Begining of the end...

Haven't been here in while...

Blame it on the business of the grad school life, creative energy depletion, laziness,etc.

Today was the last official day of classes of my third year in grad school, and thus marks the beginning of the end for my time here in...the southeast :)

You heard it right folks, this insurmountable mountain, the Sisyphean boulder, the bloodthirsty monster that is grad school has an end in sight, and boy is it getting ever closer. I am nearing the end of an era in my life, things that I thought I would never survive I have survived (thus far), days where I felt like I just could not go on are behind me (well for now!), the dread of the hamster wheel is to some degree lessened, and the object of my desire within arm's reach.

It is incredible that this time 3 years ago I had just accepted my offer at my current institution, and felt as though I was getting ready to walk to the gallows (cue Iron Maiden "Hallowed Be Thy Name"), now this time next year I will be getting ready to walk into my future...a future I have worked so hard for, and sacrificed so much to attain.

What a difference 3 years makes.

Socratic Buddha on shifting perspective, the sands of time, and Iron Maiden...