Time has a way of changing people. I guess it really isn't so much time as it is everything that occurs during that space. I look back on the girl who started this blog and I see someone so different. I've changed. I've grown. I've learned so much about life, people, and relationships. It's time for the place where I pour my heart and empty my mind to change too. I haven't settled on any new blog names yet (suggestions always welcome!!) but when I do you all will be the first to know. Thank you for walking through this journey with me.
<3. E
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Jumping Hurdles
In junior high and high school I always wanted to be one of those runners that could jump hurdles. It looked….fun? tragically cool? One day I was somewhere- maybe some youth event or something- and there were hurdles. I had the great idea that I’d give it a try- no instructions, no training, no warm-up, nothing. I stood at the start and was convinced that I as missy long legs and I was cut out for it, regardless of whatever else I may be missing. I took my running start and BAM! I slammed right into the hurdle. I got myself up and told myself “E, you can do this..it looks so easy.” I walked back to the staring place and took my running start again……BAM! I slammed right into the hurdle a second time. This time it was my pride that hurt. I decided a couple tries was about all I was interested in giving this little hurdle jumping experience. It was a lot more than I had bargained for, let’s just say that.
Getting my PhD has been a lot like my experience jumping hurdles. I’m at the start of the track and I can see all the hurdles lined up before me- the GRE, Admissions, comprehensive exams, dissertation, and defending the dissertation. I’ve been out of school for a little while and quite frankly I’m a little out of shape, especially to be running the sprint I just started. And by sprint, I really mean like 100 yard dash. Estimated graduation time Spring of 2012. In fact, I’m already (almost) 5 classes down.
This Christmas I took the GRE. This was my biggest hurdle, or what I thought was going to be my biggest hurdle. Reading and test taking have never really been my strong point and having little time to study didn’t help my confidence level any. (not to mention I spent 2 weeks studying vocabulary reading the book upside down, oopsie!) I took the exam and on the first try I scored well over enough for admissions. The only explanation I have for passing the GRE is a lot of prayer and a bigger will for my life than what I can control. My second hurdle, gaining full (non-provisional) admissions, was pretty easy; the first hurdle was the only thing standing in my way. So, on the first day of class, exactly 2 hours before class started, I was granted full admissions into the program I’m already pretty much halfway through.
Until October, my big hurdles are out of the way. Although, that doesn’t mean that in the meantime I’m not training on some mini hurdles - “omg, what am I doing to myself” hurdles, reading assignments, papers, motivation, friends, priorities, work, sit at the computer and just cry hurdles, “omg, I can’t do this” hurdles, etc- some days are great days, other days are a lot like my very first experience jumping hurdles.... tragically uncool. I guess life has a funny way of working itself out and I got my hurdle jumping experience after all…
"The ability to succeed requires the realization of what one wants and the passionate desire to attain it."
Getting my PhD has been a lot like my experience jumping hurdles. I’m at the start of the track and I can see all the hurdles lined up before me- the GRE, Admissions, comprehensive exams, dissertation, and defending the dissertation. I’ve been out of school for a little while and quite frankly I’m a little out of shape, especially to be running the sprint I just started. And by sprint, I really mean like 100 yard dash. Estimated graduation time Spring of 2012. In fact, I’m already (almost) 5 classes down.
This Christmas I took the GRE. This was my biggest hurdle, or what I thought was going to be my biggest hurdle. Reading and test taking have never really been my strong point and having little time to study didn’t help my confidence level any. (not to mention I spent 2 weeks studying vocabulary reading the book upside down, oopsie!) I took the exam and on the first try I scored well over enough for admissions. The only explanation I have for passing the GRE is a lot of prayer and a bigger will for my life than what I can control. My second hurdle, gaining full (non-provisional) admissions, was pretty easy; the first hurdle was the only thing standing in my way. So, on the first day of class, exactly 2 hours before class started, I was granted full admissions into the program I’m already pretty much halfway through.
Until October, my big hurdles are out of the way. Although, that doesn’t mean that in the meantime I’m not training on some mini hurdles - “omg, what am I doing to myself” hurdles, reading assignments, papers, motivation, friends, priorities, work, sit at the computer and just cry hurdles, “omg, I can’t do this” hurdles, etc- some days are great days, other days are a lot like my very first experience jumping hurdles.... tragically uncool. I guess life has a funny way of working itself out and I got my hurdle jumping experience after all…
"The ability to succeed requires the realization of what one wants and the passionate desire to attain it."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
to Hungary and beyond....
Budapest has been very cold but a lot of fun. Seeing family and getting time to spend with them was really valuable.
After leaving the airport we went to an authentic Hungarian place and had dinner. I tried veal for the first time, surprisingly I really enjoyed it. It came with his noodle dumpling thing and a really fantastic sauce. Mmm.. For dessert we came home and had Hungarian style ice cream- that was very rich and creamy (much better than Blue Bell if you ask me). Over dessert we planned the next couple of days.
I got to visit a lot of historical places in Budapest. There was fresh snow on the ground so the pictures turned out really great.
Hero's Square
This place is a remembrance of the unknown soldiers and the Kings throughout history who have had a part in developing Hungary. Each kings statue has a picture below it that tells a piece of the history.
The Basillica
Parliament
Castles and Palaces
The architect here is so beautiful and rich. It adds a lot to the scenery and it all tells a story. I saw so many things I've forgotten which was which but the pictures are too beautiful not to share.
At this particular place (all the pics above) was a statue of Anonymous...you know the guy who wrote all those poems and has tons of quotes ;) Here he is....
A Palace
I even got to eat a little bit of Tex-Mex here in Hungary. I'll admit the burrito was pretty tasty at this place:
Some scenery and snow
My time in Budapest is up- time sure did fly. I'm headed back to Paris tomorrow to catch my flight back to the States on Friday. Next time I blog will more than likely be from Texas!!
After leaving the airport we went to an authentic Hungarian place and had dinner. I tried veal for the first time, surprisingly I really enjoyed it. It came with his noodle dumpling thing and a really fantastic sauce. Mmm.. For dessert we came home and had Hungarian style ice cream- that was very rich and creamy (much better than Blue Bell if you ask me). Over dessert we planned the next couple of days.
I got to visit a lot of historical places in Budapest. There was fresh snow on the ground so the pictures turned out really great.
Hero's Square
This place is a remembrance of the unknown soldiers and the Kings throughout history who have had a part in developing Hungary. Each kings statue has a picture below it that tells a piece of the history.
The Basillica
Parliament
Castles and Palaces
The architect here is so beautiful and rich. It adds a lot to the scenery and it all tells a story. I saw so many things I've forgotten which was which but the pictures are too beautiful not to share.
At this particular place (all the pics above) was a statue of Anonymous...you know the guy who wrote all those poems and has tons of quotes ;) Here he is....
A Palace
I even got to eat a little bit of Tex-Mex here in Hungary. I'll admit the burrito was pretty tasty at this place:
Some scenery and snow
My time in Budapest is up- time sure did fly. I'm headed back to Paris tomorrow to catch my flight back to the States on Friday. Next time I blog will more than likely be from Texas!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Pastries make me smile, a lot.
I have a lot to update on- I'll try to make my post a little bit shorter than the one a couple of days ago (but there is so much to tell you about, so no promises).
In France, or at least in Normandie, everything closes down on Sunday. It's kind of nice to think that everyone gets to enjoy a day off,but it's frustrating when you want something to eat. One of the only places open at 2 on Sunday afternoon was McDonalds (aka MacDo) so MacDo it was for lunch. This was unlike any McDonalds I've ever seen- it was three stories and pretty fancy, it even came complete with a bakery. Of course, I had to take a few pics.
I'm not entirely what these were for, but it looked as if you could place your oder electronically. I didn't go over to find out, unfortunately. But, i'm convinced this is the future of ordering at fast food places.
One other thing about France, and from what I'm realizing most of Europe, they don't have public bathrooms. In fact, in most places you have to have a receipt or pay to use them. At the MacDo's there was a sci fi bathroom you had to enter a code before the door would open. A bit weird and bad luck if you really had to go...I'm a woman, bathrooms are really important to us.
Since there wasn't many places open we spent time around Caen (in Normandie). I got to see William the Conquerer's castle and enjoy some really tasty pastries.
Some pics from the downtown of Caen:
The French may not smile much but they sure make up for it in their tasty pastries. Pastries, mmmm- I'm definitely my mother's child. :)
Nutella Donut thing- I can't spell the french name for it so this will have to do. :)
P.S. Nutella rocks. You should try it. Careful, it's addicting.
Lemon Tart
William the Conquerer's Castle:
This is a building inside the walls of the Castle, I'm not entirely sure what it is for, we didn't go in. But, I thought it was pretty all the same.
On the top of the castle you could see the skyline of Caen, it was beautiful. This picture captures some of that. I took a video but I haven't had any luck trying to upload any of the other ones I wanted to show you guys. So I'll have to find some place to put those.
After that we headed to a French theatre to see if we could catch a movie in English. We ended up seeing Another Year. I know, I know you're thinking "I've never heard of that movie!" and don't worry you aren't missing much- unless of course you really enjoy films that end at the most awkward moments with absolutely no resolution. :) The movie theatre looked like something out of 1990 complete with coffee bar and movie rental place. Of course, I snapped a couple pics.
Caen was a great little city with a lot of history. I wish I could have spent a couple more days there but I headed off to Hungary on Monday. I was greeted at the airport by some very familiar and smiling faces- my aunt, uncle, and three cousins. It was really nice to see them. They had flowers and Hungarian chocolate for me, that was an added bonus. I only get to see them a couple days every four years so I'm definitely looking forward to spending some time with them and of course seeing Budapest. The only downside, as my aunt says, it's hideously cold (-4 degrees celcius which is only about 20 degrees Fahrenheit) but there is so much snow! I can't wait to share some of those pictures with you.
In France, or at least in Normandie, everything closes down on Sunday. It's kind of nice to think that everyone gets to enjoy a day off,but it's frustrating when you want something to eat. One of the only places open at 2 on Sunday afternoon was McDonalds (aka MacDo) so MacDo it was for lunch. This was unlike any McDonalds I've ever seen- it was three stories and pretty fancy, it even came complete with a bakery. Of course, I had to take a few pics.
I'm not entirely what these were for, but it looked as if you could place your oder electronically. I didn't go over to find out, unfortunately. But, i'm convinced this is the future of ordering at fast food places.
One other thing about France, and from what I'm realizing most of Europe, they don't have public bathrooms. In fact, in most places you have to have a receipt or pay to use them. At the MacDo's there was a sci fi bathroom you had to enter a code before the door would open. A bit weird and bad luck if you really had to go...I'm a woman, bathrooms are really important to us.
Since there wasn't many places open we spent time around Caen (in Normandie). I got to see William the Conquerer's castle and enjoy some really tasty pastries.
Some pics from the downtown of Caen:
The French may not smile much but they sure make up for it in their tasty pastries. Pastries, mmmm- I'm definitely my mother's child. :)
Nutella Donut thing- I can't spell the french name for it so this will have to do. :)
P.S. Nutella rocks. You should try it. Careful, it's addicting.
Lemon Tart
William the Conquerer's Castle:
This is a building inside the walls of the Castle, I'm not entirely sure what it is for, we didn't go in. But, I thought it was pretty all the same.
On the top of the castle you could see the skyline of Caen, it was beautiful. This picture captures some of that. I took a video but I haven't had any luck trying to upload any of the other ones I wanted to show you guys. So I'll have to find some place to put those.
After that we headed to a French theatre to see if we could catch a movie in English. We ended up seeing Another Year. I know, I know you're thinking "I've never heard of that movie!" and don't worry you aren't missing much- unless of course you really enjoy films that end at the most awkward moments with absolutely no resolution. :) The movie theatre looked like something out of 1990 complete with coffee bar and movie rental place. Of course, I snapped a couple pics.
Caen was a great little city with a lot of history. I wish I could have spent a couple more days there but I headed off to Hungary on Monday. I was greeted at the airport by some very familiar and smiling faces- my aunt, uncle, and three cousins. It was really nice to see them. They had flowers and Hungarian chocolate for me, that was an added bonus. I only get to see them a couple days every four years so I'm definitely looking forward to spending some time with them and of course seeing Budapest. The only downside, as my aunt says, it's hideously cold (-4 degrees celcius which is only about 20 degrees Fahrenheit) but there is so much snow! I can't wait to share some of those pictures with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)