remembering whats important

I have been thinking almost hourly lately about what it will be like when I am done with school. Even on internship...like to have money and free time?! What?! It has made me start to wish away time. I want to get done SO bad. I am taking a Pediatrics class and tonight took a tour of Gilda's Club...a cancer support center. We talked about death and dying and i started to think about how much i wished away the present. YES my schedule is stupid and busy and i have tons of worries...but i have a lot to be thankful for too. I am going to make an effort to enjoy this seemingly neverending school thing and remember what i have around me that got me here and is getting me through it. Shout out to all my peeps who support me. :)

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Money Money Money

Update on dissertation stuff. I have spent about 11 hours total so far working on reading articles...I have an outline. I know I am writing about brain injury and what factors affect positive outcomes for people in the support groups at BIAK (Brain Injury Alliance of KY). So far this has been good, but I am trying to work out details...Meeting again with my dissertation chair in 2 weeks so thats good. Goal = proposal by the end of the semester. In other news, I am broke and really wish I could find a way to work nights and get paid a decent amount...maybe even using my M.A. instead of waiting tables. I love my friends at work, but Monday night I made $18 and worked for like 5 hours...
I am SOOOOOO looking forward to next year when I can get my own place with Eric wherever I have to move. I think I want to get a dog then...I don't know what it will feel like to get off work at 4:30 and have the rest of the day to do whatever I want with. I shouldn't wish away the present, but sometimes it sucks. I just want a pay-check for working. Is that too much to ask?

What's happening in my academic life? The big words...

So I decided to start writing about all the big stuff happening over the next 2 years in my academic life. If you don't care to know about this, then don't read...I am writing this so I can look back on it and also so my family/friends who are interested can keep up with whats happening. Right now, the big words are quals, dissertation, practicum, and internship. As part of my program, I am required to take a Qualifying Exam (Quals) which means I write a huge paper conceptualizing a client and the treatment options. This is due in March. Then, I will have oral exams where I talk about different stuff in front of a panel...once I pass (being optimistic) I will be a doctoral candidate. I have started work on my dissertation. I am hoping to propose my research by the end of this semester (April-Mayish). I am writing about brain injury and I am collaborating with the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky (BIAK).I will update whenI  know more about what I am doing.The next big word in practicum. As a part of my program, I am required to do 4 practicum. I am in Prac 3 right now (better than 1 and 2) :) I work at the VA (Veterans' Administration) in Integrated Primary Care. I don't know where I'll be for practicum next year, but its important that I get good sites so that I can be an attractive candidate once I apply for INTERNSHIP! I will be applying for an internship this November/December. I will interview next February (hoping that I GET interviews). Then I will rank where I would like to be placed and the places rank who they want. I will find out where I go (if I matched, fingers crossed) in February 2012. I will have to move wherever that is in about July 2012. Luckily, Eric has decided that he likes me enough to go with me :) If not, I would be a hot mess because I have lived on the same street since I was 9! A new city all alone would be overwhelming, plus I don't want to be away from EVERYONE I love for that year. hopefully, whereever I end up I can travel home easily because I already think about how much I will miss my family...especially my nieces! Ava will be 3-4 during that year and I will definitely need Skype to keep up woth how big they are all getting. Overall, this stuff is pretty anxiety-provoking, but I am SO excited that I am now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After internship, I will move back to the Ville and have my doctorate. Hopefully get a post-doctoral position so that I can get licensed. I want to work for the VA. Thanks for everyone who keeps me sane during this craziness. I love you!