Who's number is this??

Do you ever get those random numbers that show up on your caller ID?  I was able to provide that for a groggy Michael on Tuesday!  Nikki and I made the voyage to Nashville on Sunday night after dropping the kids at my mom's in Ames and spending the night with a friend who is ill.  I am in the process of applying for doctoral programs around the country and Vanderbilt is numero uno on the list, so we were advised to visit and give the faculty there a chance to get to know me.  We arrived in Nashville on Sunday night and went out for a quick bite to eat before crashing.  Monday was a day full of Vanderbilt.  I had three meetings followed by an afternoon class that I was able to sit in on.  Unfortunately Nikki had to spend her Monday getting our brakes fixed at some Nashville repair shop : - (  Monday night we went out to experience downtown Nashville.  Nothing says touristy Nashville like the Wildhorse Saloon!  Beer, rips, live music, and line dancing, does it get any more Nashville?  Tuesday I had one more meeting with the professor who would be overseeing my doctorate.  His main focus is comparative theology and does a lot of work within the Hindu/Christian conversation and was very interested in my pursuits.  I left that conversation, and the campus feeling very good about my 1 in 30 shot!  That is right, there are around 60 applicants for 2 spots!  Much of my entrance comes down to the GRE score that I will have before I sit down for turkey and dressing next month.  

The rest of our Tuesday was spent driving around the Music City!  We checked out Michael's alma matter, the Parthenon, Opryland, and some other neighborhoods that we simply drove through for fun.  The time in Nashville concluded with an outstanding meal at a great place Michael recommended.  We had some great food, delicious beer, and even better conversation. As we sat their chatting over our meal I couldn't help but be saddened by the years we have missed as cousins.  Nikki and I are still talking about the amazing talent that Michael has and the giftedness that he has been blessed with.  I can hardly sing a note, let alone compose/write, sing, edit song after song that gets national TV play.  If I am a finalist for the Practical Theology fellowship at Vandi I will have another chance to get back to Nashville and will certainly be out to listen to Michael's band.  We had a great time over dinner and wished we would have had more time, but had to get started on our journey back north.  

Nikki and I headed to Peducah Kentucky for the night and finished our journey to Ames on Wednesday.  As we drove Nikki bit her nails and wondered how long the next few months will really take!  The timeline is as follows: GRE (11-17), Application (12-15), Interviews (2-1-09), Entrance (Mid-March).  I really have no idea where I will rate with the other applicants, but know that my trip to campus certainly didn't hurt my chances of getting in.  I will keep you posted.  It is crazy to be disconnected from the internet for so many days in a row!  The blog has been busy, woo hoo!