I’ve begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not too far in the distant future.  I started taking classes towards my PhD in the summer of 2008 and I will officially be done with course work next semester.  This semester I took two courses, Statistics and Perspectives in Organizational Communication.  Both were challenging but worth it.  I will take two night classes next semester, one related to intergroup communication and the other on communication and workplace dignity. My plan is to finish up my course work in the spring and then spend the entire summer studying for comprehensive exams.  I will take my exams in the fall while working on my dissertation.  My goal is to be graduating in spring 2012. The title of this post is called new hobbies and although this is not a new hobby for me because I’ve been in school for so long but the finishing part is new.  School is also such a large part of my life that I sometimes think it’s the only hobby I have.  I’ve actually started a list called “The things I’m going to do when I graduate” and that list is growing and growing.