Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Writing Again
My sister gave me a novel writing kit for Christmas. Ten years ago I started writing a young adult novel. My mentor critiqued my writing with such enthusiasm, complimenting the emotions expressed and felt as she read. I was unaware of how I had accomplished such literary genius, and eventually, after my semester class was over and the realities of adult life overwhelmed, I succumbed to laziness and put the writing aside. I haven't stopped buying writing prompt books, or listening to Natalie Goldberg and her lectures on writing, but actually writing has happened in sparse episodes, often years apart.
The kit, "No plot? No problem!", challenges the writer to complete a novel, albeit a rough first draft, in one month. Created by the founder of the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the kit has you sign your life away to writing. It includes a contract to be signed by you and a witness, encouragement cards (one for each day of the month) to keep you in a positive mind set, and other tools to help you succeed in the challenge.
When I first looked through the kit, I said I would complete the challenge three times this year: once in January, once in May, and then again in November (the actual NaNoWriMo). Three novels in one year. It's the 19th of January, and I have one "okay" chapter written. I hate the way it ended, but no editing on the first draft. So what to do? Can I catch up? Should I change the one thing at the end of the chapter I've written so I atleast like where my story will go?
The kit, "No plot? No problem!", challenges the writer to complete a novel, albeit a rough first draft, in one month. Created by the founder of the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the kit has you sign your life away to writing. It includes a contract to be signed by you and a witness, encouragement cards (one for each day of the month) to keep you in a positive mind set, and other tools to help you succeed in the challenge.
When I first looked through the kit, I said I would complete the challenge three times this year: once in January, once in May, and then again in November (the actual NaNoWriMo). Three novels in one year. It's the 19th of January, and I have one "okay" chapter written. I hate the way it ended, but no editing on the first draft. So what to do? Can I catch up? Should I change the one thing at the end of the chapter I've written so I atleast like where my story will go?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Winter in New England
So, winter has only been official for about 8 days now, but it seemed to come early to Massachusetts. We had a terrible ice storm causing most to lose power for at least a day, and some lost power for about 11 days. Last weekend it started snowing on Friday around 2pm and didn't stop until sometime during the night on Sunday. And, yet, yesterday it was 60 degrees here. No wonder New Englanders have a reputation for unfriendliness. When you have to deal with this kind of dramatic change in weather within two weeks, frustration ensues and no one wants to talk to someone else when they're frustrated.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanks Giving
Reading this with family and friends is going to become a part of my yearly Thanksgivng Day celebration. Enjoy (and don't overstuff yourself today)!
Thanksgiving Proclamation
A Proclamation of Thanksgiving by President George Washington
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:
"NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
Thanksgiving Proclamation
A Proclamation of Thanksgiving by President George Washington
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:
"NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
20, 10, 5, 3, 1, and so on . . .
SO, I saw this on a friend's blog and thought, "Ooooh, fun." Yes, I am one of the ones who actually likes filling out forms and those semi-obnoxious "get-to-know-you" email forwards. So here you go:
20 Years Ago: 9 years old, Charlottesville, VA. I had just started my first year at Woodbrook Elementary school because my family was finally able to buy a house. I had no friends. My original teacher, Ms.Price, only taught me for about a week and a half. Her replacement, Ms. Cleveland, almost made me quit school. I had gone from being a gifted, creative student, to needing encouragement to complete homework in less than 4 months.
10 Years Ago: 19 years old, Provo, UT. I had just been offered the job of resident assistant at Brigham Young University. I had applied in the spring, but hadn't been selected. However, one of the RAs was leaving, so they needed a replacement, and I was chosen. At the time I was living south of campus in the Miller Apartments with 5 other girls, 4 of whom had been on my freshman floor in Hinckley Hall. It was also at this time that I declared my major as English after going through about five other majors (Music, Anthropology, Political Science, Food Science & Nutrition, etc.).
5 Years Ago: 24 years old, Chino, CA. I was serving as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Arcadia Mission. It was my second stint in Chino (I had started there, gone to Arcadia, then Rowland Heights, and then back to Chino) and the great foothill fires of 2003 were in full force. We would go out to our car in the mornings, having to brush off the ash. Our clothes smelled of fire, but we were sharing the gospel. Most people just thought we were crazy for being out in the fires, but that didn't keep them from not letting us in their homes. And really, those same people would have thought we were crazy even if it hadn't been all fire and brimstone outside.
3 Years Ago: 26, Charlottesville, VA. I was working full time at the University of Virginia Medical Center as a Health Unit Coordinator of 3 Central, a general medicine unit. I was also working part time as a mommy's helper for a beautiful family whose 22 month old son had just been diagnosed with autism. They were expecting their second child at the end of October, and wanted someone to help out with the son's therapies & playgroups, the around the house stuff, and the new baby. That job began my career in special education and I am forever indebted to that family.
1 Year Ago: 28, Hudson, MA. Starting my second year as a teacher at a private school for children with autism, as well as my second year in a masters degree program in Special Need Eduction through Simmons College. I had also just moved to Hudson after living too far away from my job in Somerville, MA.
So Far This Year: Turned 29 on March 14th, still in Hudson, MA. I have had physical therapy, chiropractic care, and now one epidural steroid injection for an injury sustained at work last December. Gone to Mexico with my mom to visit my sister who was teaching English there. While in Mexico, I walked the streets of Teotihuacan and climbed the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Visited Charlottesville, and, even though I lived there for most of my life, went to the Farmer's Market on Water Street for the first time. In July, I finished, presented, and received a perfect score on my masters' thesis which studied a concurrent-chain method of assessing the preference for sameness and routine in children with autism. I have also started my two semesters of practicum in order to finish my master's degree.
Yesterday: Still 29 and still in Hudson, MA. Worked with three students at school after being cleared to work with students again on Tuesday. After work I got money orders for my bills, did a little grocery shopping and finally filled my gas tank ($3.10/gallon). I then went home and watched CSI season 8 on Netflix.
Today: 29, Hudson, MA. Slept in 'til 10am, watched the last few episodes of CSI season 8 and the first episode of season 9 (cried too much when Warrick died). Went to Walmart to finish grocery shopping. Came home and watched Dave In Real Life (cried again). And now I've been blogging and catching up on friends' blogs.
Tomorrow: Plan to go to Stake Conference in Weston, MA (I'm a member of the Boston Stake). I'll call my mom as per usual on Sundays and probably rest.
In the Next Year: Graduate with a masters in Special Education-Moderate/Severe Need. Turn 30 (GASP!!!!). Land a higher paying teaching job either at the school where I currently am or a near by public school. Possibly meet the man of my dreams and get married. Finally write my Tony award winning musical and be set financially. Big dreams, my friends. Big dreams.
20 Years Ago: 9 years old, Charlottesville, VA. I had just started my first year at Woodbrook Elementary school because my family was finally able to buy a house. I had no friends. My original teacher, Ms.Price, only taught me for about a week and a half. Her replacement, Ms. Cleveland, almost made me quit school. I had gone from being a gifted, creative student, to needing encouragement to complete homework in less than 4 months.
10 Years Ago: 19 years old, Provo, UT. I had just been offered the job of resident assistant at Brigham Young University. I had applied in the spring, but hadn't been selected. However, one of the RAs was leaving, so they needed a replacement, and I was chosen. At the time I was living south of campus in the Miller Apartments with 5 other girls, 4 of whom had been on my freshman floor in Hinckley Hall. It was also at this time that I declared my major as English after going through about five other majors (Music, Anthropology, Political Science, Food Science & Nutrition, etc.).
5 Years Ago: 24 years old, Chino, CA. I was serving as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California Arcadia Mission. It was my second stint in Chino (I had started there, gone to Arcadia, then Rowland Heights, and then back to Chino) and the great foothill fires of 2003 were in full force. We would go out to our car in the mornings, having to brush off the ash. Our clothes smelled of fire, but we were sharing the gospel. Most people just thought we were crazy for being out in the fires, but that didn't keep them from not letting us in their homes. And really, those same people would have thought we were crazy even if it hadn't been all fire and brimstone outside.
3 Years Ago: 26, Charlottesville, VA. I was working full time at the University of Virginia Medical Center as a Health Unit Coordinator of 3 Central, a general medicine unit. I was also working part time as a mommy's helper for a beautiful family whose 22 month old son had just been diagnosed with autism. They were expecting their second child at the end of October, and wanted someone to help out with the son's therapies & playgroups, the around the house stuff, and the new baby. That job began my career in special education and I am forever indebted to that family.
1 Year Ago: 28, Hudson, MA. Starting my second year as a teacher at a private school for children with autism, as well as my second year in a masters degree program in Special Need Eduction through Simmons College. I had also just moved to Hudson after living too far away from my job in Somerville, MA.
So Far This Year: Turned 29 on March 14th, still in Hudson, MA. I have had physical therapy, chiropractic care, and now one epidural steroid injection for an injury sustained at work last December. Gone to Mexico with my mom to visit my sister who was teaching English there. While in Mexico, I walked the streets of Teotihuacan and climbed the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon. Visited Charlottesville, and, even though I lived there for most of my life, went to the Farmer's Market on Water Street for the first time. In July, I finished, presented, and received a perfect score on my masters' thesis which studied a concurrent-chain method of assessing the preference for sameness and routine in children with autism. I have also started my two semesters of practicum in order to finish my master's degree.
Yesterday: Still 29 and still in Hudson, MA. Worked with three students at school after being cleared to work with students again on Tuesday. After work I got money orders for my bills, did a little grocery shopping and finally filled my gas tank ($3.10/gallon). I then went home and watched CSI season 8 on Netflix.
Today: 29, Hudson, MA. Slept in 'til 10am, watched the last few episodes of CSI season 8 and the first episode of season 9 (cried too much when Warrick died). Went to Walmart to finish grocery shopping. Came home and watched Dave In Real Life (cried again). And now I've been blogging and catching up on friends' blogs.
Tomorrow: Plan to go to Stake Conference in Weston, MA (I'm a member of the Boston Stake). I'll call my mom as per usual on Sundays and probably rest.
In the Next Year: Graduate with a masters in Special Education-Moderate/Severe Need. Turn 30 (GASP!!!!). Land a higher paying teaching job either at the school where I currently am or a near by public school. Possibly meet the man of my dreams and get married. Finally write my Tony award winning musical and be set financially. Big dreams, my friends. Big dreams.
Pain in the Butt
So, for the last nine months I have been dealing with a major pain in my butt, literally. In December I sustained an injury while at work and I've been trying to heal ever since. I started with physical therapy which helped to a point, but then my pain plateaued and I was sent to a chiropractor. He helped a lot, and in April it seemed as if things were back to normal. But in mid July I had a relapse, pain causing me to awake several times a night to take pain meds. I was sent to a physiatrist (it took over a month and a half to actually see him) who suggested epidural steroid injections (ESI). I had had them before for a previous injury with almost instant relief, so I consented. It took another two weeks before I could get the first injection. I was hoping for results similar to my previous experience with ESI, but no such luck. My pain actually got worse and has stayed worse. I am waiting for the physiatist's billing department and the worker's compensation insurance to negotiate a price for a second injection that will cover more epidural space in hopes that it will help. If not I get to look forward to a wonderful procedure called electromyography, EMG, where they will stick solid metal needles into my muscles near the nerves that run through them and see what they do when they are electrically shocked by reading the sound waves they produce when voltage is applied. Yahoo!!! Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Friday, August 29, 2008
New School Year!!!
Yesterday my school year officially started when I visited the elementary school where I'll be doing my inclusion practicum for my master's degree. I am working in a 3rd grade classroom with 18 wonderful students. I helped them prepare for a get to know you game they were going to play today. I am even more excited now that I've met the students. It's going to be a stupendous year!
My Summer
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I consider my summer actually starting in April when I used my passport for the first time and flew to Mexico to visit my sister. She was teaching English in Tehuacan, Puebla, and I hadn't seen her for about a year and a half, so my mom and I met in Atlanta and flew to Mexico City to meet my sister. We then spent 3.5 hours on a bus, finally arriving at my sister's apartment at about midnight. We spent three days in her little town, visiting the town hall, the HUGE outdoor market, the Official Domestication of Corn Museum (that's "corn", mom, not "porn"), and eating wonderfully fresh mexican food. We spent a day visiting the ruins at Teotihuacan, and then took a bus tour of Mexico City. It was an amazing trip!!!!
In May and June I was lucky enough to take group voice lessons from a former BYU Young Embassador. She was extremely helpful in helping me learn how to improve my voice, and I am lucky enough to be starting private lessons with her in September.
At the end of July I finished and submitted my Master's thesis and presented my research at my school's annual poster session. I received a perfect score on both my thesis and poster. Yahoo!!!!
My summer ended with a quit trip to Virginia to relax post-thesis. I was able to visit with the family I assisted before I moved to Massachusetts, play with my sister while she was home for 6 weeks, and help my mom out while she was in a cast and restricted to using a wheelchair and walker to get around (she broke her leg at the end of June, requiring surgery to plate and screw her bones back together). It was a fabulous and refreshing trip.
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