Lake Front 10

My friend Carolyn and I ran the Chicago Lake Front 10 this morning, a ten-mile race along Lake Michigan in the city. Carolyn's in my program at UChicago and the niece of Tim Keller, for those of you for whom that means anything. We got together with some other CIR friends last night for a pasta dinner/carb-load fest, then got up at the ***-crack of dawn to get parking before the race. (Hence the bed-head). Anyway, it was fun! I met my goal (1:04) and she exceeded her's, running something like 1:24. I'm in recovery now, trying to get some work done for classes this week (of course excluding this procrastinatory moment).

In other news, my thesis is due in less than two weeks and I present my draft to my thesis group tomorrow night--yikes!!!

Another Door Closed

I found out this morning that I was not accepted for the International Alert internship position. It's disappointing to be rejected, but I had reservations about moving to London for another 6 months. So, I'm OK with it. Back to the hunt!

P.S. I finished and submitted the first draft of my thesis on Saturday morning!

Surprises and Opportunities

Now into my third week of this quarter, things are off and running--even literally. I'm contemplating running in the Lake Front Ten, a ten-mile run along Lake Michigan here on April 27th. Though I have yet to officially register. It's prime thesis writing time so we'll see if I feel I can spare the time.

With the pressure of the end of my academic career quickly approaching (for now), jobs are on the forefront of my mind. I've only just attended a job fair on campus and talked to a number of government and non-profit organizations. Another important fair will be coming up in two weeks or so that I'll be sure to attend as well. I'm beginning to realize though, that internships will most likely be the route to take in my pursuit of a career. Many entry level positions in the job market I'm hoping to enter even require internship experience. That said, paid internships are few and far between. It may require that I just work somewhere to pay the bills and 'volunteer' for an internship position 15-20 hours a week.

However, I did just recently apply for a 6-month paid internship with International Alert, an NGO based out of London. So yes, it would mean working in London for 6 months. Simply put, the nature of the position is ideal. It's a research assistant position, aiding the secretary general in international research, collecting sources and compiling bibliographies over regions of conflict all over the world in a effort to develop solutions for peace. Check out http://www.international-alert.org/ if you want more details. Basically, the position is a step toward what I really want to do. I'm not sure when I'll know if I'm accepted or not or even if I'll take it if I am accepted. Though from what I understand of it, I think it's a pretty good example of what I would like to do. I will do my best to keep you updated.

In other news, I flew home (Lincoln) this weekend to surprise Courtney and attend the final production of her UNL career. I hadn't made a show yet this year--it was fun to see her perform again. She did very well; and she was very surprised. It was a quick trip, but really good to see her and family as well. I had a lot of time with my parents (which was a good thing) who picked me up from the airport as well as my extended family--we celebrated my grandparents' 60th anniversary in Beatrice on Sunday afternoon.

Well, I should probably go. My first draft of my thesis is due Friday and I have quite a bit to do--so I'll be busy. Hope this finds you all well!

Baking with my Courtney (SB '08!)

On my way

My third and final quarter officially commenced this week, and after much deliberation I think I've finally nailed down my last courses! Due to limits on the size of the seminar, I'll find out at noon today if the prof will let me in "Death, Mourning, and the Politics of Self-Sacrifice in the Middle East"--a class I'm really excited for and hoping I can take. Also, I decided to take "The Just War Tradition," a political philosophy course on Just War theory that considers early influences and writings like that of Augustine! I think it will be very interesting. My third course will be a thesis reading course, which basically suggests I take only two courses and focus the remainder of my time on my thesis. This also means, I only have one class on Tuesdays and another on Wednesdays... that's it! While that sounds like a slacker's schedule, I'm sure to need every minute of spare time for my thesis to have a rough draft completed in two-and-a-half weeks and a final draft in just over a month from now! Nine more weeks and I have my M.A.!!!

Don't ask, "then what?" I haven't the foggiest right now. But I do know I'm not going to Cairo for the Arabic program. I just got the e-mail last week. In fact no one who applied from my program was accepted. I was disappointed, but also relieved a bit to know something definite and have more space to see friends, family, find a job, participate in weddings, and transition out of graduate school a bit less abruptly.

In other news, I'm considering participating in Chicago's 10-mile Lake run along Lake Michigan at the end of April. I only just started "training" this week, so we'll see how that goes before I commit.

Also, I feel an apology is in order. My hope was that this blog would be a means to develop more illuminating thoughts and observations that serve relevant cultural discussions at some level. Hopefully I'll find time to write less schedule-type, life event lists and contribute more meaningful postings. But for now, back to thesis work.

Catching Up

It's been an eventful two weeks! I finished out the winter quarter with a slam-bang, comprehensive final on St. Patrick's Day and then proceeded to go out with others from my program (and including Courtney) to Wrigley Ville to celebrate. Let's just say it was more of a college experience than what I actually experienced in college. It was fun but exhausting. Anyway, next day, Courtney and I returned to the city for dinner and a show at the Steppenwolfe--a well known live theatre company and venue in north Chicago. We had a blast! That was Tuesday. Thursday, we left to return to Nebraska. Courtney had flown in on a one-way ticket so we could drive back. We spent Easter weekend with family, first with her's, then mine, and then her with her's again. It was much needed, quality time.

Then, I had planned to return to Chicago to focus on my thesis last Tuesday, two days after Easter. I discovered that I could still get work done in Lincoln and ended up delaying my return until Sunday, go figure. It was great to have the extended time with Courtney and a few other friends, and still get work done! I did drive back on Sunday in time to do laundry and get ready for my first day of classes on for my last quarter on Monday, yesterday. Today, I've already missed my train, haha. I set my alarm for 5:30 PM and not AM; and since I haven't had to get up at that ungodly hour for some time, I didn't wake up till 7:00. Dangit. But, i was probably going to drop the class anyway, so it's ok. Today and tomorrow will be largely comprised of visiting courses and trying to nail down which classes I want/need to take since I'll only be taking two and working on my thesis to have in completed by May 9th if I can! Pray for diligence!