I'll see y'all in two years!

So maybe I exaggerate... but not by much. It's going to be difficult for me to pay much attention to this blog for anything more than story-related announcements because for the next two years, my focus will be on school.

A few months ago, I applied for several different scholarships. Any scholarship would do but I held out hope that I would get the one I wanted, a full-time academic scholarship from Athens State University. When I applied, I felt the same way I do every time I make a story submission. I eagerly anticipated the reply but through my many years of submitting, I've learned to keep a healthy amount of skepticism inside me so I won't be too crushed when I get that rejection letter. Last Friday I received word that I'd been selected for the main scholarship I wanted! I can't remember the last time I danced in the middle of the road or I cried over the mail before then.

However, now I must anticipate the amount of hard work I'm going to have to put into this. I have to take full course loads during the spring and fall semesters, and almost as much during the summer semesters for the next two years and top that with good grades. The risk of getting overwhelmed and burned out scares me but I know I can do this. I'm lucky to have a job where my superiors understand the importance of education and a family that understands what it means when I go into a room and lock the door behind me.

And some more great news: I have signed up for a creative writing class next semester and I'm so excited to be able to take on some new writing challenges. In the meantime, I have a son going into the 3rd grade and another going into the 1st grade. I hope I'm sending them an important and lasting message as they watch me push my way through college.

I hope your summer is going great! It's hard to believe it's almost over.

Peace, love, and hard work,

Pamela