DONE!

I finished writing my written exams for Comps this evening, and I feel like an elephant has been lifted off of my shoulders. When I finally finished revising my essays, I ran through the house like a madwoman, screaming, "I'm dooooooone!" I just hope our neighbors with whom we share a wall don't think they have a crazy woman living next door.

Comps as a whole isn't quite over yet, though. I have my oral defense on Wednesday afternoon, but I'm feeling pretty good about it. The hard part's over (finally!), and I'm looking forward to some well-deserved relaxation.

Please, Let It Be Monday at Noon

Comps is officially here, and I want to magically fast-forward my life to Monday afternoon so that I can turn in my essays. I'm not really worried about my oral defense on Wednesday; I just want to stop writing papers. I even dreamed about writing essays last night.

I'm beginning to think that Comps is just one big hazing-esque initiation that I have to go through before I can get my degree.

Let the Countdown Begin

I take my Comprehensive Exams this weekend, which means that in about four days I'll be writing non-stop until Monday morning.

Even though the experience is stressful, I feel ready. My Chair has really prepared me for my exams (which is a nice way of saying that she's given me a TON of work), so I kind of view Comps as one more (inconvenient) hurdle to clear before I can get my diploma.

Allison Elizabeth

I had so much fun seeing Allison last week. I miss her so much, even though I've only met her once. Here are some highlights from our visit.

She's so tiny! She didn't do very much, except sleep.

She's already sticking her toungue out at me.

Here she is with Uncle Brendan, or, as I like to jokingly call him, Fun-cle Brendan


Sweet baby girl

Maybe That's Why You Struggle with Critical Thinking

I didn't teach class on Wednesday because Brendan and I went to Fort Worth for the day to visit baby Allison. I sent my class an e-mail on Tuesday night saying that someone else would teach class on Wednesday because my sister-in-law had a baby and I was going out of town to visit her.

I had this conversation with a student in class when I returned on Friday:

Student: I'm glad you're back. Hey, did you have a baby while you were gone?

Me: Um, no. My sister-in-law had a baby, and that's why I was gone on Wednesday.

Student: Oh. Sorry. I guess I didn't read the e-mail closely.

Me: Guess not.

Keep in mind that this is a college student who's had class with me for three days a week since January. Now I know why he has trouble turning in his homework on time.

She's Here!

Allison Elizabeth Brackett made her debut this evening! Brendan and I are driving to Fort Worth to see her tomorrow morning. I still can't believe she's finally here!

The baby shares her birthday with my brother, so I'll never have trouble remembering their birthdays!

Baby Brackett Is Coming SOON!

Tonight, Brendan and I got a call from his parents saying that Baby Girl Brackett will arrive either tomorrow or on Wednesday! Natalie has been in the hospital with high blood pressure since yesterday, so she's scheduled to be induced tomorrow morning. If for some reason the baby still doesn't come, they'll perform a C-section on Wednesday. Either way, I'm going to be an aunt very, very soon! The baby wasn't expected to arrive for another two weeks, so it's a wonderful surprise that she's coming early, although I wish her arrival had been under less-stressful circumstances.

If you feel like it, please send happy thoughts and prayers Natalie's way so that she has a safe delivery and a healthy baby girl.