So thank God for the courage to make that awkward phone call to my last committee member's cell phone last week Thursday.
In a moment of pure desperation, I sat in the back of the computer lab where I was working and dialed the number that would help break the deafening silence of unanswered emails and calls to her office phone. The result: we scheduled a meeting for today during her office hours.
I arrived at 4:30 en punto! Midway through the session I heard words that almost made me shout in my seat and ALL the way home. In a nutshell, she confirmed that she would contact my advisor and give the final go ahead to schedule a defense date.
Praise Jesus!!!
We accomplished a lot of other stuff during the next half hour, but those words about scheduling were definitely THE most important.
Now, actually securing the date is the next milestone, but I will acknowledge and celebrate ALL victories en route to the ultimate destination.
#WontHeDoIt
#ThankYou
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Hello. Is ANYONE home?
When you get to the dissertation stage you know that you've embarked on an uphill battle. Of this stage, I have often said "It is NO ONE else's urgency that I graduate". This statement makes it clear to me that I have to drive this process…well, as much as I can.
These past two weeks have been a little frustrating. It's like you get to step on the gas for a little bit and then out of nowhere there's a stall.
The gist of it is I feel like I've been sending emails into a vortex. Since my last meetings with committee members, I've made revisions and sent them out…and I've been tapping my fingers ever since. It seems like EVERYONE checked out or is allergic to the reply button.
Whatever the reason(s), it's been making me feel very unsettled. While I know that I am NOT the only priority in the lives of my committee members I do wish this process was much more transparent and smooth. I know, every journey is destined to have its hills and valleys, I was just hoping for way more hills.
In the midst of my tantrum this past week, I returned to doing my affirmations. As part of that process I realize that I need to work on transforming things that I have control over…which includes how I think and react to the happenings in this process.
I can stand to transform my language about NOT being a priority to anyone to focusing on affirming my May 2015 graduation. I don't have to be swept up in the ebbs and flow of what everyone else does or doesn't do because I know, ultimately, my destiny is ordained by a force bigger and more powerful than any of us.
This doesn't mean that I will play a passive role. I claim today that I am an important and active agent in this process. I release the idea of being a nag and embrace the fact that I will actively use my voice powerfully to make requests from my committee members or others who are important to helping me move this process along.
I also claim that NONE of this is personal. I do not have to make this feel like it's a battle between me and anyone else, or that actions/inactions are intended on stopping my progress. I release this kind of thinking in order to free myself up from being caught in ego and anger.
I boldly ask the Universe to align the elements so that I can have everything that I need to achieve my goal of graduating in May 2015.
That's all I got.
Stay tuned.
These past two weeks have been a little frustrating. It's like you get to step on the gas for a little bit and then out of nowhere there's a stall.
The gist of it is I feel like I've been sending emails into a vortex. Since my last meetings with committee members, I've made revisions and sent them out…and I've been tapping my fingers ever since. It seems like EVERYONE checked out or is allergic to the reply button.
Whatever the reason(s), it's been making me feel very unsettled. While I know that I am NOT the only priority in the lives of my committee members I do wish this process was much more transparent and smooth. I know, every journey is destined to have its hills and valleys, I was just hoping for way more hills.
In the midst of my tantrum this past week, I returned to doing my affirmations. As part of that process I realize that I need to work on transforming things that I have control over…which includes how I think and react to the happenings in this process.
I can stand to transform my language about NOT being a priority to anyone to focusing on affirming my May 2015 graduation. I don't have to be swept up in the ebbs and flow of what everyone else does or doesn't do because I know, ultimately, my destiny is ordained by a force bigger and more powerful than any of us.
This doesn't mean that I will play a passive role. I claim today that I am an important and active agent in this process. I release the idea of being a nag and embrace the fact that I will actively use my voice powerfully to make requests from my committee members or others who are important to helping me move this process along.
I also claim that NONE of this is personal. I do not have to make this feel like it's a battle between me and anyone else, or that actions/inactions are intended on stopping my progress. I release this kind of thinking in order to free myself up from being caught in ego and anger.
I boldly ask the Universe to align the elements so that I can have everything that I need to achieve my goal of graduating in May 2015.
That's all I got.
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
33 and Thank You.
33 was one of the best birthdays ever.
It started with a simple intention to have a great time. God set the foundation with a beautiful day and Lawrence came out to help me celebrate.
We rented a car to get around the DMV. After breakfast at our favorite spot (where the waiter sang me happy birthday all by himself) we took a ride to Great Falls Park in Virginia. Talk about beautiful. The sites were magnificent. I hugged trees, and two elders named Trish and Patricia (pics to come), and said prayers of thanks to the waters.
It was the perfect place to reflect on gratitude. To think about all that God has allowed me to see and experience while here for the past 33 years. I'm grateful.
After taking that all in we took advantage of having the car and did some outlet shopping and ran local errands.
Later on that evening we headed to The National Harbor. There, I got to take a late night ride on a brightly lit Ferris wheel suspended over the water. That was a first for me. I got a chance to face and conquer some fears and to practice faith!
After coming down from the ride some friends joined us in celebration over dinner. The restaurant was a really nice place to bring the celebration to a close. We were surrounded by ornate life-sized statues of Buddha and beautiful Asian art in every corner of the place…including the bathrooms. The food was delightful, the conversation was fun, and I even got gifts to take home from the establishment.
Although I laid down at the end of the night all tuckered out from a full day of celebrating, to my surprise the birthday fun didn't stop there. It would actually last for a full week.
I traveled home on Friday to celebrate with my mom. Shortly after getting off the bus, my little sister surprised both of us with a date night. We got taken limo-style to the movies and to dinner and were even gifted again at Starbucks with free treats in honor of our birthdays.
The next few days I got to spend with my family. I took my baby niece to a play and got to hang out with my god-daughter and one of my best friends. On Sunday, I made it to church in the morning only to be welcomed home again with another celebratory dinner courtesy of my Mama. There was food and red velvet cupcakes and vegan chocolate bacon brownies. Talk about deelish…and talk about feeling special. I was truly surprised and really happy.
For the last leg of celebratory fun, I got to hang out with my college buddies and all the new babies and to attend the MAAFA with my older sister and mom.
As I recap these experiences on the morning of my return home to the DMV, I really give thanks. God blessed me and helped me make good on my intention to usher in 33 with joy.
A few weeks ago, I was challenged to take account of the things I'm grateful for. I'll end this post by sharing these things with you.
Thank You God for allowing/creating/gifting me with these:
Breath
Insight
Self-consciousness
Divine Grace
You
Humor, fun, laughter
Love
Being here on purpose
Family
friends
God working things out
Reality TV
Safety
Angels
Precious & Puma
Nieces
Inside jokes
Silence
Solitude
Company
Girlfriends
Being Me
Compassion
Family
My Mama & Siblings
Love
Clarity
Progress
God working things out for me in BIG ways ALL the time
Limbs to go out on
The opportunity to ask for help
Divinity
Grace
Peace in my spirit
Me
Release
Transformation
Courage
Moments to process and start over
Do overs
Unexpected Fun
Lawrence
Romantic partnership
Sleep
Noticeable improvements in my writing
Reclaiming my voice
Self-reflection
Birthday Plans
Companionship
Today
It started with a simple intention to have a great time. God set the foundation with a beautiful day and Lawrence came out to help me celebrate.
We rented a car to get around the DMV. After breakfast at our favorite spot (where the waiter sang me happy birthday all by himself) we took a ride to Great Falls Park in Virginia. Talk about beautiful. The sites were magnificent. I hugged trees, and two elders named Trish and Patricia (pics to come), and said prayers of thanks to the waters.
It was the perfect place to reflect on gratitude. To think about all that God has allowed me to see and experience while here for the past 33 years. I'm grateful.
After taking that all in we took advantage of having the car and did some outlet shopping and ran local errands.
Later on that evening we headed to The National Harbor. There, I got to take a late night ride on a brightly lit Ferris wheel suspended over the water. That was a first for me. I got a chance to face and conquer some fears and to practice faith!
After coming down from the ride some friends joined us in celebration over dinner. The restaurant was a really nice place to bring the celebration to a close. We were surrounded by ornate life-sized statues of Buddha and beautiful Asian art in every corner of the place…including the bathrooms. The food was delightful, the conversation was fun, and I even got gifts to take home from the establishment.
Although I laid down at the end of the night all tuckered out from a full day of celebrating, to my surprise the birthday fun didn't stop there. It would actually last for a full week.
I traveled home on Friday to celebrate with my mom. Shortly after getting off the bus, my little sister surprised both of us with a date night. We got taken limo-style to the movies and to dinner and were even gifted again at Starbucks with free treats in honor of our birthdays.
The next few days I got to spend with my family. I took my baby niece to a play and got to hang out with my god-daughter and one of my best friends. On Sunday, I made it to church in the morning only to be welcomed home again with another celebratory dinner courtesy of my Mama. There was food and red velvet cupcakes and vegan chocolate bacon brownies. Talk about deelish…and talk about feeling special. I was truly surprised and really happy.
For the last leg of celebratory fun, I got to hang out with my college buddies and all the new babies and to attend the MAAFA with my older sister and mom.
As I recap these experiences on the morning of my return home to the DMV, I really give thanks. God blessed me and helped me make good on my intention to usher in 33 with joy.
A few weeks ago, I was challenged to take account of the things I'm grateful for. I'll end this post by sharing these things with you.
Thank You God for allowing/creating/gifting me with these:
Breath
Insight
Self-consciousness
Divine Grace
You
Humor, fun, laughter
Love
Being here on purpose
Family
friends
God working things out
Reality TV
Safety
Angels
Precious & Puma
Nieces
Inside jokes
Silence
Solitude
Company
Girlfriends
Being Me
Compassion
Family
My Mama & Siblings
Love
Clarity
Progress
God working things out for me in BIG ways ALL the time
Limbs to go out on
The opportunity to ask for help
Divinity
Grace
Peace in my spirit
Me
Release
Transformation
Courage
Moments to process and start over
Do overs
Unexpected Fun
Lawrence
Romantic partnership
Sleep
Noticeable improvements in my writing
Reclaiming my voice
Self-reflection
Birthday Plans
Companionship
Today
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Wolf Trap with the Bestie!
Lately, I've been avoiding looking at all the coupon-based emails that I get every day. In effort to save money, I figured that if I don't know what's on sale, I won't be led to buy! Makes sense to me.
Well, the other day I cheated a little and took a sneak peak at the Living Social deals for the week. I did so partly in procrastination mode and partly in preparation for a visit from my best friend. Let's just say I'm super glad I went against my word.
I ended up finding really cheap tickets to a Cirque show in Virginia. It was at this really awesome Noah's Ark-esque outdoor facility called Wolf Trap Filene Center. The venue is a historic site where they put on shows all summer long. There were tons of families camping out on the lawn, several people on dates, elder couples who seemed like staples in the community, and me and my best friend from elementary school.
We were treated to this spectacular jungle themed circus show full of amazing costumes and talents. It was inspiring to see the creativity and some much needed fun.
I'll be sure to go back there for something in the future. Just wanted to make sure to document some of the good that goes on in this journey to balance out the Phd woes and whining!
That is all.
Well, the other day I cheated a little and took a sneak peak at the Living Social deals for the week. I did so partly in procrastination mode and partly in preparation for a visit from my best friend. Let's just say I'm super glad I went against my word.
I ended up finding really cheap tickets to a Cirque show in Virginia. It was at this really awesome Noah's Ark-esque outdoor facility called Wolf Trap Filene Center. The venue is a historic site where they put on shows all summer long. There were tons of families camping out on the lawn, several people on dates, elder couples who seemed like staples in the community, and me and my best friend from elementary school.
We were treated to this spectacular jungle themed circus show full of amazing costumes and talents. It was inspiring to see the creativity and some much needed fun.
I'll be sure to go back there for something in the future. Just wanted to make sure to document some of the good that goes on in this journey to balance out the Phd woes and whining!
That is all.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
The turtle race.
This is THE WORST waiting game ever.
Waiting to secure a location for data collection. Waiting for feedback. Waiting to figure out if you're really gonna make these deadlines that determine graduation.
It's a long, scary process.
You try not to fear. You try to keep strong in your faith. You try to release doubt and anxiety.
It definitely has its tightrope moments.
God, I know You got me. You know what's in my heart.
So, I'll just keep praying…and pushing…and, ultimately, trusting.
Waiting to secure a location for data collection. Waiting for feedback. Waiting to figure out if you're really gonna make these deadlines that determine graduation.
It's a long, scary process.
You try not to fear. You try to keep strong in your faith. You try to release doubt and anxiety.
It definitely has its tightrope moments.
God, I know You got me. You know what's in my heart.
So, I'll just keep praying…and pushing…and, ultimately, trusting.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)