I started school this week. All I can say is...yikes, what did I get myself in to?! Remind me, why I'm doing this? It's kind of like self imposed torture. I think I'm in shock at what a jump in workload the PhD is in comparison to my Masters work. I've attended all of my classes once, received the syllabi, and have a vague idea what the next four months of my life will look like...on second thought, the next three years of my life. I'm overwhelmed! I have nearly 500 pages of articles and chapters to read just this week, and this is a light week. In one of my three classes I have six medium to large assignments, the largest is a 30-page research proposal. At this moment I do not feel qualified to write a 30-page research proposal, I'm supposed to submit the topic by Sept. 22. Yippee-do-da-day. In preparation I need to read additional articles and chapters and take some computer training courses in order to even begin this assignment. Like I don't already have enough to do! I 'm really glad I quit my job - of course if I was employed I would be doing one class rather than three. That might feel more manageable.
I think two of my classes will be VERY interesting - Constitutional Foundations of Public Administration on Monday nights and Housing Policy in the Urban Planning department on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The class that concerns me is the Research Seminar. It has a ridiculous amount of reading, many large assignments, and I'm only vaguely interested in the topics. I'll complete it because it is required for the degree. I'm sure I'll learn a termendous amount about research techniques and strategies, but my excitement level is almost non-existent and the work load is overwhelming. This course will be my challenge.
I leave tomorrow morning to visit the William's family in the Washington D.C. area. It is a surprise for Kelsey. Her 12th birthday is this weekend. It will be great to see them and get a glimpse into their new lives.
When I return on Monday, it's nose to the grind with studying. I also have a meeting Monday with my GRA supervisor to discuss my responsibilities with the grant and outline some projects. Just what I need, more to do!
I'll keep you posted on my progress. I suspect this will get less painful after I am in some kind of routine...at least I hope and pray that is the case.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
Ethnic Enrichment Festival
Kansas City has a large park, Swope Park, similar to Central Park in New York. Ours is just less populated. Swope Park is where the city zoo is housed. There is also an outdoor theatre in the park, Starlight. I volunteer at Starlight each summer as a back stage tour guide for their theatre productions. This summer is no exception. A group of girlfriends and I volunteer for the Wednesday night shows. This is my sixth year as a summer Starlight volunteer. Our last show of the season is in a couple of weeks. I'm disappointed about that because it usually marks the end of the summer. I'm not ready for summer to end. Swope Park also has a nature center, including a lake where people fish and lots and lots of green space.
Each year there is an event held at Swope Park the third week of August, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival. I look forward to this event each year. They have representatives from approximately 50 countries. Each country has a booth with food, cultural artifacts for sale and usually some area with information about the country represented. There is a stage area with performances; dances, music, fashion. Kenyon accompanied me this year. We had so much fun! We ate something from at least 10 different booths; Indian tacos from the American Indian booth, hummus from the Israel booth, a dessert from Croatia, a special fruit soda from Brazil, and the list goes on. We watched an international fashion show, flaminco dancers from Spain, and a Brazilian martial arts demonstration. We spent hours there. They give the kids fake passports. Each booth has a passport stamp. The idea is to encourage the kids to visit each country and learn something about the place and the people. My favorite thing this year was that I learned in Vietnam when greeting someone, rather than ask "how are you?" they ask, "have you eaten yet?" I find that amusing. What happens if the answer is "no." Are you then obligated to feed them? Just a thought...
We left when I couldn't eat any more and had worn myself out. I think Kenyon would have continued to walk around, but I was ready to go. As we were leaving he said, "we are definitely coming back to this next year." He spent most of his life in KC and had never heard of this event. The festival has been around for 27 years! You're welcome to join us next year...mark your calendars for the third weekend in August.
Each year there is an event held at Swope Park the third week of August, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival. I look forward to this event each year. They have representatives from approximately 50 countries. Each country has a booth with food, cultural artifacts for sale and usually some area with information about the country represented. There is a stage area with performances; dances, music, fashion. Kenyon accompanied me this year. We had so much fun! We ate something from at least 10 different booths; Indian tacos from the American Indian booth, hummus from the Israel booth, a dessert from Croatia, a special fruit soda from Brazil, and the list goes on. We watched an international fashion show, flaminco dancers from Spain, and a Brazilian martial arts demonstration. We spent hours there. They give the kids fake passports. Each booth has a passport stamp. The idea is to encourage the kids to visit each country and learn something about the place and the people. My favorite thing this year was that I learned in Vietnam when greeting someone, rather than ask "how are you?" they ask, "have you eaten yet?" I find that amusing. What happens if the answer is "no." Are you then obligated to feed them? Just a thought...
We left when I couldn't eat any more and had worn myself out. I think Kenyon would have continued to walk around, but I was ready to go. As we were leaving he said, "we are definitely coming back to this next year." He spent most of his life in KC and had never heard of this event. The festival has been around for 27 years! You're welcome to join us next year...mark your calendars for the third weekend in August.
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I recently returned from my brother Victor's wedding. I think my overwhelming impression is my baby brother has grown into a man! When did that happen? I think I missed it. It seemed to happen overnight. I was watching he and Jessica at the rehearsal thinking, my little brother is going to be somebody's husband. Crazy! I'm sure he will make an excellent husband and I know he loves Jessica a lot, I just haven't adjusted. In my mind he is younger, too young to be married. Of course, he's years older than I was when I got married. I guess it is all a matter of perspective.
Kenyon accompanied me. He met my entire family; aunts, uncles, parents, cousins, including my sperm donor David Stacy. He even shared a room with my dad Bob. The good news is...Kenyon still loves me. The wedding didn't scare him off. I think it gave him insight in to who I am. He spent the night dancing with my aunts at the reception. He had a lot of fun and has decided he wants to learn to salsa, he wants to be able to dance with me rather than sit on the sidelines and watch when latin music comes on.
Enjoy the photo!
Monday, August 14, 2006
Caribbean Cruise
Yesterday I returned from a caribbean cruise. It was a much needed vacation. I travel often, but it has been a while since I took a trip with the purpose of relaxation. I left sick, I came back rested. I'd say the trip was successful!
My welcome home was bitter-sweet. I am officially unemployed. Tomorrow I will begin the search for a part-time job. The change in my schedule is actually uncomfortable right now. I'm looking forward to some kind of routine. Classes begin next Monday so I have a week of transition. The other not so welcome change is Fiona and her family have moved to China. Fiona dropped off kitchen supplies, an electric toothbrush, DVD's, pictures on the fridge, notes, and other surprises while I was away. As nice as all of that is, I would rather have my friend. One picture in particular of mother's day this year has made me cry multiple times. I miss them terribly. It is especially difficult now that I have time on my hands, this would have been time spent with Fi and her girls, since they are not here it is time spent alone. It's crazy that one week ago my life was one way, I left on a trip and returned to a totally different life. I hope the pains of this transition ease soon.
My welcome home was bitter-sweet. I am officially unemployed. Tomorrow I will begin the search for a part-time job. The change in my schedule is actually uncomfortable right now. I'm looking forward to some kind of routine. Classes begin next Monday so I have a week of transition. The other not so welcome change is Fiona and her family have moved to China. Fiona dropped off kitchen supplies, an electric toothbrush, DVD's, pictures on the fridge, notes, and other surprises while I was away. As nice as all of that is, I would rather have my friend. One picture in particular of mother's day this year has made me cry multiple times. I miss them terribly. It is especially difficult now that I have time on my hands, this would have been time spent with Fi and her girls, since they are not here it is time spent alone. It's crazy that one week ago my life was one way, I left on a trip and returned to a totally different life. I hope the pains of this transition ease soon.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Surprise Party
I am in my last two days of work. A part of me is VERY sad to leave, another part of me can't wait for it to be over. I had a meeting scheduled yesterday morning with a few colleagues. We've had it on the calendar for weeks. The day before one of the participants came in to my office for a chat, they saw a stack of stuff on my desk and asked what it's for. I told her, "our meeting tomorrow."
She replied, "you're actually planning to work?"
My response, "they are still paying me to do that, at least until Friday."
It was a wrap-up meeting of ongoing projects, as well as odds and ends before I depart - at least that is what I'd been told. In actuality, it was a surprise party with food, flowers, and friendship. I definitely like the party idea better! I'm going to miss my colleagues. I have enjoyed working with them over the last 2+ years. Of course, I'm not going far. I'll still be around KU and will continue to see many of them. In fact, I'm scheduled to take a course at the Edwards Campus this semester. I guess one could say, I'm not really leaving, rather I'm just changing my role in the organization - from staff to student.
Yesterday I started training my successor. I have three short afternoons to do an info dump of everything I've learned over the years - yeah, right! I'm certain she will do fine and will learn the intricacies of the job quickly, even in my absence.
She replied, "you're actually planning to work?"
My response, "they are still paying me to do that, at least until Friday."
It was a wrap-up meeting of ongoing projects, as well as odds and ends before I depart - at least that is what I'd been told. In actuality, it was a surprise party with food, flowers, and friendship. I definitely like the party idea better! I'm going to miss my colleagues. I have enjoyed working with them over the last 2+ years. Of course, I'm not going far. I'll still be around KU and will continue to see many of them. In fact, I'm scheduled to take a course at the Edwards Campus this semester. I guess one could say, I'm not really leaving, rather I'm just changing my role in the organization - from staff to student.
Yesterday I started training my successor. I have three short afternoons to do an info dump of everything I've learned over the years - yeah, right! I'm certain she will do fine and will learn the intricacies of the job quickly, even in my absence.
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