Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ph.D

So back in August 2001 I left my home country (England) to come to America and study for my masters degree in Motor Learning and Control. The university of choice (Indiana University, Bloomington) - well maybe not choice, I originally was set to go to Florida State, but the professor I was going to work with there was leaving to be the Chair of the School of Health Physical Education and Recreation at IU, so I enrolled at IU instead. Anyway, soon after arriving there I realized I wanted to get my Ph.D in Human Performance.

What did I do with my time since arriving in 2001

1. Had a great time
2. Made new relationships with really great people, bought my first house
3. Coached IU swimming for 4 years (part of a team that won Big Tens twice - go Hoosiers)
4. Got my masters degree
5. Experienced some life changing moments - lost my way for a year or two
6. Found my way back :), sold a house and bought my second house
7. Completed my Ph.D
  • After a year of anticipation my defense was finally upon me, along with the worst cold I have had in years (argh), I drove back to Bloomington, Indiana on Monday October 19th feeling feverish and awful. I finally arrives almost 12 hours later!!. Jesse and his roomate JJ had made dinner :), so I ate and went straight to bed......................... the next morning I felt worse but with a presentation to prepare i forced mysefl up and to my old office I went. I did get to spend some good time with my advisor and all in all thursday came around, my defense went good. Well, it was good after the nerves subsided, after I presented and after they told me I done with no revisions to make .... Yippeeeeee
8. Accepted an Assistant Professor position at Michigan Tech University

My time at IU definitely had its ups and downs (as all graduate students will understand), but that was my home, I had friends in the student system and I had friends from the community. I love Bloomington, it has everything you need, great University Town, good restaurants, wonderful surrounding countryside..................... and more to the point a fabulous triathlon community (hence being named as one of the top 20 places to live and train as a triathlete). I didn't think anything was ever going to be like Bloomington (part of me still doesn't). However, my new home (Houghton, MI) is definitely growing on me, I like it here and I am meeting some really great people (who also do triathlons and such- yeah). I am looking forward (still with anticipation) to the winter and snow that is coming (probably very soon).