So there's something I haven't been able to tell you. I wanted to tell my family, both sides, first, and until tonight I hadn't told Brad's side of the family yet just in case it didn't happen. I finally got some news this week.
I was accepted into Columbia University's Teachers College.
I KNOW! I can hardly believe it. I keep pinching myself and have to keep reminding myself it's true. I'm in. I found out on Wednesday when I called to find out if they had everything they needed for my application. The woman who answered the phone told me that they had actually just made a decision, and I would receive a letter soon. I asked if she could tell me what that decision was, and she said, "I wouldn't worry about it." And then I received my letter on Thursday.
So now what? The next step is to find out whether or not we applied early enough to get campus housing. If we get housing we'll put our house on the market and watch God do his magic. If not, I'll defer my enrollment until next fall, giving us another year to sell the house.
In the meantime, if we stay here another year we'll be able to finish the Theophostic training we're doing-- that's a good thing. Also, Brad is looking at doing a one-year graduate certificate program at the university here which would qualify him to be a compliance auditor. It would be a great career move for him and seems like a neat program. If he does that, though, God would have to come up with the money to pay for the program, plus the money Brad would make at the computer store since he won't be able to work there while in school.
So much up in the air, but things are starting to fall into place. I feel like we've been in a tornado for a while, with lots of ideas and possibilities swirling, and now it feels like it's going in reverse, like all the debris up in the air is falling into place a bit.
So far this summer's activities are up the air for me. Right now I'm subbing full time during the day and still working at the computer store a few evenings a week. I'd give my right arm to quit there (it's just not the best fit for me) and I might quit if I get some other job. We shall see. It feels good to be in the audience right now-- we've done all we can to be responsible and pursue options. Right now we just sit and watch God orchestrate his plans.
Thanks for rejoicing with me! Suncoast Living will come to an end. Expect Big Apple Living or something in the future!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Things to Smile About
I'm having a rough day. So many unknowns are circling, causing a whirlwind of emotion and a lot of anxiety. I'm just at the end of my rope, which usually means God will do something in the near future. But in the meantime, I get to sit and wait, and just fight the bad feelings. So here are some things making me smile today. Maybe you'll smile, too.
1.) This is a forward from a student of mine. The last one in particular made me laugh out loud.
All too rarely, airline attendants make an effort to make the in flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
1. On a Southwest flight 245 (SW has no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
2. On a Continental Flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."
3. On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have.
4. "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane"
5. "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
6. As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
7. After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."
8. From a Southwest Airlines employee: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245 to Tampa. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."
9. "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."
10. "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."
11. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
12. "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
13. And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta Airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
14. Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City the flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump, and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
15. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
16. Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We
ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal"
17. An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the Passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline." He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking at the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Why, no, Ma'am," said the pilot. what is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land, or were we shot down?"
18. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."
19. Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways."
20. Heard on a Southwest Airline flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing and if you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."
21. A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax.. OH, MY GOD!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!" A passenger in Coach yelled, "That's nothing.
You should see the back of mine."
1.) This is a forward from a student of mine. The last one in particular made me laugh out loud.
All too rarely, airline attendants make an effort to make the in flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
1. On a Southwest flight 245 (SW has no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"
2. On a Continental Flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants."
3. On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have.
4. "There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane"
5. "Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride."
6. As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!"
7. After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in Memphis, a flight attendant on a Northwest flight announced, "Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted."
8. From a Southwest Airlines employee: "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight 245 to Tampa. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised."
9. "In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favorite."
10. "Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines."
11. "Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."
12. "As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses."
13. And from the pilot during his welcome message: "Delta Airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!"
14. Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City the flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump, and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."
15. Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our airplane to the gate!"
16. Another flight attendant's comment on a less than perfect landing: "We
ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal"
17. An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the Passengers exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline." He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking at the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Why, no, Ma'am," said the pilot. what is it?" The little old lady said, "Did we land, or were we shot down?"
18. After a real crusher of a landing in Phoenix, the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Capt. Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we'll open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal."
19. Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement: "We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways."
20. Heard on a Southwest Airline flight. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing and if you can light 'em, you can smoke 'em."
21. A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome to Flight Number 293, nonstop from New York to los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax.. OH, MY GOD!" Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said,
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!" A passenger in Coach yelled, "That's nothing.
You should see the back of mine."
Monday, April 14, 2008
My first item!
(It's a business card holder made of felt.)
I've just posted my first item for sale on Etsy! Etsy is an online marketplace for hand-made items. Click here to see mine! (This is not a solicitation to buy my stuff.) If you have constructive criticism, I'm all ears! I already know the photos are terrible. But that's what you get when you're anxious to get something posted. Next on the agenda: learn to use the camera.
In other news, I'm in my last regular week of the semester. (MUCH rejoicing.) Next week is finals week and Meghan moves in. She's a student of mine who will be joining us for the summer. I'm not sure how I'm going to spend my summer. I plan to sub in May, but come June, I'm free and clear. All of June, July, and most of August is wide open. I've been applying for part time jobs in tutoring and summer school stuff. Nothing has come together yet.
It just dawned on me: whenever I have a bunch of unplanned free time, God usually does something with my availability. I forgot to ask him about that. Scares me a bit, as it's not usually fun. It's usually a tragedy or illness (not mutually exclusive). Dang, now I have butterflies in my stomach. Please, no one get sick or anything, ok? If you do, though, I'll be there all of June, July and August. :)
In May we'll be making a quick trip up to Cincinnati for my cousin's wedding. We were going to make a long weekend of it and visit friends and fam in Columbus, but Skybus had to go bankrupt and everything, so we had to find tickets on USA3000 and had to make some changes. And in August we'll be in Chicago (I think it's the weekend that includes the 15th or something) for a little visit.
That's about it for now!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Hell Froze Over.
Down the street from school is a large arena where the Ever*blades play ice hockey. In order to drum up attention they placed a large mound of snow (large is a relative term) near the entrance to the arena.
Of course we had to turn around and stop and play! I haven't touched snow in I don't know how long! It was so much fun!
(Begin the cursing out of southerners by northerners. I know, I know. I deserve it, you poor, freezing Eskimos.)
Of course we had to turn around and stop and play! I haven't touched snow in I don't know how long! It was so much fun!
(Begin the cursing out of southerners by northerners. I know, I know. I deserve it, you poor, freezing Eskimos.)
Something Fun For You To See
This is my second attempt to upload video. If it continues to give me fits, I'll just throw it onto youtube. Anyone else had issues uploading video to blogger?
Edited: Ok, now it's on youtube. Let's see if this works.
Edited again: Ok, now it works. Here's the back-story: we bought our first Christmas tree at Menard's (Save Big Money At Menards) for $11.88. We could hardly believe our good fortune! It was a perfect shape and was just lovely...until we realized that the needles were painted green. Painted! The tree must have been cut down in July, it was so dead! After Christmas we decided that the tree-who-betrayed-us deserved a dramatic death. So out the window it went. This video captures our second-story apartment giving birth to said Christmas tree. No, I don't know why I didn't post this near Christmas time. I just thought of it today, so here you go.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
No tag backs.
There's the crazy phenomenon in blogland in which you can "tag" someone and they have to post (or may choose to post) something in particular on their blog. It's rather fun!
I was tagged by Susan at Made For Joy.
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
***
What I was doing 10 years ago:
In 1998 I was finishing up my second semester at Trinity. I moved out of the dorm and into an apartment sublet in Highwood with Heather Sammons. In July I got a phone call from my mother after her doctor's appointment: a new diagnosis of cancer. We spent that summer and fall together as she battled and won. It was possibly my most difficult time, but out of it came great sweetness. My relationship with my sister took a turn as she became more of a peer and less of a "little" sister. And my mom and I became closer as a result as well. It wasn't fun, but I wouldn't trade it.
Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. Peanut M&Ms
2. Freshly baked pretty much anything
3. Green apples with peanut butter
4. Popcorn
5. Nuts
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Pay for my grad school and my sister's (she just was accepted to LOYOLA!)
2. Give my house away to someone in need
3. Pay off the mortgages of my loved ones
4. Give money to ministries I'd love to support
5. Endow scholarships at various schools
Five jobs that I have had:
1. Check-counter (literally, counted checks at a bank)
2. Mail carrier on walking and driving routes
3. Construction Inspector (counted a LOT of rebar, tested a LOT of concrete)
4. Teacher of middle school monkeys, er, kids
5. Construction contractor
Three of my bad habits:
1. Gossiping. I HATE that about myself and am actively working to improve.
2. I can't seem to go to bed on time, and pay for it in the morning.
3. I am excellent at making up excuses as to why I can't exercise today.
Five place I have lived:
1. Chicago, IL
2. West Lafayette, IN
3. Ashburnham, MA
4. Baltimore, MD
5. Fort Myers, FL
Five People I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!):
1. How About Orange
2. Julie-uli-uli
3. The Seavers
4. Shanel
5. The Bushy Bushy Trio
Thanks for visiting!
I was tagged by Susan at Made For Joy.
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
***
What I was doing 10 years ago:
In 1998 I was finishing up my second semester at Trinity. I moved out of the dorm and into an apartment sublet in Highwood with Heather Sammons. In July I got a phone call from my mother after her doctor's appointment: a new diagnosis of cancer. We spent that summer and fall together as she battled and won. It was possibly my most difficult time, but out of it came great sweetness. My relationship with my sister took a turn as she became more of a peer and less of a "little" sister. And my mom and I became closer as a result as well. It wasn't fun, but I wouldn't trade it.
Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. Peanut M&Ms
2. Freshly baked pretty much anything
3. Green apples with peanut butter
4. Popcorn
5. Nuts
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Pay for my grad school and my sister's (she just was accepted to LOYOLA!)
2. Give my house away to someone in need
3. Pay off the mortgages of my loved ones
4. Give money to ministries I'd love to support
5. Endow scholarships at various schools
Five jobs that I have had:
1. Check-counter (literally, counted checks at a bank)
2. Mail carrier on walking and driving routes
3. Construction Inspector (counted a LOT of rebar, tested a LOT of concrete)
4. Teacher of middle school monkeys, er, kids
5. Construction contractor
Three of my bad habits:
1. Gossiping. I HATE that about myself and am actively working to improve.
2. I can't seem to go to bed on time, and pay for it in the morning.
3. I am excellent at making up excuses as to why I can't exercise today.
Five place I have lived:
1. Chicago, IL
2. West Lafayette, IN
3. Ashburnham, MA
4. Baltimore, MD
5. Fort Myers, FL
Five People I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!):
1. How About Orange
2. Julie-uli-uli
3. The Seavers
4. Shanel
5. The Bushy Bushy Trio
Thanks for visiting!
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Owwie, etc.
Last night we completed our shift at the fruity computer store and exited out the back door. A manager accompanied us out as others were leaving as well. We stopped to talk to him and the door closed. Another employee opened the heavy door with all his might (my exaggeration) just as I was standing in the wrong place. Were you aware that shoes made out of foam (crocs) do not provide the same protection as steel-toed shoes? I felt my big toenail fold back on itself. The nail polish was broken in a line across the middle of my toenail. So gross and so darn painful. It isn't bloody today except around the edge, and it's not as bad as I expected, thank the Lord. It jammed my toe pretty well so the bruising isn't fun, but I don't think I'll lose the nail. Oh, what joy.
News Item #2, or Why FGCU Probably Won't Score High In The Roommate-Relations Department: (seen just outside the campus bookstore)
News Item #2, or Why FGCU Probably Won't Score High In The Roommate-Relations Department: (seen just outside the campus bookstore)
Easter report
Following tradition, Uncle Brad gave the instructions about hunting the eggs. Twelve per child, and if you see a "K" on the egg, leave it there. It's for Kaya, who is allergic to milk and has special candy.
(When listening to boring instructions when you'd rather be out hunting for candy, lift your shirt to entertain yourself.)
And they're off!
I couldn't take a smiling picture fast enough-- no time to waste!
Why wait until you're done hunting to enjoy the candy? Open one, fill your mouth, hunt. Repeat.
After the hunt (the big kids helped the little kids and it was all very sweet!), Court had a little me-time in the hammock.
...while the kids sorted out their loot.
After the hunt we had the feast. It was a lovely time!
Skipping ahead to last Friday... our university's new president had his official inauguration ceremony. He's the one in the green and blue robes in the middle:
Brad was asked to join a faculty/staff/student choir to sing a few songs in the ceremony. If you click on the picture you can see him.
I sat across the arena and took a pic of him at his seat.
(When listening to boring instructions when you'd rather be out hunting for candy, lift your shirt to entertain yourself.)
And they're off!
I couldn't take a smiling picture fast enough-- no time to waste!
Why wait until you're done hunting to enjoy the candy? Open one, fill your mouth, hunt. Repeat.
After the hunt (the big kids helped the little kids and it was all very sweet!), Court had a little me-time in the hammock.
...while the kids sorted out their loot.
After the hunt we had the feast. It was a lovely time!
Skipping ahead to last Friday... our university's new president had his official inauguration ceremony. He's the one in the green and blue robes in the middle:
Brad was asked to join a faculty/staff/student choir to sing a few songs in the ceremony. If you click on the picture you can see him.
I sat across the arena and took a pic of him at his seat.
Boys everywhere!
Before the Bowmans left for home I snapped a few pictures of the troops:
Oldest, wisest, sly sense of humor, wickedly smart
James Dean wannabe, funny man
The charmer with loads of personality
The Energizer Bunny, with stitches; terribly fun to eavesdrop on when he's playing alone
The last full day they had here they went to the pool here at school and had it nearly to themselves for part of the time:
The first night they arrived we went out for seafood at RJ Gator's. Here is the requisite pic of gator-eating-kid:
Monkey see, monkey do:
On their last morning I didn't have to work so we had a load of waffles and bacon for breakfast. I think this might be my only pic of Cheri as well! Sorry, Cheri!
Oldest, wisest, sly sense of humor, wickedly smart
James Dean wannabe, funny man
The charmer with loads of personality
The Energizer Bunny, with stitches; terribly fun to eavesdrop on when he's playing alone
The last full day they had here they went to the pool here at school and had it nearly to themselves for part of the time:
The first night they arrived we went out for seafood at RJ Gator's. Here is the requisite pic of gator-eating-kid:
Monkey see, monkey do:
On their last morning I didn't have to work so we had a load of waffles and bacon for breakfast. I think this might be my only pic of Cheri as well! Sorry, Cheri!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)