Authentically Mine

I talked to my parents today and told them that I would be starting on insulin next month. My mom immediately did the mom thing and worried that something was wrong. I reassured her that it was my choice and that I was making the switch because Adam and I had decided to try to have a baby starting in June. I think she was totally surprised but they were totally supportive. I said that I had wanted to not say anything and then if all worked out well just tell them we were having a baby but that hiding being on insulin can be hard when we spend so much time (much around meals) with them and I wanted them to know.

I also told them that I wanted them to understand if I was moody at times as I transitioned off of my depression meds. My mom asked a trillion questions, as much as she is excited she is worried about my health. I told her we were taking it one step at a time. Insulin first then off the other meds -- then we see.

My dad's only two questions were would an insulin pump be a pain to use (I have no idea and I have no idea if that is what I will use) and "What about Emma?" for a name? (I told him we were not thinking about names yet until I was actually pregnant but I would put it under consideration.) Gotta love dads!

In a way it was exciting to tell them and it was also comforting. Adam supports me in every way possible but  knowing that if I need to talk my mom will be there too - that's also nice.

My goal for this week is to try and finish one of the many books that I have started and not finished. I am having dinner with 2 friends - my best friend C. and another previous co-worker tomorrow night. Also tomorrow I get my new Levenger notebook system that I ordered for work (yes I am a dork) and also get my books for my class this summer. I was able to get them deeply discounted by getting them this early. I am as excited about getting the books as I am the Notebook System.

If there was any doubt that this cold and misery we call winter in New England will end, it is official that it will. The university where I work has come out with its list of summer course offerings. Which by the way is, as far as I can tell, IDENTICAL to last year's summer course offerings, except that the Writing Seminar I would need is being offered.

Now that I know for sure that the two classes I can choose between are being offered I have to revisit my original questions. My decision is that I am going to take a class this summer and a class this fall and see where that gets me. If I LOVE psychology I will take more classes in that. If I love creative writing I will take more classes there. I have talked to many people and for either path I have to take 3 courses in the area before I can apply to the master's program. So the truth of it is I could take up to 6 classes before I decide. It will probably be more like 4 (2 in each area).

So for this summer my choices are:

Abnormal Psychology (I got them to waive the Intro to Psych prerequsite since I have taken it in High School, College and I took Developmental Psychology post-grad)

This course is an introduction to the study of psychopathology. It focuses on theoretical models of abnormal behavior as they relate to the definition, etiology, and treatment of mental disorders. Diagnostic classification, and behavioral and biological features of the major syndromes of psychopathology are emphasized. Prerequisite: Introductory course in psychology. This all just sounds fascinating to me.

OR

Introduction to Graduate Research Methods and Scholarly Writing in the Humanities (the writing seminar that I would need)

This proseminar focuses on the research, writing, and critical and analytical skills necessary to produce a successful graduate-level research project in the humanities. Attention is paid to the development of close-reading skills and to strategies of textual analysis, as well as to the vocabulary of describing the structural and iconographic features of artifacts. The course explores these topics through an investigation of the Gothic. Works to be studied include Northanger Abbey, The Mysteries of Udolpho, Frankenstein, Dracula, short fiction by Poe, and a selection of modern Gothic tales.

Now I know there are some who LOVE these kinds of stories but I am not sure that they are what I want to spend my summer reading. Yes I know you are thinking....."but you DO want to spend your summer reading about abnormal psychology?..... call me strange. There are different types of the seminar offered each semester so I could choose a different topic seminar for writing too.

Oh I know all these words and hemming and hawing ... just pick a damn class already and I can take the other one next semester.

OK so I picked a course. I am taking Abnormal Psychology this summer. I am so excited and I cannot even officially enroll until March.