What I'm Reading

I just finished this book over Thanksgiving.  It's simply amazing.  I normally don't like to read Southern African American fiction, primarily because the language is pretty difficult to get used to (true southern dialect).  You get used to it pretty fast in this book though and it's definitely a page turner.  I never even realized that white families still had hired "help" in the 1960's.  After I finished this book, I was talking about it with my Grandmother and Grandfather and they began to tell me stories of their "help" when they were growing up.   It was fascinating to me.   Wonderful, Wonderful book.

This is next on my list, but I won't let myself read it until I am finished with all my coursework for this semester.  It's a love/hate relationship with me and Nicholas Sparks' books.  I love them, but someone always has to die and I'm always left depressed for several days.  Nicholas Sparks' does have an uncanny sense of writing the most incredible, you-never-saw-it-coming, love stories.  After all, who doesn't love a good love story?

Of course I had to have a Karen Kingsbury book in this list.  This is her most recent book and it stems off of an idea in a different book.  I love it when books are interrelated.  This will be an easy, quick read for some Sunday afternoon over the break.

I've read "Tuesday's with Morrie" probably 10 times at least.  Mitch Albom's writing has a way of stirring you from the inside and reassess your life's goals and desires.  Can't wait.

This is simple.  A Man of God.  There aren't many men out there who are true men of God.  I don't want a legalist, I don't want those who say they are, I don't want someone to be one because they know that's what I want.  

I want a real Man of God.

Because if he loves God, then He'll know how to love me.  

Thankful

I'm a little late because I try to stay off the computer when I'm home, but late is better than never!

What I'm thankful for this year:

• My family.  Over the last year I have come to appreciate my family so much more and in a different way.  My parents are simply amazing.  It literally brings tears to my eyes just to think about how incredible they are and how much they do for me and my sisters.  My parents will jump in the car at the drop of a hat and spend the weekend in Fayetteville with me if I'm having a bad week.  They give me the most amazing advice, and I don't know how I would have gotten through the past year without the wisdom and words of encouragement of my Mom.  My Dad is the most amazing father, husband, grandfather.  I would be so lucky if I marry a man who comes anywhere close to what my Dad is.  He spoils his girls too :)  I blessed to be so close to my Grandparents, and that they are still living.  Their wisdom is unmatched, and I love having grown up with my Grandparents present at every recital, cheerleading event, pageant, graduation and so much more.  My Grandpa will randomly call me and leave me the sweetest voicemails about how proud he is of me.  My Grandma is always there to offer me advice on any of life's hardships.  I love the fact that I'm so close with my sisters and talk to one of them almost everyday.  I love growing up having sisters, its a friendship unlike any other.
• Heelyn, our miracle baby.   Why she's a miracle will remain private, but I am so thankful for my precious niece.  She's beautiful, and healthy.  She has shown me so much about love and life.  It's been an amazing process watching my Sister become the most amazing Mother to this little girl, I can't wait to watch her grow up and become everything God intends.
• My degree.  Earning a college degree is always an accomplishment, but I'm so incredibly proud to have earned my degree.  I'm the first child in my family to earn a college degree, and I think it was as much of an accomplishment for my parents as it was for me.  It's also incredibly special to me because of the hurdles and obstacles I had to overcome last year to finish college.  I will always particularly cherish that little piece of paper.
• I am thankful to have earned my fellowship that allows me to attend Graduate school completely paid for.  Graduate school has already opened so many doors for me and I enjoy it so much.  I'm thankful that at the end of the program, I will not have any student debt and a Master's Degree!
• I am so thankful for my amazing friends.  Over the last year, they have been there for me in every way possible.  I have cried on all their shoulders, and they have offered me countless encouragement, prayer, and guidance.  I know that having even one great friend is a huge blessed, so I'm incredibly blessed to have the group of girl friends that I do.
• I'm thankful for my guy friends.  God always has funny ways of reminding me that He loves me and cares about me and it's often through my guy friends.  Their random texts, phone calls, nights out and everything else keep me sane, and always laughing.
• My relationship with my Savior.  No matter how many times I may screw things up, He is always there, and He has my best intentions at hard.  Also, no matter how hard I might try to do things my own way, He never lets me.  This I am thankful the most for.
• My students.  They keep me on my toes, inspire me, teach me far more than I ever teach them.  Remind me of the goodness there is in life, as well as remind me to be thankful for life's blessings. They show me life from every perspective, and keep me laughing day after day.

Story Time

This is how I feel....

Last week I had to turn in Chapter 1 & Chapter 3 of my dissertation.  Chapter 1 had already been previously graded from which I only missed 1.4 pts.  Now my professor would re-grade Chapter 1 and grade Chapter 3.  Yes, Chapter 3.  Not Chapter 2.  That will come later on in the story.  Still with me?  Ok, good.

So I collect Chapter 1 & Chapter 3 which have now been graded and much to my shock I received not nearly quite the grade I was hoping for (Ok, it still was an 86% but my grade was not B material.  It was A material).  Not to mention my professor had changed his mind and decided that now he wanted to dock points on my Chapter 1.  After he graded it.  Not cool.  Evidently once you're in Grad school professors feel they can do this kind of stuff to you.

So I emailed my professor telling him that I needed to schedule a meeting with him last week to discuss my paper.  My Chapter 2 was due this week and I didn't want to continue to do the wrong thing.  

This was on Tuesday of Last Week.

Wednesday..  No hear from professor.

Thursday...No hear from professor.

Friday... Nothing.

Nada.

Jack Squat.

In the age of iphones, there's really not a reason to leave an email un-responded to.  Come on Prof.  I know you check your emails everyday.

So I attempted to read his scribble handwriting and correct my chapters to the best of my knowledge.

This morning I marched right up to the front and asked him why he did not respond to me.

**Shocked face, gasp, oh the horror***

He said, "What do you mean I never responded.  I ALWAYS email my students back"

Me, "Well evidently you don't."

He then agreed to let me come by his office to talk and turn in my paper tomorrow.  Mind you, I already put 20+ hours into this chapter this weekend.  But, glad to have help I agree to go to his office and discuss my dissertation.  

I arrive in his office and he tells me my topic is simply too complicated and I need to make it simpler.  What?  I thought we were in Graduate school here.  When is complicated a bad thing.

Overall, the meeting was positive though (except for the fact that I now have 10+ more hours of work to do).

As I'm leaving I tell him to make sure to give me my five points for turning my paper in on time (we get five easy points to being on the ball).  He says he won't give me my points because it won't be on time tomorrow.  

Me, mad " If it wasn't for you not responding, I would have had my paper done on time.  Not to mention I did have a copy of it finished this morning.  YOU said I could turn it in tomorrow in order to meet with you because YOU did not respond to my email"

He says, "I'll have the points with you"

I say, "No.  I want all my points.  This is not my fault."

He says, "Well really the points don't matter."

Well yes they do because you moved your grading scale up and in a 100pt class 5 pts really DO matter.

Moral of the story:  LOVE graduate school.  Tolerate the professors.

Here's my rant.

I read somewhere that the average age for marriage for a woman is 27 and for a man is 29.  This literally made me laugh, and I began to wonder what the average age in the South would be.  Well, I couldn't find any statistics on that, but the South DOES have the highest divorce rate in the country.  Hmm... could it be because traditionally Southern women get married at a much younger age than the rest of the country?  I guess we'll never know.  What I do know is that every time I get on facebook, I see more and more engagements, pending weddings, or wedding photos.  I'm not cynical, I think marriage is a great thing.... WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.  The problem with my generation, in my particular area of the country, is that girls think something is wrong with them if they are not getting married a weekend after they graduate college.  This is crazy!!  I hate this!  What happened to enjoying one moment at a time?  Why can't you learn to be independent and learn who you are before rushing off to be someone else's wife?  Do you even know where your income is coming from?  Sorry if this sounds harsh, I just feel too many women are disillusioned by what they think marriage is, or they only think they're complete if they have a ring on their finger and someone else's last name.   This is not true.  Don't even get me started on the baby thing.  Whatever happened to waiting several years after you were married to start trying to have kids?  Now days, most couples start trying soon after the first year of marriage.  This is crazy.  It's like they become bored with their lives and want the next big thing.  Now, I know I'm stereotyping here and making assumptions.  But if you're 22 years old, you can WAIT to have kids.  Having a baby changes EVERYTHING.  Enjoy the time alone with your husband, save for your future, take trips together, enjoy spontaneity.  That all goes out the window once you have a child.  

That's my rant.

Catch-Up

Sorry I've been slightly MIA.  Last week was our "work week" for the MAT program.  Basically, we get one week off in between each rotation to catch up on sleep (much needed), catch up on projects (very needed), and work on our dissertation (crucial).  I chose to cruise on out of Fayetteville and spend my week in the Central park of Arkansas, loving on my little niece and helping my sister as she recovers (broken ribs from her c-section...ouch!).

I love this little cutie

She's a mighty good little sleeper too... haha

Other than spending time with little Heely, I was able to get caught up on all my work.  Mom and I also did some much needed shopping...haha.  

My sister looks absolutely incredible, I can only hope to look half as good as she does after I have my first child :)

Are you sick of Heelyn pictures yet?

My dad is seriously a baby hog.  He LOVES little babies.... it's really quite funny.  You have to steal Heelyn away from him if he's around.

See... isn't she gorgeous?  Her and Kyle had their first date night away from Heelyn this past Friday.  Shannon was so anxious to leave Heelyn (with her mimi mind you, Kyle's mom) that she made Kyle take her somewhere really quick so they wouldn't be gone too long.  My mom banned them from talking about Heelyn while they were away, haha.  She says that's the key to a good relationship, to not always talk about the kids when you're out on dates.  I think she might be on to something :)

Sorry if I bored you with Heelyn pictures, but I'm so in love with her!  They are coming to visit this weekend and are staying with me, I'm so excited!!

Well... I start my new rotation this week at Central Junior High in Springdale.  Wish me luck!