Today I am thankful for friends who like me for who I am, weird personality quirks and all.

stfuconservatives: Today Delaware became the 11th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Today I’m proud to be from Delaware.

stfuconservatives:

Today Delaware became the 11th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Today I’m proud to be from Delaware.

(Source: demnewswire)

“As Americans, we have this naïve assumption that people all over the world are struggling and way behind us. They’re not. Sweden and South Korea have more advanced high speed internet networks. Japan has the most advanced trains and transportation systems. Norwegians make more money. The biggest and most advanced plane in the world is flown out of Singapore. The tallest buildings in the world are now in Dubai and Shanghai. Meanwhile, the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world.”

10 Things Most Americans Don’t Know About America http://bananenplanet.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/10-things-most-americans-dont-know-about-america/ (via curlycherie)

There are two areas where the USA is way out in front of the rest of the world: war and prison. The technology of killing is the main investment of US national energy, and of course the semi-public semi-private incarceration economy is flourishing while schools and roads crumble. In many other quality-of-life terms — housing, healthcare, public transportation, public access to technology, mental health support, support for people with disabilities, childcare, primary education, maternity support, social safety net — I think a lot of US Americans personally know that things are not exactly rosy but see no options for fixing it.

(via zuky)

I have an irrational aversion to talking to people on the phone, but I also hate waiting for responses to email when I’m feeling anxious. Today I made two phone calls and got answers to questions I had about graduating and applying for two jobs I’m interested in. I’m not sure if I should be proud of myself for dealing with phone calls, or disappointed that those were the biggest accomplishments of my day.

I submitted my thesis today! The past two weeks have been a crazy whirlwind of mentoring, editing, final projects, and procrastination, and it feels weird to have everything done and over with.

It’s been so long since I’ve had no school work to stress out about. Stressing out (and feeling inadequate) have been my default feelings for the better part of two years now. I don’t know what to do with myself, besides channel all of my anxiety into finding a job.

To Do Today

  • Finish thesis revisions, submit to advisor for review
  • Edit cover letter and resume, overnight to the State of Delaware
  • Coach nervous mentee on presenting her poster tomorrow while trying not to appear nervous for her
  • Clean entire apartment
  • Freak out, strongly consider retiring to my room and letting the rest of the world go on without me for a few weeks
  • Talk myself down, get shit done

Grand Canyon, April 24th, 2011.

Grand Canyon, April 24th, 2011.

I have zero inclination to do any of the work required of me between now and graduation, up to and including finding a job. Grad school, I am done with you. Motivation, please come back for another two weeks or so. I need to finish my thesis revisions. Is it possible to panic and be apathetic at the same time?

My boyfriend is definitely planning on proposing sometime between now and my birthday. I’m excited, because I’ve pretty much wanted to marry him since I met him. I’m not excited about planning a wedding, paying for a wedding, or dealing with family stuff. (Also I have mixed feelings on formal proposals, engagement rings, and whatnot, but that’s another post.) We’re not even engaged yet, and I’m already thinking of ways to elope. I know this post sounds more negative than positive, but I’m happy, I swear!

I don’t always spend a ridiculous amount of money on shoes…

but when I do, I buy 2 pairs of Chacos (one regular and one “fancy”) and then agonize over how long they’re taking to ship and whether they’ll fit or not.