Sunday, October 30, 2005

Thoughts on Words From Marshall's Brain...

are over at JL.

posted by jordanrep.com/10522 @ 9:25 PM 0 comments

Saturday, October 29, 2005

"Say when!"

October is almost over, and I've only posted once. It's been a busy month. Nursing school has gone from terrible to tolerable to enjoyable at times. I actually enjoy what I'm learning. The difficulty has been that the process and structure of it are hard to adjust to.

At this point, and for several weeks now, things have been okay. I know what is expected, and I am meeting those expectations as much as possible. I have tried to adapt myself to the 'nursing' way of thinking, so that I can do my papers and presentations and other written assignments in a way that is acceptable and encouraged (translated - required).

Seven weeks of school remain for this semester. I have been successful in enough requirements that I have no doubt I will continue to the next level (the next semester in the program).

"The next level" makes it sound like a video game, doesn't it? Maybe I should think of it that way. There are huge obstacles to overcome, with humans, assignments, and learning requirements all in my way. I have to negotiate my way through all that stands between where I am now and my goal (winning the game at the end of the last level, graduation).

The only problem with the video game analogy is that I don't play video games. I should probably think of a new way to describe it. Any ideas?

I did not feel supported or encouraged by faculty at the beginning of the program. That has changed gradually as the weeks have passed.

There are a few instructors who seem to be willing to talk with students and help with questions. Others answer questions, but the feeling of engagement is missing. Obviously, the ones who seem the most interested in students, and their success, are the ones who are the most helpful.

Over the course of the past ten weeks my effort, my work and my attitude have spoken on my behalf. Where I was hearing criticism and (what felt like) condescension, I am now hearing compliments and encouragement. That's a nice change.

My parents have said, "Don't say IF!" ("If I get through this semester." and "If I graduate.") Say, "When ..."

That reminds me of watching milk being poured into a plastic cup and waiting for just the right moment to say it's full enough.

"Say when!"

posted by jordanrep.com/10522 @ 9:56 AM 1 comments

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Thankful

This is from one of those silly email chain letters, but it says something worth remembering.

I am Thankful :

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT

BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

posted by jordanrep.com/10522 @ 2:06 PM 2 comments