11 day course not so bad
Tuesday was the last day for my May ‘mester class. I stuck around to get my final score which was another A. I asked the professor about taking a course in 11 days and how much would we retain, I was surprised by his answer. He told us that most of us would retain quite a bit of the information. I think he is probably correct for those of us who were there everyday, took notes, read every word of the text and participated in the class lecture. I’m sure that I’ll forget minor details such as dates and numbers. However, the subject was Sociology and for the most part relevant to what I’m interested in and that is probably why I’ll retain the information.
The first week of class was the hardest! Sitting in class for 4.5 hours, five days a week for 11 days is physically hard on the body, even with two breaks. We had our first test on the second day of class and it covered the first two chapters, I scored 29 out of 30 which was a surprise. There was a total of 7 test and four quizzes during the 11 days. The professor commented about this class being the highest scoring in all of his 20 years of teaching and on top of it, it was an 11 day course. After achieving 200 points out of a possible 210, I realize that I can do more than I thought I could when it comes to learning and applying the information. I have wondered if we (Americans) are for the most part, a lazy bunch of people when it comes to academics. Could the root of this come from watching too much television, as many studies suggest? I have found that there isn’t much to watch that is edifying, and while I’m taking short semester classes I don’t have time to watch it anyway. This isn’t to say that we don’t have a television or that we don’t watch it. However, I do think it a better idea to read and actively learn than to sit mindlessly watching TV.
My next class is Government, which starts on Monday. This is another 15 week course crammed into four weeks; it’ll feel like a vacation after the 11 days class. I have started actively reading the first two chapters and hope to get through two more before Monday. I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy taking Government; so far it seems to be more like a history course. I’m guessing that we will cover at least 4 chapters a week which works out to be one chapter a day (four day week for summer classes).
Thank you for your prayers, they are working as I continue to learn with comprehension and still have some brain cells left to carry on conversations, write and do all the other stuff we all have to do on a daily basis.
Monday, May 23, 2005
May mini-mester…
What was I thinking?! I was warned, boy was I warned, but did I take everyone’s advice? No, I had to try it out for myself. Somehow, I’m doing it, but I have no life outside of reading and studying and reading some more right now. I am half way through my May ‘mester class, a marathon of learning that squeezes a 15 week course into 11 days. I thought this was supposed to be a three week course, but 11 days? I love the class and the professor is so knowledgeable and presents the information in such a way as to make it really interesting, but this will be the last time I take a May ‘mester class. There is too much information to process and spit back out in too little time and I’m exhausted everyday from using up so many brain cells at a time.
I’m teetering between an A and B so far and we have three more test and three more quizzes before we finish on May 31. Please keep me in prayer that I retain the information I’m reading and am able to process it with the results showing up on my test…preferably as an A rather than a B (it’s the whole 4.0 GPA thing I’m trying to maintain for scholarship opportunities). Thanks!!
What was I thinking?! I was warned, boy was I warned, but did I take everyone’s advice? No, I had to try it out for myself. Somehow, I’m doing it, but I have no life outside of reading and studying and reading some more right now. I am half way through my May ‘mester class, a marathon of learning that squeezes a 15 week course into 11 days. I thought this was supposed to be a three week course, but 11 days? I love the class and the professor is so knowledgeable and presents the information in such a way as to make it really interesting, but this will be the last time I take a May ‘mester class. There is too much information to process and spit back out in too little time and I’m exhausted everyday from using up so many brain cells at a time.
I’m teetering between an A and B so far and we have three more test and three more quizzes before we finish on May 31. Please keep me in prayer that I retain the information I’m reading and am able to process it with the results showing up on my test…preferably as an A rather than a B (it’s the whole 4.0 GPA thing I’m trying to maintain for scholarship opportunities). Thanks!!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Finals Week
Finals are just another test as far as I’m concerned, so I don’t panic over the idea of taking them and besides, I don’t have to take any since I’m exempt with straight A’s again. I’m guessing this will be my last semester of classes where I have that choice. In the meantime, I will enjoy the fact that I don’t have any this week.
I will be going in on Wednesday for my last class of British Literature. It is only a formality as required by the administration. I anticipate it to be an emotional last day with my professor after having him for three semesters. He always ends the semester by wrapping up the literature with his statement of faith. Most of the students this semester have openly shared their own statement of faith, especially noted in their own essays. However, there is one woman who has made it very clear that she doesn’t want any part of the religious aspects mentioned in our literature and consequently, our conversations. If the opportunity is right, I will probably talk to her on our way out.
On Friday, I go to school to retake the math portion of my entrance exam. I chose not to take it when I started college since it had been over 20 years since I last took math. Anyway, I have to retest to have a second score for my records so that I can take the last required math class in the fall. After taking three semesters of algebra, I have grown to love it but not so much as to change my major. However, I may take another math class just to qualify for either an associate of science or an associate of art. I normally would take time to review for a few days prior to testing, but I’m not going to stress over this one too much, it doesn’t count for anything except to give me a second test score. That’s easier said than done, my desire is to ace the test just to show myself that I really have been able to get this math stuff.
With a few days off this week, I plan on getting a few projects finished before next Monday when I start my mini-mester. I haven’t taken a mini-mester before, but I’m looking forward to the intensity of a 15 week course squeezed into two weeks. I’ll then have one week off before I start my summer class in Government. Most students look forward to time off from school, but I love being there learning and interacting with everyone. Even though I plan my time off with projects to get finished here at home, I actually find it rather boring during the time I’m off. One of the projects I’m going to work on this week is to write essays for scholarship applications. I was given a web site to visit, fill out the required information and then wait for their reply, which only took a couple of minutes. After my short wait, I was sent a list of scholarship applications that I qualify for. Anyway, I’ve sent out a few this morning and will hope and pray that I get selected. Every bit of money will help me as I work toward my degree.
Keep me in prayer for this Friday’s test; I really want to do well on it.
Finals are just another test as far as I’m concerned, so I don’t panic over the idea of taking them and besides, I don’t have to take any since I’m exempt with straight A’s again. I’m guessing this will be my last semester of classes where I have that choice. In the meantime, I will enjoy the fact that I don’t have any this week.
I will be going in on Wednesday for my last class of British Literature. It is only a formality as required by the administration. I anticipate it to be an emotional last day with my professor after having him for three semesters. He always ends the semester by wrapping up the literature with his statement of faith. Most of the students this semester have openly shared their own statement of faith, especially noted in their own essays. However, there is one woman who has made it very clear that she doesn’t want any part of the religious aspects mentioned in our literature and consequently, our conversations. If the opportunity is right, I will probably talk to her on our way out.
On Friday, I go to school to retake the math portion of my entrance exam. I chose not to take it when I started college since it had been over 20 years since I last took math. Anyway, I have to retest to have a second score for my records so that I can take the last required math class in the fall. After taking three semesters of algebra, I have grown to love it but not so much as to change my major. However, I may take another math class just to qualify for either an associate of science or an associate of art. I normally would take time to review for a few days prior to testing, but I’m not going to stress over this one too much, it doesn’t count for anything except to give me a second test score. That’s easier said than done, my desire is to ace the test just to show myself that I really have been able to get this math stuff.
With a few days off this week, I plan on getting a few projects finished before next Monday when I start my mini-mester. I haven’t taken a mini-mester before, but I’m looking forward to the intensity of a 15 week course squeezed into two weeks. I’ll then have one week off before I start my summer class in Government. Most students look forward to time off from school, but I love being there learning and interacting with everyone. Even though I plan my time off with projects to get finished here at home, I actually find it rather boring during the time I’m off. One of the projects I’m going to work on this week is to write essays for scholarship applications. I was given a web site to visit, fill out the required information and then wait for their reply, which only took a couple of minutes. After my short wait, I was sent a list of scholarship applications that I qualify for. Anyway, I’ve sent out a few this morning and will hope and pray that I get selected. Every bit of money will help me as I work toward my degree.
Keep me in prayer for this Friday’s test; I really want to do well on it.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Spring Semester is Almost Over
Just two more weeks left in this semester. It’s kind of weird to think that I am finishing my freshman year of college. I love being at school, but there are times when I wish my classes were accelerated. I have been finished with my computer science lab since spring break and took my last test for the lecture portion last week. I have one paper to write for my British Literature class, but that shouldn’t take long once I get my inspiration. The last few authors haven’t been very inspiring to read which makes it really hard to write about them or their works. The only class I can’t get too far ahead in is my algebra class. I never thought I would enjoy algebra as much as I do now. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that math is concrete, formulaic and in the end you get the answer and then you’re finished. I have a great teacher who teaches algebra in my learning style which really makes a difference.
I’ve talked to the director who hired me for tutoring to find out if she was going to keep me on for the fall semester. She is so wonderful and I just love to be around her. I tell everyone that I want to be like her when I grow up. Anyway, she will be keeping me as a tutor. I hope that I will be able to continue tutoring until I graduate. It is very validating to help someone else understand algebra or English or whatever else I get to help with.
I have one week between the end of this semester and the beginning of the May ‘Mester. Technically, that week is for finals but I won’t be taking any so I may not have to go to school all that week. I’m looking forward to taking Sociology even though it will be a 15 week course crammed into three. Being in school year round will get me through it at the average rate as others since I only take 10 hrs per semester. I know myself well enough to keep everything in balance. If I took more classes, I wouldn’t be able to tutor and I get so much from that. Besides, I would miss not being in school if I were to take more than 2-3 weeks off at a time.
I love my life as it is now and feel very blessed!
Just two more weeks left in this semester. It’s kind of weird to think that I am finishing my freshman year of college. I love being at school, but there are times when I wish my classes were accelerated. I have been finished with my computer science lab since spring break and took my last test for the lecture portion last week. I have one paper to write for my British Literature class, but that shouldn’t take long once I get my inspiration. The last few authors haven’t been very inspiring to read which makes it really hard to write about them or their works. The only class I can’t get too far ahead in is my algebra class. I never thought I would enjoy algebra as much as I do now. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that math is concrete, formulaic and in the end you get the answer and then you’re finished. I have a great teacher who teaches algebra in my learning style which really makes a difference.
I’ve talked to the director who hired me for tutoring to find out if she was going to keep me on for the fall semester. She is so wonderful and I just love to be around her. I tell everyone that I want to be like her when I grow up. Anyway, she will be keeping me as a tutor. I hope that I will be able to continue tutoring until I graduate. It is very validating to help someone else understand algebra or English or whatever else I get to help with.
I have one week between the end of this semester and the beginning of the May ‘Mester. Technically, that week is for finals but I won’t be taking any so I may not have to go to school all that week. I’m looking forward to taking Sociology even though it will be a 15 week course crammed into three. Being in school year round will get me through it at the average rate as others since I only take 10 hrs per semester. I know myself well enough to keep everything in balance. If I took more classes, I wouldn’t be able to tutor and I get so much from that. Besides, I would miss not being in school if I were to take more than 2-3 weeks off at a time.
I love my life as it is now and feel very blessed!
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
National Dean’s List
When I came home from school yesterday, I got the mail and received a letter of congratulations for making the National Dean’s list. It mentions in the letter that “this is an honor reserved for only ½ of 1% of our nation’s college students.” I showed this to Mike when he came home from work and he was pretty impressed. When I told him that he was married to someone recognized as intelligent, he responded by saying that he has known this for 28 years. I hope this recognition opens the door for scholarships and other opportunities.
I have invited a couple of students over for dinner tonight. Both of them are tutors at school. Since there are only three of us who tutor, I thought it would be nice to have fellowship outside of the lab and provide them with a home cooked meal (both are single). One is an international student, no local family and is really sweet, the other is local. Both are really smart in math and other related subjects. Between the three of us, we can cover just about all of the subjects at school. If this goes well, I would love to continue to invite young college students home. Who says you have to have an empty nest just because the kids grow up and move out? Besides, when they are smarter in math than I am, I want to keep them around at least until I finish all of my math courses.
When I came home from school yesterday, I got the mail and received a letter of congratulations for making the National Dean’s list. It mentions in the letter that “this is an honor reserved for only ½ of 1% of our nation’s college students.” I showed this to Mike when he came home from work and he was pretty impressed. When I told him that he was married to someone recognized as intelligent, he responded by saying that he has known this for 28 years. I hope this recognition opens the door for scholarships and other opportunities.
I have invited a couple of students over for dinner tonight. Both of them are tutors at school. Since there are only three of us who tutor, I thought it would be nice to have fellowship outside of the lab and provide them with a home cooked meal (both are single). One is an international student, no local family and is really sweet, the other is local. Both are really smart in math and other related subjects. Between the three of us, we can cover just about all of the subjects at school. If this goes well, I would love to continue to invite young college students home. Who says you have to have an empty nest just because the kids grow up and move out? Besides, when they are smarter in math than I am, I want to keep them around at least until I finish all of my math courses.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Taking a Necessary Break
Sometimes I have to take breaks from school just to keep everything in perspective and not get burned out, and this weekend was a great break from school work! Justin and Michelle’s fourth anniversary was on Thursday 24th, but they weren’t really able to celebrate it until Friday and Saturday due to work schedules and such. They shared Kayleigh with us for her first overnighter with us and she was the perfect baby as usual. She sleeps really well through the night and didn’t wake up until 7:45am, with smiles. Kayleigh likes her routines just as much as I do and so we try to do everything with her like her parents do. I’m glad we all live so close to one another and have such a blessed relationship. I can hardly wait until we take her on camping trips and discover nature in all of its glory as we hunt for treasures.
As for school:
I love British Literature. Reading from the Romantic Period to the 20th Century has really allowed me to have a clear picture of what happens to humanity when they turn from God, the results are a decline in mores with an increase in debauchery.
Algebra is algebra; I’m learning how to do it but not always understanding what I’m doing. I’m still tutoring others four days a week and most of them are for algebra. I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted that I can help others understand it especially when the other students think I should teach it. But it’s the students who need help with their English papers that I really enjoy helping. There are days when I walk into the room early to work on my own school work but end up helping others who have come in specifically for my help. I always ask them up front, “how much help do they want?” I’m very detailed as I look over a paper and try to catch everything from the way they have it set up for MLA, vocabulary, sentence structure etc. I’m always surprised when each one wants me to mark up as much as I find wrong. The best part is when they come back with paper in hand and a smile on their faces to show me the grade they received.
Lastly, my introduction to computer science class. I have learned more about the computer than I thought would ever be necessary. I’m one of those who think as long as a car has four wheels, is filled with gas and can get me from one point to the next, then that is all I’m concerned about. That was the same attitude I had about the computer, as long as I can do what I need it to do, then that is all I needed to know about it. There are times as I type up each chapter outline that I find myself saying, “who cares what this part is called or how that part works!?” However, for the most part I feel better informed about computers and what I would be looking for if I were to go out a buy one by myself. I have found that the best classes I have taken have had great professors who teach more than the subject, they teach outside of the box and I learn so much more applicable information that affects my own personal growth. This is one of those classes.
This past Friday was Good Friday but school was stilled scheduled. I decided, after much contemplation to skip it and enjoy a day home with my husband who had the day off as a holiday. I didn’t just skip all of my classes, two of them were cancelled. The other two were in session, but I sent a message to both professors asking if they minded if I skipped. I know that most students wouldn’t bother letting their professors know about not showing up, but I felt that as part of my integrity, I wanted to be responsible and let them know that I wasn’t going to be in class. Anyway, my husband and I decided to get two pallets of St. Augustine sod to redo part of the backyard and to get the front yard started with it. Needless to say, we are both quite sore from the workout. The timing was perfect as the day was just right, not too hot, sunny or windy to be working outside for so long and then it rained all night and all day Saturday. Hopefully, I’ll have a lush green yard this year that will choke out any possible weeds from sprouting through. Now, I'm ready to get back to school after feeling like I have truely had a spring break, even if it were only for three days.
Sometimes I have to take breaks from school just to keep everything in perspective and not get burned out, and this weekend was a great break from school work! Justin and Michelle’s fourth anniversary was on Thursday 24th, but they weren’t really able to celebrate it until Friday and Saturday due to work schedules and such. They shared Kayleigh with us for her first overnighter with us and she was the perfect baby as usual. She sleeps really well through the night and didn’t wake up until 7:45am, with smiles. Kayleigh likes her routines just as much as I do and so we try to do everything with her like her parents do. I’m glad we all live so close to one another and have such a blessed relationship. I can hardly wait until we take her on camping trips and discover nature in all of its glory as we hunt for treasures.
As for school:
I love British Literature. Reading from the Romantic Period to the 20th Century has really allowed me to have a clear picture of what happens to humanity when they turn from God, the results are a decline in mores with an increase in debauchery.
Algebra is algebra; I’m learning how to do it but not always understanding what I’m doing. I’m still tutoring others four days a week and most of them are for algebra. I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted that I can help others understand it especially when the other students think I should teach it. But it’s the students who need help with their English papers that I really enjoy helping. There are days when I walk into the room early to work on my own school work but end up helping others who have come in specifically for my help. I always ask them up front, “how much help do they want?” I’m very detailed as I look over a paper and try to catch everything from the way they have it set up for MLA, vocabulary, sentence structure etc. I’m always surprised when each one wants me to mark up as much as I find wrong. The best part is when they come back with paper in hand and a smile on their faces to show me the grade they received.
Lastly, my introduction to computer science class. I have learned more about the computer than I thought would ever be necessary. I’m one of those who think as long as a car has four wheels, is filled with gas and can get me from one point to the next, then that is all I’m concerned about. That was the same attitude I had about the computer, as long as I can do what I need it to do, then that is all I needed to know about it. There are times as I type up each chapter outline that I find myself saying, “who cares what this part is called or how that part works!?” However, for the most part I feel better informed about computers and what I would be looking for if I were to go out a buy one by myself. I have found that the best classes I have taken have had great professors who teach more than the subject, they teach outside of the box and I learn so much more applicable information that affects my own personal growth. This is one of those classes.
This past Friday was Good Friday but school was stilled scheduled. I decided, after much contemplation to skip it and enjoy a day home with my husband who had the day off as a holiday. I didn’t just skip all of my classes, two of them were cancelled. The other two were in session, but I sent a message to both professors asking if they minded if I skipped. I know that most students wouldn’t bother letting their professors know about not showing up, but I felt that as part of my integrity, I wanted to be responsible and let them know that I wasn’t going to be in class. Anyway, my husband and I decided to get two pallets of St. Augustine sod to redo part of the backyard and to get the front yard started with it. Needless to say, we are both quite sore from the workout. The timing was perfect as the day was just right, not too hot, sunny or windy to be working outside for so long and then it rained all night and all day Saturday. Hopefully, I’ll have a lush green yard this year that will choke out any possible weeds from sprouting through. Now, I'm ready to get back to school after feeling like I have truely had a spring break, even if it were only for three days.
Monday, March 14, 2005
How Time Flies By
Finally, the first day of Spring Break! This doesn’t mean lying around at the beach or watching soaps and eating bon-bons all day. If you were to look at my day-timer you would see that I have scheduled my week with spring cleaning, organizing different areas around the house and getting ahead on my school assignments. I really wanted to get some sod for the front yard and change my grass from Bermuda to St. Augustine. I’ve had the hardest time getting the grass to get really thick so that it would keep out the weeds. There is enough shade along the front so that grass just won’t fill in. So, I figured that St. Augustine would be the best for the shadier areas, even though I don’t like the courser blades. However, we will need to use a sod cutter to get rid of the areas that are nice and thick before laying down new sod and that will take both of us working together which will mean this weekend. So, in the meantime…I’m doing what I can to get ahead.
I’ve been so busy with school this semester so that I don’t have much free time for myself. I’m in classes from 9am until 1pm. I then have just enough time to eat some lunch and maybe visit with a few other students before I go to work in the college Learning Center (where tutoring takes place). I love tutoring and it gets even more fulfilling as the students come back to report the grade they received on the paper we worked on together. With the busy schedule, I am managing to keep up with my grades. So far, I’m getting A’s in all of my classes. I was a little worried about my computer lab class after taking a practice test while running a fever and only getting a 50 on it. However, when the time came to take the real test, I received an A and actually enjoyed taking the test. I have been working ahead and in fact just finished my last lab assignment for the semester. Technically, this means I only have to show up to take the next two tests. I’ll take advantage of my free-time to practice on Excel. I worked on Excel during the week I ran a fever and hated it. I’m not sure why I didn’t enjoy this part of learning the different programs, but I think it has something to do with the slowness of using it. One little mistake when entering a number can throw the whole outcome and mess up the finished assignment. I figure that I need to just do an extra assignment or two before I take the test over it and I’ll talk myself into liking it enough to have a good attitude about Excel, but after this…I’ll let Mike deal with Excel for our home use. Just give me Word and PowerPoint any day!
With each new semester flying by, I decided that I need to up how many classes I am taking if I want to graduate in a timely manner. I signed up for a May-‘mester this time. It is a three week, five days a week, four hours per day class and I’m taking Sociology. I really like Sociology and Psychology and figured that it is better to take classes I really like when they are crammed into such intense, short semesters. I have two Government classes for the summer semester. I’m not sure how I feel about Government, but I have discovered that once I am introduced to a new topic/subject I give it 100% and then want more. Each semester gets me closer to my associates of Education degree (new this year) and then I can transfer to finish my teaching degree.
Family News: Kayleigh (granddaughter) is standing up by herself and is so close to taking that first step. You can see her quiver with the desire to step out, but not yet. With the weather warming up, we spend as much time outside with her. I think she enjoys it as much as I do, especially swinging or going for walks. Kayleigh is such a joy to be with, so good natured and a little Miss. Social Butterfly as she has charmed our neighbors. No one can resist her, she is so adorable! Everyone else is doing well, but you know how it goes when there are grandbabies to report on.
Finally, the first day of Spring Break! This doesn’t mean lying around at the beach or watching soaps and eating bon-bons all day. If you were to look at my day-timer you would see that I have scheduled my week with spring cleaning, organizing different areas around the house and getting ahead on my school assignments. I really wanted to get some sod for the front yard and change my grass from Bermuda to St. Augustine. I’ve had the hardest time getting the grass to get really thick so that it would keep out the weeds. There is enough shade along the front so that grass just won’t fill in. So, I figured that St. Augustine would be the best for the shadier areas, even though I don’t like the courser blades. However, we will need to use a sod cutter to get rid of the areas that are nice and thick before laying down new sod and that will take both of us working together which will mean this weekend. So, in the meantime…I’m doing what I can to get ahead.
I’ve been so busy with school this semester so that I don’t have much free time for myself. I’m in classes from 9am until 1pm. I then have just enough time to eat some lunch and maybe visit with a few other students before I go to work in the college Learning Center (where tutoring takes place). I love tutoring and it gets even more fulfilling as the students come back to report the grade they received on the paper we worked on together. With the busy schedule, I am managing to keep up with my grades. So far, I’m getting A’s in all of my classes. I was a little worried about my computer lab class after taking a practice test while running a fever and only getting a 50 on it. However, when the time came to take the real test, I received an A and actually enjoyed taking the test. I have been working ahead and in fact just finished my last lab assignment for the semester. Technically, this means I only have to show up to take the next two tests. I’ll take advantage of my free-time to practice on Excel. I worked on Excel during the week I ran a fever and hated it. I’m not sure why I didn’t enjoy this part of learning the different programs, but I think it has something to do with the slowness of using it. One little mistake when entering a number can throw the whole outcome and mess up the finished assignment. I figure that I need to just do an extra assignment or two before I take the test over it and I’ll talk myself into liking it enough to have a good attitude about Excel, but after this…I’ll let Mike deal with Excel for our home use. Just give me Word and PowerPoint any day!
With each new semester flying by, I decided that I need to up how many classes I am taking if I want to graduate in a timely manner. I signed up for a May-‘mester this time. It is a three week, five days a week, four hours per day class and I’m taking Sociology. I really like Sociology and Psychology and figured that it is better to take classes I really like when they are crammed into such intense, short semesters. I have two Government classes for the summer semester. I’m not sure how I feel about Government, but I have discovered that once I am introduced to a new topic/subject I give it 100% and then want more. Each semester gets me closer to my associates of Education degree (new this year) and then I can transfer to finish my teaching degree.
Family News: Kayleigh (granddaughter) is standing up by herself and is so close to taking that first step. You can see her quiver with the desire to step out, but not yet. With the weather warming up, we spend as much time outside with her. I think she enjoys it as much as I do, especially swinging or going for walks. Kayleigh is such a joy to be with, so good natured and a little Miss. Social Butterfly as she has charmed our neighbors. No one can resist her, she is so adorable! Everyone else is doing well, but you know how it goes when there are grandbabies to report on.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Spring Semester 2005
I can’t believe this is my first opportunity this semester to write on my blog. My classes are going well, but I’m busier than before. I am taking 10 hours, take notes in two classes for the teachers (make copies for them), tutor 12 hours a week in the learning center and have lots of homework. I was figuring out how much time I spend on school related stuff. On M-W-F, I spend almost 12 hours! On Tuesday and Thursdays I spend about 5-6 hours. I can understand why students say they have no life outside of school! I’m not complaining about any of this, I love being in school.
I need to expound on my tutoring job. My algebra teacher suggested last semester that I get involved with tutoring as a way to help others and at the same time reinforcing it for myself. I laughed it off, algebra is not my passion. On my first day in the learning center to work on my algebra homework, the head of the department and I were talking about the need for an English tutor. She said she would think about the need and then called me at 7:30 am the next day to offer the position to me. For the first week I tutored algebra! I laugh every time I think about tutoring algebra, I can only help with pre-algebra, beginning algebra and up to the chapter I’m working on in Intermediate algebra. It is satisfying to hear from several students who come in to sit at my table for help tell me that I make a good teacher. I had no doubts before about teaching, but it really confirms my calling to hear it from others. On Friday last week and yesterday I finally got to help with English. Again, both students said I was so helpful and wanted to know what class I taught. Being a non-traditional student puts me in that unique position, not an official teacher, but more than just a student. Needless to say, I love the process I am experiencing as I continue my journey.
In preparations for graduation next year, I need to take a Women’s Studies course if I want to transfer to the University core complete. The college I’m at list the class in the catalogue, but it hasn’t been offered for a long time. Anyway, I talked to the Government Teacher and she said she would be willing to teach the class. After she talked to the Dean, the tentative plan is to offer it word of mouth for the fall semester in hopes there would be enough to sign up for it, if not, then it would be in the spring catalogue. It may be an interesting class to take (called Women in Politics), but not one I would seek to take on my own. I may have to talk to myself about taking this class like I have while taking algebra (I have to take it to get my degree). Since I have been taking classes year round, I hope to be able to graduate at the end of the spring semester next year. I’m excited about the final steps of my degree; it is the last step to take before I can be in a classroom teaching students of my own.
I may not be writing as much this semester due to the many hours consumed by school related activities, but I’ll try to keep everyone up to date as often as I can.
I can’t believe this is my first opportunity this semester to write on my blog. My classes are going well, but I’m busier than before. I am taking 10 hours, take notes in two classes for the teachers (make copies for them), tutor 12 hours a week in the learning center and have lots of homework. I was figuring out how much time I spend on school related stuff. On M-W-F, I spend almost 12 hours! On Tuesday and Thursdays I spend about 5-6 hours. I can understand why students say they have no life outside of school! I’m not complaining about any of this, I love being in school.
I need to expound on my tutoring job. My algebra teacher suggested last semester that I get involved with tutoring as a way to help others and at the same time reinforcing it for myself. I laughed it off, algebra is not my passion. On my first day in the learning center to work on my algebra homework, the head of the department and I were talking about the need for an English tutor. She said she would think about the need and then called me at 7:30 am the next day to offer the position to me. For the first week I tutored algebra! I laugh every time I think about tutoring algebra, I can only help with pre-algebra, beginning algebra and up to the chapter I’m working on in Intermediate algebra. It is satisfying to hear from several students who come in to sit at my table for help tell me that I make a good teacher. I had no doubts before about teaching, but it really confirms my calling to hear it from others. On Friday last week and yesterday I finally got to help with English. Again, both students said I was so helpful and wanted to know what class I taught. Being a non-traditional student puts me in that unique position, not an official teacher, but more than just a student. Needless to say, I love the process I am experiencing as I continue my journey.
In preparations for graduation next year, I need to take a Women’s Studies course if I want to transfer to the University core complete. The college I’m at list the class in the catalogue, but it hasn’t been offered for a long time. Anyway, I talked to the Government Teacher and she said she would be willing to teach the class. After she talked to the Dean, the tentative plan is to offer it word of mouth for the fall semester in hopes there would be enough to sign up for it, if not, then it would be in the spring catalogue. It may be an interesting class to take (called Women in Politics), but not one I would seek to take on my own. I may have to talk to myself about taking this class like I have while taking algebra (I have to take it to get my degree). Since I have been taking classes year round, I hope to be able to graduate at the end of the spring semester next year. I’m excited about the final steps of my degree; it is the last step to take before I can be in a classroom teaching students of my own.
I may not be writing as much this semester due to the many hours consumed by school related activities, but I’ll try to keep everyone up to date as often as I can.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Home from Oregon
Well, we finally got home after having our flight cancelled and rescheduled due to over an inch (close to two inches) of ice. When you travel with a baby, packing light isn’t possible. We were ready to leave on Sat. by noon, packed up two bags and a backpack for me, a very large bag, small bag, carry-on and a portable baby bed and the car seat for Michelle and Kayleigh. All of this was loaded into the 4x4 truck (weather was looking bad and news reports weren’t encouraging). We were 30 min. into our trip to the Portland’s airport when my SIL called to say that the flight was cancelled. Once we got back to the house, with the truck covered in ice as the freezing temp. froze the rain-ice mixture, we had to unload everything. The storm increased in severity, accumulating 1-2” of ice in Portland. It wasn’t looking good for an early flight the next morning and indeed, when I called to change our flight, the reservationists said they weren’t booking anything for the morning due to the warnings that most roads would be closed in Portland (those who had to travel had to put on chains). So, the earliest flight we could get on was at 5:15pm the next day (Sun). This meant we didn’t get home until 1:30 a.m. Mon. Kayleigh was great, but it was a very long day for all of us.
Other than the ice storm, we had a great time discovering the Willamette Valley Wine country. Michelle navigated while I drove. We stopped at three different wineries to sample wines and bring home a few bottles. Both of us like the dessert wines the best and kept asking for the chocolates to accompany our sampling. So far I have found a few specialty fruit wines I like (blackberry, loganberry and raspberry), a really great sweet red wine, a Riesling, and a Pinot gris. The airlines don’t let you check the wine in your luggage, so we had to transfer our bottles to our carry-on which only added to the weight. I’m sure Michelle would fully agree with me, the sweet Riesling we bought at www.sokolblosser.com Winery was worth every extra ounce. She is saving her bottle for her and Justin’s fourth anniversary in March. I’ll save mine for a special occasion (at $30 for 375 ml, anytime will be a special occasion drinking this), but it’ll be before my anniversary since it doesn’t come until August and I don’t want to wait that long before Mike gets to try it. Anyway, it has been fun discovering different wines.
My niece and nephew are growing so quickly, time does have that affect on pre-teens. Adam is so typical for a 12 year old who sleeps in until wakened and then eats before he sleeps some more. April will be 11 next month and she is really beginning to physically develop into a young woman now. It seems that every time I go out there, we experience extreme weather. There were three days during the week where we had to scrape ice off the windows before I could take the kids to school, but we made it in time each day. Then there is the rain… it is Oregon, but there was that one day when the sun came out. It is always an adventure going for the week and as much fun as we have, I’m always glad to come home and recuperate.
Tomorrow is the first day of the spring semester. Continue to keep me in prayers. I have intermediate algebra (last developmental math before I take college algebra and then that is it!), introduction to computers, computer lab and Brit. Lit II. I’m really ready to get back to school, meet new friends and new professors as I go about letting my light so shine. I have classes starting at 9 a.m. with the last one finishing at 1p.m.; so, I’m off to bed.
Well, we finally got home after having our flight cancelled and rescheduled due to over an inch (close to two inches) of ice. When you travel with a baby, packing light isn’t possible. We were ready to leave on Sat. by noon, packed up two bags and a backpack for me, a very large bag, small bag, carry-on and a portable baby bed and the car seat for Michelle and Kayleigh. All of this was loaded into the 4x4 truck (weather was looking bad and news reports weren’t encouraging). We were 30 min. into our trip to the Portland’s airport when my SIL called to say that the flight was cancelled. Once we got back to the house, with the truck covered in ice as the freezing temp. froze the rain-ice mixture, we had to unload everything. The storm increased in severity, accumulating 1-2” of ice in Portland. It wasn’t looking good for an early flight the next morning and indeed, when I called to change our flight, the reservationists said they weren’t booking anything for the morning due to the warnings that most roads would be closed in Portland (those who had to travel had to put on chains). So, the earliest flight we could get on was at 5:15pm the next day (Sun). This meant we didn’t get home until 1:30 a.m. Mon. Kayleigh was great, but it was a very long day for all of us.
Other than the ice storm, we had a great time discovering the Willamette Valley Wine country. Michelle navigated while I drove. We stopped at three different wineries to sample wines and bring home a few bottles. Both of us like the dessert wines the best and kept asking for the chocolates to accompany our sampling. So far I have found a few specialty fruit wines I like (blackberry, loganberry and raspberry), a really great sweet red wine, a Riesling, and a Pinot gris. The airlines don’t let you check the wine in your luggage, so we had to transfer our bottles to our carry-on which only added to the weight. I’m sure Michelle would fully agree with me, the sweet Riesling we bought at www.sokolblosser.com Winery was worth every extra ounce. She is saving her bottle for her and Justin’s fourth anniversary in March. I’ll save mine for a special occasion (at $30 for 375 ml, anytime will be a special occasion drinking this), but it’ll be before my anniversary since it doesn’t come until August and I don’t want to wait that long before Mike gets to try it. Anyway, it has been fun discovering different wines.
My niece and nephew are growing so quickly, time does have that affect on pre-teens. Adam is so typical for a 12 year old who sleeps in until wakened and then eats before he sleeps some more. April will be 11 next month and she is really beginning to physically develop into a young woman now. It seems that every time I go out there, we experience extreme weather. There were three days during the week where we had to scrape ice off the windows before I could take the kids to school, but we made it in time each day. Then there is the rain… it is Oregon, but there was that one day when the sun came out. It is always an adventure going for the week and as much fun as we have, I’m always glad to come home and recuperate.
Tomorrow is the first day of the spring semester. Continue to keep me in prayers. I have intermediate algebra (last developmental math before I take college algebra and then that is it!), introduction to computers, computer lab and Brit. Lit II. I’m really ready to get back to school, meet new friends and new professors as I go about letting my light so shine. I have classes starting at 9 a.m. with the last one finishing at 1p.m.; so, I’m off to bed.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Trip to Oregon
In two days, I will be headed off to Oregon again to take care of my niece and nephew for a week. Adam and April will be in school during the week while their parents go to Eugene for a business workshop and conference. While I get quite a few projects accomplished for the family while I’m there, I did have a few days that got boring. This time around though, Michelle and Kayleigh will be going with me (my daughter-in-love and my precious 6 month old granddaughter). Having them with me will make the time during the day more fun. I doubt we will be spending a lot of time outside due to the typical rainy, cold and forecasted snowy weather they have. However, we will be taking the kids to school (about 30-40min. drive) every morning and picking them up in the early afternoons. We do get to see Mt. Hood every time we walk outside and look to the east and it should be covered with snow all the way down. Taking the kids to school is also where town is in case we need to stop at the grocery store. The traffic in the Portland area is so different than around here and I don’t know my way around there at all, so we are limited on what or where we will be going. However, I may brave the traffic and ask my brother for directions to getting around so that I can show Michelle some of the beautiful scenery of Oregon. One stop I will make for sure will be one of the wineries; I want to bring back a sweet red wine I found out there on my last visit.
I finally got all of my Christmas decorations packed away. I want to have everything done before I leave since I will only have three days to recover from my visit, as is typical when you go away, before my next semester starts. I have been ready to get back to classes all week. Two weeks off seems to be all I need before I start getting antsy to crack open my books. This week has been filled with appointments for Dentist, Doctors, hair and such and next week spent in Oregon helps to fill up these last two weeks before school starts up again.
Speaking of school; I will be taking 10 hours this semester but I have a feeling that I will want to start taking at least 12. This last semester wasn’t challenging enough and I really do have the time to invest into my studies since I don’t work outside of the home and there is only Mike and me here at home. Oh, I can’t forget about Jake, our four legged baby, but he pretty much hibernates during the winter months unless you provide him with a warm lap (he’s a Chihuahua). What has really encouraged me to think about taking more classes was reading the Dean’s list for the college and not seeing my name on it (I still have a 4.0). While I’m on the National Dean’s list for Phi Theta Kappa, I’m not a full time student, which is the requirement for the college list. I think I must be a little more competitive than how I would describe myself to others. The odd thing about it is that I compete with myself, not really against others. Example: if the goal for high achievement is getting on the Dean’s list, then I want to be on that list. If the best I can do is get an A, I’ll work to get that A. The good thing about this drive is accepting my limitations and not beating myself up when I don’t achieve a goal. We all have certain abilities and gifts, none of us can be the best at everything. However, in the areas I can excel in, “…I will do it will all my might.”
If I have access while I’m in Oregon, I post what is going on. Otherwise, I’ll be back after my first week of classes.
In two days, I will be headed off to Oregon again to take care of my niece and nephew for a week. Adam and April will be in school during the week while their parents go to Eugene for a business workshop and conference. While I get quite a few projects accomplished for the family while I’m there, I did have a few days that got boring. This time around though, Michelle and Kayleigh will be going with me (my daughter-in-love and my precious 6 month old granddaughter). Having them with me will make the time during the day more fun. I doubt we will be spending a lot of time outside due to the typical rainy, cold and forecasted snowy weather they have. However, we will be taking the kids to school (about 30-40min. drive) every morning and picking them up in the early afternoons. We do get to see Mt. Hood every time we walk outside and look to the east and it should be covered with snow all the way down. Taking the kids to school is also where town is in case we need to stop at the grocery store. The traffic in the Portland area is so different than around here and I don’t know my way around there at all, so we are limited on what or where we will be going. However, I may brave the traffic and ask my brother for directions to getting around so that I can show Michelle some of the beautiful scenery of Oregon. One stop I will make for sure will be one of the wineries; I want to bring back a sweet red wine I found out there on my last visit.
I finally got all of my Christmas decorations packed away. I want to have everything done before I leave since I will only have three days to recover from my visit, as is typical when you go away, before my next semester starts. I have been ready to get back to classes all week. Two weeks off seems to be all I need before I start getting antsy to crack open my books. This week has been filled with appointments for Dentist, Doctors, hair and such and next week spent in Oregon helps to fill up these last two weeks before school starts up again.
Speaking of school; I will be taking 10 hours this semester but I have a feeling that I will want to start taking at least 12. This last semester wasn’t challenging enough and I really do have the time to invest into my studies since I don’t work outside of the home and there is only Mike and me here at home. Oh, I can’t forget about Jake, our four legged baby, but he pretty much hibernates during the winter months unless you provide him with a warm lap (he’s a Chihuahua). What has really encouraged me to think about taking more classes was reading the Dean’s list for the college and not seeing my name on it (I still have a 4.0). While I’m on the National Dean’s list for Phi Theta Kappa, I’m not a full time student, which is the requirement for the college list. I think I must be a little more competitive than how I would describe myself to others. The odd thing about it is that I compete with myself, not really against others. Example: if the goal for high achievement is getting on the Dean’s list, then I want to be on that list. If the best I can do is get an A, I’ll work to get that A. The good thing about this drive is accepting my limitations and not beating myself up when I don’t achieve a goal. We all have certain abilities and gifts, none of us can be the best at everything. However, in the areas I can excel in, “…I will do it will all my might.”
If I have access while I’m in Oregon, I post what is going on. Otherwise, I’ll be back after my first week of classes.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Happy New Year 2005!
It’s the first day of a new year and I’m excited about what the Lord is laying on my heart. Every year I get before Him to seek His will for my life for the New Year. Mike and I went camping this week to get away from the normal routine and the demands that seem to creep up when we are both at home. This retreat helps to prepare my heart to hear and receive what the Lord has for me. I began to hear in my spirit about a voice calling in the desert last weekend…before my Pastor read a letter Paul Harvey wrote and before he said something along the same lines. We as Christians rose up this year to make our voices heard during the Presidential election. Why does it take “issues” that challenge our rights as Christians before we rise up and speak up? Why do we sit back and let the minority, who choose to live in open sin, be the ones who establish the laws of our land? Little by little our rights are being infringed upon all in the name of tolerance for everyone else but the Christian majority. Anyway, the Lord is revealing to me that He has given me a voice to speak with boldness and confidence (only in Him and through Him) so that I can be a mouth-piece for Him in this New Year. As a voice of one calling:
In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 40.3-5)
I’m also reminded of the allegorical stories written by Hannah Hurnard, Hinds Feet in High Places and the sequel Mountains of Spices. Both of these books have made such an impact on my life, especially the idea that it is God who calls and equips us to follow after Him. I love the fact that He goes before us and makes our path level, even those routes that don’t seem to have a pathway on them! I have always felt that I was like one of the pioneer woman of old, with a sickle in hand, cutting down a trail through the wilderness so that it would be easier for those who followed. There were a couple of years when I stopped, filled with resentment, as I asked “why me, why do I have to be first”? I’m the first in a lot of areas; in the family, I’m the first born, first grandchild, first to marry, first to have children first one to have children graduate and get married and consequently the first to become a grandparent. It seems that most all of my friends near my age (most are a few years older) still have children in elementary school. While they are older, I have experienced many of the “first” events. It is easy to share my experiences with others, especially when it helps. However, there are times I wish I could just sit back and not be the one who goes first and cuts down the path just to make it easier for others. But, then I’m reminded of, to whom much is given, much is required. God knows me best and has given me much; my desire is to give back to Him in service all that is within me. Besides, I’m not the first to go forward and make a way, not in the big picture sense. So, I’ll put on my spiritual “hiking boots,” pick up whatever “tool” is necessary and continue my journey. If I can help make it easier for others to walk down this path as the “glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it,” then I will be doing my little part for the glory of the Lord.
I pray that you too are seeking His face and His will for your life as He prepares you for this New Year.
It’s the first day of a new year and I’m excited about what the Lord is laying on my heart. Every year I get before Him to seek His will for my life for the New Year. Mike and I went camping this week to get away from the normal routine and the demands that seem to creep up when we are both at home. This retreat helps to prepare my heart to hear and receive what the Lord has for me. I began to hear in my spirit about a voice calling in the desert last weekend…before my Pastor read a letter Paul Harvey wrote and before he said something along the same lines. We as Christians rose up this year to make our voices heard during the Presidential election. Why does it take “issues” that challenge our rights as Christians before we rise up and speak up? Why do we sit back and let the minority, who choose to live in open sin, be the ones who establish the laws of our land? Little by little our rights are being infringed upon all in the name of tolerance for everyone else but the Christian majority. Anyway, the Lord is revealing to me that He has given me a voice to speak with boldness and confidence (only in Him and through Him) so that I can be a mouth-piece for Him in this New Year. As a voice of one calling:
In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 40.3-5)
I’m also reminded of the allegorical stories written by Hannah Hurnard, Hinds Feet in High Places and the sequel Mountains of Spices. Both of these books have made such an impact on my life, especially the idea that it is God who calls and equips us to follow after Him. I love the fact that He goes before us and makes our path level, even those routes that don’t seem to have a pathway on them! I have always felt that I was like one of the pioneer woman of old, with a sickle in hand, cutting down a trail through the wilderness so that it would be easier for those who followed. There were a couple of years when I stopped, filled with resentment, as I asked “why me, why do I have to be first”? I’m the first in a lot of areas; in the family, I’m the first born, first grandchild, first to marry, first to have children first one to have children graduate and get married and consequently the first to become a grandparent. It seems that most all of my friends near my age (most are a few years older) still have children in elementary school. While they are older, I have experienced many of the “first” events. It is easy to share my experiences with others, especially when it helps. However, there are times I wish I could just sit back and not be the one who goes first and cuts down the path just to make it easier for others. But, then I’m reminded of, to whom much is given, much is required. God knows me best and has given me much; my desire is to give back to Him in service all that is within me. Besides, I’m not the first to go forward and make a way, not in the big picture sense. So, I’ll put on my spiritual “hiking boots,” pick up whatever “tool” is necessary and continue my journey. If I can help make it easier for others to walk down this path as the “glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it,” then I will be doing my little part for the glory of the Lord.
I pray that you too are seeking His face and His will for your life as He prepares you for this New Year.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Could this be the next Gerber baby? Or, maybe the next Christmas calendar baby. Kayleigh posed so perfectly for all of us as if she sits for pictures all of the time. I'm sure her mommy is posting this one on her blog as we all decided it was the perfect pose once Mike (Abba) uploaded it onto the computer. Sharing Christmas day with the family made for an extra special day.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas!
We are getting more than snow flurries; we’re actually getting an accumulation of snow! It looks beautiful coming down with huge snowflakes that almost look like snowballs. The weather report predicts at least 3 inches of snow and it should stick around until Christmas day when the temperatures rise to the 50’s. The roads are too warm for the snow to stick to for now, but the grassy areas and roof tops are getting a white blanket covering.
The photo I posted was taken on Valentine's Day this year but we used it for our Christmas cards this year, it was so beautiful.
We are getting more than snow flurries; we’re actually getting an accumulation of snow! It looks beautiful coming down with huge snowflakes that almost look like snowballs. The weather report predicts at least 3 inches of snow and it should stick around until Christmas day when the temperatures rise to the 50’s. The roads are too warm for the snow to stick to for now, but the grassy areas and roof tops are getting a white blanket covering.
The photo I posted was taken on Valentine's Day this year but we used it for our Christmas cards this year, it was so beautiful.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Last grade
I finally received my last grade in my Speech class, an A. I'm glad for it; however, I am thankful the class is over! What I learned as a result of being in this class, is that it allowed me to practice confidence in whom I am in the Lord and in the position I have been created for, without fear, excuses or arguments. The class didn’t teach me this; I learned it as the result of taking a stand for what is right. Anyway, it is over and now I can move on.
Today marks one week into my holiday break and I have crossed off most of my “to do” list! I’ve always been organized and pretty efficient with my time, I just never realized how much I could get finished now that school is out for the holiday. Or, maybe I should say that as the result of being in school, where I had to really make the most of my time, I now get much more accomplished in an allotted amount of time. I have even added several projects to my original list as my creative juices flowed...finished them too! With our mild Texas weather holding out, I finally got to take care of the last few outdoor projects. So, now the garden is cleaned up and put to bed for the winter, the outside windows are washed, the leaves are in the compost and everything is ready for winter to arrive officially, tomorrow. Our weather report is saying that we might get some snow flurries on Wednesday this week. We tend to get ice and rarely does it snow here in North Texas, but it would be fun to get a few inches of snow that is, as long as it goes away by the end of the day and I don’t have to get out in it.
Next week after Christmas, we will take the motorhome out for a few days and go camping. We haven’t gone as much as we normally go, not since I’ve been in college year round. Mike and I love getting away, hiking and biking around in the country and just enjoying nature all around us. It’ll be a nice break away from the normal routines. Once we come back, my calendar is filled with appointments, hair, dentist, veterinary and a couple of dinner parties. All this squeezed in before my trip to Oregon for a week. My brother and his wife own their own business and have a workshop/conference to attend to for the week, while their two kids stay home because they are in school. This takes place every other year and so this will be my second year to go during January. My DIL, Michelle and granddaughter, Kayleigh will be flying with me this time. It’s always fun when I go out there, but having Michelle and Kayleigh with me during the day will make the days go by faster. I usually have a list of projects to work on when I’m there, but they don’t always take up all of my time and I’m not much of a TV watcher, so it can get boring even with reading. Four days after we get home, classes start up again.
I have learned how to be still for periods of time, but for the most part I tend to be a busy type of person and get bored if I don’t have something productive going on. I even have two to three books going at the same time, I’m down to two now. I decided to open up my British Literature (next semester) book and start doing some background research on the first chapter, Beowulf. If it weren’t for the fact that this book must weigh two pounds and is huge, I’d take it with me to Oregon to read. But, there is just no easy way to tote this book on board without it counting as a carry-on. Anyway, the preview for this very long poem/story sounds interesting and I’m looking forward to getting into it.
If you’re one of those who don’t get much time to yourself anymore, just remember that it is the season you are in and it will change, mine did. Enjoy each season, I have, and it only gets better as each season comes and goes.
I finally received my last grade in my Speech class, an A. I'm glad for it; however, I am thankful the class is over! What I learned as a result of being in this class, is that it allowed me to practice confidence in whom I am in the Lord and in the position I have been created for, without fear, excuses or arguments. The class didn’t teach me this; I learned it as the result of taking a stand for what is right. Anyway, it is over and now I can move on.
Today marks one week into my holiday break and I have crossed off most of my “to do” list! I’ve always been organized and pretty efficient with my time, I just never realized how much I could get finished now that school is out for the holiday. Or, maybe I should say that as the result of being in school, where I had to really make the most of my time, I now get much more accomplished in an allotted amount of time. I have even added several projects to my original list as my creative juices flowed...finished them too! With our mild Texas weather holding out, I finally got to take care of the last few outdoor projects. So, now the garden is cleaned up and put to bed for the winter, the outside windows are washed, the leaves are in the compost and everything is ready for winter to arrive officially, tomorrow. Our weather report is saying that we might get some snow flurries on Wednesday this week. We tend to get ice and rarely does it snow here in North Texas, but it would be fun to get a few inches of snow that is, as long as it goes away by the end of the day and I don’t have to get out in it.
Next week after Christmas, we will take the motorhome out for a few days and go camping. We haven’t gone as much as we normally go, not since I’ve been in college year round. Mike and I love getting away, hiking and biking around in the country and just enjoying nature all around us. It’ll be a nice break away from the normal routines. Once we come back, my calendar is filled with appointments, hair, dentist, veterinary and a couple of dinner parties. All this squeezed in before my trip to Oregon for a week. My brother and his wife own their own business and have a workshop/conference to attend to for the week, while their two kids stay home because they are in school. This takes place every other year and so this will be my second year to go during January. My DIL, Michelle and granddaughter, Kayleigh will be flying with me this time. It’s always fun when I go out there, but having Michelle and Kayleigh with me during the day will make the days go by faster. I usually have a list of projects to work on when I’m there, but they don’t always take up all of my time and I’m not much of a TV watcher, so it can get boring even with reading. Four days after we get home, classes start up again.
I have learned how to be still for periods of time, but for the most part I tend to be a busy type of person and get bored if I don’t have something productive going on. I even have two to three books going at the same time, I’m down to two now. I decided to open up my British Literature (next semester) book and start doing some background research on the first chapter, Beowulf. If it weren’t for the fact that this book must weigh two pounds and is huge, I’d take it with me to Oregon to read. But, there is just no easy way to tote this book on board without it counting as a carry-on. Anyway, the preview for this very long poem/story sounds interesting and I’m looking forward to getting into it.
If you’re one of those who don’t get much time to yourself anymore, just remember that it is the season you are in and it will change, mine did. Enjoy each season, I have, and it only gets better as each season comes and goes.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Finals are Over!
I made it through a whole year of college! Our grades are in, but the system to check them on-line is down. Here is what I know for sure: I have an A in algebra and in English. The grade I’m not sure about is for speech. The speeches and tests weren’t hard, but that won’t really be the determining factor for this class as I have alluded to in my last posting. I can only hope for the best and remind myself that I made my stand based on principle at the risk of my grade and that is more important than a letter grade, right? I’ll keep telling myself this, it’s still difficult to accept anything less than an A when I did the work.
We finally got the house decorated and the tree up! I love decorating my house for Christmas, but this year was my first to be in college at the same time. I seriously considered not putting the tree up. Michael decided that “we” (he never really did anything before except put the tree in its stand) needed to do it all for Kayleigh’s first Christmas. So, while the kids have grown up and moved out, we will somehow find the time to put up the tree and decorate the house for the grandchildren. It’s going to work out to our advantage anyway since I wanted to pose Justin, Michelle and Kayleigh for their first family portrait in front of the tree. I'll post a picture after we get them finished.
Okay, so now I have four weeks off before the spring semester starts and I have a semi-long list of projects I want to tackle and hopefully conquer before my life is consumed again with studies. Thank you everyone for supporting me throughout this year, you have made a difference in my life.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Love to all
I made it through a whole year of college! Our grades are in, but the system to check them on-line is down. Here is what I know for sure: I have an A in algebra and in English. The grade I’m not sure about is for speech. The speeches and tests weren’t hard, but that won’t really be the determining factor for this class as I have alluded to in my last posting. I can only hope for the best and remind myself that I made my stand based on principle at the risk of my grade and that is more important than a letter grade, right? I’ll keep telling myself this, it’s still difficult to accept anything less than an A when I did the work.
We finally got the house decorated and the tree up! I love decorating my house for Christmas, but this year was my first to be in college at the same time. I seriously considered not putting the tree up. Michael decided that “we” (he never really did anything before except put the tree in its stand) needed to do it all for Kayleigh’s first Christmas. So, while the kids have grown up and moved out, we will somehow find the time to put up the tree and decorate the house for the grandchildren. It’s going to work out to our advantage anyway since I wanted to pose Justin, Michelle and Kayleigh for their first family portrait in front of the tree. I'll post a picture after we get them finished.
Okay, so now I have four weeks off before the spring semester starts and I have a semi-long list of projects I want to tackle and hopefully conquer before my life is consumed again with studies. Thank you everyone for supporting me throughout this year, you have made a difference in my life.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Love to all
Saturday, December 11, 2004
1+1= 1, Isolate for A
A B
Algebra:
I had my chapter test in Algebra on Friday and when I finished it, my teacher graded it on the spot and then tallied my semester grade…I had 106.15 points! I knew I wouldn’t need to take the finals, but I hadn’t kept up with how many points I had for the class, so I was surprised with my final tally. I’m not one of those who keeps track with the idea of how many points I need on each test to pass, as I have listened to others who do this. I figured that “whatsoever, my hand finds to do, do it with all your might!” right? Anyway, I actually like algebra – not enough to change my major, but enough to say that I enjoy the class. My teacher has been wonderful, so patient and she loves having non-traditional students. I’ll be taking the next level of algebra with the same teacher for the spring semester and then…I will be taking the last class of algebra for my college career next fall. As my son would say, “woohoo!”
Literature and Composition:
Love this class!! I enjoyed my English classes while I was in high-school, but not like I do now. I know it has a lot to do with finding my voice (both verbalized and written); however, I do believe it has more to do with the Professor. This is my second semester with the same Professor and won’t be my last. His style of teaching supports my learning and personal style, boundaries with lots of creative freedom. We also have a lot of similar personality traits which has helped when working together as a team on behalf of the class. I’ve been his unofficial teacher’s assistant this semester which has been really beneficial for him while he is working on his doctorate. I have enjoyed the position since I love to help/teach/mother, and the students come to me anyway. Hopefully, I’ll be this professor’s official TA for next semester since we do work well together and it’ll be his first semester teaching British Literature while working on his doctorate on top of the other classes he teaches. I don’t know my final grade for this class, but should find out next week when finals are officially over. Our last paper counts as our finals and is sent via computer with a dead-line of Sunday at midnight. I don’t know the last count of students he has to grade for, but it’ll be a lot of reading he has to get through before everyone gets their grade.
Speech:
Lastly, my s p e e c h class. Actually, this was my first class each day, but it gets mentioned last for a myriad of reasons. I loved speech in high-school, have spoken in several places across Texas and don’t have too much difficulty with speaking in front of a group. However, it didn’t take more than 3 days before I knew the teacher was going to be difficult. I’m not talking about a hard teacher who expects a higher level of anything; I’m talking about a teacher who isn’t emotionally stable. I watched this person (hard to call her a teacher when she didn’t teach us anything academically) have emotional “melt-downs” in class, get flustered, lose her self control and have no consistent standards by which to grade or critique. Ever the optimist, I kept hoping for the next day or next week or maybe, just maybe, the next month of this semester to see a change for the better, but it never came. It took the 10th week for me to finally do something about it after I intercepted several complaints by my classmates (three who dropped the class during this week). The short of it, I sent a four page, objectively detailed account of what I witnessed and sent it to the Dean and department head. After I took this action, any complaints I heard from the other students, I bluntly told them to write a letter of grievance and send it to the Dean. The last count of those who sent their letters in, 7 out of 17, but the count may go up now that the semester is over. I don’t wish this designated “teacher” ill will, but I do hope she takes a break or gets some help before she is back in the classroom. I could conclude this account by saying that I did learn something, indirectly from her…I practiced my voice and stood my grounds on several issues and then followed through by reporting the injustice. The other lesson I learned after I realized that I was in a position as a hub or central point of contact for the other students, was to balance being a student while I’m also leading.
This whole year has felt like a fast paced, advanced learning course. What I have learned academically has been encouraging (you’re never too old to learn), but I think I have learned more about myself, and that has built my confidence. I’m going to enjoy my time off before next semester starts, but I’m anticipating next semester to see what the Lord has planned for me as I continue this journey.
A B
Algebra:
I had my chapter test in Algebra on Friday and when I finished it, my teacher graded it on the spot and then tallied my semester grade…I had 106.15 points! I knew I wouldn’t need to take the finals, but I hadn’t kept up with how many points I had for the class, so I was surprised with my final tally. I’m not one of those who keeps track with the idea of how many points I need on each test to pass, as I have listened to others who do this. I figured that “whatsoever, my hand finds to do, do it with all your might!” right? Anyway, I actually like algebra – not enough to change my major, but enough to say that I enjoy the class. My teacher has been wonderful, so patient and she loves having non-traditional students. I’ll be taking the next level of algebra with the same teacher for the spring semester and then…I will be taking the last class of algebra for my college career next fall. As my son would say, “woohoo!”
Literature and Composition:
Love this class!! I enjoyed my English classes while I was in high-school, but not like I do now. I know it has a lot to do with finding my voice (both verbalized and written); however, I do believe it has more to do with the Professor. This is my second semester with the same Professor and won’t be my last. His style of teaching supports my learning and personal style, boundaries with lots of creative freedom. We also have a lot of similar personality traits which has helped when working together as a team on behalf of the class. I’ve been his unofficial teacher’s assistant this semester which has been really beneficial for him while he is working on his doctorate. I have enjoyed the position since I love to help/teach/mother, and the students come to me anyway. Hopefully, I’ll be this professor’s official TA for next semester since we do work well together and it’ll be his first semester teaching British Literature while working on his doctorate on top of the other classes he teaches. I don’t know my final grade for this class, but should find out next week when finals are officially over. Our last paper counts as our finals and is sent via computer with a dead-line of Sunday at midnight. I don’t know the last count of students he has to grade for, but it’ll be a lot of reading he has to get through before everyone gets their grade.
Speech:
Lastly, my s p e e c h class. Actually, this was my first class each day, but it gets mentioned last for a myriad of reasons. I loved speech in high-school, have spoken in several places across Texas and don’t have too much difficulty with speaking in front of a group. However, it didn’t take more than 3 days before I knew the teacher was going to be difficult. I’m not talking about a hard teacher who expects a higher level of anything; I’m talking about a teacher who isn’t emotionally stable. I watched this person (hard to call her a teacher when she didn’t teach us anything academically) have emotional “melt-downs” in class, get flustered, lose her self control and have no consistent standards by which to grade or critique. Ever the optimist, I kept hoping for the next day or next week or maybe, just maybe, the next month of this semester to see a change for the better, but it never came. It took the 10th week for me to finally do something about it after I intercepted several complaints by my classmates (three who dropped the class during this week). The short of it, I sent a four page, objectively detailed account of what I witnessed and sent it to the Dean and department head. After I took this action, any complaints I heard from the other students, I bluntly told them to write a letter of grievance and send it to the Dean. The last count of those who sent their letters in, 7 out of 17, but the count may go up now that the semester is over. I don’t wish this designated “teacher” ill will, but I do hope she takes a break or gets some help before she is back in the classroom. I could conclude this account by saying that I did learn something, indirectly from her…I practiced my voice and stood my grounds on several issues and then followed through by reporting the injustice. The other lesson I learned after I realized that I was in a position as a hub or central point of contact for the other students, was to balance being a student while I’m also leading.
This whole year has felt like a fast paced, advanced learning course. What I have learned academically has been encouraging (you’re never too old to learn), but I think I have learned more about myself, and that has built my confidence. I’m going to enjoy my time off before next semester starts, but I’m anticipating next semester to see what the Lord has planned for me as I continue this journey.
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