So here I am again, post proposal blues

If you've reached this post today it's probably because you're in the proposal stage for your dissertation. In my department you proposal a research project and then attempt to defend your prospective research before you start writing your dissertation. It's an odd process...

I was there writing and then defending, several months ago and am I so glad it's finally over! It is sort of over, it's never truly over. My suggestion is to keep pushing forward and to take it one moment at a time. I say moment because these moments can vary in hours or days, and these elusive working moments can (and sometimes don't) offer a feeling of accomplishment. It's important to remember that every little bit you do gets you closer to your goal: defending your proposal. Staring at your screen with your open document is a little something, believe it or not. In my case staring eventually helped me reach a point of frustration and forced me to find some other activity, such as working out, in which I could either forget about my work or think about what I wanted to write. I would return at some point with some sense of rejuvenation. And of course, the cycle continued until the document was submitted for a final review before defending.

Then there was the preparing for the defense, what will the committee members ask? Everything. Everything because you will soon notice that some members read your document thoroughly while others did not. So all sorts of questions become game. When you're in that conference room keep calm as best you can, let the questions come and be ready for those questions that make no sense and make you want to shake your head in amazement.

After defending my proposal I was exhausted. Drained. Apathetic. Detached. Sad about all these feelings. I wanted to feel elated. Instead I wanted to run as far away as possible, not talk about it, and think of other career options. I still want to run away, not talk about it, and DO think of other career options. My proposal writing process was long and grueling with constant blows to my intellectual self-esteem and especially future! Oh, that uncertain future how it can hunt one so... So, that's why I keep reminding myself, take it moment by moment.

I had and have the blues and maybe with no love involved, though that's debatable. I love the topic I'm writing about even if everyone (friends and family) can't figure out (even after I offer context and explanations) why I think it's so important.

So here I am again. Trying to write, the feeling never goes away of needing to get this done. I've started this first chapter several times. I haven't gotten past several pages and the first introductory paragraph is constantly being edited. Goodbye dear proposal, hello first chapter!

(Ha! These last paragraphs reminded me and have me humming "None the Richer" by Sixpence.)

A tea cup and a paleo recipe

A pretty tea cup and dinner.

My fiance and I are trying to eat healthier and that to us means keeping processed foods away. A way that I make myself keep at it is by using pretty china to portion my food intake.


I got to thinking several days ago that tea cups aren't just for tea. They are also the perfect little bowl for soups, tiny salads, and fruits, you name it. A very close friend gifted me a china set. It was her thrift find and she knew that one, I would love the set and two, I would immediately make use of the china. I don't have the complete 6 piece set but I do have enough for four dinner sets. My closest friends always have a place at my dinner table.

Emeals: 30 minute recipes

However, before I can fill the cup with deliciousness I have to make the food. Every week we have a new set of dinner recipes, paleo inspired, that are provided by EMeals. Some recipes are a hit while others are blah. Yesterday, I once again made the Thai Curried Beef. I'm sure it's not close to the 'authentic' dish but I and my fiance do love the way it tastes. If anything, it's a good introduction to Thai cuisine. I doubled the recipe in order to have left overs for the rest of the week. What I really like about this recipe is that it does not need too many ingredients and that it cooks itself in the slow-cooker while I diligently work.  I don't seem to grow tired of this one recipe or of using my tea cups for more than just tea!

A repeat dish that requires the use of colorful and flavorful curry.

Reception Hall and DJ Rene

The wedding date is set! It's for next summer, a warm one I am sure but none-the-less, our warm summer wedding. It is set for June 14, 2014. We are beyond excited, the church venue is reserved as well as the reception area. I, most cannot believe it, did not want to have a reception. I was truly hoping for only a small ceremony with immediate family and the closest of friends. My arguments did not sway my fiance or my mother. My fiance loves parties and he wants this to be our big day. I'm my mother's only daughter. Trying to finish a PhD program is not an excuse, especially for such a significant day as our wedding day. And they are right, I will make it all happen with their help.

A small but beautiful hall.

My fiance suggested we have everything figured out before the semester begins for me and in a way we have. Most of the major details are figured out. Well, maybe not all but everything is falling into place. It's all about asking around, talking to family and friends about ideas as well as searching online for more neat ideas.

We've decided the wedding would be in my hometown and the reception in Vero Beach, Florida. It is far more affordable than if we had chosen a location in Fort Lauderdale. The reception will be held in the Vero Beach Heritage Center, a 1930's building that still has the original wood flooring and that survived a 1940s roof fire as well as tropical storms and hurricanes (Of course not all at the same time!).


And we've got a DJ! He is one of my cousin's uncles, from her other side of the family. He's in high demand in the Treasure Coast area: DJ Rene. Though DJ Rene and I are not directly related he personally knows many of my family since we're part of the same community. I have asked him to call everyone out if they're not up and dancing for the wedding next summer. He has obliged. Imagine having a DJ call out Uncle Joe for not partying like he did in his 20s? That's when you know you've found the right party master!

Picture perfect

An empty apartment preparing itself for a mountain of boxes.

It's been several months since my move to my new apartment and I'm still arranging and decorating. Moving can be a pain, but I have to admit that I enjoy the process of organizing and finding the perfect spot for things. Even if that means having to constantly move furniture around until I find the perfect arrangement. My other half tells me that that's my procrastination blanket--organizing; I dutifully stare at him blankly when he offers such perceptive comments. He's right. Organizing makes me feel like I have control of something, that I'm doing something productive when I'm not writing and am trying to get my research thoughts together. What can I say, organizing can be relaxing.

Ecuador, through my learning eyes.

Yesterday I framed some pictures I took during a study abroad program to Ecuador. I participated in this program many years ago. Seven years ago. I was a disaster arranging my picture frames, but somehow I made it work out. Everyone thankfully is drawn to the pictures and does not notice the slight measurement discrepancies. Well, at least that's what I would like to believe.

Bedroom and paint ideas

I will be living at a new address on November 1st! Tomorrow we will know for sure. I have a feeling this time it will happen. The change is beyond exciting for me and one that I've been looking forward to for a couple of years now. The new place is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo located a few miles away from where I currently reside. The interstate exit to my new neighborhood, however, will add ease to my daily campus commute. The landlord is replacing the flooring before the move-in date. It will either have carpet or tile. I'm hoping she chooses the latter. Regardless, it is new flooring. The current carpet in the place is OLD and dirty but everything else is nicely kept. The walls are white and that makes me giddy. I will finally be able to shop for wall paint. I chose to not paint the walls that currently surround me. They're yellow. No more yellow.

My current bedroom has a splash of mismatched items, some are sleek items while others are quick and convenient buys (drawers) that seem more appropriate for a child's room. I have already found some possible drawers that will go wonderfully with my bed as well as some great paint ideas that will match the bed's blk/brown platform.

Better Homes and Gardens  has two paint wall options that I am considering and that differ greatly.

I found other bedroom ideas on HGTV's website, as well as what to do with thrift finds, such as the above vanity (which was initially only a desk).