vacation over

And it's time to head back home. I'm ready to start the school year but I know it's going to be a difficult one. Besides all the outside work I'm carrying, now this is all beginning to mean something. When you're taking required courses and getting the feel of things, a PhD seems too far away to really mean anything - the ultimate goal but one clouded over by heavy fog. The fog is starting to lift, now that I'm refining my research interests and creating a study of my own. With the knowledge that I just might get out of here after all comes the subtle fear that the hard part is in front of me and I'm not ready for the challenge. However, to my credit, this is the first time in two years of study that I feel like I know what I'm talking about - even when I'm confused about the details. I just have to get it done: no excuses, no laziness, no diversions - just get it done.