February 28: Grad Regalia!

Our first tax workshop went really well!  I was part of the quality control which double checks all the paperwork.  It was fun finding some mistakes that resulted in students getting money back, instead of owing money!

 

Also, it's official... Ginny and I purchased our graduation regalia!

February 27: Scandal

Scandal is back... need I say more?!  Well, actually, it means I get to see Megan every Thursday night.  I have missed the opportunity to catch up and hang out while we watch scandal!  In celebration, we drank some wine (we felt it was only fitting since Liv drinks it every episode).

February 26: GA Feminist

The University of Georgia doesn't have a women's center on campus.  This is rather odd considering many other colleges have one.  As part of a movement on campus started by students, Student Government (and a bunch of others) are trying to get a center passed by the administration.  They are also selling tshirts to raise awareness and support for women's equality...moreover, all the proceeds go to local charities.  I purchased mine today!

February 25: Power Outage

I took today off to write, so of course it was fitting that the power went out.  I did, however, feel justified to get an email that 20 other buildings all over campus were also out of power.  Anyway, I headed to Starbucks and worked there from 9:15ish until 7:30pm.

February 24: Final Interview

WooHoo! The final candidate was on campus today for the iSL Director position. Today's candidate wasn't my favorite.  Although I think he had some good ideas for ways to enhance things in iSL, his approach and demeanor rubbed me the wrong way.  Good news, I think all three candidates could do the job.  Here's to hoping my favorite gets it!

February 23: Tax Training x2

Tax training is over!  This is the outrageous group of students who have willingly volunteered their time to help international students with their taxes.  If I have to spend every Friday doing taxes, I'm glad I'll be doing them with this bunch!

February 22: Tax Training

Cory cracks me up.  He's quite the ham.  We were moving all our food and supplies to the miller learning center for our first tax training.  By the end of the day, I was mentally exhausted from trying to fill my head with information about non-resident alien (yep, that's what the government calls international students!) forms the 8843, 525TV, GA500, and 1040NR-EZ.  I'm glad I've at least done my own taxes so I'm moderately familiar with some of the forms.

February 21: Dnner

Friday was a long day.  I randomly called Laurel as I was leaving work and she was leaving work late as well... thus we decided to grab dinner, drinks, and decompress.  Good times were had by all.

February 20: Taxes

Today we finished our preparations for tomorrow's tax training.  Here is the beautiful flyer we mailed out to all our students.  It's got  good information... in case you need to know about international taxes.

February 19: GLI Session

Yesterday was our first global leadership institute session of the semester.  The There were about 30 students there.  The discussion was around power, privilege, oppression, and what that means for leaders.  The students were really engaged.  I'm very excited about this group and the possibilities for the continued conversation as we have a couple more sessions and a leadership capstone 1/2 day retreat.

February 18: Budgeting

Every year students (and offices) go before the student fee allocation committee to request money. Each group had 15 minutes to present.  Therefore, we have to cover 28 student orgs, 6 large programs all in 15 minutes.  Yikes.  Moreover, we've made a plan to move some money around and make some major changes.  Anyway, this is what I've been looking at for the last few days. My head has truly been reeling and I'm tired of budgets.  Between this and data analysis, staring at computers and numbers, well...I'm about over it.  I'm glad by Wednesday afternoon this will all be over.

February 17: Girl Scout Cookies

It's that time of year again...yep, delicious girl scout cookie time. I actually just finished my last box of thin mints from last year (the freezer is a marvelous thing).  Excited to indulge in these boxes (over time of course ;).

 

February 16: Free Pizza

I've been reevaluating my money with so many expenses coming up.  Between graduation expenses, potential editing costs, moving, ending my job here this summer, and not getting a paycheck from Texas State until the end of the September, I'm trying to be even more frugal.  Anyway, I had some points for a free pizza, so I figured it was time to cash in.  Pizza is delicious.  Free pizza somehow tastes even better.

February 14: Friday Fundip

This year I gave out fun dip valentines.  Some were cherry flavored and some were berry which changed colors.  Three of the four grads got the color changing (it was ironic that Whitney ended up with the cherry and she was out of town).  Anyway, the three coined it Friday Fundip and sent me this picture.  I love working with these people!

February 13: Snowshoeing

...not really.  There isn't actually enough snow to snowshoe.  This morning, however, I convinced Tiffanie to go for a walk.  Since yesterday, we've probably had 2 inches of ice and another 1-2 inches of snow.  It looks beautiful, although slick.  The sun is warming up and the roads will get clearer, however, it may not happen in time to open for tomorrow.  Only time will tell.

February 12: Snow Day

Tiffanie and I spent part of the day watching movies and working on school and work stuff all while watching the snow fall.  Much of what fell today, however, was freezing ice.  This picture was taken early and as I prepare for bed, more has fallen.  Hopefully even more falls tonight and Tiffanie and I can play in it tomorrow!

February 11: Rescue Effort

Two weeks ago Atlanta shut down and UGA had a snow day. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take advantage of that snow day I was stuck in Austin.  However, this new storm has shut down Athens again.  I went into the office (as it didn't start accumulating until 11ish) to pick up some work, turn off my coffee pot, and rescue my flowers.

February 10: Blessings

I am continually grateful for the ways in which God shows up.  Last week after a really stressful doctors appointment, I got a call from Texas State offering me a job.  Today, as I waited for test results, I received flowers and a card from Jan letting me know she was praying that God would show up in a big way.  Today was kind of a blessing in and of itself as I was busy with budget meetings (and lunch for Laurel's birthday) so I couldn't be too focused on a phone call.  Anyway, I received a call near the end of the day that my preliminary test results had come back clear!  The final test will come back in a few days, but they said the initial results are 95% accurate.  They mentioned I should follow up with my primary as there may be something else going on (this odd pressure).  Either way, thank you Jesus for the clear test results and for providing me peace in ways I couldn't imagine.

February 9: Stalking Qualtrics

Today along with working on my course prep for Wednesday's teaching class, I have been stalking Qualtrics.  I currently have 431 responses.  I also set up the reminders to go out tomorrow at 8am.  Hopefully by the end of tomorrow, or the end of the week, I will have my needed 570 responses.

February 8: Saturday @Starbucks

Another Saturday at Starbucks working on this dissertation.  Today I spend a good amount of time writing and reading about constructs, latent variables, and updating parts of chapter 2 and chapter 3.  A reminder email goes out Monday and data collection closes on Friday.  Here is to hoping for another 139 responses.

 

February 7: Tests & Trailers

Since moving to Athens in 2010, I have made three trips to Athens diagnostic.  The first was for an MRI, the second an ultrasound (back in 2011) and the third was on Friday for more ultrasounds.  As nice as these people are, I hope I never have to see them again.  Frankly, I hope to never have any kind of ultrasound again unless it's because I'm pregnant (I even had an ultrasound done on my thyroid).  The technician said they'd read the results and I may know something as early as Monday (maybe).  I'm still praying it's nothing.  Jesus, please let it be nothing.

 

That evening, Tiffanie convinced me to go see the LEGO movie.  It was cute, although I didn't enjoy it as much as she did.  Although I'm not sure anyone (even the 11 year old next to me) enjoyed it as much as she did. ;)

 

One fun thing about going to 'kids' movies is you get to see lots of fun trailers for upcoming movies.  I am definitely excited about How to Train Your Dragon 2, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, and the Muppet's: Most wanted!

February 6: Welcome!

I was trying to go to bed early on Thursday as I was physically and mentally tired.  As I laid in bed my phone began to ping.  Normally I mute my phone but for whatever reason, the ringer was still on.  I switched my phone to vibrate but it kept buzzing every few minutes.  After checking my phone I realized I was getting many welcome to Texas State emails.  Paige (the program coordinator) had also sent an email letting me know she had announced my hire to the Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) students, student affairs, and the Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology (CLAS) department where the SAHE program resides.  It's encouraging to see people as excited as I am about my appointment.  

Random aside, Jennica is one of my former students in North Russell.  Our paths crossed then because she had some roommate issues.  Interestingly, she is a 2nd year at Texas State.  Although I don't get to have her in class, I'm sure our paths will cross again in the future.

February 5: Papinos

Laurel and I went out for pizza tonight at Papinos, it was delicious and I even convinced Laurel to try something new (she really likes routine ;).  I'll be going back to Papinos again to try some of their other pizzas.

February 4: Rollercoaster

Yesterday morning I went to the doctor because I was having a strange pressure in my right side.  Back in 2011, the drs found a cyst on my left ovary and the ovary and tube needed to be removed as it had taken over my ovary.  Fast forward to yesterday when the doctor told me she felt a mass in my ovary, note the only one I have left.  I held it together in the office but burst into tears many times throughout the day.  The doctor isn't sure what she felt specifically and in order to be cautious, she scheduled more tests to be run on Friday.

It's really hard not to borrow worry, and I have been praying for peace.  Needless to say that's a difficult thing for me, not to worry.  What does this mean?  What if I have to have surgery, or worse? Anyway, God showed up in a very big and unexpected way yesterday.  Near the end of the day I got a call from Texas State and ... they offered me the job!

I would have done kartwheels if I knew how.  I just felt like the institution, people, and program were such a good fit.  All this to say, it's really hard to worry when you are also really excited.  It was a rollercoaster of a day full of almost every emotion.  Thank you, thank you Jesus for this blessing and I ask that you continue to show up in amazing ways on Friday as I go for more tests.

February 3: Renewal Limit

UGA library has a wonderful library feature that allows you renew your checked out books online.  Today I received a courtesy notice that my books were due.  Thus, I went online and tried to renew my books.  However, apparently I've reach the limit for amount of times you can renew.  Wamp, wamp.  I guess I'll have to trek up to the library to return these five books.

February 2: Super Bowl

Is this game over yet?! First, the half-time show was better than the full-time show.  I was, however, productive in finding a couple articles for my dissertation and taking down my Christmas tree.  Yes, you read that correctly.  January was one crazy month and I just got around to taking down my tree.  All the other decorations were away weeks ago, the tree simply lingered.  Keep Christmas alive all year long, right?!

February 1: Taxes

This is the  earliest I've every done my taxes.  I usually finish them fairly early, but don't submit because of fear.  However, this year, I really need the refund with all the upcoming purchases (grad regalia, editor, graduation fees).  And as of 4:32pm yesterday, the IRS accepted my return.  Woo!