Summer '10

So, my semester ended successfully. My GPA remains intact and I then took a break to my home in a more northern area of Michigan. I spent a little over a week with dial-up internet and no cell phone service and I loved it. I loved be unconnected. I got online twice, called only my closest friends, one of whom was graduating from college and therefore celebrations were necessary. I saw family, had fun, and disconnected; three very necessary things in my life. I usually go home about once a month in order to do these things.

Well, this summer, as I said before hold a myriad of possibilities. I am learning French, have several fun books to read, several academic books in preparation for my thesis, and I just found out that I received a bit of last minute funding. I have my first TA gig, my first office, my first departmental mailbox. I am way more excited than I ought to be, I feel. This is my first summer completely on my own however. I have lived elsewhere for the summer before, but that was on Mackinac Island with 60 other girls in the same building as I, sharing the same kitchen and bathroom. Since my roomie here has a summer internship I am completely alone this summer and I am excited.

Aside from academic activities (yes I am calling reading fiction academic) I have several craft ideas to complete. I haver recently tapped into my crafting side and made myself a bag and two headbands. They turned out alright. I just finished cross-stitching a bookmark, which will be given to a friend and I'm excited for a new craft project. Today I bought a wicker basket to store craft things in. Right now there is one needle and the bookmark pattern in it, so it needs more. I think I'm going to make pin cushions (one for my bff who just graduated) because she started crafting about a year and half ago and I feel I owe her some sort of crafting inspiration. Crafting gives me a task, but one I don't think about too much and can complete while watching television or something. I'm very fidgety and it keeps my hands busy and my mind focused when, especially during television and movie time (which I love) when I have been getting restless.

In short, this summer ought to be great. I feel that my official grad school summer kick-off was tonight, followed by a friend visiting tomorrow and some used books shopping, and a low-key weekend. Hopefully it will be a productive, relaxing, and beneficial summer.