Hello All!

Hi...

I'm back. Sort of. Life is still crazy. As a student, crazy is as crazy does--whatever that means--and I've dealt with a busy schedule so long that I can usually juggle my hard commitments without having to pack away softer commitments, like blogging. This last month, however, has thrown me a few curve balls and I think the Universe is trying to teach me a few life lessons.

Enough with the excuses.

Here's what I've been up to, lately:

• Cooking. I've been trying to be more diligent in the kitchen this summer, mostly because I love the sense of accomplishment I get when I've served up something entirely from scratch--and all natural to boot! This summer it's been about cooking light, with fresh ingredients and lots of fruits and veggies. It's been quite rewarding. This lovely blogger has helped, immensely

• Writing. I finished my paper on Vonnegut. As often happens, and as you may remember, I started the research process a little bit shaky. But in fact, after I actually started writing, the thing came together beautifully and I honestly thoroughly enjoyed writing it. I felt like I'd learned a lot after piecing it all together.

• Reading. I started The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath about a month ago, and am just now getting somewhere with it. (I've been in a reading funk as well as a blogging funk, it would seem). It's weird. The protagonist in this novel is ME! At least, I can relate to her on so many levels, it's ridiculous. No, I'm not suicidal. But I admire the transparency, even about clinical depression, that is infused into the prose, here.

• Having anxiety attacks. About my grad school applications. 'Nuff said.

So, yeah. What a lame blog post. But at least you know I'm still alive and kicking, right?