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The Semester Begins ...

So Christmas Break was not very interesting after I got sick. I mostly laid in bed watching Downton Abbey seasons 1-4. When I finally did get better, I went to Utah. The purpose of my trip was to work on a project with a professor at a university there. Brian and Hannah remained in Kansas. When I came home the garage was clean, the house was in good shape, and my child was bathed and fed, so they must have been busy while I was away. 

I taught junior high in Utah for about 10 years. People always congratulate me for being brave and tough to teach adolescents, especially middle level ones, but I really had fun doing it. There were times that were hard, but in general, it was great. I left teaching so I could pursue doctoral work because it was a goal I had for a long time that was incompatible with classroom teaching. If you just want a PhD attached to your name, there are programs you can do where you can do class online or at night, but if you really want to participate in training for intensive research, then you have to go to an institution and spend long hours and days there taking classes, doing projects, and building networks, which requires your fullest possible attention.  

The good news is that when I return to Utah, there are always so many people to see. I arrived at 7 a.m. after a night of no sleep and went to breakfast with friends. Then I worked all day at the professor's house where I was staying with her family. At night, I went to dinner with a former student and his fiancé. They will marry in about a week. 


The next day I went to church with my former fellow parishioners. I received a very warm welcome. For dinner, I ate with a former student and his wife and new baby.



The next day I got up early and worked again until the afternoon. Then I went to meet a former student at the library, which was closed for Martin Luther King Day. We found a coffee shop across the street and chatted a bit. Unfortunately I did not end up taking a picture with him. Then I went back to Kansas. I always wish I could spend more time with more people when I go. Luckily I am planning a trip in the summertime where I get to stay longer.

Although I only require one more class for graduation, I am taking three. It is a testament to my relentless pursuit of education--maybe my lack of sanity. I also have some interesting research work at the center where I work. I am writing a paper with another graduate student in TESOL and doing some things with the Special Education and English people at KU, so I am getting a broad range of experiences. Brian has two classes. Hannah goes to the babysitter only once a week this semester, which is nice. I programmed my schedule into my phone this semester to try to get my weekly rhythm down faster and we will see if it works. 

Comments

Mike and LuAnn (Nelson) Aldred said…
Looks like you had a tiring but fun trip! Glad all was well and clean when you returned. Can't believe you have students now married...
and with children. Time flies...
January 25, 2015 at 5:34 PM
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