Pitiful Whining, Pajama Bottoms, Warm Puppies and New Plans…

I am here to fess up that I have been completely stressed out the past couple of weeks.  Mind you, anyone close to me in my life will hear me say this and give me that look… Like, “REALLY??? WE DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE…”  (please note sarcasm)

Normally the girl with my world completely together, homework done ahead of time, schedule under control, smile on my face… I am out of sorts.  I keep forgetting to drink enough, my schedule sometimes does not allow me time to eat properly, and I’m pretty sure I have scurvy from lack of proper nutrients.  So I feel cranky, and whenever I lay my head down for just a moment I am sound asleep.  I have not been able to finish watching a movie past the first 10 minutes and that is kind of disappointing right now because there are some pretty good movies I have missed.  : / Honestly, some mornings I am forcing myself to shower and crawl out of my pajamas…  As some of my classmates will confirm, I have actually shown up in my pajama bottoms, so I guess that sometimes my greatest attempts fall short.  : )

Alas, I took a trip home this weekend.  I was able to discuss my situation with my mother, who is not only one of the most inspiring people in my life, but also at the same time the most rational, honest and ummm… slightly unsympathetic  people I know.   : ))) And I mean this in the best way.  She doesn’t let me whine about much unless it’s really seriously a problem… So she listened, very briefly, before she looked at me, then told me, in so many words, “Snap out of it!!  Stop whining, reassess your schedule, get a better plan and be thankful for the fact that your life is so full that you don’t know how to fit it all in right now”.

I crawl out of the corner where I had been cowering, go for a very long car ride with her, enjoy a cup of coffee, music, and laughs, all while telling her my new plan, and taking some tips from her.  Most helpful tip?  On those days of my week (Monday-Wednesday) that begin at 9am and don’t stop until 8pm between classes, admission work, and tutoring duties, DO NOT go back to my dorm at 8pm….  Go directly to the campus center, grab some coffee and start working on homework for a few hours.  Going back to the dorm?  Ummm….that is just crazines.  There is great, cozy lighting, a fluffy bed with about 8 pillows… so I walk in the door and I’m done.  It’s crazy to even break the cycle of the work day.  Just push through.  I also have to admit when I am overextended and have to give something up. 

Just as important, is to realize that probably every one of you reading this has reached a point of tears with stress over all that has to be accomplished.   I am not alone in this, and I’m not experiencing anything special or unique, right?  I know that it all gets done in the end, but I just have to remember to also drink my fluids, sometimes the ones that have a bit of caffeine, try to add in with that some great food, which my campus amply supplies, when I do fall asleep at the beginning of a movie, it’s okay because he says he doesn’t mind.  : )) … and that when I am cranky, the people who really love me, will still love me. 

I look back on my wonderful weekend which started on Friday morning with a picnic breakfast that my mother packed for all of us to enjoy before my baby brother went in for his first college interview at ….ALBRIGHT!!!!  On the car ride home I was serenaded with country songs by a voice that makes my heart skip a beat.  I spent time with both my families, filling my soul.  I laughed so much at dinner on Friday night listening to stories and on Saturday afternoon I got to nap on the couch with my dog.  School?  Work?  I got this.  Monday starts again with my new, determined, strong self.  I’m not whining about all I have to do.  I am just going to DO, and do it well.   And if you see me come to class in my pj’s, call my mother and tell her that I need to be yelled at.  : )))