Today is a big day! 18 years in the making. Today my daughter begins her college experience. It's hard to describe my thoughts and feelings right now. There are moments when I'll just start tearing up as if I'm sad, but I'm not. I'm excited for her. Proud of her. And I know that she will do great things. After-all, 18 years of parenting and schooling has prepared her for this adventure. STOP!!! Wait a minute. I'm not ready. I haven't had any college prep!
No one prepares you for this. The letting go part. How do you switch so quickly from the decision-making-parent to the friendly-advice-parent. I look at the boxes waiting to be loaded and it kicks in. Did she pack everything? Does she have everything she needs? What if she forgot something? And she is only going 30 minutes away! Crazy huh?
Our relationship is definitely going to change. I wished they offered classes in this. Maybe when your child is a senior you can go to College Prep 101, Letting Go! I have so many questions. Do I call within the first few weeks or do I wait? What if I don't hear from her? Ugh!
Well it will be an adventure to say the least.
To my daughter - Thank you for being who you are and reminding every day not to take life so serious. Have fun in college. Keep an open-mind and be willing to take risks. I will always be here as a safety net so don't be afraid to take that leap. Many opportunities are once in-a-lifetime so recognize those and grab them when you can.
Go get'm tiger
With all my love.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Value of X - Doctor Who?
GRE....Graduate Record Examination. Just another standardized test that is suppose to determine if you'll be successful in graduate school. I've been looking at the GRE test examples and questioning whether that is truly the case. Have you seen what is on that test? Lugubrious - Huh? I believe myself to have a fairly broad vocabulary, but really? Who talks like that? And then there is the math.
Supposedly basic math skills from high school. Do you know how long it has been since I've been to high school? I don't remember that stuff. Hmmmm, what does that say about our education system? Well, that is another subject. Back to math. It really has me questioning my decision to pursue a Ph.D.
I've decided though that I'm going to prove to myself I can do this. So I purchased a study guide written by Princeton students and have downloaded prep software from the makers of the GRE. So far the review has been good. I've learned some tips and a few tricks.
I also discovered that they have redesigned the GRE. there are no more Analogies. I didn't mind those. they have added more sentence completion and reading which I'm thankful for because those are my strong points. I'm still going to have to increase my vocabulary and they still have the math section. YUK! That is where I'll be spending most of my review since I have to relearn my high school math.
I won't be able to take the test until August so I'll have plenty of time to learn words like panegyric and misanthrope. Not to mention finding the value of x. WHY? I don't know it is just the way the system rolls.
Supposedly basic math skills from high school. Do you know how long it has been since I've been to high school? I don't remember that stuff. Hmmmm, what does that say about our education system? Well, that is another subject. Back to math. It really has me questioning my decision to pursue a Ph.D.
I've decided though that I'm going to prove to myself I can do this. So I purchased a study guide written by Princeton students and have downloaded prep software from the makers of the GRE. So far the review has been good. I've learned some tips and a few tricks.
I also discovered that they have redesigned the GRE. there are no more Analogies. I didn't mind those. they have added more sentence completion and reading which I'm thankful for because those are my strong points. I'm still going to have to increase my vocabulary and they still have the math section. YUK! That is where I'll be spending most of my review since I have to relearn my high school math.
I won't be able to take the test until August so I'll have plenty of time to learn words like panegyric and misanthrope. Not to mention finding the value of x. WHY? I don't know it is just the way the system rolls.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Decisions, Decisions - Doctor Who?
I met with my advisor the other day regarding finishing my master's program and applying for the doctorate program. I'm going to have make some choices which is always difficult for me. I always worry about making the right one. It reminds me of a story I read once by Sylvia Path.
"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet."
I think of this all the time and yet, I still have trouble with choosing. Sometimes looking too far into the future and planning makes moving forward so much harder. This blog, Doctor Who will be a chronicle of my journey to becoming a Ph.D.
So I guess it's time to take the first step toward an goal and not away from one in fear. GRE here I come.
"I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet."
I think of this all the time and yet, I still have trouble with choosing. Sometimes looking too far into the future and planning makes moving forward so much harder. This blog, Doctor Who will be a chronicle of my journey to becoming a Ph.D.
So I guess it's time to take the first step toward an goal and not away from one in fear. GRE here I come.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The End is Near
January 2011, Really? Why does it seem that the older I get the faster time flies. It seems that I just don't have the same amount of time to get things done that I did when I was younger. I have been hit with the realization that I'll be finishing my Master's Program this summer. Being the organized, control freak that I am, I also begin to think...then what? Do I continue on into the Ph.D program? Can I even meet the requirements? What about a job? It becomes a mind boggling confused state of "what ifs."
Ph.D program means taking the GRE. YUK! A standardized test that is suppose to reflect whether you will be successful in graduate school. Come on now! I'm already in graduate school carrying a 4.0. Now I have to take on a test that covers high school level algebra, English, etc. I haven't dealt with algebra, geometry, etc. for over 20 years. I don't remember that crap.
So as I get near the end of my Master's Program I need to make some decisions. I meet with my advisor in two weeks to discuss the Ph.D program. We'll see how that goes.
Ph.D program means taking the GRE. YUK! A standardized test that is suppose to reflect whether you will be successful in graduate school. Come on now! I'm already in graduate school carrying a 4.0. Now I have to take on a test that covers high school level algebra, English, etc. I haven't dealt with algebra, geometry, etc. for over 20 years. I don't remember that crap.
So as I get near the end of my Master's Program I need to make some decisions. I meet with my advisor in two weeks to discuss the Ph.D program. We'll see how that goes.
Friday, December 31, 2010
The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
Today we leave 2010 behind and take a step in the future, 2011. I look back at 2010 to remember the good things that happened, learn from the bad things, and put closure to the ugly things.
THE GOOD - This year I finished my first semester of my Master's program with a 4.0 and entered into my second semester. I took on a new role at work which I really enjoy. My job and the people are great. In May, my husband came home for R&R from Iraq and finally in August was home for good. That was the best part of 2010. We traveled several places this year. My daughter and I traveled to Colorado in July to see one of my childhood friends. Thanks to the power of Facebook I was able to find her and we have been in touch ever since. The family went to Minnesota to watch Vikings play Cowboys. Seeing my Vikings beat Dallas in person was a highlights of 2010. Our trip to California for Thanksgiving was filled with memories as we visited with family, reconnected with old friends, and looked back at my childhood. I saw many good friends from the Fx days and also revisited my grandparents home where I grew up. Kids are doing good in school and are healthy. What more can you ask for? Hubs was finally reunited with his kids this Christmas when they came to visit. All of us had so much fun playing games, rocking out on Rock Band, and opening gifts. Husband and I celebrated our 3rd Anniversary and that in itself is the best part of 2010.
THE BAD - The top spot goes to my daughter who decided to go for a joy ride without a licensed driver and wrecked the truck. Not a fun time but a lesson learned for her. After huge fines, insurance, and a court appearance, she won't being do that again. No one old me the teenage years were the hardest. I've learned a lot about letting go to allow to grow. A very hard lesson to learn.
THE UGLY - the winner is.......hubby's deployment to Iraq. Although it started in 2009, it was still was very definitely present through most of 2010. Sure it could have been a lot worse. It was still ugly and not something you look forward to repeating. Glad it is behind us.
So there you have it. My Good, Bad, Ugly for 2010. As I write this I am realizing that 2010 was a good year. Many more good things happened then bad. Time to move forward into 2011.
THE GOOD - This year I finished my first semester of my Master's program with a 4.0 and entered into my second semester. I took on a new role at work which I really enjoy. My job and the people are great. In May, my husband came home for R&R from Iraq and finally in August was home for good. That was the best part of 2010. We traveled several places this year. My daughter and I traveled to Colorado in July to see one of my childhood friends. Thanks to the power of Facebook I was able to find her and we have been in touch ever since. The family went to Minnesota to watch Vikings play Cowboys. Seeing my Vikings beat Dallas in person was a highlights of 2010. Our trip to California for Thanksgiving was filled with memories as we visited with family, reconnected with old friends, and looked back at my childhood. I saw many good friends from the Fx days and also revisited my grandparents home where I grew up. Kids are doing good in school and are healthy. What more can you ask for? Hubs was finally reunited with his kids this Christmas when they came to visit. All of us had so much fun playing games, rocking out on Rock Band, and opening gifts. Husband and I celebrated our 3rd Anniversary and that in itself is the best part of 2010.
THE BAD - The top spot goes to my daughter who decided to go for a joy ride without a licensed driver and wrecked the truck. Not a fun time but a lesson learned for her. After huge fines, insurance, and a court appearance, she won't being do that again. No one old me the teenage years were the hardest. I've learned a lot about letting go to allow to grow. A very hard lesson to learn.
THE UGLY - the winner is.......hubby's deployment to Iraq. Although it started in 2009, it was still was very definitely present through most of 2010. Sure it could have been a lot worse. It was still ugly and not something you look forward to repeating. Glad it is behind us.
So there you have it. My Good, Bad, Ugly for 2010. As I write this I am realizing that 2010 was a good year. Many more good things happened then bad. Time to move forward into 2011.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Time is Flying
Back again and realize that time has slipped by just like I mentioned in my last blog. There have been several times I have had thoughts to blog about. Yet, I don't have the determination to stop everything and post. It seems my motivation is fleeting. One minute I want to pour out my thoughts and then swoosh, the feeling is gone. So here is a quick summary of my thoughts since I last posted.
Flew out to Cali to visit family for Thanksgiving and reunite with old friends. The plane ride there and back provided these blog thoughts:
Check It at The Curb Damn It!
There should be a flying etiquette book written starting with baggage. If your bag is so heavy and fat that you have to shove it in the overhead then maybe you should have checked it. If the airline offers free baggage check, USE IT! I don't want to be hit in the head with your carry on while you find your seat. Also, I don't want to have to stand and wait to get off the plane while you struggle to get your bag down. I checked mine so I could get off the plane easier. Let me by and you wait.
The Nose Knows
Next chapter, Smells. Don't bring stinky food or use smelly lotions etc. In tight quarters it is nauseating. I don't want to smell your Caesar salad or pepperoni pizza. I also don't want to smell your hand lotion or sanitizer. And leave your shoes on. No one wants to see or smell your bare feet as you prop them up on the seat in front of you. YUK! Your not in your house.
I think people have lost the ability to adjust to group settings and think about others. It is a shame.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Time Keeps on Tick'n
Yeah it's been a while. Why? Because I've been so damn busy. After hubby returned from deployment it has been a whirlwind of activity. School started for the both the kids and I, which also meant that I went back to working 20 hours a week at the university.
Then add the change in family dynamic going from three members back to four. Just scheduling our daily lives between homework, dinner, chores, school activities, is crazy. By the time I realize what's happened the day is over, then a week has past, then two, three and then it's next month.
I thought that this year I would have so much more time: my classes are more manageable; the job allows me to work from home two days a week; and hubby is here to help. Still it seems has if I have less time to get things accomplished.
Maybe as we get older, it seems as if time goes faster. Like sand in an hourglass, towards the end it appears that the sand is falling to the bottom faster than before. Funny how when we want more time, the minutes fly by and when we want something to be over it just drags on and on. As it was during the deployment, long and dragged out. Now that he is back time is fleeting. It worries me sometimes that we'll run out of time. For what, I don't know. Another deployment? A change of some sort? Who knows what is ahead.
Yet, time remains constant. Only 24 hrs in day. No more, no less. Regardless of how we perceive it. So we'll just keep plugg'n along one minute, one hour, one day at a time.
Then add the change in family dynamic going from three members back to four. Just scheduling our daily lives between homework, dinner, chores, school activities, is crazy. By the time I realize what's happened the day is over, then a week has past, then two, three and then it's next month.
I thought that this year I would have so much more time: my classes are more manageable; the job allows me to work from home two days a week; and hubby is here to help. Still it seems has if I have less time to get things accomplished.
Maybe as we get older, it seems as if time goes faster. Like sand in an hourglass, towards the end it appears that the sand is falling to the bottom faster than before. Funny how when we want more time, the minutes fly by and when we want something to be over it just drags on and on. As it was during the deployment, long and dragged out. Now that he is back time is fleeting. It worries me sometimes that we'll run out of time. For what, I don't know. Another deployment? A change of some sort? Who knows what is ahead.
Yet, time remains constant. Only 24 hrs in day. No more, no less. Regardless of how we perceive it. So we'll just keep plugg'n along one minute, one hour, one day at a time.
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