The end is in sight

So even though I won't be automatically transferring to a 4 year school after I complete my transfer degree, I do have to share with you all that I have finally registered for my final quarter of school, and filled out my diploma application, today.

Now you would think that with it being the final quarter of school that I would be trying to take it easy, right? Ummm, I was talked out of that by the VA rep at my school. See there is a clause in the VA that if you are in your last quarter of school that you can take whatever classes you want to, regardless of whether they apply to your degree or not, so that you can get the max benefits from your GI Bill. So that is what I decided to take advantage of.

Here is my schedule:
Statistics
Intro to Marketing
Interpersonal Communication

The only way that I'm actually able to do it is that my time will be evenly distributed between SVC, work, and home. My Stats class will be taken in the classroom. There's noway that I'm trying to do that class online. I've never dealt with a math that high before so I think it behooves me to do it in class if at all possible. My Interpersonal Communication class will be cake. Obviously I'm a communicator and so I'm not worried about this class at all. I've heard from others that it's a really easy class. The last class is what made me think that a full time school schedule would be possible. See my offical work title is Marketing Assistant, and at other times my boss has allowed the other admin staffers to take online classes that pertain to their jobs. So I asked if he would extend the same courtesy towards me, even though my class will be more time intensive then the previous one that were taken. Well, as long as I can keep up with my other work there is no problem with me using work time to take this class.

So what will be my motivation this quarter to help me get through my goal? Well, with the money I'm already using to pay off my Visa and puting another huge chunk of money down on that, thanks to my GI Bill, after the quarter is over with I should be within a year of having it all paid off. This is what motivates me. I do have many other plates in the air, but because I only have one Bible institute class during that time, since I've already taken Angelology, I see this schedule a attainable . . . with a lot of prayer.

Will I tranfer to a 4 year school? I'm praying about it. I want to, but is it what God wants me to do? That is the question. After the business of these past 2 years I'm taking a much needed hiatus. There have been things that I haven't been able to give good concentration, or quality time, to. I have home projects to work on and "play dates" to make with the girls. Plus I'm really more interested at this point of honing in on my domestic skills and becoming that woman that God wants me to be, for Him, for myself , for my friends and church family, and for the future husband that He wants to bless me with (no nothing going on in that area of my life, these are just things that I know need to take place so that I can have the future household that I want). I'll still investigate further financial aid options for school and submit the neccessary applications, just in case this is the road that the Lord would have for me, but my heart just isn't there right now and I think that denotes some attention to be paid to it, and bathed in prayer.

Philippians 4:6 ~ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

How thankful have I been lately in my prayer life? If I'm keeping it real, I'm not sure. But I should take better care of that.

Psalm 37:4 ~ Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

This is the one that needs attention paid to it. How often do I really "delight in the Lord"? And that's not just saying,"Oh I love the Lord today." But really finding strength, hope, fun and peace in his will and tasks that we would execute for him. How often do you find yourself doing that? When was the last time that you really enjoyed the Lords work?

Please share in the comments an answer to either of these questions if you feel so inclined.

Roller Skating

I'm just one big kid! This is an activity that I don't do often, but when I do it reminds me of my childhood. Ne'er was there a summer that I was not out on our back porch, or garage, rolling around on my skates while listening to my Walkman and getting hollered at by my mom to take of my skates in the house.

The exchange went something like this:

Mom: Take off your skates in the house!
Me: But I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be out in two minutes.
Mom: Take them off if your going to cross the carpet.
Me: But by the time I take them off I could have already been in and out of the bathroom.
Mom (again): Take them off in the house! I'm not going to say it again.

Of course, at that point, I would try to tempt my fate by then tiptoeing across the carpet on the toe stopper. Which always led to them being taken away from me for the rest of the day. If I had only listened the first time, right? Who knows maybe I could have been the first to push for roller skating in the Olympics;) Ahhh, a child's dreams dashed in the blink of a pee break. Oh, well. There are other dreams to fulfill. But that does bring me to the events of this past week. A roller skating teen/SPG activity which we were asked to join in with a church that we know up in Bellingham.

The skating was fun. . .

Falling not so much. . .

I was the first and only injury of the night too. Go figure! The first one to accept the offer and the one most excited about it, is the one that ended up going down. Somehow, in my minds eye while reliving my former skating glory, I failed to remember that gravity is no skaters friend. I had not been out on the floor for 5 minutes when Alyssa began to "congratulate" me on staying vertical, "Hey look at Carolyn! Way to go!" When I fell down. . . KERR PLOP! and right on my right hand too. In a job where I have to type all day a hand injury is a nightmare to deal with. Nothing was broken though, thankfully. That's a Dr./Emergency room bill that I wouldn't want to deal with. My poor Visa wouldn't be able to take it. Anyway, I sat out for a little bit, but after the dust settled and my hand stopped shaking I got right back out there. Hey, go BIG or go home! Thanks Chris for taking the photo.

Most everyone was on roller blades though. It's got to be a generational thing. Except for Katie who was rockin' it on the blades, she didn't fall once! Even when Isaiah took out Rolando in a feeble attempt to stop. They tumbled right in front of her, body over body, but she dodged the dog pile unscathed.


Joel won the race he was in.

Anna almost won hers, she had them until the final stretch. She's little, but she's mighty. Definitely the fastest body out there.

Everybody basically did there best to stay vertical, Levi's was a matter of heavy concentration.

And no skating trip is complete without a cell phone break.

Despite the injury, I'm not that sore and I'm glad I went. Seriously, people don't believe me when I tell them I'm turning 30 this year (in just a mere 2 months), and I think that it's activities like this that keep the spirit young. Although, the next time may be in the distant future. At least until my wrist stops throbbing.

Do you have any childhood activities that you like to still take part in? If so, what are they? Feel free to share in the comments.

Here are some videos of us skating. The rink had horrible lighting for pics with my camera and I couldn't get it figured out.

#12 on my list, Learn 30 new words (#6)

I'm thinking about changing the name of my blog once my 30 x 30 deadline is up and in searching for a word in the Thesaurus I came across this one.

Convivial
kuhn-viv-ee-uh-l

Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Fun-loving, Jovial

#19 on my list, Read 15 new books (#7)

Why a book on manners? What are manners? Why do we need to concern ourselves with proper etiquette? What priority do we need to place on all the above? "Manners" is defined as our way of acting, our social conduct. Etiquette is the use of good manners. Having good manners and observing the rules of etiquette need not be a burden. It is simply caring about one another's feelings and comfort. It stems from common sense and thoughtfulness. The reason for this book is that it might become a quick reference for those many occasions in which you might have a question as to the right thing to do or say or wear. May your motivation to do the right thing come from a desire to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col. 1:10).

This was a really easy read for book #7 on my list, which was nice considering how busy I've been lately. It was a real blessing to receive from my friend Trish. Her daughter was initially looking at it and she didn't know if they had anymore and so I asked Trish if she knew, as she was purchasing it. She said it was the only one, but then said if I wanted it I could have it, on her. With the stipulation that I DO read it. Well the other day I got the chance as I was waiting for a friend at Starbucks.

Initially I thought there would be more explanation behind the rules, but when you think about it good manners never need any real explanation. You either have them or you don't.

Some of the rules, I thought, were just common sense. Like, A wise Christian woman does not eavesdrop. However, most of these rules, like when walking with a man, it is a womans place to be on the inside of the walk, have pretty much died off in society so it's nice to have a reference to have handy (my dad tought me that rule on one of our father daughter dates when I was 16). And how do I know it's dead, because I've had to tell guys about that rule and the've looked at me like I'm crazy.

Some of the chapters and corresponding rules

1. In the Home
~ The conscientious Christian woman will not allow the slits on her dress to rise higher than the bottom of her knee.
The list of traditional anniversary gifts was also neat.

2. In the House of God
~ The children of a thoughtful Christian woman are not to be found running through the church (this is a huge pet peeve of mine when I see it).

3. In the Market Place
~ The womans escort is to be seated to her left.
One that wasn't mentioned, and my Dad also taught me, is that a man is to be seated facing the door, when sitting in a restaurant.

4. House-Trained
~ Children should not be allowed to interrupt others while they are conversing (another pet peeve).

5. Time for Tea
~ Never extend the ring or pinkie finger while drinking a cup of tea.
I also enjoyed seeing the steeping time for different teas.

If I ever have a daughter it will be a good teaching tool. Of course I'm going to have to learn and practice most of these myself since example really is the best tool in teaching children how to operate in society. Anyway, it's a good book for those who are interested in what the rules of polite society are, or those who really want to put it into practice. If you're interested you can get it through Sword of the Lord Publishers (and yes here's the link for it). They also have one for young men. I'm thinking Christmas presents for next year. Dad, Nancy, what do you think?

Cluster Maps

I really enjoy seeing where people are reading my blog from. Unfortunately every year they archive the Map. I guess it has to do with the amount of storage possible, or something like that. So the lovely people at Cluster Maps have posted a new map for more people to make their mark on. I hope that I end up having more than this over the next year with my blog, especially in South America. My popularity seems to not have caught on there;) The country with the most views of course was North America, thanks to my family, all my crew and people that I've met over the years. A close second was Europe. And coming around the bend in third place was India. Pretty cool:) I can't believe that I've been doing this for a year already. So many things have happened and the Lord has been good through it all. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. Thank you again for stopping by.

Ya'll come back now, ya hear:)