Fall Semester is Approaching, Summer is Ending, and The Leaves Are Changing

It's been a long year. Never in my life did I picture being so busy that I would not blog for almost 6 months!

Summer has been quick. Not as refreshing as I would have liked, but at least it did not drag on slowly. That would have been worse. I begin school as a 2nd year Doctoral student on August 30th. Also on the 3oth, I will welcome two new classes ;)

I don't have a lot to say. Life has been tough. Its been one of those seasons. Yet instead of the difficulty lasting for a season, it began in Winter, continued through Spring and all of this summer. Come on Fall! I hope for fresh air and a fresh season. I desire to move into a place of significance instead of a place where survival is the key.

We're praying for big doors to open and trusting that God is moving, while we are waiting--and complaining. For now, everything is in God's hands. And, this is His finest hour.

Surviving My PhD Program

Well, it's been a while since I blogged. Mainly because I have so much required reading and writing that blogging seems too much to add to my to do list.

So, I'll start by being honest. I am in over my head this semester. I hate the New Handbook of Organizational Communication. AND I cannot believe I read almost 1000 pages a week. I'm exhausted. All the time. I keeping telling myself, this too shall pass. I will eventually be out on the other side. But that side feels so far away. I think I did this to myself. I need to take breaks, which I do not always do. When I get stressed, I isolate myself so that I can get work done and reduce the stress.

Thursdays and Fridays are the worst days of my life, it's when I read all my work for the next week. AKA, my attempt at not cramming.

Today, I did nothing. The NCA conference deadline is tomorrow. Thank God. No longer will anyone call me and ask me to make any more panels. I am DONE. And I am returning to saying NOOOOO when people ask me to do things.

I want the snow to melt around here. Not for any wonderful reason, simply that I just want to play soccer and work off some of my stress. Speaking of stress, I thought about joining a graduate student support group, because this work load is crazy and I feel the incessant need to complain. I despise my students' complaints. Yet, I have a few of my own.

OK, that is all for now. I have to read for class.