The home stretch...or is it?

With the beginning of December comes the end of the school semester, and I am ready for it. This is my last week of classes, with a final paper due Wednesday evening and a brief presentation on Thursday night. Both should go rather smoothly, and then I will be done!

However, there is a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that reminds me that this victory is only short-lived. "Don't forget your Mexico research paper!" it says. Dang it! Yes, I will be working on that over the Christmas break in an effort to get most of it done before we come back to school January 17th. Will it happen? I hope so. Here's how I figure it:

• Finish this week out - take the weekend off and relax (Terminator movie marathon!)
• Work on it next week and the next while at work in the mornings and at home at night.
• Dec. 20th Derek and I leave for Abilene, Tuscumbia, AL and Nashville. I plan to take some stuff to read and work on in the car (but not too much).
• Return Dec. 29th, work a couple of days on the paper.
• Gone to Rockport with Derek's family Dec. 31-Jan.3 - won't get very much done there.
• Return to work and life on Jan. 4 - work in the mornings and evenings.
• School starts Jan. 17 - I've told my professor that I will have a draft to her by Jan. 19

Is this possible? Am I totally naive (like I was this semester) in thinking that I can do this? I'd like to hear what you all think. Remember, this has to be a 20-page research paper. Write me a comment. Thanks.