As you may have surmised from the hypothetical location question I posted recently, I'm moving. And now that plans for the move are officially underway, I'll spill the beans. I've decided to go for my master's in library and information science, and I'll be starting as a new MLIS student at Drexel University in the fall. So I'll be moving to Philadelphia at the end of the summer, assuming that all goes well, I can find an apartment, and my stuff doesn't get lost in transit. (You know, the standard moving worries. Having gone through the process within recent memory, though, I'm a lot less nervous about it than I could have been.)
Two years ago, if you'd asked me whether I wanted to add another set of letters after the end of my name, I'd probably have looked at you with a squirrely expression and said "Er..." I was gun-shy about further education at that point, and I wasn't sure I'd want to keep on the path I'd started on. Two years later, I've had a chance to confirm that yes, I do want to be a librarian when I grow up, and that compared to the six-year-long Ph.D. haul, a master's degree program of a year or a little over a year looks eminently doable. I've had enough time to decompress that I'm actually aflutter with anticipation: I get to go off and learn new things! Whee!
Working at UVa has been fantastic in terms of getting my foot in the door and getting to work with a lot of really fabulous people in the process. I'll miss them all. (Including the ones who are reading this. Hi, all of you! I promise to send postcards!) I'll miss Charlottesville, too, especially the glimpses of the mountains that you see everywhere you go, and the Downtown Mall, and the architecture. But the prospect of living in a big city again is making me all gleeful. I'm already deep into thinking about neighborhoods to live in, navigating SEPTA, finding part-time work, and squeezing in the occasional flying trip to New York on the Chinatown bus.
So: Starting in September, I'll be chronicling a whole new set of adventures. Wish me luck along the way!
Sounds like fun.
New adventures are what make the journey worthwhile.
Posted by: loren | June 16, 2006 at 06:53 PM
Congrats!
Posted by: EL | June 17, 2006 at 01:06 PM
Congrats on getting into the program, and best of luck with the move!
Posted by: Jane Dark | June 18, 2006 at 06:45 PM
I stumbled upon your blog and just read a couple entries. I want to tell you that you are about to move to a fabulous city and to the place where I found my love for opera. The Academy of Music will hold many a treat for you. The Museum of art is a treasure trove. Even the streets hold art surprises. Enjoy your new place. I lived in the Northeast but there are so many wonderful little neighborhoods that you will surely find a place to call home. Have a great adventure.
Posted by: Betsy DeGeorge | June 21, 2006 at 08:52 AM
Thank you, all!
Posted by: Amanda | June 25, 2006 at 04:05 PM
That's awesome!!! Woohoo!!!
You're moving to my town! We should get together!
Posted by: Jeannette | June 29, 2006 at 11:59 AM
Hey, I'd forgotten you were in Philadelphia! Yes, we should definitely get together for coffee in Center City or something when I get there.
Posted by: Amanda | July 02, 2006 at 08:54 AM
congratulations on the new horizons
Posted by: qB | July 16, 2006 at 02:10 PM