I just realized that posting about my exams has taken over my blog. This probably has something to do with the fact that it has taken over my life, but it's not much fun to read.
So. Something different! We went to Iowa to visit Mom last week (Thursday to Wednesday). It was SO nice to spend time with her and Ron, and share their space. She has a guest room to beat all...just welcoming and nice and comfortable and comforting. She gave me a little jar of tiny seashells and a "You can do it" card that made me cry. It's so nice to have people who take care of me! And the kids had a ball. Bee was excited about her trip to the outdoors store with Ron, and J about drove Maggie (the aging, gentle beast of a yellow Labrador) insane because he loved her so much...he spent a lot of the week using her as an obstacle course and chewing on her back. :-)
We almost always go to Kalona when I visit Mom. I do sometimes think that there's something inherently magical in the place itself, but really it probably has more to do with how much Mom and I both love the sorts of things that are there....simple living, tidy Amish farms, squeaky cheese curds, chocolate crinkle cookies and giant dill pickles, quilts, and the Sisters shop. And the fact that we get to spend a day driving and gallivanting together. qw23e (J's addition) It's a good trip.
Anyway. Thank goodness for last week, a change-up that helped me remember what it's like to be a real person, and just enjoy my family. I even managed to get good sleep, because Mom was nice enough to get up with my kids in the morning after my late-night work sessions. Hopefully someday I'll be able to provide a similar refuge to someone who needs it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Reality
I'm taking my exams in 12 days. Of course this means I've been reading furiously, right?
Ha, no. I spent most of Wednesday night, and all of Thursday and Thursday night cleaning up various disgusting bodily fluids created by my two poor sick children. (I've never seen an 11-month-old throw up....it's heart-wrenching.) Really that was only one day lost (I wasn't planning on working because we traveled all day on Wednesday), until BEN AND I GOT SICK TOO! Last night was miserable, and today has been a fog of "hmmmm.....maybe I can eat. Should I risk it??" combined with leftover brain-fog and achy-ness. I'm really sad to be losing a Saturday, since they're usually double work days (thanks to Ben's availability).
This has reminded me of the reality that, while I may be just as capable as some of my professional (single, childless) counterparts, I do not have the same freedom and resources as they do in terms of time. And that just has to be okay.
I'll take my exams, and it will be what it will be. I just hope I stop aching soon. :-)
Ha, no. I spent most of Wednesday night, and all of Thursday and Thursday night cleaning up various disgusting bodily fluids created by my two poor sick children. (I've never seen an 11-month-old throw up....it's heart-wrenching.) Really that was only one day lost (I wasn't planning on working because we traveled all day on Wednesday), until BEN AND I GOT SICK TOO! Last night was miserable, and today has been a fog of "hmmmm.....maybe I can eat. Should I risk it??" combined with leftover brain-fog and achy-ness. I'm really sad to be losing a Saturday, since they're usually double work days (thanks to Ben's availability).
This has reminded me of the reality that, while I may be just as capable as some of my professional (single, childless) counterparts, I do not have the same freedom and resources as they do in terms of time. And that just has to be okay.
I'll take my exams, and it will be what it will be. I just hope I stop aching soon. :-)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
It's official!
I will be taking my written exam on April 1st, will turn in my theoretical paper on April 22nd, and (provided the aforementioned merit it) doing my oral on May 3rd.
I had a companion on my mission that used to say "You can do ANYTHING for a transfer." (She was talking specifically about the fact that they put me in English work with a companion who also frequently taught in Korean, but she extended the thought to other areas.) That's what I'm down to....about 7 weeks.
If I may, I'd like to solicit prayers...I'm feeling more than a little overwhelmed by all the information that I'm responsible for, and the lack of sleep is starting to catch up. I do all my work after the kids go to bed...so I work from about 8:30-1:30/2, and then nap when J does, and Bee occupies herself with her busy box [thanks Mom!!] or a movie. It's not a great schedule (it's actually basically horrible), and I'm worried that I may need to find another way to finish this up. And then there's the whole "If you fail this exam you only get one chance to redo it, and then you just don't get your degree" thing, which while I'm not TRULY worried about (I don't think), it does nag at the back of my mind.
So, that's where I'm at. Boring-ness and all. At least I have a date, and I will be taking Easter weekend OFF!
I had a companion on my mission that used to say "You can do ANYTHING for a transfer." (She was talking specifically about the fact that they put me in English work with a companion who also frequently taught in Korean, but she extended the thought to other areas.) That's what I'm down to....about 7 weeks.
If I may, I'd like to solicit prayers...I'm feeling more than a little overwhelmed by all the information that I'm responsible for, and the lack of sleep is starting to catch up. I do all my work after the kids go to bed...so I work from about 8:30-1:30/2, and then nap when J does, and Bee occupies herself with her busy box [thanks Mom!!] or a movie. It's not a great schedule (it's actually basically horrible), and I'm worried that I may need to find another way to finish this up. And then there's the whole "If you fail this exam you only get one chance to redo it, and then you just don't get your degree" thing, which while I'm not TRULY worried about (I don't think), it does nag at the back of my mind.
So, that's where I'm at. Boring-ness and all. At least I have a date, and I will be taking Easter weekend OFF!
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