The Weekend, and The Future
First, I had a fabulous time camping in Burr Oak state park on Saturday. It was lovely, despite the need for firewood piracy and lack of any condiments for our charred meat products. I had forgotten how much fun camping really was, and I am so grateful for the boy scouts who showed a new friend Jannette and I a fabulous time in spite of the rain. It's something I really want to do again soon, perhaps with adequate sleeping space for all just in case.
Second, I had an interview yesterday at Kent State. The ex-boyfriend was kind enough to drive me as he'd promised, and we got there right on time. I was interviewed by four professors, one of whom will be my advisor in the fall. They were very nice, but this was my first real interview and I was very, very nervous. And I made what is apparently the ultimate faux-pas, admitting that nervousness. Still, they quizzed me about my research skills, leadership experience, computer skills, and why I wanted the graduate assistantship before telling me what the position would entail and taking me on a brief tour of their Children's Resource Room, The Reinberger Center. I met the current GA's there and begged them to put in a good word for me. The director told me they would be making their decisions in the next 7-10 days. I also ran into Dr. Brodie in the hallway, the woman who specializes in Children's librarianship. She introduced herself and asked me about my background. She seemed disappointed when I said English and Political Science, I assume because most Children's librarians have an education background.
So then I braced myself for the 10-day wait. They essentially needed someone to do what I've already been doing for the Political Science department here at BW. Clerical work, photocopying, and assisting the professors with research. All things I could do, but all things that anyone could do. And I worried about having been one of the first interviews, that it would make me less memorable. They were conducting interviews all day Monday and Tuesday.
Then I got a call from an "Unknown" number this afternoon. Yep, you guessed it. It was the director at Kent State, offering me an assistantship with Dr. Brodie (the specialist in what I want to do) in the Reinberger Center (the resources for what I want to do). Yep, I cried with joy. He said they were very impressed with me yesterday. Which, considering they called me minutes after the last interview was scheduled to take place, must be true. I am so, so happy. Of course, my parents are disappointed. They wanted me back in-state for Grad School. But Kent is the program for what I want to do, and they've just offered me a full-tuition remission position plus stipend in EXACTLY the area that I want to specialize in. So even my parents' lack of enthusiasm cannot diminish my giddiness. I've been floating since I got the call. Again, I have a future!