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!