I just finished my last fall semester in my MA program and I am feeling sad, anxious, and stressed. 

I am feeling sad because I made so many friends in the spring and this past semester and now I'm realizing that I won't get to spend as much time with them after I graduate at the end of spring semester next year. I was elected an officer for my department's graduate student association and it's been so great running a creative writing circle for the graduate students. But I'm sad and already feeling nostalgic even though my last semester hasn't even started yet. I'm also sad cause I found out that one of my favorite professors from this past semester is planning on teaching an undergraduate Austen class and before she found out I was graduating in the spring, she asked me if I wanted to be the TA for the course. When I told her I couldn't and why, she looked so sad. She knows that one of my main focuses of research is Jane Austen and she knows how disappointed I've been about not being able to teach a literature course. I'm gonna miss her so much and we've both promised to keep in touch. She's on sabbatical next semester but she asked me to send her my capstone project once it's finished. 

I have two more days until I get on a flight to the U.K. and then a bus to Oxford. This all still feels unreal and I'm sure I won't believe it's happening until I've walked out of the plane into Heathrow. AH.

It is exactly 30 days until I leave for Oxford for five weeks. I am SO excited. I've never travelled out of the country (except to Canada but I mean...come on!) and I've never gone somewhere for five weeks. I'm sure it will be expensive (I have $3000 saved) but I hope that I'm able to put some money away from my summer job before I leave. AH, I'm so excited. I'm going to start researching for my courses tomorrow since I have a different set of requirements from the undergrads in the class. 

For my Tempest/Caliban class, my professor gave me the option of doing a lecture related to my field (18th to 19th century British Literature written by women) with regards to The Tempest and looking at its importance in a select few 18th/19th century novels OR looking at sex and sexuality in the play. And for my Beatles Poli Sci class, my professor approved my paper topic which is looking at the competition between The Beatles and The Beach Boys up until "Pet Sounds" and how it affected their songwriting processes. My partner has so many books about that subject so he's going to help me with picking some books as my sources. 

Five weeks is going to go by so quickly so I'm starting on the research early so that I can spend most of my time exploring and writing and editing. 

Ah! I'm so ready. 

So I am for sure funded and going to Oxford this summer! 

First off, I did not receive the full-ride scholarship for the summer program. It went to a friend of mine which honestly, he deserved it. He's a PhD and I think that he's a stronger contender. That said, I did receive a partial scholarship that covers like 1/9th of the cost so I did have to apply for a PLUS summer loan. I won't know for sure until mid-May (STRESSED) but I have been pre-approved. Being that this is my first time out of the country and it's for my field, I thought it was a good investment into my academic and professional career. 

I am so stressed though. I have three long projects that I need to finish by May 2nd on top of my teaching responsibilities. I did receive another assistantship for Fall '23 so I will only be teaching one course which is a huge load off of my shoulders. I'm planning on quitting my library job in a few weeks and I've interviewed for a tutoring position that pays more ($15-17) and works better with my school schedule. Plus, I'm able to do coursework during my shifts which is a fantastic plus.