You Are Talented!

It felt good to hear. All of this time, energy, and hundreds of thousands of dollars (your eyes are not playing tricks on you) later and I began wondering what in the hell did I do to myself. See, it turns out that I do not want to go into academia. I got a Ph.D. (positive self-talk – support me here) and it turns out I want to work with children in schools. Over the past year and a half I have been doing some soul-searching. I mean the kind you do when you have no job and you really love to shop and there is a recession and oh wait a Depression of some sort and life is going to hell in a hand basket for everyone including those with doctorates. Literally. God led me to the schools – He paid me well and gave me the awareness that my passion was invoked while working there. He made a way for me to change advisors and get a job working in a low performing school and guess what! I love it! I love the students a bunch and often have to engage in a conversation with myself about whose needs are being served because although I am serving in the midst I am being served as well. And so, I completed my first school counselor application today. One order of fulfillment coming up!

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11

Does Your Mother Love You?

I have skipped another day of blogging and I don't know what my problem is. I haven't been as creative since my Colloquium (that sounds official, huh). I still love television, but it just didn't feel as good this last time I caught a peek. (It makes sense that not honoring Jesus would be a buzz kill).

I have erased tons of stuff from my DVR. I used to record all of the CSI's, but no more...I love a crime drama, but I am beginning to think that watching this stuff is not the best thing. For instance, my neighbors have a chihuahua and one day last summer it was whining for hours on end. Of course in my mind this meant that they were dead and the dog was trying to communicate with me. Lo and behold I saw them a few days after I called the rental office to have someone go and check in on them because clearly I have a screw loose.

On a side note (I am making it my business to have at least one side note in every post), I have another follower. Someone felt pity for me and I appreciate it. My mother is not a follower (hopefully this public shaming will change things). Apparently she doesn't love me enough. But do you know what she does love? Television. I went to visit yesterday and as we ate dinner and talked to one another (I heard that this is what functional families do), she made a comment about the lack of television. Wow. How lovely.

The Wagon

It seems I have fallen off. In more ways than one. (Is that how that expression goes?) Anyway, I watched television again (which is why I didn't blog) and I haven't posted daily since last week. Stop complaining - I've been busy! Well, I have decided to recommit myself to this effort. NO MORE TELEVISION UNTIL HOLY THURSDAY! I literally had to ask for the Lord's help. I mean, I am really missing my television. It seems since I don't have television I actually have to connect with other human beings (novel right).

On a side note (because you know how I love a side note), I am on Day 2 of that book and I should probably be on Day 14, but who's counting?! So I am going to go now and give myself the gift of self-awareness. Wish me luck...

Snitches!

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted last. As you know, I had my Colloquium Presentation (Proposal Meeting) on Monday. The experience was surreal to say the least. Many of you are not aware of my past advisor and her mean and manipulative behavior (but I guess you know now). Anyway, this was the first time I met with my new committee in its entirety and it was a great experience. They challenged me (I mean they asked some really tough questions), but they weren't intent on humiliating and demeaning me like that other broad. Even though they were not patsies, they supported me throughout the entire process. It was at the end of the meeting after everyone signed the paper (everyone signs off and this means that you can go forward and collect data) that I realized that I was like a battered woman without the bruises. I really didn't (and still don't) know what to do with all that support I was given. It felt weird (this is the best description I can provide at this point) to receive support. It should have felt weird when that racist broad (she is not a lady) was mistreating me (sadly enough, it didn't).

Okay. So after the meeting I went to El Vaquero with Caroline (I am going somewhere with this - follow me). She talked about how she gave up desserts for Lent, but that she had a peanut butter cup blizzard on her way back from Tennessee. Then we began talking about television (I shared that I had given it up). You know those dang counselors...they are always asking 1,001 questions...What are your favorite shows? Did you see the Oscars? Blah blah blah blah...And when I got home I watched television. STOP JUDGING ME! To be fair, Jesus is a great interventionist because I fell asleep within the first ten minutes of the television being on. I thought I would keep it as our little secret (you know, we have shared quite a few over the years), but a certain someone (who will not be named, but anonymous person know that you are no longer in my will) said you better blog about that or else I will. Hmph.

Our Father

My Proposal Defense is scheduled for Monday, March 8, 2010, which means that I have to come up with a revised document (did I mention that I have yet to receive feedback from my advisor), some talking points, and a presentation. Great! I need prayers – immediately! I don’t think I can justify being clever when I have this other stuff to do so I’ll see you after Monday’s festivities.

In The Name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit...Amen!

Let me start off by saying that there are some really amazing and talented young people out there. I had the opportunity to meet a few Saturday as I conducted Penn interviews for high school seniors living in the Central Ohio area. My first interview was at 10:30 a.m. and my last at 5:00 p.m. (I know – I’m committed). One young woman in particular was so friggin’ (that is a word) amazing (she reminded me of myself – just kidding). She was a great conversationalist, super articulate, considerably thoughtful, with a ton of other wonderful qualities. Strap in because I am going somewhere with this…She was (I suppose she still is) Catholic and we were talking about abstaining during Lent and if this is what Jesus really wants. She said during last year’s Lent season she decided to do something instead of not doing something (like we do during Advent, which makes sense because what we now consider Advent – the time leading to Christmas - was once upon a time referred to as Lent). If Lent is ultimately about strengthening your relationship with Christ, you’re kind of missing the point if you now use your internet instead of your television (I swear I am not talking about myself). *sigh* Pray for me…

I Heart Television!

I know I said that I was feeling okay with not watching television, but as you (my fellow addicts) know there is always a trigger around the corner (food, that red light, the Octomom’s odd behavior on The View, and the list goes on). After having thought I made it over the hump, there I was, feeling as if I was back at square one. Behavior change is difficult (yet doable). We have to be willing to stick with it (whatever it is) even when (especially when) we behave in a manner that is disappointing to ourselves or incongruent with the new way we see ourselves. On a side note (it seems I love a side note), I found this site that posts what people have given up for Lent. It’s pretty cool so check it out. On a side note to the side note, folks have been asking how they can formally follow the blog (I must admit my self-esteem is suffering since I have only one follower – but just know that the one person will be provided for greatly in my will – after the government gets all of their money (they are called student LOANS for a reason). Okay so here’s the process: under the title “Followers” click on the link “Follow (with Google Friend Connect).” "Followers" is found underneath "About Me" on the right side of the blog. Follow the prompts and voila you’ll be a fan follower of my blog.