...and no, it's not a train.
I can finally see the end of the year approaching and I could not be more excited for life after a master's degree. I have two rough drafts completed (out of four papers) and the other two papers are started. Our project for American childhood is slowly but surely coming along. I'm excited for Material Culture this summer, as well as my thesis. It just all feels good.
My allergies have been a bitch lately, trying to keep me from getting things done. Silly allergies.
Babies everywhere update: My cousin Devin had her baby! Cayden Scott Alexander was born on April 17th and the whole family is just so excited. My old Masque advisor, Dawn, is in labor with her second baby (fondly known right now as "indiana jones") right this minute. Other than that, all the other ladies getting ready for their children are still playing the waiting game. I'm sorta petrified that one day when Nancy and I are hanging out this summer, her baby will decide that is the time to come. At least she lives at a hospital...
That's really it for now.
I'm peachy.
3.25.2009
Are YOU Motivated?
Ugh.
That's the best word to describe schoolwork/assistantship/my work ethic for the last eight weeks. I just couldn't get my rear in gear, and even worse, I was reverting back to all of my bad undergrad habits, such as:
- PROCRASTINATING like it was my job.
- Waiting to start my term papers until much later in the game.
- Taking any opportunity to not go to work or do school work (Thanks Brant...)
The lowest point (although I had a ton of fun) came on Monday when Brant asked me if I wanted to go to Philadelphia for the day with his wife and their friend (and their beautiful baby girl, Annie). I was printing out a paper and without even thinking, I said "yes", stuck the paper in my professor's mailbox, and high-tailed it out of there. I felt guilty all day. I didn't even see Jason while I was down there! It was so weird, but fun, but the guilt plagued me all day. After I got my car issues sorted out (a tale for another entry), I sat down and wrote a damn good paper. Then today at work I was focused and did a ton of work AND another paper. This evening I cleaned and wrote half of another paper.
I think I'll be OK. I think I'll graduate in August.
Phew.
I'm peachy.
That's the best word to describe schoolwork/assistantship/my work ethic for the last eight weeks. I just couldn't get my rear in gear, and even worse, I was reverting back to all of my bad undergrad habits, such as:
- PROCRASTINATING like it was my job.
- Waiting to start my term papers until much later in the game.
- Taking any opportunity to not go to work or do school work (Thanks Brant...)
The lowest point (although I had a ton of fun) came on Monday when Brant asked me if I wanted to go to Philadelphia for the day with his wife and their friend (and their beautiful baby girl, Annie). I was printing out a paper and without even thinking, I said "yes", stuck the paper in my professor's mailbox, and high-tailed it out of there. I felt guilty all day. I didn't even see Jason while I was down there! It was so weird, but fun, but the guilt plagued me all day. After I got my car issues sorted out (a tale for another entry), I sat down and wrote a damn good paper. Then today at work I was focused and did a ton of work AND another paper. This evening I cleaned and wrote half of another paper.
I think I'll be OK. I think I'll graduate in August.
Phew.
I'm peachy.
3.20.2009
Cat-muzzles.
Woah!
The last month went incredibly fast! I didn't even realize that I hadn't written in this blog in that span of time. Phew.
So, what's new?
1. I CAN HEAR THE BELLS
- Jason, our moms, and I have done a ton of wedding planning. So far, the church is booked, flowers are booked, and the hunt for reception sites, bridesmaids dresses, and other minor details are on the way. I'm going tomorrow with Jill (my future mom-in-law), Mom, and (baby / doctor's willing) Nancy to shop for WEDDING DRESSES! Not that it didn't sink in before, but its getting to me that I'M GETTING MARRIED TO THE BEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD! My friend Nancy and her husband remind me of Jason and myself, mainly in how they relate to each other. Hopefully soon, two of the other couples in my program and I are going to have dinner sometime and it's going to be fun. :)
2. BABIES EVERYWHERE
- The other day I realized that I'm at that age where a lot of people I know are having babies (me not one of them, duh). Nancy is having a little girl (who I will call various fruit names for years). My cousins Devin and Sasha (who are sisters) are having a little boy and a little girl within about a month of each other. One of the other assistants is pregnant, various people from school had babies, and it's just crazy. I have to start crafting for Nancy soon....
3. BFF
- Last night I spent the evening with Sara and it was so nice to spend time with her and just her. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been if Michele was there too. We saw the show, which was hilarious, mingled like big girls (and saw the illustrious, wonderful Michael Borton!), then sat on the stairs like little kids and talked and giggled. :)
4. SCHOOLS OUT...IN AUGUST
- I'm almost officially graduating in August. I'll walk in December (as per the suggestion of a variety of people), but I'll be done in about 4 months. Thank goodness; I'm burned out.
5. OTHER STUFF
- I'm writing in a new blog "Skinny Jeans"
- I'll be living in Philadelphia starting in August.
- Jason bought a Wii!
- I've recently become obsessed with citrus in my food.
- I have a presentation tomorrow that I'm 50% not prepared for.
- Tomorrow (the 20th...so today...) is free Rita's day and Nancy has never been. It's going to be glorious.
I hope you enjoyed this update into my life. I may abandon this blog upon my marriage, only to start a blog for Jason and I. We'll see. :/
I'm peachy!
The last month went incredibly fast! I didn't even realize that I hadn't written in this blog in that span of time. Phew.
So, what's new?
1. I CAN HEAR THE BELLS
- Jason, our moms, and I have done a ton of wedding planning. So far, the church is booked, flowers are booked, and the hunt for reception sites, bridesmaids dresses, and other minor details are on the way. I'm going tomorrow with Jill (my future mom-in-law), Mom, and (baby / doctor's willing) Nancy to shop for WEDDING DRESSES! Not that it didn't sink in before, but its getting to me that I'M GETTING MARRIED TO THE BEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD! My friend Nancy and her husband remind me of Jason and myself, mainly in how they relate to each other. Hopefully soon, two of the other couples in my program and I are going to have dinner sometime and it's going to be fun. :)
2. BABIES EVERYWHERE
- The other day I realized that I'm at that age where a lot of people I know are having babies (me not one of them, duh). Nancy is having a little girl (who I will call various fruit names for years). My cousins Devin and Sasha (who are sisters) are having a little boy and a little girl within about a month of each other. One of the other assistants is pregnant, various people from school had babies, and it's just crazy. I have to start crafting for Nancy soon....
3. BFF
- Last night I spent the evening with Sara and it was so nice to spend time with her and just her. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been if Michele was there too. We saw the show, which was hilarious, mingled like big girls (and saw the illustrious, wonderful Michael Borton!), then sat on the stairs like little kids and talked and giggled. :)
4. SCHOOLS OUT...IN AUGUST
- I'm almost officially graduating in August. I'll walk in December (as per the suggestion of a variety of people), but I'll be done in about 4 months. Thank goodness; I'm burned out.
5. OTHER STUFF
- I'm writing in a new blog "Skinny Jeans"
- I'll be living in Philadelphia starting in August.
- Jason bought a Wii!
- I've recently become obsessed with citrus in my food.
- I have a presentation tomorrow that I'm 50% not prepared for.
- Tomorrow (the 20th...so today...) is free Rita's day and Nancy has never been. It's going to be glorious.
I hope you enjoyed this update into my life. I may abandon this blog upon my marriage, only to start a blog for Jason and I. We'll see. :/
I'm peachy!
2.19.2009
Megan's less-popular lavender marker.
Today was a pretty good day, especially in comparison to the rest of the week.
Last night I went to Mom and Dad's for dinner (as I do most Wednesdays) and we had tacos. I love tacos. I also got a really nice bag as a gift from a family friend, which I'm planning on using for my trip as my carry on. I got new make-up.
Today just didn't suck. It wasn't super awesome, but it also didn't suck. I nailed down my thesis statement for my actual thesis. I"m pretty psyched about that. I also got an A on a paper and a 100% on another exercise. On both, we can re-submit for better grades. I'm glad I did them right the first time, mainly because I don't have the time to re-do things. The 100% paper was really just a review graded for certain grammar and style things. I now can:
- use "effect" as a noun AND a verb.
- properly use "whom"
- eliminate "to be" and its various lame forms from my writing, for a more exciting style of prose.
I'm thrilled. I'm also a huge nerd. sigh.
I'm peachy.
Last night I went to Mom and Dad's for dinner (as I do most Wednesdays) and we had tacos. I love tacos. I also got a really nice bag as a gift from a family friend, which I'm planning on using for my trip as my carry on. I got new make-up.
Today just didn't suck. It wasn't super awesome, but it also didn't suck. I nailed down my thesis statement for my actual thesis. I"m pretty psyched about that. I also got an A on a paper and a 100% on another exercise. On both, we can re-submit for better grades. I'm glad I did them right the first time, mainly because I don't have the time to re-do things. The 100% paper was really just a review graded for certain grammar and style things. I now can:
- use "effect" as a noun AND a verb.
- properly use "whom"
- eliminate "to be" and its various lame forms from my writing, for a more exciting style of prose.
I'm thrilled. I'm also a huge nerd. sigh.
I'm peachy.
2.17.2009
Megan's Purple Marker
The last two weeks were some of the most stressful of my life. I had to make sure that I got work done during the week so that I didn't fall behind during my jam-packed weekends. Don't misunderstand me. I had a wonderful time visiting my sister (during the most stressful weekend of her life) in North Carolina, where it was warm and sunny. A preview of spring, if you will. I was really happy to have the chance to speak at La Salle, even if I feel like I fell short a bit, especially in comparison to Father Frank and Dr. Kling. Those are difficult acts to follow (or proceed, in this case). I got to spend time with almost everyone at La Salle, which was nice, including alumni. I was beyond thrilled to finally see Jess, Sara, Mary, Gwen, Lou, Amy, Jo Anna, Chris, Greg, Davey, and Bill (I'm sure I'm forgetting someone). I don't get to see any of them enough.
However, on Sunday, I literally collapsed. I thought I would just be really tired (as per my last blog), but I laid around most of the day, and I'm pretty sure I had a low-grade fever. I was achy and such as well. I'm glad I don't feel like that anymore either.
This week I am determined to relax a bit, but still getting things done. I have no where to be this weekend (for once), so I can work fewer hours a day during the week, concentrating on my school-work, and relaxing a little each day. Maybe I'll exercise a little too.
This weekend will be dedicated to wedding planning, school-work, and relaxing. Maybe a round of engagement pictures. Nancy asked Jason and I to pose for her so she can try out some locations in the area.
Next weekend will be fun, but hopefully relaxing again. I may help with Improv 101 auditions...I'm really excited to improvize again. I think it will be just the stress-reliever I need.
I'm also planning a trip to New Orleans for the Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association National Conference, and it's been stressful planning. I've only once before booked my own hotel and never before booked a plane ticket. I also LOVE to fly (there is sarcasm in that statement), so there's that too. I'm pysched to go, but not in the getting there. At least Jason is going with me. I've never flown without my family either. Sigh.
I just thought I'd update my readership (as small as it may be now).
I'm peachy.
*edit*: michele muller is so very insightful. she pointed out that jason is family now, so i still will not be flying without family. :)
However, on Sunday, I literally collapsed. I thought I would just be really tired (as per my last blog), but I laid around most of the day, and I'm pretty sure I had a low-grade fever. I was achy and such as well. I'm glad I don't feel like that anymore either.
This week I am determined to relax a bit, but still getting things done. I have no where to be this weekend (for once), so I can work fewer hours a day during the week, concentrating on my school-work, and relaxing a little each day. Maybe I'll exercise a little too.
This weekend will be dedicated to wedding planning, school-work, and relaxing. Maybe a round of engagement pictures. Nancy asked Jason and I to pose for her so she can try out some locations in the area.
Next weekend will be fun, but hopefully relaxing again. I may help with Improv 101 auditions...I'm really excited to improvize again. I think it will be just the stress-reliever I need.
I'm also planning a trip to New Orleans for the Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association National Conference, and it's been stressful planning. I've only once before booked my own hotel and never before booked a plane ticket. I also LOVE to fly (there is sarcasm in that statement), so there's that too. I'm pysched to go, but not in the getting there. At least Jason is going with me. I've never flown without my family either. Sigh.
I just thought I'd update my readership (as small as it may be now).
I'm peachy.
*edit*: michele muller is so very insightful. she pointed out that jason is family now, so i still will not be flying without family. :)
2.05.2009
woah.
So in the last few hours, I just realized how busy the next week is going to be:
Tomorrow: Work, class, work, class, Jason comes home because...
Friday: Jason and I are driving to North Carolina to visit my little sister for her birthday. We'll be there (hopefully basking in the warm weather) until Sunday. I'm sure LOTS of homework will get done. (ha).
Monday: Back to work, class, work, class.
Tuesday: Work, class, work, class.
Wednesday: Work, class (turn in everything that is due on Thursday...because...
Thursday: I'm speaking at a symposium for the Masque about the American experience and 9/11 (or something like that). I have to miss a day of classes (woo) and I get something to put on my CV. However, I'm really nervous about it.
Friday: Who knows.
Saturday: Valentine's day dinner...with Jason, Nik, and Allison, then seeing "Recent Tragic Events".
Sunday: collapse.
On another note, my mom and I went to the mall tonight to get cards and such, and this car was following us very closely. Then it followed us into the parking lot...then parked next to us. and looked at us. He was a real creeper.
So tired, and I haven't done anything yet!
I'm peachy.
Tomorrow: Work, class, work, class, Jason comes home because...
Friday: Jason and I are driving to North Carolina to visit my little sister for her birthday. We'll be there (hopefully basking in the warm weather) until Sunday. I'm sure LOTS of homework will get done. (ha).
Monday: Back to work, class, work, class.
Tuesday: Work, class, work, class.
Wednesday: Work, class (turn in everything that is due on Thursday...because...
Thursday: I'm speaking at a symposium for the Masque about the American experience and 9/11 (or something like that). I have to miss a day of classes (woo) and I get something to put on my CV. However, I'm really nervous about it.
Friday: Who knows.
Saturday: Valentine's day dinner...with Jason, Nik, and Allison, then seeing "Recent Tragic Events".
Sunday: collapse.
On another note, my mom and I went to the mall tonight to get cards and such, and this car was following us very closely. Then it followed us into the parking lot...then parked next to us. and looked at us. He was a real creeper.
So tired, and I haven't done anything yet!
I'm peachy.
2.02.2009
Being a big girl.
So, following my last rant (entry), things have gotten a lot better.
About 12 hours after that angry passage, I met the person who has been my life-raft this semester. She's the newest grad student and assistant in the American Studies Department and she's very cool. We've actually gone on adventures together and such. Nancy was part of what was missing at Penn State: a grad student / friend. The others are cool, but Nancy and I just clicked. We also have three classes together, which helps.
15 credits has been pretty crazy...at times, overwhelming. However, I'll make it through.
I'm attending two conferences this semester. The first is in Elizabethtown (the Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association) over the last weekend in March. Fortunately, time still allows me to attend all the festivities going on at La Salle that weekend (the most crucial to me being the Improv 101 alumni show). The second is in New Orleans, Lousiana (the Pop Culture / American Culture Associations' Conference). I'm pretty excited / nervous / freaking out about them both.
I'm dramaturging PSU Harrisburg's production of Grease...mainly so my theatrical resume will have something on it for 2009.
I'm currently addicted to my giant tub of Jelly-Bellys. Thanks Nancy.
Life is calming down. It is good. I'm getting used to not seeing Jason everyday, mainly by keeping myself so busy on the off days that my mind is otherwise occupied.
This weekend I'm going to North Carolina with Jason to visit my little sister. Jason's never been to High Point and seen Sarah's school, so we figured her 20th b-day / winter parent's weekend was a good time. :D
The following weekend I'll be in Philly for Recent Tragic Events and Valentine's Day.
So...that's it!
I'm peachy!
About 12 hours after that angry passage, I met the person who has been my life-raft this semester. She's the newest grad student and assistant in the American Studies Department and she's very cool. We've actually gone on adventures together and such. Nancy was part of what was missing at Penn State: a grad student / friend. The others are cool, but Nancy and I just clicked. We also have three classes together, which helps.
15 credits has been pretty crazy...at times, overwhelming. However, I'll make it through.
I'm attending two conferences this semester. The first is in Elizabethtown (the Mid-Atlantic American Studies Association) over the last weekend in March. Fortunately, time still allows me to attend all the festivities going on at La Salle that weekend (the most crucial to me being the Improv 101 alumni show). The second is in New Orleans, Lousiana (the Pop Culture / American Culture Associations' Conference). I'm pretty excited / nervous / freaking out about them both.
I'm dramaturging PSU Harrisburg's production of Grease...mainly so my theatrical resume will have something on it for 2009.
I'm currently addicted to my giant tub of Jelly-Bellys. Thanks Nancy.
Life is calming down. It is good. I'm getting used to not seeing Jason everyday, mainly by keeping myself so busy on the off days that my mind is otherwise occupied.
This weekend I'm going to North Carolina with Jason to visit my little sister. Jason's never been to High Point and seen Sarah's school, so we figured her 20th b-day / winter parent's weekend was a good time. :D
The following weekend I'll be in Philly for Recent Tragic Events and Valentine's Day.
So...that's it!
I'm peachy!
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