it's about that time again...time to go back to school

I have spent the majority of my life in school. Every two to three years, I return to school. I just can't seem to stay away. However, I am about to embark on a learning experience I never anticipated. No, I am not returning to finish my PhD (not yet anyway).

What kind of school will I be attending? Well, I have applied to take seminary courses as a limited enrollment student.

This wasn't really on my list of things I planned to do in life. I am a woman. I am a leader. The two are not usually welcome together as a package in church. I had figured attending seminary was something one did when they planned to go in to church leadership, be a pastor or something like that. Since that wasn't in my plans, seminary was off the list of lifetime learning experiences. Until recently...

My employer has requested that all field leadership complete at least 12 hours of theological training from a seminary. I suppose my learning in the school of hard knocks hasn't been sufficient?! Rather than have a bad attitude about this requirement, I decided to embrace it. I researched many schools around the world and decided on an institution in my home country of America. Last week, I sent in my application materials - including an application, fee, transcripts and a pastors reference. It is my intention to begin online classes in the summer semester. When I was looking at the course options I started to get excited about the possibility of being a student again.

I am a nerd. I know this. I own this fact about myself. I now stand on the edge of a new (and entirely unplanned) learning experience. Life is certainly an adventure!

Kiwani's Club

Last week Kenyon and I were invited to a Kiwani's Club luncheon. We accepted the invitation. You could count the number of people under the age of sixty on one hand. The club talked about the upcoming blood drive, their participation as bell ringers for the Salvation Army, the gifts they were going to give to needy children at Christmas and a literacy project they were helping with. The featured presenter for the meeting was the local school district who has started a graduation requirement where students look at what they will do beyond graduation - they choose a path (career, artistic, or philanthropic), submit a research paper on their chosen path, submit community service hours along that path, and give a final presentation. The school was asking for mentors to help the students in this graduation requirement.

This group and groups like it (Rotary Club, Elks Lodge, etc) do good work. They are integrated in their communities and they give back in tangible ways. Why are groups like this so unappealing to a younger generation? Why has this kind of civic engagement seemed to die in popularity with so many?

I don't really understand it. As a society, are we really that selfish? Do we only participate for what we can get out of it?

I read portions of a book on this topic in graduate school titled Bowling Alone. I think I might revist this text, I am currently very curious about the decline of civic engagement.

Things that make you go, hmmm...

Passed!

In May, Kenyon successfully completed his Emergency Management course. Now on to his State board exam scheduled for June 20...then, hopefully, a job!

First Day of School

So, school has started again. It's a new semester. New notebooks, textbooks, and pens have been bought. Registration is complete and the schedule has been checked and rechecked. Your probably thinking to yourself, "How in the world does Sheri have time to be a student again?" I don't! Though my PhD is currently postponed - I will finish it someday, but today is not that day. I'm not in school, but my hubby is. He started (or restarted in Carolina) his Paramedic license. He's enrolled in 17 credit hours this semester. Essentially it is review for him, but necessary to meet the requirements. He will learn a couple of new things - how to administer an I.V. and some stuff about medications/prescriptions.

He will begin ride alongs soon - a requirement for the license. In May, he will be eligible for employment or can continue his education for additional licensing.

My husband, the full-time student. I'm so proud!

Atlanta, Georgia

Have you ever been to the ATL (aka Atlanta, Georigia)? I haven't. In fact, I've seen very little of the south. Well...months ago I submitted a proposal for my next research project related to executive director compensation and organizational performance. The conference will be held in the ATL. Today I heard that the proposal was accepted. The conference will be in early November. This is quite an honor - though, I may have to turn them down if I am offered the job in North Carolina. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Another one bites the dust...

As of last night, semester number two of my PhD program is complete. Hallelujah! The last two weeks have been insane! It's hard to believe I have successfully completed my first year. It's actually gone pretty quickly.

Today, I get on an airplane to my hometown. I'll do some planning for wedding reception number three on Friday. Then early Saturday AM I'm off to China. This will be my first visit to China. I have very low expectations of the trip. I get to see a very good friend who's living there, but the country itself isn't of much interest to me. My friend says that means I'm really going to love it, because I don't expect much. I'm told they won't believe I'm American because I'm not blonde or white. I wonder where they will think I'm from? Maybe, India? They have a very definite opinion of what an American should look like when they visit China and I don't fit the mold. That will be interesting.

Since I will be out of the country for nearly three weeks, I likely won't be updating my blog. Expect to hear from me when I get back.

Women of Distinction

Last year I was nominated by one of my students as a woman of distinction...it was an honor just to be nominated. Ironically, I had nominated the same student that year and she was selected. Well, this year I was nominated by one of my professors and selected. Kenyon asked if I get money for it. No, I don't. I get my photo taken for a calendar (it is very tastefully done and we are fully clothed) and they write up our accomplishments next to our photo. I can also add it to my resume as an award or accomplishment - out of a large number of women, I was chosen as a woman of distinction.

The semester is almost over. Friday I completed and turned in my large, and very painful, paper. I have one more small paper to do, then I'm finished with school until June when the summer semester begins. I cannot wait to be done!

I leave Thursday for New Mexico. I'm stopping there for one day on my way to China to visit my good friend for nearly three weeks. That is my deadline - Thursday. I must be done by Thursday.

Presented at a conference

I was a presenter at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership conference this week. It's nice to have my first academic conference behind me. The presentation topic was racial representation on nonprofit boards and the effect this has on stakeholder orientation. I won't bore you with details, but basically there is a belief that white, male nonprofit boards are better at fundraising than boards including women or minorities. We tested this theory using a survey of Michigan nonprofits to see if it was true. We found that all nonprofit boards believe they have responsibilities beyond money. I received lots of good comments from attendees. The moderator was an author of one of my textbooks (which was kind of like having a celebrity sighting) - he had done research on my background in preparation for his responsibilities. He came up to me afterward and said I had a very good presentation style, he thinks it must be my experience in journalism that helped. I think it was just something I was born with - whatever that innate thing is actually helped me when studying journalism. But I didn't tell him that. I just thanked him for the compliments.

It was a star studded event, with many celebrity sightings. I met more than one author of my textbooks. There is a GIANT book on nonprofit leadership & management that I had to read for a class this semester - it is often referred to as the nonprofit bible. It is nearly 1,000 pages in length. I met the author of that book. He told me he was sorry to miss my presentation, but he heard good things about it and read the paper I wrote on the topic (they make it available to participants online for the conference). I met a woman from the Urban Institute in Washington D.C. - an organization I wouldn't mind working for when I graduate. I met representatives from consulting organizations, and other PhD students from around the nation. I even spoke with a very powerful woman in the nonprofit world locally. I've observed her from afar for years. Someone introduced me to her and I admitted this to her along with the admission that I wanted to request money from a board she sits on. She gave me her card and asked me to send the proposal to her directly. It was truly an interesting event.

It was a lot of work preparing for this event. I'm glad to have it behind me...now I can focus on projects for the end of the semester. I should actually finish in about two weeks. I can't wait!

Good things CAN happen at 3AM

I know your mom probably told you that nothing good happens after midnight. She said that because she wanted you home by curfew and she was trying to keep you out of trouble. Well...a few days ago I was up at 3AM. I wish that were unique for me, but it's not. I often get up between 3 and 5AM to begin my day. I don't set an alarm, it's just when I naturally rise - and, no, I don't go to bed at 8pm either. Anyway, enough about my sleeping (or non-sleeping) habits - I was up working on a paper for school at 3am...when unexpectedly, I receive a message online from my good friend in China. We talked for over an hour. Sure, I should have been working on my paper, but talking to my friend on the other side of the world was more important. It's amazing what technology can do! An international phone call that long would have cost us hundreds of dollars, but we can talk on the Internet for the price of our Internet access. Awesome! I share this to say, despite what your mom told you - sometimes good things can happen in the wee hours of the morning. In fact, it's my most productive time of the day. Have you ever looked at the time stamp of an email message from me? It's likely not a typo, yes, I am up at those times writing emails. Smile!

one less thing...

Since October of last year I've been working what I call three part-time jobs: my graduate research assistantship which pays tuition plus a small stipend and allows me to qualify for student insurance, a 10-hour per week job with the University Career Center, and India (unpaid, but the primary motivation behind everything else). As of April 1st, I will be down to full-time student, plus GRA, plus India status. Hallelujah! My GRA supervisor wanted more of my time and had the money to offer a promotion of sorts. This additional funding allowed me to resign the career center job and still pay my bills. Honestly, I'm grateful for all of it. I consider it a gift to earn a PhD and not accumulate any debt to do it, thanks to the financing offered by the department. I'm a lucky girl. The department is not financing any of the students coming in next academic year. These students will have more difficult choices to make about their future than I did. I'm grateful for the gift of financial aid I received.

All grown up

Do you ever have those days when you realize your not a kid anymore, and you don't like it? I had one of those recently. When we are younger we often live irresponsibly and in the moment, pursuing those things that make us happy right now. As we get older we have to think about others (and our budget), consider the future, acknowledge consequences and delay gratification. It's spring break week at KU, but you wouldn't know it in my life. Walking around campus the kids are all talking about the exotic locations they are going to visit, the adventures they are going to be a part of. What am I doing? The same thing I did the week before and the same thing I'll be doing the week after...studying, writing, working. I had opportunities for fun - a cruise with family to visit my brother and Mexico, an offer of a free ticket to Virginia to see a good friend. Could I accept these offers? Nope. I have work to do and Kenyon doesn't want to be left behind. As I was driving away from campus after just completing my last class before spring break, as I was reflecting on all the stories I heard of adventures and travels to be had, I got a little bit sad. I don't have a single "fun" event planned over the next week, just a lot of work ahead of me. To illustrate my point, my advanced quantitative methods course is meeting spring break week (even though University policy is to hold no classes). I will also spend hours in the library and in front of my computer working on a research paper. Why? Because I'm all grown up and the responsible thing has to trump the fun thing. Normally I'm okay with that, but this week I'd just like to be a kid again.

school days, school days...

School is back in session. I arrived on Friday from India and started my second semester of my PhD on Monday. I had terrible jet-lag and a head cold. A great way to kick-off the start of the semester! I would read for school and the words just floated randomly in my head, not connected to any thought or concept. In one class last week the professor asked about common themes among the articles - I was having trouble even remembering what the articles I had read were about, much less pull out themes! I am still exhausted and not feeling 100%, but I can at least read and comprehend what I'm reading this week. Progress! This weekend I officially converted my dining room into an office. I had to get real. Was I ever going to have a dinner party? No, I don't cook. I don't have time. I hardly have a social life as it is, and if I'm going to see friends it will likely be someplace other than my condo. Did I need a central location for all my textbooks, computer stuff, school and work projects, etc? Yes. I'd been using the coffee table in my living room and decided I was sick of the clutter and wanted a place to just chill when I wasn't studying.

Though it is only the second week, there is already more to do than I possibly have time to complete. I'm am trying to temper my ambition. I tell myself, it's okay if I don't get it all done. It's okay if I get a passing grade - does it really need to be A+++, or at satisfy my perfectionist tendencies? The answer is, "no." I'll earn the degree with less than perfect. I just don't want to break my record of nothing less than an "A" in grad school (including my Master's degree). I have to let that go to maintain sanity, I know this, it is just hard to do. This semester is going to be a struggle, attempting to balance my school work (which could easily consume my entire life), my work in India (which could easily consume my entire life), and still finding time for important relationships (poor Kenyon!). If you are ever wondering what I'm doing these days, it would be a pretty safe guess to say I'm studying.

Calgon, take me away...

Finished!!!!!

As of Thursday, I finished my first semester of my PhD program. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! The moment I printed out my last final - a series of four essays - I did a little happy dance. What a relief to be done! I'm going to take the next two weeks off. I'll still be working my two part-time jobs, but I won't be studying, reading or writing. This coming Wednesday Kenyon and I get on a airplane to New Mexico for the Christmas holiday. When we come back, though I have school related work to do I am not going to do it. My mind needs a rest. I will, however, be working on stuff for India. A few short weeks and I will be on the other side of the world (again). I can hardly wait. The team going with me is as excited as I am. I will send email journals while I'm there, expect it. In case I don't see you - Merry Christmas!

Then there was one

One week and one day left in the semester. I will be finished December 12. I can hardly wait! I have a class presentation tonight. A research paper to complete, due next Monday, and a final next Tuesday. The end is near. Hallelujah!

Winter has arrived

Tuesday was nearly 70 degrees, which is unusual for Kansas in late November. I was walking around campus noticing the t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops, thinking to myself how strange this was for being so late in the year. Well, as of Wednesday...no more flip-flops! I don't like winter, but I especially don't like when it arrives abruptly and with a vengeance. It started with freezing rain. The storm included hail, sleet and more freezing rain. I cannot even count the number of accidents I witnessed yesterday while driving to and from Lawrence for class. At one point I called Kansas Highway Patrol from my cell phone to let them know about a couple of girls who had gone off the road. The response from the dispatcher was basically they are doing all they can, but they don't have enough officers to help everyone. Amazing! The temperature was close to 20 degrees. Brrrr! Poor Kenyon had to work on the FedEx distribution docs last night in the terrible weather. Today we are supposed to get inches of snow beginning this morning. It's hard to believe there were people walking around comfortably in shorts on Tuesday. What a difference a day makes!

data

I've long been a fan of research. I'd be insane to pursue a PhD if I didn't like research. I have a curious mind (intellectually curious...and strange). I enjoy looking up information. I like to discover things. I can get lost in data. I recently completed a large research project for my housing policy course. We were asked to look at Census data (not an easy task) and write an analysis of the housing market in our chosen city. I chose my hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I still love New Mexico. It is a part of who I am. Since moving I have seriously considered moving back at least three times - I've considered it many more times then that. You might ask, why don't I live there? Basically, there aren't enough jobs and the cost of living is too expensive. I've thought that, but it's a whole other thing to have data to prove it! What did I find in my school research project? Santa Fe has become a resort and retirment town, as a result it is increasingly unaffordable to long-term residents. I'm not the only native of my generation who have moved away for this reason. Many who would have liked to stay, simply couldn't afford it. They own a home over 50 miles away and commute in for work or to visit their extended family. A few (very few of the overall) statistics follow. In the years between 1990 and 2000, in Santa Fe:

• a 74.1 percent increase in seasonal, occasional and recreational use housing
• the largest population increase was among households headed by a person 75 years old or older
• 20 percent of owners and 36 percent of renters have a severe housing burden, spending more than 35 percent of their income on housing

There were many more statistics that supported the previously held assumption about the housing market in my home town. It is interesting how data can support what we already suspect. Ah, the wonder of data...

Immunizations

Enrollment for next semester came available October 1. I've decided to continue the torture of graduate school - crazy, I know. I plan to enroll in three classes next semester; advanced quantitative methods (good times! - I'm really looking forward to that one, can you tell?), research seminar in democratic theory, and an independent study on non-profit management theory. I have also been asked by one of my professors to present with her at a conference in April - we will be presenting on the topic of non-profit board management with some data on race representation. My first professional conference presentation in the academic world. Ooo-la-la! I'll let you know how it goes. I decided last week I ought to make it official and enroll for next semester. Everything is done online now. I got to the point where I would submit enrollment and guess what - I have an enrollment hold. What could that be? I don't have unpaid parking tickets, my tuition and fees have long since been paid - things that make you go hmmm... I looked it up. It's an immunization hold. I have an immunization hold - that's funny! Why? Because I've been a human pin cushion for years due to my international travel. If there is an immunization shot or pill I've had it at least once, likely more than once. Hepatitis A & B - got it, twice! Tetanus - rather than every 5-10 years, I get one every other year! Typhoid, turburculosis, polio - yup, yup, yup! The reason there is a hold on my enrollment is for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). I've had that shot three times by my count - once in high school in order to enroll, once as an undergrad in order to enroll, and once last year prior to my return trip to India. The problem is, I don't have records of any of this. Ugh! If you remember, last year a bunch of college students came down with the measles. KU was hard hit - especially students living in the dorms. If memory serves, about 100 kids from my school got sick. Many had been immunized. It was decided to re-immunize the campus. Every student should have not one, but two MMR shots on record. I am a casualty of this policy change. Guess what I'll be doing the next two weeks - getting MMR shots. I thought I'd pick up my malaria pills for India while I'm at it...

Countdown...

Five, four, three, two, one...can you believe I have less than six weeks left of school?! Yikes! How can it be? This semester went by so quickly. I guess that's a good thing - nearly one semester down, approximately five more to go. I have a ton to do between now and mid-December, but it is comforting to know the end is near. I can't wait!

The other thing I am counting down - my next visit to India. I will return January 8 in the break between semesters. As of today, fourteen people will be joining me on this journey. Wow! That's the largest group I've traveled with. It will be an interesting group with a mix of backgrounds and experiences - young, retired, single, married, mom's, dad's, and some parents traveling with their kids. What a fun adventure! I'll send stories...that is, unless you want to join us. There's still time to be part of the group.

mid-terms? already?

This week I receive my first mid-term. Can you believe it's mid-terms already? I can't. I feel like I just started school. How can it already be mid-terms? Unbelievable! My challenge as a student is to keep up with the readings. I literally have 5oo or more pages to read weekly. This week I am reading a book, eight book chapters, and about 20 articles. The book alone is almost 400 pages! I also have a presentation, two papers, plus the mid-term. How do I get it all done? There are weeks I don't. This may be one of those weeks. I make a valiant effort, but I am human after all. I do still have to sleep from time-to-time. I also try to spend some time with Kenyon, at least once per week. He's been very supportive and patient. I think this might try the most patient human being, only three more years like this one. Yikes! Though I hear each semester gets a bit better, until it's time to write the dissertation. On the bright side, I am learning more about US housing policy, constitutional foundations and statistics than any normal human being should be exposed to. I'm loving the learning.

My greatest struggle in returning to school is financial. I was preparing to take a significant pay cut - as a student I will be living off 1/3 my previous salary. Unfortunately, due to paperwork issues I didn't get paid for a month. I was not prepared to have no income. I should receive my first regular paycheck Friday. What a relief!

Anyone have ambitions of going back to school? Hard to believe, I know, but I would encourage them. I believe, in the end, it is worth the effort. Most things worth having in life don't come easily, they require work - generosity, contentment, godly character, successful relationships, and...education. I believe the value of a degree is more about the endurance it took to achieve the goal than the knowledge itself.

Gotta get back to the books...

Hiking

I don't get in the mountains much anymore since moving to the mid-west, but I have begun hiking again. It isn't in nature or woods, but it is certainly a hike at least twice weekly. Where?
The University of Kansas campus. I climb from the bottom of the hill to the top. By the end my leg muscles are burning. I counted steps once, I stopped counting at one hundred and sixty-seven. I decided I just don't want to know...whatever it is it's enough to wear me out. One unintended benefit of returning to school - stronger calf muscles. Whoever says Kansas is flat hasn't walked in my shoes...