Spending Time Thinking

It been quiet around here...I know. 

So here's the deal -- I'm about to enter into what is supposed to be the most stressful month of my graduate school experience - Prelims. Tomorrow I'm turning in a 7 page written research proposal that I've been working on for over a month  -- that's actually not too bad...writing is one of my strengths. 

But a month from tomorrow, I'll be presenting my preliminary data/research and research proposal in front of a committee where they'll be able to grill me on my research for 2 hours straight. And then, if they think I'm good enough...they'll let me continue pursing my Ph.D for the next 3 years. Yeah...no pressure or anything. 

So anyways I'm doing well now...but things are about to get "real" crazy around here. My number one priority will be maintaining my mental health. 

So yeah, other than that little detail -- things in life are good. Highlights -- Jordan and I finished painting the interior of our house...so now maybe I can put something one the walls (I get decorating anxiety), we are running a half-marathon in a little less than a month, we just joined a volleyball league, our small group Bible study for the year just started up (and I am loving our new group -- wonderful, wonderful people), and I've been contemplating goals/etc for my post-prelim life..

Right now I've been thinking more about making it a priority to read more and watch less TV and perhaps doing some freelance science writing/editing on the side. So, we'll see where that goes. 

Pray for me as things get crazy! And if you have any advice/tips/secrets for stress-management I would love to hear them!