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.

Halloween

Halloween is one of those holidays where it isn't the same - in fact, it isn't any fun - without kids involved. I invited myself along with my good friend Elaine and her family tonight. Tonight we met at her kids school. Her daughter Sydney was dressed as Snow White, a tribute to Syd's love for princesses, and her son Will was dressed as a bumble bee. We headed to an outdoor shopping area downtown - Brookside. It was a great event - crossing guards, candy every 10 steps, lots and lots of kids. I could have sat on a park bench and watched the kids in costumes go by, it was kind of like a parade and highly entertaining. Little boys in Superman costumes, really believing they are superman - or a Chief's football player, fireman, etc. On the girls there were lots of princesses, a few lady bugs, and an amusing cow costume with long eyelashes. My favorite was this little girl dressed like a chicken. She was unstable in her walk because of her youth, it looked like she was waddling down the street. It made me chuckle. The little chicken was only rivaled by the family of dalmations, whose mother was dressed as Cruela Devil. Clever! We left with loads and loads of candy. After loading up on candy we headed to the local pizza joint. It was a nice family event with my surrogate family in KC. Trick or treat...

Mall walking returns

I've discovered too much sitting on the couch reading makes one an unpleasant person - cranky actually. I must move! And since I am still too cheap to pay for a gym membership and it's too cold to be outside - mall walking returns. This morning was my first mall walking adventure of the season. I have to tell you about this guy I saw: 6'5", at least in his 60's (maybe older), large belly hanging down. What is he wearing? A sweatshirt that says, "Naked Mountain Man 2004." There's a visual for you! Enjoy!

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.