Recently....

It has been a VERY busy time. I can barely keep up with my own day. I am taking a few days respite right now, and still have to grade 45 ten page papers while I "rest." I also went to Seattle recently which was a lot of fun, and a lot of stress. I interviewed for a job up there that I want more than anything, but don't want to talk too much about it because I am afraid I won't get it if I do. You know how it is.

Next term is going to be nuts, too. I am teaching 4 classes and have double the amount of supervisees. It's significantly more money, which is why I said yes to everything. I desperately need money right now, so it works out to take on some extra duties. It also gives me more experience in things that I haven't had exposure to teaching as of yet. I am really excited about it, but also know it's going to be crazy.

Add in a dissertation and life is going to be miserable. I haven't been feeling very well either, have been at the doctor a lot lately trying to figure out what is wrong. I have been fatigued and feeling just out of it a lot. My doc ran some tests and nothing huge has come back. I am doing a full sleep study, next step is going into the lab for them to watch me sleep (awkward much?) hoping that we will be able to see if anything is seriously wrong with my sleep. So far they can't find any cardiac reasons, but I do have many "desaturations" when I sleep. I just learned what that means, but not sure I can explain it. The best part of my doctor's visits is that she actually told me to drink more red wine! I thought that was AWESOME. Best prescription ever! I will definitely take her up on that one.

Joselyn turned three this week, but I didn't get to spend it with her because I was out of town. I hear it was a good time and she learned to sing Happy Birthday to herself. ;) What a sweetie.

I also had a phone conversation with my old therapist today, she is amazing. If you think therapy is weird, would never want to do it, then that makes you crazy I say! It's wonderful and has made my life so much more centered and meaningful. You don't have to have something "wrong" to go, I think it's most helpful when you are seeking to enrich what you already have. My therapist is amazing, so I guess it's easy for me to love the process.

I know, I am well aware...

...I have been fairly MIA in the blog world. Well, that's just how it goes sometimes. It's hard to know if anyone really cares to read anything related to me, so I often hesitate to blog. Then some anonymous commenter left several "Please post more blogs" and I suddenly felt compelled. Though, I am curious to who you are anonymous commenter!

Here are some recent highlights:

• I am currently in the analyzing data phase of my dissertation. This is a tedious phase, but I am so grateful to be here.
• I seriously cried during Obama's inauguration. I don't care what you think about that, because it's just simply true. I think it was knowing that it was so meaningful to so many people. I look forward to telling my children the story of watching that day happen.
  
• I am still teaching at UofO and loving every second of it. The mere thought that this is temporary makes me ill. It's been perfect for me, even the really hard days when I have to challenge myself to give hard feedback to students.
  
• I traveled to Lubbock in January to collect data, which was surprisingly emotional. Now, I am aware that my dissertation topic is heavy, but I am used to it (or so I thought). It was just incredible that eleven people were willing to share their life stories with me. What a privilege. Erin and Andrew were wonderful hosts, it was extremely nice to spend so much time with them. I also got to see BABY KATE while I was in town, she is such a joy. I can't wait to see her again when I go back in May.
  
• I still wake up every day and pinch myself that I have a brother that I just only found 9 months ago. He remains to be a big part of my life and I am forever thankful for hiring that private investigator for $150. Best money I ever spent, ever. Ever.
  
• Jarod might be making his way back to the west coast and I can't wait.
  
• I am currently "job searching" and have some prospects. I am not going to mention it though in detail because I seriously believe I could jinx it.
  
• One of my best friends, Christine, had her first baby. Annabelle left the womb on Valentine's Day and she is precious.
• I haven't seen Joselyn since Christmas, what the hell! I just realized that. My sister and I are equally busy, which is both good and bad.
  
• My car was broken into right outside my apartment this month. They "gutted" it, and I have been dealing with insurance for a few weeks now. Needless to say I have been music-less when I drive and that is torture. I seriously think I would rather hold a snake then not have music. They also stole my Ipod. I want to punch them in the baby maker.
• In better news, Jarod is sending me a new Ipod this week. He knows how much I am suffering without music and emphasizes. Sweet thing.
  
• I have plans to go see Brandy and Sally in March. I can't wait for a mid season Brucas. It will be amaaaazing. And rumor has it that Adam will be home at the same time. Have you ever heard of such perfection?
• I've joined Twitter and think it's awesome. I've been "tweeting" with Ashton Kutcher a bit and feel we are becoming quite good friends. ;) Ha. Maybe just Twitter acquaintances? Anycrap, he really has been responding, it's strangely normal.
• I still watch "Brothers & Sisters" regularly and nervous about this week's episode. If they kill off Rob Lowe I might throw a fit like a 3 year old.

That's it in a nutshell. I am going to finish watching SNL now. Don't be jealous of my extremely hot Saturday night plans.

Peace.