My February

Well well! It's my first post in February...which is weird considering it's a little more than a week from being over.

What have I been up to you may ask?  School-work-family-love.  Pretty much same ol', same ol' but it's been a busy and good month.

Regarding school: I am getting my thesis together in its early stages.  I plan on using Spring Break to tweak my literature and methods more but I feel comfortable with it and after my first pilot survey being a success (with another one coming in 1 week) and a pre-proposal committee meeting, I am content with where it stands.  After Spring Break I'll have to rush to get the proposal defended and submitted to the Internal Review Board (IRB).  From there hopefully I'll have it back before I go to my conference at the beginning of April.  Then after I get back from said conference I'll actually gather my data and have the whole summer to analyze and work on it (which saves me a TON of time and headache).  It's been a good (and quick!) semester so far.  With 2 weeks until Spring Break it really seems to have flown by so far.  I'm assigned my take home mid-term next week so that will really determine where I stand in my PE class so far this semester.  I am slowly working on my class' final project (starting the first week of school) but it was been a mess and is much more tedious than I had anticipated.  Still, here's to hoping that it will sort itself out and I'll have time over Spring Break to actually hone in on what I need to do and really hanker down with details.

Work: has been about the same.  Since my schedule is about every other day now, it's kind of nice having a small break from the pace of it but I really do enjoy the routines my work brings about for me.  Pretty steady and organized from my OCD stand point =]  We're having a Mardi Gras party on Wednesday so I'm sure it will (as always) be a success!

Family: I went to Chattanooga a couple of weekends ago to see my mom's show and check out my sisters progress with their new house.  It was SO much fun, much needed and I already miss it (like always).  I also realized that my allergies had more than acted up causing some kind of sinus infection-I felt miserable in Chattanooga and came home feeling no better.  So I headed to the MD and got some meds and drops that dramatically helped me feel better...although I think I may have given it to D =\

Love: As many of you know, Valentine's Day comes in February.  I am no big fan of Valentine's Day. Here's the thing: I've never had a bad Valentine's Day (single or in a relationship) but I just don't really care about the hype.  I guess the only reason I attempt to like it is that I get another excuse to have fun and spend quality time with the one I love. Which this year, we really did! Derrick made us shrimp scampi for dinner, bought me white roses and chocolate covered strawberries.  I got him a shirt and tie (very similar to items he's been eyeing for a few months now) and we enjoyed each others company with laughing, cooking together, relaxing, and such.  I've also been able to spend more time with him (and Tuck) in general lately which has been great for both my person and my spirit.  I was not able to go to Dylan's 2nd birthday this year (which I think is the first time ever I've been a no-show as an aunt to an event) but hopefully I can make it up by seeing Kelly for her birthday (which is today!)  My fingers are crossed.

So there you have it-what may seem like a dismal February has been quite busy yet fun!

I have a feeling March will fly by and then it's on to April and May...probably the busiest months I'll have in 2012.  April and May are going to be insane for me.  Let me explain: April 4-8 San Diego for conference, April 9-30 continue with class(es) and gather thesis data whilst working my other job and GAing.  At some point at the start of April I need to register for classes.  Project due April 25 and final due by May 3rd.  May 2nd is my birthday.  May 4-12 we're going to Hawaii (more on that later!) and then May 13th is my wedding anniversary.  Starting May 14th-June 1st I've got a summer course on serial killers for 3 JAM PACKED weeks.  So there you have it-on paper it may not seem like a lot but so much leg work is going to go into those months...I may be dead come June, lol!

I hope your month has been amazing.  Make sure it is-do something to make yourself smile.

XOXO,
J