I am not a hoarder/crazy lady, I swear

I am so glad I started this morning. There is something so wonderful about a cup of coffee that just puts me in the right mood for the day. I know I’m not alone in my affinity for the caffeinated beverage, but it’s not even the caffeine that does it for me. I will drink decaf and still be put in just the right place. This morning was no exception. Coffee helped me temper the panic that could easily set in due to the long list of tasks I have ahead of me. This brings me to the topic of my post:

These stacks are the source of my sheer dread. Every time I shuffle the piles of notebooks, papers, and books I think of a show that I saw on TLC about hoarders. The people that were featured on the show kept their “special piles” of junk all over the house, sometimes occupying space that was needed for other activities…namely living in general. At the core of their problem was the misconception that they needed these objects. Although I am no hoarder, I am a grad student and lately I’ve been noticing several (superficial) similarities. I really need the articles from journals that I’ve collected over 3 years. I really need the powerpoint notes from all my classes. I really need every single, expensive textbook I’ve purchased. As a result, I have several piles of school crap materials occupying every nook and cranny in this room. Now my concept of “need” is probably legitimate in this situation, but it doesn’t mean I like it. My precious stacks are occupying much physical space and more importantly mental space as of late. I have possibly the longest, most important test in my entire school career ahead of me and I am having to cram all the information in my “special piles” into my head.

The good news is that in less than 1 week (eek!), I can put my hoarding nature aside and put my stacks back on the bookshelf. All I will “need” then is a glass of wine and some sleep. It will be bliss.

Hello, internet blogging…nice to meet you.

I will be the first person to admit that I am at the very least, a few years late jumping on the blogging bandwagon. I say all of this with the risk of sounding very technologically impaired. I’m not sure what the deal is but I have to say I am definitely not a trailblazer when it comes to the internet. Case in point, my last “new” internet experience: creating a facebook account! This occurred only after the urging of multiple friends, a glass of wine, and because I was avoiding awful school work. This was a year ago. That’s right people, I was new to facebook within the last year. Thus, blogging is a relatively “big” step for this technologically late-blooming girl.

With my lame attempt at qualifying my late entrance into the blogging world aside, I can divulge my true inspiration for putting my innermost (and I’d be remiss if I didn’t add thought-provoking and brilliant ) ideas out there: my brain feels like it’s going to explode otherwise. For the likely 1 to 2 people that will read this little internet diary I hope you gain something (even if it’s just something you can mock me for later) from my writing catharsis. It’s my own “pensieve” of sorts!