Vicious Cycle

I know that all I do is bitch about my thesis.  And I really should just suck it up.  I did do this to myself, after all (on so many levels).  And I will not revert to bitching about my final semester of grad school and the amount of loathing I hold in my heart for group projects, group papers, and professors who assign both.  (Or, just consider that my rant.)

But I feel like I'm in a never-ending cycle of "God, help me make it through this" to "I quit" to "Light, I see light!" to "I LOOOOVE public health and I really do love what I'm doing" back to "God, help!"   I don't know anyone who doesn't feel this way through school, at least at some point.  And, as a friend (and coincidentally, a group project member) said, "no one is so tragically unique!  We are all under the gun with so much on our plate."  Isn't that the truth?!?

So, I'm trying to keep in mind that I'm not tragically unique and that, either way, God will help me through it all.  Ridiculous professors, endless papers, exams and all the other things I haven't even thought of.  And somewhere, at some time, the vicious cycle will end.  And it will be a little bittersweet because I've been doing this for a solid 12 years now (K-8 don't count, those were the days!) -- with a nice little 2.5 year break before this last round.

And of course, I'm sure I'll throw myself (or be thrown) into another cycle.  Maybe one not so vicious, or maybe one a whole heck of a lot more vicious.  Either way, I'm going to try and keep in mind that it's these crazy circles that make life worth living.  That and really good cake.  :)

And now, just because you stuck out this whole totally boring post, a picture.

In the name of public health and all things humorous in the world:

Taken on a little break from the vicious cycle, on our cruise back in May to the Caribbean with these crazies.  Friends like these also make life worth living.  :)

Light? Is that Light?

At the end of the tunnel, you say?  Well, let's not put the cart before the horse people.

I FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY got approval from the Institutional Review Board for my thesis project which means I can begin contacting interviewees.  Thank you sweet baby Jesus in a tuxedo shirt!  I thought this day would never come.  But now that it has, I just want it all done without the work that needs to happen in between.  Too bad that's not a possibility.

In reality, the only other big things on my plate right now (since I just emailed edits for a group paper due tomorrow) are my weekly 2-3 page papers for Management.  And a few things that I'm just going to put off until the end of the semester, you know like the 20 pager.  SO!  That means emails and phone calls and interviews...all over DC...OH MY!

Wish me luck.



Or bring me a drink.

Shout Out to My SEEEEEEEEESTER

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaara!!! I'm so excited to see you this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you like woah, and like the sister I never had, and like chocolate cake.  The chocolate cake from the Trellis.  With whipped cream and some raspberries.  And a side of macaroni and cheese.

Girl.  That's A LOT.  :)

Wedding Joy!

I mentioned last week that I was heading to a wedding on 10-10-10.  It was so lovely.  :)  Most of the llamas were there and we helped set up the reception hall/ran bride errands/generally lent our man hands.  This was also the first wedding that Hubster and I have both attended in...um...ages.  I think since last May (like 2009).  And we (read: I) have been to a lot of weddings these last two years.  So, it was extra special to hear wedding vows again with him by my side.

Alright, without further ado, pictures!!

The night before, after the rehearsal dinner.  Llama men (alpacas??) were in attendance.  David seems less than thrilled, but he really did have a good time.  Or so I told him.  :)

Di, Merah da Bride!, Liz and Katie.  

Laurel, trying to move in on Keith's bride.  Too bad they are both (now) married!

I was SUUUUUPPPPER excited to help set up.  !!  It was a ton of fun and a tradition that I wish had started before my wedding...c'est la vie and looking forward to putting my wedding skilllllz to work at the next llama wedding.  

Love love love. Prom style. Love.

I'm pretty sure that we wore these exact same outfits to Kiki's nuptials last October.  Ah, and I realized that was the last wedding we were together for.  But Hubster was post call and only present physically.

Wuv.  Twu Wuv.  And just a year after their own wedding!

What what what?!

See, we're really professionals.  That and Merah is a srrrrrrrious planner and had everything mapped out.

First dance as Mr. and Mrs.!!!  Isn't she GORGEOUS?!?!!!

Although Papa is blurry in this one, I love the look on our beautiful bride's face.  She smiled all night.  

Taaaaable 1!

Having a ball.  Or scrunching our necks into really odd positions (me).  Or just looking confused and anxious (Kel)...

So, all in all, an amazing wedding and a fantastic weekend.  It was great to see my girls and as always great to see the beginning of a blessed union!

Oh, and as I was uploading these photos, I found pic from Justin's wedding (when I was the best lady, back in July).  Those will be coming to a blog near you...probably this one...soon.  :)

Ciao!