The Waiting Game

It's been two months since I blogged about the beginning stage of my husband's academic job search. It's time to blog about phase 2, which is a total killer for some as impatient as yours truly!

The hubs submitted 40+ applications via online and snail mail this fall.  OVER FORTY.  Excellent opportunities in his field came up every week, and he couldn't pass them up! He totally hit this thing hard - and with me cheering him on, we decided together that we might as well go big or go home! Energy through the roof, I'm telling you!

...

And now, we're waiting.

he's received some feedback from schools already, such as requests for more information/documentation. Which is Great! But still...

It's hard.  We wait. We wonder.  We never worry, but we wonder... where will we live this time next year?

Everyone else is wondering, too. Our families and our friends.  My co-workers. His colleagues.  We're all just one big ball of waiting excitement.  It's gotten to the point where this is affecting Christmas a great deal, because I keep wondering - will we know by then? Or will we still be waiting?  Chances are, we'll still be waiting and wondering.

This experience isn't something that anyone can fully understand unless they've lived it.  I would have to say that this is comparable to the NFL draft - I'll be waiting in the wings, willing to move wherever my husband goes, whatever "team" chooses him in the end.  Will he be a first rounder, picked in early December? Will he be a steal for some lucky school in early January? Or will he be picked late in February, after a long, pain-staking wait that will all be worth it in the end because he gets to pursue his dreams?

I don't whine or whimper to anyone.  We're alone. Me, and him.  We have our families' support, and believe me, it's amazing - but do they feel what we feel?  We are ecstatic about all of the job opportunities.  Every school, every town, every city - we're in love with all of them.  We avoid sharing the full extent of our enthusiasm with our families, because how in the world can we explain to them that we would really love to live in the cornfields? Would we be able to convince anyone, seeing as how we've lived in the Appalachian mountains our entire lives? Yeah, probably not.

My biggest fear, the one that "scares me right out of my pants"? Breaking hearts. Trying to explain to my mom why we would rather be Oklahoma Sooners than West Virginia Mountaineers. Or move to Tallahassee Florida for a temporary post-doc rather than settle down in Bowling Green, Kentucky. All of this depends on actual offers and time - both out of our control. But still, I fear a difficult decision. I accept it, though - it's all a part of the game. 

Have we had discussions about the possibility of making a hard decision? Well - yes and no.  Yes, because we've both agreed that this is probably going to end up being very difficult in the end. No, because it's impossible to plan which school he would choose seeing as how we're not far enough along in this game to know what the offers are going to be.

And so, we wait!

A Criticism of Anti-Intellectualism

"Hey, can I read the first two pages of chapter 5 to you?", my husband asked me on Sunday evening. 

I growled in response.  His dissertation,which was all fun and games in the beginning, has become an increasingly complex, perplexing monster that I have proofread, chapter by chapter (proofread - as in, for spelling errors, dropped words, and oddly formed sentences - certainly not for the actual content) over the course of the last six months. I invest some serious energy, attention, and time to reading and checking over his work (why in the heck would I want to hear it out loud, too?) 

I eventually gave in, and he began reading the fifth chapter to me - just to see if i could understand the concept he was writing about. If so, success! - his writing is clear and concise.  If not - then, maybe it needs some more work. I didn't listen very closely. Therefore, I didn't understand.  Before you judge, please realize that I'm not trying to be mean... I just didn't feel like trying to "get it".  This is just one of many examples of me being the "anti-intellectual" that my husband accuses me of being.  He doesn't get angry or upset with me, he laughs.  He shakes his head and moves on, accepting that while his life forever exists inside the ivory tower, mine exists in, well, a little bit of everywhere (the mall, my job, TV, etc.)  Some days, I'm energetic about thinking critically and exploring new ideas.  Some days, I can totally stomach discussions about politics and religion.  But some other days... I just can't hack it.  On those days, I have a Bath and Body Works sale, or a pair of new shoes, a tasty piece of cheesecake or Edward Cullen on my mind.  That's right - some days, my mind is preoccupied with consumerism, pop culture, and unhealthy food: three no-nos if you're trying to be all intellectual and crap.


My husband's fave reads
(Karl Marx vomited in my apartment.)


But wait a minute.  If i feel like "being" intellectual sometimes, am I really an "anti-intellectual"? I'm certainly not a proud "non-reader" like Kanye West.  I have a college education and I read on a regular basis, so am I still "anti-intellectual"? 

Wikipedia defines anti-intellectualism as hostility toward and mistrust of intellect, intellectuals, and intellectual pursuits, usually expressed as the derision of education, philosophy, literature, art, and science, as impractical and contemptible.  Anti-intellectuals usually perceive and publicly present themselves as champions of the common folk, proposing that the educated are a social class detached from the everyday concerns of the majority, and that they dominate political discourse and higher education. 

I admit it - when I'm tagging along at a conference in an effort to learn about my husband's field, listening to someone's presentation (see! Intellectual brownie points there!) and the audience starts asking questions, I roll my eyes.  I feel that a lot of "intellectuals" ask questions simply just to hear themselves talk, not because they really wanna know anything.  As they talk in circles, asking a question, then answering their own question, then asking about the answer they gave their own question while the presenter stands at the front of the room looking utterly hopeless, I feel my eyes practically sticking inside the top of my head. Oops, I'm "anti-intellectual" now. 



Some of my book collection - Twilight, Russo, Sparks, and Shoe Addicts Anonymous
(but give me credit - I read a biography of MLK and I loved it!)

But then, i take a stroll through the campus I'm visiting.  I stop by and admire the sculptures outside the student center, take a minute to check out the student art gallery.  I am NOT "anti-intellectual" then, am I? I don't mistrust those who are educated - I am educated.

Do I see myself as a champion of the common folk?  Well... nah.  I'm not really a champion of anything unless it's knowing quotes from the Office or lyrics to Britney Spears songs. Do I feel that those who are educated are a social class among themselves, estranged from the "common folk"? No - it isn't that simple - although I've certainly met individuals who think of themselves in that regard.

I truly love my husband's work - his research is interesting, he has more determination and desire to pursue a career in academia than anyone I've ever known.  I'm super supportive, easy-going, and ready to rock and roll to whatever school, whatever conference, whatever college town, whenever, wherever.  I'm game.  I love talking to him about the future, and I enjoy the discussions we have about his work - but just not all the time.  My life is consumed with this stuff, and I sometimes just need to take a break and rest my mind a little. I sometimes wonder where people get the energy to fight-fight-fight all the time, whether it be about politics or child-rearing or whatever... serious discussions about serious topics give me a headache and scare me away! I guess it depends on your passion - which, for me, is the importance of Facebook and using a good quality hand soap.  I could go on and on about those two topics for hours on end.

Where do you stand?  Do you consider yourself "anti-intellectual"?  Or are you like me - a mixed bag o' everything?  

     

My Birthday was bangin'! (That's what she said)

Before I get into the weekend wrap-up, I have to say "THANK YOU!"to everyone who left all of those super sweet birthday wishes for me over the weekend! Thanks for swinging by and checking out my 27 favorite blogs; I hope you visited them and found some new reads that you'll be following regularly! 

I'm now going to answer the #1 question, "What did you do for your birthday?"

Thursday evening (my B-day Eve), my husband and I went to our very last Ohio Bobcat home football game - it was the last home game of the season, and our last visit to Peden Stadium. I was a little bit emotional... the Bobcats played a fantastic game and won, I watched the Marching 110 perform their amazing field show for the last time, and found myself reflecting on football seasons past. It was a cold, cozy game full of excitement for the present and anticipation for the future; when I let myself wonder "what stadium will I be sitting in next year?", I got a little teary-eyed. I grew to love Ohio, and for that I'm so thankful - it's been a great place to be. I am, however, ready for the next place (more on my husband's job market adventure in a later post.)

Friday was totally bananas-awesome-Birthday-riffic! My morning started off with ultra-caffeinated gifts from co-workers: 2 large bags of m&ms (one dark chocolate, one milk chocolate), and a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks, which happened to be my very first one ever.  I'm in L-U-V.  I was bouncing off the walls the entire day, and by the end I was completely exhausted, but the coffee & m&ms were a fun birthday experience.  I don't think my body can ever take that again!

My husband and I had dinner out at a local Italian restaurant, Abrios Brick Oven.  I also spent a Bath & Body Works gift card (gift from my mother-in law!) and bought a ridiculous amount of 3-wick candles, hand soaps, and wallflowers. The bag was ridiculously heavy.  My hubs ended the day by giving me the exact things I wished for - a DQ Ice Cream Cake, an Ohio Bobcat Snuggie, and The Office Seasons 5 & 6 on DVD! Yeah, no mushy birthday gifts for me - I like what I like and want what I want.  What I wanted  was an Office marathon for my birthday, and that's exactly what I got - only it lasted most of the weekend! I eventually took a break from Dwight Shrute to go on a little shopping spree on Saturday, courtesy of my in-laws who spoiled me with American Eagle and Victoria's Secret gift cards (I totally still think American Eagle jeans are the bomb! If you disagree, then, like, WHATEVER!) 

Birthday in Photos:

Sunday was the first of many days that I spend transforming our apartment into Christmas Central.  The final step is my magnificently magic mega sparkly and fun Christmas tree, but I like to spend a few days building the anticipation for my favorite holiday tradition. The tree will go up on Thursday, and you can be sure that I will blog the entire experience! I spent Sunday sorting through Christmas decor and got things in order; I even put out a few little odds and ends to get started.  

My decor is a collection of various odds and ends that family and friends have bought me over the years. Some things are kid-friendly, some pieces are primitive, some old-fashioned, some modern.  I always use nearly everything, just to make things seem "fuller" and more festive. My favorite pieces are glittery/snowman/candy related.  The more glitter, the more sparkle, the more color, the more I love it. Obviously, my favorite decorations that are actually put out as of now are the yummy candy jars - i could never get sick of staring at red and green m&ms or York Peppermint Patties!

I'm hoping I can stand the wait until Thursday... I'm excited to share my tree with everyone!  Each step tells a story - the colors of the lights, the beaded garland, the tree topper, and the ornaments have meaning. Or, I'm completely Christmas-crazy. 

Yep, Christmas crazy.

If anyone else is planning to put their tree up soon, please, BLOG it! (With lots of photos!)  I want to hear all about your tree, your traditions, and your favorite ornaments.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Celebrating my Birthday *Blog Style*!

If you were physically here, eating birthday cake with me - well, that would be awesome, wouldn't it? I'm sorry I can't share my birthday cake with you - the best I can do is share my 27 favorite bloggers with you. I know it's not cake and ice cream n' stuff, but hey - I cannot hog all of these wonderful blogs to myself! 

1. One of my two super favorite Southern belle bloggers, Julie @ Brown Eyed Bell posts gorgeousness every day.  Her blog is a breath of fresh air and is perfect when I'm in the mood to see "pretty". Her photo tribute to Julia Roberts and Eat, Pray, Love is one of my all-time BEB favorites. 


2. Just when I thought I was the only girl who cared about the Cincinnati Reds making it to the MLB playoffs this season, I read City Girl's take on the situation. She cared, alright... in a slightly different way. She had to purchase playoff tickets in Have You Seen my Baseball?

3. I feel like I owe my entire blog to college friend and fellow Marshall alumni Jennifer @ Crazy Shenanigans.  She was my source of advice, and the one who said, "start blogging!"  Thanks, JMO!

4. Miranda, another fellow Marshall girl, and West Virginian-turned Hawaiian shares her life @ Hangin' Loose with the Tucci's.  Bonus points to Miranda for creating gorgeous blogger themes and templates!

5. My other favorite Southern belle blogger and super cute mom shares her adorable thoughts, ideas, and life experiences with a lil' bit of classy twang @ Flip Flops & Pearls.

6. I discovered something very pretty and dangerous... an Etsy shop that has become my favorite, hands-down! Learn about Leigh Ashley's Etsy shop, Barberry and Lace. Her blog is beautiful, too!

7. I opened my very first Scentsy warmer, Faith, and knew within seconds that I loved the quality. 10 minutes later, my apartment smelled like pumpkin roll heaven and I have Amanda to thank! She introduced me to the world of Scentsy, and blogs about her life as a student and Scentsy consultant @ Life According to Amanda.

8. I've been reading about Heather's life for a few months now, and I  know without a doubt that she is totally awesome. How do I know that already, you ask?  Well... she fed my Bath and Body Works addiction this week by sending me a bottle of self-foaming hand soap in Twisted Peppermint for my birthday! You should check out her blog, Life with Heather, but I can't guarantee that she'll send you goodies, too... 'cuz I'm SPECIAL!

9. I knew when I first started reading Amber's blog, Life on a Stick, that she was super intelligent, a hard worker, and a terrific mom - I love her, and her daughter is a total cutie pie!

10. Jenny from Jenny XOXO is a super sweet Minnesota Vikings loving gal. My favorite post of hers, and quite possibly one of my favorite posts out of all my favorite blogs to date has to be when she  Photo Blogged the lyrics to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream this summer!

11. Never forget your house keys.  Ty tells us why in her hilarious blog, Rants, Raves, Ridiculous! I'm totally stuck on this law student's take on daily life.  You will be, too - I promise!

12. Brittany took me under her wing, introduced me to a bigger blogging world, and has been my blogging buddy since the beginning!

13. Lindsay @ Designer Wife is one of my other Marshall girls. She's a great foodie/healthy living blogger, and like me, she's an orange tabby "kitteh" lover, too!

14. Susie, one of my favorite bloggin' mommas and she is the brain behind the Blog Gang! Visit Motherhoot and become a blog-ganger with the rest of us cool kids, and be sure to read some of Susie's awesomely funny writing.

15. Ashley, my favorite Oklahom-ian blogger and a Carrie Underwood FAN-A-TIC, is nothing short of a sweetheart.  Her blog post made me cry all over my keyboard one day... because she posted this music video. One of my favorite blog memories ever!

16. I've enjoyed Katie's blog ever since I started following her - she just loves her football! She made me laugh so hard when she shared photos of her Halloween Costume!

17. Rebekah's blog is a comforting, calming, and super sweet - I want more than anything to just hang out with her, enjoy some coffee, and maybe a slice of homemade pie - she's just that cozy!

18. I knew Aimee was going to be one of my favorite bloggers when I read this post way back in early summer, and discovered that she, too, was a sports fanatic!

19. I love Kerry. Just love her. And all of her FOOD. She blogs about rich and indulgent treats like this, which makes me wish she was my neighbor!

20. Faith. Oh, I love Faith! She's been married one year (tomorrow! Happy Anniversary!) and documents her newlywed adventures almost daily. She melts my heart with her gorgeous wedding photo flashbacks!

21. I just recently (and i mean, recently - like, a week ago) started visiting Kelley's Break Room, and Ohhhmygosh she is HILARIOUS.  If you head there, for goodness sakes, PLEASE swallow what you're drinking before you read. Her writing is super entertaining and she is laugh out loud funny!

22.The Green Eyed Lady is a totally stylin' babe - and shares my love for the NFL! I always love when she leaves comments - they're always so meaningful!

23. Of course, we all love Mama Kat - her writing workshop has saved our blogging butts a time or two!

24. Just when I thought I was the only person dying to hear Christmas music this week, I find out that fellow Ohio Blogger and huge Buckeye fan, Lindsey @ Lovin' my Life, is dying to hear it as well! We're 70 miles apart, but listen to the same Columbus Radio station, 93.3 WLZT, and are SO excited that the station made its' official switchover to Christmas music - today, on my birthday!

25. I love my sports and I love my collegiate hoodies, but Sunny & Star's Blog reminds me that it's O.K. to be totally girly and totally feminine!

26. Another blogging gal that you can count on to bail you out when you have a case of writers block is Beth! Beth's Friday Fives are always a go-to fun time on Fridays! If nothing else, visit and "ooh n' ahh" over her brand new nephew!

and finally... #27.  Number 27 is coming soon. "A Day in the Life of a Grad Student's wife" will soon become "A Day in the Life of a Professor's Wife", at http://www.aprofessorswife.com. I will launch my blog when my grad student husband makes the transition to Mr. Professor later this year - but I've already purchased the domain, I'm beginning the slow transition to Wordpress, and I cannot WAIT for you all to join me as I grow and adapt to a new phase in life!

Thank you for taking the time to "visit" my blog on my 27th Birthday! And thanks for providing me with wonderful writing, traveling recaps, thought-provoking ideas, delicious recipes, humorous tales, gorgeous photography, and everything and anything else that you post on your awesome blogs! 

Have a terrific weekend, guys!  As for me?  I'm planning to dive head-first into a 16-inch Dairy Queen Ice Cream cake in less than 8 hours - so I think its' safe to say that I'm gonna have a great one!

My Birthday Billboard #1's

In honor of my 27th birthday that is TOMORROW, I'm digging up some Billboard archives and listing the 27 songs that were #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on my birthday, from the years 1983 thru 2010. 

Do you remember these?

1983 - "Islands in the Stream" - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
1984 - "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" - Billy Ocean
1985 - "Part-time Lover" - Stevie Wonder
1986 - "True Colors" - Cyndi Lauper

1987 - "I Think we're Alone Now" - Tiffany
1988 - "Kokomo" - the Beach Boys
1989 - "Listen to your Heart" - Roxette
1990 - "Ice Ice Baby" - Vanilla Ice

1991 - "Cream" - Prince & the New Power Generation
1992 - "End of the Road" - Boyz II Men
1993 - "I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't do That)" - Meatloaf
1994 - "I'll Make Love to You" - Boyz II Men

1995 - "Fantasy" - Mariah Carey
1996 - "No Diggity" - Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre
1997 - "Candle in the Wind" - Elton John
1998 - "The First Night" - Monica
1999 - "Smooth" - Santana feat. Rob Thomas
2000 - "Come on Over" - Christina Aguilera

2001 - "Family Affair" - Mary J Blige

2002 - "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
2003 - "Baby Boy" - Beyonce feat. Sean Paul
2004 - "My Boo" - Usher & Alicia Keyes

2005 - "Gold Digger" - Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx

2006 - "My Love" - Justin Timberlake feat. T.I.

2007 - "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" - Soulja Boy Tell 'em
2008 - "Whatever You Like" - T.I.
2009 - "Fireflies" - Owl City

and... this year, the #1 Billboard Hot 100 song is...

2010 - "Like a G6" - Far East Movement -

which is totally disappointing...(thanks a LOT for the horrible birthday song, BILLBOARD!) I even stuck this on my iPod in an effort to try to "feel its rhythm", or whatever, but IT AIN'T HAPPENIN'.  Not even on the treadmill. Which is surprising, because almost anything can keep me moving on the treadmill. This song makes me cringe - worse than Cream by Prince & the NPG.

My dear husband, when you read this, I know you're going to want to listen to "Like a G6" and dissect the rhetorical pedagogy that is used in the lyrics. Er.. something. But please... PLEASE spare your wife the mortification. It's horrible! I am ashamed! Kesha is WAY better, just take my word for it!!!

I can honestly say that I enjoy listening to just about every song on my list of birthday #1's... but the top three would have to be Fantasy by miss Mariah, Smooth because I love Rob Thomas a ton and a half, and Gold Digger - not because I can relate or anything, but because I love Kanye West's music!

Last night my hubs and I watched Woody Allen's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" at the small theatre in town.  Tonight, we're going to freeze our faces off at the last Ohio Bobcat home football game of the season.  Which will be the last Ohio Bobcat football game I ever attend at Peden Stadium in Athens. I already predict that I will be a little emotional when the game is over! When I moved to Athens, I was a die-hard MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD fan that wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Bobcats.  I gave them a chance.  And now, I love 'em.  I'm gonna miss them!  GO CATS!

I hope you all are having a wild and wonderful Friday-eve. Join me on my Birthday tomorrow - I have an extra special post planned, and I definitely want you to stop by!

The Big 2-7. In 2 Days.

That's right. The celebration has already started! My momma kicked things off by sending me this via Macy's:

The ck one "blockbuster" gift set - which will last me a long while!  ck one is one of my all-time favorite scents; I haven't worn it in years, and mentioned something to my mom a few months ago about going back to the old faithful sometime soon, as I was running out of Abercrombie "Fierce" (that's right - I like to smell manly when I'm not doused in Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel or Twilight Woods!)

Anyway, continuing on with the celebration:

Today was my "party" at work - my co-workers are too awesome!

Gotta love my co-workers for decorating the hallway by my office door! "Bears"... haha!

A gift from my supervisor! She knows me well!

Cream-Cheese Pumpkin Bars

Blackberry Cobbler

Triple Fudge Cake

If you're wondering, I had a "my eyes are bigger than my stomach" piece of each dessert!

And finally, the card from my crew:

My Birthday was celebrated at the office a couple of days early due to "important party guests" not being able to attend tomorrow and/or Friday.  And you know, I'm the baby of the bunch... so of course they've all gotta show up at the baby's party! OR ELSE!

I wrapped things up by doing a little something special for myself. Prepare yourselves - if you thought I was crazy before, you're really going to think I'm crazy now. Hate all you want:

It's Christmastime in my office! YAY!

I hope you all are having a great week!  I'm a bit busier than usual, but it's my birthday week so i'll be back to party both tomorrow and Friday! And YOU'RE invited!

Stay tuned!

Welcome, November!

 So, what are your plans for November? Enjoy the month, have fun planning holiday visits with the fam, and get ready for some chilly, long days and longer, darker evenings!