Rest & Recover Day 10

Walking...everywhere.

I spotted an awesome walking route today that I think I am going to take daily this summer. It's 3.5 miles round trip--it's quiet, pretty, and I think it will be an awesome outlet for me! Not to mention it will take off some poundage!

Which I desperately need...now!

As the summer begins for me tomorrow, I have to say that I am much more excited and at peace than I have ever been.

Could be because I have NO summer school and NO thesis to worry about! Yay! Let the summer begin.... :)

Rest & Recover Day 9

Listen, Listen, Listen.

It's been so long since I have been able to really just sit down and talk with people. My mind has been cooped up, tied up, and just too too busy. Tonight I spent time with a mom of one of my students-she had me over for dinner. We talked for 2 hours, and as I sat there I really realized how long it has been that I have been able to do that.

In those moments, I felt even more grateful to have a summer ahead of me that will allow me time to re-connect with people I cherish.

Rest & Recover Days 7-8

Vacation lots.

It seems like eons since I have actually taken a trip somewhere, and felt that I could truly just relax...leave my worries...and enjoy. Now that I am finished with the whole graduate program, I am going to take some fun trips! June-Zions for a week. July-Scotland & Ireland with my vine house girls, and possibly Wyoming to see my little friend Amanda!

Wahoo!

Spend quality time with my peeps.

I feel like not only have I been cooped up for 3 years and completely lost who I was--I've lost TIME...time with those whom I love to the extreme. Now, with lots of time on my hands for the next few months...there will be cherished times, memorable times, and much needed times!

Rest & Recover Days 3-6

Oops. I fell behind!

Catch up in my journal.

The last date in my journal was Oct. 11, 2008. And from there back, it gets pretty sporadic since June of 2006-when I started the graduate program. I've always been one to write about my life...but stresses got a hold of me, and my life totally got off balance.

It's time to do some catch up.

Get on a night schedule.

I think this is actually kinda funny...I feel like I need to get on a schedule like a baby is...because for 3 years I've stayed up late due to homework-because it was first priority. I don't think I even know what it's like to prepare for bed...read, pray, and of course-going to bed early.

It's time to change that.

Not have the summer blues.

Since I have been teaching, the first two weeks of summer are tremendously hard for me. I think because I am a major multi-tasker, and once the stresses of work are gone, I find it really hard to cope. I sit in my house for the first weeks depressed and totally lost. Not this summer. To combat this, I'm going to make a schedule for myself, but not overload myself too much that I stress out...

I think it's time for a priesthood blessing...

Eat right and exercise.

Nuff said. It's time to lose this weight and get healthy again-more healthy than I've ever been.

Rest & Recover Day 2

Rediscover who I am, spiritually.

Ok, so I know this isn't a 'summer project', but it's a beginning to something that I feel like has been lost. I was talking to one of my graduate professors today and she asked how I was doing after just finishing my thesis...

"What are you doing with all your time?"

To which I responded,

"Feeling extremely unbalanced."

To which she responded,

"Give it time."

Devoting so much of my life to the graduate program really did me in, spiritually. It's like I am a totally different person...and I kinda despise it. And so, I think baby steps will suffice. Getting back into a routine, slowly, of re-gaining a testimony, re-thinking the importance of the gospel, and re-connecting with Heavenly Father...not quite sure who He is anymore-and I'm sure He feels the same way about me.

So, that's how I'll rest & recover this summer...spiritually.

Rest & Recover Day 1

I've been thinking about what is in store for me this summer break. And...drumroll...it's just days away. I can't believe we have only 7 school days left. It's been a great school year, and for me personally, a very triumphant year finishing my master's program. I can't wait to walk in August. I think I just might throw my cap higher than anyone there!

So I have contemplated a move...just felt like it's what I needed to do. Ever since I moved here to PG, I've struggled to stay up spiritually...and I think it may have been due to feeling like I got lost in my first 'family ward'. It's been the hardest adjustment! But, after consideration, I think I'm stayin'. My friend Lori said, "Maybe you need to just stay then, to rest & recover after such a rough time with the thesis and that program". I believe her...and I think I finally feel at ease with it all.

So, what will I do to rest & recover? I'm going to post the next 10 days consecutively of my thoughts on that...a little something every day until the last day of school.

I'm going to go camping lots.

On one of those trips, I am going to have a huge bonfire and burn every one of the million 100 page lame articles I had to read for my classes, but have kept because I felt I needed to...they're just taking up space!! Hee hee.

3 weeks :)

I've been blogless for a while...trying to adjust to life without the thesis...it's way weird. Now that I actually have time on my hands, (and summer is 3 weeks away!) maybe I can catch up on some much needed and necessary things...like blogging!

This is one of my students and I at the "Hershey Track Meet" that we attended and my students participated in 2 weeks ago. It's hard to even believe it, but it was a year ago that I had a post labeled "First farmer tan of the season"...and it was at this same meet! I can't believe a year has gone by...and with just 3 weeks of school left, I feel ecstatic to finally have a summer with no graduate school whatsoever! I feel totally blessed to be done, and am excited for a great summer :)