Hey there, is this thing on??

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you know I’m alive and well, and the truth is, I’ve missed writing here.  So I’m back with an update.

I wrote in July (I think it was then) that I was considering getting a Master’s of Arts in Humane Education. It’s something my heart has wanted to do but the wallet kept screaming “Are you insane?? Hell NO!”  Can  you guess which one won that battle??

Yep, the heart.  And I’m very glad it did.  I have two wonderful friends, David and Claudia, who also know me from my professional life, who agreed to write letters of recommendation for me. At first, I had trouble starting the personal statement, so I did what I do with this blog when the writing just isn’t flowing.  I put it away, knowing the right thoughts would come to me if I didn’t rush them.  And they did.  I then had an interview with the Director of the program and she very quickly put me at ease, saying that based on my application, my letters of recommendation, and my personal statement, which she loved, she was recommending my admission to the program, and then we had a nice conversation during which I asked lots of questions about the program and she asked me some probing ones as well.

Right now, I’m taking Introduction to Humane Education, which is taught by the Director of the Program, who coincidentally, is also my faculty advisor, and who seems like an incredibly warm and supportive person.  I’m also taking Environmental Ethics (EE).  Next semester, I’ll be taking Animal Protection, and you can all bet that I’m sitting on pins and needles, waiting for that class to start.

My program is entirely online except for a week long residence in Maine that I will either do this coming summer or the following one.  The teachers are very good at keeping the class involved, and in my EE, the cohort of students is very active and supportive, and I think I have found at least a few possibly kindred spirits among them.  While the writing assignments are shorter than I’m used to, I’m finding them to be a good challenge in learning how to say what I want to say as concisely, and really thinking about which words to cut out, and what kind of message am I actually conveying.

I’ve also been somewhat busy with transcribing projects for my friend Elaine over the past couple of months.  They’ve made for some very busy days when combined with applying to school, and then starting classes. I’ve been working out pretty regularly (mainly running) except for the past two weeks when I sensed my body needed a break and also I had a lot going on. My roommate has taken over a lot of (okay, pretty much all) of the dog walking responsibilities with Morgan and has been training her on some great obedience skills.  Snuggles has become quite protective of me and claimed me as HIS, so Morgan has claimed my roomie as hers.  They’re best buds and it’s very heartwarming to see her go over and give him a hug several times a day.

In my personal statement to the IHE, I stated that I wanted to use my writing in combination with the degree.  I haven’t yet figured out what exact form that will take, but I do believe more writing on this blog is a part of it.  I just have to make it a priority, and return to that, I shall.  I need to get on a regular  posting schedule, and I’ve thought about doing a series of inspiring links on a regular (possibly, weekly) basis.   They could highlight positive, affirming websites that detail good deeds being done in this world, great podcast episodes that have had an effect on me, or videos, etc.  There is just so much negativity in this world that I feel like we need something like that to be able to count on, don’t you?!

And finally, I’m heading to Canada for 5 days next weekend and I absolutely cannot wait, for so many reasons! (You’ll just have to wait and see about that….)

Anyway, for the few of you out there hanging in there with me and still reading this blog, I thank you.  It ain’t over yet. 🙂

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