One of my first school assignments includes writing a narrative of my spiritual life. One part of the assignment included deciding if you are naturally a "Mary" or a "Martha." I am naturally a Martha, but have worked to develop Mary tendencies during while on my own spiritual journey.
Now, there's not anything wrong with being a Martha, unless you get involved in hurrying and worrying. Unfortunately, I spent several years of my life doing just that. I hurried from one activity to the next and worried that I wasn't doing enough or not doing it well. The truth is that I enjoyed all of those activities and they were all good, but I wasn't selective about my activities. I spent time doing "good" things and dealing with the urgent, but left the "best" things undone.
At some point, I realized the futility of hurrying and worrying. I also evaluated my activities based on the values that I wanted to have; God, family, etc. A major shuffle was in order and that is what happened. At this point I do try to live my life making decisions about involvement in activities based on what God would have me do.
Now, no more hurrying and worrying.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
In the thick of it ...
School has begun - for the kids and for me.
The kids started school on Monday (along with most of Texas). They are at 3 separate campuses this year, so it is interesting. Thankfully, the schools are only a couple of miles apart. They all came home happy and even excited about the year. I'm sure it will be another great one!
As for me, as with most of my college career, the beginning of the semester brings a feeling of excitement and of being overwhelmed. I'm always excited to begin a new semester (and get school supplies!), but I usually feel overwhelmed and unsure that I can do everything that will be required of me during the semester.
Added to the school work this time is learning all of the software programs that are used for online education. The programs work well, but I have no idea how to use any of them. The learning curve is in full swing right now. I worked for about 6 hours yesterday on assignments (not including the reading) and feel a little better now. I still have the issues of "discussion group" and "group assignments" to figure out.
The good news: I have about 5 people at the university to contact for help (not including the other students). It's really great to have that help available.
The first week is an orientation course that is (apparently) normally done over a semester. We are to complete it this week. The expectation is that we will spend 15-20 hours/week on classwork. Good thing I have been clearing my schedule (well, as much as you can when you have kids).
So I am in the thick of it ... and loving it!
Beth
Happy Back to School for all of you with kids or attending yourself.
The kids started school on Monday (along with most of Texas). They are at 3 separate campuses this year, so it is interesting. Thankfully, the schools are only a couple of miles apart. They all came home happy and even excited about the year. I'm sure it will be another great one!
As for me, as with most of my college career, the beginning of the semester brings a feeling of excitement and of being overwhelmed. I'm always excited to begin a new semester (and get school supplies!), but I usually feel overwhelmed and unsure that I can do everything that will be required of me during the semester.
Added to the school work this time is learning all of the software programs that are used for online education. The programs work well, but I have no idea how to use any of them. The learning curve is in full swing right now. I worked for about 6 hours yesterday on assignments (not including the reading) and feel a little better now. I still have the issues of "discussion group" and "group assignments" to figure out.
The good news: I have about 5 people at the university to contact for help (not including the other students). It's really great to have that help available.
The first week is an orientation course that is (apparently) normally done over a semester. We are to complete it this week. The expectation is that we will spend 15-20 hours/week on classwork. Good thing I have been clearing my schedule (well, as much as you can when you have kids).
So I am in the thick of it ... and loving it!
Beth
Happy Back to School for all of you with kids or attending yourself.
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Next Step
After finding a Master's program, getting a job to pay for school and being accepted into the MSFL program, I am now at The Next Step; getting a new computer.
We all now can have our collective *moan* because you probably hate getting a new computer as much as I do. I spent four years getting my laptop computer just the way I wanted it and now I have a new one. Of course the old one was sick (components stopped working and the computer would die periodically for no reason at all), but if feels like starting over again with a new relationship - which is a topic for another day.
Really, I'm very excited to get a new computer. It is bright and shiny and has all the necessary bells and whistles. I may regret that I'm running Vista, but, so far (2 days) I'm happy with my choice. Computers are *much* cheaper than when I bought my last one, so that was a pleasant part of this process.
This process is forcing me to stay in the "learning mode." As I prepare my computer to be used the way I like to, I am having to learn new things and push myself to understand how things have changed over the last few years (software and hardware). I'm sure that will be helpful when the fall arrives and I seriously need to be in learning mode. I do have an old book list for my first classes and I've started reading already. What fun it will be!
I do have to make a serious confession, here and now:
I am one of those people who loves school. I loves school supplies and usually can't wait until the beginning of the semester so I can start school again.
Whew, I feel better now, getting that off of my chest. I know I'm in the minority here, but school is cool for me. I guess a new computer is kind of like buying school supplies. Fall is in the air. I can feel it!
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
May you know God's presence in your life today and every day.
We all now can have our collective *moan* because you probably hate getting a new computer as much as I do. I spent four years getting my laptop computer just the way I wanted it and now I have a new one. Of course the old one was sick (components stopped working and the computer would die periodically for no reason at all), but if feels like starting over again with a new relationship - which is a topic for another day.
Really, I'm very excited to get a new computer. It is bright and shiny and has all the necessary bells and whistles. I may regret that I'm running Vista, but, so far (2 days) I'm happy with my choice. Computers are *much* cheaper than when I bought my last one, so that was a pleasant part of this process.
This process is forcing me to stay in the "learning mode." As I prepare my computer to be used the way I like to, I am having to learn new things and push myself to understand how things have changed over the last few years (software and hardware). I'm sure that will be helpful when the fall arrives and I seriously need to be in learning mode. I do have an old book list for my first classes and I've started reading already. What fun it will be!
I do have to make a serious confession, here and now:
I am one of those people who loves school. I loves school supplies and usually can't wait until the beginning of the semester so I can start school again.
Whew, I feel better now, getting that off of my chest. I know I'm in the minority here, but school is cool for me. I guess a new computer is kind of like buying school supplies. Fall is in the air. I can feel it!
Thanks for taking this journey with me.
May you know God's presence in your life today and every day.
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