The big move begins on Thursday! Our big task this weekend, then, was to begin the cleaning and packing process. This has given us an excellent opportunity to sort through all our possessions and do away with much of our clutter. We have several trash bags filled with clothes, purses, and other things we just don't use or wear anymore. These things will all be donated, and we hope that someone can find a good use for them. It is a good feeling to be rid of those excess things that are just taking up space and making our home more crowded than necessary. Plus, it results in less items to pack up and unpack, making our move a little easier! It will be nice to move into our new place knowing we've downsized quite a bit. I recently read an article that said the amount of clutter in one's life can increase their stress level, so perhaps I'm doing my mental health a huge favor. The process, while tedious, will be worth the end result. I'll post photos of the new place once we're all settled.
I'm currently on a homework hiatus, as the summer term doesn't begin until June 7th. I've completed the first year of graduate school! So far, my goal of maintaining a 3.75 for the duration of my program is intact. In fact, I'm currently sporting a 4.0! It's been a very busy year, and I'm loving the weeks off before the summer term begins.
More specifically, I'm loving the ability to read books for fun during this time. I've started reading the Outlander series, which is great. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a time traveling romance that takes place in the 1700's, but it came highly recommended, so I wanted to give it a shot. I'm only halfway into the second book, but so far I'm enjoying them quite a bit.
I'm already almost halfway to my goal is reading 75 books in one year. It is more impressive than it sounds, because while I designed this list in November, I didn't actually begin making an honest effort until just a few months ago. Now that I've got a Kindle (getting an e-reader was another item on my list- yay for crossing things off!), I can read books a little more quickly, so that is huge help toward meeting this goal. Each Outlander book is 650-700 pages, however, so it will take some time to finish the series! If only I didn't have to work, I'd have them done in no time. :)
Well, I guess that's it for now. Next post will be devoted to my upcoming trip to Italy next year!
