The worst is over (for this quarter, anyway)

I survived.

30 minute oral presentation, 18 page paper, 30 page paper.
That is the largest paper I've ever written in my life...well, at least until next quarter.
I'm spent. I have a final next week and then I'm headed home for Thanksgiving.
Even though school is over, I have to come back after Thanksgiving to finish up the remainder of the term at my practicum. It will be a short trip, back to reality for a few weeks, then back up north for the remainder of the year. The hard part is over though. Now it's just staying afloat for the rest of it.

8 hours of brain power

8 hours of paper writing.
That's how I've spent my day. I've some how managed to complete18 pages of the 15 page paper but only 17 pages of the 30 page paper.

The barricade I made for myself

I'm so drained. I can't even think straight.
I've also been listening to Christmas music for the majority of that time.
I made a Christmas mix on Spotify of a bunch of my favorite Christmas tunes and have been rocking out to it during this grueling paper writing process.
The result of 8 ours of brain usage=

Bad decisions involving Pizza. I couldn't be bothered to cook, or think, or function. I did go and pick this up though, and saved myself a delivery charge because I felt guilt about spending so much money on Pizza when I have plenty of food at home.
I still have 13 pages to go. I'm not sure that is going to be completed tonight...and honestly, I think I am ok with that. I have to work tomorrow at 6am, so I don't want to be up half the night working on this stuff. I think my brain is pretty shot any way.
When I called the pizza place earlier to place my order was proof of my inability to function:
Pizza Place: Hi, delivery, pick up or dine in?
Me: Oh, um, I want... well pick up, yes, sorry.
PP: Ok, Area code and phone number
Me: Well, whichever one I just called, but now I'm unsure...
PP: No ma'am, I mean what is your phone number and area code, not the restaurant's.
Me: Oh my goodness, well, um of course.

Brain function failure. I cannot wait for Wednesday to be over. I don't even care that I have yet another painful dentist appointment scheduled for Thursday. At this point, I'd gladly take that just to know I'm done with the hellishness that is Wednesday: 30 min oral presentation, 15 page paper and 30 page paper due, session with my client, clinic duty, progress note writing and volunteering to play a "client" for another student's project.
Oh Thursday, where are you???

There is a light at the end

I am fairly certain I passed that final today.
Pretty damn proud of myself, although we won't know our grades for sure until next week.
Also, I finished BOTH papers that are due by Friday so all I have left (this week) is 1 final exam!
I am starting to feel like I've actually accomplished something.
After this last final on Thursday, I will have completed my 1st year of graduate school.
Hot Damn... look at me.

So close, I can almost taste it! Well, I don't actually want to taste it, that would be gross. I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 9 more days until VEGAS!!!!!
I still have to get through Comps... but I'm that much closer.

Birthday surprises in the mail

3 finals in 1 day should be illegal.
I mean, now that they're done and I'm on my second glass of wine...I'm glad I have a few less exams to worry about this weekend and can focus my efforts of Stats, but damn...today was rough.
There were a few upsides to today. I got TWO packages in the mail today for my birthday from two of my favorite people.

My friends are absolutely wonderful. Of course it would have been nice to get these on my actual birthday, but with how stressed I have been about today, it was actually a pretty perfect day for them to arrive.
I got one before I went and took the finals, and I got the other one the second I walked in the door when I got home from taking all my finals.

Of course I don't need any of these things, but they're all lovely because they mean something.  They're not just random gifts someone picks out when in a rush to get something or that you buy for people you don't know really well or feel obligated to buy something for.
That is really what is most important. It is never, ever about the cost.
It is about the thought.
Not to mention, I absolutely LOVE getting things in the mail. After moving away from home, this love intensified immensely.
When you feel lonely, and far away.. it feels good to know someone is thinking of you.