Well. That didn't go as well as I had hoped. Remember that nice mantra I was repeating about not getting sick? Apparently my meditative powers failed me, because I spent all but two days of spring break coughing up vital organs all over the couch. There was a pretty hefty to-do list for spring break, one that included both things that needed to get done, as well as things I'd been wanting to do for a long time. Most of the wants fell through; no new website layout, blog layout is still under construction, no work done on art projects or composition. However, lots of the needs got taken care of, some to a better extent than I'd hoped for.
Big news number one is that not only was I able to get some apartment/house searching done, I found a house that was perfect for us. Even better? It's ours now, with a lease starting on May 8th (the last day of finals, incidentally). All one level, a yard for the dog, no roof leaks, close to campus, along several bus routes, and cheaper than our current townhome! We're extremely relieved to have found this place, and that was definitely the highlight of spring break.
In between naps and delirious headaches, I was able to scrape together an edited version of my portfolio DVD and write a new artist statement, which I'll probably post here. Those were the hardest parts of my residency application packages, so getting the rest together to be postmarked by that Friday wasn't too bad. All of my grading got done, albeit later than I'd hoped, and I was even easy on the kids like the professor wanted (feh...). I spoke last entry about Mr. Dead and I working to get healthy again, and I'm pleased to report that we've actually made progress on that front. We've been doing some light exercise at least 5 days/week, and we're actually eating better, too. I really hope we stick with it because I can always think and work better when I'm healthy, and I'll need the extra boost to my well-being to get through finals time. All-in-all, I'm not doing too bad.
Things are going to be pretty crazy from here to the end of the semester, of course. The end of spring break always heralds the beginning of a two-month-long crunch time. Though I'm not thrilled about the final papers that'll be due, the grading hell that exams bring, my end-of-year-one portfolio review, or the high stress level that permeates the air, I am looking forward to being done with my first year of grad school.
Eight weeks until the hardest part is over.
Eight weeks until we move into our new house.
Eight weeks until a three-month break where I can re-orient myself and figure out how to make the best of my time here.
...but who's counting?
