Making a home

While I was in Texas I was able to go see Leigh's new home. She had mentioned that it seemed more like home once I visited. I really didn't understand what she was saying until this last week. LeAnn came and visited me for three nights. It was just like old times at 618. We talked about everything (I think we might have actually figured out how to save the world), ate way too many cookies, and laughed at American Idol. With her here my apartment seemed more like home than ever. I realized how true Leigh was about her home. I can't wait for more of my inner circle to visit to assist as I continue to make Greensboro my home.

YES!!!!

YES! I have a chair for my dissertation committee. I met with the prof on Tuesday. After a wonderful discussion she agreed to work with me. I have to admit I was walking a little easier after the conversation. I have a hard time believing that this is all real. It was a year ago that I was traveling here for my interview. After I returned back to Texas I was certain that I would not be accepted. Now I am in my second semester of the program and have a chair. It is really weird where we end up during this journey. I would have never imagined in a million years that I would be in a Ph.D. program in Greensboro, NC. As I think back to this last year I am a little overwhelmed with everything that has happened. At the same time I am blessed. Blessed to have such an amazing life and blessed to have this opportunity.

Chair Drama

I knew with the beginning of this semester would come the process of choosing a dissertation chair. Although this might not seem like a hard thing to do, it has become very stressful. This might be because everyone has told me that it will be one of the most important decisions that I will make, but in the same breath they say that I can’t make a bad choice!!!! Over Christmas I gave the decision some thought, but tried not to worry too much. I knew that I had the whole semester to get things together and make my decision… if only things would have been so easy. As I returned I was faced with the reality that many others had already made such a decision. My stress level quickly elevated and I knew I had to get with the program. Even though I couldn’t make a “bad choice” I was terrified. I had already decided who I wanted, but as I started to email the professor I panicked. Was this the right decision? What happens if I should have picked someone else? What if the prof doesn’t want to do it? As questions flooded my mind, I realized I just need to do it. I am discovering that half of this process is just having to make decisions (if I want to graduate anytime soon). So I have a meeting set up with a professor next Tuesday! It is hard to believe that I am putting together the group of four individuals who will walk with me through the dissertation process. I know this is just the first of many big decisions that I will have to make.

Back Home?

I am back in Greensboro, but I am struggling to say I am back home. Of course NC is my new home, but it does not exactly feel that way. On the other hand, Texas is no longer home either. My family lives their and most of my friends, but it is no longer my home. So I guess this leaves me homeless. Yes I have a nice apartment where my belongings rest, but the place of home does not exist at the moment. I have left the home that I knew so well and I am struggling to make a new home. Making a new home takes time and it does not happen overnight. I do think my trip to Texas over Christmas assisted me in this process. Although I had said bye to the place half a year ago, it wasn’t until this trip that I let go. I really can’t explain it, but as I was driving down the ever lovely 35 I knew leaving this time was different. I will come back and see friends, but I must move on with my life. I have to make my new home and I can’t even start such an adventure until I let go of the things of the past.