It has begun - 3 weeks in

Wow - it has been a month since I have blogged and I am excited to sit down and finally blog!

I started classes on August 28th. This semester I am taking 3 courses: [Advanced] Stream Ecology, Medical & Veterinary Entomology, and Parasites and Humans Health.  I have had to change my mindset with these classes because these are only 10 sh, but they do encompass more work than if I was talking this load in undergraduate (which would be considered under a full course load).  In addition to the normal studying, term paper, and lab reports, graduate students are also expected to do a supplemental paper & presentation to show working knowledge.  

Central Connecticut State University is a very nice school and the campus is easy to get lost on - but I have finally figured my way around - as long as I don't consult their map (I was more confused by the numbering that it is easy to get lost following the map. However, I did get turned around and used google maps to get to into the right direction and it was very accurate (That was something I never thought I would be doing is googling my way to class). (I feel like this is a #smallschoolproblems in my case)

My class sizes are very small and I have an advisor, Dr. A.B, who is very student oriented and does want to help reach my goals - this is reminiscent of Catawba College and how close I was to my professors, faculty, and peers/friends. 

Right now my main focus is getting through the process of becoming a substitute teacher/paraprofessional through Kelly Educational Staffing.  Once I am through the process, I will be working with them for two to three days a week.  Also, I was hired by Miccinello Associates as a freelance editor - which is exciting to help build my skills. One day, I would love to work for myself in some fashion - along with working of course. 

With all that being said, I will learn to juggle and manage my time efficiently. I hope to work 14-21 hours part-time, do well in my courses, focus on what I will be doing for my thesis, and stay active in my church. 

Right now, I will have the opportunity to go to the CT Agricultural Station to meet someone that will be on my thesis committee and Dr. A.B. wants me to collaborate with in order to get published.  I am excited and nervous about this - I chose CT as one of the places because I did see where I could also do mosquito research (at the time - I switched it to tickborne diseases) and eventually work for them once I got my higher degree.  That will be soon, especially since the grant is due on October 10th - and I haven't started yet - I can mainly focus on the background but the hypothesis & methodology is still in the air. BUT... I do want to study coinfection rates and the effect of environmental changes (I still come back to environmental health based topics sprinkled with microbiology as the themes).

In other news, I have started running again (I ran 23 minutes nonstop, which is good for 3 month hiatus. I do need to work on speed, which is what gets me everytime I increased the speed) (I took a 3 months hiatus and did tennis lessons & yoga/pilates) - I am hoping to be able to run (outside or in the gym) and gain confidences.  Running allows for me to have self-discipline and goals met that I can apply to other parts of my life.  I also would like to work on toning. I have lost over 50 pounds in small increments, but I want to build ab muscle in my core area - rather than it being on the bony side (I mean I shouldn't complain but I do), along with strengthening my arms (I still have no upper body strength, so that's crazy).

Additionally, I have started Sunday School again (I haven't taught or been in a Sunday School classroom since May of 2017). I have impromptu took over children's church three times and have assisted but didn't expect anything to come of it. I do love the kids, which helps a lot.  I think it's cool to know that I have younger kids watching me and trying to be that example for them, especially Sw  and I have influenced her interest in biology (I never thought I would have a teenager ask willingly if she could swab her belly button - but never say never),

Stay tuned for more adventures!! 

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