Taking a break...

I wanted to wish everyone a very HAPPY HOLIDAY! I will get back to blogging soon!

There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction. Winston Churchill

I found this quote and thought it would be perfect for me to re-start my blogging. I have taken a very long break, and have lots to blog about. However, for those that actually read this, let me update you on two things of importance going on in my life:

1. Dissertation is going...slowly, but its going. Estimated completion is March.
2. Changing locations...moving to Chicago; which is why I selected the quote in my heading. This is a good thing...more to come.

I am packed and ready to go...but will start blogging again soon.

Life has happened...and continues to

Yes, I have been very negligent in blogging; however, those that know me, know that life has a way of sneaking up on you. I had a VERY nice conversation with a VERY GOOD friend of mine today. It was nice to be able to talk to someone that I respect and admire, and know that we have similar things going on in our lives. I have always known she was strong; after today's conversation it is now confirmed. Hang in there...it WILL get better.

I will make every attempt to blog more, especially now since dissertation "fun" begins Monday - I am planning to wrap it up in no more than six months; I have a lot of the pre-work already done and am ready to get my committee started on approval.

STAY TUNED!!

COMPS COMPLETE

Yes folks as of 8PM yesterday February 7, 2008; I have complete my Comprehensive Exams. After the issue with my hard drive being erased, I am confident that the work I turned in (although full of commas) was quality work. Now, I wait...5 day for the committee to read them and tell me if I pass or if I have to re-write any. I am confident that there will be no re-writes, and that I can move onto the next phase of my journey.

WOW...as soon as I find out I have passed, I will then be known as a PhD Candidate; then only 6-10 months (max) before completion of my dissertation.

I could DIE...

Yes, i could die tonight. I have been working on my Comprehensive Exams for the last 2 weeks and tonight my hard drive takes a dump and ALL of the materials I have been collecting for the last 4 years are now gone...POOF...just like that. Yes, it was backed up; but the computer I backed it up on was the one that fried last month which is why I bought a new one and promised myself I wouldn't back my work up on it. I have been saving things at school, so lets hope the Tech Specialist hasn't cleaned up the unwanted things on the server.

Yes, it is terrible....yes, I want to cry (and perhaps will)...yes it is going to cost me about $500 to recover said data and if they can't I will most definitely cry! Yes, most definitely!!!

I am taking tomorrow off so as to sit in front of the computer and try and put my words on paper again...I hope it is better this time.

THANK GOD IT WASN'T MY DISSERTATION.

Comprehensive Exams to Dissertation

Well, this is to let you know that while I am not neglecting my blogging, i am working on my COMPS that are due 2/9, so blogging will be limited. In addition, once those are done I will be starting my dissertation journey and will have plenty to blog about, and promise to make time and effort to do so.

Thanks to all of my friends that follow this blog.

It's Holiday Time....

Please forgive me while I take a break....I'll be visiting friends and family for the holiday and then attending a conference. See you when I get back!

Winter Wonder Land?

So, due to Snow in Las Vegas! all public schools in the LV Valley are closed, so teachers and students were given a "Snow Day". We'll have to make it up later, but who cares....only ONE day until Winter Break.

This was funny to me because I am originally from Chicago and the snow is nothing like I am used to there. Hey, who am I to complain...if you are reading this you're probably in your classroom right now (unless you are off for break already)...LOL!

Have a great day and a wonderful Holiday!!

Finally...there is a light, barely but it is there.

I HAVE DONE IT....I have completed four classes this quarter, bringing to a close my coursework for my PhD. What's next? relaxation...HAHA, no I have to be in CA for a week long colloquium to meet my Mentor and get my ideas together for my COMPS - which is a cumulative exam showing that I know what I am talking about and know how to do research. This is great, but I'll be calling on my friends (OK, only ONE and she knows who she is) to read them and be sure they are written well. Anyway, that is from JAN to MARCH. Then 2 weeks off before I go into dissertation mode and completely ignore my family, friends and other responsibilities.

I'm sure it will go quicker than i think...LOL, yeah right.

Crushing the Dark Side

OK, well I promised to keep you informed of the outcome between myself, Principal Palpatine and Sally Slacker.

After emailing the Emperors office about the situation, I received a call from Palpatine stating that Sally would be put into a class at another school to complete the credit and then attempted to deflect the blame by stating that I mis-interpreted the communication from her office.

The grade was changed, the parent was on board and Palpatine was thrown under the starship. I feel for the other instructor who had a similar problem and was summoned by Palpatine to meet with all involved.

All-in-All I am glad that this was put on the radar; hopefully Palpatine will not be allowed to made decisions without teacher consent.