Now What? My Post Doctorate Bucket List!

For the last, almost seven, years I have been focused on one goal.  I was a doctoral student working on an Ed.D at Ball State University.  I took classes, both online and face-to-face.  I spent time writing papers, keeping journals and producing academic output (more papers).  I have developed an idea for my dissertation.  I successfully completed my dissertation proposal, completed the research and wrote up the results.  Last week I presented my dissertation research to my doctoral committee and it was accepted and approved. 

Yesterday I uploaded my revised dissertation to the graduate school.  The completion of that with the submission of all the required signatures have me on target to graduate with my doctorate in December of this year.  My cap, gown and hood are all ordered and I am ready to finish this goal I set over seven years ago! 

Now what?  People keep asking me what I am going to do with my time?  To be honest, I don't know.  It is a little bit of a let down after uploading my dissertation.  It's just amazing that years of work come down to pressing the "submit" button on my computer. 

I have jokingly referred to my post doctorate "bucket list" with my friends.  I plan to catch up on my non-academic reading.  My Kindle is overloaded with books I want to read.  I also plan to clean my house.  Finally I plan to get back to all the craft projects that have been waiting for me for years. I have half finished afghans to complete and a list of quilts that are waiting for me. 

First of all I am going to the Fabulous Food Show with my sister-in-law.  She offered me this trip and the timing was perfect.  All I am doing now is waiting for graduation.  So we are off to an adventure to immerse ourselves in all things food, and see demonstrations by chefs Tyler Florence and Michael Symon.  I can't wait!  New tastes, new cooking toys, an entire weekend of food and cooking.  I'm sure it will be a wonderful adventure.