New Times

I have officially started what should be my last year of graduate school. I am teaching Psyc of Adjustment, taking one class in Supervision, Supervising other grad students for their therapy cases, finishing my dissertation, and trying to stay out of trouble. I'm not currently working, but I hope to get back to my assessment job soon, if possible (but that's a story for another time).

I am going to try to incorporate media into my lectures this year rather than simply lecture. There are ample opportunities to show videos and have mini-discussions in Adjustment. The only hard part is that there are 60-something students in my class, so discussions can be difficult. I showed them two clips from Fight Club today and they seemed to enjoy that. We talked about consumerism and the search for happiness -- how materialism and consuming do not lead to happiness -- and Fight Club seemed very applicable. "You're not your car, you're not what's in your wallet, you're not your f***ing khakis" and "What you own ends up owning you." Two great scenes.

Things are going well. I can actually say that I am happy more often than not, now. I am surrounded by friends most days and I have made some new friends who I am already very close to. It's nice to feel supported after not feeling supported for so long. I am enjoying each day for its own happenings, and while I still have moments of mild worry and sadness (but not for reasons one might expect given my recent situation), I am, on the whole, doing well. I think this year will end up being a great year. Really the only time I get down is when I'm at the apartment alone and bored -- I don't have TV yet, so it gets quiet and boring sitting around trying to keep busy. I like to have a TV on even when I'm not actually watching it for the noise and these past two weeks have been weird because no TV. DirecTV is coming on Friday.

My apartment is very nice. I guess it stands to reason that some people will have no idea why I'm suddenly in a new apartment. I got divorced this summer. It's for the best, that's all I'll say about it. So, the apartment is very nice and I am comfortable here. Close to campus, close to Eastside shopping, plenty of room, spare bedroom so guests can crash, and in a very quiet complex with a pool. I think I will enjoy it here.

I think I will write more. I actually feel like updating this blog and while it may be sporadic, I will write. I didn't think I'd be ready so soon, but I bounced back quickly thanks in no small part to my friends who were there for me in my darkest hours and my family who lifted me up when I felt crushed and thrown away. I can't really write details about any of it, though.

posted by Russell @ 5:36 PM Comments : 4