Today my son started his college experience.
My pride in my son increases - he's worked hard to earn his scholarships to the college of choice and is making full use of them starting today. Mondays and Thursdays are his very busy class days, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays leaving time for a class or two and then plenty of study opportunities. Fridays are a busy day as well, but he finishes up early enough in the day to enjoy some hours to himself.
Over the summer he took a required gen ed course to dip his toes into college life and see what he could expect come fall. He's really glad he did.
Plus he got an "A" in said course, which makes mommie dearest very happy indeed. Then two of the guys he got to know in that class ended up being in one of his classes today - he's already made some friends!
This evening he has two IT classes - those will be the real test of his college mettle. They're three hours each. Ouch!
But hey, they will be pretty fun classes (for him anyway). Because of his college prep classes and hard work his senior year, he was allowed to skip the pre-req gen ed requirements and go straight to the "fun" classes. Of course, he'll have to squeeze those gen ed classes in somewhere along the way, but at least he doesn't have to experience just another year of "school" before having some fun.
Another one of those "method to the madness" moments. I think after the last several years of experiencing those moments, he's come to the realization that mom actually DOES know what she's talking about.
Indeed.
Sometimes it's fun being right. :-) My prayer is that his college experiences only get better from here on out.
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
It's Official
It is with enormous pleasure and pride that I post today's news.
As of Sunday, my son is officially graduated from high school!
There were times I thought we'd never get to this momentous event, that I was birthing my son all over again but this time it was years instead of mere hours. There have been years of agony, pain, and sorrow - years of anger and hurt. But now we look back on it all and realize that the good AND bad years have contributed to where he is today.
And that place is an awesome place.
Instead of surviving, he's at that place where he is truly looking forward to the future and making plans for what it holds. Even though transition is somewhat scary, he's been ready to get past high school for some time now and move into college and career considerations.
That's so cool! My son, actually looking forward to college - who'd have thunk it?
This morning I made the request for his high school transcripts to be forwarded to his college of choice. Tomorrow we'll be going to get his classes for fall tentatively scheduled and scholarship info finalized.
The interesting thing about all of this, I'm not feeling nostalgic or sad. Sunday I never once cried because I was so happy for my son and his accomplishments (I did enough of that preparing his DVD life montage). Well, and perhaps I was also trying to take care of everything under the sun too, but that's beside the point. How could I cry when my son was obviously so thrilled?
So on this eve of Memorial Day weekend there is much to be thankful for.
I'll include my son in that.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Posting Pics
End of the school year for my son is quickly winding up.
Only to eventually wind down, but that is beside the point at present.
Tonight I'm posting a few pictures of his State Choir participation. This week he also had his annual Black and Gold concert, where his music director presented him with his State Choir award plaque.
Today he also officially received his letter of acceptance to his chosen college this fall. Now we've got to get busy with registration.
Graduation announcements finally arrived also and I'm putting together the final list of those to whom we'll send a formal announcement and invite to his post-graduation party.
That's what the wedding catering funds are being utilized for. Once again, method to the madness, dearie.
So enjoy the pictures from a proud mother. Remember mine's the one with the beard. :-)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
A Sweet Refrain
I'm so proud of my son!
That seems to be a common refrain of late. :-)
Today we received the first confirmation of a scholarship to his chosen college. The vocal music scholarship is now officially in the bag. He's very pleased.
I'm so excited - and relieved.
For years I've had funds set aside to help him with college. Not much, but something to assist him so that he doesn't have to live the first ten years post-college saddled with a bunch of debt. However, during these last few years of layoffs and my own school endeavors, the kettle has become quite dry and depleted.
So this scholarship is a HUGE answer to prayer, as it covers all of his tuition and books. There will also be some fees, food, and gas money to consider, but he still has his small savings that I set up for him a long time ago. When he used to get an allowance, he was required to save half of it and then he could spend the other half as he saw fit.
That's where most of his Legos came from. Once he realized the value of a dollar, he'd save his spending money until he had enough to buy something for his collection.
Over the years he's socked away about a thousand dollars. That, plus his small academic scholarship and (hopefully) a small local business scholarship that he's writing an essay for during spring break, will cover the additional fees and give him some spending money for food and gas. Thank God we live close enough that he'll be able to commute and save on living expenses.
The only thing I keep thinking about is how guilty I'll feel if he gets the other scholarship as well. Then he has to turn one down. Ouch!
Oh well - life is about the choices we make, even when those choices are a bit difficult. The choices we make will hopefully make each of us a better person in the end.
I know that's the case for my son.
That seems to be a common refrain of late. :-)
Today we received the first confirmation of a scholarship to his chosen college. The vocal music scholarship is now officially in the bag. He's very pleased.
I'm so excited - and relieved.
For years I've had funds set aside to help him with college. Not much, but something to assist him so that he doesn't have to live the first ten years post-college saddled with a bunch of debt. However, during these last few years of layoffs and my own school endeavors, the kettle has become quite dry and depleted.
So this scholarship is a HUGE answer to prayer, as it covers all of his tuition and books. There will also be some fees, food, and gas money to consider, but he still has his small savings that I set up for him a long time ago. When he used to get an allowance, he was required to save half of it and then he could spend the other half as he saw fit.
That's where most of his Legos came from. Once he realized the value of a dollar, he'd save his spending money until he had enough to buy something for his collection.
Over the years he's socked away about a thousand dollars. That, plus his small academic scholarship and (hopefully) a small local business scholarship that he's writing an essay for during spring break, will cover the additional fees and give him some spending money for food and gas. Thank God we live close enough that he'll be able to commute and save on living expenses.
The only thing I keep thinking about is how guilty I'll feel if he gets the other scholarship as well. Then he has to turn one down. Ouch!
Oh well - life is about the choices we make, even when those choices are a bit difficult. The choices we make will hopefully make each of us a better person in the end.
I know that's the case for my son.
Friday, March 11, 2011
One Big Thing Off My List
Today my son had two scholarship interviews with an area college.
The interviews are in two separate fields but could be worked together in his choice of careers. I expected we'd be there for a couple of hours.
We arrived just before noon and left just before 4:30. I'd say that means they went well, wouldn't you?
The first interview/audition was for a vocal music scholarship. The lead professor was quite busy rushing here and there getting a couple of ensembles finished up and ready to leave for a contest over the weekend. She managed to squeeze a good hour out of our time and was impressed with my son's ability and resume.
Then onto the second interview/audition for a radio/TV/film production scholarship that lasted from 1:30 to nearly 4:30. I think it is in the bag also - the professor pretty much told us so but couldn't officially tell us so, you know? Wink-wink!
The second was the one I was most nervous about. You see, my son has an incredible ability to film and edit all sorts of video scripts and stills and write his own work. Then he ties it all up with music and vocal overwriting (or whatever it is called) - and all of it is done with simple equipment and programs he has on his computer.
The other interesting thing about it is that he's had no formal training with any of it - he's virtually taught himself everything he knows over the last few years. The past few months he's been asked to put together lead-in videos and clips for church from youth outings and warm-ups to the youth sermon. A man at his church who owns his own production company has taken notice and worked with him a bit, even offering him use of some of his old equipment. This man is so impressed with my son's natural ability that he plans to hire him to work on some video projects for his company this summer.
The communications professor was also impressed with my son's ability. He's very excited about having him in the program next year. As I sat down the hall during their initial meeting, I was hopeful when I heard loud belly laughs - not once but multiple times - as they reviewed his prepared DVD. Then after being invited into the meeting, I knew it was going well when they both started spouting off at each other first in Scottish accents then flipping over to Irish.
My son will be completely in his element in that department.
So now the big question will be which scholarship he'll accept and which to turn down, since he can only accept one from the Fine Arts department.
It's a good problem to have.
And now that his scholarship auditions and interviews are complete, that means I can mark one enormous thing off of my March "to-do" list.
While he's off tonight setting up for his band's gig tomorrow. His "to-do" list keeps growing - and as a young adult that's as it should be.
The interviews are in two separate fields but could be worked together in his choice of careers. I expected we'd be there for a couple of hours.
We arrived just before noon and left just before 4:30. I'd say that means they went well, wouldn't you?
The first interview/audition was for a vocal music scholarship. The lead professor was quite busy rushing here and there getting a couple of ensembles finished up and ready to leave for a contest over the weekend. She managed to squeeze a good hour out of our time and was impressed with my son's ability and resume.
Then onto the second interview/audition for a radio/TV/film production scholarship that lasted from 1:30 to nearly 4:30. I think it is in the bag also - the professor pretty much told us so but couldn't officially tell us so, you know? Wink-wink!
The second was the one I was most nervous about. You see, my son has an incredible ability to film and edit all sorts of video scripts and stills and write his own work. Then he ties it all up with music and vocal overwriting (or whatever it is called) - and all of it is done with simple equipment and programs he has on his computer.
The other interesting thing about it is that he's had no formal training with any of it - he's virtually taught himself everything he knows over the last few years. The past few months he's been asked to put together lead-in videos and clips for church from youth outings and warm-ups to the youth sermon. A man at his church who owns his own production company has taken notice and worked with him a bit, even offering him use of some of his old equipment. This man is so impressed with my son's natural ability that he plans to hire him to work on some video projects for his company this summer.
The communications professor was also impressed with my son's ability. He's very excited about having him in the program next year. As I sat down the hall during their initial meeting, I was hopeful when I heard loud belly laughs - not once but multiple times - as they reviewed his prepared DVD. Then after being invited into the meeting, I knew it was going well when they both started spouting off at each other first in Scottish accents then flipping over to Irish.
My son will be completely in his element in that department.
So now the big question will be which scholarship he'll accept and which to turn down, since he can only accept one from the Fine Arts department.
It's a good problem to have.
And now that his scholarship auditions and interviews are complete, that means I can mark one enormous thing off of my March "to-do" list.
While he's off tonight setting up for his band's gig tomorrow. His "to-do" list keeps growing - and as a young adult that's as it should be.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Beware of the Ides of March
March is becoming crazier by the minute!
So if my looming graduation and employment search aren't heavy enough, let's see how much more we can toss into the heap.
My son has been frantic with scholarship applications/interviews/auditions. There's a few small, local scholarships that he's writing essays for, but the big ones are his vocal and video production auditions. Decisions will be made soon and we've got to find time to squeeze a few more opportunities into the schedule before they slip away.
Then there's trying to get my taxes done so that we can file for his FAFSA considerations before the April 1st deadline (don't you find it interesting that April Fool's Day is the deadline for financial aid considerations - hmmm). That's becoming quite an interesting bear in and of itself.
In order for me to be able to pay the bills and go to school at the same time, I've had to liquidate my investments and the majority of my retirement. Now comes the tax bill. Only once have I ever had to pay into State but never Federal. This year is changing that and scaring me to death.
But it's got to be done in order to have any hope of my son receiving grant money to help pay for college expenses in excess of scholarships. Now the question is how the tax man is going to get paid.
Another hurdle to overcome in this amazing year.
So with my graduation, my employment search, taxes due, my son's scholarship deadlines, FAFSA deadline, his graduation, etc., etc., etc., I'm really feeling the pressure this month.
Beware of the Ides of March!
Here's hoping I won't suffer the same fate as Caesar.
So if my looming graduation and employment search aren't heavy enough, let's see how much more we can toss into the heap.
My son has been frantic with scholarship applications/interviews/auditions. There's a few small, local scholarships that he's writing essays for, but the big ones are his vocal and video production auditions. Decisions will be made soon and we've got to find time to squeeze a few more opportunities into the schedule before they slip away.
Then there's trying to get my taxes done so that we can file for his FAFSA considerations before the April 1st deadline (don't you find it interesting that April Fool's Day is the deadline for financial aid considerations - hmmm). That's becoming quite an interesting bear in and of itself.
In order for me to be able to pay the bills and go to school at the same time, I've had to liquidate my investments and the majority of my retirement. Now comes the tax bill. Only once have I ever had to pay into State but never Federal. This year is changing that and scaring me to death.
But it's got to be done in order to have any hope of my son receiving grant money to help pay for college expenses in excess of scholarships. Now the question is how the tax man is going to get paid.
Another hurdle to overcome in this amazing year.
So with my graduation, my employment search, taxes due, my son's scholarship deadlines, FAFSA deadline, his graduation, etc., etc., etc., I'm really feeling the pressure this month.
Beware of the Ides of March!
Here's hoping I won't suffer the same fate as Caesar.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Hope Comes Once Again
This year may just end on a good note after all.
My son announced to me that he made District Choir and is a high alternate for State Choir. I just about came unglued and pee'd my pants.
Just making sure you're paying attention.
It's going to be alot of work for him in the next few months, but he's so excited. Last year he tried out and unfortunately had a bad cold the weekend of auditions and didn't do very well. He wasn't sure he wanted to try out again but went for it anyway. So glad he did.
District Choir is such an honor but to even make alternate for State is huge. And if he actually ends up getting to participate in State Choir, that's pretty much a guaranteed scholarship for college costs.
I feel giddy!
Then this evening, after arriving home from our church ladies "Holiday Pizzazz" evening of food, fun, and frivolity, I had an email waiting for me from our worship pastor at our church. He's asked me to do a solo part for Christmas Eve services. Typically I don't do Christmas Eve services (it's a rare occasion because I like to enjoy it driving around looking at Christmas lights with my son) but I'm not going to pass it up if this is the direction the Lord is leading.
What with being asked to do readings and participate in praise team for Sunday services the past month, I was thrilled with that. Now to have a chance to do something I haven't done in my church in ten years?????
Is this You, Lord? If it is, I'm not turning it down.
With all that's been lost during 2010, perhaps it has prepared me to be pliable enough for God to use me again.
I just think it is interesting how just in the last few weeks we've felt the hand of God's blessing on our little household. None too soon.
It's a good way to draw an end to a difficult year - hope comes once again.
My son announced to me that he made District Choir and is a high alternate for State Choir. I just about came unglued and pee'd my pants.
Just making sure you're paying attention.
It's going to be alot of work for him in the next few months, but he's so excited. Last year he tried out and unfortunately had a bad cold the weekend of auditions and didn't do very well. He wasn't sure he wanted to try out again but went for it anyway. So glad he did.
District Choir is such an honor but to even make alternate for State is huge. And if he actually ends up getting to participate in State Choir, that's pretty much a guaranteed scholarship for college costs.
I feel giddy!
Then this evening, after arriving home from our church ladies "Holiday Pizzazz" evening of food, fun, and frivolity, I had an email waiting for me from our worship pastor at our church. He's asked me to do a solo part for Christmas Eve services. Typically I don't do Christmas Eve services (it's a rare occasion because I like to enjoy it driving around looking at Christmas lights with my son) but I'm not going to pass it up if this is the direction the Lord is leading.
What with being asked to do readings and participate in praise team for Sunday services the past month, I was thrilled with that. Now to have a chance to do something I haven't done in my church in ten years?????
Is this You, Lord? If it is, I'm not turning it down.
With all that's been lost during 2010, perhaps it has prepared me to be pliable enough for God to use me again.
I just think it is interesting how just in the last few weeks we've felt the hand of God's blessing on our little household. None too soon.
It's a good way to draw an end to a difficult year - hope comes once again.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tidbits and Timing
So much going on of late I can hardly keep up - but here's a snippet of where we are at present.
Can you believe we've already ordered graduation announcements, cap and gown, etc., etc.????? And right as I'm trying to purchase a few very minimal Christmas gifts.
But that's another story.
Yes, scholarship application deadlines, graduation stuff and a whole slew of other tidbits are being thrown at us at such a rapid pace I'm hardly able to enjoy the fact that my son is a senior. But he's at least enjoying it, which is all that really matters anyway.
This past weekend was really weird too - I left him home while I went back to visit the family for Neewollah (which, if you didn't figure it out yet, is Halloween spelled backward). He had a Halloween party to go to Saturday night and made the decision to hang out with friends instead of go to Neewollah - after all, he's been to it nearly every year of his life. Therefore, I couldn't deny him that option. He'll be making alot more choices throughout this year and into the next, so I figured it was a good time to start making more of those difficult decisions.
With my guidance, none-the-less. :-)
Even so, it was odd and yet kinda nice to have time to myself, though his younger cousin missed him. Have a feeling that time to myself is going to increase substantially very soon.
So if those changes weren't enough to deal with lately, I've had another realization this past week or so. Can't really put my finger on exactly when it really began to solidify in my mind, but it has to do with my schooling and future plans. My brain has been chewing on this and then some things were said this past weekend while with the family that has me thinking even more about it this week. One of my instructors even brought up the subject today and we discussed it at length.
But that's going to have to wait for another entry.
After all, I've got enough going on at present to fill my time. This one is going to be a biggie.
Can you believe we've already ordered graduation announcements, cap and gown, etc., etc.????? And right as I'm trying to purchase a few very minimal Christmas gifts.
But that's another story.
Yes, scholarship application deadlines, graduation stuff and a whole slew of other tidbits are being thrown at us at such a rapid pace I'm hardly able to enjoy the fact that my son is a senior. But he's at least enjoying it, which is all that really matters anyway.
This past weekend was really weird too - I left him home while I went back to visit the family for Neewollah (which, if you didn't figure it out yet, is Halloween spelled backward). He had a Halloween party to go to Saturday night and made the decision to hang out with friends instead of go to Neewollah - after all, he's been to it nearly every year of his life. Therefore, I couldn't deny him that option. He'll be making alot more choices throughout this year and into the next, so I figured it was a good time to start making more of those difficult decisions.
With my guidance, none-the-less. :-)
Even so, it was odd and yet kinda nice to have time to myself, though his younger cousin missed him. Have a feeling that time to myself is going to increase substantially very soon.
So if those changes weren't enough to deal with lately, I've had another realization this past week or so. Can't really put my finger on exactly when it really began to solidify in my mind, but it has to do with my schooling and future plans. My brain has been chewing on this and then some things were said this past weekend while with the family that has me thinking even more about it this week. One of my instructors even brought up the subject today and we discussed it at length.
But that's going to have to wait for another entry.
After all, I've got enough going on at present to fill my time. This one is going to be a biggie.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Homecoming Happenings
Well tonight is the night of homecoming and all goes well thus far.
My son still is on tap with his date (they confirmed pick-up this afternoon) and has plans to meet with a group of friends and their dates for dinner before the dance. They're all looking forward to a fun, splendid time together.
Once again, we're having positive moments that continue to build on each other throughout his milestones of life. Senior year grades are holding up very well, he's connected deeply with guys in his youth group and made tons of new friends, his connection to the Lord is growing stronger every day, college is heavily in focus, and now an opportunity to take a lovely young lady to his high school dance.
This week we spent some time re-watching some of his Mark Gungor DVD's concerning Sex, Dating, and Relating. Then there's the Manly Man conference bonus DVD, but you don't want me to go there.
I've tried very hard to raise my son with a positive awareness of what it means to be a man of courage and character, to understand the differences in how men and women think, to be aware of pitfalls in dating and relationships, and to see realistically how physical intimacy in a relationship too often replaces true intimacy. These DVD's don't necessarily try to give a moral argument against sex and its equivalents before marriage (though they are from a Christian perspective) but a real-world argument about how physical intimacy before marriage too often destroys the foundation and trust needed for a marriage to succeed long-term.
I think we can see how that is daily played out in our culture.
I've made my own mistakes in this regard and wish very much to protect my son from the hurt, heartache, and disappointment that destruction leaves in its wake. I know in the end it will be his choice how to conduct himself in his relationships as he leaves the nest. But I never want him to come back and ask why no one ever told him. For me, I want to know that my son has a chance to live life and live it abundantly.
Maybe then he can be part of the solution instead of continuing to be a part of the problem. But for tonight, we'll just get past homecoming and his first real date.
Lord help me be able to sleep tonight. :-)
My son still is on tap with his date (they confirmed pick-up this afternoon) and has plans to meet with a group of friends and their dates for dinner before the dance. They're all looking forward to a fun, splendid time together.
Once again, we're having positive moments that continue to build on each other throughout his milestones of life. Senior year grades are holding up very well, he's connected deeply with guys in his youth group and made tons of new friends, his connection to the Lord is growing stronger every day, college is heavily in focus, and now an opportunity to take a lovely young lady to his high school dance.
This week we spent some time re-watching some of his Mark Gungor DVD's concerning Sex, Dating, and Relating. Then there's the Manly Man conference bonus DVD, but you don't want me to go there.
I've tried very hard to raise my son with a positive awareness of what it means to be a man of courage and character, to understand the differences in how men and women think, to be aware of pitfalls in dating and relationships, and to see realistically how physical intimacy in a relationship too often replaces true intimacy. These DVD's don't necessarily try to give a moral argument against sex and its equivalents before marriage (though they are from a Christian perspective) but a real-world argument about how physical intimacy before marriage too often destroys the foundation and trust needed for a marriage to succeed long-term.
I think we can see how that is daily played out in our culture.
I've made my own mistakes in this regard and wish very much to protect my son from the hurt, heartache, and disappointment that destruction leaves in its wake. I know in the end it will be his choice how to conduct himself in his relationships as he leaves the nest. But I never want him to come back and ask why no one ever told him. For me, I want to know that my son has a chance to live life and live it abundantly.
Maybe then he can be part of the solution instead of continuing to be a part of the problem. But for tonight, we'll just get past homecoming and his first real date.
Lord help me be able to sleep tonight. :-)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Fast and Furious
October is here - the air has turned cool (thankfully) - the leaves are beginning to drop.
The college applications are coming in fast and furious.
For weeks now, my son has been bombarded with letters, postcards, and applications for various colleges throughout the country. My head is spinning, much less his. But he thinks he now knows where he'd like to attend next year, so we're at least getting a few items checked off the long list.
Now if we can stop adding five for each item we check off.
However, yesterday the mailbox contained something a little new. The college he's decided upon sent an unsolicited scholarship for the Dean's Scholarship, based upon his ACT scores. It's small but it is something and hopefully only one of many to come his way. He's planning to apply for a music scholarship as well so it would be wonderful to see that pan out for him too.
In the meantime, my hands are busy tapping away at admissions and scholarship application forms to guide my son through the process. Good thing I'm a writer, otherwise my fingers would be numb by now.
Makes me wonder what winter will bring.
The college applications are coming in fast and furious.
For weeks now, my son has been bombarded with letters, postcards, and applications for various colleges throughout the country. My head is spinning, much less his. But he thinks he now knows where he'd like to attend next year, so we're at least getting a few items checked off the long list.
Now if we can stop adding five for each item we check off.
However, yesterday the mailbox contained something a little new. The college he's decided upon sent an unsolicited scholarship for the Dean's Scholarship, based upon his ACT scores. It's small but it is something and hopefully only one of many to come his way. He's planning to apply for a music scholarship as well so it would be wonderful to see that pan out for him too.
In the meantime, my hands are busy tapping away at admissions and scholarship application forms to guide my son through the process. Good thing I'm a writer, otherwise my fingers would be numb by now.
Makes me wonder what winter will bring.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Worship
Worship service was so amazing this morning!
Our church choir sang a variety of powerful songs this morning, all humming along the same theme - majesty and glory. Then to top it off, we sang the incredible octavo "Majesty of Glory of Your Name".
This was a piece I first was introduced to in my college choir. The incredible flowing beauty of the song quickly found its place in my heart, mind, and soul and has never left since.
Our church choir has brought it out from time-to-time in my adult years - not often enough for me, I must admit. Years pass between the opportunities to sing it. But each time we pull it out of the hallowed music library halls, I never need to look at the music score. It is so deeply ingrained in my heart and soul that it will never leave.
That's why I was so honored and blessed to be asked to recite a piece, written so long ago, as an introduction to today's lyrical offering - The Creation, by James Weldon Johnson. It is a brief descriptive of that moment so long ago when God's creative mind was on display as the universe came into being.
Tonight I went for an evening walk down the darkened pathways and just stared up into the clear blackened sky, spangled with the moon and stars. Even in the midst of a trying year, I felt the majesty of His presence in the deepening night, the words of the song this morning drifting over my mind once again.
And I worshiped.
Our church choir sang a variety of powerful songs this morning, all humming along the same theme - majesty and glory. Then to top it off, we sang the incredible octavo "Majesty of Glory of Your Name".
This was a piece I first was introduced to in my college choir. The incredible flowing beauty of the song quickly found its place in my heart, mind, and soul and has never left since.
Our church choir has brought it out from time-to-time in my adult years - not often enough for me, I must admit. Years pass between the opportunities to sing it. But each time we pull it out of the hallowed music library halls, I never need to look at the music score. It is so deeply ingrained in my heart and soul that it will never leave.
That's why I was so honored and blessed to be asked to recite a piece, written so long ago, as an introduction to today's lyrical offering - The Creation, by James Weldon Johnson. It is a brief descriptive of that moment so long ago when God's creative mind was on display as the universe came into being.
Tonight I went for an evening walk down the darkened pathways and just stared up into the clear blackened sky, spangled with the moon and stars. Even in the midst of a trying year, I felt the majesty of His presence in the deepening night, the words of the song this morning drifting over my mind once again.
And I worshiped.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Method To My Madness
Well this week is pre-enrollment for next year. My son and I have spent a great deal of time reviewing class requirements and fun electives as he continues to push toward high school graduation.
So hard to believe we'll be there in two short years.
These previous two years I specifically made him take some courses that are required for graduation, but that he could take anytime during his four years of high school.
At first he didn't understand why I was requiring him to get those classes out of the way so quickly during his freshman and sophomore years. Now that we're gearing up for his junior year, he sees the validity of my thinking.
See, there is method to my madness.
In a few short months he will have satisfied all of the graduation required credits like speech, computer, social sciences, etc., leaving him with nearly complete freedom to choose classes to fill his remaining years. All he has to do is just take another English requirement, a math requirement, and U.S. History.
The rest will be just for fun.
So he's planning to take a special invitation-only music class, take theatre, a technology class, drawing, web design. Oh, and he decided that he'd go ahead and get Principles of Economics out of the way.
Not a graduation requirement - a mom requirement.
Far too few people these days understand even the most basic economic principles. My son won't be one of them. Heck, at this point he could almost teach the class based upon what he's learned here at home.
Then his senior year he can have some fun and also take some dual credit classes for college credit. The way we've figured it, once he finishes high school he'll have already obtained an entire semester of college credits.
With the Europe trip coming up, he'll also be eligible for college credit there too. This way he'll be well ahead of the game and at a discount for dear old mom.
Showing, once again, that there's always method to my madness. It just takes awhile to see it sometimes. But I think the light is beginning to dawn for my son, and he's liking what he sees.
So hard to believe we'll be there in two short years.
These previous two years I specifically made him take some courses that are required for graduation, but that he could take anytime during his four years of high school.
At first he didn't understand why I was requiring him to get those classes out of the way so quickly during his freshman and sophomore years. Now that we're gearing up for his junior year, he sees the validity of my thinking.
See, there is method to my madness.
In a few short months he will have satisfied all of the graduation required credits like speech, computer, social sciences, etc., leaving him with nearly complete freedom to choose classes to fill his remaining years. All he has to do is just take another English requirement, a math requirement, and U.S. History.
The rest will be just for fun.
So he's planning to take a special invitation-only music class, take theatre, a technology class, drawing, web design. Oh, and he decided that he'd go ahead and get Principles of Economics out of the way.
Not a graduation requirement - a mom requirement.
Far too few people these days understand even the most basic economic principles. My son won't be one of them. Heck, at this point he could almost teach the class based upon what he's learned here at home.
Then his senior year he can have some fun and also take some dual credit classes for college credit. The way we've figured it, once he finishes high school he'll have already obtained an entire semester of college credits.
With the Europe trip coming up, he'll also be eligible for college credit there too. This way he'll be well ahead of the game and at a discount for dear old mom.
Showing, once again, that there's always method to my madness. It just takes awhile to see it sometimes. But I think the light is beginning to dawn for my son, and he's liking what he sees.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Saw a commercial this evening about a lady sneaking health food into the movie theatre. Oh, it got me thinking of my college days.
Being poor college students, my best friend and I would go to the dollar movies on occasion for some sort of entertainment. Of course, that was when the dollar movies were actually a DOLLAR, and they made their money off of ridiculous prices for concessions. Once again, being poor college students, we made do with our own concessions.
At that time, I was in possession of the biggest silver lame purse you'd ever seen. It made for a perfect snack bin. Before heading off to the movie theatre, we would swing through McDonald's, Taco Bell, whatever fast food joint was on the way and garner some cheap food. Depending on how brave we were that evening, we'd either get sodas at the food joint or run to a convenience store and get bottled soda. Then it was off to the movies.
After we parked at the theatres, I would empty everything out of my purse and stuff it in the glove box. Then the food and sodas would take its place, topped off by my wallet. Hey, I still had to pay for my ticket. We even got an entire dozen Winchell's donuts and two bottles of milk into my purse one night. That was quite the feat indeed.
We never had a food or drink accident in my purse, but we did almost get caught one night. That was back when the ushers actually walked down the aisles during the movie looking for "contraband". But seriously, how easily can they see all the way across the aisle if you're holding their cup or a Micky D's cup. I mean seriously!
I'm no longer a poor college student and can afford to pay the ridiculous concessions prices. But I still know of a few people who continue to carry contraband into the theatres. You'll never get me to squeal.
Being poor college students, my best friend and I would go to the dollar movies on occasion for some sort of entertainment. Of course, that was when the dollar movies were actually a DOLLAR, and they made their money off of ridiculous prices for concessions. Once again, being poor college students, we made do with our own concessions.
At that time, I was in possession of the biggest silver lame purse you'd ever seen. It made for a perfect snack bin. Before heading off to the movie theatre, we would swing through McDonald's, Taco Bell, whatever fast food joint was on the way and garner some cheap food. Depending on how brave we were that evening, we'd either get sodas at the food joint or run to a convenience store and get bottled soda. Then it was off to the movies.
After we parked at the theatres, I would empty everything out of my purse and stuff it in the glove box. Then the food and sodas would take its place, topped off by my wallet. Hey, I still had to pay for my ticket. We even got an entire dozen Winchell's donuts and two bottles of milk into my purse one night. That was quite the feat indeed.
We never had a food or drink accident in my purse, but we did almost get caught one night. That was back when the ushers actually walked down the aisles during the movie looking for "contraband". But seriously, how easily can they see all the way across the aisle if you're holding their cup or a Micky D's cup. I mean seriously!
I'm no longer a poor college student and can afford to pay the ridiculous concessions prices. But I still know of a few people who continue to carry contraband into the theatres. You'll never get me to squeal.
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