I've been waiting to write this blog for quite some time. At 8:30am, I stood in front of my committee (and other colleagues/faculty) and gave my presentation for my thesis. I only spoke for about 30 minutes. Even Gavin got to sit on my presentation but didn't seem too enthralled, imagine that. After my presentation, I was asked questions by my committee. My committee situation was rather complicated. The exercise psychologist has been living in his home country of Greece for the past year but was in Washington D.C. the past few days so he participated over speaker phone. The exercise physiologist on my committee had a family emergency recently and is not in the state of Iowa so another exercise physiologist sat in his place. They asked me questions about my analyses and basically told me what I did wrong in certain places. I left the conference room for awhile so they could discuss things without me present. They approved my thesis on the condition that I make some necessary changes. The changes will be made over the next week and hopefully I can finalize my thesis before the end of June (adding a table of contents, final edits, fixing those necessary stats, formatting margins/tables, etc.).
Kathi has mentioned over the last year that she wants me to measure all the children in my study again. I really didn't think this was feasible over the summer because I need to make money in order to pay rent, bills, and basically survive financially. I couldn't devote the time to measure those kiddos unless I would be paid. Today Kathi announced that both Matt and I would be paid an hourly wage for 12 weeks through the summer to work on data collection and working on other loose ends. I don't think my boss will be back for a long time (since she lives in Texas now) so Matt and I will do her "ISU work" in her absence. I'm happy that I'll have more steady income this summer.
I spoke to the chairperson in our department today and he stated he would like me to help with lecturing in the fall IF the budget will allow for it. My boss will be a faculty member at a different university come August so her void needs to be filled at ISU in regards to classes that prepare future PE teachers. We do have current grad students and one previous student that helped this past semester but they want to organize things better and probably consolidate more responsibilities into fewer positions. I need to NOT get my hopes up about this because like I said before, the budget is not finalized for the fall. It was very nice though to hear of the interest for my teaching skills. And dammit...my hopes are high even though I tried to remain neutral about my possibilities. I'm still going to search for other job opportunities of course since I cannot depend on having a position at ISU.
Also received word that forestry greenhouse is providing more work for me, if I want it. It's simple work and pays incredibly well. With the combination of Kathi's work and the greenhouse work this summer, I should be working 40 hours or close to that amount each week this summer! It's such a relief that we won't be living in poverty. Like usual, I plan to save to prepare for those times when money is tight or I have to deal with large bills. Being that my future is still uncertain in regards to employment, I still cannot make progress with home hunting.
Yes I'm thrilled to be almost done with the thesis process and excited to enter the realm of finding "real employment" but I have other things that exciting me as well. I'm excited to have a better routine at home. I'm excited to exercise more regularly. I'm excited to prepare more homemade meals not live my life around convenient foods. I'm excited to be more social. Instead of trying to find time to hang out with friends and family....I can also make that a more regular part of my life. Maybe I can find that man of my dreams now instead of being buried in work and wishing I already had him in my life. I'm excited to make personal improvements, parenting improvements, and live the life I've desired for quite some time.
Thank you two for all your support as I've worked my way through the last year. You listened to me vent about my issues and gave me encouragement in a genuine manner. I really do have great friends and family in my life and I owe much of my success to the support I always receive from those that care about me.
2 comments:
First, I almost teared up reading the last bit of your blog (it's that special time right now so my emotions are a little hinky so you can't blame me). I am so proud of and happy for you! I will pray that the right path presents itself to you this summer, whether it be the position at ISU or some other fabulous opportunity that you don't know about yet! You're a great lady and are going to set the world on fire Jenny!!!
Wow, I am really glad you wrote that piece too. Not only does it give me an idea of what you have done recently with your thesis but it also tells me what's going on with you in a lovely, succinct way. Sounds like you have some good things in motion. It speaks highly of you that ISU wants to keep you around (I mean that nicely). Did they tell you when they would let you know if there is enough $$ to hire you for the fall?
I think it's kind've special that Gavin was able to sit in on it and witness it, even though he was probably bored and clueless. You should be very proud of yourself. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't go for your PhD until I get my masters. It'll make me look better. ;)
It sounds like you have some good news and now you have some good mojo to keep working towards positive changes and happenings. I'm a wee bit jealous because I have all the time to do some real writing, exercising, and any other stuff I want to do but I have fallen into a lazy patch. I think I might buy a month membership to the Wellness Center, if I actually use it and I am pleased with it I might extend it for several months while I student teach. Hopefully I can motivate my ass up! Anyway, congrats again and good luck with the next round of decisions.
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