Merry Christmas to all!

Our success is guaranteed!

Christmas will be thrilling!
Yes, Christmas will exceed
Our finest dreams

In preparing to leave NYC for Christmas break, I dearly wanted to get as much work as possible done so that I could really and truly take a good break. I had already bought my flight before learning when the first half of my first-year exam would take place, but since it was to be an “email back in 8 hours” type of test, I knew I could take it from Oregon. The semester officially ran through the calendar until December 23, but there was no way I was going to fly on Christmas Eve.

The original wrapping-up goal, then, was to fly to Boise on Tuesday, spend the following day sequestered at my sister’s house studying, and take the final on Thursday, finishing my semester just a few days after leaving the city behind me.

And then Professor Sorkin gave us until Dec. 25 to turn in our 20-page historiographical reviews. Sigh. I knew then that my plan to finish early was doomed.

Because here’s the thing. Regardless of what I tell myself about when I need to get things done, I simply cannot abide by my own, false deadlines. I consistently work right up until things are due, and this semester has been no exception. As much as I appreciate the grace that was extended with that late deadline, I so wanted him to light a fire by saying it was due earlier.

Anyway, I still lied to myself and set a goal to finish that paper before my flight. As the time drew nearer, my goal shifted to finishing a draft before the flight. Then just to finish the books before the end of Monday so I could return them to the library. And finally, the goal that I could manage was the only one with an external authority telling me it had to be met: I finished the books that were going to be due before I would get back from break.

So, packing up the remaining books along with all my exam notes, I dragged extra weight with me onto the flight and set a new goal of getting the paper turned in before Christmas. So hey, I reached my goal! I guess it was silly to think I could finish the first semester of my PhD earlier, but I am pleased to say that I turned the paper in a whole 24 hours before the end-date of the semester, and a full three days before Prof. Sorkin’s deadline.

In addition, I got word back that I passed the exam, so they won’t bar me from returning for classes at the end of January! Merry Christmas to me!

Now that I am officially on break, I have done the following:

Shopped at Walmart (hey, don’t judge me. I happen to like purchasing my shampoo on the cheap, and I’ve been overpaying for everything for four months now).

Bought groceries for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and just lots of groceries.

Watched Muppet Christmas Carol and part of Elf.

Drove around in Connie’s stick shift. I only killed the engine once. Cut me some slack, it’s been four months since I’ve driven anything at all.

Babysat Macy. In fact, currently babysitting Macy as I type. This consists of me listening to make sure she’s still sleeping and not crying. Check.

Watched a few eps of Doctor Who, since I’m still a couple seasons behind (Dear Steven Moffat: not all Americans shoot guns. And Hugh Bonneville makes a great pirate. And I’m still not convinced about Matt Smith. Horrid hair and kinda spastic.)

Drank lots of coffee. Not only is there a Dutch Bros in town (be still, my caffeinated heart), Connie has an espresso machine. So happy.

Watched Psych the Musical. Yes, this exists. It was glorious.

Ate Mexican food.

It has been a good break thus far.