A Proud Day

Allow me to gloat a bit, because I'm sooo proud.
When I earned my Masters Degree from Pepperdine University last year, with a 3.97 GPA, while working Full Time, I was very proud.
My sister and her hubby were scheduled to fly out from Cleveland for the ceremony, and I was ELATED.
So, when Ray and I went to pick them up from the airport, and I walked into LAX, I expected to see them.
However, I instead heard a faint voice from behind calling my name. OMG - it was my MOM.
She was not supposed to be there. Evidentaly, instead of my brother-in-law flying out, they decided to fly my Mommy out. It was one of the best surprises of my life.

At the ceremony, I almost broke down twice (crying) in the processional line.
It was one of the proudest days of my life, as I had succeeded in accomplishing one of my life's biggest goals.
So I graduated, and walked the line. The line across the stage. The line into an upper echelon of education. The line, and one step further towards my dream. My dream of attaining my Ph.D. - Of becoming a Doctor.

I will digress a bit here . . . when I was a senior in high school, I decided to major in Psych. Everyone told me that the only way to make good money in the field would be to get my Ph.D. I became determined at that point to make this my Ultimate goal. I remember when I went on the campus visit to Akron U (where I eventually earned my Bachelors Degree), my mom jokingly told my Dad that he would be calling me Dr. one day. We all giggled gleefully at the prospect of it all. . . .

Several years later.....I'm walking the line. I'm one step closer to my goal. I'm running towards my mom, diploma in hand, near tears. Imagining my Dad smiling down on me. Beaming with pride.
Do you ever have those moments in life when you feel true joy? The kind of joy that brings back memories of childhood and Christmas? That day, I felt joy. I felt proud. I felt invincible.

So, in my quest to earn my Ph.D., I am applying to several programs. And, I am required to go back to my professors from my Masters program and solicit recommendations. I was pleasantly surprised by this letter:

January 17, 2007

RE: Letter of Recommendation for Tina Terebeckij

To whom it may concern:

Tina Terebeckij was a student in my Principles and Theories of Learning course (PSY659) at Pepperdine University from January of 2005 to April 14, 2005. She demonstrated exceptionally high levels of commitment to mastering the content of the course. Her class rank was number two out of 20 students.

Tina was a class leader. She worked hand-in-hand with her classmates on group projects, in-class discussions, and in her presentations. Her passion for supporting other people’s growth was clearly and consistently displayed in the time she was my student. When Tina asked me to write a letter on her behalf, I was delighted for the opportunity to support her goals, because I see what is in this talented young woman. She has the emotional and intellectual maturity and academic talent to be successful in a doctoral program of study at your University.

I would be most pleased to personally talk with you in more detail about other qualifications of Tina Terebeckij. Please contact me at....

Sincerely,

Jack L. Housden, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Education and Psychology
Pepperdine University, Orange County Learning Center, Irvine, CA