May 20: The Beginnings

And so the process of moving back to Texas begins.  My goodness...there are so many decisions to make.  Where to live, how to move, what to keep, what to sell, and the list goes on. 

 

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.

January 31: Thank You!

I finished many of my thank you notes while still in Texas, but I had some I still need to write.  Thus, I finished them tonight and will mail them back to San Marcos, TX tomorrow.

January 29: Altanta Snow Storm 2014

Today was the third and final interview day.  I got to meet with the interim chair (who is fantastic) and the dean of the college who is a Georgia bulldawg (from the same program, many, many years ago).   After lunch, I was suppose to fly out to Atlanta, however, with the weather being what it was in ALT my flight kept being delayed.  Finally, when I was suppose to arrive back in Atlanta at 11pm at night, I asked to be moved to a morning flight.  Texas State was great in that they offered to house me another night if needed.  Luckily, some UGA friends were out in Austin for a conference and also stuck for the night.  Thus, I was able to bunk with them.  After taking a cab to meet up with them, we went to sushi for dinner.  It was delicious.  I'd love to live in Austin.  Only time will tell if that's a possibility.

January 28: TX State Interview Day (day 2)

Today is the actually formal, interview day...well today and tomorrow.  This morning, however, a huge storm has hit Austin and San Marcos and I know it affected some people coming into work as many of the faculty live in south Austin.  Although the days are busy, it was nice that they worked in some time for me to rest (ie. before dinner).  Today I have both my research presentation and teaching demonstration back to back.  Long, albeit exciting days.

 

January 27: TX State Interview (day 1)

After flying into to Austin, Greg (the guy who picked me up) took me to my hotel to check in.  They put me up in the Embassy Suites in a room with a living area, two really comfy beds (although I only slept on one), free breakfast, and a free happy hour.  Yep, they have a free cocktail hour, however, I wasn't at the hotel during that time.  Anyway, it was a nice place.  After the first dinner and tour, I got back to the room before 9pm, and was definitely asleep before 9...I was tired, and I knew I had a very long couple of days ahead of me.

January 16: Practice Presentation

In a week and a half I will be interviewing at Texas State University for an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) position.  I'm still swivel between shock, excitement, and nervousness.  As part of the interview, I have to give a research presentation and a teaching demonstration.  Today I practiced my research presentation for two of my faculty.  They both offered good feedback for improvement.  It was even kind of funny to see them offer feedback and disagree with one another.  My dissertation research is such a strange beast, I really have to make it accessible to a general audience.  Next week I'm practicing my teaching demonstration in front of students.  

In other job search stuff, I have a phone interview for a Michigan State faculty position (2-year fixed term).  Frankly, I'm surprised I have an interview (but super excited).  Oh, and it will be the morning I fly out to Texas State.  Yep, fun times.  Aside from those two, I haven't heard a peep from anywhere else I've applied.  

December 5: Athens Christmas Parade

Today I had a phone interview for a faculty position at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX.  The position would involved teaching (and research) in their master's program.  Phone interviews are always awkward (and it was my first for a faculty position)...especially when they start by asking you if they can record it.  What?! Yikes?! Ummm, okay.  Here are my notes, curriculum vita (CV), and cover letter.  Having notes helps me feel like I'm prepared...although can you ever really be?! 

Tonight we also had our annual UGAspa (masters & phd) holiday potluck dinner followed by the Athens parade.  Here are some pictures from the parade and some highlights of the event.

Yep, those are storm troopers.

Yep, and a REAL camel.

Tiphaine and I...and last but not least, Santa.

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!

Don't Buy Flight Insurance

Unless...you plan to book your ticket to Texas for a weekend you have to be in Georgia. Then by all means, purchase the flight insurance.

I made a blunder and purchased my ticket for a time when I have to be at training for my trip to South Africa.  It's a bummer, mainly because I had to pay a change fee (did you know they charge $150 to change a flight?!)...and it means I won't be seeing my Tehas friends for a little longer.

Anyway, I will now be visiting Texas at the end of April.  It may actually work out better, because I'll be done with most of my semester, so I can truly enjoy the time...without distractions.

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!

It's been almost a year and a half since I've been back to Texas.  Today, I booked my flight for March.  May I be welcomed back with open arms. :)

I'm so excited, and I just hide it, I'm about to loose control and I think I like it.

Bucket List...of sorts

Awhile ago I began thinking about what all I wanted to do, or things I hand't done before I left Texas. A couple weeks ago during a candidate dinner, a few of us were chatting about the list. They began deeming the list...the bucket list. Someone kindly reminded them I wasn't dying, but rather leaving Texas. I suppose some die hard Texans would equate those two. Anyway, here is a list things I want to do before I leave this grand state.

Take pictures in the blue bonnets (check)

Take pictures around Baylor (I really want to create the word remember from pictures of things around Baylor that will remind me of these last 5 years...if you've ever seen these done, they're pretty neat)

Tortilla tossing

Visit Independence, Texas

Eat in Brooks College Dinning Hall (I haven't done that this entire year)

Visit Mozarts...again

Picture with the random gorilla on Austin Ave

Picture with the catfish truck on MLK

Eat at Viteks, although I don't know that I can do a gut pack...eeeewww

Kayak the brazos

Paint a coffee mug at practically pikaso

But I'm also taking suggestions...anything else I should add to my list?

Blue Bonnets

Blue bonnets are Texas State flower and every spring they pop up in patches. They can be found on the side of the highway, in front yards, almost anywhere there is grass. These flowers are so prized that if they grown in your front yard, you have to mow around them. They are beautiful flowers, but frankly, I think they are a bit over dramatized.

However, taking pictures in blue bonnets is the thing to do. And so, after living in Texas for almost five whole years, I finally took some pictures in these lovely flower beds. It was a bit awkward, especially as a grown adult, but fortunately, I made my friend Megan Baldree go too. Okay...truth...we stumbled upon them going to the lake and I coerced her into stopping to take pictures :)

This patch was right near the lake entrance. Strangely enough, this couple pulled off to the side of the road to ask if we wanted a picture together (picture above). It was nice. I do enjoy the hospitality of the south, especially in small towns. I also enjoy self portrait pictures and have become fairly good at taking them (below).

As we were getting ready to enter the freeway to head home, we found another large patch of blue bonnets and couldn't resist taking yet another self portrait. In this bunch were also Indian paintbrushes...I know, not culturally sensitive, but that's what they're called.