Happy New Year!!

Winter Break has been amazing for me so far! I spent most of the last two weeks in Pittsburgh with my family. It's always great to relax after a challenging semester. Sometimes, when you're in the throes of academic work, you tend to forget the big picture. It's been great to just sit and talk with family and friends, go shopping, play Wii (!!!), and catch up on emails...those would be the things I've done when I'm not logging into Penn-in-Touch to check my grades. They haven't all been posted yet, but so far I'm pleased!

Right now, I am on my way to New York City to ring in the new year. Since the new semester doesn't start for a few weeks, you'd think that I am still just relaxing and doing nothing. Wrong. Because GSE faculty members are always thinking ahead, I have been assigned a few articles to read for one of my new classes. I am actually excited to read them, though, because they seem interesting and I am feeling academically refreshed!

Hopefully, the weather in NYC won't be too bad. I'm planning to go to Central Park tomorrow night, and I am afraid that it might be too cold. Nonetheless, I'm planning to reunite with many friends and go to Rice to Riches (www.ricetoriches.com) as many times as I possibly can!

Happy New Year!!!

Almost Home!

I have just one paper to submit, and the finish line is getting closer by the minute. I made the mistake of thinking that it would be a good idea to get a lot of traveling in between semesters. So, I booked myself trips to Pittsburgh, New York, Niagara Falls, and Boston...and may add Chicago to the list. I'm hoping that I'm able to catch up on sleep and mental acuity before it's back to the grind. ;)

My next entry will likely be posted from vacation; get ready to see a new, more relaxed side of me!

One Down!

After a lot of hard work and a bit of lost sleep, I completed my first final project earlier in the week. Our task was to create a poster, similar to what one might see at a professional conference, that captures the key points of our final research papers, which are due next week. I've chosen to research the PK-20 system that the state of Oregon has recently launched. Here is a picture of my stunning poster:



Honestly, it was kind of fun to make. I wasn't sure if I was going to muster up the energy to make it aesthetically pleasing, but I am proud of the final result. The best part of this phase of the project is that we were able to present our posters to our classmates, TA, and professor through an informal gallery walk session. I was able to answer questions about my work and get a lot of good suggestions, all of which are helping me immensely as I prepare the final paper.

Who thought that making a science fair board would be so fun and so helpful??

Crunch Time!

Thanksgiving weekend provided me with a much-needed break from all of the reading and writing I've been doing. However, a new week has started and I'm beginning to realize that this semester will be over in fifteen days.

One of the good things about being a graduate student in education is that we really don't have final exams. Some courses do, but I'm not taking any of them this semester. I'm not a big fan of test-taking, so I'm glad to focus my energies on writing papers and preparing presentations. That said, the next two weeks are going to be hectic, to say the least. If all goes well, I will have completed a conference-style poster, a critical book review, two fifteen-page research papers, and a twenty-page research paper. There's a certain kind of rush that fills the air, even in graduate school, as the semester winds down. There's plenty of deep thinking going on, not as much sleep as most of us would like to have, but still an excitement about finishing the semester with a bang!

You deserve a break today...

Lois MacNamara (Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs) gave all new students a great piece of advice at the beginning of the school year: she told us to make sure that, no matter how hectic our studies became, no matter how overwhelming a looming paper or test or presentation seemed, to always carve out time for ourselves. While I shamefully haven't been as good at following some of Lois' other wise suggestions (i.e. eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising regularly), I have been trying to treat myself once in a while. Alyssa D'Alconzo, (Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid) has also been great in making all of us in the GSE Admissions Office share the nice things that we do for ourselves. It's a welcome change to have people who not only challenge us to do great work, but also really care about our well-being.

My fun activities for this weekend have already happened -- I went out with a few friends from my cohort last night, which brought the work week to an exciting end. I also got my hair cut this morning, and going to the salon is always a treat. My salon of choice is called Jason Matthew (conveniently located at 15th and Walnut, right on top of Lush, one of my favorite stores), and the owners and stylists pride themselves in providing premier services without pretentious attitudes. The salon's decor is lovely, their equipment first-rate. They even have pastries, coffee, soda, and other snacks for their clients. (Because I haven't been to the gym in ages, I opted for just a bottled water this morning.) All whistles and bells aside, the reason I keep returning is because my stylist does great work. I've had some disastrous haircuts in my day, so I take my time in trusting any new person with designs on holding scissors near my head. Today, I actually didn't have time to put my contacts in before heading out of the house, so I wasn't able to see the results of my cut until the job was done. I'm pleased to say that it looks awesome!

If you are in grad school, or thinking about heading down that road, make sure that you take time to enjoy life. I've been successful this semester, and I credit that largely to the fact that I've not allowed myself to get worked up about assignments. I know that if I plan responsibly, everything will get done, and I'll still have (a small pocket of) time to live a life outside of school.

Thanks again, Lois, for the advice. And thanks again, Alyssa, for reinforcing it every day!

Illness and Grad School Make an Interesting Combination

I love learning. That's why I'm here -- I want to broaden not only my knowledge of higher education, but also refine the ways in which I think about the texts I read, work I write, and discussions in which I participate. It's a pleasure to be in a rich academic environment...most of the time. The major exception to this rule has been amplified this week, as I've been stuck with an annoying virus that has deprived me of the energy that I need to attack my studies.

Nobody likes being sick (I naively assume), but I can honestly say that Penn and GSE have made this recent illness slightly more tolerable. Because my classes are engaging, I've been able to avoid thinking about being miserable while in the throes of group discussion. Also, Student Health Services is pretty convenient; you can make appointments online or call in when you're in dire straits. Their facility is brand new (just opened in August), and the doctors are helpful (i.e. they listen to your concerns and don't make you feel foolish).

I'm not going to lie and say that this illness hasn't been a setback in my semester. I've lost a good amount of research time and have spent more hours sleeping than I usually would. (You know I love sleep as much as the next person, but it's a lot better when it can be enjoyed!) However, I am starting to feel better, and I know that I'll be back to normal soon. The Thanksgiving holiday will certainly help with that!

I Don't Go Shopping

Ok, that's a bold-faced lie. I was just quoting the title of one of my all-time favorite songs, originally recorded by Philadelphia's own beloved daughter, Patti LaBelle.

The type of shopping that inspired this entry, however, does not include the many Walnut Street shops in Center City, nor does it involve The Shops at Liberty Place, nor does it mention the excellent King of Prussia Mall. I'm in an academic mindset today, and I'm thinking about all of the shopping that I'll be doing in January...for classes.

The advance registration window closes this weekend, so we all will have entered our preliminary requests for courses. We'll get our schedules in a few weeks, but because the add/drop window stays open for a few weeks into the semester, we're lucky to have the option of sitting in on any and all classes we find interesting. While Penn GSE doesn't have an official shopping period, everyone shops around for the first week or two (or three). It's great, because the professors don't waste much time in the first week of class doing lengthy introductions; they dive right into the content. It's very helpful for indecisive folks (like me) who need to get a feel for several classes to determine the best fits. One of my friends went to basically every class that was offered this past semester, and she was able to identify the classes that best met her needs. It sounded exhausting, but I think that she is amazing for having taken advantage of the opportunities.

I've already thought about the classes I've chosen and am not sure that I am going to keep all of them -- there are just too many good choices!! I plan to do a lot of shopping in January...without spending a dime!

Wearing Many Hats

November is a very busy month for everyone at Penn GSE -- I'm guessing that many people feel the same way. The semester is more than halfway over, which is quite insane in and of itself. I just registered for classes for next semester, I'm getting geared up for final papers and projects, and I have an added task that many people here don't: I'm working on Ph.D. applications! As those of you who are applying to Ph.D. programs know, they are due in early December. All of these looming deadlines, as well as preparing for the approaching holiday season, make for many a packed days.

I think I'm in a particularly unique position, seeing that I am a Penn alum, current student, and prospective student. Clearly, I love Penn, but don't confuse my decision to return this year and apply to stay for the next four years as any fear of branching out and going elsewhere. I'm very excited about conducting research in other parts of the country (and internationally), and I plan to take advantage of every opportunity I'm given to travel to other schools and network with faculty and student. My stance simply boils down to the fact that Penn is an amazing institution, and GSE is a place where I feel that I can continue learning for many years. I wonder if there will ever come a time when I've exhausted all of the potential that this campus and its academic inspiration offer. I seriously doubt that it will happen within this decade. The faculty here have so much to offer, and they enthusiastically show their desire to work with students on a daily basis. That's what makes me most proud of pursuing scholarship at Penn GSE.

The Way We Eat...

I have been a bad blogger, it's true. While my colleagues have begun to innovate with video blogs and photos galore, I have been stuck back in the 90s with just plain text.

Since I last posted, I've done many exciting things. Part of becoming a full-time graduate student is devoting much time and effort to reading, writing, and working. However, it's important to find as much time as possible to enjoy life. At a recent meeting, Eve told me that I should devote at least one entry to food. Honestly, I could write an entire blog about it (if only I had the time!), since I tend to connect cities, experiences, and people in my life to the food they offer.

Philadelphia is a great city for anyone with an appetite. Since I live in Center City, I seem to always have the best options at my fingertips. You might think that I'd be unable to partake in most of them since I'm on a budget, but not so. It's relatively easy to find great food that doesn't break the bank.

By now, you've probably heard about Philly's food trucks. As someone who doesn't buy into hype, it took me a while to try one. They are awesome. I eat at food trucks an average of 2-3 times per week. You can get anything from a cheesesteak to a fruit salad and food from any culture. And it's cheap! My personal favorite is a truck at 38th and Spruce called Bui's. They make great sandwiches and always ask you (very quickly) if you want salt, pepper, and ketchup. Thus, the truck has earned the informal nickname of "The Saltpepperketchup Truck."

If you want to actually sit down and eat a meal, Philly has you covered. There are dozens of BYOB establishments in Center City. While some of them can get pricey, they are worth the occasional splurge. My favorites are Mama Palma's (amazing pizza) and Audrey Claire, where I had the most amazing soup (red bliss potato and mushroom bisque) last weekend.

I do believe that this one entry did not sufficiently address my love of food, so stay tuned for the next episode...

Coming Around Again

So, this is not my first time at Penn. Having gone here as an undergrad made my decision to return complicated on many levels, yet natural on others. I love Philadelphia (more to come on that in future posts, I'm sure) and will always have warm feelings for this campus. Now that I'm back, it feels great to be home.

Penn has changed in so many ways since I first visited in April of 1997. The 3600 block of Walnut Street, which now contains the Penn Bookstore, The Inn at Penn, Cosi, and Urban Outfitters, among other things, was a parking lot. The site of Huntsman Hall (where The Wharton School is headquartered) was a strip mall, anchored by the old Penn Bookstore, the PennCard Center, and a music store called Vibes. (I bought a Wham! CD there when I was a freshman.) Houston Hall was just a series of corridors, and had a Burger King, a T-shirt store, and various other tiny businesses. The College House system was just in its infancy, so no one knew anything about Hamilton, Harnwell, and Harrison. They were High Rise North, High Rise East, and High Rise South.

I suppose that change is part of being a world class institution. Sometimes, I walk around campus and long for the old days, but the benefit is that I've been fortunate enough to have two different Penns in my life. Penn's campus still has more than enough to remind me of my past, but there is always a forward movement to remind me that times change...

Kind of Like Cheers?

While our building doesn't even remotely resemble a bar (which is indeed a good thing), the warm sense of community here at GSE makes me think of Cheers. (As I write this, I wonder how many prospective students weren't even born in the show's Shelley Long era. It's okay, since Kirstie Alley was better, anyway.) Between classes and my graduate assistantship, I spend more than 30 hours a week in this building, so I'm glad that it's a welcoming environment.

It all starts from the front door. Julia, our security guard, has a smile and friendly greeting waiting for me every morning as my walk from Rittenhouse Square ends and my work day begins. The cheer extends to the GSE Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, where I am fortunate to work with a group of people who are equal parts professional, approachable, and fun. Add to that the fact that there is almost always free food in the building for some event or another and it makes it hard to leave. We have Lois MacNamara, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, to thank for the free food, as well as good advice whenever needed. I am lucky enough to sit right outside of Lois' office, so I get to see her every day. She clearly loves working with students, sharing her experiences and making everyone's experience at Penn GSE rewarding and enjoyable.

I'd have to say that the biggest surprise so far has been the approachability of my professors. As an undergrad, I never really visited any faculty members. Now, it's something that I aim to do whenever time permits. Last week, I was leaving a class that happens to be on the same floor as faculty offices, and one of my professors took a break from her research to talk with a group of us. While we spent maybe a minute talking about relevant topics, most of the conversation was a retelling of some really funny stories! I never knew that faculty members could be so fun, in and out of the classroom. In the hectic world of graduate school, it's so important to feel as comfortable as possible, and I definitely feel at home.

While nobody here screams my name as I enter the room (which, again, is a good thing), I kind of already feel like Cheers' Norm. The only difference is that at Penn GSE, everyone has the opportunity to get a little bit of Norm's spotlight.

First Week Frenzy

The fall semester at PennGSE started less than a week ago, and I haven't even had all of my classes yet. That said, I already feel like time is rocketing by. One of the reasons I chose PennGSE's Higher Education Management program was for its rigorous curriculum, and I certainly haven't been disappointed early on. I'm taking five classes this semester, and between the four I've already attended, I've been assigned about 500 pages of reading and two papers, all due within the next two days. It's really easy to feel overwhelmed, but I continually think about how fascinating the topics are, and it energizes me.

I think that a certain passion (though some may prefer the word "insanity") is required to be successful in graduate school. I came here after seven years in the professional world, looking for a career shift. I'm motivated to do well not just for the sake of preparing myself for a new job or doctoral program, but because I have a respect for learning that I maybe didn't fully develop as an undergrad. Reading 500 pages or more every week isn't a chore; it's an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about topics that will likely be the foundation of the rest of my professional life. In one of my classes, I'm reading a book called The History of American Higher Education. I want to be part of the future of higher education that will someday be deemed worthy of inclusion in a historical volume. I want to do my part to change the landscape.

It's only been six days and I think I've already wanted to pull my hair out a few times, but I wouldn't have it any other way. That's passion...