600 pgs + 2 papers / 1 week...

You do the math!
As my good friends, Mary Power, Mary Kelly (OK, so it's Whitehurst, but I'm too stubborn to change it in my mind), Brittney, Sofia, Brooke, etc. have told me... WELCOME TO GRAD SCHOOL! :)  They say it with a smile, but I think it's a sarcastic one!
Wow, I just realized that my dad always told me to surround myself with smart people and I guess that's what I've done... just look at all my super educated friends!
So anyway, I'm thinking that writing on this blog isn't so much going to be a priority, as it is a tool of procrastination!  So, we're probably just looking at a once a week entry at this point.

However, just wanted to update everyone that I now have a working computer (somewhat still infected I believe, but working)!  My bike is supposed to be ready to pick up on Monday.  I got my books from the bookstore  (not through my order, but either way I have them now).  I received my new phone that I've been waiting to get forever (can't use it until Sept. cause they still haven't figured out my number, BUT... it's in my posession).  I have recovered my wallet which was stolen last week (long story, but they just took the cash and then someone turned it in... thank God)!  SO... things in my personal life are lookin up!

Class is cool.  I like my professors so far and some of the people in my courses are so awesome!  The assignments are INTENSE!  I'm not exaggerating on that work load listed above, it's for real... the first week of class... you get what you pay for I guess!  Yikes!  I'm working my way through it.  I'm thinking at this point maybe God has a blessing in disguise up his sleeve for me by not finding a job yet.  I think I needed this adjustment time to just get started in my courses and get the first week of assignments under my belt! 

Talk about intense, heavy, reading material.  I have two entire books to read for this coming week.  One that I'm in the middle of is called, "Massacre at El Mozote" which is about the war in El Salvador that finally ended in 1992 and the other that I just started is called, "Eyewitness to the Genocide" which is about the geocide in Rowanda.  Whew.  Tough stuff.  I guess I should have seen that one coming studying human rights, huh?  Not exactly happy subject matter, BUT it's really interesting, the books are wonderfully written and from a much more journalistic perspective than academic, so I really appreciate that.  I'll let you know how it goes as I finish (I think I can, I think I can...)

I've been doing a lot, and I mean A LOT of thinking about how fortunate, blessed, and loved I am.  I don't always think that way.  But, gosh... really could/should/WOULD I complain about anything when I know and read about the things other people are put through on this earth?!  It's truly a humbling experience.

I sincerely hope all are well around the country and that we can keep in touch with these crazy busy lives that we all lead!
Until next time...
Kate