Decision: Made

This post is long overdue.

The last six weeks of my life haven't been hell, but they've been ridiculously packed. I survived the busiest month of Humanities Institute events, which was nice. I survived the last month of class, which is nicer. However, most importantly, I FINISHED. MY. THESIS. Which is nicest.

I never felt overwhelmingly stressed, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't exhaust myself. The day I submitted my thesis, I think I actually felt my brain seep out of my right ear while I was driving home. Then, I came down with some weird crud. At that point I understood my body was flipping me two birds and punishing me for consuming mostly Publix mac 'n' cheese, sugar cookies and Coke for three weeks. Two weeks after the final submission, I'm starting to feel normal again. (Normal by Mel standards, which is, of course, completely subjective.)

All this work meant that updating this blog and gathering my thoughts totally fell by the wayside. So, here's what everyone has been waiting for...

I'M GOING TO PENN STATE!!!

A long summer of planning has started. I won't be teaching at USF, which will give me some mental rest. In the meanwhile I'm going to start packing after my graduation (which, for those of you keeping track, is next Saturday, May 8. Like, ZOMG). After a chat with my wonderful PSU contact this week, I am about to start looking for flights to State College (aka: Whoop-Whoop) for the weekend of June 11-12. I'm going to meet with a bunch of people, try to get an apartment... fun things like that. Right now, I'm aiming for a move date of either July 30 or 31. My two week notice is remaining a secret, but I have settled on a date. Planning, planning, planning.

In other news, I officially got rejected by Syracuse, meaning they joined Ohio State as my only rejections. Three out of five ain't bad. I'm bringing my stuffed Otto the Orange to PSU with me, though... his new name is Motivation.

Before I forget, feel free to start getting your jealous on by visiting Penn State's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pennstate. All I'm going to say is, "baby ducks... hell yeah!" (That's for you, Milca.)

- Mel(li) :)

PS -- Photo credit to Penn State Live, another wonderful PSU site. I can't wait to experience four seasons again!