For many years, I had a post-Master's degree plan. I would take a year off to search for work and if nothing came, I would start a Ph.D. Well, that is exactly what is happening. I really thought I would find full-time employment. There are just no jobs out there. At least, nothing for which I am qualified or for which I would be willing to postpone a doctorate. So, let's catch up.
After all the educational setbacks over the past year (detailed in earlier blogs), I finally got into a program that seems like it will work itself out without setbacks (I'm still holding my breath). I was accepted into Florida State University to pursue a Ph.D. in History. I still could not believe I was accepted. Surreal. Anyway, right now I am leaning towards a focus in African-American history because it is the one thing that just really strikes my fancy. I also enjoy modern American history and southern history. My principal interest is, of course, the Civil Rights Movement. But for now, I'm accepted.
Not only was I accepted into FSU, they selected me for one of their assistantships! To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was absolutely humbled by this. My professors said they expected it, Joel wasn't surprised at all, but I really had written off the funding. The funding is very important, not only because it pays your tuition and allows you to earn a stipend, but it shows people that your program has faith in you. In other words, it makes you more hireable after graduation. I was willing to go to school even without the funding. I had already prepared myself by getting an out-of-state tuition waiver from the Academic Common Market. I planned on paying for the in-state with a loan. I was just going to drive to FSU on Mondays for class and have the rest of the week off. However, this assistantship changed all that. Now, I will be working as a 'Gordon-rule grader' so I have to attend a US History (to 1865) class on MWF and I will be grading 3000-word essays from up to 180 students. Shoot me now. If there is ONE thing I HATE about teaching, it is grading. This one is a time soaker, too. I can only imagine how long this will take. I learned from my undergrad though, that if you make a rubric things will go faster, so that is the plan. This semester is going to be the death of me, but I have never been one to let anything get the best of me. Evidently, to have an assistantship, one must also take 12 hours. That is three classes at the doctoral level. I never took three classes during my M.A. so this is a big step for me. Hopefully, Brayden will be getting easier and easier to deal with since he is getting older. All the other motherly duties will have to be delegated. I just keep telling myself that I can do it. I want to do it. The good thing is, if I go at it three classes at a time it shouldn't take me too long to finish the coursework. My advisor said four semesters, but I need to confirm that for myself.
Okay, enough about my Ph.D. WE MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOUSE!!!! I can't even remember the status of our home purchase when last I blogged, but on February 7, 2012 we closed on the house. This may seem silly, but it really changed our lives. We were crammed into that tiny house for the last nine years. It was okay when it was just me, Jake, and Bailey. However, with five of us, it was cramped. We moved into this house and immediately had about 700 more square feet of living space. Jacob and Bailey finally have their own sizeable bedrooms. Brayden sleeps with us so he doesn't necessarily need a bedroom, but all of his things are in Bailey's room so we call it theirs. There is a second floor that is unfinished but will had about a thousand square feet of living space. We plan to put in a bedroom for Jacob, a gameroom, a guest bedroom, and a full bath up there. This is going to be a costly addition so we put it off for a little while. Hopefully this year though. Meanwhile, we have been getting things situated downstairs and outside. We bought a new dining room table to fit the five of us and a new big comfy recliner, among other things. Anyway, my point is we are just so much happier. Living less than a quarter mile from my dad's house is also a plus. The kids love hopping on their bicycles and being at his house in a minute or two.
Okay, I think that is all for now.
