All the Victories

First of all, Adam and I were in Disney World this past week. It was, as always, magical. Yeah, we had done and seen almost all of it before, but there's something about being in Disney that just can't be beat. Despite the ridiculous overpriced food, drinks, gifts, etc. I'd eat lettuce all week just to be there again. There's nothing to worry about, except which bus to get on and which park to go to and where to eat and which nighttime display you want to watch. It's a great week to connect, to relax and just be with your significant other. It made me feel light. Well, until I ate the gigantic Mickey Rice Crispy Treat that's as big as my head.

No, seriously, if you ever go to Disney, you must absolutely, without a doubt, eat one of these. This one. The big one. No substituting it for the little ones on sticks with chocolate covering. They're good too, don't get me wrong, but this particularly gigantic rice crispy is so delicious that you will need the whole thing. You will want it, believe me, for the duration of your stay. I preferred it for breakfast.

What? I had been eating healthy, working out, all that good stuff, for months before our vacation. For numerous important and legitimate reasons, but also because I wanted to eat this rice crispy without guilt! And I did. I totally did. I also partook in its smaller counterpart, the stick rice crispy covered in M&Ms, rock candy, macaroons, spicy shrimp, all manner of alcoholic beverages (mainly wine), and the like. But I have to say, none of that really tempted me like the rice crispy did. Seriously. I wouldn't give up healthy living for anything but that giant Mickey treat.

But, other than food, the week was glorious. Particularly Epcot. We always love Epcot. It is the adult version of Disney. If you have a few glasses of wine, you can actually almost successfully pretend like you are in Italy or France or Germany while you sample their food and drink and seriously consider buying their overpriced souvenirs. Really, I could write a long review of all of Disney, but, at least for now, I'm not feeling game so much.

All I want to say for now is that it was fantastic. And I have posted an ample amount of pictures on Facebook and recorded two hours of video camera footage to prove it. However, it's not really what I want to talk about. Mainly because I don't have the energy to go into that amount of detail.

Instead, I wanted to touch base on other parts of my life. As of May 10th, I sort of officially graduated with my MFA. Well, I guess it's not "official" quite yet for me, since I was in Disney and unable to attend the ceremony, but still! I am basically now the proud recipient of an MFA degree. What I will do with this is yet to be seen, but it's about time for me to start sending out some resumes. How nerve-wrecking. Ugh. I'm not looking forward to it. It makes me incredibly anxious. All the self-doubts!

However, I am graduating with a 4.0 and publications in seven different magazines. That has to count for something, right? Right.

Speaking of publications, my newest one came out in Revolution House this past week. I'm still a little like, "I can't believe they picked me..." But it's incredible. And they picked up, "Vietnam Asks for Love Letters," which is one of my babies. It's been around since near the beginning of my MFA journey and has gone through a considerable amount of revision. And I love it now as much as I always have, if not more. It was my chance to tell Debra's story--my aunt that died in a car accident when she was just sixteen. I was really happy to get it out there, to keep her living on in a way. Also, it's Revolution House. Hell-o. How did I do that?

Then there was also "The Punch Line" in The Jet Fuel Review a few weeks ago. It really blew my mind how many people wanted that poem. Well, just two other magazines, but that's something, you know. Last year, I felt like maybe no one would ever want my stuff. I'm still trying to figure out what I did in that poem that lured so many people in. I've got to figure that out.

In the world of poetry, I haven't written anything since my latest Uncle poem, right after I finished my thesis residency (which got picked up, along with "My Uncle Pisses in the Street in Protest" by Split Lip Magazine). I haven't felt the urge, and I want to really feel it when I start to work on my book. Until then, I've been mainly concentrating on getting what I've got shoved out there. I want to get as many publications as possible to ramp up my resume, but also because there is nothing greater than knowing that someone--anyone--enjoyed your work.

Aside from all that, I've also come to the unfortunate conclusion that knee surgery is most likely in my future. After a week in Disney, my knee is feeling fairly miserable. It hates stairs and squatting and, occasionally, walking in general. It doesn't help that I banged it on a table today, and it has been especially sore ever since. So I scheduled a follow-up with the specialist for next Wednesday, and I guess I'll be discussing my options with him then.

I've had surgery before--more risky surgery than this--but the idea of surgery still freaks me out. I was only like fifteen last time I had it, and now I am much more aware of all the worst-case scenarios, but I'll keep you posted. And, if it does happen, I suppose that will be only more encouragement for me to start revising my book, since I will be unable to walk or move much at all afterward.

Anyway, that's all for now. Time for bed.