Do you ever sometimes just feel overwhelmed and panicked for no reason? Well, I do - and lately has been one of those times. I think it all started the other day when Eli's mom asked me what kind of hours I can put in nannying in the fall. So, I started thinking about my schedule, all the work I will have to do for school, and feeling conflicted about not wanting to quit my nanny job even though my gut reaction is that I won't have time for a job. I'm taking two classes - one with a book a week required reading - and doing an independent study to prepare for writing my thesis, which will require a lot of time. In addition, I'm going to be TA-ing for the Department chair, and I understand that he has weekly meetings with his TA's, which is another time commitment. So, this started freaking me out - and it got even worse when I realized that I have to write a Master's thesis. I've been trying desperately to come up with a topic that is both interesting and feasible. The problem is, most of the ideas I've had are more suited for dissertation research because the questions I have would require in depth research, not just crunching survey results.

Anyway, all of this has caused me to have premature anxiety for the fall, even though the fall is not here yet. The timing of all of this is strange, since Joshua and I just hit the point in the summer where our commitments are few and we have much more free time. I think that may be why I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. I realize how much of the summer is gone already, and how little I've accomplished.

On a lighter note, I took the by-pass home from my fellowship today. This is enjoyable and noteworthy for three reasons:
1. It makes me feel like I actually live in Charlottesville now that I'm not scared to drive around here by myself,
2. Growing up in Western PA, where the speed limit is 55 unless otherwise posted, I've really struggled with the 25mph speed limits through town, so driving 55 on the by-pass is quite therapeutic, and
3. It shortens my trip home from 15-20 minutes through town (fighting traffic and dodging pedestrians) to roughly 6 minutes of relatively unobstructed bliss.