The semester is finally winding down. We have just completed cohort weekend #4, and only one remains before the Christmas break. All projects and course work are wrapping up. This will bring to a close my first full semester in this doctoral program. I'm really looking forward to the break, but I see this point as a milestone in my career and life. I am going to use this opportunity to take stock of everything so far...
Being admitted to a doctoral program has been a dream of mine for sometime. I see this degree as a way of legitimacy in my career. I have always enjoyed being a student and trying to be a lifelong learner. This doctoral degree will serve as entry to a the field of higher education and make me a more effective learner. I hope to master skills that will not only make me a better educator, but also a better learner in all things. I expect much of this training to develop under the rigor of coursework and the dissertation. I also believe the degree will give me the tools to take my learning to the next level.
As this semester comes to a close, I also have more people in my life that I can truly call friends. The social networking we did this past semester as part of 744 has made us all closer, whether we liked it or not :-) Most folks in the program will move on to competency examinations and dissertation in the spring, but a core of about 7-9 students will be in program for the duration with me. I have truly enjoyed their company so far and look forward to what future semesters may bestow upon us.
I don't want to be too premature here; the completion of my first semester is hardly a substantive accomplishment in the academic world. We still have a long, tough road ahead. But, for me at least, this is a milestone I have been anticipating for the last decade. I'm glad I have arrived, and hope the future will only result in better experiences at WVU.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Reflections of Week #12
Last week I discussed the role of running in my life. I have been trying to make running more prominent in my workout schedule. Since high school though, my primary exercise has been bicycle riding. Since I truly enjoy riding, I figured I should devote this blog to elaborating more on the topic.
I became an avid bicycle rider about six years ago when I did my first seasonal stint at the C&O Canal National Historical Park. My job, as an Interpretive Ranger, was to engage the public in whatever fashion throughout the park. I took the opportunity to ride and engage folks in the park. At first, riding was awkward and I was very sore each time I went out. The towpath of the C&O Canal is not the smoothest in places, and takes several rides to adjust. After getting broken in, I had a blast! I would ride 20-30 miles per day while working, then go for smaller rides in the evening on my own time. I enjoyed the exercise and loved engaging visitors in the park.
Bicycle riding became my primary source of exercise. Since high school (where I played 3 sports practically year-round), I had not pursued any serious form of exercise. As you can imagine, my body adjusted by packing on some serious weight. When I graduated high school, I was about 205. By my junior year of college, I was near 240 pounds and miserable! When I started riding during my senior year, I dropped several pounds immediately. By the end of the summer, I was at 190 pounds...and felt great! Riding had really put me back in shape and I felt confident about my good health.
I still ride today, but not nearly as much as when I worked in Cumberland. My job now with the National Park Service is more office-oriented and I don't have the time to spend in the park anymore. I still ride about 2-3 times per week on my own time, and I usually ride on the Great Allegheny Passage right here in Frostburg. Today I'm averaging about 210 pounds in weight, so riding has still kept me in shape and healthy.
Does anyone out there have a primary mode of exercise that has changed their life?
I became an avid bicycle rider about six years ago when I did my first seasonal stint at the C&O Canal National Historical Park. My job, as an Interpretive Ranger, was to engage the public in whatever fashion throughout the park. I took the opportunity to ride and engage folks in the park. At first, riding was awkward and I was very sore each time I went out. The towpath of the C&O Canal is not the smoothest in places, and takes several rides to adjust. After getting broken in, I had a blast! I would ride 20-30 miles per day while working, then go for smaller rides in the evening on my own time. I enjoyed the exercise and loved engaging visitors in the park.
Bicycle riding became my primary source of exercise. Since high school (where I played 3 sports practically year-round), I had not pursued any serious form of exercise. As you can imagine, my body adjusted by packing on some serious weight. When I graduated high school, I was about 205. By my junior year of college, I was near 240 pounds and miserable! When I started riding during my senior year, I dropped several pounds immediately. By the end of the summer, I was at 190 pounds...and felt great! Riding had really put me back in shape and I felt confident about my good health.
I still ride today, but not nearly as much as when I worked in Cumberland. My job now with the National Park Service is more office-oriented and I don't have the time to spend in the park anymore. I still ride about 2-3 times per week on my own time, and I usually ride on the Great Allegheny Passage right here in Frostburg. Today I'm averaging about 210 pounds in weight, so riding has still kept me in shape and healthy.
Does anyone out there have a primary mode of exercise that has changed their life?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Reflections of Week #11
Ever since high school, I have had a disdain for running. I loved playing football, wrestling, and baseball throughout my secondary education. But, I always hated running during these sports. Practices were the worst; other than for conditioning, running seemed especially pointless! My legs were built short, giving me a permanent handicap against virtually every other person on Earth.
This past winter, before beginning graduate school, I buckled down and forced myself to start running to stay in shape. I am an avid bike rider during the summer months and have really come to enjoy the sport. But, I am not able to ride frequently during the winter months because of the unbearably cold weather. Running offered an excellent way to stay in shape while utilizing the local gymnasium at Frostburg State University to stay out of the cold.
At first, making the journey to FSU to start running was like crossing the Pacific. I dreaded making the trip all day at work, and especially had a hard time getting into a rhythm. The first two weeks were the worst; especially when the girl's volleyball team decided to do laps after practice...around me! I had never been so embarrassed; for the first time in my young life, I felt old. But, I was determined to become a decent runner and stuck with the arduous task for the remainder of the winter.
By March, I was not only able to run several miles in the gymnasium, but was also able to run up several flights of stairs and still maintain a strong pace. I started building confidence in my running abilities and considered myself...pretty good :-) I even kept pace with the men's winter soccer team for several laps one evening!
Now the winter of 2009-2010 has arrived. Much like last year, I dread the running. But this year I not only have the confidence to get in shape, but have goals. I have made a pact with a fellow co-worker to try and compete in two or three marathons this summer and fall. I plan to start out light with a 3K and then a 5K run in the spring and summer. Both are in Washington DC and will be on flat land. After these small challenges, I plan to race in the Great Allegheny Run right here in Frostburg and Cumberland. My cousin Chris Miller has promised to help me train, and my friend John Aiken has promised to run in the races with me. Hopefully this a productive winter :-)
This past winter, before beginning graduate school, I buckled down and forced myself to start running to stay in shape. I am an avid bike rider during the summer months and have really come to enjoy the sport. But, I am not able to ride frequently during the winter months because of the unbearably cold weather. Running offered an excellent way to stay in shape while utilizing the local gymnasium at Frostburg State University to stay out of the cold.
At first, making the journey to FSU to start running was like crossing the Pacific. I dreaded making the trip all day at work, and especially had a hard time getting into a rhythm. The first two weeks were the worst; especially when the girl's volleyball team decided to do laps after practice...around me! I had never been so embarrassed; for the first time in my young life, I felt old. But, I was determined to become a decent runner and stuck with the arduous task for the remainder of the winter.
By March, I was not only able to run several miles in the gymnasium, but was also able to run up several flights of stairs and still maintain a strong pace. I started building confidence in my running abilities and considered myself...pretty good :-) I even kept pace with the men's winter soccer team for several laps one evening!
Now the winter of 2009-2010 has arrived. Much like last year, I dread the running. But this year I not only have the confidence to get in shape, but have goals. I have made a pact with a fellow co-worker to try and compete in two or three marathons this summer and fall. I plan to start out light with a 3K and then a 5K run in the spring and summer. Both are in Washington DC and will be on flat land. After these small challenges, I plan to race in the Great Allegheny Run right here in Frostburg and Cumberland. My cousin Chris Miller has promised to help me train, and my friend John Aiken has promised to run in the races with me. Hopefully this a productive winter :-)
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