Grad School - a 2nd Chance

Have you ever thrown yourself into something you think will make you happy only to realize that it makes you quite miserable? But everyone around you is so supportive and encouraging that you feel like you shouldn't be a quitter, that you can just tough it out? But then you realize you are REALLY miserable and spend all your spare time and mental space dreaming about the proverbial "road not taken" and decide that life is too short to stay in something you hate, especially if you have the power to change it? So then you drop your original plan like a hot pan (cuz it sears your soul) and follow your heart back to the harder but much more fulfilling plan?

"What the heck is Linda abstracting about?!"

You probably figured it out from the title - I'm referring to my graduate education. My "original plan" was getting a Masters in Higher Education Administration (which I started last August and quit this March) to become an academic advisor/career counselor (See "Back to School as an 18th Grader"). My "more fulfilling plan" is getting a Masters in American Studies (my undergraduate major) to become a professor. I'd always wanted to do the latter, but was too afraid to fail. After praying to ask Heavenly Father if I could possibly switch back to American Studies and getting an exceptionally strong answer of YES, I was out of there!! Better to end the agony after 6 months than stay on for the full 2 years of a program I dreaded! I know it wasn't a waste of time because "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7). I used to walk past the American Studies building longingly...and now I'm back where I belong! I'm so grateful for a 2nd chance and a new start.

I started the first course in my new program this past week, and I couldn't be happier :) So happy that I mostly studied during the long Memorial Day weekend while most of my friends went off to the beach or lake or mountains. I'd also just moved into my own room (much more conducive to studying) this month and am loving it!

The one celebratory thing I did this weekend was go to the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the US Capitol (still haven't been inside). I'm starting my 2nd year of living in DC and it feels weird to NOT feel new anymore, but it still feels surreal to be living in the nation's capital during big patriotic events like this. I was afraid no one would be left in town to come with me and was extremely relieved when a good sized group ended up coming :)

The concert consisted of stories, songs, and short speeches by the National Symphony Orchestra, Colin Powell, Alfie Boe, and others. I couldn't believe I got to hear Alfie Boe from Broadway's Les Miserables sing "Bring Him Home" in person! I've listened to the Youtube video dozens of times and am trying to learn to sing/play the song myself. It was such a beautiful experience.

Most of the men on my Dad's side are veterans or currently serving in the US military; I wish I could've shared this experience with them. It was a patriotic and spiritually uplifting way to spend a Sunday evening :)

Other highlights of the week...

Monday - I signed up to be a mentor for the BYU Political Affairs Society and met with my mentee, Kyrene, after work. I tried to be helpful but this girl has got it together! She was already doing pretty much all the stuff I advised her to do. Watch out, world! Kyrene is going places.

Wednesday - My visiting teachers, Erin and Shannon, took me to a Rita's for shaved ice and frozen custard. We ate and chat on the front steps of the store in Chinatown. Have I mentioned how much I love the Church's Visiting Teaching Program?

Friday - Work let out 3 hours early for the holiday and I decided to cancel my exercise class to go play piano in one of the practice rooms on campus. How often do I have 3 unexpected free hours, my sheet music in my desk (I brought it earlier in the week), and access to a piano? Very very rarely. So I indulged til my fingers ached and couldn't play anymore. It was heavenly :)