Freedom

I'M FREE!

 

Yep, you heard me, I am officially dunzo with the horrible incident that was grad school.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the opportunity I had to continue my education and get my master's degree, but I am also deliriously happy to be finished!

 

Sunday morning/afternoon I woke up, still tired from all the wedding excitement.  But I couldn't just lay in bed all day, I had a mission to complete.  ONE more paper and I would be forever through with homework, reading (for school), research and papers.  I started feverishly writing, just eager for the feeling of relief I knew would come when I turned that sucker in. 

 

I took a little break to go to Freedom Fest with Adam.  What is Freedom Fest, you ask?  We didn't really know either, we just knew the signs up around town said "everything's free" and as two people desperately trying to save money, we decided it couldn't hurt.  They might have free hot dogs or something!

 

"Hey, I'm gonna take you to dinner tonight." Adam told me as I typed as fast as I could on my paper.

 

"REALLY?!" I said excitedly.

 

"Yeah, we're going to Freedom Fest."

 

Oh.  Freedom Fest.  Dangit.

 

I secretly crossed my fingers they had some decent food there. 

 

We parked about a mile away and walked to the Events Center - aka a big field with a stage in the middle of all the baseball fields.  Lots of Searcy people there, which if you know Searcy, you know the people-watching was worth the trip to FF - free food or not.  But they had free food! Not only were there hot dogs, but there were bbq sandwiches, soda, chips, snow cones, watermelon, cotton candy.  ALL FREE.  Sweet.  I ate way too much, we listened to the Christian cover band for 5 minutes, decided our ears had been tortured enough.

 

Back at home...

 

I'm working on my paper when I hear a loud catastrophic BOOM outside.  W.T.F.  I ignored it and kept writing my paper.

 

15 minutes later Adam left to go jog at the track.  I heard more and more booms.  Are we being bombed? 

 

I walked out on the porch to check out the scene and determine whether Miller and I needed to hide in the bathtub with my mattress covering us. 

 

All the across-the-courtyard neighbors were on their balconies looking up at the sky.

 

I couldn't see anything at all when I looked that way, so I decided to walk outside so I could see.  I went downstairs and lo and behold... almost too good to be true... FIREWORKS.

 

I seriously love fireworks.  Freedom Fest was still going on, and since it was held less than a mile from my apt., the fireworks were so close it felt like they were right overhead.  As I sat outside by myself, I felt like the huge (expensive) fireworks display was just for me, saying "CONGRATULATIONS.. You're done with school, JEN!"  It was like the whole town was celebratng my impending freedom. 

 

I finished my paper, turned it in, and every night this week I've had a nagging feeling when I get home from work.  What homework do I have to do?  Isn't sad that this is an automatic thought and I can't stop feeling like I've got something to do?

 

But I don't!  WHOOT.  I'm done.  For-ev-errrrrr!

So...

2 papers due tomorrow that I've yet to begin.... FML.

Yet another paper due next Monday, haven't started it... FML.

Going home for girly fun, shopping and Hannah's Wedding... yes, please!

Can't Hardly Wait

16 more days and I'm officially finished with school forever!!!  Unbelievable!  I have a few assignments and TWO papers to write... this seems like a lot for the next two weeks, but I don't care, because then I'll be free!  I've been spending a lot of unnecessary time dreaming about what I'll do when I don't have homework to finish.

1. Read, read, read!

2. Exercise + eat healthy = lose 50 lbs!

3. Re-dedicate myself to Weight Watchers.

4. Be (even more) organized!

5. Relax!

This little list may seem simple but it's the little things in life, right?

{not so} Wonderland

I feel like the little guy on Alice in Wonderland who runs around singing that song: "I'm late, I'm late.. for a very important date."  

And I've felt like that for the past two days.  I can't seem to get caught up with all I need to do.  Life will be {so} much easier when these classes are over at the end of the month.  Right now I can't blog about my first day of work because I have an essay to write that was due at 11:59 last night.  

{Yay}

SPENCE!

I totally forgot to tell you guys!  At the reception yesterday, there was a total Spence look alike. For those of you who don't know, Spence is short for Spencer (The Hills).  I kid you not, when I walked in that room I did a double take.  He looked exactly like him.  Holy moly I wish I could've scored a picture.  He looked just like this:

I promise you, they could be twins, except Reception Guy was a little shorter than Spence looks on The Hills.

Back to real life!

I start my job tomorrow.

I'm kind of nervous.

I have to drive to Batesville for orientation, starting at 9.

I hope I can make it to class in Little Rock at 5. 

Fat chance.

Speaking of class... my online class is kickin' my tail!

I graduated and tricked myself into thinking I was done.

Blah.

I'll let y'all know how the first day goes tomorrow!

{Another Chapter}

I graduate this Friday.  It's the end of this chapter in my life.  Yes, I still have to take 2 more elective classes to actually get my degree, but it's still a big turning point in my life.  I'm moving out of the house I've lived in for a year (with 3 roommates) and into a one-bedroom apartment by myself.  I have a job as a case manager (and eventually a therapist) which I'll start June 1st.  Life is still hectic, but it's still a huge relief to be (basically) finished with school.  A weight has definitely been lifted off my shoulders already.  I'm so excited and anxious to begin this new part of my life!

it's beginning...

Finally, December is here! last night the girls and I put up our Christmas tree after I went to walmart and bought new ornaments. I went home for thanksgiving and forgot to grab our box of ornaments from last year, so I took it upon myself to buy the new ones. ashley had the idea to do gold and silver this year, and it looks really pretty! we've had our tv on the 'holidays and happenings' christmas music channel ever since we got home... i love it. it's starting to get colder outside. i'm not a huge fan of cold weather but at the same time i like it. i love wearing comfy warm clothes and snuggling up inside and i love wearing cute winter clothes to go out. it's not so bad i guess. it even snowed a little bit yesterday morning before i left springdale.

i had a really good time at home this past week. the only sad part was i didn't get a chance to see my friends. i got in too late on wednesday (thanks to my dreadful paper) and didn't get to go eat with everyone like i'd planned. i did get a lot of QT with my mom and sisters, though. so fun!

now it's back to school for two more weeks. i have 2 finals, a small paper and a few process recordings left and then it's freedom for a whole month! i don't think i'll even know what to do with myself!

really?!

can I just take this moment to say that SCHOOL IS MISERABLE!

I totally brought this on myself.

aye aye aye

This week has been out of control. Once again, I've procrastinated to the point where I can't even function. I have several different little (and big) things to get done by Tuesday. I always get it done, I just hate feeling so rushed. Which is why one of my goals for next semester is to stay on top of things!

But, once I get this all finished... I get to go HOME! I'm so excited for my 5-day Thanksgiving break. I get to see Miller and my family and I get to go shopping and see all my friends. Plus, I get to go 5 days without worrying (too much) about school. Really, once I make it through Tuesday, I'm finished with this semester. That feels so good just to think about.

Other than school... my life is really good right now. REALLY good.

Procrastinator's Anonymous

This weekend has not gone like I planned it to at all. I've gotten some work done on my process recordings but not nearly as much as I needed to. Luckily I don't have to work or go to school tomorrow so my weekend isn't over today. I've decided that next semester is going to be different. Here's a run-down of some goals I have for the new year and my last semester of grad school:

1. STAY on top of my process recordings. ATLEAST 2 a week... no exceptions. Turn them in to my instructor by the following Wednesday.

2. Work out 5 times a week. Yes, this is a huge increase from my big fat ZERO times a week over the past few months, but it's definitely possible. I mean, it's not like I won't have the time. I just need to get motivated.

3. Find a job. My dream job would be at Arkansas Children's. Really, any hospital would do.

4. I guess before I do #3 I need to decide where I'm going to go after I graduate in May. The two really depend on each other, because I have to have a job wherever I go.

5. Start studying for my licensing exam. This scares the pants off of me.

6. Be more dedicated to reading for my classes.

7. Be more responsible with my money.

8. Eat healthier. This could help with #7. and also #9 which is...

9. Lose 25 pounds. SERIOUSLY. Lose 25 pounds. I can do this.

10. Keep a cleaner house. This has been a problem this semester due to sheer laziness.

11. Last but not least, have FUN! I think I've mastered this one already. :) Probably the reason I've got so much to work on!

Summer in Searcy

I live in Searcy. Therefore, there has not been a whole heck of a lot to blog about. Actually, there really has, but no thanks to Searcy. I've neglected to journal or blog or even jot down thoughts about the past 2 months and now I really regret it. I like to look back and see where I've come from and that's easier to do when I write things down. I graduated a little over 2 months ago and already my life is changed completely.

I moved in to the yellow house in Searcy at the end of May and live now with my beloved Chesley. I was nervous to live with someone I didn't really know, but I think we've ended up making great 2nd impressions on each other! ;) She's a great girl and when she leaves me in August I know I'll miss her in this house.

Another change: I started graduate school. Honestly, one of the hardest things I've ever done. Not only because of the work load but because it was the responsible thing to do. I didn't want to leave my friends and family and come to this place for 3 months basically alone. Searcy is a completely different place when you aren't a Harding student anymore and when you're without your closest friends. I knew that this summer would be hard and that it would change me. And it is. I don't know if I can say it's for the better or not, but I do know that I feel myself growing, and I'm learning a lot about myself. These were two of my goals coming into the summer so I'm glad that I'm starting to reach them.


I've only really gone home once in the past month and I won't go home again for another month. That shows how busy my schoolwork is keeping me. I miss my family, but I'm pressing through. Just three more weeks and I'll have a couple weeks at home with no school to weigh me down! I cannot wait!