Yea..it's been a long while since I last checked in. Let's just say that my 2010 spring & summer weren't so ideal. To make a long story short, I left the lab and advisors I was previously with (for reasons I'll keep to myself) and decided that I needed a new focus. At the time, I wasn't sure if that meant to switch to another lab, leave my program and find a job in industry/government, or switch directions altogether. While I was at this crossroad, I was involved in a serious car accident where another car ran a red light and ended up totaling my car and almost taking my life (just suffered one broken bone in my hand). I could only thank God for His mercy that day!
Needless to say, that put a pause on my activities for a while. However, in the middle of the summer (2010) semester, I was able to find another lab to work with. With this new research focus, I was able to complete an internship that allowed me to dive headfirst into my new research area, which immersed me into the area of microbiology. I'm really interested in my new project, however, since this is a completely new area for me and I'm working with an entirely new lab and advisor, I'm required to go through the proposal process again. Yes, the same proposal process that I vented about before, saying it was "one of the most stressful periods of my life".
I'm in the process of writing my first proposal draft and it's not easy. Yes, I've gone through the process before, but it's a completely new area of research for me, which requires some heavy investigation into the published literature in a shorter amount of time (compared to the first go-around). I can't lie when I say I've been discouraged at times at the fact that I have to go through this again and even doubtful if this is the right path for me. When I really stop and think though, God worked so much out for me to be where I am today and I just have to hold fast to His promises. A couple of verses just came to mind:
Philippians 1:6 "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"
2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
I pray to God for the strength to complete the task at hand and I will be sure to share my testimony once I'm through with this phase again! : )
Thursday, January 13, 2011
*tap tap tap* Is this mic still on?
Posts
9 comments:
Another verse to remember my sister in Christ and fellow Naturalista <3 Romans 5:1-5... Hope all is well and Prayer will be sent up in hopes that you will endure... Kenosha Montgomery.
So happy that you are okay following that accident. I have been in two major ones myself so I understand the emotions that result from such an experience. I also am in a PhD program. In education here in the ATL. I do find that my program is very supportive but despite this and the support system I have I still doubt continuing on. Earning a PhD is such a serious process. The emotions you encounter are all over the place. Its tough. Stay motivated. You are not alone.
Thank you for sharing that verse!
@Meena really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. we're in this together chica! : )
I began following your YouTube posts recently and decided to subscribe after seeing your first PhD proposal post. I must say that I was very inspired by you especially since I am in the process of making a few decisions for my M.A and PhD. I can assure you that you are blessed to be in a PhD programme cuz for many ppl getting that far is merely a dream; the opportunities are just not there. Remember that God would never take you anywhere just to leave you. God Bless in all your endeavors.
May I'm in a PhD program too, and there are many times that I think of quitting. It's a tough process, especially with your having to repeat the proposal, but the verse from Phillipians is GREAT encouragement. Know in your heart that you can do this because of He who is working in you.I also like to think of Moses who told God that he wasn't a good enough speaker to do what God was asking and God encouraged him and said he would give him the ability. Moses still hesitated even with reassurance from God, but eventually came around. Be confident, and if you don't always feel it, act it and it'll become real :) You already did it once so you can do it again! Hang in there!
You do inspire me Natural Chica... It's good to see someone my age persevering by having Jesus in her life... Gives me hope to push on through... The devil is a liar, grasp your destiny, your heritage in God, He never disappoints! God bless!
Hold fast Mae to God's promises and I know you'll come out just fine! You've definitely had a rough couple of months but by continuing forward you're already that much closer to achieving your goal. I too am in a PhD program, Biomedical Sciences specializing in Pathology/Microbiology and Immunology, and am also working on my qual. It's stressful enough having been in my lab for a year, I can't imagine having to repeat your qual when your previous project was so very different than your current one. The great thing is you know what to expect going into it this time. I'm not sure what your project concerns but I study the role of monocytes in HIV neuropathology; if you need any great primary literature or reviews on something related to these I'm more than willing to help. Stay blessed!
Girl, do i feel you right at this moment! As I switch back and forth between this blog and my Thesis Proposal. This blog was God sent (you never know when he's using you)!
I am in the same boat, choosing to research a topic that is totally new to me, as if my transition to this field wasn't hard enough - (SN: I went from Engineering to Humanities!!) now I am writing on concepts that I *somewhat* know *a little* about - working off pure passion!
I understand when you mention "an investigation into literature in a short amount of time" I always wonder "Did I forget anyone's research.." To top it all off i'm already in the industry so I have all these vices pulling at me.
Thank God you're alive to tell your testimony, I don't think I would've made it through tonight - but I’m pumped to write 2 more pages before closing down.
Let's do it - hang in there!!
:) Love the scriptures.
Thank you,
You can do it! I agree with anonymous above, you never know when God is using you! Like her, and you, I am in grad school (my first year) and debating about my future endeavors! It's great to be able to read this and know that I'm not alone, and that I can get to where you are despite the odds!
Good luck with your new area of interest, and I pray that God brings you through it successfully and better off than you were before!
You can do it!
Post a Comment