PhD Archives - The Swirl World

An Awww! Moment

September 21, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 10 Comments

Drove up to my parents’ house this morning and saw a flurry of balloons tied to the posts.

This sign was on the porch (personally hand-lettered by my Mother) :

Needless to say, I was in tears.

I love my family!

Join in the Fray: When was the last time someone surprised you?

I’m Ph.inisheD! (Among Other Things)

September 7, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 6 Comments

Whew!

If you’re my Facebook friend you’ve already heard the news.

I promised I had an announcement to make, and here it is:

I can now sign my name a:s

Michelle Matthews-Calloway, Ph.D.

Or, Dr. Michelle Matthews-Calloway

Or, Dr. Michelle

Or, Dr. Matthews-Calloway

Or – whelp, you get the picture.

I’m FINISHED!!!!!!

Woot to the Woot, Woot, WOOT!!!!

Thanks to everyone for all the emails, text messages, Facebook posts/in boxes, and phone calls.

Special thanks to my parents and my brothers, Mr. Art, Barbara G., Michelle M. (a.k.a. “Elle Veg“), Mitzie and everyone at Acadiana LifeStyle for the well wishes and encouragement when it was time to leave for my oral defense.

I have Dedication and Acknowledgment pages in the dissertation, and when it’s all filed and published, I’ll be sure to post the pages so you can see the names of the people who were the “wind beneath my wings.”

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an entire state to help someone who’s journeying to a Ph.D! (in my case, several states)

Whatever your role, large or small, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So, What’s Next?

I’m now contemplating and praying about the next steps. Needless to say, after being in graduate school for the past seven years – since 2006; can you believe it??? – not having textbooks to read, research to conduct or papers to write feels STRANGE.

I need to make some decisions about this blog. I was listening to a vlog entitled “The Guilt of the Black Housewife” from my good cyber buddy, Eugenia Berg of Married Girl in a Weird World. She expressed the sentiment that she was planning to eventually retire her MGIAWW blog and focus on her new blog, Married Girl Takes on the Pacific Northwest, a regional travel blog.

I totally get that, and applaud her for following her interests and passions.

I’m not planning to retire the blog per se, yet I do plan to expand the focus somewhat. Shucks, when I look back on past posts I see that the focus has been expanding for probably the past 6 – 8 months; indicative of my evolving interests.

One thing I’ve decided that I’m not going to fight it; I’m just going to roll with it and see where I land.

The Swirl World on Facebook heavily covers concepts of diversity, interracial dating and interracial marriage (shout out to Adrienne L.L., the best fellow Admin. a Facebook page manager could ask for)! We have an awesome community that is growing by leaps and bounds, so a part of me is wondering if the Facebook page should primarily suffice as the “interracial” outlet.

(Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts. Yes, I know ultimately it’s my decision, yet a little well-intentioned feedback or input never hurt anyone. IJS).

My thoughts also turn to the For Church Girls blog. I’m really passionate about the concept behind FCG and want to make it work – can I build that blog and do the other things I want to do??? The A Swirl Girl blog is in a really good place – should I simply now focus on building the For Church Girls blog?

Not only that: I have two book ideas; one fiction, one non-fiction: Which one to pursue???

And,

Two of my professors want me to publish my dissertation in academic journals, and they want to publish with me (so stoked about that!) They also say that my research and academic publishing journey is just beginning, and I need to conduct more research on my chosen demographic (interracially married women of color).

Decisions, decisions.

~Le sigh.

I must say that Rosetta Thurman of the Happy Black Woman is putting out some stellar posts on decision-making and pursuing your dreams. I plan to review her blog posts and just meditate on them, in addition to engaging in some old-fashioned prayer.

Stay tuned . . . . .

Join in the Fray: What decisions/next steps are you contemplating right now? Any advice?

How to Make Your Dreams Come True

January 26, 2013 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

I believe that statement . . . do you?

Today in Southwest Louisiana we are treated to clear skies and a delightful 74 degree temperature. I’d like nothing better than to be sitting outside sipping a white chocolate mocha at Starbucks. Instead, I’m cooped up inside, trying to stay on task so that I can get some work done on my dissertation.

Earning a PhD is but one of my many dreams, and this one is well within my grasp. Two – three more months of hard work, and I’m there. Then, it will be on to the next milestone in fulfillment of another dream.

What are you dreaming about today? What will it take for you to live your best life? I believe the best way to make that dream a reality is to pursue it.

Now, of course I’m not talking about engaging in any activities that undermine your values or cause you to compromise your sense of personhood. That kind of behavior only leaves you open for exploitation, abuse, and disappointment.

Set Your Vision

Visualize what you want to attain, and see yourself achieving it. Visualizing “Michelle Matthews-Calloway, PhD” goes a long way towards helping me to press forward. I imagine the sense of accomplishment and gratification I’ll feel when I cross the stage and go through the hooding ceremony.

If a mate is what you’re dreaming of, picture yourself walking down the aisle (or picture your bride walking toward you). See yourself in the corner office, directing a division within your company of choice. If you’re dreaming of retirement, visualize yourself on the beach or relaxing at the pool, cold drink in hand.

Do What it Takes

Just as we have to “put legs on our prayers,” we also have to put legs on our dreams. Determine what you need to do to make your dream come true, then make positive steps in that direction. Do what it takes to make things happen – even if it means you have to pass up a sunny day.

Join in the Fray: What are you dreaming of?

I’m blogging every day in the month of January in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!

It’s a Wrap! (and, It’s an Update)

June 5, 2012 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 4 Comments

Whew! Last night I finally submitted my dissertation proposal for general review. I have to get pre-approval from the board of reviewers at my school before they forward it to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). I won’t bore you with the details, but I will say that the submission represents a huge milestone in my quest to earn a PhD. They may kick it back for one minute reason or the other, but I don’t expect any major objections. Update to follow when I hear back . . . .

And speaking of updates, a little more than year has passed since I blogged regularly. (Thanks to all of you who called, texted, emailed, Tweeted, or Facebooked me to check on me; I appreciate the love!).

In 2011 I semi-moved back to Louisiana, made it through my comprehensive exams, nurtured both my parents through multiple hospital stays, made it “through the water and through the flames,” and reinvented myself yet again. Needless to say, all of that took time and energy away from blogging. I’m happy to report that I’m back with a vengeance! I’m ready to once again share my musings on life, love, swirling, diversity, and everything in-between. I love working out and I’m trying to eat healthier, so I’ll also share those experiences as I dabble into the vegetarian/vegan/raw foods lifestyle. (Notice I said “dabble.” Seafood will always be on the menu, and I refuse to kill the carnivore residing in me. Just sayin’).

Anyway, my fellow Swirlers, stay tuned for rants, raves, and craves. I live life out loud! This Swirl Girl is traveling through the swirl world and loving every minute of it.

Until my next post, enjoy this dark little ditty by the awesome Justin Nozuka. Feel free to share your “water and flames” moments.