Well, to all our loyal readers (don’t think I’m conceited, i only use plural of reader because I know there are at least 2 of you out there) I’m back.
Huge check marks are next to items on my list and I feel like we are finally going to slow down…well, maybe…
Moved into new house – check!
Went to Jacksonville for Professional Conference – check!
Mom got through successful knee replacement surgery – check!
Christmas Shopping – mostly check!
New running shoes purchased for my recommittment to fitness – check!
Christmas cards mailed – check!
Holiday cooking and party schedule on calendar – check!
Bowl game tickets purchased – check!
What a busy time of year it is…and I like to complicate things by moving into a new house and my profession likes to complicate things by holding our annual professional conference a couple weeks before Christmas and TCU likes to complicate things by going to an amazing BCS bowlgame!
AWESOME!
But regardless of any and all of the above, this would still be a hectic time of year. I am trying to remember that in January after all the presents are unwrapped, all the food is eaten, the house is a mess for the millionth time, and we are overall tired, fat, happy and back at work…life will still be here and hopefully we will be in a better place and just not a more exhausted place.
2010 is lining up to be an incredible year mainly because we don’t have a million things already on the schedule. Sean and I are looking forward to really just getting to see what life is like for our little family when we have the opportunity to pick and choose our adventures. We’ve had so much fun celebrating in 2009 with friends and family, but sometimes all that celebration takes you away from the everyday moments that create the memories we hold so dear.
While I was at my conference this past week, I was so fortunate to really reflect on the profession I have chosen and the passionate people that sustain our industry of higher education administration. We have all made different decisions in regards to the type of schools we work at, the amount of supervison we give or get, the amount of hours we work, and the impact we allow students to have on our everyday lives. By choosing to go part time, I am an abnormal administrator in my professional circle. That I am a woman who is married with two kids makes me an abnormal administrator in my professional circle. That I am not pursuing a Ph.D. or even thinking about it right now makes me an abnormal administrator in my professional circle. The fact that I have worked at one university for almost 4 years makes me an abnormal administrator in my professional circle. That I’ve been in the field of Greek Life for almost 7 years and am still a “Coordinator” and not a “Director”, “Dean”, “Consultant” or “Speaker” makes me an abnormal administrator in my professional circle.
My conference this year only solidified my contentment in my professional and personal life. I have never been so happy to be ABNORMAL. I truly feel that the decisions I have made in the past 3 years regarding my career were me taking the road “less traveled” and not going along with popular opinion or “fast track”. Life is a marathon and I pray everyday that I get to have the many years ahead of me to figure out where I want my career to go…and even more years to watch my children grow and have amazing adventures with my soul mate.
While most of the time, especially at this time of year, I feel like I am running around with all 17 of my heads cut off, I know I’ve got something right in the grand scheme of things!
I’m really thankful for my time at my professional conference this past week to hang out with good friends, listen to impressive and intelligent speakers, and of course eat fun food…but I’m most thankful for the faces that greeted me when I got back!
They are the reason I do what I do…everyday!
And make me so thankful to be…
I’m praying for perspective these next couple weeks as we fire on all cylinders! Hope you can find some too! And special thanks to Sarah Wehkamp for taking such amazing pictures of the Murphy clan to use in our house, on our Christmas cards and on this blog to document this special and crazy times in our lives! She will help you preserve your memories too, email her at sarahwehkamp@gmail.com.
Have a great weekend everyone!
