I'm not really great at being alone, but I do like the peace and quiet, being able to shut off the TV and the air conditioner (he freezes me out when he's here), read a book whenever I want (which is what I've been doing lately), make myself whatever food I like. Still, I miss him and get lonely, which isn't normally a problem because he works rotating shifts. One week he'll work five days (Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday), the next week, only two (Wednesday & Thursday). Overtime right now, while he trains for the new position he's gotten, is wreaking havoc on both of us--but it's for a really good reason!
So let's see, what's new? The truth is, not a whole heck of a lot. I've been reading like a mad woman, I think I've devoured five or six books in the last week or so, many of which I've posted reviews for at my book blog, but certainly not all. I'm reading mostly self-published books right now, some of which I like, others of which I don't so much like. Other than that, we had a quiet July 4th holiday, ate in and went to the local fireworks display--which wasn't as good this year as it has been in previous years, but we did have Ricky Scaggs!
My thesis stuff is moving right along. I got good and bad news today. The good news: my thesis is completely done and ready to be printed to bond. Yay! The bad news: I'm going to have to file for some substitutions so that the classes I've taken apply correctly for my degree. This substitution issues is not on me, I've taken all of the right stuff, but since our school has started using a new program called DegreeWorks, everything's sort of screwed up. So, Dr. Y and I get to work on filing for those substitutions so I can graduate in August.
Speaking of which, do you know how much it costs to actually graduate? It's insane! Let me break this down for you...
- Cap, Gown, Hood, & Stole: $102
- Copies and supplies to print thesis: $100
- Thesis Copyright/ProQuest fee: $55
- Thesis bindery fee: $162
Yeah, even without invitations and all that fancy crap, this thing is going to run me about, oh, $420! That doesn't even include getting a new dress and shoes for graduation! It's not cheap to be done. I'm not looking forward to shelling out all of that money, but you know, to be done I think it just might be worth it! The bindery fee includes 10 extra copies of the thesis, but still, it's crazy what this thing is going to cost me. I think I'll take stock of what will get one and rather than getting 10 extras, just get the ones I need (which is closer to, like, 8 or so). Well, let's see... my parents, my ILs, and each of my three committee professors, I guess that's only five! That'll save me about $63 if I only get the five I need, rather than ten. The issue here is that they only cost $12.50 per additional copy now, but if I want to get one later, it'll cost me $55. So, they're cheaper right now than they will be later on.
Whatever, anyway, that's what's going on with me right now. Once my summer aid check hits the bank this week I can go make the final, FINAL copies of my thesis, take them to the Grad office, and be done with it. Amen! For now, I think I'll go devour another book or watch Hell's Kitchen. I don't know, I guess I had hoped rambling on a bit here would alleviate my restlessness... but no such luck.
Good night
