I am alive

and well.  Actually, I'm more than well, because I'm listening to Mumford & Sons pandora radio station and burning my pumpkin spice candle.  I'm much more than well.  I tell you what, the sound of the banjo makes my heart do little leaps inside my chest.  I love love love the banjo.

I had grand plans of posting awesome photos from our trip on the blog.  Then I remembered that I have no good computer to do that on.  My loyal, lovely HP is on its very last leg.  As much as it hurts me to have to put her down, I think I'm going to have to.  And sadly, Jeff's computer decided to die at about the same time.  Luckily, Jeff had to get a laptop for dental school, so that took care of his problem.  So, we decided that I needed a new computer for school too.  And whooie am I getting a doozie of a computer!  I'm so excited, it is going to be absolutely amazing.  I should be getting it this week, so I'll have to do a little postie postie about her when she comes.  And post more pictures. 

Speaking of school, it's going well.  I started last Monday and Jeff started today.  It's a little weird to be back in school, but I am starting to get used to it already.  I mean, it is my natural habitat, so it shouldn't take me too long to get back into the swing of things, even if it is a completely different school.  And I mean, COMPLETELY different school.  I walked to the bookstore the other day, and I almost died.  Seriously, not exaggerating.  Heat stroke is serious business.  And I was sweating so horribly that by the time I got in an air conditioned room I was freezing because my clothes were sticky, wet shards of fabric clinging to my heatstroke afflicted body.  And I don't usually sweat that much...like at all!  Besides that, I saw about 100 million girls wearing tank tops, and a guy walking right in front of me started smoking.  It freaked me out at first, but then I remembered that I was in Vegas and people actually do that here.  There's no honor code...so weird. 

Grad school has been awesome so far.  I am learning stuff that I am actually so interested in learning, and the professors are incredible.  They are all so nice and understanding and kind, but still expect a lot from us.  Pretty much the perfect combination for me.  It hasn't been hard at all yet, but I guess we'll see if that changes.  It is only the beginning of the semester, so I do expect that to change sooner or later.  I mean, I have to memorize the whole DSM-IV-TR so, that at least is going to be challenging.

Something that has been depressing me lately:  autumn.  Specifically, autumn in Las Vegas.  Ugh.  There is something about the Fall that makes me inexpressibly, inextricably, incredibly happy.  It makes my essence whole.  Just walking out into the fall crisp air, seeing the autumn leaves, smelling the spices in my home as I bake fall tasty things...it just is amazing.  And I'm not going to get it this year.  Not like I used to in Utah.  It makes me so sad.  Sadder than sad...almost clinically sad.  I guess I'm going to have to deal with it, but it's hard to think about.  I know that sounds dramatic, but it's just how I'm feeling right now as I contemplate September/October/November coming up.  On the bright side, fall means Halloween and who can honestly be sad when Halloween is coming?  I would dare to say no one.  Because Halloween = the best.  So at least there is that to look forward to.

Well, I have some reading to do, so I guess I'll go now.  On a parting note though, has anyone finished the Hunger Games Trilogy and cares to talk about Mockingjay?  I've got to say....it's nothing like I expected.  Very, uh, interesting.  I don't know what I think about it still.  Katie, call me.  We gotta discuss this.