For those of you that don't know yet, I have joined Jenny Craig. Currently, I am on second day of the diet. Basically it is a program that gives you the food and tells you when to eat it. I am hoping that it is "Jessica proof" as someone described it. Really, it is simple and I hope that it works. However, I am noticing that I miss one thing...sugar. Sugar that is present in drinks more than anything. Everything I am allowed to drink (which trust me..I have a variety) leaves that funky sugar substitute after taste. What I would give for one good drink of coke...sigh. Oh well, I want to make this work, so I am using all my will power to not cheat. We'll see...I will keep you posted on the weekly progress.

I am sitting here tonight trying to make myself work on these stinkin' papers. I think part of the difficulty is I hate research papers...it takes so much time to quote every source and look down constantly. Yes, I am aware this is a good portion of the dissertation...so let's keep that hush, hush.:-) I will attempt to motivate myself to write a bit, even if it's a little.

I am sitting here tonight wondering how does one enjoy life without a million things to do? I almost finished with school for a bit...still have the two papers hanging over me..but that is nothing new. I am finding myself on this reversed schedule thing where I am up throughout the night and do not know what quite to do with myself. Now reasonably I could work on my papers, but that doesn't seem to be an option right now. I am wondering how am I going to learn to just sit back and enjoy life? What is it like to not have 50 t hings looming over your head to complete? This is something I will have to learn.

my future puppy:-)

Up front I recognize my serious slacking at the blog. Much as happened...I will quickly fill you in. Big decision...I decided to take a year off. Not everyone is happy about the decision, but I am so...I guess that is what is important. Why? I want to regain my sanity and I need mental rest. I have been depressed over the past 8 months...and something has got to give..it's looking like school is that something at the moment. I truly want to finish this degree and I know at this rate it isn't going to happen. The plan: take a year off..work (still in limbo as to where that will be...I am covered with current position through the summer at least) and maybe try to fit in some traveling..focus on photography stuff more. I just need to be able to read for pleasure...and that my mind can rest at night. That's the plan..for now.

It is finals week here, so I am trying to get everything completed. Not so fun, but it could be worse. My problem these days is my body wanting too much sleep. If there was a sleeping contest, I would for sure win it. It is late because I just got in from work and how annoyed am I at the big ass truck sitting taking up two spots....meaning I would have to park a mile away. I squeezed in..and while he may be annoyed in the morning..dude you don't pay for two parking spots...so learn how to park..or get a smaller vehicle! Who needs a huge monster truck in the city, really!

On a much happier note: I am going to be the happy pet owner of an adorable male maltese puppy in about a month. See the picture above.:-)