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May 1, 2008
The remaining thoughts
I survived my first semester of grad school. I'm feeling pretty good about it. I already know I got one A. :) The other two grades might take a while to come in because the projects we had to do were pretty large. I turned in roughly 80 pages of awesomeness today. I am at ease for the first time in months.
Sort of.
I move on Saturday. That, in itself, is stressful... But earlier in the week I was bummed about moving because I didn't think I was going to be able to take Trixie with me immediately. I was told that the total amount for the pet rent was due at the same time I moved in (and also paid my own rent).
Clearly as a freelancing graduate student, I do not have heaps of money lying around for such purposes. I thought I would have to leave Trix with my parents while I collected my sometimes-elusive checks-in-the-mail. Well, a good connection proved itself today when the lady I've worked with at the lease office helped me out. Another lady is the one who told me the rule... But the lady I knew said I can bring Trixie and I'm under good faith to pay the fee. Naturally, that's no problem. I was just so thrilled when she said Trix could come. Not only would I have been very lonely, but my parents would have been going crazy with an insane dog who missed her mommy. What a relief. (And I think I speak for my parents when I say that too.)
I start another course in less than two weeks. It's a quick one, though. I hope I'm ready for it. "Teaching Writing" in three weeks: four hours a day, four days a week. Talk about intense. I'm looking forward to it because I'll be with some literature folks (I had to get permission to take this section because I'm in the TESOL program, but I convinced them I'll be able to keep up because of my background in lit :).
Two more courses between June 1 and July 3. Two hours a day, four days a week. "Assessment in ESL" and "Language and Social Context." Should be (intensely) fun. I think things will go better in general now that I will be living closer to campus.
I'm looking forward to this summer even though it's going to be a lot of work. I think I'll be happy to be busy. Again. Because everyone knows that a busy Karissa is a happy Karissa. :)
Posted by KarissaKilgore at May 1, 2008 10:19 PM
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Comments
CONGRATS on wrapping up a great term. I read your 'awesomeness' post about your interview...that IS awesome! And it sounds like you're accelerating your learning over the summer with your pedal to the metal. Your drive will pay off, Karissa!
Grad school for me always felt like the Army: "moving out" all the time, tackling new obstacles every day, staying disciplined, and making bonds in the trenches. (But it was BETTER than the Army, too! I'd rather have a point shot down in a class than, well, you know, real gunfire.) Renting places with a pet is ALWAYS a pain, and it inherently limits the number of options you have for rentals. But it's so worth it to have a companion like that. Hang in there -- the rewards come to those who invest so much energy into their careers and daily lives.
Posted by: Mike Arnzen at May 3, 2008 11:03 AM
Karissa, you've worked hard for your accomplishments. I hope you're saving at least a bit of time over the summer to relax and recharge.
Good look on the move.
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at May 3, 2008 7:46 PM