A lot has changed. I have one thesis under my belt, a brand new Master's degree, a co-publication with the honorable Dr. Tim Curran, a new computer, a few new lenses, and no idea what I'm going to do next.
I am happy. I'm still working in Singer lab. This summer was another summer of field research; searching for caterpillars at our field sites, enjoying the outdoors, and having good times together. It is interesting to be an employee of Singer lab after I have secured what is likely to be my last degree at Wesleyan. Now that the Hughes program is over, campus is nearly deserted.
I have been considering some doctoral programs at a few colleges, but the vast majority of them seem to be out of my reach financially. I've been considering some internships with the SCA. I have applied to hundreds (really) of National Park jobs, but no luck there. I suppose I can still consider myself lucky, however; I'm still employed, my parents haven't kicked me out yet, and my loans are still in deferral until mid-November. Nice.
I took a trip to Europe with Katie this summer. A week in London, two days in Paris, two days in Poitiers to see the Futuroscope (it was cooler when I was 8 years old), and a week in Biarritz, the town where my mom comes from. It was bliss. What a trip. Hardly anything went wrong, and we sure saw some incredible sights and tasted some awesome food. I suppose our trip home could be called "eventful" (e.g. crazy/horrifying), but that's a tale for another time.
On Sunday I leave with my family for Lake Tahoe. I've never been, and I don't know what to expect. It's going to be nice, I'm sure; it'll also be my last vacation for a while. I always like it when the Skorik family is reunited. My sister is doing well on the west coast, and I secretly hope that someday I can move out there myself and hang out with her all the time; my parents would probably move out too at that point. It'd be great.
I have a few potentially interesting things coming up. Teaching a photography course through the Guilford Community Center, shooting a wedding in January. It'll sure be an interesting year... I hope to have some sort of plan for my future within the next few months. I generally remain optimistic, but I rarely get my hopes up because of these recessionary times.
I'm having a little trouble sleeping tonight; too much thinking. I suppose that happens as you get older; more to think about after all. I suppose all I can do is wait and see what happens next.
Still. I am happy. There is a lot in my life to be thankful for.
