In case you were wondering …

I think I have this whole job and school thing down pat. We’re wrapping up our second session this week, and rapidly approaching our mid-field season waypoint on Friday. Surprisingly, I’m acing my chemistry class, and doing alright in Microbiology (exam results not out yet, so am chewing my fingernails in anticipation).

I have my routine down:

Morning: Work

Early afternoon (one or more of the following activities):
Work, study, homework, download data, run (if temps are above 40)

Late afternoon: Class

Evening (one or more of the following activities):
Study, homework, download data, abs and weights workout

No studying is allowed on Thursday and Friday evenings, and weekends are an all-out brawl of whatever needs to be done. This includes laundry, grocery shopping, swamp rabbit trapping, hiking, occasional movie, cleaning, more studying and homework, and work (as needed).

By the end of the week, I’m usually a little nostalgic for the good ol’ days of just work and data to fill my days. By the start of the week, I’m waving my fist at the sky and grunting “hit me!” And when I suffer a thump (there have been quite a few!), I take off running. Literally. I have a goal of a 5-6 mile loop to run continuously by May.

My life has changed drastically. And yet it’s just a precursor of the life to come. While juggling the now, there’s also a summer field job to confirm, college application and housing for the Fall to finalize, and random bits of life’s debris that has been raining steadily ever since I paused at one spot.

When I actually pause long enough to breath though, I’m not sure I would change a thing. There’s been more ups and downs than I imagined and some unexpectedly low moments in the last few months, but …

I’m doing it. I’m back in school and carving my way steadily towards grad school. I’m living a dream - my dream. What more can I ask for, right?