So Far Behind...So I'm Cooking

It's spring break. I haven't gotten enough done. I'm so far behind I was up on-and-off all night with anxiety. I decided to get up at the crack of dawn and work on my writing project.

I was awake at 5ish, thinking about what to write, feeling very motivated, but I didn't get out of bed.

It's now about noon-ish. What have I accomplished? I've played scrabble online, checked facebook, twitter, posted on my blog, read a recipe for oyster stew, made crepes and bacon for breakfast, and I have peanut butter banana bread in the oven. I haven't even opened the file for my writing project or cracked a book. I am doomed.

Monday, I have an annotated bibliography due. I have read everything for Indian children's lit, though.

Wednesday, I have a proposal due for my tech writing project (which means I need to have most of the work done on the actual project). I also need to do the reading for tech writing and Indian children's lit.

I also still haven't graded correspondence portfolios...even though I've graded all the stuff that has been handed in after those. Blergh. They are soooooooooo boring.

Secret Quotes--From Cheryl Klein

I infrequently follow the blog of children's book editor Cheryl Klein. This morning I stopped by for a peak at recent posts and found myself reading quotes about secrets that Cheryl had collected.

Here are a few of my favorites:

"Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company." — Rachel Naomi Remen

"I not only have my secrets, I am my secrets. And you are yours. Our secrets are human secrets, and our trusting each other enough to share them with each other has much to do with the secret of what it means to be human." — Frederick Buehner

"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. It is a seeking that he who wishes may know the cosmic secrets of the world and they that dwell therein." — Zora Neale Hurston

If you'd like to read more, check out Brooklyn Arden, the blog of Cheryl Klein.

Spring Break Accomplishments...

I watched the first two seasons of Merlin. Season 3, I need you and have zero access. Sad.

I have graded a ton: quizzes, group graphic memos, instruction evaluations, and lego instructions.

I dyed my hair red. Then attempted to dye it dark brown. I now have an unnatural dark red hair that I am hoping fades more natural. It is satisfactory though. I'm just happy that I no longer glow in the sunlight.

I still haven't finished my project, graded correspondence portfolios or pie chart designs, done my annotated bibliography, or my project proposal.

Can I run away to Grand Junction now instead of in May?

On a random note, I love my cat.

Song of the Day

I was sitting in the office grading, not really paying attention to what Pandora was sharing with me.

Then this haunting, elegant song came on. It has an eerie, ghostly feel, and I thought it was beautiful.

Job In Hand, I'm Now Motivated

I can't be distracted by job searching anymore...it turns out I can be distracted by looking for a boat and an apartment.

I'd really like another snark, but I can't find a used one in a convenient location. If I have to drive several states over to buy it, it no longer is affordable. I really can't afford to store one anyway, but I dream.

Finding an apartment is a reasonable distraction, right?

My goal for today is to get all caught up on grading. I'm going into the office to tackle this great feat.

Tomorrow is project day. I will finish that sucker. Friday, I will annotate for Indian Children's Lit. Saturday, I will do my project proposal for Han Yu's class. Sunday, I will finish Cracking India. Monday, I will read for 759. Tuesday, I will write my response paper and probably wrap up the proposal started on Saturday. I cannot plan beyond that.

Since I'm going into the office, I won't make it out to hang with CB until this evening. I think I will watch a few episode's of Merlin with said cat to reward myself for grading. Season 2 is thus far good, and available on Hulu.

I Decided to Take a Job

When I first heard that the Division of Wildlife job would be available around the time that I finish grad school, I thought I would save it as a last resort. I decided to go for it, but not even as a last resort. I think it's going to be a much better option than anything else.

1. I already know the job.
2. They've increased the pay.
3. They're transitioning to a new CMS, so I won't get bored because there's an extra challenge.
4. The natural gas industry in the area has shut down, so rent is affordable.
5. Barring workshopping for classes, I haven't spent as much time on my novel as when I worked there before.
6. It's far enough from home.
7. It will give me time to look for more long-term jobs without worrying about a writing project.

The 6 month thing is a bit of a nuisance for signing leases and whatnot, but I'm ready to indulge in all the things I like. Grad school has been very limiting.

Starring in the Life of Cheryl: Strawberry Shortcake

I've been wanting a little of what my friend Angie calls "hair therapy." I wanted to dye my hair dark, but I kept getting the "it's spring go for something bright response." I thought maybe red. My sister who is getting married said I should go red because she wants to go dark. We're twins, and we try to be different, so I decided, okay I will go red. Dying brown hair red often results in burgundy hair. I wanted natural, so I perused several boxes and found what I thought would work.

I'm not burgundy, but I look like Strawberry Shortcake, sans freckles and giant face. I'm trying to get a picture of myself to compare to this one, but I have no chord for the camera I have, and the web cam and the phone camera are too dull.

Starting the Day Off Right, with Grammar Humor

My friend Angie shared this gem with me on facebook.