even though i have less obligations, i am not looking forward to it. the politics, the cajoling, the “rationalizing”, and the unnecessaryness of it all has exceeded its welcome for me. this year i am only concerned with 4 things: doing well on my externship, doing more assessments, volunteering, and finishing my dissertation. i have no intention to linger around the halls and make chit chat with people. sure this reads like bitterness and discontent to outside eyes, but that is the situation. the last 3 years have been full of great times, but also times of great dejection. i have little desire to enter into academia; in fact, i have little desire to work within a big institution, although i am still  interested in working in public policy. i haven’t quite made up my mind on about this public policy interest. trying to be political and wheedling is draining and makes me feel like a liar. i’m just happy to see a light at the end of the tunnel that permits me to write my own ticket.