Tasseled

     Went over to the Grad Fair at the Bookstore.  Signed up, got a cap & gown, tassel included.  Actually, I had to have them change out the year on the tassel to 2011, which they were happy to do on the spot. 

     I looked at the class rings but couldn't afford one.  But, ooooooh, how I wish I could.  This one in SILVER is the one I really had my heart set on.  The sales guy said they would engrave my initials on one side and my BS degree on the other side.  Oooohh.

     Anyway.....

     It feels so good to be finished with a goal that has taken me over 30 years to complete.  So many reasons and so many things kept getting in the way but I did it!  (Am I repeating myself?  Probably, but so what?!)  I FINISHED something just for me.  No one could do it BUT me.  I wanted a bachelor's of science from BYU and I got exactly that.  Exactly That!  When I walked on campus to the graduate fair I felt ownership, you know?  I belong to campus and it belongs to me - officially! 


     I love you, BYU.  I love you.

WhadidItellya?

Did I call it, or what?

Greetings,
 
Thank you for submitting an application for the

Judicial Service Representative position with the

Fourth District Court. We had a large number of well

qualified applicants, and unfortunately you were not

selected for an interview.  Please visit our website

http://www.utcourts.gov/admin/jobs/ to view current

and future openings. 
 
We appreciate your interest in employment

with the Utah Courts.

The woman in charge is a vindictive piece

of work.  What's she so afraid of?

Nobody who applied was more qualified

than me and yet I don't even warrant

an interview before I've weeded out?

Come on.  Something's more than fishy here.  

Hearts and Flowers

    HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, self. 

     I don't know what all the hoo-hah is about Valentine's Day.  So what if the stores are trying to sell stuff and make people feel guilty if they don't buy something to show their love.  No one is forcing you to be nice or give a token of affection.  Geez.  Get over it, people.  Chocolates and flowers ANY TIME are a good thing.  Got it?

     CC got a flower delivered to her in school today.  A guy friend randomly purchased a rose for her and it came to her in a class.  She took a beautiful photo of it and posted on FB but I wanted to share the pic here too.  She's a sweetie and it is about time she got recognized for it.  After work she and her favorite guy will exchange v-day gifts as well.  She made him a scrapbook page of photos of them in a frame, but I don't know what he got for her.

     AJ ran a great service errand this evening.  He went to the grocery store and picked up some food for a cousin, then drove the food to the cousin's home for delivery.  He went willingly and even picked up some treats to go with the basics that he purchased.  I love that my boy has unselfish moments like this.

     Media update:  My latest joys in media appreciation -

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

Midsomer Murders

Sherlock (modern PBS version)

Downton Abbey

and, as ever, Doc Martin.













NOW ASK ME WHY I DON'T SLEEP BEFORE 4 AM.  Because I watch my shows and enjoy myself!

Kindle Me This

     Guess what LL got me for my b'day and graduation? 

Yep, a Kindle.  AND - a gift card to get eBooks with!  Oh my gosh, I never would have thought of such a thing but she picked something unique and clever, as always. 

     So far, I've downloaded 71 free eBooks and 8 games.  I can't decide what to spend the card on because there's so much that is free!  But never fear, I will make use of it and then I'll have plenty to read at the press of a button.  Scriptures would be good on it too, for quick reference.  

     A new toy, just for me!  (Nevermind that AJ has been playing the games regularly, already.  Silly boy.)


     Did I ever tell you that I have the most outstanding and considerate sister in the entire universe?  Jealous?!?  GOOD.  No share-sies!!!

Nope? Cope!

That's right, folks.  They called Friday and said they were "going another way", whatever that means.  They paid a couple of compliments and I asked them to keep me in mind if anything else comes up.  They were nice and they were kind.

So, as I said, it is a test of my new "tape" in my head, to take no to mean nothing more than that.

Now,  on a different note, I taught Relief Society yesterday as a sub.  I had a friend of mine take a chunk of the time to talk about Joseph Smith's family background because I wanted to get the sisters to answer the question: Was it a natural thing for Joseph Smith to seek the Lord?  My friend MaryAnne has served two missions in Palmyra where she spent hours walking the Sacred Grove and other sights.  She is a great resource of the history of that family and really made the point I was hoping for.

It is an interesting thing to teach Relief Society.  The sisters mostly sat there staring at me, making a few comments as the need arose, and basically giving no indication as to whether they were even present.  Does that make sense?  Now, I realize that I am not the world's expert on teaching or on Joseph Smith.  But I did follow the Spirit as I prepared and presented the lesson from the manual.  I just wish I could tell whether I was reaching anyone.  You know?  And then again, it isn't clear what the audience dynamic is either.  The ladies were from all stages of knowledge (wisdom?) and experience which means the lesson had to meet a variety of needs.

Nevertheless, it went well and I learned a lot myself, which is the adage about the Gospel.  If you want a testimony of something - live it (teach it too) and you'll get it.  True 'dat!

So, gotta keep looking for work.

Gotta keep being okay with where I am.

Gotta keep on keepin' on.

GAL

     Interviewed today at the GAL office.

     Last night I tried on what must have been 24 combos of "office attire" to find the right look.  That was a joke.  I mean, I haven't worn any other clothing besides jeans during the week and a skirt on Sunday for years.  Nothing worked or fit. Duh.

     When I woke up and looked at my closet, black and white was all that came to mind and I got dressed in exactly that. Serious but slovenly, that's the look I was going for.....

     Oddly enough, I was at ease at the interview.  I mean, I was chatty with the receptionist and calmly waited for my turn to go into the conference room.  My aim was to be myself and take my chances.  And smile a lot.  At least when the manager came for me I recognized him from my earlier career at 4th District and he seemed to recall me as well.  All those years ago.  Hmmmm.

     The two women and the manager asked me questions, watched me answer, and we had a few laughs.  It was tacky how I kept dropping names of judges and attorneys that I had been acquainted with over a decade ago.  They liked me anyway and were glad I had the proper experience for their needs. They wanted to know if I can handle high pressure and stress.  I almost choked trying not to laugh.  Good thing I wasn't drinking or there would have been a serious spit take to mop up!  They said they'd make up their minds by Friday and let me know what they decide.

     I don't know.  It was clear that I would fit in nicely.  But these things are such a crap shoot one never can be sure what will come of them.  And, of course, I'd appreciate a job with benefits but I'd also appreciate not having to leave the kids on their own after school.  They'd be fine with it.  I would struggle with it.  They are my first priority and always have been. 

     My prayers about jobs have been for peace in the process and for an attitude of acceptance of whatever the outcome.  My historical pattern has been to take rejection personally.  However, for a few years now I have been re-writing my personality script because I don't like that feeling of not being good enough.  The truth is I'm perfectly suited for any job I interview for.  I'd be an asset anywhere doing anything and I shouldn't think a rejection means I wouldn't.

     Either way, I have my two jobs to keep us going, as they have for years now.  No benefits, true, but money of sorts coming in.  However meager it is, it keeps us afloat and I thank Heaven for it several times a day.

     Yeah, yeah, we've heard it all before.

Special K Needs

     The special needs kindergarteners were extra sweet today. 

     One of the boys had a cane, for lack of a correct word, with a red ball at the end of it, which he used to find his way around in the school.  Such a little guy.  He seemed completely blind with dark rings around his light blue eyes.  When he came into the gym I wondered what this could be all about until he was given a hockey stick and was told to find the red rubber ball.  So, while the rest of the children were playing a chaotic game of hockey using a bright yellow ball and running back and forth between goal nets, this little guy carried a hockey stick as big as himself and slowly followed around after a red ball, taking swings at it whenever he thought he was close enough.  Often he was ready to smack at the ball but was standing so closely to it that the hockey stick sailed over the top of the ball.  But he took my suggestions to "back up a little bit and then smack it" and was able to connect.  The ball zagged randomly from wall to wall as the kids played their wild hockey game around him.  Truth is I followed him closely because he meandered though the center of the game going on and needed a shield or he could have been laid flat. But I kept a pace behind him to allow him to navigate and follow the ball on his own.  I love it when kids do things without grown ups stepping in and doing it for them.
    And that's the way he spent his 3 hours of kindergarten today - joining in everything and asking if he was doing a good job.  I watched him navigate the playground, climb up a few sets of steps, and slide down "super fast" as he put it.  No whining or reluctance, just enjoying his day and seeing what he needed to see.  The staff told me that his own parents don't know the extent of his eyesight issues because professionals can't get their brains around it.  He's blind, but he isn't.

    He made me smile today.  I admire people who can be happy.  I admire parents who can nurture this in a child.