So this happened.

I'm entirely sure how to feel about it either. I mean, I'm glad that it's "over" and I've submitted the application. But I'm also scared of what the future holds. I have placed a LOT on getting back into school and only affording it because of the discount I received by being a staff of the university. I'm not really sure what I'll do if I don't get in...but let's not think about that.

I figure I'll use this time to reflect on my journey towards submitting my application...

Working here has been a learning experience in patience, understand, and finding purpose. In the course of my almost 4 years working here, I've struggled to find my place, struggled to find purpose, and (on a daily basis) struggled  to be nice on the phone when I'm being yelled at for something I didn't do...

While looking for purpose or some direction in life, I found the Critical Studies Department within the School of Cinematic Arts and fell in love! From what I've researched, it's perfection in a program. It combines my true loves of TV-Film and Entertainment culture studies! After looking at other programs the university offers (and frankly being disappointed) I was glad to see the school have some program for people like me...those who like love entertainment but don't necessarily want to be a director or work on the production side of things. Working on a set would be awesome, but not sure that can be my full-time job considering it's frakking hard to do and doesn't get me going as much as lively discussions do!

So...that's it.

Now I wait.

And wait.

And wait more.

The future has a lot in store and I can feel the changes ahead. They're coming. Some I want to avoid (like the stress of work AND school) and some I am ready and open to accept (like getting to write papers again!).

If you are a praying person, I gladly welcome prayers and good vibes!

<3 Erika

Yay! We are doing a stationery card this year!

All Our Love Holiday Card

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WHOA.

Time is flyin' by these days. I feel like I have so much to write about and yet nothing at all. I'm not sure I can actually write out entire paragraphs at this point, but I do want to update some things that have been going on for the past 2 months or so:

• I'm applying to return to school to get my Masters in Cinematic Arts; specifically Critical Studies for the Fall 2013. 
• Taking TOOK the required GRE (which is a graduate school entrance exam) on Thursday, November 8th. 
• Been spending all my free time at coffee houses studying and trying to re-learn my entire high school education. 
• Realized just how awesome I am at algebra
• Realized how awesomely bad I am at all other math.
• Finishing up my actual school application which is due December 1st. 
• Looking forward to being done with this whole process and resting through the holidays. 
• Hopefully not stressing too much about whether I get in or not. 
• I enjoy making lists.
• I also enjoy wearing rings and watches. 
• I believe I'm starting a watch collection. I keep finding new watches that I love! 

One great thing that I've learned/remembered about myself in this process is how much I love academics. Even though I wanted to rip my eyes out studying ratios, exponents, and fractions, I still loved having something to study. I love working long hours on papers, researching topics, discussing viewpoints and discovering new ideas! This whole thing has really motivated me even more to get into grad school and pursue the academic study of media's influence both culturally and emotionally on us as people and as a society. 

I hope to make a new video this weekend and get back into the swing of things here as well!