Finally

I feel back to my normal self. 

Here's a whirlwind update: Wednesday my parents arrived and we had dinner. Thursday my aunt, uncle, and cousin arrived, I packed, and we ate more food. Friday I moved out of my apartment and my great aunt and uncle arrived. On Saturday another aunt, my brother, his wife, and my nephew arrived and I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Schreiner University. 11 family members were there (actually 12 if you count Henry). Sunday we all drove back to the Gulf Coast and my mom got to pick out spatulas from Williams-Sonoma for mothers day in San Antonio. Yesterday I hung out with my nephew and sister-in-law and we tried to run but both of us were pretty out of shape and Josh was fussy.

So here I am. And this is how I feel: It feels so good to be done with college. I'm not super depressed, not really even sad. I love my time at Schreiner and I know it's immeasurably important as far as who I have become, but it was time for me to move on.

The weekend itself was a little overwhelming with trying to keep friends, family, and dogs all happy at once which is why I'm relieved all of the hooplah is complete. Graduation itself was pretty cool and the only time I got choked up was when I hugged all of my professors. 

I am excited about moving back home for the summer as I think it will be good for me and there is a lot I want to accomplish as far as reading, writing, running, sleeping, eating, and visiting.  Today I'm going to send off for my new passport.

So, after a week of feeling out of sync with myself, I can tell I'm starting to click again and I'm excited about it. 

Almost

I just got done with graduation rehearsal where it started becoming real. I'm very excited but also very stressed as well. None of my grades have come in (although I'm not really at any risk), I haven't started packing, I have lots of "goodbyes" to get done, and my parents will be here within the hour.

At the same time, it's all very manageable and I feel very lucky to be here. Last night the three Presbyterian Religion majors that are graduating had dinner with our internship mentors and campus minister at a faculty member's (and friend to all of us) house. It was so much fun, relaxing, and comfortable. Over dinner we talked about our best memories from Schreiner, which was really neat to discuss.

While there, my mentor told me that I needed to come to the two churches that he and his wife co-pastor and speak to the Session (governing elders for you non-Presbies) about sponsoring part of my $10,000 that I have the pleasure of raising over the summer to go to India. I actually only need $2,500 by July 15 and the rest by next July, when I come home. But, I'd really like to be done raising money before I leave in August.

So, I'm really looking forward to next week when I'll start preparing for India logistically. On Monday I will send off for my passport and Thursday I have a doctors appointment for a physical that I'm required to undergo. I also hope to meet with my home pastor to discuss my home church's sponsorship. Basically, I'm trying to hit the ground running this summer so that I don't get bored, am prepared for India (as much as that is possible), and have time to relax before I leave. I also have a lot of reading to do and plan on beginning to run again.

Wow, I'm just looking forward to being home as that means I'll have closed this book in my life's anthology instead of hanging onto the epilogue.

Pro Crastinator

Everything I do falls into three categories: required, fulfilling, and distracting. 

Required activities are those that I must do for one reason or another. For example, my history final that is due in the morning.

Fulfilling activities are those that recharge me are help me to grow in someway. For example, reading a stimulating book or taking a drive.

Distracting activities are my favorite. Distracting activities are those things that I do that are mindless and really leaving me feeling no better about anything in life other than I wasted time. 

I typically participate in distracting activities before giving in and completing required activities so that I can then enjoy fulfilling activities. For example, I am writing this blog and will then eventually write my final and then read a good book and fall asleep.