Git-r-done

You got it--I'm back!! Every once in a while, I do seem to manage writing a tad more frequently than usual. It's been a productive week, and for that, I plan to write about it all before I forget. Here goes.

Last Friday, I had a nice outdoor lunch with some of the folks from Camp Bon Coeur. It was a gorgeous day out, that's for sure. I didn't make it to Family Camp this year, so it had been quite a while since I saw camp people (excluding Allie). Speaking of Allie, she's interning at the office on Fridays this semester, so I decided that I'm going to try to see her as much as I can while she's in town. The lunch on Friday was the second time I saw her since I came home from Boise, and I plan to see her again this Friday-Saturday, as well.

The weekend was pretty relaxing. I didn't do much other than watch TV movies (Hallmark, I've decided, is the best), study for the DC tour guide exam, and do some edits on grad school stuffs. Uncle Ray was in town toward the end of the week, and Nannie Lois came for the weekend, so I really enjoyed seeing them. It was the last time I'd see them until at least the summer, since I am leaving for DC in only a week and a half.

I suppose Monday was spent doing more grad school editing and letter of recommendation searching. This process has just taken forever, it seems. Bah.

Finally, yesterday, I was able to submit three online graduate school applications. Oh, and my official GRE scores came in, too. Of course, I already knew my Verbal and Quantitative scores, but I was waiting on my Analytical (writing) scores. I'd hoped to do a little better on the writing, to counteract my not-so-great scores, but I suppose I'm satisfied with how it turned out.

Today, I went to the post office to mail 3 of 5 application packets containing my resume, letters/statements of intent, assistantship applications, transcripts, and other documents. From the beginning, I've tried to avoid saying much about where I was applying, mostly because I started out by looking at a large number of schools in very diverse locations, and I didn't want to mention specifics until I was more sure of where I'd be applying. Since I have sent off three applications already, I suppose that I can share the list of schools now.

Officially, I have applied to North Carolina State (Extension Education), the University of Georgia (Nonprofit Organizations), the Clinton School of Public Service (Public Service), and Louisiana State University (some really long, confusingly named program). Tomorrow, I hope to mail off my documents for LSU and Ohio State (Ag & Extension Education). Honestly, though, I still don't know where I want to go, or what I want to do. ....So if you want to keep me in your thoughts about that, I'd surely appreciate it.

I'd also like to give a shoutout to my wonderful grad essay editors, Chris Nowicki (GA) and Melissa Askew (TX). Of course, I can't forget my official Grad School Mentor, and keeper of all things National Treasure-y, Danielle Smarsh (NJ). You're all great!! [Please accept my apologies if I have left someone out.]

Aaaaand, lastly, I just want to ask a special favor from all my readers out there. For those of you who don't know, the FACS Department at Nicholls is a very close-knit group. Not only was I a student there for three and a half years, but I was also a Student Worker in the office during my time there. The FACS Department is truly a family. Recently, I found out that a professors's daughter has been dealing with a serious medical condition. The doctors are having a hard time figuring out what's wrong and how to treat her, and for the time being, she is hospitalized in New Orleans at Children's Hospital. Not only is D.'s illness causing great concern within her family and friends, it has affected our FACS Family. Everyone is really worried about her, and wants her to get better soon. Because of this, I would really appreciate it if you all could keep this little girl in your thoughts and prayers as she battles this illness.

Thanks to all, and expect more updates soon.

DC in 10 days.
-Lauren