Friday, July 30, 2010

rugless

So for the last month or so I have been diligently (voraciously?) preparing for my impending return to school. I bought the books, reorganized my apartment in a more study-friendly way, even canceled my cable and donated my TV to remove my single largest distraction and help offset the costs of registration fees. So while the rest of my life continued to flounder along in uncertainty (should I buy a house, change the job, reconsider the relationship?), the promise of school gave me purpose and direction... gave, you ask? You caught that, huh?

Yes, gave. You see, after all that, the program didn't meet its minimum enrollment and was cut last week. So no school for me, after all. At least not this year. Talk about having the rug pulled out from under you. And I still don't feel like I have my footing back yet.

The good news is that my enrollment has been guaranteed for next fall (should they get enough people then), so at least I won't have to re-apply. As for the rest, I'm trying to remain philosophical. Now I have the chance to address some of those other issues which could very well have turned an exciting learning adventure into a high-stress nightmare.

So yes, universe, I get it. And I have already begun actively working on clearing stress from my life. But I will also be continuing to pursue whatever opportunities I can find that may help prepare me for my academic project once next fall rolls around.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

loose ends

it's 54 degrees outside and i have cleaning on my mind. over the last week or so i have been purging my office at work. my file drawer was so stuffed with papers that i could barely open the drawer. sure i could have gotten another cabinet, but the truth is, there are only a few folders that i ever look at, so why keep all that paper? especially when most of the documents are on my computer anyway. so out they go. i've finished all but two: HR paperwork and the dreaded miscellaneous folder. including those two as-yet-unweeded files, everything i have left takes up less than half the drawer. love that.

the unclutter your life in one week book was a huge help in terms of helping me decide what to keep and what to toss (hint: if it's info that will advance your learning or cover your butt keep it, if not, let it go). unfortunately, the author's idea of what can be done in a week is a little unrealistic. take all your clothes out of closets and drawers, try them all on and divide them into keep, donate, sell or toss before work on a monday morning? not likely. i doubt i could do that in a day (though i intend to try as soon as i get a day). but as long as you aren't trying to accomplish it according to the tight schedule (or can take a week off, or at the very least send the kids away) it's full of great information and tips. then again, so is flylady.com, and her plan is much more manageable, though with admittedly much slower results.

also accomplished: signing up for auto-pay on my cell phone bill (will sign up for e-bill as soon as i get the email address updated). best way to tame the paper monster: don't get the paper in the first place.