Two Roads Diverged in a Wood

Tom finished his Ph.D. Qualifying exam yesterday for the second time. He first took it in September and passed part of it. Out of the 10 students who took it only three passed both parts. It was a little nerve racking for the both of us when he realized that he didn't pass but we have remained hopeful.

What if he didn't pass it this second time? It means that when his contract is up at the end of summer he is done at the University of Oregon. What then? Well we don't have any definite plans since we are hoping that he passes. One night we did take maps of the US and color coded the states that we would love to live in, be okay to live in, and would rather die than live in. Tom and I pretty much agreed on what states and the only difference was that I was fine with states that were really cold and he wasn't and he was okay with the hot states while I wasn't. :o)

Basically Tom would go on and start his "career". This whole experience has helped him to realize that what he loves most is teaching math which is something he can do with his master's degree. It would be hard for him if he doesn't pass since being a math professor is his dream, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

We both have a sense of peace that whatever the results are things will work out the way they are supposed to. He feels like he did his best. So this new year we could stay in Eugene and continue on the path that we are presently on, or we could start a new journey with many different possibilities. We should know by next week which path we will be heading down.