The last month of the year

I can't believe 2010 is over. It seems like it sped all the way the last month. It was almost impossible to get on this blog to talk about all the happenings because there were just so much.

First, my professional career is coming to a close at the University of Delaware. I've been here for 8 years and am excited for a new adventure. I will miss my students and staff the most. I received great gifts from each group I advise (RSA gave me a scrapbook, RSAC thank you cards, and SIH an engraved picture frame). I spent alot of time "downloading" my brain to individuals who need information to keep Ray St. afloat. Actually, Ray St. and RSA and SIH will be fine. I have a great staff and student leaders who have stepped up since my announcement in late Oct. to leave this job. As tradition, I had the "last supper" with my staff on Friday evening (the day the halls closed). Gifts, stories, and tears were exchanged. Though I don't start my new job at temple until Jan. 6th, it really was an ending now in Dec. for all my relationships at UD. I had last lunches with UD friends and individuals who have supported me through the past years. It's been a long journey, to say the less. One of my colleagues stated "You did it your way!". You can say that again. I really never imagined myself being at UD this long, and never imagined that I would be Dr. Lulu now. Though I believe you can have a 5-10 year goal/plan, really you can't. You can't forecast the future and the possibilities that await you. It is bitter-sweet leaving UD. I wished certain things were different in my department but I have learned alot and will take alot from this experience. Thank you UD for pushing me to my potential, and helping me make lifelong friends.

Click here to see my last Ray St. staff photos

Second, the month of Dec. was packed with family activities, mostly related to church events and Carlita performing. We had Carlita singing in her chorus, being an angel in the Xmas Pageant, and dancing at the Xmas eve mass.  Then we had Xmas parties at Luke's Daycare and at Carlita's school where I dressed up as an elf (yes that's my own costume).

I also had a going away party for Carlita on her last day at the Early Learning Center, since we will be taking her out of there to stay home for a month in order for us to start saving money for a house. Carlita actually wasn't too upset about this. If she could, she would stay home all the time. So when the week of Dec. 20th came with no students around you would think I had plenty of time to wrap things up here but I was on speed to get Xmas and everything ready for the holidays. Xmas cards were finally sent out (over 150 cards made). Presents finally purchased and more packing done. Unfortunately, I lost my keys in the Toys-r-us parking lot so I had to get a new driver's license and keys. Not the way I wanted to be spending my week.

Third, I'm transitioning into a new lifestyle - where my work will be seperate from my homelife. For most of the world, this is true but for me the past 18 years I've only known campus life and living in the residence halls. I get what it's going to be like having to get up early in the morning to travel to Philly and get back home late. I'm in mourning of losing a lifestyle that is flexible and adjustable. I can do whatever I want, whenever I need to at any hour of the day. Now I have to pack in work from 8 to 4:30pm. People at work won't know me as a mother and my homelife (other than they reading my blog and me talking about it which I will). It will just be different. Karl is excited about it and I think the kids (at least Carlita) is excited but for me I'm sad. I'm sad that I won't be able to work out in the morning, take a shower and eat lunch in my apartment, and get to work in the afternoon and do meetings at night. I'm going to be sad learning about my students at all hours of the night, and getting to bond with them over the little things. Now I'm seperate from them more and will need to work alot harder to make those connections, but my job is different and I will need to do different things as the job requires.

So thank you 2010 for a wonderful year. It's been intense and exciting. I've achieved all my goals and you have been good to me. I hope 2011 brings more of the same.

See you all in 2011.