*firehazard

Ahhh, the blank page of the text editor for my blog is very daunting at the moment. Since my last real post, a lot has happened to me on all levels. For starters, my second year of graduate school has come to a close. While this might be happy and exciting news for most people, the only thing I can think of is the fact that I still have two or three more years left. At this point, most of you are probably thinking, “It’ll fly by! You’ll be done in no time!” While that might be true, the only thing I keep seeing is the list of requirements I need to have finished within the next year before starting my dissertation. We’ll see how long it really takes though, I feel extra motivated this summer.

As a matter of fact, getting some of my grad school requirements finished isn’t my only goal this summer. A couple months ago I was introduced to an awesome, remind-me-of-blacksburg-type bar where they have a list that names all the beers they serve. This list doubles as a checklist so that you can keep track of the beers you’ve had to drink while being there. To make things interesting, once you finish the list, the bar gives you a mug and a 10% discount on all future tabs. Now enter my second summer goal: Finish the beer list and earn my 10% discount for life! I’ll go so far as to say that I’ll finish the list by mid July; I don’t even need all summer…I’m that good.

Instead of running on and on about all the things that have happened over the last 2+ months, I’ll just start writing regularly again from this point on…at least through the summer.

As a college student, I expect to have to wake up early every once in a while…earlier than I would normally would.  Most of you out there who have experienced college knows that it’s one of those inevitable things that simply can not be avoided every time it comes around.  So we wake up, finish that paper, cram for that exam, go over that presentation one more time, and often times go directly back to bed once said task is complete.

However I’ve noticed a recent change for me with regards to having to wake up extremely early to finish whatever work it is that I have to complete:  I no longer have the luxury of going back to bed afterwards.

How did this happen?  It seems like only yesterday I was staying up all hours of the night and early morning, then waking up just in time to eat lunch.  Now, if I even consider a late night I almost certainly regret it throughout the entirety of the next day.  Although this might also be a result of the close relationship between staying up late, me, and drinking…

Sadly, I believe I’m an entering into yet another transitional stage in my life: I am becoming a “grown up.” This title isn’t something that has come out of nowhere. Little have I known, but since leaving undergraduate school I have begun taking on new “grown up” related things. I pay car and health insurance; I pay my own mobile phone bill; cover nearly all costs concerning rent, auto repairs, food and fun; I’ve even joined a community run softball league with some other friends from work/school. I’m even becoming friendly with my much older neighbors both across the street and next door. I’ve also begun to notice younger teens mock me as I run by them when jogging through the neighborhood (I can remember being that kid).

I guess it’s not all bad though. According to a survey conducted by yours truly from a bunch of drunks on St. Patrick’s Day, I look as though I’m still 22 or 23! If only I could still drink like I could, but only a couple years ago.  I had quite a headache the next morning from only 4 drinks over a 3 hour period. *sigh*

But, the headache was only there because my alarm went off very early for class that morning, and I’m only meeting my neighbors because I’m outside in the mornings at the same time they’re leaving for work. Going to bed early isn’t all bad either. I feel much more refreshed in the mornings and make it through the entire day without feeling tired. Plus I still have my 4:00am at ihop moments and waking up at noon because of a party night before.

Anyway, this post has been in the draft bin for about 3 weeks now so I really lost my motivation after the second paragraph. I just felt the need to post something. So until next time…

‘Tis the season to eat a lot of food, give and receive presents, and celebrate the coming  of a new year.  So, unfortunately for my biggest fans, I will be on hiatus over the holiday/new year season to indulge in exactly those things.

I hope all of you have happy holidays and check back after the new year for an in depth analysis of the senselessness involved when skipping the number “13″ on such things like airplane isles and building floors — is it the number that makes it “unlucky” or the fact that it is the 13th?  Or are people dumb for thinking a number could be unlucky?

Merry Christmas!