Spring break has passed, and what a busy busy week it was! I had a great time, though unfortunately did not dedicate much of it to that four letter foul word- "work". Instead, I went to Fredericksburg, antique shopped, played video games, and watched movies. I must be allergic to texas (or maybe just W'ford) b/c I got sick Sunday night and am still kinda feelin cruddy. But, spring break ends and life goes on! Or in my case, starts again....
Monday night, at about 3 am, I completed my thesis. Except of course, what Dr. Paris pointed out that most of us forgot- an abstract. Whoops, guess I'll be adding another page. Which, I'd rather not. Right now it is 50 pages, such a nice even beautiful number. 51 is just....bleh.
Anyways, so late late monday finally finished, reproofed for sleep-deprived errors the next afternoon and sent on to committee. I didn't quite get it in as early as I would have liked, but at this point I'm happy to have made the progress I did.
My oral defense is monday. I keep going back and forth between being so nervous I feel like throwing up, to feeling like its going to be a great experience thats not a huge deal.
Other things on the horizon....for quite a while I've been thinking about my next degree. Ok, I know that sounds pretentious, but I made it this far and before I did grad school I didn't know if I'd be smart enough for grad school. Turns out I do pretty good in grad school, by that I mean I understand the content, get good grades, and enjoy learning. Pursuing a doctorate has always been a secret ambition of mine....Doesn't Dr. Whitney or (to use my maiden nickname) Dr. Love, sound good?
So here's my ten-ish year plan. I'd like to eventually pursue a PhD. I've been encouraged to also/instead pursue a clinical degree, but if I do that I would still like to go on to a PhD program. The end goal here is to get a PhD oneday regardless. Here's my steps...and complications:
Step 1. Start looking for jobs that would support me as a PhD candidate in two years (have to work in the social work field first)
Step 2. Begin applying to PhD programs
Step 3. Work full time, take the least hours possible to complete PhD program (so will take a few years)
Sounds pretty reasonable, right? Here's my complication: babies babies everywhere!! Its like they're following me around, and they're just so darn cute! I must be getting paranoid, I'm pretty sure babies single me out at walmart to smile and wave at. Its like they're saying, "don't you want me? I'm so cute and lovable! Have one of me right now!" AHHHHH, its like a cute fuzzy nightmare. I love kids, and I'm so happy (and a bit jealous) of my friends who are having babies and are at a place in their life where they can do that. However, I've never had a "real" job besides internships, I have *gulp* as of today $62,000 in loans to pay back and I really want to achieve a doctorate degree. Logically, I know that right now its not a good idea with all of my student debt (not to mention Greg's) and the fact that I need to get my feet wet in the professional world. But also, there is something really big I at least want to start on first, and I don't want to put myself in a position where I must choose how to balance school/work/child...I've seen some people do it, and these people are just amazing, but I'd rather take the easy road.
That said, the temptation to have a million cute little Greg's is overwhelming, but not entirely plausible right now. I'm feeling pretty selfish about wanting to go on further in school, and don't think I'm willing to sacrifice on that unless I have to. I realize I haven't mentioned Greg's views during this tirade, and thats b/c he is deathly terrified of changing diapers.
In other news, I really need to go out and plant something. Garden plans to come!
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