A Whole New Meaning Now

Okay wow. It's been way too long since I was really posting.

Classes have started again. Sort of.

I'm TA-ing for another professor this semester. It's two 1000-level US Politics classes. I was pretty disappointed when I found that out...but then it got better. First, the professor doesn't believe in teaching basic US Politics the same way *my* poli sci 101 prof taught. As in...the first day, he told the classes that their belief that we have three branches of government is a lie. I didn't find that shit out until it had already been hammered into my brain wrong. I'm jealous of my students...this will be one of their most beneficial political science classes. Besides that, I have my own assistants! The prof has two undergrad TAs, so they'll do the grunt work, I'll set and record grades and lead discussions. They're really cool kids too (kids...they're seniors, they're not that much younger than me). Both are really bright. The girl has been interning with the FDA and really seems to have her shit together. The guy doesn't have the impressive resume but he's pretty sharp too. Both have worked together in classes so they've already got their dynamic set out. I'm kind of bummed cuz the prof offered me a full time assistantship (twice the stipend! all of my tuition covered! every grad students dream!). Unfortunately, the other class he's teaching is at the exact same time as my Russian class. So I had to turn down the offer...

And the semester gets even more exciting! Hard to believe, I know. Last week, I got an email announcing a last-minute course being added. Nuclear Security Studies. YES. SO MUCH WIN. I don't remember the last time I was this excited for a class! The books look amazing too. I wanted to start reading them already, but I have other classes to read for and I don't have the syllabus yet so I don't know when I need to read what. The course itself is meant to bring together nuclear engineering students with policy students. It could not be any more perfect.

But wait! There's even more excitement! I'm playing rugby again. And as if that on it's own is not amazing enough, my team is awesome. I have never had the privilege of playing on such an amazing team. And I'm talking about their team chemistry, since I haven't seen them perform on the pitch yet. These girls are incredibly driven, and have amazing coaching assistants who volunteer their time to push us to become better athletes. Even while getting their asses kicked by intense work-outs, these girls not only perform but do it with positive attitudes. I've never been so impressed. I've only been to two practices, just one week around these girls, and I could not be prouder to say I'm part of this team. They've all been incredibly welcoming as well, with me being some random grad student just showing up in the middle of their season. I'm sad I didn't take the initiative to join the team sooner. The practices are intense, and our Monday skills practice adds on to the hell that is my Monday schedule (more on that later), but it's an amazing feeling to be part of this team, to be pushed by the coaches and driven by the strength of the girls I'm working alongside. I'm excited to join them on the pitch. In a way I've never been excited about any team in any sport before.

Now fingers crossed I don't get injured. It's tough being old and broken. I'm only a few years older than some of these girls but they can definitely run circles around me.

On top of all that, the boyfriend and I are counting down our last days apart. It's been so long it just feels crazy to be able to count it in days. I can't wait for him to be home. Blacksburg has slowly become more and more like home, but it's not there yet. And having him here will help complete that.

Such an amazing start to my second semester of graduate studies. And here's hoping it only gets better!

Beg Change From A World That Needs Some

One of my friends posted this on Facebook, and I absolutely love it.

"If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."

It's from Charles Bukowski's Factotum. I think it's very appropriate right now as people are going into the new year with new ambitions and plans and a new set of resolutions.

I'm incredibly excited for the new year. It won't be much longer before the boyfriend is back stateside, and shortly after that he'll be with me in Virginia. It's hard to remember what it's like, not being alone. I can't wait for him to be home. There will be a lot of changes in both of our lives--besides having to adapt to being together again, we will both be starting a new life together, in a new home. While I have already started on the next chapter of my life with grad school, he will be making the transition from a life he has known for over a decade (and all of his adult life) to a new life, not only with me, but in a new world, that he has not really been part of. At least not professionally. I just hope I can help him with his transition.

2011 has a lot in store for me. Besides him coming home, I've got my incredible internship this summer, and within the year I will have completed most of my masters requirements and be (hopefully) well on my way to completing my masters research. Maybe I'll even get to make a few decisions about how I'll be spending the rest of my life.

I wish you all a good year, and hope that mine goes mostly according to plan!