Rest

I finished all of my grad classes. I'm crazy tired and feel as if it's impossible to stand still - like I'm wasting time or missing a deadline. My thesis is left, and yep, I'm still researching and reading like a nutcase. But, I'm also crafting!

I've made redneck wine glasses, a wine cork board/ frame, cork coasters, cupcake jars, painted wineglass stems, and created a piece of felt pie. I also made a few magnets and necklaces - and will continue working on those and frappuccino bottle crafts for the next few days. Oh, and there was the handmade paper covered canvases...I'm pretty happy with myself.

Now to chill out over the holidays (I'd rather stay in bed and avoid the chaos) and look forward to a new year and all it brings - graduation! Paleo takeover! New job or something!!!

Grateful for what Christmas means, grateful for a safe and healthy family, and amazing friends. And of course, I'm THRILLED beyond words to be finished with classes!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Give yourself a break!

Grad school. 2 years of demanding deadlines, teachers with clashing guidelines, countless hours of homework, oodles of severe migraines, and weeks of sleepless nights.

I have too much going on. I am in my last semester of classes for grad school, then I start my thesis in January. I've been taking 6 credits every 8 weeks since January. My brain is exhausted. My body is worn out. My asthma is cranky and my antidepressants have run out. I need to cut myself a break.

I have a 3.9 GPA. I work 40 hours a week. I'm single. My apartment is a disaster. I'm so tired.

Tonight, I had a panic attack because I thought I was late for a discussion board post. Seriously, I thought I was going to puke. I got an A on my first paper of the term today and it was all I could do to not burst into tears. I thought I failed that paper.

I need to give myself a break. Today - give yourself a break. Put down the caffeine. Turn off the computer, and rest.

And, avoid gluten. Good lord it's trying to kill me. More on that later.

Be still. Ex 14:14

God bless you-
M

Oy! I suck at keeping up on this!!

Ok - it's been about 5 months since I posted...lame! I'm finishing my 6th & 7th grad classes tomorrow. Yippee!! I moved AGAIN, this time into a very small apartment. My dog is mad at me, there's not much room, and I could easily get a spot on the show Hoarders. Yikes.

One year from tomorrow, I graduate with my Master's in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga. Praise the sweet Lord!!! In June, I head to Italy for 3 weeks for GU's Intercultural Communication Immersion course in Cagli. I'm super stoked. I was awarded one of the Intercultural Fellow scholarships, which is super flattering and inspiring.

I didn't get to run the Mercer Island Half in March. Doc said the knee is in no shape for 13.1 miles. Admittedly, finishing 4 grad classes in 16 weeks (w/ only 1 week break) has taken a toll on me. I fell off the Paleo wagon, but am happily back on it now. I feel so much better, need to lose weight, and want to RUN! Paleo/Primal will help with that. If I can get my rear in gear, I hope to be posting more travel writing here along with Paleo recipes that I like. (I'm not making any promises!)

At this juncture, there are NO distractions - which is just fine. I wouldn't have time for one! First things first, I'm heading to the JMM Conference in Tacoma next weekend (WOOHOO!) and then I'll tackle the living room. I have a storage unit, so I just need to USE it!!

I'm talking too much. If you're reading this - I hope you have an amazing weekend. Do something nice for yourself. No matter what's going on in your world, take care of you.

God Bless!!
M