One Year Down and Summer Sun

Yesterday marked the end of my first year of grad school! It's pretty amazing how quickly time went by. It feels like only a very short time ago that I quit Technicolor to go back to school, and felt like 2 more years of learning was a daunting task. I'm halfway through it now, and there are still many daunting tasks ahead of me (thesis, anyone?), but I finished the year with almost a 4.0 (I'm pretty sure I'm getting a B in my Fantasy and Fantastic Literature class, dang it...), so I'm feeling good about what's to come next year.

It's summer break now, and I have to admit that it's a strange feeling. I don't have to do anything, though there are many many things I should be doing. But the idea that I have no current official obligations for a little over 3 months is amazing! This is my first summer break since 2004, so that's a pretty big deal. But, I should find a job, as household funds are pretty much near non-existent, and it would be good for me to stay busy. I took an off day today, but I think I should really get cracking at applications over the next few days. Though, I'm wondering what kind of part-time job I'd be able to find that would be willing to hire me, what with graduate education and a relatively high salary history. I think I may sound too expensive? And, to be honest, despite brokedom, I do wish that I didn't have to work this summer. Unless I get a job in education (which is possible, but not really what I'd like to be doing), this will probably be my last full summer vacation. It seems a little whiny and bratty, but I would like to have that one last time. I think people don't have enough time to do the little things they enjoy doing, and that having that time as an adult is important. There have always been things I said I'd do when I had the time and energy - write, read more, exercise... That time is now, for me. A part-time job isn't a big deal, but it would be nice to have a completely free few months, you know?

Still, even if I do find a job this summer, I'll still have a fair bit more time on my hands, so I've made myself several goals/plans for these next 3 months:

• Research folkloristics and possible thesis topic (Representations of folklore in anime)
• Practice writing
  
• Read for fun (aka not research)
• Start and maintain an exercise routine
• Work on knitting projects
• Experiment with recipes
• Teach Sam some simple cooking
• Play Fallout 3 and the Sims 3 (but don't go overboard!)

It's a lot, and I'm not sure how well I'll fulfill all of those. But to help me at least keep track of my work and progress, I think I'd like to start a NaBloPoMo and post every day for a month. June's already a week and a half in, but I figure I can just blog daily until July 10th, and that'd be okay. This is more for me, so it's not official or anything. But I figure it'll help with my writing and also make sure I make time for everything, and not just spend the entire summer knitting and playing video games. I won't be too hard on myself if I miss a day here and there, cuz I don't want this to be stressful in any way. But it'll at least give me some structure to work with. And I think, even during lazy days of summer, I need a little bit of structure so I'm not confused and lazy all the time. :)

Exercised Today?: Yes. (Elliptical - ouch, I'm already sore!)
Currently on the Needles: Cachoeira socks from Knitty.com
Reading: Nothing right now