A new term

Uni starts up again on Monday, I feel both a mixture of anticipation and fear.  As the new term begins I realize its only a few months until I am off to do my field work. While I'm excited to begin there is the slight problem of not knowing exactly where I'm going to be doing it.  I feel as a pg student I should have everything mapped out and know exactly what I want to do and where I want to do it. The problem is there are so many things I want to do for a dissertation its difficult deciding what I should do. I want it to be something worthwhile, not a silly project that has no purpose or impact. I suppose there in lies the problem, I do I decide what is worthwhile or what will make an impact? Perhaps I want to take on to much.  As people that know me read this I'm sure they roll their eyes and wonder if I ever make a decision. The answer is simple no, I am the most indecisive person which is by far one of my greatest downfalls.  

I still wake up the middle of the night (on nights that I sleep that is) with ideas for films and projects. I of course pull out my handy notebook which I keep next to my bed and jot down the idea.  So I have a million ideas and no clear path to follow.  Lately I've been thinking of the poem by Robert Frost 

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bend in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no stop had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference.

Not sure why this poems keeps strolling though my head nor why I can remember it so well considering I learned it so long ago when I was in junior high. It has always stuck with me though for some odd reason. Perhaps it is a sign I to should take the road less traveled, I don't know.  Poetry has never been my forte I like to read it, love to listen to it being recited yet rarely fully comprehend what is being said.  I often feel this way in lectures as well. I listen to what is being said and have to work so hard at times to figure out exactly what is meant.  I sometimes wonder if I'm supposed to be in graduate school at all.  Of course all pg students go through this I am told.  And so I continue to trudge up this educational Everest, praying I reach the summit to enjoy the view. 

The Tragic End

Most unfortunately my laptop has come to the end of what has been a rather short existence. After a mere 2 years of life it has gone on the the after world.  I have to say that I am no longer a fan of HP and advise any that are considering purchasing a new laptop to please avoid HP like the plague. Upon talking with the repairman that made every attempt to fix my laptop he mentioned that this is one of many HP that he has seen with similar problems.  

Losing my laptop could not have come at a worse time as I am in the midst of beginning work on an essay, research for dissertation, etc...  2009 is not starting off on the right foot I am afraid. Started off sick, then laptop died, I fear what is to follow.  But alas one cannot sit in fear waiting for the unknown so I trudge on.  I'm reduced to using uni computers which is fine for now but once school starts up again queuing for a pc is quite a pain.  

Things could be worse though, I don't want to come up with worse situations as I don't want to give fate any ideas but I know it could be worse. So for now there won't be to many blog entries and my facebook status will likely stay the same for quite sometime.