New Blog

I have not blogged in a while, so I thought today would be a good day to do so. Afterall, I am sitting in the office with Bryce under the guise of getting work done. But, my motivation is low -- it is New Year's Eve Day, after all. I have more important things to do like buy a fun new game for my wii, clean my house, and start cooking the food for our party tonight. Obviously those things are more important than things like organizing my research project or compiling my seminar.

I am currently struggling with the debate: which is more important, being close to family or having a successful career?

I can hear all of the feminists groaning right now, but I am pretty sure that it is the former that is winning out on this one. At least this month. It's not to say that I don't think success is important. But maybe, there are more types of success than just within ones career. Every time I go to Kentucky, I get to connect with my mom's family and that's special. It is something that I have never had before because we never lived close to family when I was growing up. I look around at people who grew up around family -- of course not all of the family is close, but the bulk of the family is a reasonable distance away. Maybe they complain sometimes, but I think they are the lucky ones. Is this a case of the grass is always greener? Quite possibly. But, for now, I think I want to experience it. Kentucky also has the advantage of lots of pretty ponies and one of my longest and best friends, Rachel. (As I was typing it, I realized that Dan also fit that bill. Ha.) The job market isn't as good there for a budding meat scientist. I could be very successful if I were to stay somewhere here in the midwest (IA, IL, OK, KS, etc) but I think I want to give living close to family a try for a while. And maybe then I'll chase my career later. Or maybe I wont.

Naturally there are a few obstacles to this plan. For one, I need to finish school -- I have a year left in KS. And I don't mean that to sound negative, I love Kansas and the people that have become a part of my family here. I am very happy here and will be sad to leave them for sure! Also, I really need to find a job in Kentucky. I cannot stomach getting my Masters in Meat Science and then get a job waiting tables, answering phones, etc. It's not that I think I am above those things, but if I put in the hard work (which maybe you don't believe since I am writing this instead of working) to get this degree, why would I then 'waste' it and do something completely unrelated?

Of course, I can always go to Kentucky and continue and get my PhD -- an option that I am still thinking long and hard about. But, getting my PhD would further narrow my work possibilities (both opportunities and locations)... So, where does that leave me? I don't know. You tell me.

How's that for an open ending..