It is official!!!

I officially scheduled a date for my doctoral defense, the last week in February. It feels so real now, and it's exciting that this journey is coming to an end. Since I am a night owl, I have been spending some really late nights/ early mornings holed up in my office on campus writing. I tend to get a lot more done at night. With my writing buddy and Christmas music playing in the background, my creative juices just keep flowing. God willing, by the end of February there will be a newly minted PhD in the house- Amen.

I am still applying for jobs since all the deadlines are this December or January. Hopefully, in the Spring semester I'll get interviews and job offers. I just found out that my alma mater is hiring for a tenure track faculty position, which I plan to apply for. It would be funny working as a professor in the school I attended as a clueless undergrad. On this job issue, there's something I was thinking about the other day. One of the postdoctoral fellowships I am applying for that seems like a perfect fit for me, wants to fill their position no later than June. If I am accepted, I don't want to begin work till July/ August 'cos of the baby and stuff. I was wondering whether or not to mention about my pregnancy during the interview (it's a skype interview). Another part of me thinks I should just keep it to myself until I am offered a position, and then we can negotiate on the start date. Would it be dishonest not to mention being pregnant during the interview? Would that reduce my chances of being considered for the position? Anyway, those are some of the thoughts going on in my head. I'll just wait and see how it all plays out. If you've been in a situation like this before, I would love to hear your thoughts on how you handled it. Oh, the joys of trying to balance career and a family, as a woman!

I cannot wait till Christmas, it is my favorite time of the year.

World AIDS day

My passion is HIV research and I have been studying the sociocultural impact of HIV (such as stigma) for about 5 years now. December 1 is World AIDS day- Do you know your HIV status? If you don't, I encourage you to get tested. It is a simple test. I pray that in my lifetime, there will be a cure for this disease. There have been many scientific breakthroughs such as the antiretroviral drugs for treatment, prevention of mother to child transmission and many others. However, it is still sad that HIV is still being transmitted to newborns and sometimes by people who are not even aware of their status.

This is coming late, since thanksgiving was in November. I believe everyday should be a day to give thanks. Therefore, I am thankful for the following:

1. Life- Being alive and well

2. Love- For my selfless husband and the love he constantly showers me with. 

3. Family- I love my family and the close bond we all share.

4. Baby- I am thankful to God for this incredible gift he has given us. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for this wonderful child growing inside me.

5. My health

6. Education- I am thankful for my program of study and how God planned it in such a way that I am located tin this town. This is for another write up. Just the fact that I am in this town and studying what I am studying has opened my eyes to so many things that have had a positive impact on my life.

On another note, I failed my 1 hour glucose test that I did last week by a couple of points. That means I have to go for the 2 hour test. I pray that I pass that one. Otherwise, nothing new has been happening here. Still applying for jobs. One of my dissertation papers got accepted for publication and that's exciting news. I am looking to schedule my dissertation defense for sometime in February, which means I will be working like crazy all of December and January to put together my entire dissertation.

Pregnancy wise, we are 17 weeks today. My symptoms have greatly reduced, although I still take my afternoon naps. Hopefully if baby cooperates we should know the sex before Christmas. I hope to be able to put in one more blog post before the end of the year, so we'll see about that.