I just got word…. I’ve passed my qualifying exam and officially have a Master’s degree (well, officially as of graduation on Monday).  It’s really just a formality, a stepping stone toward my doctoral degree– but an exciting one!  So that means 2010 will mark my first publication, my first conference presentation, my first advanced degree, and– come September– my first son!   (It’s nice to have these reminders that I’m not really just idling away my life here in Philadelphia…)

We also just signed a lease for a nice big three bedroom apartment in New Jersey. We’ll use one of the three bedrooms as our home office, and Ruby and Little Baby Avance will share one (I have my fingers crossed that will work out…).  The best thing about the apartment is that it has- count them- six kitchen drawers compared to our current kitchen which has one… so we are definitely movin’ on up.  Ruby is so excited about living in a place that has carpet and a swimming pool– and I’m just excited about the kitchen drawers! 

Hopefully in the midst of all the moving hoopla we’ll still be able to go strawberry and cherry picking at the end of the month.  I am obsessively craving fruit (and, let’s be honest, Ben ‘n Jerry’s ice cream) and just finished a quarter of a watermelon. I love summer.