flashbacks.

It's been a minute since I have to write a solid paper. Last semester, I got to do quite a bit of paperwork and maybe an essay or two. This semester is an internship, where I mostly do bonafide counseling and counselor duties (read: paperwork!). So I thought my paper days were behind me.

Last week we met on campus for class, but before that, we had a "comps meeting." Initially, I didn't know why we needed a meeting for this.

Do I have to take them? Yes? Then sign me up.

Oh, if only it were so simple.

Apparently getting my Master's degree is a little more complicated than signing up for graduation in during the last semester of undergrad. This week I have "petitioned for Master's candidacy." I thought if I passed, I just got the Master's. Evidently not. Let's hope my petition was persuasive.

(to those of you who might worry, this is standard protocol. I'll be approved. It's just another academic hoop to jump through.)

I have also officially signed up for graduation, assuring that my little name will be read at the podium on May 5. And don't worry, they charged me a lovely fee for this service. I guess my tuition just didn't stretch that far.

Additionally, my CV is updated-- I'm not sure when it goes from resume to curriculum vita, but alas here I am, official owner of a CV-- and soon I'll be pulling work samples for my portfolio, another step toward comps.

The work samples will have to wait until I'm done with this delightful 20-page paper I'm currently putting the finishing touches on. So much for an internship of just real world work. Let's pile on a few projects for good measure.

With all of that being said, our comps meeting concluded with being told that comps are Feb. 20. The professors have put together a 3.5 hour exam that will cover every class I have taken during my tenure at the U of A, regardless of whether or not I had that particular professor.

So now I'm sitting in my room pouring into this monster paper while Ryan Adams and Nickel Creek take turns serenading me on iTunes, and I can't help but to flashback to... well, every paper I've ever written since I first began my post-secondary career at Auburn. Regardless of subject, I have always managed to work best with my laptop plopped in front of me on my bed and indie music blaring-- admittedly, at this exact moment, I have deviated from the usual playlist with a little acoustic ditty from one Eric Clapton. Even the weather right now makes me think of late Spring in Auburn, writing those final papers for development classes, making plans to meet at Laredo's for dinner with friends...

Miss that place. Won't miss these papers.