A year?!

I can't believe it's been a year since I last posted...actually a little more than a year....I have a few started posts, but never actually finished one.  Let's hope this one sees the light of day.

A lot has happened in a year.  My last post spoke of my on-line dating experience.  Well, I am happy to report that not only was my last date successful but we are in happy couple bliss.  It's probably sickening to those around us.  I have to say that I have always felt lucky, but now I can say I am very lucky to not have only fallen in love once, but now twice.  And twice for real.  It doesn't happen for many, so I count my blessings.

Other developments in my life- I was promoted last February.  My new job has me balancing and keeping our department's very large budget and overseeing all of our assessment efforts.  It's been an interesting transition from working with staff and students every day, to just working mostly with numbers.  I have had the opportunity to get to know a whole different set of people on our campus, which opens up the picture of how a university works even more for me.  I miss my interactions with the live in staff, I have been thinking hard on how to fix this, but have yet to come up with a good idea.  If there are any suggestions, I will take them.

As for Albany, I have made the decision to take an "academic hiatus" from my program.  It started last Spring when I realized that I wanted to focus more on my personal life, and didn't want to spend my weekends completing homework.  So, my adviser and I sat down for a chat about what to do now, and decided that if I completed two classes this Fall, I could earn my Certificate of Advance Study, and be done with school for now.  My academic hiatus allows me time to really think over the idea of a PhD, and do the things I have been wanting to do with no guilt.  I try not to think of myself as a PhD drop out, hence the academic hiatus term. 

I have moved to PA and live in the woods.  I call it the farm, and have a ton of good stories about my life there.  My hope is to keep motivated with this blog and write about the farm, the chickens, ducks, and other things there.  Stay tuned...