OK -- so there are some perks to being a graduate student. For starters, I am among the lucky few who get paid to go to school (via a USDA fellowship). How AWESOME is that? I'm still not over how blessed I've been. Secondly, you get to learn from and study alongside a lot of really fantastic people. And last, but certainly not least, you set your own schedule!
So, as I transition from graduate student to "Master of Science" (hah!) and from the flexibility of summer to the schedule of the fall, i'm faced with the need to figure out how I plan to do everything I want to do. I've struggled with over-committing myself to causes for years. Now that i'm trying to take care of me, I need to find that balance between my work (at the moment, my full-time job is getting a job), my activism, my singing, my health and my relationships. Usually, work, Ramiro and activism are at the center of my life and everything else just kinda hovers, but I'd like to move forward giving all the other aspects of well-rounded-happy-me some time, as well.
Things I need to remember as I move forward with that:
Lesson 1: I can't do jumps/workouts after dinner. My tummy just doesn't handle it well.
Lesson 2: I need to get up earlier.
Lesson 3: I need to plan my days, almost like I budget our income, if I actually want to do it all (and not forget the basic stuff like dishes & laundry).
Lesson 4: I need to call home and far-away friends more often. I forget it's actually fun times.
There's other stuff, but that's what I can come up with for now. So, this fall I'll be starting a 30-hr/wk internship, singing with two choirs, attempting to get my project writing into a publishable state and working with a small group of organizers to put together an amazing 350.org 10/10/10 Global Work Party for Burlington, VT (if you haven't heard of 350.org, check out the website).
Anyways, being healthy through all that is a challenge I'm actually looking forward to! If I can get through this, I'll have learned skills to actually move me through my normal life AND even stay fit -- wow. It's a lot to ask of myself, but this is a great time for me to learn! And, as always -- thank goodness Ramiro's around to help me figure it out. :)
PS: we're having a bit of a heat wave up in VT. Jumps have been sucking BIG time. Hope y'all are keeping cool!
Stay focused and healthy and I bet you'll find that busy times equal efficient times. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm noticing with me the extra stuff makes me forgot to do laundry and clean. And the dishes, oh the dishes they be a pilling.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Four?
All good goals to have, Nathaly! I'm finding that I'm much more productive in general since starting this project. All the PCP activities require a certain amount of time management which helps me stay, if not on top of, than at least in step with most of what I have going on in life. I still get behind too, but it does help to have more energy in general.
ReplyDeleteGot enough going on there? I find it helps to add just one thing into the routine, wait until it's a habit, and then add another. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHey folks -- honestly, i haven't really gotten the energy boost yet. i feel more drained than anything else. i think it's mostly the stress of being unemployed and no longer a student (don't have an "excuse" anymore). Kim -- I think your suggestion resonates the best with me. I've i'm adding BOTH choirs and the new internship into my schedule all at the same time.. (not a good choice, but i'm dealing..)
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