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.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Prayer Request!
Dear friends and family,
I come to ask you for your prayers for my sweet friend Zoe (she's in my cohort), her husband Tino, and their daughter Matti, born February 16th. She was born premature and is 1.2lbs and 12 inches long. They have a very long road ahead of them, but their daughter is at a wonderful NICU unit in Atlanta (about an hour ish away from Athens). Anyway, I know you don't know them, but that's the neat thing about the body of Christ...please join with me as I lift up their precious family to the God of all healing and comfort.
Thank you.
Ps if you've like to follow their updates, they've started a blog http://www.babymatti.com/
I come to ask you for your prayers for my sweet friend Zoe (she's in my cohort), her husband Tino, and their daughter Matti, born February 16th. She was born premature and is 1.2lbs and 12 inches long. They have a very long road ahead of them, but their daughter is at a wonderful NICU unit in Atlanta (about an hour ish away from Athens). Anyway, I know you don't know them, but that's the neat thing about the body of Christ...please join with me as I lift up their precious family to the God of all healing and comfort.
Thank you.
Ps if you've like to follow their updates, they've started a blog http://www.babymatti.com/
Sunday, February 19, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
D-O
Give me a D-D-you got your D-you got your D
Give me an O-O-you got your O-you got your O
On December 13, 2011, I received my O (toward DOCTOR). As a reminder, each letter represents a significant accomplishment (i.e. requirement or hurdle) in this PhD process.
D-publishable paper prospectus defense (check! April 8, 2011)
O-publishable paper defense (check! December 13, 2011)
C-prelims (May 2011)
T-oral defense
O-dissertation prospectus defense
R-dissertation defense
So let me give you a little run down of what this defense looks (or is suppose to look) like.
After having done the prospectus defense, your committee gives you permission to actually do your research. Then, when you've finished the research and written it up, you go back to your committee to defend your findings. Normally, when you enter the room, the committee asks you to leave to discuss their initial thoughts. You then return and defend your findings, and then leave again so that the committee can again discuss...and determine if you 'pass' (e.g. your study is solid enough to pass the requirement). They then invite you back in and (hopefully) say, congrats, you passed. Mine, however, went a little differently. After we all got in the room, they just asked that I start (no leaving the room). Then after I was finished and we had a discussion about my paper and ways to improve it (mainly for publication purposes), Dr. Cooper (my advisor) said to my committee, 'so are you all okay with Shannon and I continuing to work on this'. They said yes, and then it was over. No leaving the room, no official congrats...I was confused. You see, there are three levels of responses you can get...pass, pass with revisions, and fail. I was certain I had not failed, but not certain I had passed without revisions. Obviously, I knew I needed some revisions for publication purposes...but for the program requirement, I wasn't sure. Needless to say, when I saw Dr. Cooper later, I asked her about my confusion. She affirmed for me that I had indeed passed!
Woohoo, I got my O!
This publishable paper process has been a learning experience. Hopefully, I will take many of those lessons learned into the dissertation process. So what's next?! Prelims will happen in May, and I am beginning my first few chapters of my dissertation.
Give me an O-O-you got your O-you got your O
On December 13, 2011, I received my O (toward DOCTOR). As a reminder, each letter represents a significant accomplishment (i.e. requirement or hurdle) in this PhD process.
D-publishable paper prospectus defense (check! April 8, 2011)
O-publishable paper defense (check! December 13, 2011)
C-prelims (May 2011)
T-oral defense
O-dissertation prospectus defense
R-dissertation defense
So let me give you a little run down of what this defense looks (or is suppose to look) like.
After having done the prospectus defense, your committee gives you permission to actually do your research. Then, when you've finished the research and written it up, you go back to your committee to defend your findings. Normally, when you enter the room, the committee asks you to leave to discuss their initial thoughts. You then return and defend your findings, and then leave again so that the committee can again discuss...and determine if you 'pass' (e.g. your study is solid enough to pass the requirement). They then invite you back in and (hopefully) say, congrats, you passed. Mine, however, went a little differently. After we all got in the room, they just asked that I start (no leaving the room). Then after I was finished and we had a discussion about my paper and ways to improve it (mainly for publication purposes), Dr. Cooper (my advisor) said to my committee, 'so are you all okay with Shannon and I continuing to work on this'. They said yes, and then it was over. No leaving the room, no official congrats...I was confused. You see, there are three levels of responses you can get...pass, pass with revisions, and fail. I was certain I had not failed, but not certain I had passed without revisions. Obviously, I knew I needed some revisions for publication purposes...but for the program requirement, I wasn't sure. Needless to say, when I saw Dr. Cooper later, I asked her about my confusion. She affirmed for me that I had indeed passed!
Woohoo, I got my O!
This publishable paper process has been a learning experience. Hopefully, I will take many of those lessons learned into the dissertation process. So what's next?! Prelims will happen in May, and I am beginning my first few chapters of my dissertation.
Thanksgiving
The weekend before Thanksgiving I went to the Association for the Study of Higher Education. It was the first time I had gone to this conference and it was a-maz-ing. I LOVED it. I walked away with lots of things to think about, things to read, and a slew of ideas for research topics. Yes, it's a conference for nerds. :)
The conference was out in North Carolina and since Kristin was going to the conference, it only made sense for her to drive back from the conference with me and stay for Thanksgiving. We had a good time! A few days were spent writing, reading, and doing other homeworky sorts of things (since we are both in PhD programs). But we also took a trip to Atlanta, rummaged around Athens, and had Thanksgiving dinner with friends here. What a good time with a great friend...here are some highlights from Kristin's visit!
The conference was out in North Carolina and since Kristin was going to the conference, it only made sense for her to drive back from the conference with me and stay for Thanksgiving. We had a good time! A few days were spent writing, reading, and doing other homeworky sorts of things (since we are both in PhD programs). But we also took a trip to Atlanta, rummaged around Athens, and had Thanksgiving dinner with friends here. What a good time with a great friend...here are some highlights from Kristin's visit!
I usually set up my Christmas tree fairly early so as to enjoy it before I leave for break. This year it didn't go up until Thanksgiving (like normal people).
On our trip to ATL we stopped at Olympic park.
And checked out the gigantic Christmas tree.
And who doesn't love CNN? (rhetorical question)
Kristin's cousin lived out in ATL, so we visited with her; she's a hoot and took us to a wonderful place for dinner (it was yummy!) AND their menu was on a wine bag. So trendy.
While in ATL, we also stopped at the botanical gardens light show. What a fun light display!
We look ghostly.
The tree didn't hug me back. :(
Beautiful lights!
Random frog
The arch (not arches, just the arch)
I've been wanting to make an advent calendar for some time, so after searching pinterest for ideas, we discovered this fun little one with cookie sheets and magnets. We were up late (til 3am) the night before Kristin flew out make these little gems. I was a fun project, fun memories, and I enjoyed having it this holiday season!
Here we are with my table in the middle of my living room! I love crafts!
Here's the final product!
And to keep with tradition, we got a picture with a bulldawg. (yes, I look tired, I was, it was early in the morning before Kristin's flight back to Colorado...and we were up late making advent calendars).
Promised!
My sister has been hounding me for the ... oh since before Christmas to update my blog. She didn't like that I changed the theme of my blog to look Christmasy, with no posts about Christmas. Thus, I promised her that I would post some updates this weekend.
And that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Because...hey, there's a wonderful thunderstorm outside, a Baylor basketball game (soon) on inside, and...because I promised her I would.
And that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Because...hey, there's a wonderful thunderstorm outside, a Baylor basketball game (soon) on inside, and...because I promised her I would.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Disney World: Magic Kingdom
To me, magic kingdom is synonymous with disney world...apparently they aren't the same thing. :) While down for Stace & Andre's wedding, Jennifer and I went to disney. It was a funfilled day. I loved comparing it to disney land. Here is my list of comparissions
Had a blast with Jennifer and so excited to experience Disney World for the first time! I cannot wait to return and try some of the other worlds. I do have a few years left here, so hopefully I can make it down there again before I'm done with this PhD in Georgia!
- Disney World's Cinderella's castle is much bigger, and much better
- Small world at Disneyland has a better storefront. When you walk up to it at Disneyland it's a sight, but at World, it looks like any other random ride.
- Disneyland has all the best rides in one park
- If I had kids, I'd choose Disneyland over world (because you can walk out of the park, across the street to a hotel, take naps, etc) but Disney World you have to take the monorail, or boat, drive, etc, OR pay lots to stay closeby.
On our way to the Magic Kingdom!
Cinderella's castle.
We thought we were in line for the people mover, oops.
I LOVE the toy story ride! Ps. I beat Jennifer :)
We met up with Stace & Andre later in the day!
The castle lit up at night! It changed all sorts of colors!
Oh I forgot, they STILL do the electrical light parade, it was AWESOME!
I thought they would be all decorated for halloween, not really.
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