Ah, yes, today I wrapped up my grading, and it's officially the summer now. I really was hoping to do some freelance work this summer, but nothing has popped up, so we'll have to deal with it. I took advantage of a rare opportunity to get out of the house Monday night while Trey was home with Cece, and I got to go hear some great essays at Essay Fiesta in Chicago. I read at last month's gathering, but this time I got to just sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and listen. It was so great to hear these personal snippets of writers' lives and insights. I was actually even crying my eyes out as I drove home because one writer's essay affected me so strongly. I'd try to explain what she wrote about, but it wouldn't be as amazing as it was coming from her. It's just nice to hear what other writers are doing because it inevitably gives me ideas for my own writing and encourages me to keep at it as I sit home for the next 3 months not earning a dime and eating bread and water. I'm seriously not complaining. I wouldn't go back to corporate America for all the money in the world. Putting me in a cubicle is like putting Elton John on a football team. It's just not right.