The Q& D

As I write, I am taking a break from working on my final for my first class. I can't believe that my first class in graduate school has already concluded. It was a quick five weeks! The class was challenging. I have a new respect for people who go back to grad school, especially those who have children and families. I honestly don't know how they do it. I'm so blessed to be able to go back to school at this moment in my life when I don't have anyone's schedule to consider by my own.

I had the pleasure of attending the Vagina Monologues at George Washington University over the weekend. It was the second time I'd seen the show, the first having been about this time last year when I saw it in Vegas. That was a fun trip! I have my aunt to thank for introducing me to the Vagina Monologues. Each monologue is somehow tied to the (surprise!) vagina. Whether the skit is humorous, serious, performed by one or several actors, they are all done by women. The monologues raise money for women's charities, most of which are related (surprise!) to sexual issues. For example, one of the charities that GW was supporting helped women of domestic abuse. It's great to be entertained, but also know that one's money supports a good cause.

Last week, I took some time to get my library card. I have to admit that it feels pretty good to have my local library be THE library. Today I took the day off work to go to the Library of Congress and work on my paper. I learned more about the LOC in several hours than in the four months that I worked there! Who would have thought?

I'm looking ahead to a much needed vacation. Paris is only 2.5 weeks away! Marie and I are working with Drew to make an agenda. I'll only be there for five days, so I imagine there won't be much time for sleep! When I get back fom Paris, I may take a month or two to recover and then look at going to Vegas or something. I've been itching to get back that way and relax in some warm sunshine...

25 Random Things about Me

On Facebook, this "25 Random Things about Me" is pretty rampant now. I took the time to fill one out and thought I would post it here as well.

1. When I was little I wanted to be a writer (and still wonder if I may one day). I was always writing stories, but also had a "book" that I kept in my trapper keeper (old school!) where the adventures of dust-bunnies were transcribed by me. I called them the Woozles. I also illustrated the the stories.
2. I love the smell of rain.
3. I love when people say my name. I can't wait to hear God say my name in heaven.
4. When I am at home, I drink all my beverages out of wine glasses whether they contain alcohol or not.
5. I get slightly uncomfortable when people use self-deprecating humor because I never know how to properly respond.
6. I think moving to DC is one of the best decisions I've made in life.
7. My sister is my best friend and I can't imagine life without her.
8. I love my family and feel blessed to be close to them.
9. When I was little, I was too chicken to get my ears pierced at the mall so I pierced them myself. It was a long process, but one I am pretty proud of now. When I got the second holes pierced I went to the mall though! :)
10. My favorite season is fall. It used to be spring, but in the past few years I love what fall does to my senses. The leaves twirl to the ground before crumbling under my feet. Fireplaces pump smoke into the sky. The air is crisp and there's a hint of holiday cheer.
11. Two of my favorite sounds are the crunch of snow and gravel under my feet.
12. I always have a stack of books I'm meaning to read.
13. One day I want to travel to Ireland.
14. My favorite color is green.
15. I can't wait to find that career in life that ignites my soul.
16. One day I want to be a mom and I think I'll be pretty good at it.
17. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone into medicine.
18. I have two reoccurring dreams: one about tornadoes and the other about losing my teeth. I pretty much hate both of them.
19. My love language is the sense of touch.
20. If someone cracks a clever pun in my presence, they get instant points and respect.
21. I have a horrible memory. I can watch a movie and six months later forget most of it. If it's been over a few years since I've seen it, I can watch it again and it will be almost like new.
22. One day I'd like to live in a house with a porch.
23. I love traveling. My top three favorite destinations include: Italy, New Orleans, and St.Thomas. I think because they all had great food and fun hole-in-the-wall venues.
24. My eyes change color depending on what I wear.
25. I love to people watch and sometimes make up stories about their lives in my head.

Have a great weekend.

Life Unleashed

Wow. It's February. When did that happen??

The past four days I was in a conference vacuum. We had our annual Presidents' Conference and I played a pretty big role in the planning and implementation of it. Presidents from our schools around the world flew into DC and attended the conference. There were about 140 of them and some of their spouses. As always, the conference was energy zapping, but I enjoyed it. As a benefit to being one of the directors, I was able to stay at the hotel in a really nice room. It was great to be treated like a VIP from the hotel staff and have a fancy room while I was there. Also, being able to stay at the hotel made life much less complicated.

School is going well. I gave my first presentation in class yesterday. I had to defend a paper that I wrote. Overall, I think I did pretty well. Thanks be to God because my nerves were a little shaky before getting up in front of everyone. My class is pretty diverse and so far no one has dropped out. There are still 16 of us. I'm one of the youngest in the class, but I seem to be respected just as much by my classmates, so that's encouraging. I don't feel intimidated about speaking in class and the atmosphere is friendly and encourages dialogue.

I took the day off to rest from the conference and catch up on school work. I'm a bit behind in my reading and hope this won't be the norm. I realize that keeping up with the reading will be an uphill battle that I won't win until the year is complete. Next week we are going to begin to focus on our thesis. Eek! I have no idea what to focus on and am hoping I'll gain some inspiration real soon. I'm debating a study in my professional field or one with the pregnancy center. Those are my two ideas now, but I may change my mind when it comes down to deciding on something.

Well, there's not much to report here, but I thought I'd share.

I hate that I missed my dad and Mal's birthday. It's weird to not be with family and celebrating when we've always done so in years past. Today is mom's birthday.

My mother is a woman of strength and conviction. Her openness to people and cheerful spirit attract others to her. She gives the best hugs and I love when she says my name. I have a voicemail saved from November where she says my name over and over before declaring her love for me. I'll keep saving and listening to it as long as my phone service allows. She gives of herself wholeheartedly and loves people that some may consider unlovable. She doesn't judge and wraps me up even if I share something about myself that disappoints her. She's a hero to other women. A hero to me. She's a tower, an anchor, and an angel on earth. She's my mom and my friend. Happy birthday to her!