When jumping into the deep end, make sure you have stylish support!

 Track 2 Colloquium in Arlington, VA – could I have been any more excited?!?!?!  Course work prepped, bags packed and I was heading off on a jet plane (with the Chantal Kreviazuk song playing in my head!).  Sad to leave my boys, but excited to complete another milestone...and to see Washington, DC.

I can only compare Track 2 to jumping in the cold, deep end of the pool that is really big and that I have never swam in before.  I know how to swim – well enough to keep myself going for awhile – but I am not an endurance swimmer.  And, I don’t like cold water, but I know that once I get in the pool, I will get over it.  I felt much the same upon arriving at the Track 2 Colloquium – I had some research skills, but not to keep me afloat in an authentic, solo research study.  I was a little scared and intimidated – and like cold water – I don’t like those emotions.  But, if I wanted to finish Track 2 and gain the skills I need to finish this journey, I had to jump in with both feet using what skills I had to keep afloat.

However, I was not limited to using my skills to learn (or to swim...keeping with the metaphor).  I did have some fabulous life jackets – my tablemates in School of Education – Track 2 – helping me stay afloat!  And what fabulously stylish life jackets you were!!  When one of us needed clarification, another came to the rescue with an example, explanation, or a question for the profs.  And, when we needed to laugh to break the tension, we did!  What a positive learning experience.  I felt like we were all helping one another stay afloat – learning together, and not leaving anyone behind. 

Thank you ladies for making my Track 2 Colloquium a memorable experience, and for being the best gang of “problem” kids I know...haha!