Finals!!!!

Oh yes, folks! It's that time of year. Today was the last day of classes and I've got one big final take home exam left. This weekend will be full of writing, writing and more writing.....and did I say more writing.

I will say that as this semester is coming to a close, I do feel a great sense of accomplishment.

• I can be a student again and despite the crazy schedule, I love it.
• I survived a major move across the country again. This time it involves sunshine and warmer weather. Yeah, it's 61 degrees today and I haven't seen snow this year at all.
• John and I are still together. I didn't think that we wouldn't be together, but it's tough to work at a relationship from 2,948 miles away. Thanks for sticking with me honey! I must say we have racked up some frequent flyer miles. I also think of those who must do the same for whatever reason and praise them for their resilience and faith in each other.
• I didn't run out of money...granted, I had taken out financial aid but I was worried it wouldn't be enough. I'm shooting to do even better next semester.

I found this quote:

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

I find it helpful to go day by day, one step at a time. For that is the only way we ever get to where we want to be. This certainly hasn't been the optimal position to be in, but I'm happy to say that one semester is conquered. We are all okay.

Holiday Wish Lists

Hold the phone Mom! I know I just sent you my annual wish list of things I want for Christmas, but I'm having second thoughts. I may not be rich, especially right now! But I do know that the more I am reflecting on this season, the more I am called to action.

What got me to thinking about this was an "Angel Tree." I was walking through the mall and saw it a week or so ago. It's stuck with me as I thought about it's purpose. Not that it's a bad thing to get gifts for a child that otherwise would not have had them. I just wonder, what does it do to better the life of the child past the holidays? Aren't these the same children who grow up in low-income families who gain only around 5,000 word vocabularies compared to those from affluent families who gain 20,000 word vocabularies by the time they are in the first grade (Hart & Risley, 1995)? Aren't these the children who are six times more likely than those from affluent families to drop out of high school (McQuillan, 1998)? Isn't there a better way we can contribute to their success other than buying them a gift at Christmas?

Why don't we spend our time with others on Christmas feeding and serving those without families? Why not take the money we would have spent on gifts for each other and give it to CASA or some other agency of our choice that will better the lives of these children? Why not commit to volunteering in the community in the next year?

I know I'm often the queen of getting caught up in commercialization and shopping so these comments may seem awkward to hear from me. But I also can't help but think about the privileged life I lead from others who don't have money at their disposal. The factors that play into this are many, but given that we are a capitalist democracy there will ALWAYS be poor people (I'm not saying this is wrong, it just is). The redeeming factor is the philanthropy and service of others to help make life a little better for everyone, which in turn makes a better society for all of us to live in.

Times flies....

Wow! I can't believe I have gone this long without posting something. I'm still alive, but life has been super busy. So, where to begin?

I think I'll start with my trip to Oregon November 15th-26th. That is where I have spent most of my time since the last post. It was a wonderful time and it was nice to be able to spend more than a couple of days with John and the kitties. We had a packed calendar! Casino with his parents, Oregon/Oregon State game with friends, dinner with faculty and staff, winery tour and Thanksgiving.

But, before I even got to Oregon I had a BIG surprise at the DFW airport. I worked in a 3 1/2 hour layover and Earl and I were going to catch lunch. Well, not only was Earl there to greet me but he also had Ashley and the new baby Carli! It was fun to see Ashley who doesn't even look like she's given birth and then hold the newest addition to the family. She is a super sweet baby and just beautiful.

We braved the cold and tailgated with some friends for the big Oregon/Oregon State game. This is the big rival game for the state and they even call it "civil war." The Friday before the game we went to a local pizza place called "Track Town" and hung out with John's best friend from college, Chris.

The winery tour was amazing. We only stopped at three of about 15 wineries in a 45 minute range of Eugene. The King Estate Winery has a brand new tasting room and was beautiful. The other highlight was Sweet Cheeks Winery. While this wasn't originally on the list, we drove by and had to go in. It gets it's name from the shape of the vineyard, that looks like butt cheeks. Also, greeting you as you drive in is the standard fountian of a little boy peeing, but we found out the winery calls him "Pinot." That was pretty funny!

Thanksgiving was great at John's parents place. They went all out! We had so much food. John taught his dad to play poker while I played board games with two of his nieces and mom. I think I gained about 10 pounds that day!

After all that fun, it was time to return to the real world. This week has been insanely hectic. I've got so much to do in the next week and a half when the semester ends. I can't believe the semester is almost over! One down, many more to go! Then I leave again for Oregon on December 14th. Yeah!

I hope that these last couple of weeks have been good for you. I give thanks for the many wonderful people who I have the privilege of calling family and friends. Love to all!
PS- My pictures aren't uploading to the site for some reason. I'll try again later.

FSU Football Weekend

So I FINALLY went to a football game this past weekend. It was the last home game, so I thought I had better take advantage of my ticket. I went to the tailgate with all my higher ed friends. Then we headed over to the game. I do like college football and FSU is definitely in the top ranks of "the coolest places to see a college football game." But, I must say I've never seen anything that matches up to a good ol' Aggie football game. The traditions and crowd participation can't be matched. When Aggies show up, they represent the institution not just the game on the field. Plus I can't get over the mascot issue here.

I had to include some photos....
1) You see me, Grahaeme and Jen (who are both 3rd year docs) posing for a pic at the tailgate. It was sooo hot outside! Yeah, it's November and 89 degrees!
2) A photo from inside Doak Stadium, on Bobby Bowden field (don't get me started on Bobby...the man is like Jesus here).

But now it's back to reading, reading and more reading. I've got to read a book, 9 articles and do a stats quiz. Whew! This semester is close to being done- 1 down, many more to go. I leave on Tuesday to Oregon for 10 days! YEAH! I hope the kitties recognize me. I can't wait!

Fun Weekend!

This weekend was pretty fun! I got to see my best friend Paige and we hosted a Halloween shindig at our apartment this weekend. All around, it was good to relax a bit and share some laughs with people.

Up above you see me and Michael (another doc student). I started out the evening without a costume and as the night went on the following happened, which resulted in me actually having a costume:
1) Sterling was wearing his fraternity jersey, since he came as an undergrad frat boy. We were in a group and he insisted that I wear the jersey since I didn't have a costume on. So we decided to be goofy and went back into the apartment, arm in arm, and announced that Sterling had given me his letters.
2) Jillian decided to loose her beads so I picked them up to compliment my outfit.
3) Derek decided to loose the afro so I picked it up and put on my shades.

That was it....I think I'll do it again next year. No need to run around trying to figure out what to wear. Just pick up whatever people take off and it's an instant costume! :)

Ok, time to write that book review that is due tomorrow. Safe trick or treating!

Happy Day!

I must say that yesterday had to of been the best day since I moved to Florida. It was a combination of things that has me still on a high today (natural high that is!).

We have a new addition to our family and I am now an aunt three times over! Miss Carley entered our world yesterday around 2:30pm in Texas. She is the daughter of my brother Zack and his partner Ashley. I still haven't seen a picture of her, but everyone is happy and healthy. And, there is another woman in the family! The holidays will be super fun with Logan, Cami and Carley. :)

The next thing that made my day was getting back my midterm exam. I was a little nervous about it. Our professor had emailed the class to let us know the grade range and that she would be returning our test via our mailboxes in the Department office. The grades ranged from one person getting a 98, to the lowest of 81. I was hoping I was in the low 90's. I got my test back and guess what? I GOT THE 98! Damn it feels good to be a student again.

This weekend will be very festive. My best friend Paige will be here this weekend. Super fun! And, we are having a party Saturday night. The theme is dress to impress in a Halloween costume!

Still counting the days- only 19 days left until I see John and the kitties!

Randomness

So, it's that busy time of year. I had 2 big midterms last week and lots of upcoming projects and papers. It's crazy how it all comes back to you though. I get one of my midterms back on Monday so I'm hoping it's good!

This weekend we are dog sitting for one of my doc friends, Grahaeme. It's really been fun. Frankie is a pug and just about the cutest thing ever. It never ceases to amaze me how much a pet can make your day (I miss my kitties). She gets so excited when we get home, even if we've only been gone about 10 minutes. She did get me to take her for a walk which was good for me to get some exercise, too.

Speaking of...I'm going to be trying to get into a routine of working out. My roommate Katie is really good at going so I'm thinking she can hold me accountable. A few of my close friends are kicking butt at working out so they look amazing for the big 3-0. There's only 9 months left to make myself look fabulous. Plus, John is working out every day and I can't be out done. ;)

Well, we are hoping that Wilma stays away from us while south FL braces itself. Only a month left in hurricane season. I never even knew there was a season until I lived here. Shows how much I know...

Only 22 days until my trip to Oregon for a week! John is in Indiana and I wish I could just drive there to see him. But even that is pretty far, it just seems so close.

I need to make myself read and do some stats homework. Ciao!

So I Did It...

Well, this weekend I actually did what I had been thinking about...I got my nose pierced. Saturday night Katie (my roommie) and I went down to Body Piercing by Bink who I had been researching. A few minutes later and it was done.

It didn't really hurt at all. Getting the cartilage on my upper ear pierced hurt much worse. It's just there now, no pain. I opted for the titanium ball for now and in three weeks will head back to get the smaller CZ. It will be just a glimmer on my nose. :)

Always wanted to do it and the only time I could think of being able to do it next was after I was retired. I don't think that would look good, so no time like the present! Giddy up!

In other news, I'm studying for my two midterms on Monday. The semester is in high gear and this week will be another busy one. It's good to be busy since it makes my time here seem worthwhile. I just keep looking forward to my next trip out to see John- only 30 more days!

It's been hard to keep up with people on the phone with my busy schedule. If I've missed you lately, sorry! I think about everyone often though! Hope you are having a wonderful day! Miss you!

Leaving Comments

I know some of you have been trying to leave comments and for some reason the settings were messed up. I've now changed it to where anyone can leave a comment so it should work now. Let me know if it doesn't!

I look forward to hearing from you. :)

PS- thanks Luz for making me aware!

What to be for Halloween?

It seems as though I should be getting ready for Halloween this year with a new costume. I mean, I'm a student again isn't that what we do? Act stupid while we can? I've never really been one for dressing up, even while I was in college the first time. Now the pressure is on because our apartment has been voted the number one spot to spend the Saturday before Halloween this year. What am I to wear?

So, I consulted the great Logan (my 4 year old niece) yesterday on the phone. Of course, she is well ahead of me in selecting a great costume this year. Oh yes! She will be..... A PINK DRAGON! And, after she shared this she gave me a sneak peak into what pink dragons do. They ROAR of course! The specialty of this dragon is also that she can fly and breath fire.

Oh to have an imagination like that again! Instead, I'm stuck on the logistics. Ok, so how is Angie going to pull off the pink, fire breathing, flying dragon? I have no doubt that my sister, who has most of the creative genes, will come up with something amazing. She always does. Then I get to hear the stories afterwards- Logan sneaking onto the stage to steal the mic last year at the Halloween party to broadcast "hehehe my pretty" takes the cake. Wonder what she will do this year?

How I wish I could be there to see....they grow up way to fast.

WORLD'S BEST PROCRASTINATOR!

Oh yes...it is I. This weekend I was suppose to read a full book for a book review that is due next Monday. Well, as some of you know I am the best at finding other things to do besides schoolwork. I know, I made it this far- how has this stuck with me? All I can think of is that I need the pressure to do my best work. Give me something to write ahead of time and it sucks. Have me write it hours before and it will be pretty dang good. I'm thinking that I need to shake this though. Dissertations cannot be written overnight.

I guess that means I need to stop writing this blog and get to reading...Sigh!

Hope each of you is well! Miss you!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

...find out what it means to me. Everyone knows that song and sings it to the top of their lungs. Of course when we sing it, we are thinking to ourselves, "Yeah! I've got it going on. Respect me!"

All too often, and I include myself in this statement, we don't turn that around. Point the finger in the other direction, towards ourselves. It's a hard line to walk- being true to yourself and respecting yourself, while also trying to be respectful of others. Doing what you can in the world to take care of yourself without walking on another person.

Let's just say that in my new environment, there seems to be alot of self respect but not enough respect for others. When I talk about respect, I mean the appreciation and/or tolerance of differences. Not that I am completely new to the culture here, I just haven't lived in it for a while. I sit back to observe and listen to the aspects of the culture. I often find myself in the minority on any myriad of issues. So, I listen more. Try to understand more, ask questions to clarify. Yet, when I try engage the other person in a dialogue about it or discuss something that was offensive I'm met with hostility and the conversations end. I expect more from an educational environment, even more so in higher education, where freedom of thought and the exploration of issues IS the purpose of the institution. Instead, the result is the isolation of people into the pockets of people who think most like them and there is seldom interaction between them.

So, I guess my point is- take the time to hear each other more, discuss more and learn more. There is so much hate, misunderstanding and lack of respect (intentional or not) put out into our world everyday. We each have the power to try and change that. Even if it is in our own little corner of the world.

So, respect yourself and respect others. Peace and Love. I'm off my soap box for the night.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you. ~Frederick Buechner

This is not a new lesson for me, but it was certainly reinforced this past weekend. I've always felt this way about my family since I've lived away from Texas for over 5 years now. My understanding of this has developed into something more given John and I are so far apart. I know my heart is in Oregon, but my body and mind are in Florida. Not always an easy task, but we are managing. Home is where your heart is and friends are the ones who make your world no matter where you are. I'm lucky to have a partner, family and friends who provide that for me.

The trip to Oregon was very fun and much needed. Of course it seemed to fly by. A sneak peek into our adventures can be seen in the pictures I posted above:
1) John and I hiked a 5 mile trail up to a butte overlooking Eugene. A beautiful site both on the way up and from the top. You can see me in "Fern Gully" as we called it on the way up.
2 ) John and I at Crater Lake in the Cascade mountains. It was a little cloudy that day, but the color of the water is the bluest I've ever seen. This is the deepest lake in the US and 7th in the world. The lake was formed when Mt. Mazama erupted over 7,500 years ago and the mountain collapsed into itself, creating the crater that was then filled by water from rainfall and snow melt. We are on the porch of the lodge that sits on the rim of the lake having a cup of hot cocoa.

Well, I've got to get back to my school work. I'm liking my assistantship and classes, as well as getting to know my cohort folks better. I hope that you are well and to hear from you soon! :)

Come Sail Away, Come Sail Away with Me....

This weekend is busy trying to make sure I have everything done so I can head out to Oregon on Wednesday. I cannot wait to get there and see John and the cats. It's been way to long- 2 months. See you soon honey!

But, before I bust out of here I wanted to let you know that my roommate Liz and I are locally famous. Last weekend she invited me out to her families house on the coast. We participated in a dingy sailboat race. While we didn't fare too well in the race, we had a great time. Liz's family called last night to let us know that we were in the local weekly newspaper! Check out the picture...the other picture here is a picture that her aunt took of us that day. By the way, when dolphins surface about 3 feet from your boat it's a little alarming! Once I figured out they weren't sharks I was okay. :)

The devastation from Hurricane Katrina continues to unfold this week. I am very sad for those who are suffering most. This is the most visible image of the plight of those who are poverty stricken in our country that my generation has ever seen. May we continue to help our brothers and sisters here at home who are in need of a shoulder to cry on and help rebuilding a life in a new place without anything but a broken spirit.

Something New....

Well, I am trying something new by creating this blog. First, I hope to utilize it as a way to write frequently about what is on my mind. Maybe this will help to prepare me for all the writing I have ahead of me! Second, I hope that this can be an outlet for me to express myself since so many of my nearest and dearest are far away.

I hope you enjoy this alternative way to get to know me. I also look forward to seeing your posts in the comments section. Talk with you soon!