Begin Again

Last time you heard from me I was in a frenzy, studying for my comps and living it up in the basement of our school library. So... how did I do? Well, funny you should ask. I didn't do.

A few days before my exams were to begin I got an e-mail from my advisor saying that he and my committee members weren't ready to give me my exams yet. Then, a few days later in a very very lengthy meeting he essentially told me he didn't like my topic, that I should probably just not do a PhD, and so on and so forth. It was not enjoyable. At all.

Fast forward a few more weeks and he then told me he didn't want to be my advisor any more and that I should find a new chair for my committee. Thankfully one of my other committee members volunteered to step forward, said they love my topic and my work and that everything is going to be alright. Phew.

Starting with a new advisor, and likely a new committee three years in is NOT common, and definitely not a "good" place to be. But hey, I believe sometimes things happen for a reason and this is all going to play out for the best in the end.

On a positive note, last week me and the special man in my life went to the Coldplay concert in Los Angeles and it was AMAZING.

See all those crazy colored lights in the audience? Those are special bracelets they gave us each as we arrived and they lit up different colors during specific songs. It was super super fun. And getting some relief from the Phoenix heat wasn't too shabby either.

Coming up next on travel plans for the next 6 weeks... Austin, Texas - Moab, Utah - Madison, Wisconsin. What can I say, it's summer in the hottest city in the U.S. and that means we find any excuse to get the heck outta here.

Caged In

First data collection workshop for the dissertation is done! It went pretty well, had 14 participants and a decent distribution from students, faculty, admins, and community members. I haven't looked AT ALL at the "data" we collected because I have been studying for my comps like MAD.

I learned that our one super crappy library here at ASU checks out 6 (yes six) individual study rooms (aka closets) per day. The librarian told me if I wanted to ensure I got one I should show up at 6:30 am to get in line. Yep. Anyway, guess I got lucky today because I got one even though I showed up at 10.

Welcome to my home for the next week straight...

I have to admit, when I embrace sensory deprivation it totally gets me in the zone. My cell doesn't work in there, I turn off the wireless on my computer, and the hours just seem to fly by. Hoping I am able to maintain this level of productivity until it is all over! Speaking of people being productive, check out this adorable and inventive little boy:

That's all for now! Keep sending your thoughts my way!

Perils Of Life On The Internet

I have to admit that writing a blog is definitely something I have conflicted feelings about.  I appreciate the opportunity it provides me to share some of my thoughts and reflections with my friends, family, and anyone else who happens to stumble onto it. On the other hand, I am always a little weary about allowing information about myself to become publicly available. This is the same reason my facebook profile is pathetically scant, and why I regularly google search myself to ensure that my privacy is protected.

I guess one of the reasons why I resist "digital" connections is my deep seated belief that we should make more efforts to connect with our friends and loved ones in person or at least through actual conversations on the phone or on skype. Those experiences are just so much more rich and fulfilling than what can be experienced over the internet (in my opinion). It's the interplay, the gestures and facial expressions and vocal inflections that create the richness and intimacy in our communications with one another. And I just can't get that in an e-mail or facebook comment.

Plus, in a way, I think keeping myself distanced from the internet makes me feel a little bit like I am playing hard to get. As though if you want to get to know me you will have to pursue me. And I think we all want that sometimes. We want to feel special, as though we are worth the extra effort.

All that aside, I do also spend a good deal of time searching the internet for solutions to my random little problems. I recently taught myself how to install new toilets at my home. And there is no WAY I would have been able to do that without the help of google and some random blogs. And every time I tinker with my health by choosing a new vitamin, or buy any other new product, I definitely use the web to do some research first. So, I definitely don't mind "giving back" by writing about some of the things I have learned. And maybe I will get brave and start sharing some of those things real soon.

Let's Get Motivated

So the next five weeks are going to be pretty darn intense, in regards to my academic work. I have my first workshop for data collection for my dissertation, I am taking my comprehensive examinations, and will be defending my dissertation prospectus, all within a relatively short window.

For those of you out there who aren't used to the academic lingo, essentially now that I know what my research topic is, I have to read a bunch of things related to that topic, take an exam on these readings, and then present my proposed research project to my school and the public. Since my proposal has been in a mostly final form for quite a while now, we are already moving forward on data collection for it. Oh, and here is my title: "Harnessing the impact of schools: How four schools in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area built sustainable communities together."

That's all the detail I care to get into for the time being, but just know that things are crazy and any love, prayers, or encouragement you can send my way until April 30th is over would be much appreciated. Now, bring it on!

Apparently this is my "bring it on" face. Intimidating stuff. (taken after the Holi Festival of Colors this past spring)

 

Very First Post

Hi there! My name is Tamara. I am a a PhD student in sustainability who loves to experiment in healthy sustainable living and to challenge myself to make the most out of each and every day.

Starting a blog is a call to action for me to sort through and address my thoughts, actions, and motivations on a much more regular basis. In the past I have tried regular journaling, and digital journaling without any real consistency. You see, one of the best ways I know to motivate myself is to provide external pressure, which hopefully will happen if I think there is a chance someone else out there is reading along with me.

Here. We. Go.