March 9: Chapter 4

Is officially submitted to Dr. Cooper.  Although there will be edits to make (just noticed an error already), it is at least out of my hands for the time being.

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 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.

January 30: Traveling

Since there were so many of us flying back into Atlanta at the same time, we were trying to coordinate rides.  Kara's husband Clayton was flying back in from a business conference in Florida about the same time I was, so instead of him having to wait hours for Kara's plane, we rode back to Athens together.  When I got to my car, there was still a good amount of snow on it.  Unfortunately, I took this picture too late and Clayton had already scrapped off all the snow on the window.  Anyway, the roads were much better than anticipated.  However, I am really glad I flew in Thursday afternoon as it was the first time the temps had reached above freezing (so the ice was finally melting).  I am sad, however, that I missed the snow in Athens.  I hope it happens again this year.  I do love snow.  Do you wanna build a snowman?  I do.

 

Back in Athens there was still some snow on the ground :)

January 23: Traveling Woes

Traveling is both fun and frustrating many times.  Tonight I got a call from my sister and somewhere during her travels from Pdx to Houston to Dallas she lost her purse.  She had retraced her steps, gone to security, and her purse was nowhere to be found.  Needless to say, she was in a bit of a panic and rightly so.  How do you get to your hotel without money or a credit card?  You can't rent the car you have on hold, you can't check into the hotel you have on reserve.  You can't do much of anything except panic and pray.  However awful this situation was, she was safe, and it did happen in a city where thankfully I know quite a few people.  I sent a text message to Kalie, Gretchen, and Allison, three former students who live in the Dallas area and asked if my sister could stay with them for the night.  I figured CJ and I could figure out something, but she needed to not be sleeping in the airport.  

All three of them volunteered.  Yes, all three.  I teared up reading the group text messages back and forth about their availability and willingness to help out my sister.  Gretchen seemed to have the best set of circumstances as her roommate was out of the country and had a spare car.  Blessing after blessing.  My sister was able to borrow Gretchen's car to get to work the next morning.  Moreover, I was able to electronically transfer money to Gretchen that she gave to my sister.  Gretchen fed my sister, took her out with her friends, and provided a place of rest and peace during this crazy stressful time.  I am so grateful for each of these women and their willingness to help my sister.  

December 25: Christmas

Christmas morning we woke up and ...oops, CJ forgot to wrap a gift.  :)  Anyway, we had a leisurely morning opening stockings and gifts, eating monkey bread and drinking coffee.  It was a nice time with my mom and sister!  Later that evening we went to see Frozen (everyone had already seen it once, but it was my first time).  So stinkin' cute!  The music was fantastic AND it isn't the typical Disney princess story.  It was a very nice Christmas day.

Grandma gave me & CJ some of her bone china teacups. LOVE them!

December 9: Full-filled Day

Today was a fun-filled day that left me full-filled! Today is ALSO Tiffanie's birthday.  She turned 29 years old.  I am so grateful she is living next door.  In order to celebrate her birthday we had to celebrate the immaculate conception instead.  Yes, did you know that December 8th is the celebration of the immaculate conception.  Only, since that fell on a Sunday, the celebration was moved to Monday, December 9th.  

Anyway...the day was filled with wonderful conversations with faculty and friends that left me very fulfilled and grateful.  

November 30: Adios Los Cabos

No, we didn't plan our matching stripes...but we look cute nonetheless.  It's a sad day when you have to say goodbye to good friends and 84 degree weather in exchange for 30 degrees.  It was also so sunny that we had to close our eyes and open before I snapped the picture.  Adios, or hasta luego los cabos.

November 28: Thanksgiving

Megan and I made a wonderful brunch on Thanksgiving.  That evening the eight of us went into town to have a nice dinner.  We ate at a great seafood place.  I have much to be thankful for this year (and always).

November 23: Cabo Arrival

While Megan and I were talking this summer she asked what my plans were for Thanksgiving. Knowing that thanksgiving is so close to Christmas and that I'd be out in Portland for Christmas, I figured I probably wasn't going home for the break. So Megan invited me to go to Cabo with her family for Thanksgiving!  This is my 2nd time in Cabo with her family...however, Sarah & Karen aren't here this time (it's not the same without them).  However, we're having fun and the view is amazing.  Sunday is a pool/hang around the resort day. I'm looking forward to sleep, rest, and some fun times with a great friend!

November 18: TJs Pumpkin Stuff

I love Trader Joe's (TJs) pumpkin items. About a month ago it looked like TJs had thrown up pumpkin everywhere. Well two weeks ago when I went back to get more pumpkin stuff it was gone; yep, they were out of everything pumpkin.  I almost cried, and who wouldn't.  After calling my mom and having her check stores in Portland, I thought I was out of luck with the pumpkin stuff (note to self, buy more next year). 

Moreover, I had bought a few boxes of pumpkin bars for my friend Kristin, but with the shortage, she was only going to get one of the three I had originally intended for her.

Anyway, before I left for the conference I got a text message from my mom asking if I had checked my mail.  I hadn't in awhile.  Upon checking my mail I found this package!  Apparently, my mom had called around to various stores, even some in California where Dan was visiting.  Between the two of them they found three pumpkin bar boxes, a pumpkin muffin mix, AND a pumping pancake mix.  So on Monday morning I gleefully enjoyed a pumpkin bar.  I will, however, be savoring these and rationing them.  Next November is a loooong time to wait for more pumpkin items.

Thank you mom & Dan for going to extraordinary lengths to find and mail me pumpkin stuff!

Interim Associate Director Position

Two weeks ago today, I was approached with what seemed like an unusual proposition.  After searching for an Associate Director of Student Life for International Student Life (yep, true title) at UGA, I was told they were going fail the search, reconvene in the fall, and they wanted to know if I'd be interested in serving as the interim for the fall semester.

What an honor to be asked, right?!  But now what?!  Well, I asked for a day or two to consider the offer... and I prayed.  I also talked to wise counsel including a couple friends, my family, and my supervisor, Jan.  Jan, the supervisor who I just love working with, and by taking this position I'd move under different supervision.

I weighed all the pros and cons and as I became more and more excited about the opportunity, my prayer became, "God, if you don't want me to take this, close the door."  I prayed this because I knew there were things that would still need to be worked out (i.e., working and school, and I live on campus...and making sure I could still live on campus).  On Thursday, I spoke with TW (who would be my supervisor) and told him I was indeed interested.  We then got to working on details.  Friday we exchanged the information we found out and came up with many possibilities that just weren't seeming to work out.

The problem is that when you work full time, you have to be on a tuition assistance program (TAP) in order to get your credits paid for.  Apparently, it was going to take the Board of Regents signing off on it to make it happen for the fall semester.  This was clearly not an option.  We then discussed me not registering for courses.  This also was not an option.  We talked about me registered for 6 units and them paying me more to accomodate this.  This ended up being more of a headache too.  Meaningwhile, in talking with others one of my biggest concerns was having time to continue working on my dissertation.  Mallory suggested I try to negotiate for 30 hours a week.  I thought this was a wonderful idea, but frankly, I wasn't sure TW would go for it.

Friday at 3pm, TW and I meet to discuss options and he had an offer.  What he proposed was that they bump my assistantship up from 13 hours a week to 20 hours, I work 30 hours a week, and they pay me the extra hours I work in the fall throughout the spring semester.

I almost sat in awe...but jumped at the offer!  I almost teared up sitting in his office thinking about how God provided this opportunitiy, and the flexibility of 30 hours a week, even without me asking.  Furthermore, as much as it is a wonderful opportunity, and a resume filler, it also is a financial blessing as my car transmission is on the fritz, not to mention all the extra costs associated with my final year of this PhD program.  Again, God provides.

After accpeting, I then went to speak with Jan about it!  The next part is where I really did cry.  After talking with Jan, there was some confusion about how the money would work out.  She trusted TW to be fair, but wanted to make sure I was being compensated.  Long story short, her and another colleague began crunching numbers to make sure what I was offered was comparable to working full time.  For me, the tears came as I realized just how much these people cared about me.  I have loved working with them, and frankly not working with Jan this semester was on the list of cons.  But to see their care and concern for me was moving.  Luckily, in the spring, I will go back to my assistantship and work with them again!

So last Monday, August 12th, I started my role as Interim Associate Director of Student Life for International Student Life.

Little did I know that three days later the division of student affairs would go through a reorganization, I'd get a title bump, and become part of the Vice Presidents leadership team.

But that's another story for another day.

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

Give me a C

On Tuesday, September 4th, I found out I successfully passed the written portion of my preliminary exams!  WOOHOO!  Although it is quite an accomplishment, it still feels a bit anticlimactic since I still have to defend orally.

But I earned my C (in D-O-C-T-O-R) and now I'm studying for my T...which will take place on Thursday, September 27th.  If I successfully defend that day, then I will change from a doctoral student to a doctoral 'candidate' (or sometimes referred to as ABD 'all but dissertation').  It's exciting and a bit terrifying.

Somedays I feel this PhD journey is taking for-e-ver, and other days I realize how quickly it's flying by.

Post Prelims

Well, I realize I've been m.i.a. from the blog world...let's be honest, m.i.a. from much of the real world as well the last month.

The Olympics happened, right?!

But what have I been doing? Well, one word...studying.  On August 1st, I started my preliminary examinations.  These are essentially the comprehensive exams over a four day period.  The first, second, and third days you meet in a computer lab, receive a question, and have four hours to answer it. Then on day three, you are also given a take home question that is specifically written for you, you have twenty-four hours to read/write/submit your case.

On August 4th at 1pm, I submitted my case study.  And now, I wait.

In the midst of waiting, I started classes yesterday and I am working on the introduction, literature review, and methodology chapters for my dissertation.

I should find out at the beginning of September if I passed my written prelims at which point I'd schedule an oral defense.  So for now, I wait, and work, and go to class, and write.  This is a big step in the journey and I'm grateful to have it behind me (and I'll be even more grateful when I find out that I've passed).

Happy New Year! (yes, I measure my year's by the academic calendar)

Last Week in South Africa! :/

The last week was filled with lots of wonderful moments and it was the first time in weeks that all 143 students were back together!

Gerard's house where we had class

Monday: 

After class the academic staff went to the Mount Nelson hotel for High Tea! What a wonderful time!

 

Lori, me, and Mallory enjoying our tea and delicious treats (sweet and savory)

Our terrace overlooked the fountain and the grounds

Mallory taking a dive in the fountain

I became the holder of stuff :)

The academic staff (& Lori who we were happy to have!)

The Mount Nelson (from the backside)

The grounds were incredible.

After dinner I met up with some students at Bombay Bicycle. It's a fun restaurant that specializes both in ambiance and local South African cuisine.

Claire, Karishma, Michelle, and me

The chairs were swings hung from the ceiling!

So fun!

Although we didn't sit here for dinner; we got to snap a picture and sit as we waited for our taxi!

The taxi back was packed (21 people!) yikes! But it meant a cheap fare!

Wednesday: Final township celebration

All 143 students and staff headed back to the township for a final celebration. There were performances by both the global lead(ers) and the people from Sun City.  We also had a chance to visit with our family one last time. Each group was partnered with a soup mom or other family during our week.  Ms. Veronica and her family was our South African family for the week.

Emma, Kelly, Emily, Ms. Veronica, Anna Claire, me, and Elena

So sad about the shadow on Samatha's face. These are two of the young women I connected with throughout the week.  Baby Kelly is named after a former Global Leader.  Kaylee and Samantha are both extremely smart and I hope the best for them in their futures!

Thursday:

As we encouraged the students to think more about their transition back home, we did a poverty simulation to help them better understand poverty in the US. 

Friday: 

The reading rebels came and visited with us during class. The program (in Sun City) is supported by Global Lead. It targets students who are in gangs/fighting and hopes to turn them into productive members of society by giving them money in exchange for reading a book a month.  That evening I did some shopping and had dinner at the V&A waterfront.

Last amazing sunset

Friday night was then spent grading blue books!

Saturday: Old Biscuit Mill

Back to Old Biscuit Mill! Delicious latte!

If I haven't talked about the Chocolatire and the delectable homemade chocolate ice cream...there are no words for JUST how good it is! They would even pour chocolate shell on top. Yumm.

Claire, Haley, and me 

I talked everyone into ice cream. They didn't regret their decisions!

I was sad to say goodbye to Old Biscuit Mill, however, I'm sure all the delicious treats contributed to bit of extra weight I brought back with me from Cape Town ;)

Firsts!

This trip is full of firsts (and will continue to be)!  First...the internet here can create a challenge in blogging.  However, my hope is to blog twice a week about my experiences.  Since it is late (and I am still finishing up some things for class tomorrow...yikes), I am going to keep this short.  Here are a few pictures thus far.  

After leaving Atlanta on Friday, spending 12 hours in Frankfurt airport on Saturday, Johannesburg on Sunday into Cape Town, it's been a whirlwind.  My traveling companions (Christina (who is also my roommate here) and Chase (who I'm partnered with for the trip)) had a lot of memory making opportunities on the trip.  I will share the longer story later.  For now here is a picture of us. 

Along with never leaving the North American continent (first first), I had never flown in a double decker plane.  I was intrigued (and it was super nice)!

While on our 12 hour layover in Frankfurt Germany, we treated ourselved to Haagen Dazs (sp?).  I mean, you can't be in Germany and not have Haagen Dazs icecream right?! ;)

But seriously, it was quite the adventure getting here, but we all made it.  And the long days and amazing adventures have begun.  Well, that's it for now.  I'm pooped and I have got to get to bed.

Ohhh, did I mention our hotel is right on the beach of the Atlantic ocean?!  Oh, it is.  I'll post a picture of the amazing sunsets sometime!  Breathtaking!

April

Wow, it's April already.  Lots of things happen in April... my sister's birth, projects due, finals, prep for Africa, a trip to Texas.  I am very excited about this month, but there is also a lot going on and it could becoming overwhelming (quickly).  Thus, I want to remember to take moments to be thankful.

A few weeks ago I had a training at UGA late on a Friday evening.  Since the bus system is less consistent at night, I decided to drive.  Well, I accidently parked in a housing lot that is monitored until 10pm.  I got a ticket.  I got a $40, parking ticket.  Yikes.  Anyway, I felt I had a decent case...it's was after 5pm on a Friday (most other lots are open to the public at that time).  I wrote a nice letter pleading to reverse the charge.

Guess what?!

They did!

Thank you God for caring for the little things in my life!

Global Lead 2012

Last year, my friend Mallory went on a trip to South Africa as a Teaching Assistant.  The trip was to Cape Town and included five weeks of learning history, leadership, and service learning.  When she returned, I was uber excited about the possibility of participating in the following year.  For me, these are many of my loves all wrapped up into one.  First, I love working with college students.  Second, I enjoy traveling.  Third, the study of leadership intrigues and excites me.  Forth, service learning is a passion as it unites academic (classroom) learning with real life experiences that positively impact a community.  Anyway, I had the opportunity to apply for the position. 

Weeks ago, I interviewed with the program director where I got to express my excitement for the combination of many of my passions.  After our conversation, I was hopeful. However, there were many hurdles.  First, I needed to check to see how I would be able to swing five weeks off of work. I have an assistantship that is a 12 month gig.  Thus, I needed to discuss the possibility with my supervisor.  Second, the trip would mean missing the first week of summer session, thus I needed to clear the missed class with my faculty.  Third, I needed to be offered the TA position.

I promptly talked with my supervisor and she encouraged me (if offered) to jump at the opportunity and told me we would figure something out (I love her, have I mentioned that?! Not just because of this, but she is truly a gift!).  I also cleared missing one class period with my faculty.

Well, after a week(ish) of waiting, I received an email. The program director congradulated me and offered me a TA position, the catch...she wasn't sure if they were going to assign me to South Africa or Greece.  What?!  Greece?!  That wasn't even part of the conversation we had...and unfortunately, it would require missing two weeks of summer session.  I emailed her and told her that Greece wouldn't be a possibility (because of classes) but that I would still like to be considered for South Africa.  Meanwhile, I contacted my faculty to see if there was a possibility to skype in for the second class session.  My fear was that if I limited myself to South Africa, I may not get a TA position at all.  After many emails and almost two weeks, it did not look as though I would be able to skype in for the 2nd class session.  In a last ditch effort (having not heard anything from the program director), I emailed her to ask if spots for South Africa were still available and when she thought she'd make decisions...see I already knew Mallory was going back, and another woman in my program had been assigned as well.  I knew there were limited spots and I was anxious to know how long I'd be waiting to know.

After much waiting, praying, I finally came to peace with the fact that it might not be a possibility.  Truly, one day I was sitting in class and we were talking about NHTI (National Housing Training Institute).  NHTI is housed at Georgia and I know a couple people applying for the program in the summer.  The dates would overlap with the South Africa trip, and as I sat and listened to the presentation on NHTI, I felt a peace come over me about Global Lead.  I reasoned that even if I didn't get to go, there was the possibility of seeing both a former supervisor (Dave Rozeboom who applied for the faculty) and Megan (who applied to be a participant) for a whole week!

Now, I know what you're thinking...right after I felt the peace I found out I was going.  Well, you're right, kind of.  That night, I received an email back from the program director informing me that there was an opening and that she wanted to offer me a TA position on the Global Lead: South Africa trip!

I am so excited!  At first, it didn't seem real.  I had waited and waited, and resigned myself that it might not happen. Because, after all, just because I wanted it, and prayed for it, didn't mean I'd get it.  Life is full of disappointments and sometimes things just don't work out.  But this time, it did.  I will be spending five weeks and two days in South Africa with over a hundred college students.

The waiting was also a time to reflect. At one point I became very frustrated and loathed in self-pitty. But after a really good gut check, prayer, and a swift kick, I chose to change my attitude (for one thing), and reminded myself regardless of the outcome God is in control (always) and that I am blessed beyond belief (I have family & friends that love me, food, shelter, clothes, a car, the opportunity to pursue a great education...the list goes on and on). Yet, I am also humbled and grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity to take students on a study abroad trip to South Africa!

I am blessed.

Post Op

I realize it's been awhile since I posted...too long.  Yes I've recovered from surgery, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. The worst parts were the first week, truly.  Between the gas they pumped into my body, and not really being able to sleep well...those were the worst.  However, full recovery did take quite some time. 

I could give you the nitty gritty of the surgery, what they found, etc.  But instead, I'll say that it wasn't cancer (praise the Lord) and that my community really came around me in amazing ways!  Here's the rundown of the ways that God blessed me! 

My friend Mallory took me to the hospital the morning of, and stayed with me all day and all night.  Two of my cohort members, Christa and Tiffany visited in the hospital that night.  Then Christy Correll-Hughes met me that morning, walked the halls with me trying to get the gas from surgery out from my shoulder blades (yeah, it's painful and odd), when I was released drove me home VERY carefully (you feel every bump and thump), and made sure I was set until Sarah came over.  Sarah Mudd, friend from Baylor who now lives in South Carolina drove down and spent the weekend with me!  Friends then brought me food every evening.  My cohort and advisor signed up for meals (sometimes twice a day).  The love and care I was shown was humbling.  I am blessed and so grateful! 

My sister joked that I was an office supply store after surgery.  At first I was stapled, then after they were removed it was replaced with glue and tape.  Here's a picture below of my staples.

Excited Face!

Last weekend was exactly what I needed for my spirit!  My friend Tiffanie had been at a new professionals conference in Atlanta at Emory and planned to stay through the weekend and visit me in Athens! We had a good time roaming through Atlanta, walking around Emory's campus (beautiful), driving through four other colleges (some accidental and some on purpose), touring UGA, watching a movie, introducing Tiff to FRINGE, enjoying a leisurely Saturday morning which involved favorite coffee (from Common Grounds) and chocolate chip pancakes.  Leisurely mornings are my favorite, especially with a favorite friend!

Here are some pictures from Tiff's visit!

Tiff LOVES the Olympics so we visited centennial park.  Below are the Olympic rings that shoot up water.  The kids were having a BLAST.  Tiff was not so sure about it. :)  I tried to convince her to join in in the fun. Ha.

Tiff next to the torch! They're huge! She kept asking if I could get someone to turn them on for her.  Oh how I missed Tiff's face! :)

Tiff could total be in the Olympics. Maybe for long distance running?

So centennial park had all sorts of 'quilts' in remembrance of the Olympics.  This one was definitely the most, unique.  Can you pick out Tiff?

After visiting centennial park we headed to CNN.

We found Kenn Star on the CNN highlights board.

Tiff with her President (of Baylor).

Some nice lady asked if we wanted a picture together! Yay!

We just had to find a picture of Anderson Cooper, Tiff's favorite.  Here she is imitating his face in the picture.  They say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

This is as close as we got to seeing a flame.

The next two pictures are random! As we were walking around downtown Athens, we stumbled across this...the spirit of Athens.  Just so strange and very random.

When we were walking around UGA and downtown, I had a brilliant idea.  Well...I think it's brilliant.  Uga's are present all over town, some have glasses, others are painted with outfits, etc.  I've thought it would be fun to get some pictures (at some point) with some of these clever little uga's.  (this is where my brilliant idea comes in) I've decided that when people come to visit, we find a uga dawg and get a picture.  This also means that my dad, sister, mom, and Megan will need to come back for another visit so we can grab a pic with an uga. :)

Tiff humoring me! :)

 

I was so grateful for the time with Tiffanie!  This year has been full of transitions and it was so nice to spend the weekend with a dear friend!  I miss her face!

Ps. for those of you who don't know Tiff, first, you're missing out, and second, she loves and frequently uses the word face!