Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Possibilities

possibilities.jpg{we heart it}

There are lots of exciting changes going on around our house, and though I don't want to go into too much detail just yet, I don't want to totally leave yall in the dark either.  (Plus, there is no way I can cryptically blog for the next three months without making reference to some of these exciting changes.)  And since I have the habit of rambling when I'm excited, I'm keeping myself to a one line minimum. Well, one line at a time anyway :)

Most of yall know I am close to finishing my Ph.D...
I know I've been a bit secretive about what my degree is in...
I'm not quite ready to reveal that to the masses yet...
(Not that 482 readers is really the masses lol.)

Anyway, the last step of my Ph.D program is an "internship..."
This internship is a full time, year long, 50 hours a week job that is required for peeps in our field...
Most internship sites offer 3 or 4 spots to hundreds of applicants...
Eeesh, not my favorite odds.

I have spent the last two months working on applications, writing essays, and rewriting my vita 905 times...
I submitted 15 applications to sites all around the country...
And after weeks of waiting, I am finally beginning to hear back from sites...
All good news so far.

Matt on the other hand, is at the other end of this internship process...
That is in fact, why we moved to Chicago, for his internship...
PS: we are in the same field and met in graduate school; you can read that story here...)
In August, he will graduate and officially become Dr. Matt...
(Crazy huh?)

This means that Matt has also been on the job hunt...
For professor positions to be exact...
And after months of working on applications, writing essays, and rewriting his vita 905 times...
He finally heard good news last night...
(Good news as in we're flying out next week to visit a prospective university!)

But you may have noticed a complication...
We are both going through this search process at the same time...
This makes things more difficult...
Especially because my search process isn't like a normal search process...
(Its more like a twisted grown up version of sorority rush, where a computer dictates highest mutual matches.)

So this means that we potentially may live apart for a year...
(Sigh...)
I know, it isn't ideal...
And we're not excited about it...
But sometimes you have to do what you have to do...

But if a few rare things line up, we might end up in the same place...
So for now we're playing the waiting game...
Waiting to see what sites like me...
And waiting to see what universities like Matt...

And ultimately waiting to see what that means for where we'll be next year...

And though there are lots of unknowns...
We are looking at things as an adventure...
Because exciting changes can mean wonderful possibilities...
And who can argue with wonderful possibilities?

I promise to keep you all posted, and I promise, at some point, I'll give more details.  You all and this little blog have become such a important part of my life, that I couldn't imagine not mentioning all this stuff, and because I don't say it enough, thank you for making this corner of the web such a lovely little place for me :)

18 comments:

Nicole Marie said...

oh man good luck with everything!! hopefully everything works out and you guys don't have to be apart!

Bee29 said...

Good luck!! I know how crazy these matches are, but they are also very exiting and full of possibilities as you mentioned.
I work for a hospital in nyc in a psych dept.and every year I see new interns, fellows and residents come and go, lifes change and friendships and bonds form. Hope you and ur hubby end up at the same place! Best of luck on your match!

RAW said...

Wow--there are some big changes coming your way! Good luck!

As someone who lived apart from her boyfriend for three years, living away from one another for a year will be difficult, but not THAT bad. It's doable with frequent visits. Obviously, living in the same time zone is good, too :)

I hope everything works out. Keep us posted!

C Mae said...

Wow no way I'd go for living apart. I'd just wait till it was my turn later on to find a job or something....

Anonymous said...

Best wishes for all that is to come, Allison.

Mr. M and I lived apart for 5 months RIGHT after we got married -- It was one of the hardest things we'd ever had to do ... He was finally out of the Army (no more year-long deployments!) and I was so close to finishing school I could taste it. However difficult it was, though, I don't think either of us would trade it for anything; he supported me continuing my education, and I could never have asked for a more encouraging husband.

I missed him so much it hurt, of course (and I swear, knowing that we were married made it THAT much worse), but that particular separation gave me an appreciation and love for him that our previous times apart hadn't. Should you have to make it work, I'm positive you will, with communication, faith, and a whole lot of love!

Anonymous said...

So glad I could offer you some peace of mind, however small! In the meantime, we'll all pray that you be accepted to programs near each other.

Thank you for your comment, as well -- Have a wonderful first week of December!

Alivia said...

AH! Good luck! I know everything will work out!
<3

amy kelinda said...

Oh goodness, living apart for a year? That sounds tough!! I know you two adore each other and will make it work, though! Good luck to you and Matt in everything!!!

Stephanie said...

Oh my goodness-that makes me want to say a prayer for you guys like right NOW! On a much smaller scale I can relate, all MBA students have to do an internship so Doug will be away, but only for a summer. I admire your courage and your dedication to accomplish your goals and get that P.hD regardless of circumstance! It will be like a thousand times better if yall both end up in really cool spots to go visit each other!

Amanda @ Life with A.Co said...

Holy crap! Live apart for a year?! Noooo :( but... like you said, wonderful posibilities and experiences... now that's what I would call making lemonade if it came to that.

Eep! Can't wait to hear more! Sounds like good-ish news is rolling in and hopefully more to come! FINGERS CROSSED!!

A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984

PursuitOfLLT said...

Lots of what ifs right now, but mostly excitement!! Hopefully you both end up close or within an easy flight of each other. No matter what, you'll be fine!

Keep us posted!! Fingers crossed for you and Matt to end up in the same city!

caknitter said...

You two lead adventurous lives. Good luck with everything. Sounds so exciting. There's a blogger that just went through the same thing.I wonder if you read her blog. Here is her blog so you read some words of encouragement. :-)
http://positivelypreppyinpink.blogspot.com/

Alison Kinsey said...

wow, definitely an exciting time, but you couldn't be more right about lots of unknowns, lots of potential changes. but i'm glad you're keeping your spirits up about it! even if you DO have to be separate for a year, you'll at least be putting your own priorities first, and it'll work out for the best in the end! depending on where you find internships, are you going to be relocating again? and do you plan to stay in chicago long-term?

Whitney said...

Allison, oh my gosh this is such exciting news! And I wouldn't worry about being apart one bit (aside from missing each other, of course). You guys will be like a more fab version of Giuliana and Bill. Good luck! You're in my thoughts!

Kaydee said...

What exciting news! I hope everything works out for you! :) Hopefully you all when end up at the same place!!

That Girl in Pearls said...

Good luck Allison!! I totally feel you when it comes to this unique situation. Totally not ideal, but you two will surely find a way to make it work and do it fabulously. Best of luck to you and Matt!

All my Love,
B.

Paige said...

The life of Academia is full of challenges, and I understand for both you and Matt!

I graduated w/ my PhD and am currently doing my post doc and have lived apart from my hubby for over a year. Like you said, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Stay strong!

Steph @ Professors_Wife said...

My hubs is currently in the academic job market for 2011 openings - he just finished the first full draft of his diss yesterday! He's in the interview process, and it's nervewracking. I'm ready to pack up and go wherever, but it makes me want to throw up a little bit every day because waiting on phone calls and emails is so hard for him! There's 'nuffin' I can do :( Just be supportive wifey. Good luck to both you and your husband! Sacrifice is a big part of achieving goals and making your dreams come true - everything always works out :)