I have been a student [pretty much] my entire life. And now I’m not.
I’m in this weird limbo in which I finally have my bachelor’s degree, but I’m waiting to hear back from graduate schools. I applied to several Master’s and PhD programs in the Chicago area and I really can’t wait to figure out where [if anywhere] I’ll be going.
I’m extremely excited for the possibility of continuing my education, but I find myself being pretty discontent with this in-between period. I’m also terrified of the rejection letters and the possibility of being on the job market rather than in a graduate program, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
At this point, I’m working as a research assistant in a psychology lab two days a week. I’m also conducting my own research, which is done in the same lab - only on my own time. In addition, I work as a fill-in receptionist for a software company on other random days. During the Fall, I was working as an assistant for an afterschool program, but that doesn’t start again until March.
This leaves me with anywhere from 1-3 days off per week. Um, no. I want to work. I want to have a purpose and I want to have somewhere to be. I’m going kind of stir crazy over here – especially during those weeks in which I have 3 days off.
Next week, I work Mon-Thurs., which is great. But the following week? Not sure yet.
Don’t get me wrong – I’ve definitely been cooking, cleaning, and organizing up a storm. But there’s only so much of that I can do. Plus, I’m used to doing all that in addition to working and/or going to the school.
Here’s the issue: I can’t really start applying for full-time jobs with the possibility that I will be going to graduate school in the fall. Hire me please, but I may be abandoning you in a few months. Yeah, I’d imagine that that wouldn’t go over so well.
This means that I have to stay in this weird sort of limbo until the beginning of March when I’ll hopefully start hearing back from graduate schools. Okay, so that’s not too long. Actually, it will probably fly by. But still.
I am SO fortunate that I have Sam to support our family through all of this. To be honest, watching him head to work everyday makes me feel kind of lazy.
I don’t know. Maybe I should look for a part-time, temporary job to hold me over? Or maybe I should stop being such a busy body and just enjoy my time off before delving into the real world (or graduate school). Now there’s an idea.
That would be simple enough. If only there were an ‘off’ switch in my brain.
Well, it certainly felt good to lay that all out there. Thanks for listening (reading).
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Like I said, this newly found free-time has left plenty of time for experimenting (and failing) in the kitchen.
One of these failed experiments involved healthy, sugar-free, red velvet muffins. So, if you want to make a batch of healthy muffins – definitely don’t make these.
Not because they are not healthy. They are.
Not because they’re aren’t super moist. They’re that too.
Mainly because they taste like earth. Straight up earthworm laden dirt. Lovely, right?
The concept was good. Make a sugar-free healthy red velvet cupcake that will be delicious with some almond butter spread on top.
You know what was missing? Sugar. Yep, I tried to make something sugar-free and the only thing missing was sugar. Fail.
I have made some meals that turned out pretty great though. One of which was another stir fry. Yep, I’ve made stir fry 4 times since my first stir fry success. What can I say? It’s a simple, healthy, and delicious meal.
It was just as delicious as the last time. And the time before that.
Well, I’m off to the Chicago for the day. We’re headed to a doctors appointment for my brother and then [of course] we’re following that up with a trip to Trader Joe’s and lunch.
Tomorrow is Sweat it Out Saturday – so if you’ve written a fitness-related post this week, get ready to link up!
<3 Stefanie
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