me and the lovely dissertation

This is me. Well, not really ME, but an image of my past few days. Me, the keyboard, a messy study, a strong desire to procrastinate (is Top Chef calling me on the Tivo? I sure think so....), and usually a nice cup of tea.

The dissertation proposal is chugging along. Well, I think. But I'm in that twisted up brain space where I've thought about it too much, perseverated WAY too much, and now just need to once again hand it off (of course after a bit more obsessing, hopefully not at 3am). Mostly, I just want to get through this hurdle. It seems ridiculous to even stress about it since I'm already far into data collection for the beloved dissertation, but so it goes.

Not sure what my purpose is here, except to put a little image of my small life out there (to share my misery? Not really, as I haven't really been miserable).

So here's me now:


And hopefully tomorrow, after having turned in my latest and greatest, this will be my state of mind:

Zen.





Until, of course, the next upswing in the work. But I'll take it while it lasts.




Coda: Today is the 15th anniversary of my grandmother's death. She was an amazing woman. Powerful, outspoken, passionate. She was never without gaudy jewelry, wouldn't leave the house without spending 45 minutes "putting on her face" and yelled at Reagan on the TV. I love her with all of my heart and aspire to live with her kind of passion and commitment. Although I could spend time thinking of all that she's missed during these 15 years, I prefer to think, instead, about how her life has influenced mine. So I thank her for the passion she gave me for education, making a difference in the world, trusting my heart. And for showing me what it really means to have fire in your belly. Rest well, Grandma Geri.