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Of course I had to pick up some pickles and preserves while I was in with South. Not pictured: the jars we ate on the road trip home.

You bet your bottom I taught my last discussion sections of the quarter today while rocking this shirt and with a send-off of Schitt’s Creek gifs. It’s the little things that get us through.

Yesterday I passed my qualifying exams (with honors, eeeeee). It was a milestone I didn’t think I would ever have the capacity to get to, much less during a pandemic and while communities in other parts of the country are fighting to survive. I have many thoughts and feelings about the process of writing field statements and a prospectus, and the exam process generally. I’m hoping to share those when I’m ready, but I am letting myself rest for the moment. Suffice it to say, I’m welling with gratitude for those who have come into my life throughout this journey, for the communities that hold me accountable and authentic to who I want to be, and for those steadfast friends and family whom are woven into every step of this journey.

It FINALLY arrived after quite the journey. Thanks to a fabulous landlord for tracking it down at my old CA apartment, which I had to leave a month early due to wildfires, and sending it on to Wisconsin. I’m pretty sure the new tenants wanted to keep it for themselves, and I don’t blame them! Late to the celebratory party, but congratulations all the same @emilycontois !!!

My judgmental work buddy, asking if I’m done with my exams already. #phdlife #phdjourney #catsofinstagram #catsofacademia

With my boo now working on Saturdays, I’ve curated my one solo weekend day to be filled with slow, comfy writing. Saturdays feel quiet and steady lately, and a whole open day for writing and thinking feels expansive rather than forced. I dig.

I promised myself that if I finished and polished a draft of my prospectus, that I could bake myself a pie. And, well, here’s a pie. A Wisconsin, bourbon, cranberry, apple crumble pie. #phdlife #phdjourney #phdstudent #pie #piesofinstagram #wisconsinfall

Today’s attempt at prospectus writing aided by beach treasures and my trusted journals. Since evacuating a wildfire, moving across the country, quarantining in a basement and scrambling to settle in before the fall quarter started, writing has felt...impossible. My mind and my body are elsewhere and can’t quite settle in to puzzling through my dissertation proposal. Allowing myself the space to be frustrated and walk away has helped and celebrating the small wins like today.

You can tell you are back in Wisconsin when the pickle aisle at your local coop is stacked.

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