a good job, and live in one of the greatest metro areas in the world. I don't want to let that go to waste. There are things to be done, and I'm going to do them.

Remember this list I made in the beginning of this school experience? Time for a new one.

Things I Will Not Do

• Watch 10 seasons of anything in 2 months, unless it's while I'm doing something productive, like knitting
• Become complacent
• Become too reclusive
• Stay up far too late writing papers (at least not for the foreseeable future)
• Do another accelerated degree program (2 is enough, thank you)
  
• Pay for another degree (scholarships/fellowships/free tuition benefits whilst working for a university - all welcome)
  

Things I Will Do

• Continue to kick butt at my job (or any job)
• Finish this year's book challenge (so what if I'm only on B)
• Work on my other goals for this year
• Keep dancing
• Tour DC
• Write
• Perform
• Socialize
• Travel
• Keep learning things
• Explore other career and educational options (yes, I am thinking about a Ph.D. and/or a second Master's)
• Enjoy my life, whatever comes my way

DC friends - I'm up for adventure! Time for fun things!

Non-DC friends - I still have a futon that's just begging for visitors, and I'd love some people with whom to play tourist.

Everyone - here's my graduation present to you, this week's SOTW. I've lost track of how many times I've listened to this song, and the video is just delightful.



Life is awesome. I enjoy living it.