Secret Likes

I once heard someone say that when you love someone, you start to love the things they love too. This couldn't be more true. Some things though, we never like, or only secretly start to like. Golf is one of those things I don't think I'm ever going to like. But I like Adam playing golf. Or standing in the military history section of Barnes and Noble. I will never find enjoyment in that, but I do like going with Adam. I like going to the museums and air shows. (It's going to the same museum ten times that I dislike). I love living on an air station and being around helicopters flying overhead all the time. I pretend to be annoyed or disinterested sometimes, but I, too, crane my neck to watch their pattern in the sky.

Adam is the same way. He pretends to think some of the things I do are lame. But I know secretly, he likes it. He likes that I love decorating the house and he'll help me pick things out. Or shows I watch on tv that are lame to pretty much everybody, he'll watch and take interest. He pretends to be bored and sigh when I'm looking at jewelry, but he never insists on leaving and always buys me something cool.

All of this became so evident at the beach over the Fourth of July weekend. We went with my college friends Brooke and Rich, Dan and Kelly, and Emily. Whenever I go to the beach I love to collect shells. I have a jar of shells from all the beaches we've lived at and visited. I like to use them in decorations or as mulch in containers. And as I walk on the beach and dig up shells in the sand, Adam just laughs at me and says I'm ridiculous. But for almost an hour that Monday on the beach, he collected shells for me. He wanted to get all the good ones that were right at the base of where the waves were crashing. So as each wave filtered back into the ocean, he would run in and pick up handfuls and shells and rocks and come running to put the good ones in my hands. He was so sweet collecting shells I didn't want to throw a single one back.

When you love someone, you love all that comes with them. Openly or secretly, I am blessed to have someone who loves all that comes with me.

Masters of Art in Procrastination

This is my life right now (and has been for the last 5 months):

I have sat at this table reading, typing, researching, writing papers and building now a second website for a final portfolio. I started grad school in January of 2007. Three and half years later, I want so desperately to be done. And yet, I think I'm afraid to let go. In this, my last class of grad school EVER, I have hit a wall. I have pushed off this assignment (that I have barely started and is due tomorrow by 5) and I know it's because I'm scared. Scared that all the work has not been good enough, scared that I don't know what an "instructional technologist" really is, and scared to turn in this portfolio for fear that it does not prove I have mastered this content, but only proves I have just begun to understand. I don't want to let go yet. I have loved and loathed grad school, but mostly loved. I have no sentimental attachment to professors, or classmates, or the campus I have not actually stepped foot on but once in 2003 before grad school was even a thought. I just will miss so much: the learning, the work, the feedback on my work, and the feeling of accomplishment when that paper or project is finally done. I know I already have opportunities to continue research, writing, and development in this area and still gain feedback from peers, but it won't be the same. When I finish I'll be expected to be a professional Instructional Technologist, but I'm afraid I'll just be an imposter.

Just thinking....

I might not be cut out to be a blogger. For one thing, I don't post very often. I also usually get halfway through a post and then get bored and save it for later. And since I have a million unfinished posts that I have yet to finish, later really means never.

I do have an explanation though. I hate using this word anymore since it seems to be the only one that has summed up my life, but I've been busy. We've been busy. Oh my goodness there is so much to catch up on in the blog and I just couldn't possibly do it all justice. So I won't try.

But, if you were the least bit interested, here's a quick list:
1. Grad school thesis project = 180 hours of research, training, blogging, collaborating, evaluating, and website creation complete!
2. Adam's first grad school classes have begun.
3. I finished a successful year at the brand new school and was really pleased with test scores overall. Preparing to teach second grade next year-so excited!
4. Adam's good friend got married in Charleston and as a groomsman, a trip south ensued.
5. Gabriel graduated from high school! (Also trip-worthy)
6. Outer Banks with college friends!

We're home for two weeks of cleaning and grad school work (and seeing friends) before we head up to White Sulphur Springs for an Officer's Christian Fellowship retreat for a week. After that, I'll be submitting my final portfolio to graduate and school will start. Adam will be going to VA Beach for training, then California before becoming the Forward Air Controller for the 22nd MEU which he will deploy with again next year.

Life is full and life is grand. We are very happy.