musing out my reasons
So, I am offically returning to the US on October 18th. Which requires that I really understand my reasons for returning months early.
The primary reason is my desire to do my dissertation research at the refugee camp next fall. That requires me to get back to UCR and finish coursework, take exams, write my dissertation prospectus - which will require a tremendous amount of reading. So, the sooner I get started on all that, the more likely it is that I will be able to. It's still a crazy idea - two terms to take full courseload AND written and oral exams. But I'm a crazy girl, so it might work. PLUS, I would like to take the quantitative research sequence with the guy currently teaching it at UCR, so if I get back soon I can start auditing this term and slide into the next two terms.
Also, needed for that is money, so the sooner I get back and can get a job, the better for the savings. I also really need to improve my French if I want to work in West Africa, so a month in Paris next summer would be beneficial - and also costs $$.
The trip as I planned it originally was great (schooling and volunteering predominantly) but with changes it became too touristy - and I make a lousy tourist. So, enough with the sightseeing and resort hotels - I'm chomping at the bit to be surrounded by tomes and be pushed by deadlines.
And there are the other reasons. I don't know that Dayton and the girls will join me this year in the US - it takes 6 months to get a visa, which I cannot apply for until after an established job to show support - and if I'm back at the camp next September we should just wait until after that. I'm trying to be an adult about it, but when the patience was doled out, clearly I was off running around looking at pretty birds and flowers instead. At least Dayton is an adult about it, even if I'm not. But, either way, thinking of supporting a family is lots more money than I survive on usually.
I feel the dread that a school year brings on me, with behavior issues and papers to grade and staff meetings and all that. But I also love teaching and it brings me alive, so it won't hurt to do another year of it. And it's for good reasons.
I'm so grateful for Jordan - I love this place. Not like I want to live here forever probably, but it's a restful and rejuvenating and refreshing place. Or maybe I just totally lucked out because Mahmoud was here and he made it that way for me.
OK, time to enjoy my last days of Jordan and vacation ...
The primary reason is my desire to do my dissertation research at the refugee camp next fall. That requires me to get back to UCR and finish coursework, take exams, write my dissertation prospectus - which will require a tremendous amount of reading. So, the sooner I get started on all that, the more likely it is that I will be able to. It's still a crazy idea - two terms to take full courseload AND written and oral exams. But I'm a crazy girl, so it might work. PLUS, I would like to take the quantitative research sequence with the guy currently teaching it at UCR, so if I get back soon I can start auditing this term and slide into the next two terms.
Also, needed for that is money, so the sooner I get back and can get a job, the better for the savings. I also really need to improve my French if I want to work in West Africa, so a month in Paris next summer would be beneficial - and also costs $$.
The trip as I planned it originally was great (schooling and volunteering predominantly) but with changes it became too touristy - and I make a lousy tourist. So, enough with the sightseeing and resort hotels - I'm chomping at the bit to be surrounded by tomes and be pushed by deadlines.
And there are the other reasons. I don't know that Dayton and the girls will join me this year in the US - it takes 6 months to get a visa, which I cannot apply for until after an established job to show support - and if I'm back at the camp next September we should just wait until after that. I'm trying to be an adult about it, but when the patience was doled out, clearly I was off running around looking at pretty birds and flowers instead. At least Dayton is an adult about it, even if I'm not. But, either way, thinking of supporting a family is lots more money than I survive on usually.
I feel the dread that a school year brings on me, with behavior issues and papers to grade and staff meetings and all that. But I also love teaching and it brings me alive, so it won't hurt to do another year of it. And it's for good reasons.
I'm so grateful for Jordan - I love this place. Not like I want to live here forever probably, but it's a restful and rejuvenating and refreshing place. Or maybe I just totally lucked out because Mahmoud was here and he made it that way for me.
OK, time to enjoy my last days of Jordan and vacation ...
posted by NOLA at 12:09 AM
1 Comments:
OMG! I totally feel like spending some time in Paris--maybe we could split an apartment for a few weeks and save costs? Plus, I think if I had a real friend in France, I wouldn't get so depressed and homesick. Anyhoo, it's something to think about...
Can't wait to see you at Templo!
Enjoy Jordan!
Jen
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