I was unable to complete my thesis on time to defend this semester. This means finishing in the Spring. I am disappointed in myself, but realistically, I was really trying to do it in only one semester (I picked my topic very late), which was unrealistic to begin with, especially considering the scope of it (it's my own fault for wanting to do an interesting thesis topic that really would have been a good topic for a doctoral dissertation). I'll be done with it in January or February I am sure, but that means that I probably won't have the time that I thought that I was going to have in December. Moreover, the research group that I was working for has agreed to try and fund me for my research assistant job the additional semester, meaning I will still have work January through May. I don't want to. I want a break from it all, but realistically, I am not going to get such a break until I have my own place to live, which means getting a better job, which isn't going to happen until I finish my thesis. It's not going to happen in the spring, so I may as well aim for May as having a job at least will make my life less stressful while I search for employment. I am planning a week long vacation for myself, possibly for the week after spring break (to avoid crowds). I am thinking of going camping and other stuff. Something that won't cost a lot of money, will allow me to relax, and will take me away from everything that has been stressing me. I just need to think of a way that I can safely take my dogs along with me. I wouldn't want to go without them.

I'll still try to do some art stuff after the work for my thesis is done, which I hope to have done by the end of the December. I will have more free time and feel less stressed. Just don't expect much until then. I may do a holiday card like I have in the past if anything, but not much else in the next month or two.