As my wife works in South Dakota today, I learn by email that I passed the last phase of training for U. of Phoenix. Actually, I did more than pass. My work was "top notch." Yes, I'm quite pleased, quite! The next phase is actually teaching two classes with a mentor guiding me along. Oh, how this creates possibilities, as every penny I earn can be placed against our debt structure, and we can get out of this frozen hell hole, and back to our spiritual home, Southern California. How I pray that I live long enough for this to come to fruition. Nothing can ruin this day. As most good alcoholics, I spent a lot of time worrying about failing when there was little or no chance that I would. Whew! What a relief!
My wife was working in San Diego last weekend, and it served to remind her of how much she loves the place, how beautiful it is. She and I spent many a long weekend in Pacific Beach in the San Diego area, and it cleansed us each and every time. It's interesting that no matter how difficult things seemed to us in Southern California, we thrived spiritually. Looking back, it was a huge mistake for us to leave, and it took coming here for us to realize this.
While we're here, however, we at least have sense enough to feed our spirits, so I scheduled three more trips to hear the Minnesota Orchestra. For those lovely two hours or so, we can exist in a world of beauty, our cares far away, unable to touch us. It's interesting that refreshments are served before curtain time, and some of the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever eaten are available. Who would have thought it? However, I'll happily trade a short stack of DuPar's pancakes and crispy bacon for all the chocolate chip cookies in Minnesota.
To change the subject again, the online training I've experienced in the last month has taught me truly that it's not what you say that matters, it's how you say it. Your tone comes through every time, and I'm sure that's why U. of Phoenix emphasizes care in communicating with your students. In any case, the training was fun, my classmates were highly educated, and I held my own with them. It's a loverly day today!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Blah!
Over the years, I've heard some people refer to the month of February as the "Blah Month." They assert that nothing happens in February and that nothing of note has ever happened. Well, I can't review every February in history, but I can claim that February 2008 has been an active and somewhat successful month for me and my wife.
First of all, I'm halfway through the second phase of training to teach in a major online university. So far, I've received good response from my postings in training and from my comments about others' work. I'm moving slowly toward being employed again, something I've missed terribly. Most people, including me, need some structure in their lives, something to participate in, and something to look forward to. The training and the possibility of teaching again give me all three. And it all began to truly take shape in the month of February.
As for my wife, though she, as I, must use an inhaler for our respective lung conditions, February has brought her continued recovery, such that she may be back to work on a full-time basis very soon. She also received news that she will have to go to San Diego (horrors!) to help get a new pharmaceutical study off the ground. I'm happy for her. My only twinge about it is that I can't go with her.
In this cold, cold February here in Minnesota, I also received an invitation to a wedding. The groom in this case is a former student of mine at California State University, Los Angeles, and he is now serving in Afghanistan as a Captain in the U. S. Marine Corps. He and his lovely fiance will be married on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. I hope with all my strength that I am able to participate in their celebration. This is an exceptional young man, and I'm prouder of him than of any student I ever had in almost 20 years of teaching.
Finally, I've finally properly adjusted my pain medication, and I can spend the necessary time at my pc for my current training and the teaching I hope to be doing online soon. So, this month, whose length changes every fourth year and now slightly over halfway completed, has been filled with good stuff. I'll take a few more months like the "Blah Month."
Oh, and I almost forgot. Our Valentine's Day was one of the best in a long time. I'll try not to be gone so long again. Hurrah!
First of all, I'm halfway through the second phase of training to teach in a major online university. So far, I've received good response from my postings in training and from my comments about others' work. I'm moving slowly toward being employed again, something I've missed terribly. Most people, including me, need some structure in their lives, something to participate in, and something to look forward to. The training and the possibility of teaching again give me all three. And it all began to truly take shape in the month of February.
As for my wife, though she, as I, must use an inhaler for our respective lung conditions, February has brought her continued recovery, such that she may be back to work on a full-time basis very soon. She also received news that she will have to go to San Diego (horrors!) to help get a new pharmaceutical study off the ground. I'm happy for her. My only twinge about it is that I can't go with her.
In this cold, cold February here in Minnesota, I also received an invitation to a wedding. The groom in this case is a former student of mine at California State University, Los Angeles, and he is now serving in Afghanistan as a Captain in the U. S. Marine Corps. He and his lovely fiance will be married on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. I hope with all my strength that I am able to participate in their celebration. This is an exceptional young man, and I'm prouder of him than of any student I ever had in almost 20 years of teaching.
Finally, I've finally properly adjusted my pain medication, and I can spend the necessary time at my pc for my current training and the teaching I hope to be doing online soon. So, this month, whose length changes every fourth year and now slightly over halfway completed, has been filled with good stuff. I'll take a few more months like the "Blah Month."
Oh, and I almost forgot. Our Valentine's Day was one of the best in a long time. I'll try not to be gone so long again. Hurrah!
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