Well, I haven't calculated but I'm pretty sure it's been months since I've updated! The reason has not been for lack of things to write about (quite the opposite) but I've actually had a lack of time to concentrate on putting my thoughts together. Here are my latest updates...
1. I'll start with the most negative (as everything else is good and I like hearing bad first so the good is even better). Work is work. I love teaching and I love my students but work is so stressful this year, it's almost unbearable. I have had to really think about my priorities as a teacher and my goals. Those have become my focus so that I don't spend ALL of my time working. I want to still love my job weeks, months and years from now. While it may be tough, my kids make it worth it. I love the days when we laugh and have fun in my classroom while learning something too. They really bring me so much joy and I go to sleep exhausted every night but knowing I get to love up on some struggling kids every day. God wanted me to understand that and it has taken some time for me to appreciate it, but through His patience, I have.
Now, the really good stuff...
2. I am one week and one day away from completing my first semester as a doctoral student. Hell, yes! I love it more than ever and have learned quite a bit this semester about the entire process of getting a PhD. I also feel like I've improved on my writing abilities. In the Spring I will be taking another 6 hours, beginning my statistics course sequence and conducting my own study with a classmate. Life is good and education is great. I'm so happy to be chasing my biggest dream and seeing it come alive every day.
3. I've taken on two extra jobs this semester that I really enjoy. One is tutoring local college students and grade school kids. Mostly I tutor in reading and writing but have been asked to help with some other subjects as well. I really love working with kids one-on-one and getting complete autonomy over what we do. It is so encouraging and satisfying, plus the extra cash is nice. The other job (although I haven't charged for this yet) is editing for friends and family. It started by a few friends asking me to edit important things for grammar and has just expanded. I enjoy helping others, and am a grammar Nazi so it's fitting. :)
4. Yes, I love school and yes, sometimes it makes me crazy and yes, I am getting a PhD...but, now, I'm also getting a second masters too! (This one is just for fun and yes, I am someone who uses the phrase "just for fun" to describe school.) I am getting a Master of Arts in English online from a reputable university. I have always been very interested in English (which is why it is my undergraduate degree) and wanted to further this love while pursuing my PhD. This will be something I do on the side that will not hinder my PhD but add to my understanding of what I teach and why I love literature, writing and grammar so much. Additionally, I feel this will aid in my future career endeavors by making me more marketable and competitive when I graduate.
5. Despite the craziness surrounding me, I have once again been reunited with my love for reading. Over the years, I have come to realize that if I do not read for fun, I am miserable and a not as nice of a person. I love reading and it is a way to unwind and relax for me. I have re-established my habit of reading every night before bed (which is so convenient with my ipad). Here is a list of my reads for this semester.
- the Nora Roberts MacKade series
- the Lisa Klepas Wallflower series
- the Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn)
- The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
and now I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
6. Another hobby I have become interested in again is running. I got out of it for a long time and have the extra weight gain to prove it. Now, I am determined to lose those extra pounds and running is the only way I can do that consistently. Sometimes, I run outside to enjoy the fresh air, but a lot of the time, I run on the treadmill for convenience. Plus, on the treadmill, I can read on my ipad while I run and then I don't even realize how long I run for. Double win.
7. My house again is finally coming together. I'm still convinced that decorating and putting together a complete house is something that is never finished. I just purchased my brand new bedroom (for the master) and my old room is moving to the guest room. It's definitely getting there and now, when I have guests, they have a place to sleep besides couches and the floor. :) I still have some work to do on my office/study and now, I want to repaint my bedroom but I'll wait until summer for that.
8. The best thing of all, my family, my friends and Jack are doing well and prospering. My family is still very supportive of all of my crazy endeavors and they try to help me in any way they can. They are all healthy and doing well. I can't ask for more than that. My friends are also supportive and helpful and have made life so much more fun, especially when I am stressed. I know I can count on them with a phone call, dinner or a movie to make things better. Jack, my sweet boy, is also doing great. Begging for food, petting and walks constantly but always ready with kisses and snuggling. He's really a great dog and the best little companion to have around.
Well, this is long enough and that's a lot of updating, so I'll leave it at that. I'm happy, blessed and prospering forward towards my dreams! Can't ask for a sweeter life than that.
-Tracey
