My family
My family has done a great deal for me this year. They have stepped up and have done some amazing things to help me get through the completion of my masters degree and the beginning of my doctoral degree. I would especially like to thank sweetheart for all that he has done for me. He does all the cooking and he does so many other household chores while he is also working on his homework. Ray is my biggest cheerleader and he lets me talk out what I am struggling with and what I am celebrating.
Kayleigh, Ben, and Liz are helping to keep the house clean (sort of) and they are often making their own meals when Ray and I are working late. They also stay up late so we can help them with homework. They are essentially working their schedules around our schedules. They are truly heroes.
Even Ben has worked hard to step up. He is not only getting his homework turned in on time, but he is working hard enough on it to get nearly full credit on every assignment and test. Go Ben!
My father-in-law and my mother-in-law have also been wonderful. They are very supportive when we speak, and it sure is nice having extended family who care about me and my family.
I would also like to thank my Aunt Mary for the kind words she gave me a few days ago on the phone. She called to discuss my mother and we got to talking about our lives. She was so supportive and said she is proud of my accomplishments.
Friends
I am so grateful for my friend Jill Flygare who is my fellow first year doc student. She has helped me so much to keep me apprised of how to do the difficult stats problems, how she is coping, etc. She is such a support, and I feel we are a team in this adventure. I would share chocolate with her.
I am also grateful for Adrienne Splinter. She is an experienced grad student in the department, and she has been mine and Jill’s mentor this semester. It is important that you bond with fellow grad students when you are learning how to be a grad student. It is more than just getting the homework done, learning a lot, and writing a lot: we have to learn how to cope and how to weave this crazy schedule into our lives.
I also want to thank Roseanne Markham. She was my mentor throughout my Master’s program. She has been busy helping a sick daughter, so I have not seen her in a couple months. But I want her to know that I love her and I appreciate her friendship and editing help on my master’s papers.
School
I am so grateful for my adviser, Dr. Robert Zheng, for all the support and advice he has given me.
