My brain must be fried (so is Pidden’s). We’ve been writing all day. I started writing, “Elizabeth has obviously misunderestimated Darcy…” When my spellcheck caught “misunderestimate,” I right clicked on it to fix it, only to find that there are “no suggestions.” I was confused. For a long time. Then it finally clicked… “ooooooooooh, misunderestimate is totally not a word.”

I’m making tea right now.

I often find myself doing homework in the Java City on campus (despite the fact that their coffee tastes like styrofoam), and I find it comical that every semester or so the resident employees leave and they are replaced by newbies. It just doesn’t seem right that Java City employees move on with their lives but I’m stuck dealing with papers, reading, and annotated bibs. I’m like a war vet who witnesses the world changing around her, but isn’t able to change along with it. My knowledge of technology and pop culture has definitely been stunted since high school. I’m okay with knowing more about British lit than reality TV, but I definitely feel inept when it comes to relating to my peers… But I’m thankful that most English majors (especially grad students) are nerds like me.

This semester I’m taking three grad classes: Arthurian lit, Classical Rhetoric and the Poetry of T.S. Eliot. I’m excited, but a little uneasy. These classes are pretty hardcore, but I guess that is a good thing. I’m used to writing papers the night before and still doing well. These classes will give me a much needed mental push. However, I won’t deny the pain that I suffer every time I think that I could be finished with school right now…

I had to buy an unholy amount of books for just three classes:

How on earth am I supposed to fit these books in my bookshelf?

This has been a really rough year and I can think of a million reasons to not continue in school, but I’m trying to stay positive. Let’s think of reasons why I should go to grad school:

1. I genuinely feel like there is a lot more to learn.
2. A Masters degree always looks good on a resume.
3. A Masters degree is required to teach at a community college (in case I do choose to teach).
4. I won’t have to be an official member of the “real world” yet.
5. I could not live with myself if I stayed in the sterile atmosphere that is my cubicle. I have a feeling if I don’t get my Masters, I will stay at my mindless and soul-shrinking job.
6. I will make my friends and family call me “Master Tara.” (Just kidding!)

Since I already have 6 units of graduate work, if all goes as planned I’ll only have 3 more semesters of course work. Then I’ll have the pleasure of writing a 60-80 page thesis.

But enough about school! I obsess enough about it during the semester.

I’m hoping this winter break will include some much needed rest and relaxation. I don’t think I’ll be doing anything too exciting, as excitement usually requires money, and funds are tight right now- but I’m okay with that. I’ll be happy if I can play some games on our Wii, try out some new recipes and read a novel or two.