Fall has finally arrived in Western Maryland. In the past, this has been a dismal time of year for me. Typically, I was returning to school for yet another semester of coursework and the pursuit of another degree. I also hated to see those warm summer days and the beautiful weather pass for another year. This time of year is when my daunting 60 minute commute to work becomes even more challenging with the added weather hazards from snow and ice. Halloween was usually the realization point for me; summer was over and the toughest part of the year had arrived.
For many reasons, this year seems to be different. I am incredibly busy right now which has made the time pass very quickly. I have been with the National Park Service for two years now, so I have a routine in the office that is improving my speed and productivity. I'm a planner, and I have develop plans for tasks at work that are starting to pay off. Furthermore, I have reached the final stage in my academic career. Come hell or high water, this degree with be terminal for me. I have always made a doctoral degree a goal of mine, and this goal has always been very far off in the future. Although I have great lengths to go, the end is now a possibility and seems to be within my grasp. If all semesters in the program fly as fast as this one, 2013 will be here before I know it :-)
In contrast to past fall seasons, I am enjoying this one. I have appreciated the foliage this year like never in the past. I look forward to Halloween and Thanksgiving with great anticipation. This time is odd; I am busier than ever before, yet somehow find the time to appreciate the small things that I have always overlooked in the past... Life is funny that way I guess :-) I have always tried to make the most of my life. My favorite Abraham Lincoln quote claims that "it's not the years in your life that count, its the life in your years." I have a job I enjoy (which in this economy is great in and of itself), I'm pursuing a degree I want, and I'm enjoying life. I hope all my followers out there will read this blog and think of something in their life that makes them happy....and share it with us all in a comment!
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Nice post Dan and I enjoyed the quote. If I may add a feather to the proverbial hat, I say you do an excellent job managing the park and the volunteer community. I think also for the purposes of this class, you should articulate the superb role you've played in conceptualizing and developing a web portal for the C&O Canal Park volunteer community. It's very clear that you not only enjoy and are good at your work, but you're applying what you've learned in this course already by evangelizing new forms of social media to reach a diverse auidence. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteHello John - thank you so very much for the kind words and support! Creating a volunteer web portal for the park was a goal of mine since I arrived in December, 2007. This course inspired the use of social networking tools on the website to target and reach new volunteers. You were the inspiration for using the entire idea as a professional marketing tool for the program. This project would still be nothing more than a dream without your insite and support. Thanks again for all you give to the park and to our staff! AND thanks for following my blog and commenting :-)
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