A Day in the Life of a Master(s) of Education

So recently I celebrated a landmark birthday. I had a blast and when I look back at where I am versus where I thought I would be, I'm surprised but pleased. The road here hasn't been easy (though I doubt anyone's has been) but the ride has been remarkable . I've grown to love my perfections and imperfections. I am still learning and growing and all the while I am surrounded by the most amazing people who cry for me, laugh at me and love me fully .  I'm not sure what lies around the corner but I am excited to see.   Until next post, laters

It's me again! Your friendly neighborhood blogger. Since I have made a promise to myself to be more active and the like, I figured I'd take this opportunity to post about a recent impromptu trip to Amsterdam. A couple of years ago, we had an intern at work. We became friends, flash forward and life has brought us to the same side of the pond again albeit her in the Netherlands and me in the UK. Nonetheless we took the opportunity to travel together and explore. What a beautiful city! We met several new friends and walked and ate and drank our way from one canal to another. Highlights include: The Heinekein Brewery Eating mini pancakes Eating waffles Street art all around the city Canal boat cruise The Sex Museum Walking the Red Light District Going to a coffee shop Dancing the night away at several bars/clubs Though it was the most exhausting 48hrs I've had in a long time, every moment was worth it! I look forward to exploring Ams...

Sometimes I lay in bed thinking about the day and wonder..."did the reality meet the expectation?" It's a double edged sword approach to life. One side is great! You exceeded the expectations you set for yourself. The other side: Well crap, why are you setting expectations and possibly setting yourself up for failure and/or disappointment. Today fell to the crap side. Today I had high hopes but then by the end (aka bedtime) I found myself faced with the reality of the day. If I'm being honest the day sucked.  In several months I won't remember why it sucked nor possibly even care but in this moment, it sucked. New question/approach....if you can't remember why the day didn't meet your expectations does that day matter? Until next (hopefully more cheerful post) post, later

Hello out there blogger world So it's been over a month now since this little experiment called "Grad School" has begun. Unlike a proper scientist I have not done a very good job of taking notes, making observations etc. I will continue to try harder and make an actual plan of attack instead of just thinking about blogging more. After all this is as much for me as it is for you guys out there. I still fondly look back at some of my posts from the college days. Alright let's get down to business "to defeat the Huns" (sorry I couldn't resist) What's been happening you say....well I have made friends with my classmates or as they call them here coursemates. We usually have lunch together and have even hung out outside of class! Gasp! They are a good little group of diverse people from literally all over the world. Speaking of coursework, I'm finally getting a handle on the expectations and level of reading required but still feel like I'm ...

Hello out there blogshere, It's been one week since you looked at me, cocked your head to the side and said you loved me....okay I know that those are not the actual lyrics to the classic Bare Naked Ladies song "One Week" but I have been watching a lot of Big Bang Theory as of late so they as well as Star Trek references are stuck in my head. Also holy run-on sentence Batman! I can't promise you that I'll stop these references but I can promise you that they will become infrequent at some point. Nonetheless on to the matter at hand...I've been in England for over a week now, thus time for some observations of note: Some English people speak like they have marbles in their mouths and I have to have them repeat things several times and slow down before I even start to understand them I think I have made friends but also am not sure because I don't ever make plans with my "friends" I make an effort to leave my room everyday, even if it...

So now that you are all caught up on what has been happening in the last 2.5 years behind the scenes time to catch up on the last 72hrs. I got on a plane from Atlanta with a direct flight to London Heathrow. This came after spending the afternoon with the boy and watching his band play in one of the biggest shows they have ever had. It served as a good last memory. The flight was relatively unmemorable, food was okay and I only got air sickness once (though the mix of alcohol, turkey leg, corn dog & chicken with a spicy red sauce may have been the true culprit). After landing, quickly retrieving my bags (only packed 2, very proud of that) and making it through customs without a hitch I caught my bus to Leicester City. One 2 hour bus ride and 10 minute taxi ride later and I checked into my dorm. Since I am an international grad student they have to offer me campus housing. I didn't get my first preference which would have been a full apartment but I did receive my second. I ...

Well ello out there blogger world! Is there anyone out there? Alas time for an update as there have been many changes on my front. There has been so many that bullet points seem the best, so here we go: made the decision to go to grad school started looking for a program that interested me decided that Education was it decided did not want to teach in a classroom found a program that fit possible career goals applied for that program  didn't get in went back to the drawing board found out about programs in the UK applied for programs got it (happy dance) got new title & role at job (happy dance) enjoying new position at work gnawing feeling about grad school defer grad school gnawing feeling grows talk to boy about school make the decision to go to grad school accept position at grad school quit job (cry a lot) leave family & friends stateside (cry more) start school in UK (cry again) All caught up? I barely am so if you aren't that...

Sometimes you remember how things really are and not what you want them to be. At times that makes a wave of overwhelming sadness happen. At times it only last a few moments,  sometimes longer. Sometimes you just want it to be over. Sometimes.

Spent the weekend hanging with my family. Took my brother & nephew to their first con...and it was a blast. Even got to see Will Wheaton & John Barrowman! As per usual David Tennant elluded me. Sunday was all about hanging with the parental units,  even took them to see a movie (which has become our thing) and had popcorn and an icee like the good ole days. Tomorrow will be a day of friends who've become family and then back to by babes. Overall it's been a great trip. Until next post......laters

LJ had a tragic accident on Monday May 8th. My road dog and the best cuddler I've ever known is no longer with me but I will always love him. The adventures we took together and times we had will help sustain me in this time. Though the crying is uncontrollable, one day it will not be as frequent. Missing you Lord Jaymeson!!

10 years ago today on a bright Monday morning while sitting in my 8am 150 person lecture, my professor commented on how empty it was. One student mentioned that West AJ was on lockdown because someone fell out of their bed. We chuckled. We continued class. While walking next to the Drillfield to my 9am Chem lab, several police cars drove by. I immediately called my father and told him I was ok but something very wrong was happening on campus. I could have never imagined how wrong it was. Today & everyday I remember those I knew personally and those who were just a part of my Hokie family that I never met. I will continue to prevail.  Always and forever I am a #Hokie #NeverForget #Livefor32

I'm a planner. I haven't always been though.  When I started college I wanted to do EVERYTHING and quickly found out that I could not actually wake up at 5am, be at Crew practice until 7am, in class until 4pm, work until 8pm, eat, sleep, develop a social life and have passing grades. At least not without some careful planning.  So I adapted and became a planner. I believe that everyone is an individual and we go about things in our own unique way...that's fine until you show a blatant disrespect of my PLANNING. Everyone doesn't live and die by their planners  (digital calendar app lol) but I do and so when I plan something with you and you can't make it or haven't made it clear from the beginning that you need some flexibility in time...and don't say anything about it? Hell hath no fury like a planner scorned. I will curse you. I will cut you off. I will find a way to punish you. And I will plan it out. Respect my time, it's limited and precious.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!! You can say it is just a commercial holiday, but who cares!! It is just another day for us celebrate one of God's greatest gifts...to love and be loved in return

Stole this quote from a TV show I watch. It's been playing a bigger role in my mentality lately. Life has been a bigger and bigger Rollercoaster of late and these words have helped to ground me mentally. In a world full of uncertainty I have found comfort in such a simple phrase. Until next post laters

Today I am hurt. I am sadden by the view people have of me. I am really this person? How do I change it? Should I?  So many doubts, I don't know how to deal. In my mind I was to buckle down and address the issues at hand...in reality I just want to walk away. Fight or Flight? Sink or Swim? I need time to figure it out but it's the most limiting factor of all. Ugh. Until next post laters

Recently saw the latest Disney movie "Moana" and as can be expected...I love it.   The music of course is one of my favorite parts and so I received the soundtrack from J as a gift. Thankfully soundtracks generally have the lyrics to songs. I'm going to share some of my favorites now so that I can reflect on them later: "You are your father's daughter Stubbornness and pride Mind what he says, but remember You may hear a voice inside And if the voice starts to whisper To follow the farthest star Moana that voice inside is who you are" -Where You Are Another great one is... "Sometimes the world seems against you The journey may leave a scar But scars can heal and reveal just Where you are The people you love will change you The things you have learned will guide you And nothing on earth can silence The quiet voice still inside you" -I Am Moana I am always amazed how well songwriters can capture feelings through musical arrangements...

What happens next...what remains to be seen of course.  Time to make a stand. And say goodbye to those bygone days of nothingness

Every day is another opportunity to be the best version of yourself. Today my best version consists of sleeping in, finishing a book that I've had on my list for months and getting excited to play board games with one of my favorite people. You only get what you put in or something like that....until next post... laters

Day 3 of 2017 and I've already failed at keeping the resolutions

Here we go down a new yet familiar road. Here we are thinking of the future and reflecting on the past. It's that time again and I greet it with a cautioned optimism. Hello 2017. I'm ready come what may....until next post laters