Field Interview #2

Boy, this data collection phase of the thesis is SO much fun!! I did my second field interview last week, and finished transcribing the audio today. Good thing too, because my third interview is scheduled for later this week.

I can't believe how much I am learning by being in the field and interviewing people, I am SO excited to start talking to the classes of 7th graders next week.

What did I learn this time you ask?

I had more fun only audio-recording the interview instead of trying to type up notes as I went along. It was so much more natural, and I think it was easier to segue way into follow-up questions without the clickety-clackety of my keyboard (besides, my hands would be sore enough after transcribing anyway).

I can already see my findings chapter (Ch4) beginning to shape up, although I might ask my former COMM prof to help me organize all my data when my fieldwork is over.

But seriously, all the stress,headaches, and tears of last semester have all been worth it to get to this point.

I can't wait to hear about what the 7th graders have to think!

Masters Thesis vs. Babies

You know, I'm so close to being done with school, I can hardly stand it. And while many of my friends and cousins are about to experience parenthood for the first or second or third time, I can't help but compare writing my Masters Thesis to that of a gestating and birthing a child.

Preparing
I cannot tell you how much research went into my topic, much like how much thought can go into deciding to have kids (i.e. weighing the pros and cons, affordability, etc.). You finally conclude that yes, you're ready and it's something you really really want.

First Trimester
Holy cow, this is happening. What is the project going to be? Researching becomes super specific. The thought of not finishing on time makes you want to vomit, like, all the time. You're prone to headaches every time you stop and think about all the time and work you have to invest in this. Basically, you live in fear that you can't do it, and constantly worry about biting off more than you can chew as you wait for IRB approval.

Second Trimester
Once you have board approval and you've assembled nearly every piece of research even close to your topic, you're feeling pretty good and ready to start your fieldwork. The persistent nauseated feeling has passed, unless you bit off more than you can chew (i.e. trying to do and interview and transcribe the audio, and code the data all in one day). The cravings set in because you forget to eat here and there, and end up binge-eating ice cream at all hours of the night as you code your data.

Third Trimester
The information you have gathered in the field seemingly migrates from your head to your belly. The hardest part is over right? It's time to start writing. Oh, so much writing. Just when you think you're done, there's just a little bit more to do. The headaches are back, you have nightmares that you're going to fail, and still have random cravings. Insomnia kicks in, and you are uncomfortable all the time because you can't relax.

Preparing for Delivery
You've written the chapters, and now it's time to present. You've run through every possible outcome of this defense and you've convinced yourself that you will be okay no matter what happens.

Post-Delivery
It's all over, and you did great! All the time and work paid off because you have a beautiful published thesis that is your legacy. Oh, you also get a lovely piece of paper that acknowledges your efforts (much like a birth certificate, a Masters Degree).

Now and Later

I've never really enjoyed being in the middle of things, I definitely live in the future (why? anxiety!) and often forget to focus on the "now" because I'm so caught up in the "later."

Ever since I got married, I think I've been a lot better about being present and happy now instead of worrying about the later, but it's still a pretty big issue for me.

School is stressful. I think everybody can relate on that. Night classes are hard, especially when you work an 8-5 job before you go to class. But you adjust and find ways to cope, and mine has always been "it gets better."

In theory, it works.

In reality, it could be better.

Why, you ask? Because I've conditioned myself to always focus on what's next instead of enjoying what is happening. I don't think I've been very present for most of my schooling because I'm always looking at what's next.

Lately I've been trying so hard to implement the notion of "happiness is a journey, not a destination." I mean seriously, I've viewed it as a destination almost my whole life! Well anyway, the minute I realized I was cheating myself out of my own happiness, I decided to change my mentality about life and it's obstacles.

Examples:

School is time-consuming, headache-inducing, and SO stressful, (BUT) I get to see my friends every week, I'm learning and mentally growing all the time, and it's better that I finish grad school now rather than later when I'd rather focus on other things (like babies!).

Work is stressful and frustrating (BUT) I love working with most of my colleagues, and I'm good at my daily tasks (plus I really enjoy my work).


Case and point!

I know this program will be over in just a few weeks (15 to be exact), and I want to make sure that I am enjoying my time (which is one of the reasons why I blog so much).

These posts are a mere snapshot of the bigger picture, which is something that I lose sight of at times. However, I am choosing to be better and to shine brighter, which means I'm doing just fine!

Jake's Wedding

Jake and Alexa got married this past weekend! It was a lovely sunny Arizona Saturday, and we were so happy to be there for it. We flew out Friday afternoon and then came back on Sunday afternoon, so it was a really short trip.

Lisa, Sophie, Jeanine, Anthony, and Sam

Max, Lisa, and Sam

Wife and Husband

The happy couple

Their bridal party

Bob and Sam

Yeah, I have no explanation for this one.

They somehow managed to hang a chandelier from the ceiling in the cultural hall, 

and it looked fantastic!

Their cake was divine.

They had a popcorn bar at the reception, and it was awesome! It had berry popcorn, kettle corn, and chocolate popcorn.

Regardless of it being such a quick trip, we enjoyed spending time with the family (especially the Julianas) and getting away for a day or two.

We were chatting about who's next in the cousins to get married, and right now we've got our money on Sophie ;)

Research Interview #1

Boy oh boy, I performed my very first research interview for my fieldwork today!

I had a mid-morning meeting with a district administrator, so I took an early lunch and headed out with my pink laptop tucked snugly underneath my arm.

I discovered that I could record my interview on my phone, and then email the audio files to myself and save them to the Google Drive, which has made my life SO much easier than to do what I had originally planned. Anyway, both my phone and laptop were fully charged as I excitedly began my fieldwork.

It was a great interview, definitely more a practice, which was fine because I learned so much about how I should conduct my other interviews as they are scheduled.

Things I learned:

1. Transcribing the audio files needs to be done either at home or in the library. Trying to do it at my office during my downtime wasn't as productive as I hoped it would be because there is too much else to do in my work space.
2. I have to give myself more realistic deadlines; originally, I had planned to do field notes before and after each interview, and transcribe the audio file entirely by the end of the work day. Now, I'm thinking 48hr to do my transcriptions might be easier on my typing fingers ;)

I learned so much about the district-level of the program I'm examining, and I feel confident that a large amount of the information obtained will be useful in setting the stage and unpacking the ideas of my paper.

As I type this, my project supervisor informed me that a teacher was interested in participating. So I guess I need to start writing an email!

New Beginings

As the year begins and I make and remake my lists (resolutions, personal goals, bad habits to squash, etc.), I find myself reflecting a lot on how significant the next few months will be.

This is my last semester of my graduate program, which means I will do my fieldwork and write the final two chapters of my thesis by the end of April. It also means preparing to defend my thesis give a presentation on my topic, as well as looking forward to graduation/hooding ceremony festivities.

It also means figuring out the next steps for my life, or "our" life, as my wonderful husband is now a factor in the equation. I've been preparing for my fieldwork for so long, I'm so excited to gather data and talk to community members. But the anticipation for the semester is also leaving me feeling bittersweet. I'm not sure I will continue with school to obtain a PhD, which scares me a little bit. The last time I thought I was done with school, I became bored after about 18 months.

So this time, I have a plan. After I walk across the stage and receive my Masters Degree (which, among other things, entitles me to having my evenings back), I will spend my free time focusing on growing as an artist. Sam and I looked into some community education classes for painting with acrylics, mixed media, watercolor, and oils, so I know that I can actually take some formal classes to help me develop my technique. I'm thrilled that my husband is so supportive.

Having free time will be great, but finishing this program also means deciding what's next career-wise. Do I want to stay at Westminster (where I'm currently at or switch departments) or seek a new job somewhere else, if so, do I stay in Higher Ed or switch to a Non-Profit?

Honestly, I haven't really given it a whole lot of thought.

I've been so focused on designing my project and doing research that I feel like I lost sight of what happens after the project is completed.

Now here we are, a week away from classes, a semester away from graduation, and me just sitting here like "what?"

2016 will be the year of New Beginnings, and it kicks off with my first research interview tomorrow!

The 2016 Theme

I started theme-ing my years a little while back, and I would construct my resolutions based on whatever my theme was. Last year's theme was "Being Human." The primary goal was to be better at feeling things and listening to what my emotions were trying to tell me instead of just glossing over the issues and bottling everything up in a dark place in my head coated with resentment.

I definitely think I made progress on that theme. The year before it was "New Classic" and focused a lot on enrichment and accomplishing things (like getting into grad school, learning how to paint with acrylics, etc.). That year went pretty well also, so I definitely think the whole theme-thing has some truth to it.

I'd been toying with some theme ideas, such as "Amazing Grace," "Once More, with Feeling," and "Almost There." Each was solid in its own right, but with my recent desire to remove the negativity from my life, I decided that "Amazing Grace" was the winner.

I'm choosing to focus on enhancing the attributes of grace, endurance, compassion, and patience within myself.

Daily Aspirations

1. Verbally acknowledge something I love about myself, then write it down and put it into a jar
2. No more than five minutes of complaining each day 
3. Try two new recipes every month and post about them
4. Eat my 5-a-day 
5. Exercise at least 30 minutes every day
6. Write 500 words a day, no matter what!

Yearly Goals

1. Finish and submit Master's Thesis (Mental)
2. Do a 5k with Sam (Physical)
3. Learn how to play tennis (Physical)
4. Submit a painting to the State Fair (Creative)
5. Find a cause and volunteer for three months (after graduation of course!) (Service)
6. Learn to paint with watercolors