So, this whole resolution thing isn't going well. I've got a lot of catching up to do AND my plan to write once a week (at least) fell through when I didn't write yesterday.
I'm sitting on Violet and Jordan's couch playing on Facebook while Violet is working diligently on her blog. She's nearly falling asleep waiting for photos to upload and she says, "My kids can never say I didn't work on our genealogy". I agreed with her and offered up the fact that I'm a slacker to help her feel better. What happened next was a bit of nagging for the next few minutes until I pulled up a new window and accessed my blog. So, be proud Violet!
Now that I've shared that story, I don't really know what else to write about. Until next time...
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Miracle of Counseling Theory
I'm in the process of updating my blog, so this is going to jump a bit into the future for the time being...but I can't help myself. I've got to write down what happened and how I'm feeling while it's fresh!
This semester has been...rough. In fairness, it was advertised as being rough. The word around the Counseling program is that the semester you take Counseling Theory (typically your 2nd or 3rd semester) is the worst of all. I understand why. That class has been the worst experience! The whole mess started back in the Fall when it was announced that the class was at max capacity and there was a pretty long waiting list. Frustrations were all over the department because this class is a pre-req for Practicum and Internship. Long story short, they ended up doing overrides for everyone who needed the class. Suddenly a class that was intended for 20 students had 43! Changes had to be made to accommodate that many students. I don't know how the class normally goes, but we received very little instruction over the course of the semester.
We took the midterm...I got a 68. Not good.
People started stressing out. Still a lack of instruction and communication about requirements for a project we had to complete. Nothing. Today was the Final exam. I was super anxious and said a prayer in my car before going in to class. My nerves were calmed and that familiar feeling of peace came over me. I felt like things would be okay. I walked in and took the test.
BRUTAL.
I walked out of class knowing I failed. Feeling of calm and peace? Gone. I then spent the next 6 hours pondering my future in the face of a likely F in that class. Would they kick me out of the program? Would I have to retake the class? Should I start applying for jobs?
A few minutes ago I was finally able to bring myself to check my syllabus and figure out my grade. Check and see exactly what damage was going to be done. This is what I discovered...see if you can follow me...
There are 100 possible points in the class. To this moment, I have secured 53.6. To pass the class I need 70 points...which means I lack 16.4. We have our Final and a Project still outstanding (45 total points) and a 10 point extra credit assignment. SO. There are 55 points still up for grabs and I need 16.4. The relief that I felt at the moment that I realized I can (and should) fairly easily get a C in that class was tremendous.
I've seriously said about 3 prayers of gratitude. I can't express how grateful I am to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and looks out for me. I can see His hand in the daily things of my life. This is just one example of many but was SO BIG for me at this moment that I had to write it down. Relief. And incredible gratitude.
This semester has been...rough. In fairness, it was advertised as being rough. The word around the Counseling program is that the semester you take Counseling Theory (typically your 2nd or 3rd semester) is the worst of all. I understand why. That class has been the worst experience! The whole mess started back in the Fall when it was announced that the class was at max capacity and there was a pretty long waiting list. Frustrations were all over the department because this class is a pre-req for Practicum and Internship. Long story short, they ended up doing overrides for everyone who needed the class. Suddenly a class that was intended for 20 students had 43! Changes had to be made to accommodate that many students. I don't know how the class normally goes, but we received very little instruction over the course of the semester.
We took the midterm...I got a 68. Not good.
People started stressing out. Still a lack of instruction and communication about requirements for a project we had to complete. Nothing. Today was the Final exam. I was super anxious and said a prayer in my car before going in to class. My nerves were calmed and that familiar feeling of peace came over me. I felt like things would be okay. I walked in and took the test.
BRUTAL.
I walked out of class knowing I failed. Feeling of calm and peace? Gone. I then spent the next 6 hours pondering my future in the face of a likely F in that class. Would they kick me out of the program? Would I have to retake the class? Should I start applying for jobs?
A few minutes ago I was finally able to bring myself to check my syllabus and figure out my grade. Check and see exactly what damage was going to be done. This is what I discovered...see if you can follow me...
There are 100 possible points in the class. To this moment, I have secured 53.6. To pass the class I need 70 points...which means I lack 16.4. We have our Final and a Project still outstanding (45 total points) and a 10 point extra credit assignment. SO. There are 55 points still up for grabs and I need 16.4. The relief that I felt at the moment that I realized I can (and should) fairly easily get a C in that class was tremendous.
I've seriously said about 3 prayers of gratitude. I can't express how grateful I am to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and looks out for me. I can see His hand in the daily things of my life. This is just one example of many but was SO BIG for me at this moment that I had to write it down. Relief. And incredible gratitude.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tallahassee YSA Conference
In an effort to meet more people, Joseph and I decided to start going to more YSA stuff across our region. I got word of a YSA Conference down in Tallahassee (thanks to several of my EFY pals!!) and we made a plan to go. Dennis came along and we ended up having a great time!
After a later start than we planned on, we finally left Columbus on Friday evening. We got to Tallahassee in time to enjoy the last couple of hours of the Dance and then go back to the hotel and sleep. To be honest, I don't remember much about the conversation after we returned to the hotel. I was beat from drive!
We woke up Saturday morning and got ready for the day. Well, Dennis woke up first and was all dressed up by the time Joseph and I woke up. The first spoken words that morning were when Joseph opened his eyes and saw Dennis in his Sunday best, "Daaaaaaaaang Dennis! I wish I was as fly as you..."
The morning was filled with awesome workshops (for the most part). At lunch time, we decided to take a side trip. Dennis, being from California has never seen the Atlantic Ocean (more specifically the GULF) so we set out to find a beach. It proved more difficult than we thought but just an hour away we found a State Park and got some pretty awesome pictures out of it.
After a later start than we planned on, we finally left Columbus on Friday evening. We got to Tallahassee in time to enjoy the last couple of hours of the Dance and then go back to the hotel and sleep. To be honest, I don't remember much about the conversation after we returned to the hotel. I was beat from drive!
We woke up Saturday morning and got ready for the day. Well, Dennis woke up first and was all dressed up by the time Joseph and I woke up. The first spoken words that morning were when Joseph opened his eyes and saw Dennis in his Sunday best, "Daaaaaaaaang Dennis! I wish I was as fly as you..."
The morning was filled with awesome workshops (for the most part). At lunch time, we decided to take a side trip. Dennis, being from California has never seen the Atlantic Ocean (more specifically the GULF) so we set out to find a beach. It proved more difficult than we thought but just an hour away we found a State Park and got some pretty awesome pictures out of it.
St. Mark's Lighthouse
From another angle.
Silly boys on the beach.
We made it back in time to get ready and then enjoy the dance party before heading home!
I loved getting to see Carla!
Mini-reunion!
Maybe the DJ played "We Like to Party" and maybe we did the line dance...but only maybe. :)
Awesome weekend filled with good times, great spiritual messages and excellent friends!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friendiversary!!
January 6th is a busy, happy day! Not only is it the birthday of a certain special little boy (who might've gotten his own post a few minutes ago)...but this year it's also one year exactly from the first time that I hung out with a family that has very quickly become like my own.
In January 2011 I had been back in Georgia not quite a month when Violet and I had a conversation (over facebook) which ended with me being invited over for Dinner on Aaron's Birthday. Pizza, cake, Despicable Me, some conversation, and a particularly embarrassing phone call from my Dad later...I think we were well on our way to being friends. :)
I'm so grateful for the kindness and love that's been shown to me by all the members of the Barnes family (and their relatives)! They're truly some of the best people I know. One of my favorite things about this situation is that I can call each member of this family "friend".
It took longer for some than others to get on board with that relationship...
I'm especially grateful for the friend that I've found in Violet. I've been blessed in so many ways because of my association with her.
I don't think I can really put into words just how much I admire, love and appreciate her. She is, in so many ways exactly what I think a "best friend" should be. She's kind and tender, but also strong and firm. She helps guide me (mostly by her example) to be better than I am. She's understanding and thoughtful. She's trustworthy and loyal. She is so many things that I want to be one day. For now, I'll just have to settle for being around and learning from her. It's so nice when you can recognize the Lord's hand in all the different areas of your life. I was blessed more than I deserve when He saw fit to place her (and her family) in my life.
In January 2011 I had been back in Georgia not quite a month when Violet and I had a conversation (over facebook) which ended with me being invited over for Dinner on Aaron's Birthday. Pizza, cake, Despicable Me, some conversation, and a particularly embarrassing phone call from my Dad later...I think we were well on our way to being friends. :)
I'm so grateful for the kindness and love that's been shown to me by all the members of the Barnes family (and their relatives)! They're truly some of the best people I know. One of my favorite things about this situation is that I can call each member of this family "friend".
It took longer for some than others to get on board with that relationship...
Yes, I'm looking at you with that one, Maecie.
I'm especially grateful for the friend that I've found in Violet. I've been blessed in so many ways because of my association with her.
I don't think I can really put into words just how much I admire, love and appreciate her. She is, in so many ways exactly what I think a "best friend" should be. She's kind and tender, but also strong and firm. She helps guide me (mostly by her example) to be better than I am. She's understanding and thoughtful. She's trustworthy and loyal. She is so many things that I want to be one day. For now, I'll just have to settle for being around and learning from her. It's so nice when you can recognize the Lord's hand in all the different areas of your life. I was blessed more than I deserve when He saw fit to place her (and her family) in my life.
Date Night/Aaron's Birthday!
Back in the Fall, following Diane's lead, a specific effort was made to give Violet and Jordan a regularly scheduled Date Night. And after a little protesting by Violet, it was determined this would be a weekly occurance.
So Friday night has arrived, but THIS date night is particularly special. Not only is tonight Date Night...but it's also the 7th Birthday of the coolest little guy I know and my first friend in the Barnes Family.
That's right...Aaron Barnes is 7! Anyway, the big party is tomorrow but tonight we celebrated on a smaller scale with Pizza and baking a cake. Elena helped with the mixing of the cake batter and adding the sprinkles and candles.
So Friday night has arrived, but THIS date night is particularly special. Not only is tonight Date Night...but it's also the 7th Birthday of the coolest little guy I know and my first friend in the Barnes Family.
That's right...Aaron Barnes is 7! Anyway, the big party is tomorrow but tonight we celebrated on a smaller scale with Pizza and baking a cake. Elena helped with the mixing of the cake batter and adding the sprinkles and candles.
Of course we had to make a birthday cake!
Remember how I had this kid in my Sunbeam class when he was 4??
Sunday, January 1, 2012
How's this for a resolution?
So, I had been thinking for a while about ways that I could motivate myself to be better at this whole "blogging" business. I remember when I was in high school and I was AWESOME at keeping a journal. I've had points where I've been good at it since then, but nothing long-term. Violet told me about this really cool thing where you can have your blog printed off and bound like a book. It ends up looking like a journal and a scrapbook all in one! How awesome!
Now, I'm a bit of a nerd because I like handwritten things (letters, notes, journals, you get the idea), but I think I'm gonna start trying to sit down at least once a week and write on here!
Now, I'm a bit of a nerd because I like handwritten things (letters, notes, journals, you get the idea), but I think I'm gonna start trying to sit down at least once a week and write on here!
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