This blog has been itching at my brain for the month that I’ve ignored it.

First of all, a huge shout out to my PhD Cheer Crew. I could not have made it through my first semester without them. Each time I felt like I had made the wrong decision or wasn’t smart enough to do the work, they would be there to remind me of a million things. There were times when I felt like I was being whiny, but hell this is hard work and if I need a hug, I’ll ask for one. The biggest mistake I made as an undergrad was acting like I had it all under control. Then the bottom fell out on me. Ain’t making that mistake again.

I ended up with an A in the class.

Through all my angst, whining and doubts, I pulled off an A.

I know, I know, I’ve heard it and seen the looks, “DUH…Of course you got an A!” But my class in the fall was so intense for me that I seriously thought of withdrawing from the course before the final. The night before I picked up my literature review and swore if it was a bad grade that I would skip the final and withdraw. Instead it was an A with a lot of constructive criticism written in the margins. My professor’s notes clearly show that it was my first attempt at a lit review at a PhD level.

With that I took my final the next day in less time than I was allotted. Mostly because I still needed to be mommy and pick up the kid. But really it was because I knew if I took that extra 2 hours, I would just stare at the screen. Blogging has really helped me speed up my writing and thinking. Now to get the academic jargon down.

As we close our 2010, I’m preparing for spring 2011 and taking two classes. Yes, two.

The academics I consulted in December all seemed to think that the course I took was just super heavy with reading. I know the two classes I’ll be taking aren’t light reading, but their themes will overlap, so I think it will help. I’ve also told the professors that if I feel like two classes is too much, that I’ll drop one. I have to keep moving forward in a positive manner. No use in getting crappy grades in two classes (which I’m sooo looking forward to) when I can get an A in one.

So there you go. A quick summary of what has happened since I last wrote.

Thanks again for following my saga.