Back to School?

I'm so grateful that I have a research fellowship this year. It means that I will be able to get through the Ph.D. program here at UT right on track, which is great. Still, it's weird to be in a kind of holding pattern. I don't leave for research until October (off to exotic Provo, Utah!). So, right now I'm trying to motivate myself to do as much research and secondary reading as I can while I'm here in Austin for the next 5 weeks.

I have to say that it's only going so-so. I can tell that I would benefit from even just a tiny bit of structure in my life--a T.A. assignment, or a very part time job that required me to be at a place at a time. That sort of thing. Of course, I could also just choose to enjoy the fact that my life is moving at a slower pace for the next few weeks. That I have free time to spend with Matt and my friends. Maybe I'll focus on that instead of cultivating guilt.

Still, I'll be glad to be back on a schedule next year. I like interacting with people every day. Research isn't always conducive to that. Maybe I'll just do collaborative projects after I get the PhD?

Nevertheless looking forward too: mini-vacation with Matt to Portland, Oregon in 3 weeks; visiting Hope and meeting her friends in Utah; Sufjan Stevens concert!; and COOLER WEATHER.