New job

I've decided, in spite of the grueling study schedule and my existing G.R.A. responsibilities, I need a part-time job. I need some additional income. This week I started a new position as the Career Coordinator for KU's University Career Center at the Edwards Campus. What does that mean? It means, I help students create a resume, prepare for job interviews, and look for positions. I will be doing this at my home away from home - the Edwards Campus. I can't seem to leave that place! I accepted a job there in 2000 and have been affiliated with them in some way ever since, either as a student or employee. That's alright, the people who work there are like a second family and I've actually missed interacting with the students. This is a newly created position so I will be able to make it my own. I like that. Today I helped with my first job fair, that was fun. There are perks beyond the paycheck, this job helps me feel like a real person again. Going to work, interacting with normal people (not intellectuals), remembering there is life outside of books. I needed that reminder. Now I have to figure out how I'm going to fit it all in and still have time for things like sleep. Things that make you go, hmmm?

In other news, I received my first grade. It's hard to believe I've been doing all this work with no feedback until now on how I'm doing. One professor returned a mid-term yesterday...drum roll, please...I received an "A." Yipee! It was a series of three essays. I got an "A" on each individual essay and an "A" overall. I needed that as motivation to get through the remaining weeks of this semester. Can you believe I have fewer weeks ahead of me than behind me. Wow! I'm amazed at how quickly the semester has progressed. I still have a large research paper on the topic of social reform, a housing policy research project (ever spent quality time looking at Census tables? I don't recommend it), and two finals ahead of me. Like the little train that could - I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Dating is fun!

One of the things I enjoy about Kenyon is he makes me feel young. Anyone who knows me well knows this is a noteworthy accomplishment. I am generally 10-years ahead of my time - have been as long as I can remember. I feel older than my age and most of my friends are in the age range I feel rather than my actual age. I have reserved Saturday nights to hang out with Kenyon. He works in the evenings M-F and I spend my days (and most of my weekends) studying. Saturday night is my one scheduled time to be a person again. Hallelujah! Each week Kenyon plans fun things for us to do. In the last few weeks we have played pool, went to the arcade, and took salsa dancing lessons (mostly for his sake, I've been salsa dancing since I was a kid). I think the last time I was in a pool hall or arcade was college. I had a lot of fun doing both. I suggest you grab your loved one and take them on a date. Do something you haven't done in years, even if it feels silly at first. My guess is, it will generate some laughs and fond memories. I forgot that dating can be so much fun, but don't just take my word for it...try it out for yourself.

Fall Leaves

I was born and raised in the high-desert. What does that mean? Mountains. Sunshine. Beautiful sunsets. Moderate climate. Lots of dirt and few trees or grass. To me the mid-west is a lush landscape. I love the colors of the trees. The fall colors are just beginning to appear and it is beautiful; bright reds, orange, yellow, mixed in with the remaining green. The prairie grasses even change color in the fall with shades of green, purple and tan. The change has made my drive to Lawrence more enjoyable. I take study break walks around the neighborhood to refresh my mind. This evening I took one of those walks and enjoyed the cool evening air and the crunching of leaves under my feet. I wasn't alone, Kenyon was at work, but there were a number of people walking the neighborhood this evening. It must have been a good night for it. Hands down, fall is my favorite time of year here.

Renaissance Festival

One of my birthday gifts from a good friend was comp tickets to the KC Renaissance Festival. I took Kenyon as my date. He'd never been before. What happens at the Renaissance Festival? Eating, activities, shows, and (my all time favorite) people watching. This is a prime people watching location. Folks of all makes, models, shapes and sizes come in costume. This year I saw a large poodle who's hair had been dyed and cut to make it look like a green dragon with purple polka-dots and a yellow mohawk. No joke! The owner was dressed like a fairy. If I'd had a camera I'd of taken a picture, but I think you get the visual. Kenyon and I walked around, watched a very entertaining magic show, and ate a caramel apple. It was a nice fall activity - with one exception, the weather was about 90 degrees in October! What's up with that! I'm not complaining, it was just unexpected. The KC Renaissance Festival, one of the many activities that make this city a nice place to live...Huzzah!

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...