I am finding it really hard to slow down, both physically and mentally this semester. My internal clock has changed again. I go to bed between 10-11pm but get up between 4-5am. It's strange, because I feel rested and energized as I hit the floor on the run. I tend to get quite a bit of school work finished really early before I go outside to walk or ride four miles and all before my first class starts at 9am. Today, is different and I'm here at the computer forcing myself to slow down just for a short break until I need to pick up the pace again.
I just got home from packing up my father-in-law's mobile home and will fix lunch for everyone before going over to his new retirement apartment. It would have been great to have had more time to move him, but he sold his trailer during the week and closed on fri. and must be out by mon. However, the family is really releaved that he finally sold his trailer and is moving to the retirement village. He's been living by himself now for almost two years. Even though he is in really good health for someone who is 89 years old, he is slowing down and needs companionship. The retirement village has everything! He'll take his main meal in the main community center where they have a library, exercise room, barber shop, health care clinic as well as a game room, music and sunday services. His one bedroom apartment has a kitchen, a utility room, living and one bathroom. The bedroom and bathroom have a call chain to pull in case of an emergency which makes all of feel so much better. He is really looking forward to having the weekly cleaning service. This move should be his last and now puts him only about 10 minutes away from all of us. We still have some stuff to move out of his trailer, but most of it fit on the truck we rented. I'll have to go over to the apartment and unpack and organize everything after I clean it all. I didn't realize how bad he has let things go while living by himself. Mike has been the one to visit him while I've been busy with everything else. There will be a lot of things that need to be donated or have a garage sale to get rid of. He won't need most of his cooking and baking stuff so we'll scale everything down to the basics. We will need to purchase a large bookcase to fit all of the books he reads in. He really loves to read and it helps to keep his mind sharp. Thankfully, this weekend is going to beautiful with mid-80's for the temperatures.
Tomorrow, I'll hit the books to study for an algebra test over the whole chapter! I also have a speech test to study for and sometime before wed. I need to get my English paper organized and written.
More later when I have a little more time to breathe without hearing the clock ticking time away.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
I’ve been reminded that I haven’t blogged in a while, thank you Kendra, I’ll try to update more often. ;-)
I left off with my first day back to college for the fall semester. Already I can tell that this is going to be such a different semester overall. First, let me start with how hard it is to describe what it feels like when you are empowered, as I am feeling now. It isn’t because I’m into my third semester. It’s much deeper then that. I’ve really grasped hold of and embraced the truth of whom I am and why I have been created. God has equipped me with specific talents and gifts. I’ve been aware of them and have always tried to use them in service to the Lord. However, I don’t know if I fully understood or embraced these treasures. I had it backwards, my heart knew it, but my head wasn’t convinced. I’ll try to expound on this in relationship to school.
In my first semester I wanted to do everything correctly, more out of a sense of fear. There was the fear of not doing something right and getting negative attention or worst, being rejected if I didn’t do everything to perfection (faulty thinking). Up until spring break of that semester, I was overwhelmed and stressed by the college experience. I thank God often for my first two professors! Both took the time to understand where I was coming from and proceeded to help equip me with a strong foundation to build my college experience on. During this time I became aware of what God has given me…really aware of it. I found myself thinking that maybe I actually had an intellectual ability and wasn’t so…, well there are too many adjectives to select from. Anyway, I found myself identifying some areas of my early childhood life that had been imprinted with wrong information (leading to faulty thinking). With this realization I then discovered what positive input was doing to these wrong messages, overriding them! Add that to getting 100’s on almost every paper, my confidence began to grow. It’s funny to say this, but I wasn’t becoming more confident because of my grades or even the positive comments. I think being in college gave me the opportunity to practice confidence. And practice I did and am doing!
From the first semester until now, the Lord has placed young students and even my teachers into my life for very specific purposes. I get to practice what He has equipped me with; to comfort others with the same comfort He has given me, to encourage others and stir them up out of complacency as well as other areas. The most important one has been walking through the halls and sitting in the classrooms as a mirror to reflect the light of the Lord as a way to provide the message of hope. There is more to life then simply going to school to get an education so that you will get a better paying job, but a lot of these kids/young adults have no hope. I see them walking around like little lost sheep. I can’t do it for them, but I can represent the one who can, every day in every situation as I walk amongst them. My precious DIL, Michelle wrote in her blog some deep thoughts along these lines. She talked about relationship with Christ being sufficient as it will affect your life in every aspect. Such wise insight for someone so young! This is the truth behind living for the Lord. It’s all about relationship first; the lifestyle, words and works will come naturally afterward as we imitate Jesus. This is why I’m physically in school and not behind a computer screen taking classes. There is need to develop relationships with those I come in contact as a way to witness God’s love and life to each one and it must start with my daily relationship with the Lord.
Back to my “epiphany” labeled empowerment. When you come to this enlightened realization, you aren’t just better equipped, you discover how empowered you are; “the truth will set you free.” I am free to do as well as I put effort into my education. I’m also free from undo stress and self-punishment when I have done my best and don’t receive the 100% grade (and found that the sun still rises in the east every morning). I am experiencing validation and unconditional relationship outside of the bubble of my marriage. I am hearing the same positive messages I have heard from my husband, children and friends in such a way as to make an impact on all of those wrong messages. I’m not sure if this journey has been about finding “me”, as much as it has been about discovering who God had created me to be, accepting and then embracing this truth.
Okay, so this isn’t really talking about what subjects I’m taking or what I’m doing in each class. I’ll get to that in another posting. Thank you for expressing your interest in reading about my journey of discovery and enlightenment (academically, personally and spiritually) as I continue this walk and encounter God in every aspect of my life.
I left off with my first day back to college for the fall semester. Already I can tell that this is going to be such a different semester overall. First, let me start with how hard it is to describe what it feels like when you are empowered, as I am feeling now. It isn’t because I’m into my third semester. It’s much deeper then that. I’ve really grasped hold of and embraced the truth of whom I am and why I have been created. God has equipped me with specific talents and gifts. I’ve been aware of them and have always tried to use them in service to the Lord. However, I don’t know if I fully understood or embraced these treasures. I had it backwards, my heart knew it, but my head wasn’t convinced. I’ll try to expound on this in relationship to school.
In my first semester I wanted to do everything correctly, more out of a sense of fear. There was the fear of not doing something right and getting negative attention or worst, being rejected if I didn’t do everything to perfection (faulty thinking). Up until spring break of that semester, I was overwhelmed and stressed by the college experience. I thank God often for my first two professors! Both took the time to understand where I was coming from and proceeded to help equip me with a strong foundation to build my college experience on. During this time I became aware of what God has given me…really aware of it. I found myself thinking that maybe I actually had an intellectual ability and wasn’t so…, well there are too many adjectives to select from. Anyway, I found myself identifying some areas of my early childhood life that had been imprinted with wrong information (leading to faulty thinking). With this realization I then discovered what positive input was doing to these wrong messages, overriding them! Add that to getting 100’s on almost every paper, my confidence began to grow. It’s funny to say this, but I wasn’t becoming more confident because of my grades or even the positive comments. I think being in college gave me the opportunity to practice confidence. And practice I did and am doing!
From the first semester until now, the Lord has placed young students and even my teachers into my life for very specific purposes. I get to practice what He has equipped me with; to comfort others with the same comfort He has given me, to encourage others and stir them up out of complacency as well as other areas. The most important one has been walking through the halls and sitting in the classrooms as a mirror to reflect the light of the Lord as a way to provide the message of hope. There is more to life then simply going to school to get an education so that you will get a better paying job, but a lot of these kids/young adults have no hope. I see them walking around like little lost sheep. I can’t do it for them, but I can represent the one who can, every day in every situation as I walk amongst them. My precious DIL, Michelle wrote in her blog some deep thoughts along these lines. She talked about relationship with Christ being sufficient as it will affect your life in every aspect. Such wise insight for someone so young! This is the truth behind living for the Lord. It’s all about relationship first; the lifestyle, words and works will come naturally afterward as we imitate Jesus. This is why I’m physically in school and not behind a computer screen taking classes. There is need to develop relationships with those I come in contact as a way to witness God’s love and life to each one and it must start with my daily relationship with the Lord.
Back to my “epiphany” labeled empowerment. When you come to this enlightened realization, you aren’t just better equipped, you discover how empowered you are; “the truth will set you free.” I am free to do as well as I put effort into my education. I’m also free from undo stress and self-punishment when I have done my best and don’t receive the 100% grade (and found that the sun still rises in the east every morning). I am experiencing validation and unconditional relationship outside of the bubble of my marriage. I am hearing the same positive messages I have heard from my husband, children and friends in such a way as to make an impact on all of those wrong messages. I’m not sure if this journey has been about finding “me”, as much as it has been about discovering who God had created me to be, accepting and then embracing this truth.
Okay, so this isn’t really talking about what subjects I’m taking or what I’m doing in each class. I’ll get to that in another posting. Thank you for expressing your interest in reading about my journey of discovery and enlightenment (academically, personally and spiritually) as I continue this walk and encounter God in every aspect of my life.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
College classes started on Monday this week and I now have a few minutes to update. I have reset my alarm to get up at 5:45am which allows me the time I need to walk four miles each morning, eat breakfast and read the paper before getting ready for school which starts for me at 9am.
This semester I’m taking Public Speaking, English 1302 and Beginning Algebra, in this order on purpose. After taking pre-algebra this summer and the brain-strain I experienced four days a week for four weeks, I decided that I needed to take it as the last class of the day. I wanted to have some ability to comprehend what I will be learning in the first two classes before I’m left with mush for a brain as a result of sitting in algebra. I do have a feeling though, that this class won’t be as bad as I felt about it this summer. The teacher reviewed on Wednesday and I was actually able to follow along and not feel overwhelmed or mentally exhausted by the end of the class. So far, I think the class will be different due to the teacher’s style, it clicks with mine. At least the light stayed on and I understood everything we were going over. My other two classes are going to be exciting and I’m looking forward to getting involved with the learning as well as the participation part. My speech teacher reminds me of my Aunt. She has given me enough insight as to what her personality is like and as a result I have a feeling that I’ll be learning a lot from her. As for English, I have the same teacher as I had for my first semester and that was certainly by choice. I learned a lot in his class, both personally and academically. This class is larger then the first one with him and he has started working on his doctorate. We’ll see how well he does while under the stress of teaching three classes and being a student.
I don’t expect that I will have the same experience as I had in my first semester of college. I am thankful for the wonderful and overall positive experience of that first semester and wouldn’t trade it for anything. However, I have always thought about each life experience as stepping stones along our paths. Ever the optimist, I anticipate that this semester will be a good one and perhaps even better as I am better equipped to glean more knowledge and experiences from my time in college.
However optimistic I may be, I desire your continued prayers, especially concerning my math classes. Your prayers thus far have helped me get through the adjustments of college life and leaning. I know they made a huge difference this summer while I took pre-algebra. Please continue to keep me covered as I pursue my college career. Speaking of algebra, I have some homework to get finished.
This semester I’m taking Public Speaking, English 1302 and Beginning Algebra, in this order on purpose. After taking pre-algebra this summer and the brain-strain I experienced four days a week for four weeks, I decided that I needed to take it as the last class of the day. I wanted to have some ability to comprehend what I will be learning in the first two classes before I’m left with mush for a brain as a result of sitting in algebra. I do have a feeling though, that this class won’t be as bad as I felt about it this summer. The teacher reviewed on Wednesday and I was actually able to follow along and not feel overwhelmed or mentally exhausted by the end of the class. So far, I think the class will be different due to the teacher’s style, it clicks with mine. At least the light stayed on and I understood everything we were going over. My other two classes are going to be exciting and I’m looking forward to getting involved with the learning as well as the participation part. My speech teacher reminds me of my Aunt. She has given me enough insight as to what her personality is like and as a result I have a feeling that I’ll be learning a lot from her. As for English, I have the same teacher as I had for my first semester and that was certainly by choice. I learned a lot in his class, both personally and academically. This class is larger then the first one with him and he has started working on his doctorate. We’ll see how well he does while under the stress of teaching three classes and being a student.
I don’t expect that I will have the same experience as I had in my first semester of college. I am thankful for the wonderful and overall positive experience of that first semester and wouldn’t trade it for anything. However, I have always thought about each life experience as stepping stones along our paths. Ever the optimist, I anticipate that this semester will be a good one and perhaps even better as I am better equipped to glean more knowledge and experiences from my time in college.
However optimistic I may be, I desire your continued prayers, especially concerning my math classes. Your prayers thus far have helped me get through the adjustments of college life and leaning. I know they made a huge difference this summer while I took pre-algebra. Please continue to keep me covered as I pursue my college career. Speaking of algebra, I have some homework to get finished.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
27 years ago today my life changed for the better as I married my soul-mate, best guy-friend, lover, promoter, helper, protector and provider. Michael has been all that I expected and more for a husband. He has allowed me to grow at my own pace; allowed me to stretch my wings and experience independence and along these paths he has always supported me with encouragement as he believes I can do anything I set my mind to do. I am a blessed woman and so thankful for my husband whom God has given to me. Each year has it's new discoveries and experiences, but always the love grows deeper.
Happy Anniversary Michael, I love you!
Happy Anniversary Michael, I love you!
Monday, August 23, 2004
Hello everyone! I hope your summer has been fun, mine has. I just got home late last night from my visit to see my brother and his family in Oregon. I have a wonderful neighbor who works for Southwest and she has given me passes to fly anywhere Southwest goes to. However, flying from Dallas means that I have to first fly to New Mexico before I can fly on to Portland. That is the least amount of stops I make if I’m lucky. I’m also flying standby which can be a challenge when the seats are overbooked as they were going both ways on this visit. I just allowed my faith to grow and trust that I would get onto each plane without having to reroute my trip or have to wait for the next flight and then reschedule the rest of each leg of the trip. It can be nerve racking but I’ve learned to go with the challenge and see it as God opportunities as I encounter a variety of people from all over the country. I’m always amazed each time as I become aware of the conversations and the opportunity to minister to those around me.
My visits to Oregon are always good; busy but very productive. I took the kids to a local farm to pick peaches and apples after we made a grocery shopping trip with our menu list for the week. I do all of the cooking when I visit as a way to help give them a break from their busy work schedules. The plan was to make jams, pies, and whatever else we had time to do. I was able to give my niece April, some cooking lessons. She learned how to use a paring knife and helped peel peaches and apples. We let her mom know about the lesson, but it was best that her mom wasn’t there to watch her baby using a knife. I managed to get pies, cobblers and apple crisp in the freezer along with making strawberry syrup and a few jams, apple sauce and a couple of casseroles to enjoy later. I was able to prepare a few pie fixings with written instructions on how to use and make a few more pies. This trip allowed me to visit the state without packing my long-johns as I have had to do on my other visits. Oregon actually has blue skies like we do. I’m use to being there when it’s raining all of the time and cold. They haven’t had rain for awhile and so everything was brown, but the temperatures where pleasant enough for shorts and the evenings cooled down quite a bit. My brother took a day off from work so that we could visit a winery where we were able to taste a variety of locally grown and made wines. I came home with four bottles! Two are for my neighbor as he was so appreciative of her giving me a ticket to visit and two for me. I like my wines on the sweet side and discovered a white and a red that I really liked. After the winery (tasting at 10am in the morning!) we went on to a state park to hike. My brother and I could have gone for another five miles on top of the five we did, but the kids couldn’t go any further and we hadn’t packed food. I love having the opportunity to visit, it isn’t a vacation but I feel good about the time I spend with all of them.
I’ve spent the day resting from my trip so that I can get busy and finish working on my projects around here before classes start next week. When I was looking over my calendar today I realized next Monday I’ll be in classes. I’m excited about starting back up again but not today…I’ve been tired all day and will have to get back onto my regular time before I can think about any more adventures. Visiting is good, but I’m always happy to come home to my own routines and my husband!
My visits to Oregon are always good; busy but very productive. I took the kids to a local farm to pick peaches and apples after we made a grocery shopping trip with our menu list for the week. I do all of the cooking when I visit as a way to help give them a break from their busy work schedules. The plan was to make jams, pies, and whatever else we had time to do. I was able to give my niece April, some cooking lessons. She learned how to use a paring knife and helped peel peaches and apples. We let her mom know about the lesson, but it was best that her mom wasn’t there to watch her baby using a knife. I managed to get pies, cobblers and apple crisp in the freezer along with making strawberry syrup and a few jams, apple sauce and a couple of casseroles to enjoy later. I was able to prepare a few pie fixings with written instructions on how to use and make a few more pies. This trip allowed me to visit the state without packing my long-johns as I have had to do on my other visits. Oregon actually has blue skies like we do. I’m use to being there when it’s raining all of the time and cold. They haven’t had rain for awhile and so everything was brown, but the temperatures where pleasant enough for shorts and the evenings cooled down quite a bit. My brother took a day off from work so that we could visit a winery where we were able to taste a variety of locally grown and made wines. I came home with four bottles! Two are for my neighbor as he was so appreciative of her giving me a ticket to visit and two for me. I like my wines on the sweet side and discovered a white and a red that I really liked. After the winery (tasting at 10am in the morning!) we went on to a state park to hike. My brother and I could have gone for another five miles on top of the five we did, but the kids couldn’t go any further and we hadn’t packed food. I love having the opportunity to visit, it isn’t a vacation but I feel good about the time I spend with all of them.
I’ve spent the day resting from my trip so that I can get busy and finish working on my projects around here before classes start next week. When I was looking over my calendar today I realized next Monday I’ll be in classes. I’m excited about starting back up again but not today…I’ve been tired all day and will have to get back onto my regular time before I can think about any more adventures. Visiting is good, but I’m always happy to come home to my own routines and my husband!
Sunday, August 08, 2004
We're getting the motorhome ready for our vacation which starts tomorrow. Sometimes, there are so many preparations just to get everything ready that I don't want to leave. Then, I start thinking of all of the projects I'm wanting to get started and finished before the fall semester starts...but, I know that once we get onto the road and just go we enjoy our time away from the regular routine so much that we don't want to come home!
I hope the temperatures are as mild as it has been lately. We aren't going very far, just to Lake Murrey in Oklahoma, but it is in the Arbuckle Mountain range and maybe it'll be cooler there. We're taking our bikes and walking sticks since we love to be outdoors doing active stuff. I'm hoping that the resort has paddle boats to rent so that we can get out onto the lake. We usually do so much hiking, biking and whatever else we can find to do that by evening, we are ready to shower and go to bed. We have a T.V. in the motorhome and can take movies with us, but it's nice to just play games, read or just crash after a busy activity filled day.
Mike didn't grow up camping but I did! There was a period of time when I hated going camping as a teenager, but now I love it as does Mike. I think he even likes the preparation time. He usually checks everything out to make sure everything is in working order like the air pressure in the tires, the propane and all of the electrical stuff along with the batteries (basically the 'guy-stuff'). He also washes the outside and loads up whatever isn't already in the storage compartments. I do all of the inside stuff: clean it again (it's amazing how fast spiders can make webs when not using the motorhome not to mention the dust), pack clothes and food stuff and make sure we have all of the basics refilled or replaced. I don't stop with the motorhome, I can't stand to leave the house unless it's cleaned, laundry is done and everything is in it's place. Before we end the day, the yardwork will all get done and watered if it isn't going to rain while we are gone. It's a lot of work just to go on vacation, but at least we have most of our basics all together in the motorhome and once we get there we just plug in and hook up water, then sit back and relax for the week.
Once we get home, after we clean out the motorhome and do laundry, I have to go up to the college to pay for my tuition for the fall semester. It'll cost more then my first semester and even my summer classes, but at least I have all of my books paid for. I've been getting my books ordered online for half the price of the used books at school! I can't justify paying $115 for my algebra book when I was able to get a brand new one for $30. The only thing I have had to do was get all of the information about the books I'll need for each class and then go online to find them, order and wait anywhere from one to three weeks. It is worth the time and effort on my part to get my books for a great price.
And then, my neighbor offered to give me a free pass to fly up to Oregon so that I can visit my brother and his family for a week. It might be a challenge to locate a seat (it's stand-by status) with the allotted time period I have before school starts on the 30th, but I hope I'll be able to go. They have a lot of fruit on their land and are surrounded by farmers who grow various types. My SIL Maria wants me to show her how to can and make jams. It'll be intense getting very much done in the week I'll have up there, but it'll be fun to spend time with all of them. I've missed keeping my niece and nephew for the summer as I did last summer.
Somehow, in between all of this busy schedule we will be celebrating our 27th anniversary. I'm beginning to think that after summer classes and everything else that has taken place in such a short period of time, it might feel like a break once school starts for the fall. It's a thought, I'll let you know if it's reality...I have to take beginning algebra and we all know how much I "loved pre-algebra!"
Hope everyone is having a great summer!
I hope the temperatures are as mild as it has been lately. We aren't going very far, just to Lake Murrey in Oklahoma, but it is in the Arbuckle Mountain range and maybe it'll be cooler there. We're taking our bikes and walking sticks since we love to be outdoors doing active stuff. I'm hoping that the resort has paddle boats to rent so that we can get out onto the lake. We usually do so much hiking, biking and whatever else we can find to do that by evening, we are ready to shower and go to bed. We have a T.V. in the motorhome and can take movies with us, but it's nice to just play games, read or just crash after a busy activity filled day.
Mike didn't grow up camping but I did! There was a period of time when I hated going camping as a teenager, but now I love it as does Mike. I think he even likes the preparation time. He usually checks everything out to make sure everything is in working order like the air pressure in the tires, the propane and all of the electrical stuff along with the batteries (basically the 'guy-stuff'). He also washes the outside and loads up whatever isn't already in the storage compartments. I do all of the inside stuff: clean it again (it's amazing how fast spiders can make webs when not using the motorhome not to mention the dust), pack clothes and food stuff and make sure we have all of the basics refilled or replaced. I don't stop with the motorhome, I can't stand to leave the house unless it's cleaned, laundry is done and everything is in it's place. Before we end the day, the yardwork will all get done and watered if it isn't going to rain while we are gone. It's a lot of work just to go on vacation, but at least we have most of our basics all together in the motorhome and once we get there we just plug in and hook up water, then sit back and relax for the week.
Once we get home, after we clean out the motorhome and do laundry, I have to go up to the college to pay for my tuition for the fall semester. It'll cost more then my first semester and even my summer classes, but at least I have all of my books paid for. I've been getting my books ordered online for half the price of the used books at school! I can't justify paying $115 for my algebra book when I was able to get a brand new one for $30. The only thing I have had to do was get all of the information about the books I'll need for each class and then go online to find them, order and wait anywhere from one to three weeks. It is worth the time and effort on my part to get my books for a great price.
And then, my neighbor offered to give me a free pass to fly up to Oregon so that I can visit my brother and his family for a week. It might be a challenge to locate a seat (it's stand-by status) with the allotted time period I have before school starts on the 30th, but I hope I'll be able to go. They have a lot of fruit on their land and are surrounded by farmers who grow various types. My SIL Maria wants me to show her how to can and make jams. It'll be intense getting very much done in the week I'll have up there, but it'll be fun to spend time with all of them. I've missed keeping my niece and nephew for the summer as I did last summer.
Somehow, in between all of this busy schedule we will be celebrating our 27th anniversary. I'm beginning to think that after summer classes and everything else that has taken place in such a short period of time, it might feel like a break once school starts for the fall. It's a thought, I'll let you know if it's reality...I have to take beginning algebra and we all know how much I "loved pre-algebra!"
Hope everyone is having a great summer!
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Yesterday was my last day of summer semester and it went by really quickly. Eight more hours to add to my college time! I like taking classes in the summer, just not math classes ;-) As for the classes that count towards my degree, I have maintained a 4.0 average (I got an 88 in pre-algebra, but it’s a developmental class and won’t count). I hope to be able to do the same with my classes this fall, but I’m not going to focus only on the grade. I simply love learning and being in class interacting with students and teachers. I have until Aug. 30th off to catch up on some sewing projects, take a vacation and just rest before fall semester starts. Resting might include a lot of reading. I’m finding that I’m reading so much more then I use to (a novel every 2-3 days). It’s interesting how I just can’t seem to learn fast enough and get the information stuffed into my brain.
I know that timing is everything and the time to be back in school now has been the perfect timing; however, I feel that I have just now awakened. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t awake for the past 26 years, only that what I was doing during those years wasn’t challenging me to my fullest potential. I’m not suggesting that being a wife and mother isn’t challenging, but there are some things we all can do that just comes naturally. I suppose that these past 26 years gave me the time to live in peace, safety and the security that I needed to grow up and be able to face challenges again. I feel very blessed to have a husband who has allowed me the time to just grow up and now gives me the support I need as I continue on this journey through college.
Speaking of growing up: My eldest son, Jason turned 26 on Mon. It doesn’t feel like 26 years since he was born, but then again I don’t feel like a mother old enough to have a child that is 26! When I see pictures of his two sons, I can see bits of him and it transports me back in time when it was Jason in that scene as if it were only yesterday. Time has a way of flying by and while there have been times that were difficult, I have enjoyed every moment of it.
I know that timing is everything and the time to be back in school now has been the perfect timing; however, I feel that I have just now awakened. That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t awake for the past 26 years, only that what I was doing during those years wasn’t challenging me to my fullest potential. I’m not suggesting that being a wife and mother isn’t challenging, but there are some things we all can do that just comes naturally. I suppose that these past 26 years gave me the time to live in peace, safety and the security that I needed to grow up and be able to face challenges again. I feel very blessed to have a husband who has allowed me the time to just grow up and now gives me the support I need as I continue on this journey through college.
Speaking of growing up: My eldest son, Jason turned 26 on Mon. It doesn’t feel like 26 years since he was born, but then again I don’t feel like a mother old enough to have a child that is 26! When I see pictures of his two sons, I can see bits of him and it transports me back in time when it was Jason in that scene as if it were only yesterday. Time has a way of flying by and while there have been times that were difficult, I have enjoyed every moment of it.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
I suspect this will be a very busy week, starting with today. Michelle is being given another baby shower this afternoon and while we have already given them baby gifts, I have a sweater set with the bonnet and booties that my Grandmother crocheted 26 years ago. I saved a few things with the idea of passing them on to my grandchildren. This set is in perfect condition since both boys were so big, they didn't wear it more then a few times each and they never wore the bonnet, it just looked too baby girl! So, I will pass it on to Kayleigh as the representation of her great-great-granny and the spiritual heritage both of my grandparents set up for their future generations.
Monday is my P.E. physical test. It'll be a challenge to get it finished, home to shower, eat lunch and leave for Art class and be on time. I'll send my professor a message to let her know that I may not be on time, but will be there. Tue is a test in Art and then Thur. evening is my Art Appreciation Finals being done at the Dallas Museum of Art. I'm taking Mike and his Dad to expose them to the arts just a little bit more. ;-) His Dad enjoyed himself at the last museum we took him to; I think he'll really enjoy this one. What will be fun Thur. evening is that the museum makes it a little more special with musicians and wine, it'll provide an atmosphere to enjoy the "whole" experience. It may be a little crowded and there is a lot more to see at the DMA, I hope Grandpa will be okay with it, he doesn't really like big crowds.
I can hardly believe that this next week will be finals for both classes even though we will still have one more week of classes. The schedule says that the summer sessions are five weeks, but in reality, they are only four. I won't ever take a math class in the summer, but I plan on taking at least two classes per session for the next two summers so that I'll be able to graduate as quickly as possible. It can be a lot of work and I'm exhausted all of the time, but I want to get my teaching certificate and start teaching!
I've been talking to a few students who took speech class. One of the speeches we will give is a controversial one and I already have mine outlined from one of my papers in English called, "Why Immunize?" I have yet to come across anyone who will choose to not immunize and especially from those who read my paper (it was an argumentative paper so I had to present both sides). I feel so passionate about this topic that I will try to get it submitted to a parenting magazine. Parents need to know the truth and not make their decision to forego immunizations based on an unproven theory that has been floating around. As for other speeches, I have two more outlined and hope that I'll get to give both of them. I'm actually looking forward to speech class; I loved it in High School and expect that I'll love it just as much now.
I still love being in College, learning, growing and ministering to those around me. Don't be surprised if I share that I won't want to stop at a bachelor's degree and who knows but that I will continue on to get my Doctorate. That will of course depend on how well I am able to balance my time between family, home, teaching and continuing college and above all, what God's plan is for my life.
Monday is my P.E. physical test. It'll be a challenge to get it finished, home to shower, eat lunch and leave for Art class and be on time. I'll send my professor a message to let her know that I may not be on time, but will be there. Tue is a test in Art and then Thur. evening is my Art Appreciation Finals being done at the Dallas Museum of Art. I'm taking Mike and his Dad to expose them to the arts just a little bit more. ;-) His Dad enjoyed himself at the last museum we took him to; I think he'll really enjoy this one. What will be fun Thur. evening is that the museum makes it a little more special with musicians and wine, it'll provide an atmosphere to enjoy the "whole" experience. It may be a little crowded and there is a lot more to see at the DMA, I hope Grandpa will be okay with it, he doesn't really like big crowds.
I can hardly believe that this next week will be finals for both classes even though we will still have one more week of classes. The schedule says that the summer sessions are five weeks, but in reality, they are only four. I won't ever take a math class in the summer, but I plan on taking at least two classes per session for the next two summers so that I'll be able to graduate as quickly as possible. It can be a lot of work and I'm exhausted all of the time, but I want to get my teaching certificate and start teaching!
I've been talking to a few students who took speech class. One of the speeches we will give is a controversial one and I already have mine outlined from one of my papers in English called, "Why Immunize?" I have yet to come across anyone who will choose to not immunize and especially from those who read my paper (it was an argumentative paper so I had to present both sides). I feel so passionate about this topic that I will try to get it submitted to a parenting magazine. Parents need to know the truth and not make their decision to forego immunizations based on an unproven theory that has been floating around. As for other speeches, I have two more outlined and hope that I'll get to give both of them. I'm actually looking forward to speech class; I loved it in High School and expect that I'll love it just as much now.
I still love being in College, learning, growing and ministering to those around me. Don't be surprised if I share that I won't want to stop at a bachelor's degree and who knows but that I will continue on to get my Doctorate. That will of course depend on how well I am able to balance my time between family, home, teaching and continuing college and above all, what God's plan is for my life.
Sunday, July 18, 2004
This is Robert Campin's most famous work of art called, The Merode Alterpiece or the Annuciation. A brief discription: the left panel represents Isaiah as he wrote in Isaiah 10 of the coming Christ. The center panel is Gabriel announcing to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. Look around the room in this section and you will notice many symbols of the virgin mother, the Jewish heritage, the Lion of Judah, the baby Jesus floating from the oculus window carrying a cross and a few others. The right panel is Joseph at is carpentry work. In the lower right hand corner are the tools which sybolize how Jesus will die and are referenced in Isaiah 10. The mouse trap in the window symbolizes the trap Satan would fall into (by his own deception) with Jesus as the bait. If you have a chance to look up more about this painting, you'll find it interesting too, Enjoy!
Today is Kayleigh's first dinner at my house, of course she only gets to eat it second hand once her mother eats and then nurses her. ;-) The best part will be the chocolate buttermilk cake with the chocolate fudge frosting, it's not too early to introduce her to chocolate!
We haven't seen Kayleigh for a week to allow Justin and Michelle time to bond with her as much as they can while living in a town surrounded by both sides of the family and a lifetime of friends. However, one week is going to be my limit before I start having withdrawal symtoms.
Okay, enough about Kayleigh (will there ever really be enough said about her?) Back to my journey down this path of education.
I'm in Art Appreciation this semester and loving it! My professor is great, very knowledgable and well traveled. I'm kind of wishing I had taken this during a regular semester so that I could really enjoy it. We give our first oral presentation about an artist this week. I drew from the envelope, Robert Campin, whom I didn't know anything about before last week. His era and style have been interesting, especially concerning the facts about the symbolism in his painting and how they all relate to Christ. I put together a powerpoint presentation, which was relatively easy to do and will only get easier the more I use this resource. Since I'm a visual and kinetic learner, I will also put together a triptych (3 paneled piece of art) with a copy of the main art piece he is most famous for as a "hands on" visual for the other students to pass around. Who knows but that I will be able to use this along with the note cards I put together for some other class. I've learned that you keep everything you do in college as you go along just in case you need it for another class project. Anyway, as I was saying, this class has been fun and I'm really enjoying it a lot. Needless to say, Art appreciation more then makes up for last semester's pre-algebra class.
We haven't seen Kayleigh for a week to allow Justin and Michelle time to bond with her as much as they can while living in a town surrounded by both sides of the family and a lifetime of friends. However, one week is going to be my limit before I start having withdrawal symtoms.
Okay, enough about Kayleigh (will there ever really be enough said about her?) Back to my journey down this path of education.
I'm in Art Appreciation this semester and loving it! My professor is great, very knowledgable and well traveled. I'm kind of wishing I had taken this during a regular semester so that I could really enjoy it. We give our first oral presentation about an artist this week. I drew from the envelope, Robert Campin, whom I didn't know anything about before last week. His era and style have been interesting, especially concerning the facts about the symbolism in his painting and how they all relate to Christ. I put together a powerpoint presentation, which was relatively easy to do and will only get easier the more I use this resource. Since I'm a visual and kinetic learner, I will also put together a triptych (3 paneled piece of art) with a copy of the main art piece he is most famous for as a "hands on" visual for the other students to pass around. Who knows but that I will be able to use this along with the note cards I put together for some other class. I've learned that you keep everything you do in college as you go along just in case you need it for another class project. Anyway, as I was saying, this class has been fun and I'm really enjoying it a lot. Needless to say, Art appreciation more then makes up for last semester's pre-algebra class.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Sorry I haven't posted sooner, but it's been a very busy week! Kayleigh finally decided it was time to see everyone on Monday. I took lunch over to Justin and Michelle's at 11am, along with some snacks. Justin had called a couple of times during the morning wanting to know if we were coming over anytime soon. He said Michelle wasn't being very nice to him while she was in labor. I took a book to read knowing that Michelle most likely wasn't going to want to talk through her contractions. I made sure she had water to drink, ate a little and timed her contractions. She did great! I'm really proud of her as she walked and rocked through her pains. Justin and his dad were in the garage working on a bookshelf. That was the best thing for Justin to do, he came in to check on Michelle often but for the most part stayed out of the way. I gave him 30min. notice to wrap it up and get a shower before leaving for the hospital. When we left her house around 4pm her contractions were a minute apart.
All that laboring got her to 4 cm. Michelle was so tired and didn't think she could make it any longer without drugs. We all knew when she received them. Justin walked out to the waiting room with a smile on his face saying, "Michelle likes me again." After about an hour, her mother, sister and I got to go in and stay with her. Michelle had asked me earlier to take lots of pictures throughout the whole event and so I did, two rolls!
The pace picked up pretty quickly and everyone got into their places. It was hard to stay focused through the tears once Kayleigh crowned. The Doctor instructed me when to take the photo of Justin cutting the cord. It was all I could do to stand on tip-toes over his hairy arm as he positioned the scissors. There is nothing like being in such close proximity to the birth of your grandchild! The clock read 10:30pm and the room was filled with a mixture of awe, excitement and tears. The joy of a new life entering into this world is beyond compare to anything else.
Kayleigh weighed in at 7lbs. 3oz and is 19" long. Her hair looked pretty red at first, but as it dried it is dark blond with the hint of strawberry red coloring. She is beautiful and we are all so glad she came, late as it was but just on time to cooperate with my break in-between my two summer sessions at college.
I went back to classes on Wed. but was able to help them go home from the hospital that afternoon. No matter how busy school may be, there will always be enough time to stop by and see Kayleigh.
love you all!
All that laboring got her to 4 cm. Michelle was so tired and didn't think she could make it any longer without drugs. We all knew when she received them. Justin walked out to the waiting room with a smile on his face saying, "Michelle likes me again." After about an hour, her mother, sister and I got to go in and stay with her. Michelle had asked me earlier to take lots of pictures throughout the whole event and so I did, two rolls!
The pace picked up pretty quickly and everyone got into their places. It was hard to stay focused through the tears once Kayleigh crowned. The Doctor instructed me when to take the photo of Justin cutting the cord. It was all I could do to stand on tip-toes over his hairy arm as he positioned the scissors. There is nothing like being in such close proximity to the birth of your grandchild! The clock read 10:30pm and the room was filled with a mixture of awe, excitement and tears. The joy of a new life entering into this world is beyond compare to anything else.
Kayleigh weighed in at 7lbs. 3oz and is 19" long. Her hair looked pretty red at first, but as it dried it is dark blond with the hint of strawberry red coloring. She is beautiful and we are all so glad she came, late as it was but just on time to cooperate with my break in-between my two summer sessions at college.
I went back to classes on Wed. but was able to help them go home from the hospital that afternoon. No matter how busy school may be, there will always be enough time to stop by and see Kayleigh.
love you all!
Thursday, July 01, 2004
I’m learning a lot so far, not just academically but I have learned a lot about myself. I know that when faced with something that is difficult I have two choices. I can either quit or I can dig in, stand fast and not be moved from my determination to just do it! Sometimes it is hard work to stand fast, but the reward I receive during the battle and then in the end, make it worth it. I have grown in confidence as a result of confronting opposition. I use to think that it was easier to walk away from difficult situations as a way to not rock the boat. However, I have learned that if there is something I want to accomplish then nothing can stand in my way. Even when something gets in the way, I am learning how to work through, over, or around it and when necessary, work with it.
Being in College keeps me on my knees in prayer. Prayer works, along with a lot of studying. This is the first finals test I have had to take this year. Last semester I was exempt from taking the finals in my first class since I already had an A. In my English class our last paper counted as our finals. I had my pre-algebra finals today and stayed long enough for the teacher to run the scantron through the machine so that I could see my grade for this test and then she logged it for the final grade. I really wanted an A on this test and I got it! I actually made a 96 on the test which gives me an overall grade of 88 for the class. I’m okay with it; no, not just okay, I’m really excited about this grade! Earlier this month I began to think that I might have to settle for a C in this class. However, for the past two weeks I started “getting it” and felt that maybe I should start expecting to receive a B. I don’t advise anyone to take a math course during a short five week summer session if they aren’t strong in their mathematical skills. I suppose if I were to think about how much I have accomplished in this class on top of the very short semester with math not one of my strengths, then I would conclude that I have done really well. I even started to enjoy the geometry section we finished up with. While I haven’t said I hated math, I can’t quite say that I love it. This is just a class I have to get through, get the grade to add to my requirements so that I can move on toward my degree.
I have a week off before the next summer session starts. Hopefully, during this time off our granddaughter will make her arrival. Today is her official due date and so far no sign that this will be her birthday. She’ll come in her own good time and now I have time to do some baking before we get the phone call to meet at the hospital. I’m planning on making cookies to take to the hospital for all of us who will be there for the birth. This is Michelle’s first child which could mean a long wait. I’ll keep everyone posted about the birth.
Thanks again to everyone who keeps me in their prayers as I pursue my dream of getting my degree. Love you!
Being in College keeps me on my knees in prayer. Prayer works, along with a lot of studying. This is the first finals test I have had to take this year. Last semester I was exempt from taking the finals in my first class since I already had an A. In my English class our last paper counted as our finals. I had my pre-algebra finals today and stayed long enough for the teacher to run the scantron through the machine so that I could see my grade for this test and then she logged it for the final grade. I really wanted an A on this test and I got it! I actually made a 96 on the test which gives me an overall grade of 88 for the class. I’m okay with it; no, not just okay, I’m really excited about this grade! Earlier this month I began to think that I might have to settle for a C in this class. However, for the past two weeks I started “getting it” and felt that maybe I should start expecting to receive a B. I don’t advise anyone to take a math course during a short five week summer session if they aren’t strong in their mathematical skills. I suppose if I were to think about how much I have accomplished in this class on top of the very short semester with math not one of my strengths, then I would conclude that I have done really well. I even started to enjoy the geometry section we finished up with. While I haven’t said I hated math, I can’t quite say that I love it. This is just a class I have to get through, get the grade to add to my requirements so that I can move on toward my degree.
I have a week off before the next summer session starts. Hopefully, during this time off our granddaughter will make her arrival. Today is her official due date and so far no sign that this will be her birthday. She’ll come in her own good time and now I have time to do some baking before we get the phone call to meet at the hospital. I’m planning on making cookies to take to the hospital for all of us who will be there for the birth. This is Michelle’s first child which could mean a long wait. I’ll keep everyone posted about the birth.
Thanks again to everyone who keeps me in their prayers as I pursue my dream of getting my degree. Love you!
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
I did it! I just finished my walk/jog finals and did 42 laps and I only needed 40. I did better then I thought I would, so late in the day. One thing I discovered about walking on such a hard surface as that gym has(not wood floors)is that my shins are feeling it. I wouldn't have thought there would be much difference from walking on pavement, but my legs are telling me otherwise. I feel pretty good about the whole thing, especially when one of the other students (3 of us total)only finished 44 laps and she jogged part of hers and is much younger. Anyway, I have an A for the class (this grade counts toward my degree). I'm pretty sure this is the first time I have received an A for P.E. due to my past history of asthma. Only one more week of journal logs to turn in and then grades will be posted. Of course, I get to do part two of this class next month. I'll get to do my test earlier in the morning since my other class for the next semester will start at noon and last until 2:30pm.
Now, for finals in pre-algebra...next week with lots of reviews until then. Keep me in prayers for this class.
Now, for finals in pre-algebra...next week with lots of reviews until then. Keep me in prayers for this class.
I'm out of class early today which works out nicely since I have my P.E. final this afternoon. I wasn't happy about the time slots available to do the walking test portion for this class. I normally walk anywhere from 5:30-6:30am. The coach in charge of this class said the Lewisville Rec. center (where we will walk/jog) doesn't open that early. I don't like walking later in the day that is normally when I take a "stroll-slow leisurely pace" with my dog. I prefer to walk before I eat anything, I seem to go faster early rather then later in the day. However, I should be okay with time and distance. Being a non-traditional student works to my advantage for the test. I will only have to walk 2miles in 30min. I normally do 12min. miles...early in the mornings. This has been a slow week for me in general, I'm not sure what is going on with my time. I ended up sleeping for an hour yesterday after coming home from class. When I woke up, I thought I had slept until it was time for Mike to come home, but it had only been an hour. My body must be tired. As a result of feeling slow this week I decided to not walk this morning as a way to save my energy for the timed test this afternoon. I'll have time to eat a light lunch and then rest for a short period before going over to the rec. center. This will be the last part of the finals for P.E.!
We have had so much rain that our grass is growing quickly and needs to be mowed again! Since I will be in my work-out clothes and needing to take another shower, I'll just mow first. Ever the optimist as I find the good to every situation. ;-)
We have had so much rain that our grass is growing quickly and needs to be mowed again! Since I will be in my work-out clothes and needing to take another shower, I'll just mow first. Ever the optimist as I find the good to every situation. ;-)
Sunday, June 13, 2004
There is no cramming for a math test; my brain can only handle so much! This has become obvious when I have been dreaming for the past three nights that I'm doing algebra problems, even waking from taking a short nap dreaming about math problems. I finally finished 12 pages of homework which is intended to be our review and prep for the next test on Tuesday.
I am thankful for a husband who has been able to help me with most of this assignment, and where he didn't remember how to work the problems, Justin, my youngest son has helped. What a blessing to be able to call him up and ask him to explain the workings of a problem. When he realized that it would be easier for me to get the concept by actually seeing how it was worked out, he took some time out of his Saturday to come over and walk me through it. I’m not sure if he realizes it, but he would make a really great teacher. He understands that I’m visual and needed to see how each step is done, not just the short cuts. He definitely inherited his mathematical abilities from his dad’s side!
I can remember when Justin was in middle-school and sitting across the dinner table quietly contemplating some equation (none of us even realizing we had produced a mathematical problem). However, within a few seconds as the dinner conversation continued, Justin proceeded to announce the mathematical solution. Everyone sat there looking at him and then at one another before we even realized what he had just done. I sat there and realized that my son had passed me by where it came to the field of math. I looked at him and the only thought that came to mind was thinking he was like a calculator, a walking, breathing calculator!
Being surrounded and supported by a few family members (my dear DIL, Michelle included) who are brilliant in the math field has helped my confidence to grow in this area. I just wished I had a few of their math genes, but then again if I did, I may not have other areas of talents and creativity to shine in. Maybe, I’ll just get through algebra, get the grade and then I won’t have to think about it too much afterwards. After all, this isn’t the area I’m going into. That is what I keep reminding myself. If you think about it, keep me in prayers to be able to comprehend and apply everything I'm learning in this class.
love and blessings!
I am thankful for a husband who has been able to help me with most of this assignment, and where he didn't remember how to work the problems, Justin, my youngest son has helped. What a blessing to be able to call him up and ask him to explain the workings of a problem. When he realized that it would be easier for me to get the concept by actually seeing how it was worked out, he took some time out of his Saturday to come over and walk me through it. I’m not sure if he realizes it, but he would make a really great teacher. He understands that I’m visual and needed to see how each step is done, not just the short cuts. He definitely inherited his mathematical abilities from his dad’s side!
I can remember when Justin was in middle-school and sitting across the dinner table quietly contemplating some equation (none of us even realizing we had produced a mathematical problem). However, within a few seconds as the dinner conversation continued, Justin proceeded to announce the mathematical solution. Everyone sat there looking at him and then at one another before we even realized what he had just done. I sat there and realized that my son had passed me by where it came to the field of math. I looked at him and the only thought that came to mind was thinking he was like a calculator, a walking, breathing calculator!
Being surrounded and supported by a few family members (my dear DIL, Michelle included) who are brilliant in the math field has helped my confidence to grow in this area. I just wished I had a few of their math genes, but then again if I did, I may not have other areas of talents and creativity to shine in. Maybe, I’ll just get through algebra, get the grade and then I won’t have to think about it too much afterwards. After all, this isn’t the area I’m going into. That is what I keep reminding myself. If you think about it, keep me in prayers to be able to comprehend and apply everything I'm learning in this class.
love and blessings!
Friday, June 11, 2004
Just a quick comment: I finally found a new template for my blog and in my colors! So, I thought I would change it as it seems everyone has been changing theirs. ;-)
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, that is what that big bright yellow thing in the sky is, right? I was beginning to feel like we were in the Pacific Northwest...well, for the rain, not the temp. I love walking in the mornings and seeing everything so green but was thinking that when it starts getting really hot, it'll feel like a sauna as the sun heats up the moisture in the ground. Better enjoy while we can, it's suppose to rain some more over the weekend.
I'm catching up on yard and house work. Fridays are my day off from school and I try to cram as much of everything else into the day. My teacher said we shouldn't study math for more then 30min. at a time because our short term memory can't store the information beyond that. She suggested that we study for 30min. and then take a break before coming back to it for another 30min. I was thinking about that and wondered if after our first 30min. in class is all we are going to comprehend and the rest of 2.5 hrs. is lost on us. The interesting thing about the proceedures, rules and steps I have to remember to solve the different math equations, do seem to catch up with me several hours later in the day. I'll probably work on a few pages later today, we have another test on Tue.
Enjoy the day!
Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, that is what that big bright yellow thing in the sky is, right? I was beginning to feel like we were in the Pacific Northwest...well, for the rain, not the temp. I love walking in the mornings and seeing everything so green but was thinking that when it starts getting really hot, it'll feel like a sauna as the sun heats up the moisture in the ground. Better enjoy while we can, it's suppose to rain some more over the weekend.
I'm catching up on yard and house work. Fridays are my day off from school and I try to cram as much of everything else into the day. My teacher said we shouldn't study math for more then 30min. at a time because our short term memory can't store the information beyond that. She suggested that we study for 30min. and then take a break before coming back to it for another 30min. I was thinking about that and wondered if after our first 30min. in class is all we are going to comprehend and the rest of 2.5 hrs. is lost on us. The interesting thing about the proceedures, rules and steps I have to remember to solve the different math equations, do seem to catch up with me several hours later in the day. I'll probably work on a few pages later today, we have another test on Tue.
Enjoy the day!
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Okay everyone, I’ve had my first algebra test and passed it! However, I’m not happy about the grade, but I have given myself permission to get less then 100% on everything and as long as I'm doing my best then that’s okay, I’ll work a bit harder and try to do better the next time.
I woke really early today having dreamt that I was doing math problems, should I be concerned? I have a teacher friend who is from Peru and she was helping me to learn some Spanish years ago when we both taught at the same private school. When I mentioned that I was dreaming and speaking Spanish, she got really exciting and said that it indicated that my brain was “getting” it and I was "thinking" in the language even if only while I was sleeping. Maybe, my most recent dream is along the same idea and I’m starting to get it and think in math terms. I just hope that I’ll be “getting” it while I’m awake, especially while taking test!
I spend several hours per week working on extra math problems just to get more comfortable with what I’m doing. My husband has been really patient about my need to have my work checked. . .every few problems at a time rather then do a whole page and then have it checked. There was one day this week where I was actually getting into the flow of working the problems out and I found myself thinking that I might be enjoying what I was doing. It was a fleeting moment. . .I’m still not changing my major to teaching math. ;-)
I woke really early today having dreamt that I was doing math problems, should I be concerned? I have a teacher friend who is from Peru and she was helping me to learn some Spanish years ago when we both taught at the same private school. When I mentioned that I was dreaming and speaking Spanish, she got really exciting and said that it indicated that my brain was “getting” it and I was "thinking" in the language even if only while I was sleeping. Maybe, my most recent dream is along the same idea and I’m starting to get it and think in math terms. I just hope that I’ll be “getting” it while I’m awake, especially while taking test!
I spend several hours per week working on extra math problems just to get more comfortable with what I’m doing. My husband has been really patient about my need to have my work checked. . .every few problems at a time rather then do a whole page and then have it checked. There was one day this week where I was actually getting into the flow of working the problems out and I found myself thinking that I might be enjoying what I was doing. It was a fleeting moment. . .I’m still not changing my major to teaching math. ;-)
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
I started my first class in pre-algebra this morning. Classes are three hours long each day, monday through thursday. The test are taken on our time in the testing center and I have to make an appointment to take it. That'll mean that I take my lunch with me on those days so that I can take the test after my class. I won't have time to do it before class starts since I am also taking a P.E. class and I have to do that before I leave the house or it'll be too hot later in the day.
On my drive to school, I prayed for the teacher, classmates and asked for favor, specifically that the Lord would allow my brain to absorb the information so that I'll do well in the class. I even prayed that if it were possible to use visual aides to teach math, that my teacher was one who taught that way. We shouldn't be so amazed when our prayers are answered so quickly. Ms. Gayden is one of those math teachers who does use visual aides to help teach the concepts. So far, or at least my first impressions tell me that I'll get a lot out of this class and I'm going to enjoy having this teacher.
When I took algebra in High School, I received A's and I even enjoyed the class, but it's not my strength or perhaps I should say, "I don't get excited about math like some people I know." I was hoping that I would start to remember everything I learned so many years ago. I haven't...at least I didn't feel totally lost, not even overwhelmed! However, I realized how very little I do remember (I don't even remember anything about the term,integers!) as we went through the first chapter of the book, which is about 125 pages. As if that wasn't enough to start our first day with, we started the first few pages of chapter two! Our first test is on Mon. and homework is due on tue and thur. This is going to be a very fast paced class as we attempt to stuff nine chapters of information into our brains in only one month.
My goal, other then to achieve an A in the class is to remember more of what I had learned in algebra, enough at least to be able to retest and pass into college algebra. Otherwise, I'll end up having to take two more classes before I can take college level math. I really don't want to have 6 more hours of math classes; classes that don't even count for my college credits! However, I am not going to rush through it just to get the grade. I want to learn the information and be able to apply it. So, I am prepared to work at it, do my best and "grow where I'm planted."
Now, to order my book and hope that it will get here this week. I really don't want to do the listed assignment all in one weekend! Being the optimist, I'll get the most out of this class experience; however, don't expect to hear me say that I'm changing my major to teach math. ;-)
On my drive to school, I prayed for the teacher, classmates and asked for favor, specifically that the Lord would allow my brain to absorb the information so that I'll do well in the class. I even prayed that if it were possible to use visual aides to teach math, that my teacher was one who taught that way. We shouldn't be so amazed when our prayers are answered so quickly. Ms. Gayden is one of those math teachers who does use visual aides to help teach the concepts. So far, or at least my first impressions tell me that I'll get a lot out of this class and I'm going to enjoy having this teacher.
When I took algebra in High School, I received A's and I even enjoyed the class, but it's not my strength or perhaps I should say, "I don't get excited about math like some people I know." I was hoping that I would start to remember everything I learned so many years ago. I haven't...at least I didn't feel totally lost, not even overwhelmed! However, I realized how very little I do remember (I don't even remember anything about the term,integers!) as we went through the first chapter of the book, which is about 125 pages. As if that wasn't enough to start our first day with, we started the first few pages of chapter two! Our first test is on Mon. and homework is due on tue and thur. This is going to be a very fast paced class as we attempt to stuff nine chapters of information into our brains in only one month.
My goal, other then to achieve an A in the class is to remember more of what I had learned in algebra, enough at least to be able to retest and pass into college algebra. Otherwise, I'll end up having to take two more classes before I can take college level math. I really don't want to have 6 more hours of math classes; classes that don't even count for my college credits! However, I am not going to rush through it just to get the grade. I want to learn the information and be able to apply it. So, I am prepared to work at it, do my best and "grow where I'm planted."
Now, to order my book and hope that it will get here this week. I really don't want to do the listed assignment all in one weekend! Being the optimist, I'll get the most out of this class experience; however, don't expect to hear me say that I'm changing my major to teach math. ;-)
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