I have a question that, in answering, will hopefully clear up some confusion I have.
So on Christmas day, this Nigerian fellow boarded a plane bound for Detroit. How he got there is a mystery. In this post-September 11 world that we live in, when he arrived at the ticket counter, he had no passport and an older Indian fellow vouched for his identity. This is after one of the September 11 Terrorists also boarded a plane without any Identification at all. This is my question that will clear up some confusion: how is it that someone can board a plane without identification? ...Or at that, an international flight, without a passport? And then, on top of this, how can we expect that newer, tougher security measures will keep us any safer when we don't even check someone's identification when they board the plane? This Nigerian fellow who boarded this plane was on the 'watch' list, not yet deemed to be on the no-fly list, but still, how would the ticket counter people know this if he had no identification when he first checked in? So anyone, on the no-fly list or not, can fly as long as they don't bring Identification with them when they check in at the ticket counter.
So I fly to Boston on Sunday, to bring ID or not to bring ID? And to go one step farther, to renew my passport next year or not? Maybe I'll save the money and just not.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tis the Season
The Godhead had so much love inside it's community that it overflowed into creation and into us, whether we are believers or not. So full of Love in fact, that despite the fact that creation turned away, Love still overflowed.
There is a lot of controversy about the consumerism of the Christmas season in the Christian communities across the nation. Rightly so, it is easier and easier each year to loose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. So let me take you inside my head as I stroll the hallways of the mall decked out with holiday sales and as I dash off here and there to get everything done.
I am overjoyed as I walk the mall, Don is too, as we shop for Christmas. We realize that have been given the greatest gift of all - that Love is still in the Trinity and that that love overflows into our lives, and thankfully in the same way, the lives of many of those around us. We give - and we are so happy and grateful to give - in remembrance of that gift.
I know that as I walk the mall, I think about what these people on my list mean to me and what I think they would like. The gifts I purchase are not simply empty items on the list they've given me, but they are things that I have seen and thought of them. Out of this, my love for them over flows and is seen, hopefully. It is the idea that I thought of them as I purchased and gave them that gift.
I do that because I believe as Christ hung dying on the cross and purchased our gift of everlasting life, that is what he thought of.
I have friends that are relatively relentless about their disgust over commercialism during December. I have friends that are frustrated that they are no longer wished a 'Merry Christmas'. I have friends that probably refuse to give gifts on Christmas day. I fit into some of those categories but I think that in the protest of the traditions (both pagan and not) they also loose sight of the opportunity to give. We have a great opportunity that the world has presented us with. This is the season of giving, no matter what we call it. As Christians, let us talk openly with those around us about that tradition, the tradition of giving.
And just to be transparent, Don and I save all year to give during this season and throughout the year, not including the tithe that we give weekly. We also spend less than 10% of that on giving gifts to ourselves.
There is a lot of controversy about the consumerism of the Christmas season in the Christian communities across the nation. Rightly so, it is easier and easier each year to loose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. So let me take you inside my head as I stroll the hallways of the mall decked out with holiday sales and as I dash off here and there to get everything done.
I am overjoyed as I walk the mall, Don is too, as we shop for Christmas. We realize that have been given the greatest gift of all - that Love is still in the Trinity and that that love overflows into our lives, and thankfully in the same way, the lives of many of those around us. We give - and we are so happy and grateful to give - in remembrance of that gift.
I know that as I walk the mall, I think about what these people on my list mean to me and what I think they would like. The gifts I purchase are not simply empty items on the list they've given me, but they are things that I have seen and thought of them. Out of this, my love for them over flows and is seen, hopefully. It is the idea that I thought of them as I purchased and gave them that gift.
I do that because I believe as Christ hung dying on the cross and purchased our gift of everlasting life, that is what he thought of.
I have friends that are relatively relentless about their disgust over commercialism during December. I have friends that are frustrated that they are no longer wished a 'Merry Christmas'. I have friends that probably refuse to give gifts on Christmas day. I fit into some of those categories but I think that in the protest of the traditions (both pagan and not) they also loose sight of the opportunity to give. We have a great opportunity that the world has presented us with. This is the season of giving, no matter what we call it. As Christians, let us talk openly with those around us about that tradition, the tradition of giving.
And just to be transparent, Don and I save all year to give during this season and throughout the year, not including the tithe that we give weekly. We also spend less than 10% of that on giving gifts to ourselves.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Almost? ...Not Yet?
I'm down to my last two exams. The first of the remaining is at 3:10 and the second at 6:00.
I always get to exams, the last one to study for in particular, and think or evaluate what my best really is. I get to that last one I have to study for and I get about half way through the material and I think, "I'm tired, exhausted, very little of this is sinking in, I gave up caring about two hours ago, and yet I have so much more to do" What is my best? Is it really that point of exhaustion? ...Should it be?
My stress comes from the fact that I get the exam back and find out how I did and regardless of whether or not it is what I expected to do, I always wonder if I could have done better (of course, being significantly more rested at that point, I usually conclude that I could have). There is nothing left that I can do at that point. I am forced into contentedness.
I've felt this way enough for it to influence my present behavior (yes, we did talk about this at some point in the semester, I can't remember if it was information on the midterm or the final or even what class it really was) but I now push myself more than I ever have before. I can do more papers, I can proof them one more time, I can do all the reading for all the classes (approximately 4500 for my four classes), I can get those papers graded on length to the maximum even tho its not that much more than if I come just a bit short, I can do... push... stay up later, wake up earlier, do just a little bit more... Then it will be my best.
I wish I could find out what my best is. Then I would know how far I have to go in order to get there. Not that I would settle, I don't care how far away my best is, just so I know. I hate seeing an 88 and wondering if a 89 or 90 would have been my best. If that is the case, then I didn't do as much as God had called me to do, I came short. ...again. I was almost. ...But not quite. Jesus meets us where I am...did I make it to that point? These things haunt me. Some days, yes, they keep me up at night...laying in bed awake, I wonder, 'Should I be reading, proofing, studying...' I take Sunday off to rest and my mind races about the load I have to carry for that week.
And it's not like I'm taking all that many classes. On the average week, I do have time to spend with family and friends - both on the weekends and during the week. I am able to go and have coffee with my mom, shopping for Christmas (I am nearly done at the moment), and I have time to fill in and do random acts of kindness and take the weekend off to go to Chicago. I just also wonder, constantly during the last few weeks of the semester, if the best that I am doing at this exact moment in time, is truly the best I am able to do. And deeper yet, if it is the best act of worship I can give God in my human, defaulted, and depraved state. If it is not, I fear I do not know what it is.
Oh, that paper that I ended up double spacing instead of single spacing, I got a 92 on it. Looking back I think I'm satisfied and am happy with the grade because I know I was exhausted at the end. I was however, hoping for a 95. The intensity of my exhaustion is currently the definition I have of whether or not I did my best.
I always get to exams, the last one to study for in particular, and think or evaluate what my best really is. I get to that last one I have to study for and I get about half way through the material and I think, "I'm tired, exhausted, very little of this is sinking in, I gave up caring about two hours ago, and yet I have so much more to do" What is my best? Is it really that point of exhaustion? ...Should it be?
My stress comes from the fact that I get the exam back and find out how I did and regardless of whether or not it is what I expected to do, I always wonder if I could have done better (of course, being significantly more rested at that point, I usually conclude that I could have). There is nothing left that I can do at that point. I am forced into contentedness.
I've felt this way enough for it to influence my present behavior (yes, we did talk about this at some point in the semester, I can't remember if it was information on the midterm or the final or even what class it really was) but I now push myself more than I ever have before. I can do more papers, I can proof them one more time, I can do all the reading for all the classes (approximately 4500 for my four classes), I can get those papers graded on length to the maximum even tho its not that much more than if I come just a bit short, I can do... push... stay up later, wake up earlier, do just a little bit more... Then it will be my best.
I wish I could find out what my best is. Then I would know how far I have to go in order to get there. Not that I would settle, I don't care how far away my best is, just so I know. I hate seeing an 88 and wondering if a 89 or 90 would have been my best. If that is the case, then I didn't do as much as God had called me to do, I came short. ...again. I was almost. ...But not quite. Jesus meets us where I am...did I make it to that point? These things haunt me. Some days, yes, they keep me up at night...laying in bed awake, I wonder, 'Should I be reading, proofing, studying...' I take Sunday off to rest and my mind races about the load I have to carry for that week.
And it's not like I'm taking all that many classes. On the average week, I do have time to spend with family and friends - both on the weekends and during the week. I am able to go and have coffee with my mom, shopping for Christmas (I am nearly done at the moment), and I have time to fill in and do random acts of kindness and take the weekend off to go to Chicago. I just also wonder, constantly during the last few weeks of the semester, if the best that I am doing at this exact moment in time, is truly the best I am able to do. And deeper yet, if it is the best act of worship I can give God in my human, defaulted, and depraved state. If it is not, I fear I do not know what it is.
Oh, that paper that I ended up double spacing instead of single spacing, I got a 92 on it. Looking back I think I'm satisfied and am happy with the grade because I know I was exhausted at the end. I was however, hoping for a 95. The intensity of my exhaustion is currently the definition I have of whether or not I did my best.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The End is in Sight!!
Praise the Lord! One paper, 5 weekly reading assignments, and 4 final exams to go! Pretty excited about that!
In the 11 days leading up to Thanksgiving Break, I wrote 10 papers, 1 presentation, did 2 or 3 reading assignments (enough not to be behind) and updated all of my study guides for my finals. No, Aunt Ev, I am not wonder-woman, just a very dedicated, die-hard, never going to get behind grad student. Oh yeah, I also had an interview last week, squeezed in at the last minute. I got the job/practicum/internship. Praise the Lord, still on track to graduate December 2010.
So that Bone-Headed Move of the Year post: I'm down to 12 pages double spaced, one more run-through proofing job to do and though it will not be down to 10 pages, it will be acceptable.
Starting that last paper tomorrow...was supposed to do it today but I decided to clear the schedule in terms of reading assignments so that I could focus the rest of the week on it...no more reading assignments till next week.
Okay, thanks for all the wonderful comments, keep them coming!
In the 11 days leading up to Thanksgiving Break, I wrote 10 papers, 1 presentation, did 2 or 3 reading assignments (enough not to be behind) and updated all of my study guides for my finals. No, Aunt Ev, I am not wonder-woman, just a very dedicated, die-hard, never going to get behind grad student. Oh yeah, I also had an interview last week, squeezed in at the last minute. I got the job/practicum/internship. Praise the Lord, still on track to graduate December 2010.
So that Bone-Headed Move of the Year post: I'm down to 12 pages double spaced, one more run-through proofing job to do and though it will not be down to 10 pages, it will be acceptable.
Starting that last paper tomorrow...was supposed to do it today but I decided to clear the schedule in terms of reading assignments so that I could focus the rest of the week on it...no more reading assignments till next week.
Okay, thanks for all the wonderful comments, keep them coming!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Bone-Headed move of the Year
So I wrote this wonderful 10 page (single spaced) paper all yesterday. I am pretty proud of it (it's just over 19 pages double spaced, not quite the longest one I've ever written). I think did fairly well on it - still have to proof it - but over all I like what I had to say and I'm pretty proud of wrapping it all up in a nice, neat 10 page bundle.
Found out today that this pretty, fairly well written 10 page, single spaced, yet to be proofed paper, needs to be a pretty, fairly well written, 10 page double spaced, yet to be proofed paper.
Anyone up for a bottle of wine?
Genius.
...Absolute genius.
Found out today that this pretty, fairly well written 10 page, single spaced, yet to be proofed paper, needs to be a pretty, fairly well written, 10 page double spaced, yet to be proofed paper.
Anyone up for a bottle of wine?
Genius.
...Absolute genius.
Howdy
I haven't blogged for a while. Obvious statement I know. If you've seen my facebook, you know why. I am writing everything but this blog. So here I am, in class, updating my blog. Here's life...
I hate theology. I'm sure it's not the context, it could partially be the prof...
I'm buried in work. In the past 11 days I've written 9 papers, 3 weekly reading assignments and I have 2 papers, 1 presentation, 1 interview, 8 weekly reading assignments, and 4 finals to do in the next 25 days.
Next forseeable break from homework (like more than putting it aside to rest): July or August potentially.
I'm struggling... Ironically not to get everything done, I'm pretty sure at this point that it will get done. But I've actually been struggling for quite a while. I think I'm getting to the bottom of it though, but then again, I'm not real sure.
Well, back to Wittmer and Theology... Thanks for reading.
I hate theology. I'm sure it's not the context, it could partially be the prof...
I'm buried in work. In the past 11 days I've written 9 papers, 3 weekly reading assignments and I have 2 papers, 1 presentation, 1 interview, 8 weekly reading assignments, and 4 finals to do in the next 25 days.
Next forseeable break from homework (like more than putting it aside to rest): July or August potentially.
I'm struggling... Ironically not to get everything done, I'm pretty sure at this point that it will get done. But I've actually been struggling for quite a while. I think I'm getting to the bottom of it though, but then again, I'm not real sure.
Well, back to Wittmer and Theology... Thanks for reading.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Robbed of Intellectual Info
The one draining thing about school is the constant taxation on my intellectual info. Now mind you, I don't have a problem giving information out (writing papers, journals, criticisms, stuff about my life, etc...) because it is part of school, in particular Counseling. But really, sometimes I just feel like there are certain professors I have that just tear it out of me in ways that sort of feel like a thief running through my house taking whatever they please.
Really people... Is it that hard to be slightly more polite and gracious about taking these things that I hold so dear?
Thank you.
Really people... Is it that hard to be slightly more polite and gracious about taking these things that I hold so dear?
Thank you.
Wasting Tuition
We have this thing at GRTS called e-portfolio where they mark your progress (as an institution, see how they are doing) and you can also send that on to prospective employers/grad schools in order to...well, do what they do.
We have a mini-lecture about this SEVERAL times during various classes and new student orientation. It costs me $96.15 per class session so why are they repeating themselves over and over? I want my money back.
We also had this thing in as part of program introduction that teaches us how to research in the library. Okay really? We're in graduate school. We probably didn't get this far by not researching. I think we all know. Those who haven't been in school for 15 or so years, well, there are very visible reference people in the library that show us how to do things and are very available to us for help. I would like my money back for that.
It's week nine of the semester, nine weeks ago summer ended. So why are we still having internet/wireless connection problems? What ever you did over the summer Techies, how could it take you more than nine weeks to fix it? I would like my Technology Fee to be returned to me also.
I'm tired of my money being wasted: the government, my apartment people, school. Really people, I don't have a lot of money, I'm not wealthy, my husband and I are uninsured (or grossly under-insured to the point where we are pretty much uninsured) and we both work two part time jobs and go to school full time. Stop taking my money and putting it to shotty use. I am tired of slaving away only for you to waste my hard earned money. Stop it! Return it!
We have a mini-lecture about this SEVERAL times during various classes and new student orientation. It costs me $96.15 per class session so why are they repeating themselves over and over? I want my money back.
We also had this thing in as part of program introduction that teaches us how to research in the library. Okay really? We're in graduate school. We probably didn't get this far by not researching. I think we all know. Those who haven't been in school for 15 or so years, well, there are very visible reference people in the library that show us how to do things and are very available to us for help. I would like my money back for that.
It's week nine of the semester, nine weeks ago summer ended. So why are we still having internet/wireless connection problems? What ever you did over the summer Techies, how could it take you more than nine weeks to fix it? I would like my Technology Fee to be returned to me also.
I'm tired of my money being wasted: the government, my apartment people, school. Really people, I don't have a lot of money, I'm not wealthy, my husband and I are uninsured (or grossly under-insured to the point where we are pretty much uninsured) and we both work two part time jobs and go to school full time. Stop taking my money and putting it to shotty use. I am tired of slaving away only for you to waste my hard earned money. Stop it! Return it!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wondering...
I have a theory that no one reads this. For a couple reasons...
It's a new blog...kind of...so no one knows
I stopped blogging for a long period of time...so readers typically leave
I am getting more and more political...because my life is just that dull and also, politics turn people off
So if I'm wrong and you do actually read this, click the "follow" button and follow me...or leave a comment. I'll then try to be less dull.
It's a new blog...kind of...so no one knows
I stopped blogging for a long period of time...so readers typically leave
I am getting more and more political...because my life is just that dull and also, politics turn people off
So if I'm wrong and you do actually read this, click the "follow" button and follow me...or leave a comment. I'll then try to be less dull.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Hard Not to be Political
I don't understand Obama's sense at all (I know, for more than one reason, this is yet another). I will start by saying that I am not against Senior Citizens, they are an asset to our lives and our country with the experience they can pass down to younger generations.
But Obama's health care bill gives them sub-par health coverage because they are not contributing, productive members of society and yet now he wants Congress to dole out $250 to 50 million Seniors because Social Security, for the first time since 1975 (when automatic adjustments due to inflation were adapted), has not increased. If Obama thinks that Seniors are not "contributing, productive members of society" and therefore deserve sub-par health coverage, what makes them worth $250 one time payment? This will cost his white house an estimated $13 billion dollars.
Yes, $13 Billion dollars. Lets put numbers to Obama's first nine months in office:
$13,000,000,000 for this SS;
$829,000,000,000 Health Care;
$1,000,000,000 cash for clunkers action (which by the way, he is still figuring out how to get money to dealers for); and
$13,000,000,000 to students across the nation to go back to school;
Which equals $856,000,000,000.
Do we realize what this is? This is money our country currently DOES NOT HAVE! That means that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will still be paying for this on top of the "latest and greatest" programs they work towards.
This is what else it is costing us: Our freedom to help our neighbor in need. Do we realize that we are no longer able to help our neighbor because government has made this illegal, impossible, or unnecessary for us to do? We really cannot stand to sit back and watch this any more!
This health care bill also gives financial assistance to those seeking abortion (now I know this is against several of religions - Christians, Hindus, Muslims ?? - as it is taking away the sanctity of life). This is unconstitutional: government cannot make us go against a religion we choose to practice and they cannot tell us how to spend our money. When are we going to stand up and fight? The politicians are going to keep doing what is in their own personal financial benefit and for what is best for their reputation.
Grrr...I'll stop here.
But Obama's health care bill gives them sub-par health coverage because they are not contributing, productive members of society and yet now he wants Congress to dole out $250 to 50 million Seniors because Social Security, for the first time since 1975 (when automatic adjustments due to inflation were adapted), has not increased. If Obama thinks that Seniors are not "contributing, productive members of society" and therefore deserve sub-par health coverage, what makes them worth $250 one time payment? This will cost his white house an estimated $13 billion dollars.
Yes, $13 Billion dollars. Lets put numbers to Obama's first nine months in office:
$13,000,000,000 for this SS;
$829,000,000,000 Health Care;
$1,000,000,000 cash for clunkers action (which by the way, he is still figuring out how to get money to dealers for); and
$13,000,000,000 to students across the nation to go back to school;
Which equals $856,000,000,000.
Do we realize what this is? This is money our country currently DOES NOT HAVE! That means that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will still be paying for this on top of the "latest and greatest" programs they work towards.
This is what else it is costing us: Our freedom to help our neighbor in need. Do we realize that we are no longer able to help our neighbor because government has made this illegal, impossible, or unnecessary for us to do? We really cannot stand to sit back and watch this any more!
This health care bill also gives financial assistance to those seeking abortion (now I know this is against several of religions - Christians, Hindus, Muslims ?? - as it is taking away the sanctity of life). This is unconstitutional: government cannot make us go against a religion we choose to practice and they cannot tell us how to spend our money. When are we going to stand up and fight? The politicians are going to keep doing what is in their own personal financial benefit and for what is best for their reputation.
Grrr...I'll stop here.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Islands
We are not made to live in this world as an island. We are not given the resources to be capable of this.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Things I Don't Understand
Like why do I have to buy car insurance when I live in a no-fault state?
Why (would I have to) pay into this new health care system when it supports abortion and abortion is against my religion?
Like why I can't sue the government if social security runs out before I retire?
Or why we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
And why I have to sit in class when the exams is over the book?
Or why I have to read the book if the exam is over class lectures?
Why, on some bills, do I have to pay a collection fee for late fee when I pay on time?
Why is it that with my old internet service provider I had to pay $1 for them to print me a bill and $1 for them to put a stamp on it and send it to me? It only cost me $0.09 to print at work and $0.42 (at the time) to put a stamp on it.
And why Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize? ...I'm waiting for the "action" part of his "call to action"
Why is it OK for politicians to call people 'jackasses' and for them to say 'f-- you' to their peers but if I told that j--a-- in the car next to me, I'd be in a whole sh-- load of f--ing trouble?
Anyway, life is unfair and if I tried to level the playing field then I'd be SOL.
Why (would I have to) pay into this new health care system when it supports abortion and abortion is against my religion?
Like why I can't sue the government if social security runs out before I retire?
Or why we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
And why I have to sit in class when the exams is over the book?
Or why I have to read the book if the exam is over class lectures?
Why, on some bills, do I have to pay a collection fee for late fee when I pay on time?
Why is it that with my old internet service provider I had to pay $1 for them to print me a bill and $1 for them to put a stamp on it and send it to me? It only cost me $0.09 to print at work and $0.42 (at the time) to put a stamp on it.
And why Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize? ...I'm waiting for the "action" part of his "call to action"
Why is it OK for politicians to call people 'jackasses' and for them to say 'f-- you' to their peers but if I told that j--a-- in the car next to me, I'd be in a whole sh-- load of f--ing trouble?
Anyway, life is unfair and if I tried to level the playing field then I'd be SOL.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Flashbacks
So I had this lotion in Fiji - Winter Candied Apple. Ridiculous, I know, seeing as there is no winter in Fiji, Christmas doesn't have the same scents, and Don doesn't even like apples. I had a little left in the bottle when I left Fiji so I gave it to Don so that he could remember me. Sappy I know, but he later told me that he would open the bottle just to remember me.
So when I came back to the US, I went to Bath and Body works and replaced the bottle that I'd left in Fiji. Well, I haven't been as faithful in using it and now, three and a half years later, the bottle still has two-thirds left in it. I probably use it once a week...maybe.
But those nights that I do...Oh my gosh, I close my eyes, put my hands up to my nose and do you know what I see in my mind?
Palm trees
Don's house
I hear ocean waves
I smell salty air
I think of pineapples and curry
I see winding streets through town
I see my car, my little brown Toyota Starlet
I'm watching Shortland Street and the Fiji One news
I see Gospel High School
I remember the joy at Safari
I think of Selai
I think about downtown: the bus station, Village 6, McDonalds, JJ's, Sakuna Park, Victoria Parade, Sogo, the Canal, Tapoos, I could go on...
I think of fish and chips
I think of Sighn's Curry (in a hurry) House (they had THE BEST lamb curry!)
I remember the BBQ stands and how Don wouldn't eat at them but I would drive across town just for them)
I think of the color green - everything is green there all the time
I remember what the harbor looks like
I remember the last sunset I watched just a few days before I left and the brilliant neon green flash that shines just before the sun sinks below the horizon (you'll see it if you live on the west coast)
I remember the streets crowded mostly with taxi cabs
I think of playing rugby in Albert Park.
I remember the drive around Suva Point
I remember Deuba, Coral Coast Christian Camp, and the Beach.
I remember going back home after hours spent talking to Don about everything.
I remember a lot. It's funny how a bottle of lotion will do that for me. It's nostalgic. Most of all, it reminds me of all the good times there and not one of my memories is negative and I really like that. I can't wait to go back. Any takers on wanting to come with us???
So when I came back to the US, I went to Bath and Body works and replaced the bottle that I'd left in Fiji. Well, I haven't been as faithful in using it and now, three and a half years later, the bottle still has two-thirds left in it. I probably use it once a week...maybe.
But those nights that I do...Oh my gosh, I close my eyes, put my hands up to my nose and do you know what I see in my mind?
Palm trees
Don's house
I hear ocean waves
I smell salty air
I think of pineapples and curry
I see winding streets through town
I see my car, my little brown Toyota Starlet
I'm watching Shortland Street and the Fiji One news
I see Gospel High School
I remember the joy at Safari
I think of Selai
I think about downtown: the bus station, Village 6, McDonalds, JJ's, Sakuna Park, Victoria Parade, Sogo, the Canal, Tapoos, I could go on...
I think of fish and chips
I think of Sighn's Curry (in a hurry) House (they had THE BEST lamb curry!)
I remember the BBQ stands and how Don wouldn't eat at them but I would drive across town just for them)
I think of the color green - everything is green there all the time
I remember what the harbor looks like
I remember the last sunset I watched just a few days before I left and the brilliant neon green flash that shines just before the sun sinks below the horizon (you'll see it if you live on the west coast)
I remember the streets crowded mostly with taxi cabs
I think of playing rugby in Albert Park.
I remember the drive around Suva Point
I remember Deuba, Coral Coast Christian Camp, and the Beach.
I remember going back home after hours spent talking to Don about everything.
I remember a lot. It's funny how a bottle of lotion will do that for me. It's nostalgic. Most of all, it reminds me of all the good times there and not one of my memories is negative and I really like that. I can't wait to go back. Any takers on wanting to come with us???
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Multitaskers
My silly Monday night professor humored me by saying that multitasking doesn't exist and those that claim to multitask are simply not doing one (or more) things...they're lying to themselves. HA! The guy sitting next to me (a friend of mine from a class last semester) looked at me and laughed at him.
I am preoccupied in class. In fact, I write this in my techniques class (we're talking about interview and session documentation). Silly professor said this about 20 minutes into a 3 hour class and at that point I was intently looking at him and half engaged. I looked at my laptop and started playing games while listening more intently than before. I was engaging the conversation from that point on: asking questions, commenting, having eye contact, and a lot of other things. He never knew I was really playing Tetris, he probably thought I was really engaged in note taking - which I also was doing. In fact, I was so multitasking that I set a new high score for eliminating 40 rows - 1:34! almost two seconds faster than the previous one. ...
(Now we're moving on to setting goals)
... I just thought that whole Anti-Multitasking silly professor doesn't really think beyond (goals are the rational part for the relationship, they indicate what the client's felt needs are and indicate what they do not want to accomplish...) his non-ADD brain. See playing a game like Tetris keeps my frigidity part of me occupied while the part of my brain that needs to think and focus and comprehend actually can do that. Now, it's not 100% but non-multitaskers aren't 100% either. Not that that is an excuse, it's rationale.
So today...FB? Tetris? Blogging? Note taking? Engaging? Which one will it be this class? Silly Professor, walk a day in my shoes and tell me what you think about the madness to my methods!
By the way, ADD people are typically thought of as lazy by the non-ADDer because we don't seem to be doing what we're asked...when we may already have it done! Oh yeah, don't sit behind me, you'll be distracted, I guarantee!
I am preoccupied in class. In fact, I write this in my techniques class (we're talking about interview and session documentation). Silly professor said this about 20 minutes into a 3 hour class and at that point I was intently looking at him and half engaged. I looked at my laptop and started playing games while listening more intently than before. I was engaging the conversation from that point on: asking questions, commenting, having eye contact, and a lot of other things. He never knew I was really playing Tetris, he probably thought I was really engaged in note taking - which I also was doing. In fact, I was so multitasking that I set a new high score for eliminating 40 rows - 1:34! almost two seconds faster than the previous one. ...
(Now we're moving on to setting goals)
... I just thought that whole Anti-Multitasking silly professor doesn't really think beyond (goals are the rational part for the relationship, they indicate what the client's felt needs are and indicate what they do not want to accomplish...) his non-ADD brain. See playing a game like Tetris keeps my frigidity part of me occupied while the part of my brain that needs to think and focus and comprehend actually can do that. Now, it's not 100% but non-multitaskers aren't 100% either. Not that that is an excuse, it's rationale.
So today...FB? Tetris? Blogging? Note taking? Engaging? Which one will it be this class? Silly Professor, walk a day in my shoes and tell me what you think about the madness to my methods!
By the way, ADD people are typically thought of as lazy by the non-ADDer because we don't seem to be doing what we're asked...when we may already have it done! Oh yeah, don't sit behind me, you'll be distracted, I guarantee!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Just Thought of This Again
So I told you about this 'Blast from the Past' in the last post. I also saw a few weeks ago on the News another blast from the past. There is this girl, a girl I met early on...the first girl I met actually on my 'shaddow' shift as a Juvie volunteer. I think the news said that she had run away from some program, without her meds, she isn't a danger to society in a direct way but she has potential. She was locked up in Juvie those early days, on arson charges: She had attempted to burn down her garage by lighting a mattress on fire.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Blast from the Past
Cliche I know.
So It's Friday so that means this afternoon I spent in bed in hopes that the little sleep I can convince my body it needs will last me to at least 8:30am tomorrow morning. Then the phone rang. Please don't call me Friday afternoon...or Saturday, but especially Friday.
It was one of my girls from Juvie (one that had aged out of the system well before I left), calling me collect form Kent County Jail. I talked to her for a short minute and then hung up the phone and proceeded to go back to sleep...
I was thinking about it as I was laying there and the strangeness of what just happened. I figure that if God's plan for me is to one day get back into ministry, this is the opportunity that he's going to use to do it. She goes to court on the 29th (I will attempt to make it) and she'll either go back to jail or more likely, be on probation for 6 months. We'll see.
So It's Friday so that means this afternoon I spent in bed in hopes that the little sleep I can convince my body it needs will last me to at least 8:30am tomorrow morning. Then the phone rang. Please don't call me Friday afternoon...or Saturday, but especially Friday.
It was one of my girls from Juvie (one that had aged out of the system well before I left), calling me collect form Kent County Jail. I talked to her for a short minute and then hung up the phone and proceeded to go back to sleep...
I was thinking about it as I was laying there and the strangeness of what just happened. I figure that if God's plan for me is to one day get back into ministry, this is the opportunity that he's going to use to do it. She goes to court on the 29th (I will attempt to make it) and she'll either go back to jail or more likely, be on probation for 6 months. We'll see.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Yes, I Know
Yes, I know it has been AGES since my last post. So long, in fact, that I probably have no more readers so I can just blah, blah, blah because no one reads this anymore... So here goes.
My semester started a few weeks ago...late nights and early mornings. Ironically enough, with the addition of weekend third shifts and Don's late night, every night class, I still think we spend more quality time together now than other semesters (we're down to Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Saturday and Sunday afternoon/evenings of quality time). Wow...if our marriage survives college and grad school, it will survive anything!
I'm taking the usual four classes: Counseling Philosophy, Counseling Techniques, Counseling Testing and Procedures, and Systematic Theology 1. That last one is more reading that I've ever done in my lifetime! Two of these are night classes so Mondays and Thursdays (so far Thursdays) have been the 'Popcorn and pop for dinner' nights. That may change because several of us are at school all day Thursday or have back-to-back late afternoon and evening classes so we're going to do a pot luck each week for dinner. I'm looking forward to that.
I've also been struggling in keeping close to God in the past few months and I'm trying to get down to the bottom of it without stating the obvious (not doing daily devotions...well, currently not being regular with it). I guess it's really been for a good portion of this year actually...struggling with one thing or another. Such is life right? ...But then again, should it be?
I'm itching to 'move on with life', in other words, buy a house and start having kids. Ha! I'm beginning to thing that will never happen. We were hoping next spring but financially, the prospect doesn't look good despite the fact Don will be finished (finally) with school by then.
So this summer...since I last blogged... That wedding in Ohio, a second summer class, boredom and more boredom, weekend third shifts, and then school. That sums it up. Better than some, not as good as others. In me not blogging, you definitely didn't miss much.
I will work to be more regular...well, then again, I've said that before.
Peace out and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
My semester started a few weeks ago...late nights and early mornings. Ironically enough, with the addition of weekend third shifts and Don's late night, every night class, I still think we spend more quality time together now than other semesters (we're down to Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Saturday and Sunday afternoon/evenings of quality time). Wow...if our marriage survives college and grad school, it will survive anything!
I'm taking the usual four classes: Counseling Philosophy, Counseling Techniques, Counseling Testing and Procedures, and Systematic Theology 1. That last one is more reading that I've ever done in my lifetime! Two of these are night classes so Mondays and Thursdays (so far Thursdays) have been the 'Popcorn and pop for dinner' nights. That may change because several of us are at school all day Thursday or have back-to-back late afternoon and evening classes so we're going to do a pot luck each week for dinner. I'm looking forward to that.
I've also been struggling in keeping close to God in the past few months and I'm trying to get down to the bottom of it without stating the obvious (not doing daily devotions...well, currently not being regular with it). I guess it's really been for a good portion of this year actually...struggling with one thing or another. Such is life right? ...But then again, should it be?
I'm itching to 'move on with life', in other words, buy a house and start having kids. Ha! I'm beginning to thing that will never happen. We were hoping next spring but financially, the prospect doesn't look good despite the fact Don will be finished (finally) with school by then.
So this summer...since I last blogged... That wedding in Ohio, a second summer class, boredom and more boredom, weekend third shifts, and then school. That sums it up. Better than some, not as good as others. In me not blogging, you definitely didn't miss much.
I will work to be more regular...well, then again, I've said that before.
Peace out and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Strange Dream
Last night I had a strange dream about wild river rafting in Fiji and in the raft with me (among many others) was a friend from high school. And we were talking and she had decided - after many ups and downs in her life - that she had just going to up and move to Fiji. That of course, convinced me that I should up and move back to Fiji. Strange.
Strange because there were parts of my Consulting class mixed in with it. Hum...wonder what that all means.
Strange because there were parts of my Consulting class mixed in with it. Hum...wonder what that all means.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Oh My Gosh!
So this is my new blog. I really have no idea why blogspot.com will not let me log into my old one. Here's the story...
So I went to blog and went to log in but then apparently I needed a Google Account (???) because then it would convert my blogspot into my Google account and that would be my new form of logging in or something like that. Well, it wouldn't let me. Funny thing is, I have this ancient blogspot.com account that I haven't touched since Movember 29, 2007 and I could log into that without a problem. So anyway, couldn't log in to my 'A Day in the Life Of...' Blog. So I attempted to create a Google Account using all the same information of my old blog and it wouldn't let me claiming that it was already taken...yes, it was...by me...using blogspot, not Google...
So I ended up not knowing what I was doing, locked out of my blogspot.com blog, and left with no other option than to start another one. Oh Gosh!
So what was I going to blog about? Not much really, just enough to let all of you who actually follow this to know that I'm still alive. Really tho, it was an excuse to not work on my papers for summer class.
School is going well, I'm done with summer break. I want something to do! I have weekend hours but they don't start til late next month.
Anyway, this announcement will be on facebook soon. Oh the headaches! Until later...
So I went to blog and went to log in but then apparently I needed a Google Account (???) because then it would convert my blogspot into my Google account and that would be my new form of logging in or something like that. Well, it wouldn't let me. Funny thing is, I have this ancient blogspot.com account that I haven't touched since Movember 29, 2007 and I could log into that without a problem. So anyway, couldn't log in to my 'A Day in the Life Of...' Blog. So I attempted to create a Google Account using all the same information of my old blog and it wouldn't let me claiming that it was already taken...yes, it was...by me...using blogspot, not Google...
So I ended up not knowing what I was doing, locked out of my blogspot.com blog, and left with no other option than to start another one. Oh Gosh!
So what was I going to blog about? Not much really, just enough to let all of you who actually follow this to know that I'm still alive. Really tho, it was an excuse to not work on my papers for summer class.
School is going well, I'm done with summer break. I want something to do! I have weekend hours but they don't start til late next month.
Anyway, this announcement will be on facebook soon. Oh the headaches! Until later...
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