It has been about two months since I last posted and so much has happened. Here is a quick update….
PhD Year 2
I started the second year of my doctoral program in Clinical Health Psychology and it has been a whirlwind. I finally feel like I am settling in and getting into the groove of the program and I ave been continually excited as I determine and refine the areas of research that really speak to me (more about this later in a separate post). That being said, trying to turn all of these ideas into a working thesis/second year project with approval from my adviser has been a challenge. I started clinical work this year and have my first client, which I am absolutely loving. I am also TAing for a Research Methods course, working specifically with a blind student to help her learn to use, navigate and manage SPSS, while managing the SONA Student Research Pool. All the while I have been trying to explore additional research topics that are interesting to me, complete my coursework, and keep up with readings. In a nutshell, I am extremely busy, tired, but really excited and passionate about the work I am doing.
I became a certified yoga teacher
I need to do a separate post on this as well. I spent the month of June living in Asheville, NC and immersing myself in a month-long yoga teacher training. We were in class every day from 8am-5pm, took or observed yoga classes from 5pm-8pm and completed homework/writing assignments in our “free” time. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I began teaching weekly classes specifically for graduate students at the school and have seen a yoga community begin to emerge. The classes started at around 10 students and through the weeks have increased to a consistent 15-30 people. The feedback I have received has been incredibly positive and I have been enjoying tying what I am learning through my research and studies into each class (i.e., providing education on the empirical benefits of mindfulness, information related to positive psychology theory, etc.). It has become one of the highlights of my week and I am so happy to have the opportunity to share yoga with the graduate community at my school. I have a feeling that some of my future research will involve yoga interventions as well…
I found the perfect planner
Seriously, if you are in school or love to plan, you know how hard it can be to find that one special planner that works for you. Well, I found it and I am in love. A special post dedicated to this subject will follow.
The search for a home has begun
Drew and I have started casually looking into purchasing a home. We figure we will be in the Charlotte area for at least four more years (if not longer) and this might be a good opportunity to begin building equity. We have yet to find the right home for us, but have had lots of fun scouring the web each weekend for potential places.
I have committed to a better me
This seems to be an ongoing theme but it is a good one. I am meditating regularly, making time for yoga/exercise most days of the week, I have committed to spending as close to an entire day with Drew (sans-work) each week as I can, and I have committed to pursuing work/research that is personally meaningful and satisfying to me. I am trying to cook meals as often as I can and Drew and I have committed to eating healthy, trying to include more whole,organic and locally sourced foods into our diet. I plan to begin putting recipes up here when I come across ones that I love (to start, I have killer Thai peanut sauce and delicious Golden Milk recipes I can’t wait to share). I am trying to commit to cleaning more often and being less messy, but I think that is going to have to come at a later time….
So much going on, so much happening! I am excited to be back and look forward to sharing updates with you all.
Happy Monday!
Happy Shanti 