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| Me at Occoneechee Mtn, Hillsborough, NC, Jan 29, 2011 |
Yeah this is me actually composing a post on my genealogy blog but this probably won't be much about genealogy today. I wanted to make an appearance and give a few updates about what's been going on in my life ... First of all, let me say that I've been thoroughly enjoying reading all of my fellow geneapeeps' posts about last week's Rootstech Conference! I am totally bumming that I missed it, however I probably would have been sooo overwhelmed...in fact I'm overwhelmed now and I haven't even left Durham!
I also want to give kudos for my fellow geneapeeps for being soooo articulate. Have I told you how much I envy you? I started blogging so that I would learn to write better. And become more comfortable. I thought that blogging would be a good platform for me to use to increase the amount of writing I did. But I found myself falling into the same traps - being such a darned technical writer! And I keep getting hung up on looking for good or quality CONTENT!
I just keep doubting myself. But then I realize that frankly I just don't have the time to think. Forget actually putting those thoughts down on paper. And believe it or not, I've actually been in a genealogy slump! -- GASP!!! a what? no seriously. A genealogy slump. I've been so ashamed. Well that's what happens when you are young and you let your personal life take over... but alas I'm getting back into the swing of things!
Of course...there is that one thing...it's called SCHOOL. Yes, I am still a graduate student and from the looks of it, I have approximately 2 more semesters left to go after this one. The second semester will be for writing my thesis paper. Ask me if I've even thought about what that will concern? And yes, I already took the class all about writing your thesis paper. I thought up and discarded a few topics already....
So I go to work and class and then I work some more to make up the hours I missed and then I have no time to blog or do genealogy. When I started school I didn't have much work to do at work. Now I've been slammed for the past year or two. I juggle with the idea of quitting and living off of financial aid every day. It's like a roller coaster.
So what's in my future? I still want to get a Master's in a Public History program, although don't get me wrong, I'm loving the library school thing. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that when I'm not in school or working as a scientist in the lab, I'm working as a library intern at a very busy public library in N. Raleigh on the weekends and during the week. I love it! Oh yeah back to this whole Public History thing. If I don't get into the local program (they've already rejected me once), then I might apply to another program further away which would definitely require me to quit my job and **gasp** move? um how would I pay my mortgage? and pay for another place to live? financial aid will only go so far...So lots on my mind these days.
But I'm happy to be sharing this experience with you all...oh and don't worry, as you can see from the picture above, I do get out of the house sometimes!
Are you thinking about NC State's public history program? That just recently showed up on my radar, and it looks like a fascinating program! Of course, I'm still waiting to hear about library school admittance!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've been to Occoneechee Mtn. too, a nice little hidden treasure!
Hi Lesley, yes the dual degree program between UNC LIS and NCSU Public History is totally awesome. Unfortunately NCSU didn't accept me, so not sure if I should apply again this Dec or apply somewhere else. Oh...you should be hearing soon....where did you apply again?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you blogging again...and everyone has slumps. I had a 10-year genealogy slump. It sucked, but it passed, as all things do.
ReplyDeleteHi Kerry,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement...I am definitely trying and I will try to pop in and say a few more things here and there when I think of them! I think too it will help now that I'm getting out of my Genealogy slump
I remember being young and having a genealogy slump. College, newlyweds, young baby at home and then (boom!)I dropped back into it as if I never left. It was even more fun then because of the internet, computers (no more keeping track of 12,000 ancestors on index cards- now it's a breeze with 75,000 ancestors on FTM) Just wait and see what a few months or years bring! We'll all be waiting to hear.
ReplyDeleteGinger, I've applied to NCCU. I'm planning to do the academic and digital tracks, for sure, but would love to do archives too. The NCCU program allows some classes at State, but not a dual program like UNC has. The NCSU PH program must be uber competitive, if you got in at Carolina but not NCSU. I think you should reapply! :)
ReplyDeleteHeather, yes, I do have college as my excuse, but not the newlyweds and baby thing going on. I try not to do too much genealogy because I will get wrapped up in that and then neglect my school work. I look forward to the summertime though when I won't have classes and can concentrate on it more. Thanks so much for reading!
ReplyDeleteLesley, oh my good luck waiting to hear back from NCCU. They are sooo slow! Actually funny thing is that I got accepted into NCCU under probationary status, can you believe that. And when I first called NCSU they told me not to bother applying. Then when I got into UNC and called NCSU again and told them I got into UNC they were all about me applying to their program afterall. Yes, you can take classes at NCSU. I would recommend you take 586 and 587 for archives - they were a lot of fun and taught by Kelly Eubanks from the State Archives now.
ReplyDeleteGinger-probationary status?! You?! Seriously?! :P
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again. I had been wondering about you. Don't worry, we all get in slumps. This too shall pass!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDelete