It's been a little over a month since my grandfather died. For a while, I thought I was handling it well - almost too well. He was such a strong influence in my life and yet we didn't get the chance to see each other very often because I live away from home, so it still felt like he was here to me. The grief is starting to catch up to me now, though. I've thought about him every day, and with each passing day I feel lonelier and lonelier. My paper was published a couple weeks ago - I wish he could have read it.

In other news, after a very long struggle that I'd rather not discuss here, I've decided to leave my program with a Master's, so I'll be graduating within the next two semesters. It's a little frustrating because I'll have to start all over again in another PhD program; however, with a graduate degree and two publications (I'm gathering data to start writing a second paper), I'll be well-positioned to get into my program of choice. I think. At the very least, I've found a direction, which is more than I had when I started here. It would have been nice to get my PhD here, but 10 years down the road I think I'll look on this decision favorably.

I miss AC. I had a blast this year, leg injury and finding out news about my grandfather aside, and I'm already psyched to go next year. It's a painfully long time to wait, though, but hopefully I'll be able to attend FurFright this year. Speaking of which...anyone going and have room space? :3

~Ty