My Past and Present

 It's been four years since I last wrote. How can that be?! 

2017, I got married! I did several job interviews, which put wind in my sails, but those were not meant to be at that time. Published my 2nd year paper. I ran the Chicago marathon while nursing a hamstring injury.

2018, I did a few more job interviews and landed a dream job as postdoc at the Vanderbilt U/Peabody COE. Defended my dissertation and graduated with my PhD. Published one dissertation paper in a specialty journal I love, and received an R&R at a great journal, which gave me so much professional confidence! Traveled to India to visit A's family there. Piriformis injury prevented any races, except a half-marathon in Snellville in February. Started to see running as sometimes a distraction from important things in my life-- this hopefully taught me that I need to be on the lookout for this hobby I love having aspects that don't help me. May I remember that every time I get an injury (which sadly seems much more frequent now in my 30s).

2019, I did three more job interviews that were a great experience, but again they were not meant to be at that time. Paper from my dissertation published in exciting journal; other paper rejected three times. Ran Nashville marathon; avoided injury by incorporating yoga into my training. Became pregnant with I. Enjoyed pregnancy a lot. Had scary bloodclot in third trimester that meant I couldn't run but I took up swimming instead. I savored those days in Nashville, especially the ones with A. 

2020, I. was born five days in! What a downright magical and miraculous experience. Life with him is joy-filled. Not always easy, but wonderful. He is a wonder. We made the decision to deliver at Vanderbilt; I am glad we did. I was able to keep my reading fiction quotient up even in motherhood, which was a shock to me. I struggled at first knowing how to maintain my identity from pre-motherhood, but thanks to a supportive partner, was able to "find" my old self again. Also a super-supportive cousin, A, and best friend, C. And other colleagues and friends and relatives. Having a child makes me feel more connected to them. And, I landed a dream job. I am preparing to teach again, subjects I am excited about and feeling mostly ready to reactivate my teaching "muscle memory."

I am not entirely sure how I will use this blog going forward, but my dream would be that it would put me back in touch with my writing self. The creative one that has dreams to publish a book of some kind; maybe that book has to be only an academic one, but that doesn't mean I should stop creative writing. I wonder if anyone out there has written about maintaining a varied writing practice when one is an academic. Writing does not bother me like I think it might others...then again, I am writing this on a day when all other things are going well. Maybe reality is usually that that is not the case: you're behind on one thing (or 5) or another; baby isn't napping, daycare is closed, spouse is busy or gone, family needs help, motivation isn't there, etc. But on sunny days like this, let me confirm my intention to write more, and get the time to do it by stopping doing other things that add nothing to my or others' lives.

One question I am wrestling with right now is how to serve others (especially those without) in the midst of COVID.