Holy, moly....what a week! This time last year, I would definitely be flipping out and would most likely be in a bad mood. Stress really had a way of getting a good grip on my sanity. But after this summer and the unbelievable experience I had in Slovakia, my priorities are, not so much different, but more solidified. Whenever I get so wrapped up in meeting deadlines or making grades or keeping people happy, I remember that even the best rewards that this life has to offer for my labors can not hold a candle to what is awating me in the next.

This week, I set out to register for the GRE and had no idea that, in the end, I would be taking it the same week! I finally got that hurdle out of the way yesterday and am so glad to know that I am at least one step closer to being ready for graduate school.

I also wanted to get started on some stuff for Aural Rehab, but that somehow got lost in between writing field notes, babysitting, and reading stuff on the web for this class. I wanted to make sure that I also got in touch with some friends from this summer and had a variety of other random things I needed to accomplish. One other thing I needed to do was to make time for my family and some other friends I hadn't seen since I got back from Europe.

I have only mentioned a fraction of the junk I had to do this past week, and it may sound like a lot, but honestly, my life is so busy that I am used to it and if there are distinct processes involved in doing all of this (my life!), then I am not aware of them. I will say, though, that I repeatedly told myself I was doing ______ and then going straight to bed, recognizing the need for rest if I was going to be productive at all by the end of the week. Of course, a zillion other things caught my attention and demanded my time between finishing _____ and going to bed. So the process of pacing myself was intended, but not possible. I think my body is angry at me for the lack of sleep....I need to learn to tolerate the aftertaste of coffee.

I also meant to mention that, during Tx lab on Friday, we got to watch a session with a HI child. I was excited to finally see an SLP in action with this kind of patient. I have always been drawn to this area for some reason unknown to me. Man, oh, man, when that session got going, I was on the edge of my seat and literally (I know this is going to sound like the corniest line ever), I had chills up and down my arms. I was just touched by this boy's desire to correctly speak these words, and to see him struggle and just shake his head when he didn't remember how to make certain sounds made my heart break. It was the quickest hour of my week, and was one of the highlights. Sorry for the sidetrack...

I guess that, after taking the GRE, I have learned to trust myself a little more and give myself a little more credit for what I have accomplished and can do on a moment's notice. Also, I have learned how to appreciate a good hour or two with a friend or group of friends, having conversations about things that are enduring and will mean something to me after this semester or this year is over. Above all, I have learned that, when push comes to shove, something in me steps up and prevents me from copping out and just giving up. Honestly I cannot explain to anyone how I am sitting here, awake, and am making half-way intelligent comments. My body is so exhausted, and part of it is my fault, but I find comfort in the fact that there hasn't been a time yet when I can't find the strength to make it through the week, or the day....or sometimes the hour! But I think the coffee idea wouldn't hurt....