The Achievement of goals- May 2010

2010 has been a major year of events for the family. First, starting in January I started intensely writing my dissertation. I had spent the past year designing my research project, implementing it, collecting the data, and analyzing the information collected. January to March was seen as the writing period. I spent ENDLESS hours at the library, at my BBF Samanta’s house, and in my bedroom writing and writing and writing over 150 pages of material. Draft one was sent out; feedback collected; draft two was sent out, returned with more feedback; draft 3 finally yielded my advisor to call upon my committee to schedule a defense date. As April 21, 2010 came, I took more time off to prep for the presentation. And then the day came. I was up early, and out of the house prior to kids waking up. As I walked to my defense, the nervousness and anxiety that has been building up seemed to fade away. As I crossed a street, I seemed to cross into a peaceful entity. My head rose higher, and my heart was light. My defense was at 9am and by 10:30am I had effectively defended my EPP and became Dr. Lulu. I was excited but not as much as my BBF, Samanta. By lunchtime I was crying over some tapas and sangria. The Ed.D. experience had been cumulating up to this important day. Here I was, Dr. Lulu. And on May 28th I walked on stage to receive my doctorate hood from my advisor and the university president. My family and friends were there to see it all. My name was correctly pronounced for the first time at a graduation ceremony, and my smile never left my face for that day. The following week I packed away all my research into a box to be held on for three years (as prescribed by the Human Subjects Board). It’s been surreal to believe this journey is over. No more classes, no more writing (for now), no more questioning if I could get this done. It WAS done!!! Dr. Lulu is now in the house.

For the rest of the family we had some fun events. Carlita took dance lessons this year and her first dance recital was held in early May. Tiki room (the dance she performed) was so cute and adorable. I’m not sure if dance is for her yet but we’ll keep it going. She also did gymnastics, and swim lessons. Very busy little girl. For Luke he also had gymnastics. He was mostly interested in the pit and the trampoline. He did get stronger and eventually was able to hold on to a bar by himself. The kids really enjoy being active and getting to do things.

The big event for the kids was when on 5/18 after church choral (yes Carlita did that too), Carlita picked up Luke and dropped him on grass but there was a hidden tree stump. Next thing I knew there was blood all over and I was trying to clean it up in the bathroom. Carlita was crying and I was freaking out. We rushed to Urgent Care (Carlita was taken to Ray St. to attend a floor meeting with one of my RAs). Poor Luke! He was strapped down to get five stitches into his forehead. Poor Mom as she watched her son in pain but nothing she could do. Poor Dad who didn’t make it. After it was all done, Luke was a bit back to himself and passed out right when we got home. I was thankful for the help of Samanta, and the church moms who came to my rescue. A week later the stitches were out with no drama, and the scar can barely be seen under Luke’s curly curls. I swear that I will be in the ER once a week with these kids. Carlita last year with her arm, and so far this year Luke for his forehead. Hopefully not that much.

The next big event that occurred for our family was the running at the Delaware Running Festival. Karl ran the marathon and I ran the half-marathon. We’ve been training all semester, and the event came. It was an amazing experience that we both are still recovering from. Our feet reflect the scars of the training and the race. Karl finished in 4 hours, and I within two hours. It really is an amazing feat to run 26.2 miles but humans are not meant to run that far. Now we’ll focus back to small 5k races. Actually Karl placed second in his age group at the Blue Hen 5k in early June. I did pretty well too, with a 27 min. finishing time. The summer, though, will be focused on family moments. No races but family trips and events. It is summer and a wonderful time for our memory making.