Okay then. WHEW! I have a committee. That was not what I expected at all, but what are you going to do? Quit? So I officially have a committee and will be registered for my first dissertation credits this coming quarter. Now the hard stuff begins.

Hey BHR. I am not in love with the dissertation committee recruitment process at all. It is very much a talent show with jaded judges. The process is taking MONTHS and mostly because of time wasted courting chairs who finally say they're not interested 2 or 3 weeks into a conversation. UGH ask me again later. Paula

Hey, BHR. 1. Economy - that's firmly in the category of "Things I cannot Change" and I try to remember that. Oddly, the challenge of living a simpler life, trying to save money, and generally scaling back, is quite invigorating. It doesn't feel negative at all. 2. PhD - Trying to get a committee together is a pain in the ass! I've even had to register for an extra class this semester (I've done all my course work otherwise) so that my financial aid didn't blow up in my face. The good news is I've got 1 member so far - still need another member, and a chair. 3. Life - is quite stressful right now. Yoshi (one of my ridgebacks) killed Fonzie (my little Hahns Macaw). So I've sent two birds back to Phoenix landing; my foster Blue and Gold, and a Nanday I'd adopted. Why: because I couldn't imagine something like that happening to the foster (someone entrusts you with their animal and you get it killed), and because I can police 2 hands-on birds around my dogs. I didn't think I could police 3 - especially one that didn't like to be handled. 4. Work. I'm enjoying working as an online instructor for the University of Phoenix a great deal. It is taking up a lot of time though. Like right now I need to mark some assignments! Next rotation I'm only going to sign up to teach 3 classes. Talk to you soon. Paula