Joe had an interview with the Bishop yesterday to advance in the priesthood...he'll be moving from a deacon to a teacher on July 10th, the Sunday after Scout camp is over. He has asked Bro. DeButts, a ward member that Joe looks up to and admires, to do the ordination, and he has graciously agreed.
Joe turns 14 tomorrow. Joe is such an honorable young man...he always tries to do his duty. He's honest and kind. He has a clear conscience because he does what he is supposed to, and doesn't do what he isn't supposed to. He even helps his siblings do the same.
I'm blessed to be his mom!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Hitting the Books
This summer I am taking 6 units at Fresno State. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I don't think I counted on 8 hours a day in class or doing homework. The two classes I'm taking are pretty intensive. One is an anthropology class on South East Asian cultures. It's an online course and there are a ton of books to read, online discussions and quizzes. The other class is a linguistics class, traditional classroom style, but it's combined with history of the world as well as a history of languages. That class requires a lot of work.
Yesterday, I had a quiz in linguistics. The test is online. You can only see one question at a time and you move from question to question without being able to go back to a previous question or skip any questions. It's a 30 minute timed test. The questions are a mixture of short answer, multiple choice, multiple answer and essay. When I came home from class yesterday, I was getting a migraine. I took medicine and hoped that it would improve. Instead it got worse, and I ended up having to go to bed for a bit. I couldn't focus my eyes and I felt like I was going to throw up. I set my alarm for 11 because the test had to be finished by midnight. When the alarm went off, I felt slightly better, but discovered as I was taking the test that I still could not focus well, neither my eyes nor my mind. I don't even know if I was able to pass the test. It's only a small portion of my grade, but I worry because I know that if I want to get into the Masters/Doctorate program, I have to be among the top ten applicants.
If anyone had told me that a headache could incapacitate someone so terribly before I experienced my first migraines, I wouldn't have believed them. I believe them now!
Time to get back to my classes. Have a great day, everyone! Pray that I survive the summer!
Yesterday, I had a quiz in linguistics. The test is online. You can only see one question at a time and you move from question to question without being able to go back to a previous question or skip any questions. It's a 30 minute timed test. The questions are a mixture of short answer, multiple choice, multiple answer and essay. When I came home from class yesterday, I was getting a migraine. I took medicine and hoped that it would improve. Instead it got worse, and I ended up having to go to bed for a bit. I couldn't focus my eyes and I felt like I was going to throw up. I set my alarm for 11 because the test had to be finished by midnight. When the alarm went off, I felt slightly better, but discovered as I was taking the test that I still could not focus well, neither my eyes nor my mind. I don't even know if I was able to pass the test.
If anyone had told me that a headache could incapacitate someone so terribly before I experienced my first migraines, I wouldn't have believed them. I believe them now!
Time to get back to my classes. Have a great day, everyone! Pray that I survive the summer!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
My Dad
My dad was a marine briefly, and after he left the marines, he went into civil service and worked on the base. When I was a kid, I thought my dad could fix anything. He was a heavy duty mechanic when I was young, and later was trained to be a radar maintenance technician. Some of my earliest memories involve visiting him on the base in San Diego. I remember looking out the back window at these tall men in uniforms who smiled at me as we drove through the gates. I also remember sitting in some kind of cafe on base with my dad and my mom, eating french fries with tons of ketchup. Everyone was so nice to me that I thought my dad must be really important. I stole my dad's french fries when he wasn't looking.
Later, when he was attending a community college near our home in 29 Palms, I remember driving to the college to pick him up once when the wind was blowing really hard, I think because he was worried about riding his motorcycle in the strong winds. When we returned home, the wind had blown part of our roof off and bent our CB antenna on the house. I remember worrying about my dad who I could hear walking around on the roof that night, trying to do some damage control.
I have been impressed with him all my life for his careful, thoughtful manner. He didn't get mad easily, but when he did get mad, watch out! It seemed like his eyes would change from blue to green when he was mad.
From my dad, I learned to love and respect motorcycles. I learned from him to clean the top of the refrigerator, how to peel potatoes, that a kitchen wasn't clean if you just washed the dishes...you had to wipe off the stove and clean the counters. He instilled in me to change my oil frequently...so much so that when my car's indicator tells me it's time to change my oil, I get extremely upset if I go past the indicated mileage and envision my car melting down in the middle of the highway from lack of maintenance. My dad also taught me to be a critical thinker...just because television or the news says it's so, doesn't mean it is. He taught me to be realistic and pragmatic. Life is hard, and most of the time, life doesn't work out the way you want it to, but that doesn't mean you should just give up.
My dad loved electronics...any technology in fact. He always wanted the most recent technological toys. He started his own repair and sales business for electronics and CB radios. His shop was in our garage in our back yard. I remember working with my dad in his shop when I had a science fair coming up. My dad helped me to make a sound synthesizer. I learned how to read a schematic, all about circuit boards, how to solder, what makes switches work, and all sorts of other things about electronics. My dad also taught me basic programming.
My dad was always a hard worker. He spent his time supporting his family and doing home and car repairs. He had a lot of strength, too. I remember one holiday when my parents were making turkey, my dad took the turkey out of the oven and the pan collapsed. Hot oil and liquid spilled onto his legs and feet. He carefully put the turkey back into the oven, closed the oven door, and walked to the bathroom where he filled up the tub with cold water and ice and took care of his injuries. I don't remember him saying a word during the accident. I'm sure it hurt terribly.
These days, my dad is retired from civil service. He still works part time at a tire shop and still fixes things. He looks after my mom. He and my mom go every Sunday to the continuing care to visit their friends who live there, to play games and to talk. He is a wonderful father, and I love him very much!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Another Love Story
My children Kelly and Joseph are 21 months apart and have been close since Joe was first born. Kelly held him just moments after he was born. She immediately took to calling him JoJo, "bubba Joe" or "Boo Boo." To this day, she still calls him "Boo Boo." Kelly did most of the talking when Joe was a baby. This was probably a good thing, because although Joe didn't start talking (except names) until he was about two and a half, once he did start talking, he began speaking in complete sentences and rarely stopped. She sang him songs and dragged him around the house to where ever she wanted to play.
As they got a little older, it became evident that Joe was just as loyal to Kelly. An example of this was that when Kelly was on time out (quite a frequent occurence with Kelly), Joe would sit by her and stay on time out with her until she was done. If I took away a privilege, like dessert or swimming, Joe would refuse his privilege, too. It made it a bit complicated as a parent, because I knew that if I disciplined Kelly, Joe would suffer, too. Kelly always shared everything she had with Joe. She drew him pictures to make him smile and laugh. While Kelly's mercurial moods made her angry sometimes with Joe, Joe never once was angry with Kelly. He was patient and would wait for her to be done yelling, and then he would lean over and smile up at her, and all was fixed again.
Kelly did not like hugging or cuddling much when she was little. SHE would choose when she wanted to be hugged or cuddled. Joe was the opposite. I think when he was little, he must have felt that if he couldn't touch someone, he would disappear, because he was always very close to me, Kelly or Erin, and holding on to our clothes, arms, necks, etc. With Joe, Kelly was much more tolerant, and let him hug her and lean on her and be close to her without too much complaint.
These two children developed a pattern of talking and sharing that was unique to them. It was as if they had their own language. They would talk and laugh so fast together, it was like listening to a river. They would laugh and giggle at things only they could understand. I used to call it the Kelly and Joseph show. The younger kids all slept in the same room until Joe was 5 and Kelly was 7, when the girls all moved in together and the boys got their own room. Kelly and Joe would keep talking until Joe fell asleep. (He always fell asleep first.) When they changed rooms, I still couldn't keep the two apart. I would always have to chase Kelly back to her room.
Even now that they are older, Kelly and Joe are just as close. Kelly still drags Joe around with her when she wants to talk with him. They still adore each other. When they are together, they talk incessantly. I bust up laughing in hilarity when I hear the two of them talking, because they're always thinking of crazy things and making up voices for the dogs, cats, and other animals. Even though Joe doesn't always go along with Kelly anymore, he's still Kelly's biggest fan.
When Joe was being teased and harassed in seventh grade because of his social anxiety/awkwardness, Kelly would tell Joe what to do or not to do so kids wouldn't tease him. Kelly's social skills were always excellent, and she used this to help Joe. Recently Joe went to his first dance. She gave him pointers...don't just say no (even though you're terrified), always smile at someone who asked you to dance, try to talk about something while you're dancing, say thank you when you're done. She looked out for him, and made sure only nice girls would dance with him. She snapped a photo of him during his first dance and sent it to me on my phone.
I delight in the love these two have for each other. I consider myself to be very lucky because all of my kids just adore each other most of the time. I think Joe has helped Kelly just as much as Kelly has helped Joe. Without Joe, Kelly might not have been able to form close connections with others to the degree that she is able to today. And without Joe's patience with Kelly, she might have spent a LOT more time on time-out. I also think his natural empathy has made Kelly more concerned for others than she might have been without her brother.
It's a love story born in heaven. These two were meant to be each other's strength on this earth. It's such a delight to see them together!
As they got a little older, it became evident that Joe was just as loyal to Kelly. An example of this was that when Kelly was on time out (quite a frequent occurence with Kelly), Joe would sit by her and stay on time out with her until she was done. If I took away a privilege, like dessert or swimming, Joe would refuse his privilege, too. It made it a bit complicated as a parent, because I knew that if I disciplined Kelly, Joe would suffer, too. Kelly always shared everything she had with Joe. She drew him pictures to make him smile and laugh. While Kelly's mercurial moods made her angry sometimes with Joe, Joe never once was angry with Kelly. He was patient and would wait for her to be done yelling, and then he would lean over and smile up at her, and all was fixed again.
Kelly did not like hugging or cuddling much when she was little. SHE would choose when she wanted to be hugged or cuddled. Joe was the opposite. I think when he was little, he must have felt that if he couldn't touch someone, he would disappear, because he was always very close to me, Kelly or Erin, and holding on to our clothes, arms, necks, etc. With Joe, Kelly was much more tolerant, and let him hug her and lean on her and be close to her without too much complaint.
These two children developed a pattern of talking and sharing that was unique to them. It was as if they had their own language. They would talk and laugh so fast together, it was like listening to a river. They would laugh and giggle at things only they could understand. I used to call it the Kelly and Joseph show. The younger kids all slept in the same room until Joe was 5 and Kelly was 7, when the girls all moved in together and the boys got their own room. Kelly and Joe would keep talking until Joe fell asleep. (He always fell asleep first.) When they changed rooms, I still couldn't keep the two apart. I would always have to chase Kelly back to her room.
Even now that they are older, Kelly and Joe are just as close. Kelly still drags Joe around with her when she wants to talk with him. They still adore each other. When they are together, they talk incessantly. I bust up laughing in hilarity when I hear the two of them talking, because they're always thinking of crazy things and making up voices for the dogs, cats, and other animals. Even though Joe doesn't always go along with Kelly anymore, he's still Kelly's biggest fan.
When Joe was being teased and harassed in seventh grade because of his social anxiety/awkwardness, Kelly would tell Joe what to do or not to do so kids wouldn't tease him. Kelly's social skills were always excellent, and she used this to help Joe. Recently Joe went to his first dance. She gave him pointers...don't just say no (even though you're terrified), always smile at someone who asked you to dance, try to talk about something while you're dancing, say thank you when you're done. She looked out for him, and made sure only nice girls would dance with him. She snapped a photo of him during his first dance and sent it to me on my phone.
I delight in the love these two have for each other. I consider myself to be very lucky because all of my kids just adore each other most of the time. I think Joe has helped Kelly just as much as Kelly has helped Joe. Without Joe, Kelly might not have been able to form close connections with others to the degree that she is able to today. And without Joe's patience with Kelly, she might have spent a LOT more time on time-out. I also think his natural empathy has made Kelly more concerned for others than she might have been without her brother.
It's a love story born in heaven. These two were meant to be each other's strength on this earth. It's such a delight to see them together!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Eternal Things
This week has been EFY at home - meaning that instead of the kids traveling to Utah or somewhere else, they stay here in Fresno and have the same program but sleep at home every night. There are classes, scripture study, singing, games, fun, dancing...they keep the kids so busy that they come home exhausted and happy. So from 9a to 9p, Joe and Kelly have been spending their time at the West Stake Center.
Dropping them off every day and picking them up every night is so much fun, mostly because I get to see our beautiful temple every day. The people who take care of the grounds of the temple do such an amazing job! And it lifts my heart to know the good work that takes place inside those well-loved walls. I think of all the people who work to make our small little temple so beautiful and pleasant, but mostly I am grateful to the Lord that he saw fit to give our area its own temple. I remember driving with the kids every week to the temple grounds as it was being built. I have a photo of the kids (Kelly and Joe) turning over a shovel-full of dirt for the temple. We would go to the temple every Sunday after church to see what progress had been made. I remember watching with Kelly, Joe, and Laine (who was just a baby) as the angel Moroni was put on the top of the spire. And I remember vividly the dedication of the temple, and seeing the prophet Gordon B Hinckley, the only prophet I had ever seen in person. I also remember visiting the temple grounds and doing sessions in the midst of one of the most difficult periods of my life, and the peace and love I felt there.
I'm looking forward to Laine turning twelve on July 5th. She will be old enough to visit the temple for the first time and do baptisms for the dead. Then I will be able to be within the walls of the temple with three of my children! (Well, four if Erin and Nick were closer!) I imagine how it will be when all four of the younger group can attend. I think of Erin and Nick getting sealed someday soon. I think of the blessings of doing temple work for our families, of which there is a LOT to do since I am the only member on my side of the family, and the kids' father's side has a lot to be done as well. The blessing of the gospel and the atonement of Christ is that we get to be together as a family eternally if we repent, endure to the end, and believe!
I attended the missionary farewell this last Tuesday. President and Sister Gonzales are going home, and they and several of the missionaries bore testimonies at the meeting. I was really touched by the last elder, who said that the atonement means everything to him, and to be able to share what Christ has done for all of us with the people in his mission area has meant the world. Really, all the things that we have going on in our lives, all the little frustrations and difficulties mean very little unless we let all these things improve our focus on Jesus and his atoning sacrifice. This is why the world was created...to bring all of God's children home to him.
I am so grateful for this knowledge, and the blessings of the gospel in my life. I love my Savior and I pray that he will help me become more like him. I also hope that he will touch the hearts of everyone I love and help them find their way to him. Have a truly wonderful day!
Dropping them off every day and picking them up every night is so much fun, mostly because I get to see our beautiful temple every day. The people who take care of the grounds of the temple do such an amazing job! And it lifts my heart to know the good work that takes place inside those well-loved walls. I think of all the people who work to make our small little temple so beautiful and pleasant, but mostly I am grateful to the Lord that he saw fit to give our area its own temple. I remember driving with the kids every week to the temple grounds as it was being built. I have a photo of the kids (Kelly and Joe) turning over a shovel-full of dirt for the temple. We would go to the temple every Sunday after church to see what progress had been made. I remember watching with Kelly, Joe, and Laine (who was just a baby) as the angel Moroni was put on the top of the spire. And I remember vividly the dedication of the temple, and seeing the prophet Gordon B Hinckley, the only prophet I had ever seen in person. I also remember visiting the temple grounds and doing sessions in the midst of one of the most difficult periods of my life, and the peace and love I felt there.
I'm looking forward to Laine turning twelve on July 5th. She will be old enough to visit the temple for the first time and do baptisms for the dead. Then I will be able to be within the walls of the temple with three of my children! (Well, four if Erin and Nick were closer!) I imagine how it will be when all four of the younger group can attend. I think of Erin and Nick getting sealed someday soon. I think of the blessings of doing temple work for our families, of which there is a LOT to do since I am the only member on my side of the family, and the kids' father's side has a lot to be done as well. The blessing of the gospel and the atonement of Christ is that we get to be together as a family eternally if we repent, endure to the end, and believe!
I attended the missionary farewell this last Tuesday. President and Sister Gonzales are going home, and they and several of the missionaries bore testimonies at the meeting. I was really touched by the last elder, who said that the atonement means everything to him, and to be able to share what Christ has done for all of us with the people in his mission area has meant the world. Really, all the things that we have going on in our lives, all the little frustrations and difficulties mean very little unless we let all these things improve our focus on Jesus and his atoning sacrifice. This is why the world was created...to bring all of God's children home to him.
I am so grateful for this knowledge, and the blessings of the gospel in my life. I love my Savior and I pray that he will help me become more like him. I also hope that he will touch the hearts of everyone I love and help them find their way to him. Have a truly wonderful day!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Time out!
Ahhh! So after our last little bit of rain last week, I discovered that my roof is leaking in several places in the breezeway (our SPCA - special place for Cavanaugh's animals) between the house and the garage. Then my battery went out on my car. The charging outlet on my laptop has almost completely fallen apart, leaving me holding the cord in as I'm working so that my computer will keep working long enough to finish my work. And for the last several weeks I've been struggling with a dishwasher that would not drain. Today, I discovered that my impeller is out and that fixing my 13 year old dishwasher will cost me about $50 less than buying a new one.
Can you say S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D? I knew you could.
I'm singing "Count your many blessings" and trying to remember all the ways I've been blessed. Sing it with me!!! I can't hear you! Louder!
Can you say S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D? I knew you could.
I'm singing "Count your many blessings" and trying to remember all the ways I've been blessed. Sing it with me!!! I can't hear you! Louder!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Furry Farewell
We had to say goodbye to our cat Hailey yesterday. We got Hailey when she was about a year old from the Cat House on the Kings. We actually got two cats at that time...Timmy for Joe's 9th birthday and Hailey for Laine's 7th birthday, which were just week apart. The two cats were brother and sister, and were inseparable. When we brought them home, we discovered much to our dismay that the cats had ringworm. We had to lock the kitties up in the bathroom until all signs of it were completely gone, which took about a month. During that month, we also discovered that Hailey had an eating disorder. She would lay by her bowl and eat non-stop if we let her, so we resorted to feeding the cats only once per day.
They used to run around the house playing tag with each other. If the cats were sleeping you could bet that they'd be sleeping next to one another. Hailey was a homebody, but Timmy was a daredevil and would run for the door as soon as it opened. This resulted in Timmy being hit by a car about 3 years ago, and many sad hearts at the Cavanaugh household. Hailey's digestive problems caused her to have stinky diarrhea most of the time, and finally after too long with the cat litter box not being cleaned properly, I finally decided that we needed to let the cats be indoor/outdoor cats and let them do their business outside.
That's when Hailey met her brother from another mother, Roshi...our next door neighbor's cat. She also became enthralled with the children who live next door, who just loved to feed her by hand (we used to call it popping bon-bons). Hailey took to hanging out at our neighbors' yard with her new best friend Roshi more than at our home. But if it was cold or wet, she would come begging at our door since our neighbors wouldn't let her in. She would also come running if they were on vacation. Food was suddenly accessible all the time to her (we have a cat friendly neighborhood), and she began to rack up the pounds. Soon it became impossible for her to clean herself, and several times when she was filthy, she would work her way to our house to be washed by her happy-to-see-her children owners, who clipped her backside and washed her up.
Laine bemoaned the "loss" of her cat to the neighbors, but knew she could visit her anytime she wanted. And when she came over, she purred and preened for all of us. Then Thursday after about a three month absence, Hailey suddenly showed up at our front door. I bent down to scratch her ears and noticed that she was bleeding a little and smelled atrocious. Upon examination, we discovered that she had a deep circular wound on her upper thigh/buttock area, and it was clearly infected and crawling with maggots. When she walked, she couldn't put weight on her back leg, and her backside was filthy. I cleaned her up a little and decided to see what the new day would bring before making a decision about what to do.
All night and into the morning, she kept crying out. She had made her way into the back yard and was moving from place to place, only about 8 to 10 inches at a time before she would collapse. She was bleeding very profusely, and clearly in a lot of pain. I realized that the situation was beyond help. A friend helped me load her into the car, and I had to take her to the SPCA to be euthanized. I thought my heart would break. I couldn't even speak to the desk clerk because I was so upset. When I told the children, they were all sad, but the saddest of all was little Laine, who had loved her fatty cat with all of her heart.
I told her that now Hailey and Timmy are together again, probably playing tag and sleeping side by side. Poor Roshi is heartbroken and won't stop crying for his friend. I know Hailey's in a much happier place now, but we'll miss our furry family member.
They used to run around the house playing tag with each other. If the cats were sleeping you could bet that they'd be sleeping next to one another. Hailey was a homebody, but Timmy was a daredevil and would run for the door as soon as it opened. This resulted in Timmy being hit by a car about 3 years ago, and many sad hearts at the Cavanaugh household. Hailey's digestive problems caused her to have stinky diarrhea most of the time, and finally after too long with the cat litter box not being cleaned properly, I finally decided that we needed to let the cats be indoor/outdoor cats and let them do their business outside.
That's when Hailey met her brother from another mother, Roshi...our next door neighbor's cat. She also became enthralled with the children who live next door, who just loved to feed her by hand (we used to call it popping bon-bons). Hailey took to hanging out at our neighbors' yard with her new best friend Roshi more than at our home. But if it was cold or wet, she would come begging at our door since our neighbors wouldn't let her in. She would also come running if they were on vacation. Food was suddenly accessible all the time to her (we have a cat friendly neighborhood), and she began to rack up the pounds. Soon it became impossible for her to clean herself, and several times when she was filthy, she would work her way to our house to be washed by her happy-to-see-her children owners, who clipped her backside and washed her up.
Laine bemoaned the "loss" of her cat to the neighbors, but knew she could visit her anytime she wanted. And when she came over, she purred and preened for all of us. Then Thursday after about a three month absence, Hailey suddenly showed up at our front door. I bent down to scratch her ears and noticed that she was bleeding a little and smelled atrocious. Upon examination, we discovered that she had a deep circular wound on her upper thigh/buttock area, and it was clearly infected and crawling with maggots. When she walked, she couldn't put weight on her back leg, and her backside was filthy. I cleaned her up a little and decided to see what the new day would bring before making a decision about what to do.
All night and into the morning, she kept crying out. She had made her way into the back yard and was moving from place to place, only about 8 to 10 inches at a time before she would collapse. She was bleeding very profusely, and clearly in a lot of pain. I realized that the situation was beyond help. A friend helped me load her into the car, and I had to take her to the SPCA to be euthanized. I thought my heart would break. I couldn't even speak to the desk clerk because I was so upset. When I told the children, they were all sad, but the saddest of all was little Laine, who had loved her fatty cat with all of her heart.
I told her that now Hailey and Timmy are together again, probably playing tag and sleeping side by side. Poor Roshi is heartbroken and won't stop crying for his friend. I know Hailey's in a much happier place now, but we'll miss our furry family member.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A Tale of Love
To look at them, you would think they've been married 50 or more years. They hold hands everywhere they go. They finish each other's sentences. Sometimes instead of words, they just give one another a knowing smile. He knows what she likes, she knows what he likes, and habits, like gossamer spider webs, are woven throughout their lives. However, I knew this dear lady and her first husband who died shortly after we were introduced. In fact I sometimes still call her by her previous married name, a fact which makes her laugh, and her current husband say, "Well, he got her first." The twinkle in his eye as he grabs his wife's hand and kisses it is a pleasure to behold. "I'm just so blessed to have her now."
I admit to them that I'm in awe of the affection and love between them. She says emphatically that she never intended to marry again. She was absolutely NOT looking, especially so soon after her beloved husband had passed away. She still felt married to him, not surprising since they were married so long and sealed in the temple. But whenever she spoke to her friend on the phone, the time would vanish away and she would find herself shocked at how long they could talk. When they were together, things between them just felt normal and easy. The panic would hit each time their time together ended, when she would feel unfaithful to her husband and wonder what was possessing her mind.
He, of course, knew from the start that they were destined to be together. He told her so, too. He let her object. He waited patiently, and continued to call and visit whenever it was possible. And he eventually won her heart.
He has won mine, as well. I like the way he smiles at her. I like his gentleness and his flirtatious manner with her. The way he teases her makes me grin behind my hand, and his respect for her is evident in his ever-present concern for her. He showers her with love, and she blossoms in it. If only all of us were so blessed!
I admit to them that I'm in awe of the affection and love between them. She says emphatically that she never intended to marry again. She was absolutely NOT looking, especially so soon after her beloved husband had passed away. She still felt married to him, not surprising since they were married so long and sealed in the temple. But whenever she spoke to her friend on the phone, the time would vanish away and she would find herself shocked at how long they could talk. When they were together, things between them just felt normal and easy. The panic would hit each time their time together ended, when she would feel unfaithful to her husband and wonder what was possessing her mind.
He, of course, knew from the start that they were destined to be together. He told her so, too. He let her object. He waited patiently, and continued to call and visit whenever it was possible. And he eventually won her heart.
He has won mine, as well. I like the way he smiles at her. I like his gentleness and his flirtatious manner with her. The way he teases her makes me grin behind my hand, and his respect for her is evident in his ever-present concern for her. He showers her with love, and she blossoms in it. If only all of us were so blessed!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Semester Wrap-up!
I finished the last of my classes today. Needless to say, I am breathing a HUGE sigh of relief. Particularly after Wednesday's madness, I thought I would completely lose my mind. In my Geology class, my grade is completely dependent on how I did on the paper since it's 50% of my grade. I think I earned a high B or low A on the paper, so I will likely get either an A or a B in the class. In my Abnormal Psychology class, our whole grade depends on the tests we took throughout the semester. Since I had an A going into the final, and assuming I did as well on the Tuesday night final (8 p.m. Can you believe that? I thought I'd fall asleep!) as I think I did, I most likely earned an A in the class. Psychological Experimental Methods is my 5 unit course. I have been working so hard in that class all year! I had an A before turning in my research report (100 points) and taking my final (50 points). When I did the math, I realized that I only needed to get 113 points combined on these two items in order to get an A, and I'm confident enough to believe I earned an A. Let's hope so, anyway.
This semester was only 12 units, however. This summer I'm taking 6 units, plus challenging the upper division writing requirements. If that works out, that will count as another 3 units, making 9 total for the summer. I'm registered for 12 units in the fall, but will be adding one more class if it becomes available. In 2012, I am planning on taking 41 units total and applying for grad school if I can get all the classes I need over this next year and a half.
An interesting development has occurred over the last few weeks...I realized that although I want to do rehabilitation counseling/crisis intervention, the master's degree in this area would require me to work for others instead of being independent as I want to be. So I'm going to try to get into the MFT (marriage and family therapy) program for my master's, which will allow me to open my own practice or work with others in the area I want to specialize in, and work on other areas if I choose. If I decide to get my doctorate then ultimately it won't matter where my master's is, but I will be able to make more money with the MFT than without, which will be important in supporting my family through the doctorate program.
But first, I am so excited about finally getting my bachelor's degree. I hope the Lord blesses me to be able to keep afloat financially through this time!
This semester was only 12 units, however. This summer I'm taking 6 units, plus challenging the upper division writing requirements. If that works out, that will count as another 3 units, making 9 total for the summer. I'm registered for 12 units in the fall, but will be adding one more class if it becomes available. In 2012, I am planning on taking 41 units total and applying for grad school if I can get all the classes I need over this next year and a half.
An interesting development has occurred over the last few weeks...I realized that although I want to do rehabilitation counseling/crisis intervention, the master's degree in this area would require me to work for others instead of being independent as I want to be. So I'm going to try to get into the MFT (marriage and family therapy) program for my master's, which will allow me to open my own practice or work with others in the area I want to specialize in, and work on other areas if I choose. If I decide to get my doctorate then ultimately it won't matter where my master's is, but I will be able to make more money with the MFT than without, which will be important in supporting my family through the doctorate program.
But first, I am so excited about finally getting my bachelor's degree. I hope the Lord blesses me to be able to keep afloat financially through this time!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Writing Again!
Somehow you'd think that with all the writing I've had to do this semester (altogether nearly 8,000 words making up 32 pages) that I would be taking a huge break from it until the summer session starts, but I'm not. I have felt moved lately to start writing a book. I'm in the diagramming and scene snippet stage right now. I wonder how much I can finish before my summer classes begin?
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