This evening while discussing food/exercise/calories, this conversation played out:
Bob: "I'd rather have fun in life than counting every calorie."
Kari: "I know, but I obviously don't count every calorie."
Bob: "(Chuckles)"
Thanks.... haha!
Showing posts with label Personal Anecdotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal Anecdotes. Show all posts
1.07.2011
10.17.2010
"Daddy, don't hit me!!"
Tonight at the video store, I witnessed the most tragic scene. A family of four wandered around the store, the parents discussing video options. Two little kids, a boy and a girl, solemnly followed behind. The boy had a knit cap on, as well as his hoodie. Strangely, the dad was holding the hoodie up over the boy's forehead. Suspicious, I watched the family. Something didn't seem right. As the parents became more engaged in their conversation, the little boy ran off. When he came back, his hoodie slipped back enough for me to see two large bruises on the side of his face. Holding back tears, I struggled to maintain my composure. While I "browsed", I tried to figure out what to do. Picking up "She's the Man", and pretending to read the back, I heard the boy say, "Daddy, don't hit me!" and then he was hushed. My suspicions confirmed, I thought of what I might do. I couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Bob soon joined me and I told him what I'd seen and heard. As we walked around, we heard the boy's plea again. There was no hitting, but it was obvious that it was a common occurrence. We checked out, and then decided to wait in our car to see which car the family left in. I hoped that I could catch the license plate number. After waiting for twenty minutes, we saw the family leave the store. As they walked through the parking lot, we soon realized that they didn't have a car there. We followed them for a few blocks in our car, then realized that we couldn't anymore because they were headed away from the busy shopping area and they would see that they were being followed.
I still wish I could have done something more for those kids. I didn't know what I could have done. I wish I'd had something I could have given the woman... something that could have encouraged her or given her some resources. What I really wanted to do was to take that little boy home with us. This reignited my desire to one day be a foster parent to kids who need a safe place to be between their unhappy homes and their future adopted home situation. I feel such a strong pull to work with these kids. Perhaps after I've finished school and before we have our family, we'll have the opportunity to take in a child and provide a safe loving home for them. We'll have to see. :)
Bob soon joined me and I told him what I'd seen and heard. As we walked around, we heard the boy's plea again. There was no hitting, but it was obvious that it was a common occurrence. We checked out, and then decided to wait in our car to see which car the family left in. I hoped that I could catch the license plate number. After waiting for twenty minutes, we saw the family leave the store. As they walked through the parking lot, we soon realized that they didn't have a car there. We followed them for a few blocks in our car, then realized that we couldn't anymore because they were headed away from the busy shopping area and they would see that they were being followed.
I still wish I could have done something more for those kids. I didn't know what I could have done. I wish I'd had something I could have given the woman... something that could have encouraged her or given her some resources. What I really wanted to do was to take that little boy home with us. This reignited my desire to one day be a foster parent to kids who need a safe place to be between their unhappy homes and their future adopted home situation. I feel such a strong pull to work with these kids. Perhaps after I've finished school and before we have our family, we'll have the opportunity to take in a child and provide a safe loving home for them. We'll have to see. :)
10.09.2009
A Random Act of Kindness
Today it was my turn to do the biweekly shopping trip to Costco. Though it's often fun finding new and tasty treats (especially on sample days!), it always seems to wear me out.
I had class until noon, and then my research group met for awhile, so it was early afternoon by the time I made it there, and I was hungry- not to mention tired and a little irritable. After circling the store and finding my things, I waited through line and finally made it out to the car. I put the lighter things into the trunk of the car first, leaving the heavier things until last. The very last item in the cart was the 20-lb bag of cat food. Twenty pounds probably doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot for me and my back. As I was staring at it trying to figure out how to lift it with the best body mechanics to avoid re-injuring my back, a man came up to me and asked if he could lift it into the trunk for me. I allowed him to, and thanked him, and then he offered to take the cart back to the store. What a kind thing to do!
Just that simple act of kindness made the rest of my afternoon happier. There's still good people out there willing to help others out. Feeling how good it is to have someone do something like that reminds me that I should be passing on that kindness whenever I have the chance. :)
I had class until noon, and then my research group met for awhile, so it was early afternoon by the time I made it there, and I was hungry- not to mention tired and a little irritable. After circling the store and finding my things, I waited through line and finally made it out to the car. I put the lighter things into the trunk of the car first, leaving the heavier things until last. The very last item in the cart was the 20-lb bag of cat food. Twenty pounds probably doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot for me and my back. As I was staring at it trying to figure out how to lift it with the best body mechanics to avoid re-injuring my back, a man came up to me and asked if he could lift it into the trunk for me. I allowed him to, and thanked him, and then he offered to take the cart back to the store. What a kind thing to do!
Just that simple act of kindness made the rest of my afternoon happier. There's still good people out there willing to help others out. Feeling how good it is to have someone do something like that reminds me that I should be passing on that kindness whenever I have the chance. :)
5.11.2009
5.08.2009
10.10.2008
"I'm Letting Go"
This last month has been filled with surprises, disappointments, achievement, questions, stress, suspense, and lots of unknowns. It's been a fairly stressful time for us, and I have struggled to keep a positive attitude. In the past, I have usually known the next step in my life, and not knowing worries me sometimes.
I was thinking about this as I was trying to wake up this morning, when song came to mind, "I'm Letting Go". It's talks about how life is a giant leap of faith, and you have to trust that God will be there for you. I thought I'd share the lyrics with you:
"I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli
My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge
Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back
Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go
This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone
Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go
Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me
Hope this was meaningful to you! It helped me remember that it's not all about the life I planned out for me- it's what God has in store, and even though it sometimes means taking a blind jump, you can have faith that He will catch you.
I was thinking about this as I was trying to wake up this morning, when song came to mind, "I'm Letting Go". It's talks about how life is a giant leap of faith, and you have to trust that God will be there for you. I thought I'd share the lyrics with you:
"I'm Letting Go" by Francesca Battistelli
My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge
Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back
Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go
This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace
The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone
Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go
Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me
Hope this was meaningful to you! It helped me remember that it's not all about the life I planned out for me- it's what God has in store, and even though it sometimes means taking a blind jump, you can have faith that He will catch you.
10.01.2008
Studies, stress, and struggles
Well, after a year and half of being out of school, I find myself hurled back into the swift current of studies. I say it like it's a bad thing, but it's not. It's just a little overwhelming at the moment.
Classes started a week ago today. I'm taking 5 classes this quarter: Life-Span Development, Abnormal Psychology, Medical Terminology, Intro to OT, and Women in American History. All of them have a LOT of reading involved. In 3 different classes, I walked into the classroom on the first day and the teacher expected us to have the first 2-3 chapters read already. Needless to say, I have been playing catch up most of the week. It's frustrating, because one of my goals this year was to stay ahead with the reading- pretty tough when they start you out behind!!
I didn't realize just how different classes would be here compared to Walla Walla. I knew there would be many more students on campus, and that there would be people from lots of different backgrounds. I did not anticipate, however, just how different the teaching would be. When I walked into my first class, the professor said, "Let's start off with...." and I'm used to hearing "a word of prayer," but she said, "taking a look at the syllabus." Okay, I thought. That's okay. I need to get used to this.
It became very difficult for me when in my Abnormal Psych book they blamed Christianity for many extreme treatments for abnormal behavior (such as Jesus casting out demons), and said that Christianity is responsible for the diverting the attention of people in finding "effective treatment" in these disorders. Furthermore, they had Joan of Arch and Christ as examples of individuals who had "disillusions of grandeur." It really bothers me to hear Christ and Christianity talked about in such a condescending way.
Another issue that I am currently dealing with is a book that is required for my Women in American History class. We are required to read a book called, "Talking to the Dead" about the Fox sisters who started a movement in spiritualism. I am very against reading this book, but it accounts for 20% of the overall grade in the class. I am going to speak with my professor and see if she will allow me to read a different book instead. If not, I am faced with the two options of either taking an 80% as the maximum grade I can receive, or withdrawing from the class.
Another challenge I'm facing right now is meeting the core requirements I need in order to apply to the Occupational Therapy program this next spring. I thought I had all the prereqs taken care of, but it turns out that I not only had the required OT classes, I also have the core classes for a bachelor's degree that I need to fulfill. It turns out that 3 classes I took at WWU (computer literacy, A&P, and Western Thought) may help fulfill some of these requirements. I need to meet with the department heads for each of these subjects and plead my case. If they all accept it, then it is possible for me to have everything ready for this spring. It will mean that this coming winter and spring quarter I will need to take 20 credits. If one of the department heads decides that they cannot accept my class credits, then it will mean staying on the main campus one more year, and graduating with my masters in 2012 instead of 2011.
After all these negatives, I must say that there are many positive things to talk about too. God blessed Bob and I greatly when I was awarded two grants that completely covered my tuition for the year. It was a HUGE answer to prayer, and I am very thankful. And even though I am not surrounded by other Adventists in my classes, I am blessed to have an amazing husband, close, loving in-laws, and a wonderful church family to support me here while I go to school. Not to mention all my family and friends who live elsewhere who are always there for me!
Classes started a week ago today. I'm taking 5 classes this quarter: Life-Span Development, Abnormal Psychology, Medical Terminology, Intro to OT, and Women in American History. All of them have a LOT of reading involved. In 3 different classes, I walked into the classroom on the first day and the teacher expected us to have the first 2-3 chapters read already. Needless to say, I have been playing catch up most of the week. It's frustrating, because one of my goals this year was to stay ahead with the reading- pretty tough when they start you out behind!!
I didn't realize just how different classes would be here compared to Walla Walla. I knew there would be many more students on campus, and that there would be people from lots of different backgrounds. I did not anticipate, however, just how different the teaching would be. When I walked into my first class, the professor said, "Let's start off with...." and I'm used to hearing "a word of prayer," but she said, "taking a look at the syllabus." Okay, I thought. That's okay. I need to get used to this.
It became very difficult for me when in my Abnormal Psych book they blamed Christianity for many extreme treatments for abnormal behavior (such as Jesus casting out demons), and said that Christianity is responsible for the diverting the attention of people in finding "effective treatment" in these disorders. Furthermore, they had Joan of Arch and Christ as examples of individuals who had "disillusions of grandeur." It really bothers me to hear Christ and Christianity talked about in such a condescending way.
Another issue that I am currently dealing with is a book that is required for my Women in American History class. We are required to read a book called, "Talking to the Dead" about the Fox sisters who started a movement in spiritualism. I am very against reading this book, but it accounts for 20% of the overall grade in the class. I am going to speak with my professor and see if she will allow me to read a different book instead. If not, I am faced with the two options of either taking an 80% as the maximum grade I can receive, or withdrawing from the class.
Another challenge I'm facing right now is meeting the core requirements I need in order to apply to the Occupational Therapy program this next spring. I thought I had all the prereqs taken care of, but it turns out that I not only had the required OT classes, I also have the core classes for a bachelor's degree that I need to fulfill. It turns out that 3 classes I took at WWU (computer literacy, A&P, and Western Thought) may help fulfill some of these requirements. I need to meet with the department heads for each of these subjects and plead my case. If they all accept it, then it is possible for me to have everything ready for this spring. It will mean that this coming winter and spring quarter I will need to take 20 credits. If one of the department heads decides that they cannot accept my class credits, then it will mean staying on the main campus one more year, and graduating with my masters in 2012 instead of 2011.
After all these negatives, I must say that there are many positive things to talk about too. God blessed Bob and I greatly when I was awarded two grants that completely covered my tuition for the year. It was a HUGE answer to prayer, and I am very thankful. And even though I am not surrounded by other Adventists in my classes, I am blessed to have an amazing husband, close, loving in-laws, and a wonderful church family to support me here while I go to school. Not to mention all my family and friends who live elsewhere who are always there for me!
9.10.2008
Realizations on Growing Up
There's no denying it- although it often seems as though time were standing still, the clock is ticking, and we're all getting older. I don't mean to make anyone feel older than they are by saying I'm old, but it sure seems as though things have changed a lot just in the last 2-3 years. I suppose it's just taken this long for me to catch up to it.
When I think of my friends from high school, I find that I revert to my high school mode of thinking. I picture us at PAA again, with the same worries- mid-terms, basketball try-outs, banquet dates, etc. I sometimes forget that we're so far apart- WWU, PUC, North Carolina, Portland, and Spokane. I also forget how much time has passed since our now seemingly careless days.
The same goes for Walla Walla. Sometimes I wish I could rewind back to our freshman year- cornmazes, banquets, Friday night's at Kirk's house, vespers, early morning workouts in the gym with Megan and CJ... Before I knew it, people left for SMing, transfered to other universities to complete their degrees...I didn't realize how fast everything would change. Not that I'm unhappy where things are- I just wish I'd slowed down a little then to enjoy what was there to have.
Now it seems that when I meet new friends or become re-aquainted with old ones, it's not a question of "what's your major?" or "what are you studying?". Instead it's "so what do you do?" or "where do you work?". It's a new idea to me. Most of my classmates from PAA are going to be graduating from college this next year, some have gotten married (I'm one to talk...), started families, or have made other significant changes in their lives. Sometimes when I hear the latest news of one of my classmates, I have a hard time believing that it's true, until I stop and realize just how much time has gone by since the time I went to school with them.
And it seems like it was just yesterday that we were freshman in highschool. It's crazy how swift time moves us along.....
When I think of my friends from high school, I find that I revert to my high school mode of thinking. I picture us at PAA again, with the same worries- mid-terms, basketball try-outs, banquet dates, etc. I sometimes forget that we're so far apart- WWU, PUC, North Carolina, Portland, and Spokane. I also forget how much time has passed since our now seemingly careless days.
The same goes for Walla Walla. Sometimes I wish I could rewind back to our freshman year- cornmazes, banquets, Friday night's at Kirk's house, vespers, early morning workouts in the gym with Megan and CJ... Before I knew it, people left for SMing, transfered to other universities to complete their degrees...I didn't realize how fast everything would change. Not that I'm unhappy where things are- I just wish I'd slowed down a little then to enjoy what was there to have.
Now it seems that when I meet new friends or become re-aquainted with old ones, it's not a question of "what's your major?" or "what are you studying?". Instead it's "so what do you do?" or "where do you work?". It's a new idea to me. Most of my classmates from PAA are going to be graduating from college this next year, some have gotten married (I'm one to talk...), started families, or have made other significant changes in their lives. Sometimes when I hear the latest news of one of my classmates, I have a hard time believing that it's true, until I stop and realize just how much time has gone by since the time I went to school with them.
And it seems like it was just yesterday that we were freshman in highschool. It's crazy how swift time moves us along.....
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