Speak and let the worst be known.

So, as the semester comes to a close, my only piece of advice for those considering graduate school is: Don't  consider it, not even for a split second, unless you are (mostly) convinced that you absolutely love your field and can honestly imagine yourself happy spending every waking moment working at it. Without exaggeration, graduate school (or thinking about graduate school) occupies about 80% of your waking time. If you don't like what you are doing, and if you are prone to daydreaming about mountaintops and winnebagos like me, your soul will be lost to the winds. Or the internet.

Keep your favorite records close. Live near some trees. Get out of town once in a while. Don't live in a city if you love open spaces.

Also, find a way to go to grad school for free. Even if it means extra work (and sacrificing some grades). And remember that in the right circumstances, grad school can be the most amazing, productive, encouraging experience. Just take some time to make all the stars align.

As a case study (the only terms in which I can frame human beings at the moment), take my beautiful friend Jenn, whom I adore beyond compare. I think I'm pretty jealous, but not in a mean way. FOLKLORE! Taking pictures in the Kentucky woods! She is a great example of going to grad school for the right reasons. I can give you so many reasons why this girl is a wonderful, gorgeous soul. Not the least of which is this album of Sacred Harp covers, Help Me to Sing. And taking me to Utah through the snowfall. Sharing the silliest drink on the Las Vegas strip and traveling EVERYWHERE and taking photos EVERYWHERE. 

Pretty pretty Jenn.

Kentucky: I'll be here one day, I swear it.

The Great Smoky Mountains.

And there's of course my friend Liz, whose strength and passion astounds me. Liz, Jenn, and I make up the Brownbaggers, who will be coming to a coastline bench near you.

I refuse to say anything about myself. My sense of clarity has been entirely obscured during the past year, so deeply that I don't think I will ever be able say anything meaningful until summertime. In fact you probably should just stop reading this blog.