For some reason, I feel like my life has shifted into sixth gear lately. I’ve spent two months doing almost nothing, and now, suddenly, I’m doing everything. Everything, I tell you.
I just:
submitted two book reviews for publication
found a conference outlet for my latest paper (which I’m co-authoring with a friend, so fun)
developed, wrote, and prepared to submit an abstract to aforementioned conference
found a publication outlet for a paper I’ve been holding on to for a few months
began expanding said paper to fit the publication requirements of above outlet
found a conference outlet for a paper I wrote back in May
developed enough(ish) knowledge of French to transfer all original text citations in May paper to French
collected supplies to create an amazing-beyond-amazing birthday gift for one of my best friends – though it may be a bit of a belated birthday gift at this point. (I apologize, friend.)
drafted a version of my personal statement for PhD applications
I’m not sure what kicked my mind into overdrive, but I’m kind of grateful for it. I like to feel productive, and simply typing out that list (let alone actually completing the tasks) is 900 times more productive than I’ve been all summer. I think it may be the fact that summer is drawing to a very quick close that has inspired my recent bout of accomplishments. Nothing like a fast-approaching deadline to get a chronic procrastinator going, right?
I also became a redhead again – a fiery redhead. It’s a bit crazy, but it’s a fun change. The vote is still out on whether it will last longterm, but for now, I kind of like it. I think.
As I told a friend recently, I might have to slap the next person who tells me I’m so lucky to be a student and have the summer off. As a grad student, my summer is even more busy than the academic year: with no classes, I’m working on two projects, prepping for a conference in September, and studying for a major exam. At this point a 50 hour work week sounds light.