The end of the semester & the MALE EQUIPMENT

Hello people, I know i have been a very bad blogger, but blame it on the S..S...S....C...H..O...O...L... Did you get the drift of what i was trying to do? A blame it on the A...A...A...LCOHOL kinda thing. To say i have been extremely busy, would be a serious understatement. Thank God for life, love, family, good health and everything in between. Whew! It seems as if this year just flew by.

So what has been happening in my life lately. Thank God, I passed my candidacy exam this semester. WOOHOO!!! So you can now call me a PhD Candidate or a Doctoral candidate, i'll let u decide whichever you prefer. My analogy for this is that my name is now written in pencil. Lemme break it down for you:

When you 1st get admitted to a PhD program, ur name is written in chalk meaning when a strong wind blows or something, it can be wiped off in an instant, then when you pass the candidacy exam, your name is written in pencil meaning it can still be easily erased, but by now u've become used to the strong wind so that the wind cannot blow it off easily. Then when you take your written & oral comprehensive exam in your 3rd year and pass that's when your name gets written in ink and is difficult to erase, then when you are ABD (All But Dissertation) and you successfully write and defend your dissertation, that's when your name is etched in permanent marker which cannot be erased. Gerrit?

To say this semester has been challenging wouldn't do it justice at all, but in all i still thank God. I wake up everyday (scratch that everyday part) with a renewed love for what i do, and ever so thankful to God for choosing this program for me. To tell you the truth, i don't think i could've chosen better and to think that this program was a last resort thing for me seems interesting now that i look back. God does know me and my abilities better than i know myself.

This semester, I was a teacher's assistant (TA) for 2 classes, at the same time taking 3 intense classes and being a part time unofficial RA. Thank God next semester, i don't have to TA. I'll be a full time RA, which will give me enough time to write and publish. I pray and plan to have at least the 2 papers i have been working on published by the end of next semester. On a lighter note, the things i have heard from students and experienced while TA'ing, i can write a book on. Lemme share one of such:

Task: Write a scientific term paper on sexuality. Student writes in term paper (paraphrasing), a disadvantage for men is that when doing it, the male equipment gets tired and the male has to rest. The girl may assume that the man is not capable or that his equipment doesn't function well. What the heck is THE MALE EQUIPMENT??? Is that supposed to be his moustache, beard or what? If so, then what is the female equipment? What is "doing it?" For crying out loud this is a scientific paper and a 400 level class and you don't need to be shy/ uncomfortable 'cos u're writing it, not saying the word to me. Anyway, let's leave the school thingie alone for now.

The holidays are here, but i have no real holiday plans, maybe i'll just take a week off and then back to work. I need to sort out a few things and clear my head as per what exactly i am going to be doing for my dissertation. I have ideas, but nothing i am set on yet. This break will be spent editing for the 5th time ('cos i'm anal like that :) the 2 papers i have been working on. The plan is to submit them for publication by the end of January- Amen.

The bf (aka Mr. ELVEE) has been very supportive and understanding. I love that boy more and more everyday. I just thank God for bringing him into my life, 'cos whenever i get all wound up in the fabric of academia and all, he reminds me and helps me put in perspective things that are more important. Academia isn't the beginning and end of the world. In all of these, my family has been awesome and very supportive.

I really shouldn't be on this blog now typing this, considering the amount of things i have to do before the end of next week, screaming for my attention. But, it will all get done by God's grace even if i will have quite a number of sleepless nights. AH! The life of a student. I just pray and i am trusting God that everything will pay off eventually. I know he will not and has never brought me this far just to abandon me. That's comforting, that i have a father that will never ever fail me.

Have a very merry Christmas and always have a thankful spirit, 'cos no matter what situation u're in always remember that someone has it worse than you, and that where you are right now is still a prayer point for some others. Enjoy the holidays.

~XOXO

YAY! School has started

Hello people, how're you? School started on Monday and i am excited 'cos i really did not have a vacation from school. Anyway, i don't know why, but i am just excited. So i went to Baltimore on Thursday for the weekend. I decided to leave early in the morning to attend a 9 am class i was trying to register for. So i left Bmore at 5:30 am and was about 13 miles to Happy Valley, when the Popo pulled me over. As in, i was shocked! In my almost 5 yrs of driving, i have never ever been pulled over in this America by a cop for speeding. Mr. Popo asked me if i knew what the speed was around that area and i told him i thought it was 65mph, he said it was 55mph. I was doing like 75mph, but as soon as i sighted oga police i slammed on my brakes, so i think he really did not catch my speed. He asked for my documents, and then gave me a warning. Omo, i was happy o. Infact i almost hugged uncle police. Nobody told me o, i was gentle all the way to Happy Valley.

So i am a teaching assistant for 2 classes this semester. The most interesting one is the 400 level sex class. Today was the 1st day of class, and the prof asked them to write down the 1st thing they thought about when they heard the word SEX. Omo come and here responses o. I almost fainted and died of laughter. Some things i have never ever heard in my 20 som'n years of life. Let me share some with y'all: 69 (what's that?), moisture, STD's, AIDS, past gf's, present gf's and future one's i want to f*&k ... Abeg, let me keep this blog PG13. Please if anyone knows the meaning of 69 pls tell me. I will kuku come hear to gist y'all about the class 'cos i am sure it will be so much fun. The professor sef, she's so cool.

Looks like i will actually be a full time research assistant in the spring semester. I am so excited! You know what that means??? I am not going to be teaching for a while. Bliss! One thing i know for sure is that when i am done with this degree, i don't want to teach. It's bad enough that they say i already look like a professor/ school teacher/ school principal! That means, i have to start thinking, looking and networking on opportunities after i graduate.

By the way, i just realized that God willing, this time next year i should be done with my classes, and should be working towards my dissertation (the BIG D). I have an idea what i want to do for the BIG D, 1) it will be about women/ girls 2) it will be in global health 3) i will travel somewhere in Africa to collect my dissertation data and 4) it will be a qualitative study. I am sure more things will unfold as i continue to explore.

My Oga reviewed my paper, and he thinks i am doing a very good job so i am excited about that, glory be to God. Now the part i hate is this, having to revise the paper and then resubmit. Now i have 2 papers to revise and resubmit. By God's grace i want to submit those 2 papers to 2 different journals. God willing, my goal before i graduate with this degree is to have at least 4 papers on which i am the first author- AMEN.

Did i tell y'all that i am now a senior gal in my office? There are 2 new students in my lab. I have to "train" them according to my oga. Phew! Huge responsibility, 'cos i have my plate full already. I need to sign off now 'cos i have had my jumpdrive stuck in my computer's USB port for about an hour now. Work calls. Till we yarn again peeps, DEUCES!!! (That's my new slang, from "THE GAME").

Thank God for life

My people, how una dey? I thank God for the gift of life and most importantly good health. I have been down with a nasty cold for almost a week now. Thank God i am alive and well. So what has yours truly been up to? Chilling and working. I move to my new apt in less than 2 weeks, and i haven't even started packing (not like i have a whole lot to pack anyway). Besides my bed, futon, a sofa, TV, TV stand, computer desk, microwave, toaster, small fridge, books, clothes, i am done. Voila! Anyway, so i have been on a 1 week self imposed bed rest, 'cos that cold really had me on lockdown o, if not for God on my side.

On another note jare, i have been travelling to Baltimore like every weekend since summer began. It's not as if Bmore is next door to me like that o, it's at least 3 hours (~170 miles) away from me. So now i am sitting my behind in my village till school starts. I attended praise nite on Friday at Jesus House Baltimore, it was an awesome experience. I have missed undiluted praise & worship like that so much. The worship led by Pastor Paul Irabor and his New Breed International church choir was off the hook, dynamic. It was really an hallelujah good time being in the presence of God. I enjoyed every moment.

My paper's coming along fine, and my Oga has made some revisions to it, so i will proceed. Hopefully, by God's grace i can have it all written and done by the end of summer. Summer break is almost over, not like i really had a break sha. Anyway, it's all good. Take care people. Remain blessed.

I wish ...

2 posts in about 24 hrs, i tell u i am really improving. Woohoo!!! Anyway, i remember growing up, i used to wish i had an english name and stuff like that. I'll share with u some of the names i wish i was christened. Infact, to console myself, i've started making up names for my unborn kids (lol).

DISCLAIMER: No offence to people bearing these names o, i am just talking my own.

I wish i was named:

Tinu: Atinuke/ Tinuade/ Tinuola. You get the drift, anything that can be shortened to Tinu

Deyo: Moradeyo

Deke: Moradeke

Wura: Adediwura, not a big fan of Wuraola

Toluwanimi

Oyinkansola, Oyinkansade

Mojoyinade

Mojoyinola

Mojirola

Olufunmilade

Oluwasomidotun

Oluwadabira

Oluwadara

Kanyinsola

Fiyinfoluwa

Fopefoluwa

English names:

Joyce

Hephzibah ( i know it's not english)

Hadassah (Hebrew for Esther)

Caroline (Pls, i'd hate for that beautiful name to be shortened to Caro)

Rachel

For guys:

Xavier (absolutely love that name!)

Charles

Joshua

I think that's it for now. I will update the list as i remember.

Do y'all sometimes wish u had a different name? Please share?

YAY! Summer's here

I'm back again. Me and this my erratic blogging pattern sha, only God will save me. Anyway, let's have 1 minute of silence for the King of Pop, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays, Ed McMahon and all those that have died recently.

Ok, 1 minute's up ......

Back to me. So 1st year's over. HALLELUJAH!!! PRAISE GOD!!!

2nd year, rolls in and before u know it i will be in my 4th yr- Amen!

Anyway, the summer's in, but it doesn't feel like summer for me. I am still in State college, living and working. I have some goals this summer, i pray i am able to accomplish all of them by the end of summer.

SUMMER TO-DO LIST

1. Finish up my paper to be sent out for publishing by the end of the year.

2. Revise the literature review paper and resubmit

3. Take a summer class and pass it excellently- Amen. Seeing as it is a 15 week class compressed into 5 days. Lord help me.

4. pack up my apartment and move.

5. Do whatever my "Oga" (My advisor) gives me to do

Gosh! School is beginning to take over my life. See as my summer list, has nothing fun included. Just school, and school and more school. Even i don't have plans for July 4. Just chilling and working on my projects. HA!

On another note, the boo and i went to New York over the weekend and we had a blast. Thank God for that boy in my life sha. I feel very blessed to have him and i lovvvvvvvvvvve him so much. Whatever jo! Afterall, it's my blog. Anyway, back to my studies. Just on here to take a break. I will try to be more consistent with my blogging. Laterssssssss people.

Bla...

I told y'all i would repent and be a serious blogger, and i stayed true to my word. Err about the title, that kinda explains how i feel right about now. Ah well! The life of a grad student... I have a ton of things to do before the semester's officially over, but 'cos of the lurve i have for y'all, i'm here to share snippets of my life.

I've come to the following conclusions about being a PhD student:

1.) It's purely glorified/ dignified/ (insert an appropriate word) slavery. You get to do work for your mentor, before you actually start getting fully into your own research, and even after that, it doesn't get any better.

2.) You always have a huge pile of stuff to do! As one ends, u have a zillion others clamoring for ur attention

3.) The work never really ends. Did i say that already.

4.)You start re-thinking ur life, and asking yourself countless times who sent u to enroll in the 1st place. Oh, and then u remember that it's ur never-ending zeal for knowledge plus ur hope that one day you will do some amazing research that will end up saving humanity!

I'll share the others, as i continue on this journey of discovery.

I am supposed to be getting work done. In an attempt to being a very good girl, i bolted out of the house to my lab/office. So far, i've been good. I finished grading and entering the grades for my students. Ah, i need to tell y'all there's a story about that... More on that later. Then i went to Qdoba to get free lunch/dinner, comprising of a burrito and tortilla chips plus soda. All free. Well, not really free 'cos i used my gift certificate i earned. I am catching on fast to this my new life, well it ain't new anymore, 1st year as a PhD student is almost over next week. Whew! I have come to learn that as a grad student, anywhere there's free food on campus, is the spot you should be at. So i was sitting down jejely when our weekly e-newswire was sent to my inbox, and i saw an ad about this doctoral student needing female research participants to complete a survey, and since i fit into the criteria, i went. BTW, i chopped enough insult from my labmate for actually walking 10 minutes in the cold to go do this. It was some kinda survey on HPV vaccine. Anyway, i was given a Qdoba gift certificate for spending 30 minutes of my precious time completing the survey. I have been participating in so many studies, being a "research subject" a.k.a. guinea pig that give incentives (of course, what kind of a person do u think i am?)as long as they're not injecting me or doing some weird stuff to me. Alas! The life of a lowly grad student.

Back to the gist about the grades. I am teaching/ TA'ing a 300 level research writing class in my department this semester, in addition to taking 3 classes, and being a research assistant. I had to grade the last exam and return it to them by yesterday. Long story short, i started grading 5 am yesterday and by 10:30, i was done with about 50 papers (multiple choice, short answer and essay questions). To say, i was being a mother christmas with the grades would be a serious understatement! Anyway, i zipped through them all, looking for the key points. Got to class yesterday, showed the students their grades, only for many of them to be making comments like, "WOW! I actually did better than i thought i would." I just thought to cut them some slack, since this was the last exam anyway, and trust me i have been a "good" (read: hard) grader all semster long. With that being said, some people still banged it.

The parents come into town soon, so i'm abso-freaking-lutely excited to see them. Can't wait! Anyway, gotta get back to work, and then finish typing up my 20-30 page paper by tomorrow. Lord, i need you to pls help me, 'cos i just have zero motivation and stamina right now.

P.S: Excuse the typos, should there be any. Brain's fried and too tired to proofread.
P.P.S: Y'all lurve me too much, right? And if u think i can't speak proper english, good for you.
Gotta go.

It's been toooooo loooooooooonnnnnnngggggggg, people!

Helloooooooooo people, if there's ever an award for the most unserious and inconsistent blogger ever, i'll win that award hands down. No contest on that! I've been neck deep busy with school work, omo this PhD no be joke o. It has seriously kept me on lockdown. It is glorified, or should i say modern day slavery, but as i have laid my hand to the plough, by the grace of God there's no looking back till i am done. It is tough, no doubt about that. Tough, in the sense that you have to learn to be an expert at managing your time and multi-tasking. I am taking classes now, at the same time i am a teacher's assistant and a doing my research. God is my strength and i know he has not brought me this far to leave me, so with that being said, i am thankful to God for this wonderful opportunity he has given me.

On a lighter note, i have missed blogging, it's ridiculous! I am thinking of making this a private blog, but then it won't be as much fun. I've made quite a number of friends through blogging, and it has been a jolly good ride so far. I know i am no longer annonymous per se, but whatever jare i really have no skeletons in my closet to hide.

I cannot wait for this semester to be over, but then again the work never ends. I hear from the 2 conferences i sent out abstracts to, then i know if the abstracts were accepted or not. My summer will be full. Preparing posters for both conferences, then i start writing the manuscript for publication, and then i am taking a methodology class that runs for a week this summer. Hopefully, i can squeeze in a vacation. Who knows???

My parents are coming, i get to see my mummy and daddy again after 2 years. Fun!

Okay, time to go back to completing this assignment due tomorrow morning. I'll be back people, i promise.