Stuff

I suck at blogging lately. I'm just so tired all the time that it's hard to find the motivation to put thoughts into words.

I found out today that I've been awarded an Anthropology Department Book Award this year. I guess it's a new award and they say it's "to recognize students who have done exceptional scholarly work, departmental and campus service, or creative research." Which makes me feel 10 feet tall. The award is basically a book signed by all the faculty members, which is a pretty big deal to me because it's the people I look up to and respect more than just about anyone. The people I want to be like when I eventually grow up.

It's been hard working full time and going to school full time. And every time I feel a sense of utter defeat something like this happens. Some little reminder that while I may feel like "what's the point" a lot of the time, there are these amazing professors who see a lot of potential in me. It kind of makes me tear up like a stupid little girl, it means that much to me. Which is pretty amazing when I like to think that generally I don't seek out the approval of other people.

My research project is kind of a mess right now. But it looks like I'll be able to finish it this semester. I really don't want to take an incomplete on it so I'm doing all I can to wrap it up now so it doesn't follow me into the summer. I just fear that my 'original research' is going to end up being nothing more than a 15 page literature review. My adviser assures me that it's the nature of social anthropology, that when you work with people it doesn't always go the way you planned. It's still hard to not kick myself in the pants about it. Regardless, I have to present my findings at Community Hospital tomorrow and I'm so nervous I feel like throwing up.

I'm squeezing in time to knit whenever I can because it relaxes me so much. I finished one pair of socks and started another, this time in pumpkin orange.


I know, I'm knitting wool socks in 80 degree weather. I don't understand it either.

When I get home tonight I'm starting a hat for a buddy of mine (and fellow anthro major) who is graduating this year and moving to Wyoming for grad school. They get snow in June, so I figure a warm hat is a good gift. I asked for input on it and he wants a chullo style hat, which just so happens to be the kind I prefer making. He joked with me today that he's honored to be in the 'Kara knit something for me club'. I wasn't aware of any such organization. Another classmate, laughing, said he wants a beret. Yeah, not gonna happen. (I know, I know, boys tease because that's how they display friendship.) After I finish his hat, and this awful semester, I want to finish my sweater/coat before it gets too much hotter. It's huge and the idea of seaming that sucker if it gets any hotter than 80 degrees seems crazy.