Ooh, it's lovely to hear all this news Suz! Thanks for telling us all about the exciting way that your life is headed. Congratulations on getting the scholarship and your travels sound amazing. I look forward to hearing about them when you have a chance to update us here on YLF.

Exciting changes, Suz. Good luck with your new direction.

Congratulations, Suz! So glad to hear that you are well. Sounds like you are in a great place!

So cool! I love that you are getting your PhD in your 50's, soon-to-be Dr. Suz!

WHAT?!?!?!!!

This is AMAZING!! Or rather, I should say this is FANTASTIC because I m not at all amazed -- all this awesomeness is just more of what I have come to expect from the inimitable Suz!

And may I confess to just a bit of relief? So often when people (myself included) post about "changes" in Off Topic, the changes are sad ones -- it's so great to open a post that's full of such exciting good news!!!

Congratulations Suz. Very exciting.

Good heavens! Suz, such wonderful happenings here. I'm so excited for you! Looking forward to your travel capsule and back-to-school shopping!

Suz- I am so excited for you. How great that your business includes the opportunity to pursue your passions in new ways and new places. Thanks for being here as it works for you and cheers on your new ventures.

You certainly already have a lot going on, and your further study sounds very exciting.
Congrats and all the best to you for the next stage!

Such exciting news about your PhD studies, Suz - congratulations! And the upcoming program in Beijing sounds wonderful. Goodness, you're going to be even busier than before! It will be great to hear from you now and then, when you have a moment to let us know how you're getting on. Wishing you all the very best.

A-mazing Suz I'm over the moon for you about the travel & PhD.
So glad your wardrobe is working for you too.

Congratulations Suz, what wonderful news.

Thanks for all the good wishes, everyone. What a great community!

Wow Suz, you DO have some big doings going on! You're so deserving of the PhD opportunity and best wishes for the manuscript and poetry muses to appear when summoned. I'll miss seeing you around but look forward to updates when you have the opportunity.

Congratulations ,this is so exciting ! A wonderful reason to be here less.

Congratulations on the scholarship! You'll cerainly be busy juggling family, school, travel, and writing, but I think your timing is perfect. I always felt that my sons saw me in a different light when I was doing my post graduate work during their pre-teen and teenage years--as an independent adult whose world stretched beyond the boundries of parenting. It was also good for me, because I didn't have endless amounts of time to fret and worry about them and my aging parents. The balencing act made it easier to discern what was important, when to act, and when to let time and distance work its magic. Good luck and good wishes.

Suz, thanks for the update! How exciting. I am thrilled for you.

Congratulations!

if i were you i'd be thrilled and terrified at the same time. but i'm sure that you will handle all of the changes with skill and grace.
here's to the next chapter in your life.

Sounds as if your fifties will be an exciting decade! Congratulations on your scholarship, and on having the energy and bravery to set out on these new adventures.

Congratulations on your upcoming trip and Phd work! Beijing sounds so exciting (although very hot from what you said on your other post). Don't worry about posting or not posting. We'll still be here when life settles down for you.

Congratulations, Suz! Sounds like some exciting things are ahead for you.

That's great news, Suz. Congratulations and all the best to you.

Looks like there will be interesting times ahead for you. Have you got a fashionable backpack for schlepping your scholarly gear about?

How exciting! Please update is when you can.

This is super exciting news! I'm very inspired. There's a part of me that still thinks about going back to get my DMA (doctor of musical arts) in four years, when DS finishes school. For me, this would probably require a cross-country move to study with the teacher I want. I've sometimes thought that I'd be much more likely to do it, in my mid-50's, if I knew of other women in the same age group doing the same thing.

I'm really excited and happy for you and wish you all the best in your new venture.

What fun! And hard work, of course! We'll be watching for all your posts, and cheering you on.

This is way delayed but I've been in and out of YLF recently - just wanted to say congrats and good luck for all your projects.

So now I understand why I missed the China memo! I, too, have been only dipping into YLF lately -- so much going on -- and with the new format I have really forgotten about the Off Topic page.

I'm so excited for you, Suz. It's so interesting that when we dial some things back, how quickly life fills up with new opportunities and adventures. My bookshelf is already making room for your poetry.

Can't wait to hear all about China and your life in academia ... and how you manage it all, because your plate is overflowing. But you will handle it with grace, I'm sure.

xxxxx

A book. Poetry. School. Chinese thought. Summer scholarship abroad. Suz, this is a wonderful time of opportunity for you and you will certainly be missed.

But, I personally will be savoring those times when you do check in.

Wishing you the very best and I'm so happy for you, Suz.

I'm SO happy that you're happier, Suz. Doing what you love to do so that your soul is dancing is better than earning bucket loads of money doing something that makes you miserable.

And off to Bei-Jing for a language course. WOW. Enjoy. Will your DD be joining you?

I like your 10 year study cycle. You sound excited and complete. Bless your heart and much love to you.