Finally I am done with my semester. My first semester of PhD coursework, and it was accordingly stressful. I don’t know, my utter inability to keep up with the mundanities of life really got to me this time. Other semesters I’ve been able to at least re-evaluate my organizational systems mid-semester, but this time I had a conference mid-semester so I never caught back up. I am making a conscious effort at improvement between now and the spring semester, but I also need to pledge to myself to just take time each day to make sure I’m organized, I know what’s on my calendar, etc. I am also planning to purchase some fancy electronic tools to help me stay focused….. more about that when the time comes.
So now I have the next few weeks to rest, renew, clear things out, and be creative! This week is, of course, Hanukkah and Christmas, so we have lots of celebrating to do. I am hoping to make a few small gifts on the sewing machine and also finish up a larger gift that requires handwork in the next couple of days (as I always say, one of the great things about Hanukkah is that there’s no hard deadline for presents). I have journaling and writing plans, photography plans, and I’m also going to do some (semi-academic) writing for a book project I have in mind. I am also going to: eat lots of clementines, exercise a lot, go sledding, drink tea, watch Project Runway episodes, and visit with friends.
And to anyone out there still reading after my months of absence – happy holidays! Enjoy yourselves.