Holiday PhD Gratitude – Top 5 Things I’m Grateful For

by Kimberly on December 14, 2011 · 4 comments

Today I finish my first semester of my PhD!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t know that I can adequately express in words how excited I am to have finished this first chapter in my doctorale career. I recognize that I still have a looooong way to go…but I also think it’s important to celebrate the baby steps along the way, don’t you?

Today marks one of those baby steps.

I also recognize that I did not do it alone. As it’s the holiday season and a time to reflect on our blessings, it seems appropriate for me to reflect on those things I am grateful for.

With that in mind, here is a list of the top 5 things I’m grateful for as I wrap-up this first semester of PhD work:

1) My family…

…for making many small (and sometimes big) sacrifices so that I can fulfill this dream.

2) My KC parents…

…for housing me every week, feeding me, and doing all the dishes.

3) My UMKC professors and fellow students…

…for your support and for pushing me to learn and grow.

4) My Apple MacBook, iPad, and iPhone…

…for making learning new and fun.

5) The cashier at the Einstein Brothers Bagel shop…

…for letting me pay for my $1.09 coffee refill without standing in line.

Your turn!

I bet I’m not the only one who is wrapping up an accomplishment right now! What is your accomplishment…and what does your “gratitude accomplishment list” look like?

Tagged as: Gratitude, holiday gratitude, PhD

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Kat Fulton December 14, 2011 at 7:47 pm: Congratulations on your first semester DOWN! How exciting… and now… ____ semesters to go? =)

I’m thankful for posts like these where we can just throw around gratitude! an awesome online community that you have trail-blazed! dreams of summertime during the bleak midwinter in San Diego!

hee hee. Hope you and your fam have a fantastic holiday season, Kim.
Amy Kalas December 15, 2011 at 6:41 am: What a great post! Congratulations on your first semester down! As someone who recently finished her master’s, I can certainly appreciate this accomplishment AND the need to celebrate baby steps!!

I am thankful for my clients (aka the children I work with). They are simply amazing. They teach me more every day than I could ever teach them. These children have been through so much in their short lives and they just have these amazing spirits that shine through! I am so thankful to have the opportunity to know them and work with them each day. 🙂
Kimberly December 16, 2011 at 2:16 pm: What a beautiful list, @Amy! And thank you for the congrats 🙂 @Kat No fair rubbing in San Diego winter time!!! It’s 32-degrees here right now *shiver* 😉
Tamara G. Suttle, M.Ed., LPC December 22, 2011 at 11:42 pm: Congrats! Congrats! Congrats, Kat!!!!! So excited for you (and a little jealous, too)! Wishing you and your family a L-O-N-G and peace-filled winter break!