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.
10.10.2008
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.....
9.09.2008
A study in nachos vs. haystacks
So recently Bob and I have had a friendly debate about the difference between a haystack and a nacho. We're curious what the rest of you think about it. Is it the salad, the chips, the beans? Maybe there's several differences, or you think they're the same thing. Please let us know! I have a poll to the right and down if you want to cast your vote! Or leave a note. :)
Thanks!
Thanks!
9.08.2008
Camping at Upper Priest Lake
This last weekend, Bob and I went with Spokane Jr. Academy's 9th and 10th grade class on a camping trip to Upper Priest Lake, Idaho. We left Spokane late Thursday night and got to the campsite sometime after midnight. Instead of trying to setup our new tent, we opted to pull out the bench seats and spent the night in the van.
The next morning, we broke camp early and piled our gear into our boats and canoes. Bob and I (as adult chaperons) got to use one of the motor boats, while the kids paddled their canoes. It took about 2 hours for us to travel up to our campsite. Bob and I set up our tent near the beach, where we could hear the peaceful sound of the waves crashing on the shore. We were miles and miles away from our busy lives, and it was wonderful!
It was quite cold while we were there. The daytime high was probably around 60, and it got down to the upper 30's. Although it never poured on us, it did sprinkle occasionally. On Friday, Bob and I went out on the boat to explore the rest of the lake and to seek some peace and quiet (I had forgotten how much energy high schoolers can have!!).
Friday night was so peaceful- it was amazing! I love welcoming the Sabbath while surrounded by God's beautiful creation- it's the way it was meant to be! We enjoyed a beautiful sunset while singing worship songs around the campfire. Afterward, we crawled into our tent for some much needed sleep.
In the morning, we woke up and enjoyed a breakfast of hashbrowns, peaches, and bread. After everyone had finished eating, we had Sabbath School and church.
Later, after lunch, we again went out on the lake for a relaxing afternoon. It was so peaceful and quiet that we were both lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the boat. We later woke up sunburned and groggy. :)
That evening was filled with s'mores, hotdogs, and hot drinks as we all tried to stay warm by the fire. Later on, the kids played sardines and other games until bedtime. We woke up early the next morning and began the journey home.
The next morning, we broke camp early and piled our gear into our boats and canoes. Bob and I (as adult chaperons) got to use one of the motor boats, while the kids paddled their canoes. It took about 2 hours for us to travel up to our campsite. Bob and I set up our tent near the beach, where we could hear the peaceful sound of the waves crashing on the shore. We were miles and miles away from our busy lives, and it was wonderful!
It was quite cold while we were there. The daytime high was probably around 60, and it got down to the upper 30's. Although it never poured on us, it did sprinkle occasionally. On Friday, Bob and I went out on the boat to explore the rest of the lake and to seek some peace and quiet (I had forgotten how much energy high schoolers can have!!).
Friday night was so peaceful- it was amazing! I love welcoming the Sabbath while surrounded by God's beautiful creation- it's the way it was meant to be! We enjoyed a beautiful sunset while singing worship songs around the campfire. Afterward, we crawled into our tent for some much needed sleep.In the morning, we woke up and enjoyed a breakfast of hashbrowns, peaches, and bread. After everyone had finished eating, we had Sabbath School and church.
Later, after lunch, we again went out on the lake for a relaxing afternoon. It was so peaceful and quiet that we were both lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the boat. We later woke up sunburned and groggy. :)
That evening was filled with s'mores, hotdogs, and hot drinks as we all tried to stay warm by the fire. Later on, the kids played sardines and other games until bedtime. We woke up early the next morning and began the journey home.
8.25.2008
Snip!
For some time, my hair and I have been playing an endless tug-o-war. We've had our good days, and our bad days, but lately, there have seemed to be more bad days than good. 15 frustrating minutes of trying to detangle... fighting frizz.... the list goes on. So... after debating back and forth with myself weather or not to actually go through with it, I've lopped off 10 inches of my hair. My hairstylist carefully saved the tresses so that I can send it to Locks of Love. While so far I'm glad that I've cut it, I do sometimes feel that I can relate to a shorn sheep!
8.21.2008
Tired of Trash
I decided to try something new. Instead of spending oodles of time on Myspace and Facebook, I'm going to put my energies into this new blog. Hopefully it will be something that my friends and family can view and keep track of all the latest news, without having to put up with all the garbage that's out there on the web.
I'd also like to let you all know of the website that Bob and I have: kariandbob.posterous.com. We plan to post pictures of our wedding and other happenings there soon!
I'd also like to let you all know of the website that Bob and I have: kariandbob.posterous.com. We plan to post pictures of our wedding and other happenings there soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)