The Rocket is back!

School can be SOOO mentally exhausting. For some the answer is to take a break, for others, plow through.

You know, I love your picture. You look like you are just taking a stroll, and the lady behind you looks VERY tired.

Hey- if the cookies provide no lift- try watermellon. It has been my "drug" of choice lately. I've probably eaten 6 in the last month :D (along with a few cookies ;)

Sorry you are feeling such pressure right now! I can't even imagine how you feel! Good luck with your decisions! Do you have any family members who live in America?

Lucia,

I can't imagine all the pressure you are facing, but I'm sure things will turn out OK. From your blog I can see that you are a very smart and driven young lady. We all have our Debbie Downer days, but I'm sure you will make it though.

Lori

I'd say tough it out and finish the class - money waste is a bad idea. Then re-evaluate before investing any more money, see if maybe you can make money somewhere else while learning instead of spending it.

Fast Running Blog offers free mostly self-guided MySQL/PHP web development classes to those who are willing to learn while working on the blog projects. So on this one, you do not get paid, but at least you do not have to pay tuition. Maybe I should post an official announcement while I am thinking of this.

hey girl.... so sorry to read this. Most of all I can relate to the food part. Please take care of yourself! And, it may be better to simplify your life now, rather than having a breakdown! Maybe cut back on a couple things- even school if necessary. I hate to say that, but maybe you just need time to get things together. The other option may be to cut back on running a bit to focus on school since you might be tired too. The cookies are just a way to comfort yourself from the stress. Sorry _ i can really relate to the food stuff. Hopeing you are feeling better and will forgive yourself for the cookies soon! Take care, Jill

hey, I am back, I was wondering what was up with your side, and I read your month of blogs...Jeez Lucia! You have a lot going on! grandma, sleep, nutrition, pain, school... I guess I understand why you feel so stressed! BTW, I will be at Riley's and want to try to run my best-not run with my group. Would love to be able to say hello to you there!

Thanks Marion. Yeah, a break is definitely in order. Watermelon rocks! I had some clementines this morning and they did the trick. But I'm stopping at the store for watermelon after work for sure.

Kim, all my family is in Argentina. I've been here almost 10 years, and went to undergrad here and did fine. You'd think I'd get used to being away from the family, but it is hard still sometimes.

Lori, the weird thing is, the pressure is self-imposed. Almost as if I set myself up for failure. Must stop doing that.

Sasha, as an "economist", I analyze the cost/benefits of everything. It may be the case that the benefits of my sanity right now are valued higher than the costs of the class... though it probably doesn't make much sense to others. Definitely will be re-evaluating before spending more. Good idea on the web development classes...

Jill, I still don't know what's wrong with my right side. It's getting just a little worse every day. I'm seeing my doctor again next week. Let's try to meet before the Riley's half!

Thank you for letting me share this with you, and for your concerns. Anxiety and depression run in my mom's side of the family, and as I get older I'm realizing maybe I got it too. Maybe therapy will help; I made an appointment for tomorrow.

I really believe it's a mental block, and not "real" stresses... If I didn't spend so much time worrying and feeling hopeless, I would be able to do everything I need to do for school, work, and running... it's a matter of not being a wimp!

Thanks again everyone... sorry about this long comment!

Lucia, I sent you a private message.

Bonnie

Lucia,

I'm sorry you're having all those problems. Working, going to school, running, family, and generally the world combined together create the ultimate stressful situation. I went through some of the same issues last year when I was dealing with all-the-above. Needless to say, I have nothing but admiration for you for getting this far with all you've done and know that you'll make the right decision. Let me know if you want to talk, go for a run or hike to help ease the stress. I hope you feel better! :)

Lucia,

I did the Master's thing while working plus having a family and it's tough, no doubt about it. I did take a semester off when I knew I had some important dates that school would interfer with, so take some time off. The world won't come to an end. Plus you're young and have time to go back and finish. Say hi to Bryon for me. Ask him about working Windy Pass at Squaw Peak in 2005. He might have a good story or two.

Lucia, sorry to hear about the stress. You are so much like me it is scary! I think you have done a great job dealing with so much on your plate. Don't be afraid to cut back where you need to. You will figure out where the priorities are and make the necessary changes. It's hard for us type-A perfectionists, but, with so much going on, it's impossible to be perfect at everything. When my sister is stressed, she goes away and spends a few days completely by herself: no phone, no computer, nothing. She calls it "solitude." It helps clear her mind, and the thoughts, problems, etc. naturally come to the surface so she can deal with them. I have never tried it, but it sounds effective...