This feels like the Olympics: you practice for years, but have only one brief chance. The pressure is intense, and everyone is watching you. Except, of course, in the Olympics you know your routine. Here, you are at the mercy of whatever questions they ask you.
Is this really the best way to determine your academic knowledge? When I am in charge of the world, things will be different. :)
Last night I was trying to sleep when a roach jumped onto my pillow. That's about how my life is going these days.
I know this sounds ridiculous, but for the past month or so I have sometimes been very tired again...fortunately, not most of the time.
eat chalk
sleep on a bed of nails
get stuck inside an elevator
eat brussel sprouts and celery for a week
walk in the snow barefoot
have a root canal
sleep on a bed of nails
get stuck inside an elevator
eat brussel sprouts and celery for a week
walk in the snow barefoot
have a root canal
For the third time in the past year, I am busy studying my dissertation stuff and probably won't be on here much.
Maybe at some point in the future I can finally move on to other projects. Until then, I don't really have much to say about it.
Maybe at some point in the future I can finally move on to other projects. Until then, I don't really have much to say about it.
good:
Alaska
invited to teach a class at Samford
very, very bad:
required to go defend my dissertation again
Alaska
invited to teach a class at Samford
very, very bad:
required to go defend my dissertation again
Just the view flying in to Alaska was amazing. It's going to be a great week!
Aand I'm back to those tired, draggy feelings and sleeping for ridiculous numbers of hours when I get the chance. Awesome.
In Hawaii you can go to school barefoot, and go to funerals wearing shorts.
I got upgraded to a faster flight to Hawaii and a FIRST-CLASS SEAT all the way! Try not to be too jealous! ;)
This weekend I visited Graceland for the first time. I had never been before, even though for the first six years of my life I lived less than a mile away. We went by that house too:
I'm not just dying to go see more Elvis memorabilia, but it was worth seeing once for sure!
I'm not just dying to go see more Elvis memorabilia, but it was worth seeing once for sure!
Here are a couple of landmarks in Durham, North Carolina, where I visited last weekend.
I'm kind of surprised they let them keep these up today! Vulcan they're not.
I'm kind of surprised they let them keep these up today! Vulcan they're not.
Here's a picture of my friend's kitten during my visit, just hanging out.
503 pages
1,458 footnotes
1,619 paragraphs
147,928 words (including footnotes, bibliography, etc)
I'll just say here that I sent it in. Now I need the examiners (ahem) to recognize its amazing, world-changing brilliance and approve it. :)
1,458 footnotes
1,619 paragraphs
147,928 words (including footnotes, bibliography, etc)
I'll just say here that I sent it in. Now I need the examiners (ahem) to recognize its amazing, world-changing brilliance and approve it. :)
It's been awhile since I've been to Europe, and sadly, I'm never able to stay for too long. It must be rubbing off on me, though.
Today I was helping paint a local ministry center. I remembered that we were painting rooms on the second floor. But I couldn't remember if that was the floor directly above the bottom floor, or the floor above that!
I think my dissertation has fried my brain!
Today I was helping paint a local ministry center. I remembered that we were painting rooms on the second floor. But I couldn't remember if that was the floor directly above the bottom floor, or the floor above that!
I think my dissertation has fried my brain!
Curious readers may be interested to know that I have three wells in my yard. I thought there might be four, but I can't seem to locate the fourth one right now. Informed readers are free to fill me in.
None of the wells are in use now, since several years ago the mountain went on "city water" (woo hoo!). Apparently the wells had a tendency to dry up. One neighbor still keeps dishpans in her sinks to capture extra water.
Here's the first well, all covered up (and prominently placed not far from my door):
Here's what it looks like on the inside...complicated:
Here's the second well, or what's left of it. Again, a beauty:
None of the wells are in use now, since several years ago the mountain went on "city water" (woo hoo!). Apparently the wells had a tendency to dry up. One neighbor still keeps dishpans in her sinks to capture extra water.
Here's the first well, all covered up (and prominently placed not far from my door):
Here's what it looks like on the inside...complicated:
Here's the second well, or what's left of it. Again, a beauty:
The third well is in the yard between my house and my neighbor's house. It's so covered up with weeds in the summer that it's hard to see, but maybe you can get a glimpse of it:
I have to say that I'm grateful for faucets that pour out water on demand!
National Sacred Harp Singing Convention
First Christian Church
Birmingham, Alabama
June 17-19
Everyone should come! It's a Southern tradition you really have to experience for yourself.
I enjoy reading books about Southern folklife, like this one about Decoration Day. We never had Decoration Day where I grew up in the city, but they definitely observe it here in rural Alabama!
I'm sure there's more I could say on this topic, but that's all for now. Anyone have any good Decoration Day stories or memories?
I'm sure there's more I could say on this topic, but that's all for now. Anyone have any good Decoration Day stories or memories?
Okay...I've decided that Facebook and even Twitter are way more interesting than blogging these days. You can keep up with me there.
What a horrible thing is debt!
It is so binding, so grinding, so blinding!
It is so wearing, so tearing, so ensnaring, so despairing!
It is so harassing and so embarrassing!
It is so stressing, so distressing!
It is so pressing, so oppressing and so depressing!
We worry, fuss and fume and fret
And lie awake in grim regret,
When we’re in debt, when we’re in debt!
-1942 magazine
It is so binding, so grinding, so blinding!
It is so wearing, so tearing, so ensnaring, so despairing!
It is so harassing and so embarrassing!
It is so stressing, so distressing!
It is so pressing, so oppressing and so depressing!
We worry, fuss and fume and fret
And lie awake in grim regret,
When we’re in debt, when we’re in debt!
-1942 magazine
I analyzed this image in today's presentation.And now back to that small paper that I'm endlessly revising...
I think a woman's place is in the home. And she should stay there after she gets home from work.
-1976 magazine
-1976 magazine
The conference went really well. Now back to work: my job by day and my dissertation by night. Sigh...it's a fun life I live these days, people.
Here are some images from the presentation I'll give tomorrow. Could be fun! :)
Now I'm at a religious studies meeting in Atlanta. The fun never ends!
Dear well-intentioned friends, church members, coworkers, etc.:
It is difficult to have dozens of conversations a day about a topic that is extremely discouraging to me. I need you to distract me with different, fun subjects!
I'll give you a brief update when I see you, if you want, but let's talk about something else for now!
It is difficult to have dozens of conversations a day about a topic that is extremely discouraging to me. I need you to distract me with different, fun subjects!
I'll give you a brief update when I see you, if you want, but let's talk about something else for now!
For the past week I have worked on my dissertation non-stop, from the moment I got up until the moment I went to bed. I took a break only to go to church and to choir practice. Fun times.
I have completed another draft, this one 487 pages long.
Now for more waiting, and waiting, and waiting...
I'm not sure which is worse: revising or waiting!
I have completed another draft, this one 487 pages long.
Now for more waiting, and waiting, and waiting...
I'm not sure which is worse: revising or waiting!
What about social equality? That is the devil's bugaboo. Social equality comes from the debasement of both races. In the saloon and brothel there is social equality. But when we can lift them above such places of sin and shame, we eliminate all danger of social equality. Except where all moral standards and ideals are obliterated, social equality in the South is impossible.
--1915 magazine
--1915 magazine
Society needs woman's interpretation of life in every department of it. The world needs the contribution woman can make to its welfare, and this contribution can never be given in full measure so long as the notion prevails that her thoughts, her feels and her actions are of real worth only when they have been strained through a masculine percolator.
--1925 magazine
--1925 magazine
And now for a solid week of dissertation torture...
Wish me luck.
Wish me luck.
Curse of the Good Girl: "...the pressure to be liked by everyone, generous to a fault and flawless at everything you do. Good Girls are taught to be modest and teeth gnashingly friendly. They are not so good at self-advocacy, saying no, putting themselves out there, and dealing with constructive criticism."
Today's woman anticipates mail by rockets, supersonic diswashers, plastic plumbing, paper clothes, and typewriters that will write as she talks.
-1964 book
-1964 book
Well, if I have to keep slogging through all these old magazines for my dissertation, might as well share some of the fun stuff. Here's a quote from 1949:
Perhaps no single influence in a home has within it more help or harm for children than does the radio. There is a wide disagreement as to the type of programs children should hear. The radio industry is trying to improve the kind of programs it sends out for children. Educators, publishers, program directors and parents all must work together toward this end. Parents certainly should be as careful of their child’s radio listening as they are of their books, movies and associates. If a child stays glued to the radio too much, a parent might examine the lack of satisfactions that child realizes in his home life.
Interesting how things change so much over the years, but aren't always really that different!
Perhaps no single influence in a home has within it more help or harm for children than does the radio. There is a wide disagreement as to the type of programs children should hear. The radio industry is trying to improve the kind of programs it sends out for children. Educators, publishers, program directors and parents all must work together toward this end. Parents certainly should be as careful of their child’s radio listening as they are of their books, movies and associates. If a child stays glued to the radio too much, a parent might examine the lack of satisfactions that child realizes in his home life.
Interesting how things change so much over the years, but aren't always really that different!
I don't really want to talk about my dissertation, besides to say that it's one of the most frustrating experiences I have had in my life.
I'll let you know if I ever finish it.
Thanks for understanding.
I'll let you know if I ever finish it.
Thanks for understanding.
Not sure what's wrong with me this year--getting old, perhaps?
Yesterday I slipped and fell again...this time on some loose gravel. Seriously, I feel like an old lady even talking about this.
I ripped up my knee pretty good and have a humongous, swollen bruise on one side of my hand. Ouch!
Maybe I need to be more careful!
Yesterday I slipped and fell again...this time on some loose gravel. Seriously, I feel like an old lady even talking about this.
I ripped up my knee pretty good and have a humongous, swollen bruise on one side of my hand. Ouch!
Maybe I need to be more careful!
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Jesus began to wash
his disciples’
feet.
Teacher, help us
learn that
the infinite, all-powerful God,
inexhaustible love,
is at heart, a
servant
of all.
Let
us not
ignore or just
tolerate our neighbors.
Let us wash, like you, their feet
and give to them their food and drink.
his disciples’
feet.
Teacher, help us
learn that
the infinite, all-powerful God,
inexhaustible love,
is at heart, a
servant
of all.
Let
us not
ignore or just
tolerate our neighbors.
Let us wash, like you, their feet
and give to them their food and drink.
Sigh...
Apparently the torture is going to continue for some time yet.
That's all I have to say about it here.
I promise to stop with the negative posts once everything is resolved!
Apparently the torture is going to continue for some time yet.
That's all I have to say about it here.
I promise to stop with the negative posts once everything is resolved!
May the blessing of light be on you--light without and light within.May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire,
so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.
And may the blessing of the rain be on you,
may it beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines.
And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.
Amen.
I've had a small problem with squirrels taking over my attic, especially as the weather has warmed up. As I work furiously on my dissertation, the squirrels host bowling parties and sumo wrestling contests upstairs.
This weekend I discovered that the squirrels had somehow made their way into the closet on my back porch. I went to clean out the porch, and found yet another goody in what appears to be the squirrels' nest:
I know it's not the greatest photo, but this is definitely another snake skin. Not the first time, but still...not exactly what you want to find in your closet.
They had also squirreled away nuts all over the closet. You never know when your food supply might run out, I suppose...
This weekend I discovered that the squirrels had somehow made their way into the closet on my back porch. I went to clean out the porch, and found yet another goody in what appears to be the squirrels' nest:
I know it's not the greatest photo, but this is definitely another snake skin. Not the first time, but still...not exactly what you want to find in your closet.
They had also squirreled away nuts all over the closet. You never know when your food supply might run out, I suppose...
Draft completed. Now for several agonizing weeks/months of review and revisions...
That's all I should probably say here. Feel free to gossip about me amongst yourselves. ;)
I'm still working frantically on my revisions and trying to be positive about it. I think a root canal might be more fun than this.
I defended my dissertation this morning. Let's just say it wasn't a rousing success.
I'll spend a few months making corrections and then submit the final file for approval.
Some day, I hope to be finished writing this thing!
I'll spend a few months making corrections and then submit the final file for approval.
Some day, I hope to be finished writing this thing!
I'm off to snowy Prague...brr!
I have the viva voce for my thesis (defense for my dissertation) on Saturday morning at 9 AM--2 AM in Birmingham. You can dream of me! :)
I have the viva voce for my thesis (defense for my dissertation) on Saturday morning at 9 AM--2 AM in Birmingham. You can dream of me! :)
The present is best understood by studying the past.
-Sharyn Mccrumb
-Sharyn Mccrumb
Today brought a nice visit with Renaissance woman Edifice Rex. I also got some of her amazing pottery:
Then more studying:
Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.
-Henry Doherty
Then more studying:
Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.
-Henry Doherty
To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning. It is a very serious task, and possibly a tragic one.
-Hermann Hesse
-Hermann Hesse
Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in human clothes.
-Chinese proverb
-Chinese proverb
Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more that all, must be prayed for.
-Thomas Arnold
-Thomas Arnold
I really, really need to clone myself, or something.
Is it the weekend yet??
Is it the weekend yet??
I was going to post about MLK and civil rights in Birmingham, but I think I'll write about my hike instead.
The weather was nice today (60 F/15 C), so we hiked to the lake. But the ground was wet, since it was thawing out from the cold last week.
I guess the creek was a bit high, or (more likely) I was a bit clumsy: I slipped and fell while trying to cross the creek. Oops!
I came out with a decent bit of mud on me, and some pain in my ribs. Ouch!
We continued to slip and slide our way down to the lake, when suddenly we heard the dog let out the most awful shriek you can imagine. We went running down to the lake see what was the matter. When we got to the lake, it was eerily quiet. The dog was nowhere to be seen.
I know it's hard to believe, but there are actually alligators living in this lake. After looking and calling for the dog for several minutes, we really feared that he had been eaten by an alligator.
When we had about given up hope, we saw the dog bounding along the opposite bank of the lake. He was fine--and we never did figure out what all that noise was!
I guess I'm going to have to head back to work tomorrow to keep myself--and the dog--out of trouble!
(photo stolen from Max, who was crazy enough to go outside)It's official: The first 15 days this year were the coldest in recorded history in Birmingham. The average temperature was only 29.7 F (-1.4 C). Brrr!!
That may not be too cold to people from more Arctic climates (including Prague, average January temperature only 23 F/-5 C), but it's certainly colder than normal in Alabama!
Usually we hike a lot in the winter, because the vegetation is dead and the snakes are hibernating. This month, though, we've just stayed inside. Well, that and walked on ice-covered ponds--an unusual sight for this part of the world!
The power company is telling everyone to expect bills double and triple the normal amount for this month. I'm scared to see what mine will be, but I'm grateful for the availability of heat--even though I did have to turn on the back-up gas heaters and space heaters to stay warm!
It's finally warmed up a bit now, and 40 and 50 degree temperatures (4 and 10 C) are feeling wonderful! Now to get my hat and gloves out again for my trip to Prague in a few more days....
I think Keith...or possibly Lina?
Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm studying very, very hard right now. Please disregard my previous post.
:)
Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm studying very, very hard right now. Please disregard my previous post.
:)
what I've been doing
working
looking at news from Haiti
reading blogs
eating leftover Christmas candy
resting
wasting time on Facebook
what I should be doing
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
working
looking at news from Haiti
reading blogs
eating leftover Christmas candy
resting
wasting time on Facebook
what I should be doing
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
studying
I watched people make fish print pillowcases, using real fish.
I drove by an Alabama landmark (for good or for bad).
I came home and saw the remnants of last week's snow on the ground. Apparently we had a good dusting on the mountain.
Oh, and I went to a bunch of meetings too. Fun.
Apparently someone with an email address very similar to mine posted an ad for an airline customer service representative on craigslist. So far I've received 67 emails about the position.
Out of curiosity, I looked at the emails. I couldn't believe how awful many of them were. A few excerpts are below. I'll spare you from snarky commentary on each one--they pretty much speak for themselves.
Spellcheck, anyone?
I am very inesterested.
I believe I am a perfect candiate for you.
i have my resume attatched.
I am responding to the add on Craig's List.
yuo can contact me at this e mail.
i am very intrested in this position.
You won't find a better person for this postion.
I am interested in the job u posted up on craigs list.
Objective: [TO ACHIEVE AND BE SUCCESSFUL AT EVERTHING I DO IN LIFE.
Grammar 101
I'm very much interested for the position.
attach is a copy of my resume.
I am very interested in the job position that i seen on craigslist.
i'm really interest on the job that you post in the Internet.
Periods. needed.
hi there I am very intrested in you postion please let me know where I need to go to fill an application out at thanks
Hello my name is [DELETED] i think i would be great for your company because my training in Business Administration , i have a great customer service skills Very friendly and ready to learn any thing new.
I will be eagerly anticipating your response my resume is attached hope to hear from you soon.
my name is [DELETED] i am interested in postion please let me know where to go to fill out application.
BUT I LOVE CAPS LOCK!!!
I WOULD BE INTERETED IN APPLYING FOR THIS JOB!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW MORE.
PLEASE CONSIDER ME FOR YOUR AVAILABLE POSITION. I AM A RETIRED [DELETED] AND CAN PASS ALL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG TEST. I AM HONEST AND DEPENDABLE AND CAN WORK ANY DAYS AND HOURS. I AM A NON SMOKER AND NON DRINKER. I HAVE A B CLASS C D L WITH A CURRENT D O T PHYSICAL AND A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD.PLEASE CALL ME !! THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!
Say what?
I have been wanting to get my foot in the door with an airline for a while. I think it would be a fun interesting experience in life. I go by my middle nae [DELETED].
I noticed your ad on craigslists I was wondering if this job is full-time I would like to apply for it but I need to know if its fulltime because I have a distance to drive and I need to know before I apply thank you
I do have a resume but I don't fell comfortable just giving it to just anyone.
While I have no direct airline experience, my father worked for an airline and I am a frequent flyer. I have been at my current job for over a year and the drive is grueling, so please let me know if you would like me to send you my resume.
I am currently on a contract assignment with [DELETED] as you see the email address ,this contract ends in 6 more days. So I am writting you on my lunch you can contact me here or my cell.
Here is my other contact information. Sorry that I didn't include that in the previous email. I sent it while grabbing for my laptop as it slid to the floor.
is there such a job out there or is this a scam
hello how old do u have to be to do this and can u tell me more plz?thanks
A rose by any other name
Name_Nameresume33part2[1].doc
NAMENAME[1][1].RESUME09BUF10.doc
Fun with the thesaurus
May it be acknowledged from my enclosed resume: various skills would deem me an excellent addition to the company and team. All extracurricular attributes were self –taught and strengthened upon and during employment with previous institutions / franchises, thus to obtain greater experience for future appliance in other ventures.
Previously; I was a contingent employee with [DELETED], where an acquired aptitude for multitasking arrays of customer service/ cashiering/ culinary experience deemed interchangeable. My aspiration however is to grow with a company that grants the sincere consideration of my experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my credentials with you at a mutually convenient time. If intrigued, feel free to contact me via the phone listed above, or email address.
Out of curiosity, I looked at the emails. I couldn't believe how awful many of them were. A few excerpts are below. I'll spare you from snarky commentary on each one--they pretty much speak for themselves.
Spellcheck, anyone?
I am very inesterested.
I believe I am a perfect candiate for you.
i have my resume attatched.
I am responding to the add on Craig's List.
yuo can contact me at this e mail.
i am very intrested in this position.
You won't find a better person for this postion.
I am interested in the job u posted up on craigs list.
Objective: [TO ACHIEVE AND BE SUCCESSFUL AT EVERTHING I DO IN LIFE.
Grammar 101
I'm very much interested for the position.
attach is a copy of my resume.
I am very interested in the job position that i seen on craigslist.
i'm really interest on the job that you post in the Internet.
Periods. needed.
hi there I am very intrested in you postion please let me know where I need to go to fill an application out at thanks
Hello my name is [DELETED] i think i would be great for your company because my training in Business Administration , i have a great customer service skills Very friendly and ready to learn any thing new.
I will be eagerly anticipating your response my resume is attached hope to hear from you soon.
my name is [DELETED] i am interested in postion please let me know where to go to fill out application.
BUT I LOVE CAPS LOCK!!!
I WOULD BE INTERETED IN APPLYING FOR THIS JOB!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW MORE.
PLEASE CONSIDER ME FOR YOUR AVAILABLE POSITION. I AM A RETIRED [DELETED] AND CAN PASS ALL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG TEST. I AM HONEST AND DEPENDABLE AND CAN WORK ANY DAYS AND HOURS. I AM A NON SMOKER AND NON DRINKER. I HAVE A B CLASS C D L WITH A CURRENT D O T PHYSICAL AND A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD.PLEASE CALL ME !! THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!!!
Say what?
I have been wanting to get my foot in the door with an airline for a while. I think it would be a fun interesting experience in life. I go by my middle nae [DELETED].
I noticed your ad on craigslists I was wondering if this job is full-time I would like to apply for it but I need to know if its fulltime because I have a distance to drive and I need to know before I apply thank you
I do have a resume but I don't fell comfortable just giving it to just anyone.
While I have no direct airline experience, my father worked for an airline and I am a frequent flyer. I have been at my current job for over a year and the drive is grueling, so please let me know if you would like me to send you my resume.
I am currently on a contract assignment with [DELETED] as you see the email address ,this contract ends in 6 more days. So I am writting you on my lunch you can contact me here or my cell.
Here is my other contact information. Sorry that I didn't include that in the previous email. I sent it while grabbing for my laptop as it slid to the floor.
is there such a job out there or is this a scam
hello how old do u have to be to do this and can u tell me more plz?thanks
A rose by any other name
Name_Nameresume33part2[1].doc
NAMENAME[1][1].RESUME09BUF10.doc
Fun with the thesaurus
May it be acknowledged from my enclosed resume: various skills would deem me an excellent addition to the company and team. All extracurricular attributes were self –taught and strengthened upon and during employment with previous institutions / franchises, thus to obtain greater experience for future appliance in other ventures.
Previously; I was a contingent employee with [DELETED], where an acquired aptitude for multitasking arrays of customer service/ cashiering/ culinary experience deemed interchangeable. My aspiration however is to grow with a company that grants the sincere consideration of my experience. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my credentials with you at a mutually convenient time. If intrigued, feel free to contact me via the phone listed above, or email address.
I'm feeling much better than I did during the fall, although I still get tired from time to time. Apparently it may take several months for me to feel completely back to normal.
I don't think I've ever taken a sick day from work until I got mono. I'm the kind of person who just keeps going and ignores most aches and pains. But that didn't work for mono.
I was really surprised by how awful I felt. I thought with mono I would just be tired a lot. Actually, for about two months I was very weak and sometimes could hardly get out of bed and walk around. It was terrible!
And then some of the yucky feelings lingered for weeks and weeks longer. However, I knew the whole time that it wasn't anything really serious--so that was good.
Here are a few observations I made while I was sick:
People's responses varied. A lot.
Lots of people were very kind and concerned about me. They sent me cards and messages and frequently asked how I was doing. A few people ignored me, or seemed to think I should just snap out of it. From this experience, I determined to be more compassionate to people who are sick. Most aren't just being lazy or seeking attention!
It was difficult to live so far from town.
Several people offered to bring me meals, but I hated for them to have to drive 45 minutes to my house. It was also hard being so far away from work. By the time I got up and drove to my office, I usually felt terrible. I couldn't keep up my normal schedule.
It was difficult to be by myself.
I felt really awful and had a hard time cooking or doing much anything else. I wished for a roommate, a husband, or just my mother to come check on me. It got depressing lying in bed all day by myself. On the positive side, I didn't infect anyone else!
I take my health for granted.
I've never really thought much about being healthy (or sick). I was surprised at how quickly I could become sick and unable to participate in my normal activities. Then just when I thought I was better, the mono feelings would come again. I like to think that I'm in charge of my own life, but I definitely couldn't control whether I was sick or not. Good health is a blessing that I've taken for granted for too long.
I'm very glad to be feeling better now, but I want to continue to remember those with chronic conditions or other serious illnesses. Far too often, I drift through life without learning from my experiences. I don't want that to be the case this time.
And by the way, if you have an adult friend who gets mono, be kind to them. They may feel really bad for a really long time!
I don't think I've ever taken a sick day from work until I got mono. I'm the kind of person who just keeps going and ignores most aches and pains. But that didn't work for mono.
I was really surprised by how awful I felt. I thought with mono I would just be tired a lot. Actually, for about two months I was very weak and sometimes could hardly get out of bed and walk around. It was terrible!
And then some of the yucky feelings lingered for weeks and weeks longer. However, I knew the whole time that it wasn't anything really serious--so that was good.
Here are a few observations I made while I was sick:
People's responses varied. A lot.
Lots of people were very kind and concerned about me. They sent me cards and messages and frequently asked how I was doing. A few people ignored me, or seemed to think I should just snap out of it. From this experience, I determined to be more compassionate to people who are sick. Most aren't just being lazy or seeking attention!
It was difficult to live so far from town.
Several people offered to bring me meals, but I hated for them to have to drive 45 minutes to my house. It was also hard being so far away from work. By the time I got up and drove to my office, I usually felt terrible. I couldn't keep up my normal schedule.
It was difficult to be by myself.
I felt really awful and had a hard time cooking or doing much anything else. I wished for a roommate, a husband, or just my mother to come check on me. It got depressing lying in bed all day by myself. On the positive side, I didn't infect anyone else!
I take my health for granted.
I've never really thought much about being healthy (or sick). I was surprised at how quickly I could become sick and unable to participate in my normal activities. Then just when I thought I was better, the mono feelings would come again. I like to think that I'm in charge of my own life, but I definitely couldn't control whether I was sick or not. Good health is a blessing that I've taken for granted for too long.
I'm very glad to be feeling better now, but I want to continue to remember those with chronic conditions or other serious illnesses. Far too often, I drift through life without learning from my experiences. I don't want that to be the case this time.
And by the way, if you have an adult friend who gets mono, be kind to them. They may feel really bad for a really long time!
I don't really have any interesting pictures or stories, but...happy new year, everyone!
This is the season of the liturgical year called Christmastide--also known as the twelve days of Christmas. (Learn more at Edifice Rex.) The celebration continues until January 5!Or if you're a member of some Orthodox churches, Christmas itself doesn't come until January. Some of my friends from Eastern Europe actually celebrate twice. Interesting!
Most American college students have seen 100 movies for every 1 book they have read.
What do you think would be your movie/book ratio, if you counted?
I have to say that mine would come out with more books than movies, although I like both.
What do you think would be your movie/book ratio, if you counted?
I have to say that mine would come out with more books than movies, although I like both.
Apparently this is what my school looks like at Christmastime:
Beautiful!
I'd like to be there right now...or at a Christmas market in Europe.
Some other time, perhaps!
The fog comeson little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
-Carl Sandburg
GloriaThe Music of Christmas
Sunday, December 13, 10 AM
1. It actually SNOWED! Yeah!! We got about an inch on the mountain.
2. Somehow I managed to exceed the usage limit on my internet plan. That means you may not be hearing too much from me in the next week. :(
3. Today I bought the first of the Christmas gifts I'll give. And there are still three weeks left!
4. I still can't quite shake that yucky tired feeling from time to time throughout the week (especially when I'm busy). ARGH. Oh well--eventually.
2. Somehow I managed to exceed the usage limit on my internet plan. That means you may not be hearing too much from me in the next week. :(3. Today I bought the first of the Christmas gifts I'll give. And there are still three weeks left!
4. I still can't quite shake that yucky tired feeling from time to time throughout the week (especially when I'm busy). ARGH. Oh well--eventually.
My computer just told me that it's going to SNOW tonight!! And computers are never wrong!
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