I think grad school is important, but I do not make it my first priority all the time. It is PART of my life, but it isn’t everything to me. I don’t have a ton of friends here because I distance myself from the drama, but I can go to sleep at night knowing I’m not hurting myself or being a drama queen.

And yes, I thoroughly enjoy the company of my cat. Thank goodness for that ball of joy

Thanks for you comment!

Anyway, I honestly believe that some of the drama comes from people’s incessant need to distract themselves from the real portions of their lives. Yes yes, what is “real.” I’d prefer no theoretical debate, but rather I mean when things get pressured, folks want to high-tail it and run…. the drama is a way of staying and running at the same time. Not to mention, and sadly and quite frankly (<— language I am forced to repeatedly edit in my work), when one becomes immersed in any single space, one attempts to stretch it to conform to their needs (even if that means for excitement). I, too, see school as work–it is my workplace. And, honestly, it has kept me WELL away from the petty intra-department/colleague dramas (oh dear god, the bad romances). But, I would be somewhat dishonest if I didn't also admit that moving to an entirely different place and not having the time to get to know it, and thus not connecting with the wider community, has left me somewhat isolated. Yes… positivity is a must… consequently… well… at least I have my pets.