anyone know what an ulcer feels like?

nine days to go and my apartment is a mess. this pile is 'donate', this pile is 'trash', this pile is 'shred', this pile is 'definitely going', this pile is 'dirty dishes' (don't worry, they'll be clean before i pack them). really, i'm just moving things from one room to another and from one pile to another. books, movies, and cds are packed; bookcases are disassembled; and all closets, cupboards, and drawers have been cleaned out. well, and i took out the trash today. that's it; that's all that's done. and i have nine days to go which includes 40 hours of work and at least that many hours of sleep. fortunately, i have very helpful friends - like one who sent me an article detailing the over 600 kinds of cheese made in wisconsin. that's right, over 600. they also make lots of beer. i hear it helps dull the pain of ulcers.

wisconsin bound

two weeks from right now, everything but me, my cat, and two suitcases will be on a truck, heading for madison, wisconsin. two weeks and twelve hours from now, those two suitcases, my cat, and i will board a plane and travel to houston, texas. just kidding, we'll be going to madison, wisconsin too. i've been accepted to the population health phd program at the university of wisconsin, madison, school of medicine and public health. my focus will be epidemiology (the study of epidemics) and i've been offered full funding and a part-time research assistant position.

so the countdown is on. i have seven work days left, nowhere near enough time to finish all of the projects i'd like to wrap up and two weekends left to finish packing and cleaning my apartment as well as visit with friends and family before i leave california. speaking of california, it's 10:00 pm and 80 degrees. i'm sweating in my apartment and rally's rolling around on the cool tile kitchen floor. people keep telling me wisconsin has something called 'winter'?? i have a feeling that won't be the only new experience. for those i haven't shared with, my plan is to stay with my sister and her family until i find an apartment, hopefully rather quickly as orientation is 26 august and classes begin 1 september. i'm looking forward to spending time with blake and ziva, my favorite nephew and niece.

so that's all for now. stay tuned as the adventure unfolds.