The Doctor Is... In. For Now.

On the heels of a Today segment this morning about the increasing numbers of Americans on medication for anxiety, I happily and victoriously self-diagnosed as not needing anxiety medication, contrary to the opinions of, well, a few people.

And then I started reading my emails.

For those of you who worked with me in Weber Hall, the doctor is currently in; however, the doctor may be out by Wednesday evening. For those of you who don't know what this means, scroll to the bottom.

The orientation schedule that I so diligently recorded in my planner weeks and weeks ago still stands (thank goodness, because I couldn't find my favorite pencils and had to write it in pen). A copy of the schedule (with some notes to eliminate confusion) was sent to us by a faculty member who ended her email with, "We have a lot to cover before classes start on August 29, so try to get some rest, eat well, and get some fresh air to prepare for the start of the semester." Oh my... do I need to carb up, too? What about water consumption, vitamins, and stretching? With proper stretching, will this all be easier? My head feels like it's filled with tangled yarn.

And then I get an email to sign up for a session on "Preparing Your Graduate Thesis or Dissertation" for October 16. That's exciting, but now I'm thinking about when I'll make a trip to the library to find the room, ZSR Library 476, so that I don't get lost on the way. Is a day in advance enough? A week? Should I just go tomorrow? And while I'm at it, should I determine a thesis topic before classes start? Is that smart? Is that what the smart people do?

ID cards, parking permits, computers, mailboxes, refunds from financial aid, materials to prepare for TAships, class registration, and don't forget that final fax confirming that I got a tetanus shot at the end of June. If that fax doesn't make it by next Monday... oh, the immunization saga will, indeed, continue.

It all goes down on Thursday, people. Until then, you better believe I'll be blogging about the joys of the pool at my apartment complex, perhaps accompanied by pictures. That is, if the weather cooperates, and it doesn't rain the next two days.

Peace, love, and stress... or anxiety... or stress... I'm not sure--

Emily

PS - See Emily's comic relief and creativity at work: