New Perspective Bit
I'll admit that I'm a spaz. I'm a stereotypical first-born child with Type-A Personality. I want what I want WHEN I want. Patience is not a virtue I endorse nor do I believe that delaying gratification makes you a "better" person. Delay until I'm dead? No thanks. That being said, I'm going to TRY (I might and likely will fail miserably...) to function better when things don't go my way. Not only do I have double-whammy threats to my future cardiovascular health (bad genes and the worst of all personality types), but I also really want to make sure that I don't make the upcoming school year worse on our long-distance relationship situation. He's got another year there and I'm here. That's the way it is. I won't get to see him when I want to. We're both super busy. That's it. That's the way it is. Summer was awesome and now it's not summer anymore. That's the way it is. Whining and worrying and catastrophizing and over-thinking isn't going to expedite the ideal situation. So...wish me luck on this new endeavor. I'm going to need it.New Toys Bit
I got a new TV, new laptop, and a new phone!!!! The TV (32" LG) has been on my list for a long time and I am very happy to finally be a member of the 21st century. The iPhone was kind of on the list for a while. It has, thus far, been pretty nice having my work email and calendar updated in a portable fashion. Now (and maybe this isn't the best thing) I'll always know where I need to be and when I need to be there which will probably be a life-saver this fall... Also, my new laptop (a Sony Vaio...it's red) is pretty effing sweet. My old one was the victim of an unfortunate accident (the perpetrator will remain unnamed) and the power cable got ripped out of the motherboard. I called a few places for repair estimates and got laughed at a few times...so I took the money I would have spent to repair a two-year old laptop and put it toward the new one. Needless to say, but I really enjoyed spending my first "summer-class" paycheck. Now I return to reality and spend the other two paying off my credit cards! It will be an amazing feeling to have $0 in credit card debt.New Schedule Bit
The new perspective I need to take will likely make my first semester/year as a full time instructor AND a full time doctoral student bearable. I simply can't let myself get stressed out over things that I have no control over...I'll have PLENTY of things I do have control over to stress out about. Here's my schedule this year: Monday I have class in Mankato. Tuesday I teach all day at RCTC. Wednesday I have class in Mankato. Thursday I teach all day AND have class in Mankato. Fridays I have "off", but I use that term loosely. I don't think I'll have much time to greet myself coming and going. I'll have all the usual work I have during the school year PLUS three classes worth of doctoral level work! Some would call me crazy and I'm starting to think they're right. However, I can't really say "no thanks" to a free doctorate degree. I love my job.
