I've decided to start up a blog about my life happenings, mostly because I'll have lots of major life changes in this next year and want to document the craziness! I wanted to put this out there for family and friends to follow along (or if nothing else, it's a nice personal journal!). A preview of coming attractions:
1. We're getting married!
2. I'm getting my Ph.D.!
....hopefully. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Statistics at Baylor and stayed on there to receive the Master's, now working on that third degree. I've completed three years of coursework so this school year I'm just doing my assistantship at Scott & White Research Office while I write my dissertation. But...it's a bit slow-going. It's been an adjustment setting my own deadlines (although my advisor helps me along with that), and while the original intent was to defend the dissertation in March so that I could walk the stage (and get that awesome hood!) in May, now we're looking at a May defense. Even that seems so out of reach when I think about all there is to do...but at least after the wedding, I'll get serious. Really.
3. We're moving across the country!
...to Schenectady, New York (still have to spell it out slowly to myself when I type it). We both grew up in Texas and in talking about the future we had been very intent on staying here, somewhere (anywhere but Houston!) But, events seem to be leading us elsewhere. I recently had some interviews after doing some screening at a stats conference. This company in Schenectady (Niskayuna, technically) offered me a job, and after a week of consideration - that's all they gave us! - we decided to go for it. Why not have an adventure at this point in our lives, when we're not really tied down. I'll be doing statistical consulting for engineers in support of the Navy. It sounds like really neat work and an exciting opportunity. Of course, it'll be a big adjustment for us moving up there. For one, we'll be very far from most of our family and friends (I at least have some family in Baltimore - 6 hours away!). And then, there's the snow. Apparently, they don't close everything down for snow days up there...we'll have to learn to drive in the stuff.
But I'm really excited for this and if nothing else, there should be some entertaining blog material about these two Texans adjusting to the New York life. When we make the move, we're toying with the idea of making the drive ourselves, so that'll be neat to see a lot of the country that neither of us have experienced yet.
Several major life changes. Can't wait to see what God has in store for us. As for now, that's all I've got...I really should be writing my dissertation...
