My Little Ballerina

This year for Taryne's dance recital, her class will be the dogs in Cinderella. I love how the ballet show is incorporated into one main story. When I was a little girl in dance class, our recital had an overall theme for the show and all dances (ballet, tap, jazz, etc) somehow fit that theme with the music. Here, at this dance school, there is a theme for each type of dance. Last year, the jazz group went first, then all the tap and then finally the ballet production which was Peter Pan. Even though Taryne is in a ballet/tap combo class, the preschool agers only do the ballet portion.

Taryne is excelling in ballet and tap. Her teach is constantly telling us how well she is doing and that she is one of the best (if not the best) students in the class. She knows her ballet steps and terminology and can do the steps really well. On a few occasions, she has had the opportunity to be the "teacher" because she knew the dance and was asked to lead the class as they practiced.

As of right now, she wants to be a dance teacher when she grows up. She talks about working hard because she really wants to dance en pointe.

This is her costume for the dance recital this May. May 23rd cannot get here fast enough for Taryne!

The Defense

So as I previously mentioned, this past Monday was my dissertation defense. Let me tell you that the entire weekend before was crazy. Stressful, crazy. I felt so guilty on Sunday evening because I was a bit snippity the entire weekend. It was the stress. While I knew my advisor would not let me schedule or present my defense if I wasn't ready, but I still felt this big "what if...".

Well, I am happy to report that I presented the results, discussion and recommendations of my dissertation and passed with flying colors! I have some minor revisions from all committee members to do over the next few weeks but that is totally normal.

The relief to have Monday over and done with is huge. I can't even describe how huge it is. I have finally started sleeping through the night again, I don't get as frustrated with little things and I am partly in disbelief. I always knew I could do it, but I always had those small pieces of doubt. I guess that is normal.

It has been a bit weird to have everyone in my department greet me as Dr. Rode this week. I think it will take a little getting used to.

My committee: Dr. Fairhurst (tourism), Dr. Trendafilova (sport management), Dr. Hardin (sport management, advisor), Me, Dr. Waller (sport management) & Kyle

Monday is the big day...

This coming Monday, (March 9th) I will be defending my dissertation. That is the main reason there have been no posts since October. The past three years have flown by and I can't believe I am about to be finished with this program and be "not that kind of doctor, doctor".

The last "big" thing left is to get a job. I have had a few campus interviews, lots of phone interviews and I have only heard back on one so far and I didn't get it. But that is okay, because once I learned more about the position, I did not want to be the only sport management professor in the entire school. Not cool. I have another campus interview in a few weeks. I am pretty excited about the school and there is an Aggie in the department, so bonus.

Hopefully after I get through Monday and the revisions to my dissertation, I can post more.

Thanks for your patience, love and support! :)