I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M DONE, I'M DONE, I'M DONE, I'M DONE, I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I turned in my last paper today, and I'm hoping I get an awesome grade on it. I really think that's the longest I've ever spent writing one paper. I'm a sit-down-and-write-the-whole-thing kinda girl, but this one just wouldn't come out. So I'm glad that I ended up with 11 pages, and I hope my professor likes it.
We'll see...
But just for the record, I'M DONE WITH MY FIRST SEMESTER!!!!
I got a final presentation grade today for another class- we got a 94%. I'll take it. If I get a 94% on all my finals, I'll be happy.
Now I shall go revel in my doing-nothing-ness, folding warm laundry, watching TV, and watching it snow.
-mollie
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Killing the Christmas Spirit
Given that this is my opening paragraph, is it surprising my enthusiasm for writing the rest of the paper is waning?
Every year, more than 97% of the country's children aged six to seventeen are enrolled in public schools (cite 16). It is estimated that in the year 2010, this population includes almost 50 million children (http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/tables/pop1.asp). Every day, thirteen of those children die from gun violence, 30 are wounded, 202 are arrested for drug offenses, 307 are arrested for violent crimes, 1304 have babies, 2255 drop out of high school, and 5703 are victims of violent crime (cite). Doing the math, this means almost 40% of school-age children have been or will be directly exposed to or involved in any of the above events by the time they graduate from high school. In that same time frame, they will have spent more than 21,000 hours at school, probably leaving much of the remaining 60% exposed to these events indirectly. It is statistically impossible, then, for these events to occur outside of the public school experience. Indeed, it is not surprising that Castro-Blanco (2000, p. 273) summarized, "most crises involving children and adolescents either occur at school, are associated with school, or are first detected at school" (cited in 16).
Every year, more than 97% of the country's children aged six to seventeen are enrolled in public schools (cite 16). It is estimated that in the year 2010, this population includes almost 50 million children (http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/tables/pop1.asp). Every day, thirteen of those children die from gun violence, 30 are wounded, 202 are arrested for drug offenses, 307 are arrested for violent crimes, 1304 have babies, 2255 drop out of high school, and 5703 are victims of violent crime (cite). Doing the math, this means almost 40% of school-age children have been or will be directly exposed to or involved in any of the above events by the time they graduate from high school. In that same time frame, they will have spent more than 21,000 hours at school, probably leaving much of the remaining 60% exposed to these events indirectly. It is statistically impossible, then, for these events to occur outside of the public school experience. Indeed, it is not surprising that Castro-Blanco (2000, p. 273) summarized, "most crises involving children and adolescents either occur at school, are associated with school, or are first detected at school" (cited in 16).
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Random Finals Week Thoughts
I now present to you a list of facts, in order of my reading them, about a variety of random school-related issues. These are all thanks to the much much reading [261 pages of empirical research journals in the last two days!] I'm doing to try and write a paper due next week before my Christmas break can start. I will be adding to the list throughout the night/week, I'm sure.
But to start, here's the first one I couldn't keep to myself:
- Every day, 13 children die from gun violence, 30 are wounded, 202 are arrested for drug offenses, 307 are arrested for violent crimes, 1304 teenagers have babies, 2255 teenagers drop out of high school, and 5703 are victims of violent crime.
... and if that doesn't give you a happy cheery outlook on the world and the future, I don't know what will.
Others:
-17% of almost 250 school psychologists (surveyed in 2007) reported dealing directly with school shootings.They also reported a combined 550 crises (school violence/shootings, student/staff death, etc.) affecting their schools over their career (which was on average 19 years), meaning about 1 every 10 years.
-I don't think articles should use the phrase "successful suicide"- just saying.
-1/3 of children reported they feel unsafe at school.
-In another article, 55% of students surveyed said they know weapons are present in their schools.
But to start, here's the first one I couldn't keep to myself:
- Every day, 13 children die from gun violence, 30 are wounded, 202 are arrested for drug offenses, 307 are arrested for violent crimes, 1304 teenagers have babies, 2255 teenagers drop out of high school, and 5703 are victims of violent crime.
... and if that doesn't give you a happy cheery outlook on the world and the future, I don't know what will.
Others:
-17% of almost 250 school psychologists (surveyed in 2007) reported dealing directly with school shootings.They also reported a combined 550 crises (school violence/shootings, student/staff death, etc.) affecting their schools over their career (which was on average 19 years), meaning about 1 every 10 years.
-I don't think articles should use the phrase "successful suicide"- just saying.
-1/3 of children reported they feel unsafe at school.
-In another article, 55% of students surveyed said they know weapons are present in their schools.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Revision
I take back all the crap I wrote on my Christmas list.
After today, I want THINGS THAT ARE WARM.
That's it.
Please plan accordingly.
But really, I did take the camera and iPod off my list. I really don't need them.
After today, I want THINGS THAT ARE WARM.
That's it.
Please plan accordingly.
But really, I did take the camera and iPod off my list. I really don't need them.
Friday, December 03, 2010
It's A Party!
So, my classes are out for the semester! Yay! Well, except for one next week- one of my PSP core class professors is holding class next week to do a finals session thing.
That's when one of my papers is due, and then I'm done and can turn in my last paper for a different class any time between now and 12/20. Oy.
But anyway- yay! First semester (pretty much) done!
Tonight the HGSE had a party. It was in the basement of the library, which they closed. There was food- some vegetable platters, a warming tray of apple crisp, and four trays of little burgers. We kept thinking they would bring out more food once that was gone (in the first 30 minutes) because HGSE consists of 600+ students. But nope. About an hour and a half later, the coordinator showed up with 6 boxes of pizza, which went quickly too.
So, they ran out of food. But, by golly, they were determined not to run out of alcohol.
After about an hour and a half, the only things left to do were drink and dance; neither one is exactly my strong point.
I sat at a table talking to some girls from my program. One of them is in most of my classes, so we've talked a lot. At orientation, we found out we were both twins. Her twin's name is Emily. Her name is Megan. (Weird!) Well anyway. We were talking tonight and I found out that she was born on April Fool's Day. I said "WHAT?!? SO WAS I!!!" and we had a moment.
So she's a twin, she has my twin's name, and we were all born on the same day. That's a little crazy. We couldn't believe it. So that was the highlight of the night.
Anyway- I left at about 9.30; it goes until 10:30 and then I think people were going out afterwards.
So that's what I did on this December (very cold) Friday night.
Last night I went to the Boston tree lighting on Boston Common, but that's a story for another post. Maybe tomorrow.
Good night all,
mollie
That's when one of my papers is due, and then I'm done and can turn in my last paper for a different class any time between now and 12/20. Oy.
But anyway- yay! First semester (pretty much) done!
Tonight the HGSE had a party. It was in the basement of the library, which they closed. There was food- some vegetable platters, a warming tray of apple crisp, and four trays of little burgers. We kept thinking they would bring out more food once that was gone (in the first 30 minutes) because HGSE consists of 600+ students. But nope. About an hour and a half later, the coordinator showed up with 6 boxes of pizza, which went quickly too.
So, they ran out of food. But, by golly, they were determined not to run out of alcohol.
After about an hour and a half, the only things left to do were drink and dance; neither one is exactly my strong point.
I sat at a table talking to some girls from my program. One of them is in most of my classes, so we've talked a lot. At orientation, we found out we were both twins. Her twin's name is Emily. Her name is Megan. (Weird!) Well anyway. We were talking tonight and I found out that she was born on April Fool's Day. I said "WHAT?!? SO WAS I!!!" and we had a moment.
So she's a twin, she has my twin's name, and we were all born on the same day. That's a little crazy. We couldn't believe it. So that was the highlight of the night.
Anyway- I left at about 9.30; it goes until 10:30 and then I think people were going out afterwards.
So that's what I did on this December (very cold) Friday night.
Last night I went to the Boston tree lighting on Boston Common, but that's a story for another post. Maybe tomorrow.
Good night all,
mollie
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
For the Family
For your shopping pleasure, I've added a list of possible Christmas gift ideas for me over there under my picture. Use the list or don't; it doesn't really matter to me. I just felt like I had to make one because mom was complaining.
Happy Thanksgiving Dickersons! ... and Otts and Busaths!
Happy Thanksgiving Dickersons! ... and Otts and Busaths!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The moment you've been waiting for...
I'm INFJ, or "The Counselor" (good thing...)
I think that's what Jess said she was. We're only 1% of the population!
I think that's what Jess said she was. We're only 1% of the population!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
No Es
Hello to all my non-E people!
Seeing all your quiz results made me realize: No extroverts here! I'm not sure I'm really surprised...
While we're waiting for Mike, who probably won't do it anyway, anyone want to guess mine?
Oh and in case you didn't catch it after you were done, the quiz categorizes you like this:
I vs. E (introvert vs extrovert)
S vs. N (sensing vs. intuiting)
T vs. F (thinking vs. feeling)
J vs. P (judging vs. perceiving)
And yes, Erin, it's based on the MBTI which is expensive and long.
-mollie
p.s.- For mom, here's the quick version of what things mean.
E/I depends on the question, "Where do you prefer to focus your attention?"
E = attuned to external environment, prefer to communicate by talking, learn best through doing and discussing, breadth of interests, tend to speak first and reflect later, sociable and expressive, take initiative in work and relationships
I = drawn to their inner world, prefer to communicate by writing, learn best by reflection, depth of interest, tend to reflect before acting or speaking, private and contained, focus readily
S/N depends on the question, "How do you take in information and find out about things?"
S = focused on what is real and actual, value practical applications, factual and concrete, notice details, observe and remember sequentially, present-oriented, want information step-by-step, trust their experience
N = focus on big pictures, value imaginative thought, abstract and theoretical, see patterns and meanings, future-oriented, trust inspiration
T/F depends on the question, "How do you make decisions?"
T = analytical, logical problem-solvers, use cause-and-effect reasoning, "tough-minded", strive for objective truth, reasonable, fair
F = sympathetic, assess impact on people, guided by personal values, tender-hearted, strive for harmony and validation, compassionate, accepting
J/P depends on the question, "How do your orient yourself towards the outer world?"
J = schedule, organized, systematic, methodical, planning, like closure, like having things decided, avoid last-minute stresses
P = spontaneous, open-ended, casual, flexible, adaptable, like things loose and open to change, feel energized by last-minute pressures
Seeing all your quiz results made me realize: No extroverts here! I'm not sure I'm really surprised...
While we're waiting for Mike, who probably won't do it anyway, anyone want to guess mine?
Oh and in case you didn't catch it after you were done, the quiz categorizes you like this:
I vs. E (introvert vs extrovert)
S vs. N (sensing vs. intuiting)
T vs. F (thinking vs. feeling)
J vs. P (judging vs. perceiving)
And yes, Erin, it's based on the MBTI which is expensive and long.
-mollie
p.s.- For mom, here's the quick version of what things mean.
E/I depends on the question, "Where do you prefer to focus your attention?"
E = attuned to external environment, prefer to communicate by talking, learn best through doing and discussing, breadth of interests, tend to speak first and reflect later, sociable and expressive, take initiative in work and relationships
I = drawn to their inner world, prefer to communicate by writing, learn best by reflection, depth of interest, tend to reflect before acting or speaking, private and contained, focus readily
S/N depends on the question, "How do you take in information and find out about things?"
S = focused on what is real and actual, value practical applications, factual and concrete, notice details, observe and remember sequentially, present-oriented, want information step-by-step, trust their experience
N = focus on big pictures, value imaginative thought, abstract and theoretical, see patterns and meanings, future-oriented, trust inspiration
T/F depends on the question, "How do you make decisions?"
T = analytical, logical problem-solvers, use cause-and-effect reasoning, "tough-minded", strive for objective truth, reasonable, fair
F = sympathetic, assess impact on people, guided by personal values, tender-hearted, strive for harmony and validation, compassionate, accepting
J/P depends on the question, "How do your orient yourself towards the outer world?"
J = schedule, organized, systematic, methodical, planning, like closure, like having things decided, avoid last-minute stresses
P = spontaneous, open-ended, casual, flexible, adaptable, like things loose and open to change, feel energized by last-minute pressures
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Dear family and friends
I have a quiz I want you to take.
CLICK HERE.
And then leave a comment telling me what your four letter code is.
I'll tell you mine when you're done.
CLICK HERE.
And then leave a comment telling me what your four letter code is.
I'll tell you mine when you're done.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Sean Shrine
So my friend Sean (from BYU) has been to Boston twice now, and this week will be his third visit. Lucky for me, he always makes time to see me!
The first time he came was Labor Day weekend, before my school even started. He was here to site-see and do whatever. At the end of October, he was in town again for a medical school interview at BU. This week, he'll be around for an interview at Tufts.
I try to take pictures, but I haven't posted them. So...I present to you: The Sean Shrine.
p.s.- I have no idea how blogger decided they should go in that order...
The first time he came was Labor Day weekend, before my school even started. He was here to site-see and do whatever. At the end of October, he was in town again for a medical school interview at BU. This week, he'll be around for an interview at Tufts.
I try to take pictures, but I haven't posted them. So...I present to you: The Sean Shrine.
p.s.- I have no idea how blogger decided they should go in that order...
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Tribute to Veterans
I'm into the videos lately, I guess. And let me tell you, if this video doesn't make you want to cry, I don't know what will.
To the veterans,
Thank you for the sacrifice you and your families have made to serve our country.
To those actively serving,
I wish you all happy, safe homecomings like these.
-mollie
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Nissan LEAF™: Polar Bear
The beginning of this ad makes me sad, but the end makes me smile. The people in Nissan's advertising department should get a bonus.
-mollie
Monday, November 08, 2010
quick updates
update on the small pond by the washer/dryer:
Joe the Plumber (his real name!) came today while I wasn't home (luckily I cleaned for him) and said the boiler has to be replaced ASAP, or we could have a flood of biblical proportions on our hands. He even gave instructions on how to shut off all the water in case that should occur. But it should be ok, because he scheduled himself to come back ASAP to fix it. And by ASAP, I mean, EIGHT O CLOCK IN THE MORNING tomorrow.
Luckily I have class at 8:30, so I will just have to start my morning routine about 20 minutes earlier in order to avoid an awkward encounter with Joe the Plumber in my bathrobe, or with my dirty underwear on the floor or something. (Note: I never leave my dirty underwear on the floor anyway; that's gross)
update on my coat from Old Navy:
They came today. I tried on the Tall- the sleeves are a little long, but it's comfortable and warm besides, so I'm happy. In other news, the petite made me feel like alice in wonderland after she eats the little cake. So that one's going back to the store.
update on my ward:
I got called to be on the activities committee. I guess this means I have to start going to activities, starting with a progressive dinner/speed dating activity this friday. Booooo! I mean... yay! Is that the right answer here?
update on practicum:
I went on a field trip to the University of New Hampshire today. It was nice. The free lunch was my favorite part. And hanging out with Matt (the intern not from harvard) all day- that was fun. And I get the day off on Thursday- Veteran's Day!! (Unfortunately that just means I have to go on Wednesday...)
update on school:
I got an A and A- on my midterm papers, so things are looking alright so far.
update on roommates:
We stayed up on Saturday night and played Boggle and Pictionary. I didn't do so well at Pictionary, but I rocked at Boggle so my bedroom door now has a "Boggle Princess" sign on it. That's right!
Annnndddddd... the end for now.
Joe the Plumber (his real name!) came today while I wasn't home (luckily I cleaned for him) and said the boiler has to be replaced ASAP, or we could have a flood of biblical proportions on our hands. He even gave instructions on how to shut off all the water in case that should occur. But it should be ok, because he scheduled himself to come back ASAP to fix it. And by ASAP, I mean, EIGHT O CLOCK IN THE MORNING tomorrow.
Luckily I have class at 8:30, so I will just have to start my morning routine about 20 minutes earlier in order to avoid an awkward encounter with Joe the Plumber in my bathrobe, or with my dirty underwear on the floor or something. (Note: I never leave my dirty underwear on the floor anyway; that's gross)
update on my coat from Old Navy:
They came today. I tried on the Tall- the sleeves are a little long, but it's comfortable and warm besides, so I'm happy. In other news, the petite made me feel like alice in wonderland after she eats the little cake. So that one's going back to the store.
update on my ward:
I got called to be on the activities committee. I guess this means I have to start going to activities, starting with a progressive dinner/speed dating activity this friday. Booooo! I mean... yay! Is that the right answer here?
update on practicum:
I went on a field trip to the University of New Hampshire today. It was nice. The free lunch was my favorite part. And hanging out with Matt (the intern not from harvard) all day- that was fun. And I get the day off on Thursday- Veteran's Day!! (Unfortunately that just means I have to go on Wednesday...)
update on school:
I got an A and A- on my midterm papers, so things are looking alright so far.
update on roommates:
We stayed up on Saturday night and played Boggle and Pictionary. I didn't do so well at Pictionary, but I rocked at Boggle so my bedroom door now has a "Boggle Princess" sign on it. That's right!
Annnndddddd... the end for now.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Water Closet.
So, the carpet by the washer and dryer is soaked.
Because there's a water leak.
That's originating from the furnace room of the house.
Which is only accessible through my bedroom closet.
So, the next week or so is bound to be just dandy.
Yay!
Because there's a water leak.
That's originating from the furnace room of the house.
Which is only accessible through my bedroom closet.
So, the next week or so is bound to be just dandy.
Yay!
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Update on my new Coat
You know my life is boring when I write about ordering clothes online...
But to Erin:
I tried on the Large Regular. It was big.And their online sizing chart doesn't help; at least, I have no idea what a 30" sleeve means.
So, now I've ordered a petite medium and a tall medium; I will return whatever one doesn't fit at the store here.
So we'll see!
-mollie
Also, today I turned in three papers, and one yesterday. That makes 7 papers turned in during the last fourteen days. Wahoo!!!! I was SO happy! Now I'm done with assignments for a couple weeks; and only four weeks left in the semester. And Ellis's birthday is tomorrow so we're going to dinner. Yay!
But to Erin:
I tried on the Large Regular. It was big.And their online sizing chart doesn't help; at least, I have no idea what a 30" sleeve means.
So, now I've ordered a petite medium and a tall medium; I will return whatever one doesn't fit at the store here.
So we'll see!
-mollie
Also, today I turned in three papers, and one yesterday. That makes 7 papers turned in during the last fourteen days. Wahoo!!!! I was SO happy! Now I'm done with assignments for a couple weeks; and only four weeks left in the semester. And Ellis's birthday is tomorrow so we're going to dinner. Yay!
Monday, November 01, 2010
Boo. Not in a Halloween-y way.
I'd rather be watching the SNL women's special than writing my paper due tomorrow.
Maybe I can do both?
Or maybe I'll just be staying up late tonight.
But I think it will be worth it; laughing is good.
Plus one of our lectures was canceled for tomorrow (yay!) and we get free lunch!
Maybe I can do both?
Or maybe I'll just be staying up late tonight.
But I think it will be worth it; laughing is good.
Plus one of our lectures was canceled for tomorrow (yay!) and we get free lunch!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Coat Hunt
... sort of like ghost hunt... therefore making this post Halloween appropriate?
Anyway. Yesterday I heard that Old Navy was selling coats for $29. I was just telling my dad I needed a coat- I have winter coats, but I don't really have anything to wear in Fall and Spring besides my old Freshman Academy fleece, and sadly, I feel like I might have to start wearing it less now that I'm a student at the big H.
So... I took advantage of the powers at google and found the closest Old Navy store, which happened to be at the mall down by the church building.
I walked to the bus stop and took the bus to the mall, in search of these cheap coats, hoping they weren't sold out (sales in UT like that were always picked over by like 10 am).
I found racks and racks and racks of coats. I originally picked out this one:
I liked it because it was a little more dressy and could match everything I own (unlike the bright green, or even black. I'm trying to branch out from black and brown.) I tried it on and it was really light and didn't seem like it would be that warm. It wasn't super flattering either. And it was dryclean only. Sad.
And then I found this coat:
I liked this one a lot. It had a tag for $30, so it seemed like a better buy. And with the fleece inside, it was nice and cozy. I put it on and zipped it up and felt nice and warm; maybe not nice and warm in the middle of the winter, but for Fall and Spring it would be perfect. And it's really lightweight, which was nice. It's not as dressy, but it could still work with my nicer clothes and casual clothes. And it was machine wash!! But they didn't have it in my size. :(
So I left and came home and tried to find it online. It was listed at only $20!! But they still don't have it in my size. Sad :( So, I'm putting out a distress signal. If any of you end up at an Old Navy store some time soon and see this coat in a size Medium for $20-$30, please buy it and I will pay you back! (I'm looking at you, sisters).
Otherwise I'm just gonna continue to wear my Freshman Academy fleece or my winter coats, so don't worry; I'm not freezing to death.
Anyway- I left the mall empty-handed (well, not quite; I bought dinner) and walked to the stake center for stake conference which was really uninspiring. Then I took the T home with Peter Pan, Waldo, boys in togas, and girls in skimpy dresses. Wearing my church clothes, I wondered if they were trying to figure out who I was "supposed to be". It was an experience.
-mollie
Anyway. Yesterday I heard that Old Navy was selling coats for $29. I was just telling my dad I needed a coat- I have winter coats, but I don't really have anything to wear in Fall and Spring besides my old Freshman Academy fleece, and sadly, I feel like I might have to start wearing it less now that I'm a student at the big H.
So... I took advantage of the powers at google and found the closest Old Navy store, which happened to be at the mall down by the church building.
I walked to the bus stop and took the bus to the mall, in search of these cheap coats, hoping they weren't sold out (sales in UT like that were always picked over by like 10 am).
I found racks and racks and racks of coats. I originally picked out this one:
I liked it because it was a little more dressy and could match everything I own (unlike the bright green, or even black. I'm trying to branch out from black and brown.) I tried it on and it was really light and didn't seem like it would be that warm. It wasn't super flattering either. And it was dryclean only. Sad.
And then I found this coat:
I liked this one a lot. It had a tag for $30, so it seemed like a better buy. And with the fleece inside, it was nice and cozy. I put it on and zipped it up and felt nice and warm; maybe not nice and warm in the middle of the winter, but for Fall and Spring it would be perfect. And it's really lightweight, which was nice. It's not as dressy, but it could still work with my nicer clothes and casual clothes. And it was machine wash!! But they didn't have it in my size. :(
So I left and came home and tried to find it online. It was listed at only $20!! But they still don't have it in my size. Sad :( So, I'm putting out a distress signal. If any of you end up at an Old Navy store some time soon and see this coat in a size Medium for $20-$30, please buy it and I will pay you back! (I'm looking at you, sisters).
Otherwise I'm just gonna continue to wear my Freshman Academy fleece or my winter coats, so don't worry; I'm not freezing to death.
Anyway- I left the mall empty-handed (well, not quite; I bought dinner) and walked to the stake center for stake conference which was really uninspiring. Then I took the T home with Peter Pan, Waldo, boys in togas, and girls in skimpy dresses. Wearing my church clothes, I wondered if they were trying to figure out who I was "supposed to be". It was an experience.
-mollie
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Dear TLC...
Thank you for your show "Sister Wives" that makes my life as a Mormon young adult in Boston about 5 bajillion times harder.
Love,
Mollie
Seriously though- a fairly large minority of people at school know I'm Mormon. It comes with the territory of saying "I went to Brigham Young University in Utah." In the last two days, I've had two people talk to me directly, asking about all the weird things on the show, and overheard another person talk about this in the context of how weird Mormon culture is. When I say "That's not Mormonism" they say "Well, they refer to themselves as Mormon on the show."
Of course they do.
Apparently, there's also a man who rotates which bed he sleeps in each night, and talks about his quest to find a fourth wife and how he can't hold hands or kiss her until they're married.
One of my least favorite past times is trying to convince people Mormons are normal when there are things like this on television. I truly forgot how much energy it takes to always be explaining without getting defensive.
No, those people aren't Mormon even though they say they are. No, we don't have to wear long dresses all the time. No, we don't practice polygamy. Yes, we build temples. No, you can't go in them. Yes, we can dance (well, to the extent that we're able). Yes, we celebrate Christmas and birthdays. Yes, we can kiss people before we're married. No, I didn't go to my sisters' weddings. Yes, we're Christian. Yes, people go on missions. No, I don't have to go. No, I don't drink alcohol or coffee. Yes, I can have soda. No, we don't do our hair a certain way. Yes, we can use birth control. Yes, we go to church a lot.
I am grateful that people feel comfortable enough to ask and don't just assume things. And I like getting a chance to correct misconceptions and explain the real beliefs when people are genuinely curious. But it's exhausting sometimes. So thank you TLC, for conveniently providing the general public with misconceptions about the Mormon faith that I then have to correct, or feel awkward not correcting. Your broadcast of two of my very favorite shows (What Not to Wear and Say Yes to the Dress) does not make up for this. It is with great sadness that I announce I am officially adding you to my "Dead To Me" list.
p.s.- sorry for the flood of posts lately- blogging has become one of my favorite forms of procrastination.
Love,
Mollie
Seriously though- a fairly large minority of people at school know I'm Mormon. It comes with the territory of saying "I went to Brigham Young University in Utah." In the last two days, I've had two people talk to me directly, asking about all the weird things on the show, and overheard another person talk about this in the context of how weird Mormon culture is. When I say "That's not Mormonism" they say "Well, they refer to themselves as Mormon on the show."
Of course they do.
Apparently, there's also a man who rotates which bed he sleeps in each night, and talks about his quest to find a fourth wife and how he can't hold hands or kiss her until they're married.
One of my least favorite past times is trying to convince people Mormons are normal when there are things like this on television. I truly forgot how much energy it takes to always be explaining without getting defensive.
No, those people aren't Mormon even though they say they are. No, we don't have to wear long dresses all the time. No, we don't practice polygamy. Yes, we build temples. No, you can't go in them. Yes, we can dance (well, to the extent that we're able). Yes, we celebrate Christmas and birthdays. Yes, we can kiss people before we're married. No, I didn't go to my sisters' weddings. Yes, we're Christian. Yes, people go on missions. No, I don't have to go. No, I don't drink alcohol or coffee. Yes, I can have soda. No, we don't do our hair a certain way. Yes, we can use birth control. Yes, we go to church a lot.
I am grateful that people feel comfortable enough to ask and don't just assume things. And I like getting a chance to correct misconceptions and explain the real beliefs when people are genuinely curious. But it's exhausting sometimes. So thank you TLC, for conveniently providing the general public with misconceptions about the Mormon faith that I then have to correct, or feel awkward not correcting. Your broadcast of two of my very favorite shows (What Not to Wear and Say Yes to the Dress) does not make up for this. It is with great sadness that I announce I am officially adding you to my "Dead To Me" list.
p.s.- sorry for the flood of posts lately- blogging has become one of my favorite forms of procrastination.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Every Other Day of the Week is Fine
Last night I was up talking to my roommates for longer than any of us had time for. But I like them, and it was a nice way of avoiding homework for the night.
So, as I went to bed at 11 pm, my roommates said "We've got to get to bed to wake up at __a normal hour_" and I said "I've gotta wake up at 5! Just another Monday..."
As I retreated down the stairs to my lair, Sarah started singing "Monday, Monday"
I tried to psych myself into making Monday a good day even though I knew I was going to be short on sleep. I got my stuff together so the morning could be a little lazy if I wanted it to be. I got in bed all nice and cozy with an extra blanket because it was a little chilly, and checked my alarm before quickly falling asleep. I half-awoke this morning thinking "No, I don't want to get out of bed yet. But my alarm should be going off soon..." So I sort of rolled over and waited about 5 minutes before I decided "Ok, I should really get up. What time is it anyway?"
Fully expecting to see the number 4 on my clock, it took my head about 5 seconds to process the information. I looked and then looked again, and then said "HOLY CRAP!!!!"
Anyone want to guess how late it was?
I had to be up at 5, so... maybe 5:30?
No no. My clock said 7:25.
7:25??!?!?!!?
School starts in 15 minutes and I just got out of bed!!!!!
I went bolting up the stairs to make sure my clock wasn't all whacky and realized that yes, it was 7:25. I woke up 2 hours and 25 minutes late.
I ran back down the stairs and took the fastest shower of my life, threw my hair in a pony tail, and seriously ripped clothes from their hangers as fast as I could. I had all my stuff (including a lunch, so I wouldn't be late AND have to get lunch...) and was out the door in 30 minutes, which I consider pretty impressive.
Lucky for me, it was raining (which I didn't know was forecast) so I stood and waited for the bus and got my pants soaked. But the bus came pretty quickly and we packed in, which is when I realized I had, lucky for me again, woken up so late that I was now part of the rush-hour commute (which I usually avoid, traveling at 6 am). I got to the T station, and, lucky for me, the T was broken. Everyone had to get off the red line and wait on the platform.
The train was already packed, and in that time more people had accumulated waiting to get onto the next train, so I got to stand awkwardly squished into a very small space with parts of me touching parts of other people that I try not to think about.
We got going again and the announcer came on and said "We're delayed because of a disabled train in front of us." OF COURSE we are because they just made all of us get off that one!
By this time, I figured hope was lost and I might as well just suck it up and forget it. I mean really, there's no way to make up for an almost 2.5 hour delay. So the T is broken. So what? I'm like... 2 hours late instead of an hour and 45 minutes? Big deal. The damage had already been done.
But I still tried to hustle my way out to Malden Center, where I got off and walked to the school. It didn't matter because I was on foot, but Main Street was blocked and closed with fire trucks and I just thought "Of course. Because why not?"
I made it to the school at 9:30. 2 Hours after I woke up and 2 hours after I was supposed to be there. 4.5 hours after I was supposed to wake up. Even though I cut my prep time to 30 minutes, my 1 hour commute got turned into 1.5 hours thanks to the T.
Everyone was very forgiving at the school, but I felt like a total reject.
I went to class after practicum and now I'm home again. And I'm thinking about "Monday, Monday" from The Mamas and the Papas that my roommate started singing last night.
"... But whenever Monday comes... you can find me cryin' all of the time..."
That's about right.
-mollie
p.s.- well, on the bright side, I got a full night's sleep!
p.p.s.- I'm proctoring SATs on Saturday. That's a little weird.
So, as I went to bed at 11 pm, my roommates said "We've got to get to bed to wake up at __a normal hour_" and I said "I've gotta wake up at 5! Just another Monday..."
As I retreated down the stairs to my lair, Sarah started singing "Monday, Monday"
I tried to psych myself into making Monday a good day even though I knew I was going to be short on sleep. I got my stuff together so the morning could be a little lazy if I wanted it to be. I got in bed all nice and cozy with an extra blanket because it was a little chilly, and checked my alarm before quickly falling asleep. I half-awoke this morning thinking "No, I don't want to get out of bed yet. But my alarm should be going off soon..." So I sort of rolled over and waited about 5 minutes before I decided "Ok, I should really get up. What time is it anyway?"
Fully expecting to see the number 4 on my clock, it took my head about 5 seconds to process the information. I looked and then looked again, and then said "HOLY CRAP!!!!"
Anyone want to guess how late it was?
I had to be up at 5, so... maybe 5:30?
No no. My clock said 7:25.
7:25??!?!?!!?
School starts in 15 minutes and I just got out of bed!!!!!
I went bolting up the stairs to make sure my clock wasn't all whacky and realized that yes, it was 7:25. I woke up 2 hours and 25 minutes late.
I ran back down the stairs and took the fastest shower of my life, threw my hair in a pony tail, and seriously ripped clothes from their hangers as fast as I could. I had all my stuff (including a lunch, so I wouldn't be late AND have to get lunch...) and was out the door in 30 minutes, which I consider pretty impressive.
Lucky for me, it was raining (which I didn't know was forecast) so I stood and waited for the bus and got my pants soaked. But the bus came pretty quickly and we packed in, which is when I realized I had, lucky for me again, woken up so late that I was now part of the rush-hour commute (which I usually avoid, traveling at 6 am). I got to the T station, and, lucky for me, the T was broken. Everyone had to get off the red line and wait on the platform.
The train was already packed, and in that time more people had accumulated waiting to get onto the next train, so I got to stand awkwardly squished into a very small space with parts of me touching parts of other people that I try not to think about.
We got going again and the announcer came on and said "We're delayed because of a disabled train in front of us." OF COURSE we are because they just made all of us get off that one!
By this time, I figured hope was lost and I might as well just suck it up and forget it. I mean really, there's no way to make up for an almost 2.5 hour delay. So the T is broken. So what? I'm like... 2 hours late instead of an hour and 45 minutes? Big deal. The damage had already been done.
But I still tried to hustle my way out to Malden Center, where I got off and walked to the school. It didn't matter because I was on foot, but Main Street was blocked and closed with fire trucks and I just thought "Of course. Because why not?"
I made it to the school at 9:30. 2 Hours after I woke up and 2 hours after I was supposed to be there. 4.5 hours after I was supposed to wake up. Even though I cut my prep time to 30 minutes, my 1 hour commute got turned into 1.5 hours thanks to the T.
Everyone was very forgiving at the school, but I felt like a total reject.
I went to class after practicum and now I'm home again. And I'm thinking about "Monday, Monday" from The Mamas and the Papas that my roommate started singing last night.
"... But whenever Monday comes... you can find me cryin' all of the time..."
That's about right.
-mollie
p.s.- well, on the bright side, I got a full night's sleep!
p.p.s.- I'm proctoring SATs on Saturday. That's a little weird.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Another dream
Dear Megan,
Last night I had a dream that we were going on a cruise up the shore to Nova Scotia. It was leaving from Boston and I was already on the boat scoping out the food (they had a Chinese food place I was inspecting) waiting for you to get there.
Then there were some unknown adults who were there with Will and told me they sent him to the bathroom. I said, "He's FIVE! You can't send him off alone!" and ran off to go find him (which I did, and he was fine). And then Dad was there.
It was odd.
But it made me want to go on a vacation. And see Will.
The end.
Last night I had a dream that we were going on a cruise up the shore to Nova Scotia. It was leaving from Boston and I was already on the boat scoping out the food (they had a Chinese food place I was inspecting) waiting for you to get there.
Then there were some unknown adults who were there with Will and told me they sent him to the bathroom. I said, "He's FIVE! You can't send him off alone!" and ran off to go find him (which I did, and he was fine). And then Dad was there.
It was odd.
But it made me want to go on a vacation. And see Will.
The end.
Friday, October 01, 2010
In the News
So if you've seen the national news in the past couple days, you have probably heard the name "Asher Brown".
A 13 year old boy who shot himself in his parent's home last week and died. The news is calling it another tragedy based on bullying and in-school discrimination based on sexual orientation that administration will do nothing about.
I don't know why, but the first time I heard the story, I was a little skeptical. This morning I saw the parents on The Today Show and I'm more skeptical. Not that I don't think he killed himself- I do. And no matter what the reason or motivation, I think it's awful and kids shouldn't have to die.
But I have issues with his parents. I just think there's more to the story than what the news is reporting about it. First, the parents made their statement in outrage at the school district. The parents say they complained to anyone who would listen to them about the bullying of their son at the school. The school says they never received complaints from the parents except for an email at the beginning of the year documenting their son's past history of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The parents then said they were outraged that the school was calling them liars.
Perhaps the school is just trying to cover its own butt, but I am more tempted to agree with the school on that one. Maybe it's because I'm in MA right now where every school has been implementing new anti-bullying curriculum mandated by law. Not to mention I'm in a counselor ed. program, which makes me think about these things differently. I looked at the website for the school in Texas that the boy attended and I didn't find a specific anti-bullying program, but their handbook does say bullying in any form is a level 3 disciplinary violation and will be considered with the seriousness of drug possession, stealing, or burglary. They have a student conduct policy that includes statements about bullying and respect for others.
I'm not saying that having these policies in place means the school isn't capable of gross oversight as is potentially true in this situation. But, I do think having the policy is an indication that they're at least thinking about the issue. And at this time in education, when issues of bullying have been flooding the news, schools know to take bullying complaints seriously given their own liability in the issue.
Which is why I thought it was interesting that the school came out and said they hadn't gotten any complaints- they must be sure of that. And they acknowledged that they did get an email from the parent at the beginning of the year. So it wasn't like they said "We know absolutely nothing about this student." Not that it matters, but part of my problem is that this kid transferred to a new school this year, and the parents say they were worried that he had been bullied at his previous school. (Which by the way, raises questions about that school. Did they sue that school too? Did they make formal complaints there?) Anyway. So they put him in a new school. But do they go in to talk to the school counselors or principals? No, they send an email. Assumed to be not related to the child's history of bullying, but telling the school their son has a history of PTSD? That's not really something that should be dropped in an email.
It just seems weird that the parents were concerned about the PTSD and bullying, so they sent an email. About the PTSD, but not about the bullying. Maybe when the bullying started at the new school, they did call the school. But, their history of dealing with serious issues is to send emails, which they didn't do in the case of the bullying. The school website has information on how to file formal complaints with the district, which would result in conference with a principal or superintendent, but they didn't do that. And still, why didn't they show up at the school to talk to someone if they were really worried?
Less than a week after their child took his own life, they're on The Today Show saying they are going to be pursuing a lawsuit against the school. Their son's funeral hasn't even happened yet. Neither parent was crying, and they weren't even sitting close to each other, holding hands, or anything. I know there's shock involved when anyone close to you dies, so they may not be ready to mourn. But... why are they on national TV before they've even buried their child?
The mother gave a description of all these specific bullying incidents at the school, but then she says her son told her he was "fine" the night before he died. If he was so open about the bullying, why didn't he tell her?
And the news said his stepfather said he had told them he was gay over the summer and the stepfather believed the son had possibly started telling students at the school, fueling the bullying. But then on the news this morning they said he told his stepfather he was gay the morning or day before he died. When Meridith Viera asked the stepfather what his response was, he said "I told him Ok. That's ok." It just seems weird. When did the kid tell the parents he was gay? Was it over the summer? Or the day he died? Maybe it's just a case of bad reporting, but still.
Why was there a gun accessible in the house? And I know "latchkey kids" aren't uncommon, but why was he alone?
Why does the son have a history of PTSD? What happened? And what's the story behind the child having a different last name? Where's his father? How long has his mother been remarried?
I don't know. It just seems like there's more to that story than the news is reporting. As I said, I still think it's sad and awful, but I'm wondering about the family. And the PTSD. And why they didn't show up in person at the school. And why they're suddenly on this campaign to let everyone know the school district is going to hell. I'm guessing there were some incidents of bullying at the school. But I'm just not sure the school is entirely to blame here. It's sad and it shouldn't have happened, I just wonder if there'll be more to it.
It doesn't really matter. The school is still going to get their pants sued off them. But if the counselors and administrators were doing their jobs, these things are seriously documented and their records will show they didn't do anything wrong. Or maybe they'll prove the school did ignore their complaints.
I'm just sayin'. I'm inclined to think there's more to it.
A 13 year old boy who shot himself in his parent's home last week and died. The news is calling it another tragedy based on bullying and in-school discrimination based on sexual orientation that administration will do nothing about.
I don't know why, but the first time I heard the story, I was a little skeptical. This morning I saw the parents on The Today Show and I'm more skeptical. Not that I don't think he killed himself- I do. And no matter what the reason or motivation, I think it's awful and kids shouldn't have to die.
But I have issues with his parents. I just think there's more to the story than what the news is reporting about it. First, the parents made their statement in outrage at the school district. The parents say they complained to anyone who would listen to them about the bullying of their son at the school. The school says they never received complaints from the parents except for an email at the beginning of the year documenting their son's past history of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The parents then said they were outraged that the school was calling them liars.
Perhaps the school is just trying to cover its own butt, but I am more tempted to agree with the school on that one. Maybe it's because I'm in MA right now where every school has been implementing new anti-bullying curriculum mandated by law. Not to mention I'm in a counselor ed. program, which makes me think about these things differently. I looked at the website for the school in Texas that the boy attended and I didn't find a specific anti-bullying program, but their handbook does say bullying in any form is a level 3 disciplinary violation and will be considered with the seriousness of drug possession, stealing, or burglary. They have a student conduct policy that includes statements about bullying and respect for others.
I'm not saying that having these policies in place means the school isn't capable of gross oversight as is potentially true in this situation. But, I do think having the policy is an indication that they're at least thinking about the issue. And at this time in education, when issues of bullying have been flooding the news, schools know to take bullying complaints seriously given their own liability in the issue.
Which is why I thought it was interesting that the school came out and said they hadn't gotten any complaints- they must be sure of that. And they acknowledged that they did get an email from the parent at the beginning of the year. So it wasn't like they said "We know absolutely nothing about this student." Not that it matters, but part of my problem is that this kid transferred to a new school this year, and the parents say they were worried that he had been bullied at his previous school. (Which by the way, raises questions about that school. Did they sue that school too? Did they make formal complaints there?) Anyway. So they put him in a new school. But do they go in to talk to the school counselors or principals? No, they send an email. Assumed to be not related to the child's history of bullying, but telling the school their son has a history of PTSD? That's not really something that should be dropped in an email.
It just seems weird that the parents were concerned about the PTSD and bullying, so they sent an email. About the PTSD, but not about the bullying. Maybe when the bullying started at the new school, they did call the school. But, their history of dealing with serious issues is to send emails, which they didn't do in the case of the bullying. The school website has information on how to file formal complaints with the district, which would result in conference with a principal or superintendent, but they didn't do that. And still, why didn't they show up at the school to talk to someone if they were really worried?
Less than a week after their child took his own life, they're on The Today Show saying they are going to be pursuing a lawsuit against the school. Their son's funeral hasn't even happened yet. Neither parent was crying, and they weren't even sitting close to each other, holding hands, or anything. I know there's shock involved when anyone close to you dies, so they may not be ready to mourn. But... why are they on national TV before they've even buried their child?
The mother gave a description of all these specific bullying incidents at the school, but then she says her son told her he was "fine" the night before he died. If he was so open about the bullying, why didn't he tell her?
And the news said his stepfather said he had told them he was gay over the summer and the stepfather believed the son had possibly started telling students at the school, fueling the bullying. But then on the news this morning they said he told his stepfather he was gay the morning or day before he died. When Meridith Viera asked the stepfather what his response was, he said "I told him Ok. That's ok." It just seems weird. When did the kid tell the parents he was gay? Was it over the summer? Or the day he died? Maybe it's just a case of bad reporting, but still.
Why was there a gun accessible in the house? And I know "latchkey kids" aren't uncommon, but why was he alone?
Why does the son have a history of PTSD? What happened? And what's the story behind the child having a different last name? Where's his father? How long has his mother been remarried?
I don't know. It just seems like there's more to that story than the news is reporting. As I said, I still think it's sad and awful, but I'm wondering about the family. And the PTSD. And why they didn't show up in person at the school. And why they're suddenly on this campaign to let everyone know the school district is going to hell. I'm guessing there were some incidents of bullying at the school. But I'm just not sure the school is entirely to blame here. It's sad and it shouldn't have happened, I just wonder if there'll be more to it.
It doesn't really matter. The school is still going to get their pants sued off them. But if the counselors and administrators were doing their jobs, these things are seriously documented and their records will show they didn't do anything wrong. Or maybe they'll prove the school did ignore their complaints.
I'm just sayin'. I'm inclined to think there's more to it.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Grrrrrrrr
For the past 2.5 hours I have been trying to get my new printer to make nice with my computer.
I am exhausted and angry. I was supposed to be in bed at 9 so I can wake up at 5. I started this project at 8:30.
I. Hate. Computers.
And Ubuntu.
I am exhausted and angry. I was supposed to be in bed at 9 so I can wake up at 5. I started this project at 8:30.
I. Hate. Computers.
And Ubuntu.
Camping
I'm pretty sure I ate my last s'more of the summer over the weekend.
It was bittersweet. Well, not the s'more. That was very sweet.
I went camping with two wards of singles 25ish-30, and one of 30+. We went to a camp that the church owns in New Hampshire on Friday night. It was huge, and had cabins. Luckily, there was a brand new shower house right near the cabin we chose. The issue was it had two entrances, one labeled "Adults" and one labeled "Young Women." When we went to bed that night I said "Someone better change those signs so we know which is girls and which is boys." My comment was met with this response: "Oh the boys have a shower house down by the water front; both sides of this bathroom are just for girls." Ok, fine.
I got up on Saturday morning to take a shower. The Young Women side only had one shower, but the Adult side had four. The Adult side was full of girls getting ready, so I joined them and got in a shower. Apparently all the girls left while I was in there because I was toweling off when I heard a boy cough from one of the bathroom stalls. I threw on my shoes and grabbed all of my clothes and bolted out of there as fast as I could, hoping mr.bathroom-stall didn't see me. I went over to the "young women" side where the girls were and finished getting ready.
About ten minutes later, a boy came by asking which side was theirs. Someone suggested they label the adult side as "men" but then there was argument about the number of showers. So then it was determined that the "Adult" side would be "Women" and the "Young Women" side would be "Men". This is all confusing, but the point is, after running out of the side the boys thought was theirs, I ran into the other one, and then left my contacts when it was determined that I was indeed in the right side in the first place. I had to wait for a boy to come along to get them for me. Ugh. And people think I'm uptight and too detail-focused. But guess what? This whole thing could have been avoided if the bathroom was re-labeled on Friday night like I suggested!!!
Anyway. On Saturday we had breakfast, did a service project (well, about 30 people did- the rest of us stood around), had free time which was used practicing skits, ate lunch, competed in "ward olympics" where we had to cross a ropes course, transport people in a canoe, out to the middle of the lake, and then switch canoes mid-water and come back without falling in or sinking, play tag (eeww), and answer trivia questions. Then we ate dinner, and had our skit night. Our ward won.
All of this was fine and dandy until Saturday night when I dropped my toothbrush on the bathroom floor.
Yeah, there was absolutely NO way that was going back in my mouth.
One of my cabin-mates and I went to bed at a reasonable hour both nights, which I am grateful for. It was chilly at night- I was wearing two pairs of socks, leggings, pants, a long-sleeve shirt and sweatshirt in my sleeping bag. (my roommate let me borrow hers- thank you janna!) We got up this morning and had a testimony meeting by the lake and then cleaned and came home.
I went on search of a toothbrush, since that can't really be put off a day. Since when does a CVS-brand toothbrush cost $3.50?!?!
Really.
Well I guess that's a small price to pay for clean teeth. It works out to about 1 cent for every time you brush and I suppose it's worth a penny.
But $3.50?!?
-mollie
It was bittersweet. Well, not the s'more. That was very sweet.
I went camping with two wards of singles 25ish-30, and one of 30+. We went to a camp that the church owns in New Hampshire on Friday night. It was huge, and had cabins. Luckily, there was a brand new shower house right near the cabin we chose. The issue was it had two entrances, one labeled "Adults" and one labeled "Young Women." When we went to bed that night I said "Someone better change those signs so we know which is girls and which is boys." My comment was met with this response: "Oh the boys have a shower house down by the water front; both sides of this bathroom are just for girls." Ok, fine.
I got up on Saturday morning to take a shower. The Young Women side only had one shower, but the Adult side had four. The Adult side was full of girls getting ready, so I joined them and got in a shower. Apparently all the girls left while I was in there because I was toweling off when I heard a boy cough from one of the bathroom stalls. I threw on my shoes and grabbed all of my clothes and bolted out of there as fast as I could, hoping mr.bathroom-stall didn't see me. I went over to the "young women" side where the girls were and finished getting ready.
About ten minutes later, a boy came by asking which side was theirs. Someone suggested they label the adult side as "men" but then there was argument about the number of showers. So then it was determined that the "Adult" side would be "Women" and the "Young Women" side would be "Men". This is all confusing, but the point is, after running out of the side the boys thought was theirs, I ran into the other one, and then left my contacts when it was determined that I was indeed in the right side in the first place. I had to wait for a boy to come along to get them for me. Ugh. And people think I'm uptight and too detail-focused. But guess what? This whole thing could have been avoided if the bathroom was re-labeled on Friday night like I suggested!!!
Anyway. On Saturday we had breakfast, did a service project (well, about 30 people did- the rest of us stood around), had free time which was used practicing skits, ate lunch, competed in "ward olympics" where we had to cross a ropes course, transport people in a canoe, out to the middle of the lake, and then switch canoes mid-water and come back without falling in or sinking, play tag (eeww), and answer trivia questions. Then we ate dinner, and had our skit night. Our ward won.
All of this was fine and dandy until Saturday night when I dropped my toothbrush on the bathroom floor.
Yeah, there was absolutely NO way that was going back in my mouth.
One of my cabin-mates and I went to bed at a reasonable hour both nights, which I am grateful for. It was chilly at night- I was wearing two pairs of socks, leggings, pants, a long-sleeve shirt and sweatshirt in my sleeping bag. (my roommate let me borrow hers- thank you janna!) We got up this morning and had a testimony meeting by the lake and then cleaned and came home.
I went on search of a toothbrush, since that can't really be put off a day. Since when does a CVS-brand toothbrush cost $3.50?!?!
Really.
Well I guess that's a small price to pay for clean teeth. It works out to about 1 cent for every time you brush and I suppose it's worth a penny.
But $3.50?!?
-mollie
Friday, September 17, 2010
Word to the Wise
I find the inappropriate use of the word "literally" annoying, but I have never spent time voicing my opinion on that fact until today.
If you are giving directions to someone (like me), please please please do NOT use the word "literally" as a modifier for the prepositional phrase "across the street" when what you really mean "around the block, through a door, and up a staircase".
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
-mollie
If you are giving directions to someone (like me), please please please do NOT use the word "literally" as a modifier for the prepositional phrase "across the street" when what you really mean "around the block, through a door, and up a staircase".
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
-mollie
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Channel Surfing
So I just decided to try the random cable cord that's been coiled up on my window sill and threaded out around the house to an unknown location.
I was excited when the channel scan said it picked up like 40 things, until I clicked through and realized that I now get the same 10 or so channels repeated 4 times, with the addition of a bunch of shop-at-home and Spanish channels.
So I think I'll stick to my NBC, ABC, and CBS. Because, let's be serious, I watch the news and Jeopardy.
I was excited when the channel scan said it picked up like 40 things, until I clicked through and realized that I now get the same 10 or so channels repeated 4 times, with the addition of a bunch of shop-at-home and Spanish channels.
So I think I'll stick to my NBC, ABC, and CBS. Because, let's be serious, I watch the news and Jeopardy.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Personal Chauffeur
So today was my first day of practicum, unexpectedly.
Last Friday I finished the interviewing process and made my list of where I wanted to go, while my interviewers also made a list of who they liked. Unfortunately when I met with my program director before turning the paper in, she told me to cross off two of the schools (that happened to be work-study funded) because she didn't think I would a) like being there or b) get the experience I was looking for. She recommended another I had interviewed with. She said it would be the best site to really learn what an effective guidance office does, working off the model for the national associate of school counselors etc. So I ranked it #1. I was worried because it was a pretty popular spot- a lot of people wanted it.
Around 8 pm on Friday I found out they took me (and two others)! So, luckily they must have liked me! I went to bed on Sunday night, checked my email this morning, and saw the district guidance director (an alum of the PSP program) wanted us there at 11 today, until my class at 4. So much for finding a job today. Luckily I did all my week's reading last week, minus one assignment that I did after I got out of class tonight.
First day at practicum (a site we'll call MHS) was good. I got a free planner!! More on that later. Then I came back to campus and went to my Childhood Trauma class where we talked about how high levels of cortisol (released in your body's stress response) can become chronic when exposed to chronic trauma (aka child abuse, etc.) and how the cortisol actually biologically changes the brain and stunts brain growth so that people who have chronic trauma experiences have fewer synapses. They usually develop a chronically high cortisol level even after the chronic trauma ends because their body was so used to it being high that it considered a high level as the new baseline. So, in short, chronic childhood trauma can screw you up for the rest of your life, not just emotionally, but by biologically altering your brain development. That's happy!
I went to the library with Molly to do a reading, and then went to leave. Another girl in the program gave me the number for the Harvard van service.
This is really the point of my post.
I called, the man told me about the service and asked where I wanted to be picked up and where I was going. He took my phone number and said he'd call when my turn came in the line-up of calls. I got a call about 15 minutes later saying the van was on its way and asking me to make my way to the exit. The van picked me up, and a very nice man made conversation with me [he grew up around the corner from where I live and Cambridge is very safe- the crime rate is at a 40 yr low] while he drove me right to my front door.
It. Was. Glorious. I came in and had to tell my roommate all about it- I was THAT happy.
So, you know, $38,000 tuition = free meals and a tote bag during orientation + free van rides home every night (between the hours of 7 pm and midnight). I take the perks where I can get them.
-mollie
p.s.- This means mom, you can stop worrying about me getting attacked on the sidewalk and dragged into some basement lair on my way home at night. And I don't have to pay $1.75 to take the (public transportation) bus!
And now I shall go to bed because it's cold and rainy and I have classes all day tomorrow!
Last Friday I finished the interviewing process and made my list of where I wanted to go, while my interviewers also made a list of who they liked. Unfortunately when I met with my program director before turning the paper in, she told me to cross off two of the schools (that happened to be work-study funded) because she didn't think I would a) like being there or b) get the experience I was looking for. She recommended another I had interviewed with. She said it would be the best site to really learn what an effective guidance office does, working off the model for the national associate of school counselors etc. So I ranked it #1. I was worried because it was a pretty popular spot- a lot of people wanted it.
Around 8 pm on Friday I found out they took me (and two others)! So, luckily they must have liked me! I went to bed on Sunday night, checked my email this morning, and saw the district guidance director (an alum of the PSP program) wanted us there at 11 today, until my class at 4. So much for finding a job today. Luckily I did all my week's reading last week, minus one assignment that I did after I got out of class tonight.
First day at practicum (a site we'll call MHS) was good. I got a free planner!! More on that later. Then I came back to campus and went to my Childhood Trauma class where we talked about how high levels of cortisol (released in your body's stress response) can become chronic when exposed to chronic trauma (aka child abuse, etc.) and how the cortisol actually biologically changes the brain and stunts brain growth so that people who have chronic trauma experiences have fewer synapses. They usually develop a chronically high cortisol level even after the chronic trauma ends because their body was so used to it being high that it considered a high level as the new baseline. So, in short, chronic childhood trauma can screw you up for the rest of your life, not just emotionally, but by biologically altering your brain development. That's happy!
I went to the library with Molly to do a reading, and then went to leave. Another girl in the program gave me the number for the Harvard van service.
This is really the point of my post.
I called, the man told me about the service and asked where I wanted to be picked up and where I was going. He took my phone number and said he'd call when my turn came in the line-up of calls. I got a call about 15 minutes later saying the van was on its way and asking me to make my way to the exit. The van picked me up, and a very nice man made conversation with me [he grew up around the corner from where I live and Cambridge is very safe- the crime rate is at a 40 yr low] while he drove me right to my front door.
It. Was. Glorious. I came in and had to tell my roommate all about it- I was THAT happy.
So, you know, $38,000 tuition = free meals and a tote bag during orientation + free van rides home every night (between the hours of 7 pm and midnight). I take the perks where I can get them.
-mollie
p.s.- This means mom, you can stop worrying about me getting attacked on the sidewalk and dragged into some basement lair on my way home at night. And I don't have to pay $1.75 to take the (public transportation) bus!
And now I shall go to bed because it's cold and rainy and I have classes all day tomorrow!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
I Dreamed a Dream
Dear Family,
Last night I had a dream that all of you were in. It was Evan's birthday, and it was a Sunday. Mom was at church, mad that Erin and Mike did not get up to go. Dad was on a business trip somewhere, so Megan, Kyle, and I were on our way home on Main St. to start the birthday celebrating. Kyle was driving. We made a wide turn down a side street and cut in front of a guy who gave us a very dirty look. I was in the passenger seat and looked at Kyle, who had apparently fallen asleep. And then I started screaming and Megan and I stopped the car. Kyle wouldn't wake up and kept rolling around with his eyes half open.
We called home and I don't remember quite how we got there because the next thing I remember is dragging Kyle into the house and his body was all stiff. Evan said he was going to take him to the ER, but he had to take Paul somewhere to be babysat. Mom called to see if we were ready to eat cake, but we told her what happened. She said she'd come home. Evan thought Kyle must be on drugs since he wouldn't wake up and was acting all weird and I was wondering why we didn't just call an ambulance to come get him.
Mike came downstairs and said he thought we'd be getting a big storm soon because the ceiling was wet. Mom came home and we were telling her what happened; it was dark and stormy outside and someone said "Where's the dog?" She was alive sleeping on the floor by mom's feet.
And then I woke up. It was creepy.
And then I had another dream that Erin's friends Aubrey and... her husband (Mark? Was that his name?) bought a gigantic mobile home. It was the size of a house and had a big fancy master bathroom with a whirlpool tub and marble, and a great big living room. And Aubrey was trying to convince her husband to sell their house since they really didn't need two. I was in the library trying to study and they had these lock boxes on the desks where you were supposed to lock anything that was keeping you from studying, and when you were done, you could get them back. Some guy was saying people just go around and steal everything that's in them. I walked over to this gigantic window looking out over a big blacktop, like at an airport. Erin was yelling at me to get into the mobile home her neighbors had. Megan and Erin were in it because they were driving back to Aubrey's house, right near Erin's, and Erin needed a ride home.
The ride was all crazy and bumpy- driving up really steep cliffs and sliding down the other side. The mobile home was filled with bumble bees. Dead ones. And Aubrey was saying they had been harvesting the honey for money. The ride seemed like it was taking forever and then I woke up.
Odd.
I have vivid dreams pretty much every night, but this is the first time in a while that they've been sort of creepy. So there you have it.
Last night I had a dream that all of you were in. It was Evan's birthday, and it was a Sunday. Mom was at church, mad that Erin and Mike did not get up to go. Dad was on a business trip somewhere, so Megan, Kyle, and I were on our way home on Main St. to start the birthday celebrating. Kyle was driving. We made a wide turn down a side street and cut in front of a guy who gave us a very dirty look. I was in the passenger seat and looked at Kyle, who had apparently fallen asleep. And then I started screaming and Megan and I stopped the car. Kyle wouldn't wake up and kept rolling around with his eyes half open.
We called home and I don't remember quite how we got there because the next thing I remember is dragging Kyle into the house and his body was all stiff. Evan said he was going to take him to the ER, but he had to take Paul somewhere to be babysat. Mom called to see if we were ready to eat cake, but we told her what happened. She said she'd come home. Evan thought Kyle must be on drugs since he wouldn't wake up and was acting all weird and I was wondering why we didn't just call an ambulance to come get him.
Mike came downstairs and said he thought we'd be getting a big storm soon because the ceiling was wet. Mom came home and we were telling her what happened; it was dark and stormy outside and someone said "Where's the dog?" She was alive sleeping on the floor by mom's feet.
And then I woke up. It was creepy.
And then I had another dream that Erin's friends Aubrey and... her husband (Mark? Was that his name?) bought a gigantic mobile home. It was the size of a house and had a big fancy master bathroom with a whirlpool tub and marble, and a great big living room. And Aubrey was trying to convince her husband to sell their house since they really didn't need two. I was in the library trying to study and they had these lock boxes on the desks where you were supposed to lock anything that was keeping you from studying, and when you were done, you could get them back. Some guy was saying people just go around and steal everything that's in them. I walked over to this gigantic window looking out over a big blacktop, like at an airport. Erin was yelling at me to get into the mobile home her neighbors had. Megan and Erin were in it because they were driving back to Aubrey's house, right near Erin's, and Erin needed a ride home.
The ride was all crazy and bumpy- driving up really steep cliffs and sliding down the other side. The mobile home was filled with bumble bees. Dead ones. And Aubrey was saying they had been harvesting the honey for money. The ride seemed like it was taking forever and then I woke up.
Odd.
I have vivid dreams pretty much every night, but this is the first time in a while that they've been sort of creepy. So there you have it.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Boring Update: The First Week
So...
Since last week, I got my schedule approved by my advisor, registered for classes, and then began attending them on Wednesday. I went to my Childhood Trauma class where we talked about September 11 and collective/community trauma. And we talked about how until the early 90s, the general idea out in psychology land was that children are not affected by traumatic experiences because they are too young, or won't remember, or will "bounce back". And now the research is shifting to say kids are never too young to not be affected by trauma. So then we talked about scary things like a whole schoolbus of kids getting kidnapped and being buried underground, or a girl snatched out of her bed at night and how they affect the victim, but also those hearing the stories.
On Thursday, mom came and picked me up. We went to the Longfellow House which is only a 5-10 minute walk from my house, and incidentally, right across from where the LDS church building is that burned- otherwise I'd be going to church there. (Hopefully they'll get it rebuilt and I can stop walking 30 minutes and taking the T to church!!!!)
The Longfellow house was also where George Washington stationed the army as the revolution was beginning. Mom and I were taking a tour when I started to feel like I was going to barf or faint. I tried to make it better, but the only way to do that was to sit down on the floor and draw attention to myself, which I finally did. And felt much better. They had someone come to guide me out and get me a paper cup from the bathroom filled with about 5 ounces of lukewarm water. It was gross, but I drank like 10 cups. (Don't worry- I got them myself. The museum staff didn't seem that inclined to help.)
Anyway. Then we walked back to my house and drove home to CT. On Friday, I cleaned most of the day and got my hair cut. I decided I might as well go to a cheap place so that if it turns out as bad as last time, at least I didn't pay a small fortune for it. I was really happy with the cut- the woman took a lot of time making sure it looked how I wanted and she was very picky about making sure it looked alright. So I gave her a big tip and still walked out paying less than $20. Now I just hope she's still there and remembers what she did when I need it cut again.
Friday night, Sean arrived from Washington D.C. We got up Saturday morning and I made breakfast before mom and dad left to go to Boston and Sean and I drove around and eventually ended up in Boston where we walked around Harvard and went and met my parents for a movie. We used the free tickets that Megan sent to me in the mail that were originally gifts from Evan like 8 years ago. I had mine as well, so that made 4. I hadn't used them because there weren't any theatres around Cromwell. But luckily, there was a theatre in Lowell, where mom and dad were staying.
We also decided that was the best gift we could have gotten; sort of like buying forever stamps. The price of movie tickets has continued to go up since then.
Movie tickets = $10.50 a piece (who pays that?!) x 4 = $42
Large popcorn = $6.75 x 2 = $13.50
Regular soda = $4.25 x 4 = $17
Total cost today: $72.50
We paid: $0
Circa 2002 Evan paid: I don't know, but I know it wasn't $73!!
Seriously. Those movie passes were a pretty good deal!
We saw Inception. It was good I guess- but I prefer to think the little spinny thing fell over at the end because I do not want to spend any more time thinking about that movie.
Then on Sunday we went and drove around and saw the medical schools Sean applied to in Boston, went to church, and walked the freedom trail. We ate at an Italian place in the north end (where everything is Italian) and then decided we might as well stand in line at Mike's Pastry, which always always has a line around the block for a cannoli. I have to say, it was a delicious cannoli. And I don't like cannolis generally. We also had a chocolate creme brulee, an eclair, a strawberry lobstertail cream puff, and another cannoli. It was delicious.
And then Sean left on Monday morning and I tried to read a bunch of assignments I failed to do over the long weekend. And then I went to dinner at a friend's house- she made us a "raw" dinner because she's trying to get back into eating only raw foods because she has health issues. Everything looked delicious and it was surprisingly filling, but it took her quite a while to make and I like my meat and processed foods just fine.
Tuesday I had three classes: Individual counseling, Risk and Resilience in Adolescence, and Practicum Seminar. At Practicum Seminar we usually talk about how things are going and get feedback on what to do with students, etc. But, this time we had our Practicum Site Fair where 21 different schools/NPOs came and we tried to convince them they liked us. Luckily, there were more practicum openings than there are students, so that made me feel a little better. A little.
So you sign up for interviews and then you're required to go visit at least three of the sites, and interview there. Then you make a list of your favorite sites, they make a list of their favorite interns, and hopefully they match up.
I had two interviews yesterday, one today, and possibly two tomorrow. I've officially been on the bus by myself now- got off about 8 block too early, but whatever. I have two interviews at middle schools, three at high schools.
Our lists are due by Friday at 1 and then we hear hopefully that night where we're going. And then practicum starts next week!
Yesterday I also had Group Counseling class. It was fine, but I think it will definitely be my sort of touchy-feely class of the semester. Individual Counseling is like that too, but not to the same degree. Group involves "sections" (most classes do- they're like "labs" at BYU) but in group our sections are actually... groups. We each take a turn facilitating a group counseling session with each other as participants. (We also have a Teaching Fellow (people now graduated and working who took the class) who run the group for a few weeks to get us going.) It's a little weird, not gonna lie. But at least not all that intellectually challenging.
Alright, I have to go get ready for my interview today.
-mollie
Since last week, I got my schedule approved by my advisor, registered for classes, and then began attending them on Wednesday. I went to my Childhood Trauma class where we talked about September 11 and collective/community trauma. And we talked about how until the early 90s, the general idea out in psychology land was that children are not affected by traumatic experiences because they are too young, or won't remember, or will "bounce back". And now the research is shifting to say kids are never too young to not be affected by trauma. So then we talked about scary things like a whole schoolbus of kids getting kidnapped and being buried underground, or a girl snatched out of her bed at night and how they affect the victim, but also those hearing the stories.
On Thursday, mom came and picked me up. We went to the Longfellow House which is only a 5-10 minute walk from my house, and incidentally, right across from where the LDS church building is that burned- otherwise I'd be going to church there. (Hopefully they'll get it rebuilt and I can stop walking 30 minutes and taking the T to church!!!!)
The Longfellow house was also where George Washington stationed the army as the revolution was beginning. Mom and I were taking a tour when I started to feel like I was going to barf or faint. I tried to make it better, but the only way to do that was to sit down on the floor and draw attention to myself, which I finally did. And felt much better. They had someone come to guide me out and get me a paper cup from the bathroom filled with about 5 ounces of lukewarm water. It was gross, but I drank like 10 cups. (Don't worry- I got them myself. The museum staff didn't seem that inclined to help.)
Anyway. Then we walked back to my house and drove home to CT. On Friday, I cleaned most of the day and got my hair cut. I decided I might as well go to a cheap place so that if it turns out as bad as last time, at least I didn't pay a small fortune for it. I was really happy with the cut- the woman took a lot of time making sure it looked how I wanted and she was very picky about making sure it looked alright. So I gave her a big tip and still walked out paying less than $20. Now I just hope she's still there and remembers what she did when I need it cut again.
Friday night, Sean arrived from Washington D.C. We got up Saturday morning and I made breakfast before mom and dad left to go to Boston and Sean and I drove around and eventually ended up in Boston where we walked around Harvard and went and met my parents for a movie. We used the free tickets that Megan sent to me in the mail that were originally gifts from Evan like 8 years ago. I had mine as well, so that made 4. I hadn't used them because there weren't any theatres around Cromwell. But luckily, there was a theatre in Lowell, where mom and dad were staying.
We also decided that was the best gift we could have gotten; sort of like buying forever stamps. The price of movie tickets has continued to go up since then.
Movie tickets = $10.50 a piece (who pays that?!) x 4 = $42
Large popcorn = $6.75 x 2 = $13.50
Regular soda = $4.25 x 4 = $17
Total cost today: $72.50
We paid: $0
Circa 2002 Evan paid: I don't know, but I know it wasn't $73!!
Seriously. Those movie passes were a pretty good deal!
We saw Inception. It was good I guess- but I prefer to think the little spinny thing fell over at the end because I do not want to spend any more time thinking about that movie.
Then on Sunday we went and drove around and saw the medical schools Sean applied to in Boston, went to church, and walked the freedom trail. We ate at an Italian place in the north end (where everything is Italian) and then decided we might as well stand in line at Mike's Pastry, which always always has a line around the block for a cannoli. I have to say, it was a delicious cannoli. And I don't like cannolis generally. We also had a chocolate creme brulee, an eclair, a strawberry lobstertail cream puff, and another cannoli. It was delicious.
And then Sean left on Monday morning and I tried to read a bunch of assignments I failed to do over the long weekend. And then I went to dinner at a friend's house- she made us a "raw" dinner because she's trying to get back into eating only raw foods because she has health issues. Everything looked delicious and it was surprisingly filling, but it took her quite a while to make and I like my meat and processed foods just fine.
Tuesday I had three classes: Individual counseling, Risk and Resilience in Adolescence, and Practicum Seminar. At Practicum Seminar we usually talk about how things are going and get feedback on what to do with students, etc. But, this time we had our Practicum Site Fair where 21 different schools/NPOs came and we tried to convince them they liked us. Luckily, there were more practicum openings than there are students, so that made me feel a little better. A little.
So you sign up for interviews and then you're required to go visit at least three of the sites, and interview there. Then you make a list of your favorite sites, they make a list of their favorite interns, and hopefully they match up.
I had two interviews yesterday, one today, and possibly two tomorrow. I've officially been on the bus by myself now- got off about 8 block too early, but whatever. I have two interviews at middle schools, three at high schools.
Our lists are due by Friday at 1 and then we hear hopefully that night where we're going. And then practicum starts next week!
Yesterday I also had Group Counseling class. It was fine, but I think it will definitely be my sort of touchy-feely class of the semester. Individual Counseling is like that too, but not to the same degree. Group involves "sections" (most classes do- they're like "labs" at BYU) but in group our sections are actually... groups. We each take a turn facilitating a group counseling session with each other as participants. (We also have a Teaching Fellow (people now graduated and working who took the class) who run the group for a few weeks to get us going.) It's a little weird, not gonna lie. But at least not all that intellectually challenging.
Alright, I have to go get ready for my interview today.
-mollie
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Verdict
I think I'm taking
H331: Risk and Resilience in Social Contexts from Birth to Young Adulthood: Strategies of Prevention and Intervention (required, full-year)
H381A&B: Adolescent Practicum: Developmental Interventions for Adolescents in School and Community Settings: Frameworks for Counseling and Prevention (required, full-year)
H327: Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents
H340: Preventative and Developmental Group Counseling
H392: Childhood Trauma: Dynamics, Interventions, and Cross-Cultural Perspectives
I had to plan two years' worth of classes in case I stay for the advanced study/licensure. I've been doing that for the past 3 hours or so, after I spent about 40 minutes trying to find forms online that I'm supposed to fill out, with no success. So now I go to bed with my hand-written attempt at the forms, and hope my advisor approves them. And then I shall register. (Seriously- sometimes I wish the internet didn't exist; every class has it's own website that I have yet to find...)
BLAH!
-mollie
H331: Risk and Resilience in Social Contexts from Birth to Young Adulthood: Strategies of Prevention and Intervention (required, full-year)
H381A&B: Adolescent Practicum: Developmental Interventions for Adolescents in School and Community Settings: Frameworks for Counseling and Prevention (required, full-year)
H327: Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents
H340: Preventative and Developmental Group Counseling
H392: Childhood Trauma: Dynamics, Interventions, and Cross-Cultural Perspectives
I had to plan two years' worth of classes in case I stay for the advanced study/licensure. I've been doing that for the past 3 hours or so, after I spent about 40 minutes trying to find forms online that I'm supposed to fill out, with no success. So now I go to bed with my hand-written attempt at the forms, and hope my advisor approves them. And then I shall register. (Seriously- sometimes I wish the internet didn't exist; every class has it's own website that I have yet to find...)
BLAH!
-mollie
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Details
So yesterday was more orientation, today was the whole Ed. School orientation, and tomorrow and Friday is class shopping.
I still have to say I like it here. Today a professor (who does a lot of work in other sectors) talked about being flown to Virginia Tech after the shootings there to counsel their counselors and work on their crisis team. She talked about how we, as students, were at HGSE because we care about people and students, and want to impact the world of public education. Our idealism is a good thing. Unlike my interview at BYU for the PhD program where a professor said "Even though people say they go into counseling to 'help people' and 'make the world better', they're essentially trying to cover up the fact that going into counseling is an extremely selfish thing to do. How do you rationalize your selfishness?" Excuse me?
So I like that HGSE trusts our intent, and wants to capitalize on our idealistic views of education and our passion to change education, though it may be a little naive. BYU just felt like "Oh please. You don't actually believe you're going to 'change the world' do you?" and if you did, you weren't PhD material. If you said you wanted to pursue a degree in counseling to help others, you were perceived as insincere and dishonest, and I don't think that's fair.
Back to class shopping. This means professors hold 1/2 hour sessions of their classes and you go to as many as you want and then enroll in the ones you like. Each course offers two shoping sessions back-to-back. This sounds like a great idea, and it is, except that they hold 4-5 classes' shopping at the same time. So, even though each is offered twice, you still have to forfeit others.
And, then you realize it's a way to get the syllabus information out of the way so the first day of class can be focused on material, instead of being a fairly low-key throwaway day like usual.
If I want to be a candidate for the second year certification, I have to take some classes this year to keep me on track. This is fine because they're classes I want to take anyway. But, it will be sort of disappointing if I don't end up staying because there are so many classes I want to take.
The way the program works, I'll take the required core class which discusses risk and resilience in adolescents. It's a year long, for 4 credits each semester. Then I'll take the practicum seminar class that's year long, for 2 credits each semester. So I have to take 32 credits over the year, meaning there are 20 credits left after that, and therefore 10 each semester. But most classes are 4 credits, though there are modules (like Block classes at BYU) for 2 credits. So, I either take 4 classes and a module for Fall, and do the same Spring semester, or I take 5 classes Fall and 4 Spring. Or, I stay around campus for "J term" (during January break from January 3-28) and take one or two classes which count as modules.
It gets complicated.
And then I have to be placed for a practicum. If I wasn't trying to keep guidance counseling licensure as an option, I would have many more options for practicum. As it is, there are about 7 sites for the guidance track. All are accessible (the term "accessible" is relative) by public transportation, but only 2 offer Work Study funding. (Again, if I wasn't doing a guidance track, there are lots of NPOs with work study funding for practicum.) For practicum, we have to be on-site for 16 hours a week, which usually means two full days, usually a combination of Monday, Thursday, and Friday since pretty much all HGSE classes are on Tuesday and Wednesday. Practicum shopping happens in the beginning of September. We meet all the site supervisors, sign up for interviews with them on-site (which will be a PAIN!) and then rank sites according to our own preference. The site supervisors do the same and you hope your rank aligns with theirs. If not, the program faculty help you find a placement.
So that's another thing to work a class schedule around. And then, if I end up not getting one of the WS sites, I have to go sign-up to work on campus with hours outside of class and practicum. Obviously it would be hugely preferable to get into one of the sites offering WS.
Right now, I think my classes will be the two required classes, then individual counseling, and possibly group counseling, and a module on rural schools. Or possibly a class on educational policy that discusses laws and things like NCLB and merit-based pay for teachers and how they affect education. I would really like to take that one actually, but it's at a time for shopping when there are three classes I want to go to. (Generally, you have to shop a class to enroll later, so you have to spend a lot of time prioritizing.) Or possibly a class on child and adolescent psychopathology, but that's offered on Fridays and if I have to be at a practicum site, that won't work.
Students at HGSE don't get their grades until they complete class evaluations, so that was suggested as a way to weed out courses. Every semester's course evaluations are all compiled and published in a great big book and kept in the library. I only got to see one volume of last fall's ratings, so I'm hoping to go back tomorrow morning before shopping and check it out.
I've been getting free meals all week. The happy hour social they had on Monday was at a bar where dinner and drinks were free. We got a free tote bag today, which I was really excited about because I almost went and bought one after realizing the zipper on my backpack is broken. I got a free water bottle the other day, which was exciting too. We also have a 100 page printing allowance for the semester, which I wish I knew about before I bought a printer. So, while obviously it is wicked expensive, it is nice to see some tiny bit of it coming back to us.
I have been exhausted though. I think that's partly because of all the walking, meeting people, and paying attention, but also because of the dreary weather! Hopefully this weekend I'll get to walk around and see my neighborhood a little bit. And hopefully I'll get my energy back to start school next week!
Also, it's rained 5.5" in the last three days.
Also, I discovered there's a fire station a block from here. Hence the sirens!!
Also, I got my official Harvard ID today. I feel all fancy flashing it to get into the libraries.
The end.
-mollie
I still have to say I like it here. Today a professor (who does a lot of work in other sectors) talked about being flown to Virginia Tech after the shootings there to counsel their counselors and work on their crisis team. She talked about how we, as students, were at HGSE because we care about people and students, and want to impact the world of public education. Our idealism is a good thing. Unlike my interview at BYU for the PhD program where a professor said "Even though people say they go into counseling to 'help people' and 'make the world better', they're essentially trying to cover up the fact that going into counseling is an extremely selfish thing to do. How do you rationalize your selfishness?" Excuse me?
So I like that HGSE trusts our intent, and wants to capitalize on our idealistic views of education and our passion to change education, though it may be a little naive. BYU just felt like "Oh please. You don't actually believe you're going to 'change the world' do you?" and if you did, you weren't PhD material. If you said you wanted to pursue a degree in counseling to help others, you were perceived as insincere and dishonest, and I don't think that's fair.
Back to class shopping. This means professors hold 1/2 hour sessions of their classes and you go to as many as you want and then enroll in the ones you like. Each course offers two shoping sessions back-to-back. This sounds like a great idea, and it is, except that they hold 4-5 classes' shopping at the same time. So, even though each is offered twice, you still have to forfeit others.
And, then you realize it's a way to get the syllabus information out of the way so the first day of class can be focused on material, instead of being a fairly low-key throwaway day like usual.
If I want to be a candidate for the second year certification, I have to take some classes this year to keep me on track. This is fine because they're classes I want to take anyway. But, it will be sort of disappointing if I don't end up staying because there are so many classes I want to take.
The way the program works, I'll take the required core class which discusses risk and resilience in adolescents. It's a year long, for 4 credits each semester. Then I'll take the practicum seminar class that's year long, for 2 credits each semester. So I have to take 32 credits over the year, meaning there are 20 credits left after that, and therefore 10 each semester. But most classes are 4 credits, though there are modules (like Block classes at BYU) for 2 credits. So, I either take 4 classes and a module for Fall, and do the same Spring semester, or I take 5 classes Fall and 4 Spring. Or, I stay around campus for "J term" (during January break from January 3-28) and take one or two classes which count as modules.
It gets complicated.
And then I have to be placed for a practicum. If I wasn't trying to keep guidance counseling licensure as an option, I would have many more options for practicum. As it is, there are about 7 sites for the guidance track. All are accessible (the term "accessible" is relative) by public transportation, but only 2 offer Work Study funding. (Again, if I wasn't doing a guidance track, there are lots of NPOs with work study funding for practicum.) For practicum, we have to be on-site for 16 hours a week, which usually means two full days, usually a combination of Monday, Thursday, and Friday since pretty much all HGSE classes are on Tuesday and Wednesday. Practicum shopping happens in the beginning of September. We meet all the site supervisors, sign up for interviews with them on-site (which will be a PAIN!) and then rank sites according to our own preference. The site supervisors do the same and you hope your rank aligns with theirs. If not, the program faculty help you find a placement.
So that's another thing to work a class schedule around. And then, if I end up not getting one of the WS sites, I have to go sign-up to work on campus with hours outside of class and practicum. Obviously it would be hugely preferable to get into one of the sites offering WS.
Right now, I think my classes will be the two required classes, then individual counseling, and possibly group counseling, and a module on rural schools. Or possibly a class on educational policy that discusses laws and things like NCLB and merit-based pay for teachers and how they affect education. I would really like to take that one actually, but it's at a time for shopping when there are three classes I want to go to. (Generally, you have to shop a class to enroll later, so you have to spend a lot of time prioritizing.) Or possibly a class on child and adolescent psychopathology, but that's offered on Fridays and if I have to be at a practicum site, that won't work.
Students at HGSE don't get their grades until they complete class evaluations, so that was suggested as a way to weed out courses. Every semester's course evaluations are all compiled and published in a great big book and kept in the library. I only got to see one volume of last fall's ratings, so I'm hoping to go back tomorrow morning before shopping and check it out.
I've been getting free meals all week. The happy hour social they had on Monday was at a bar where dinner and drinks were free. We got a free tote bag today, which I was really excited about because I almost went and bought one after realizing the zipper on my backpack is broken. I got a free water bottle the other day, which was exciting too. We also have a 100 page printing allowance for the semester, which I wish I knew about before I bought a printer. So, while obviously it is wicked expensive, it is nice to see some tiny bit of it coming back to us.
I have been exhausted though. I think that's partly because of all the walking, meeting people, and paying attention, but also because of the dreary weather! Hopefully this weekend I'll get to walk around and see my neighborhood a little bit. And hopefully I'll get my energy back to start school next week!
Also, it's rained 5.5" in the last three days.
Also, I discovered there's a fire station a block from here. Hence the sirens!!
Also, I got my official Harvard ID today. I feel all fancy flashing it to get into the libraries.
The end.
-mollie
Monday, August 23, 2010
The First Day.
Well, today I went to orientation and a happy hour reception and then to FHE at the church building here. It's really quiet in the neighborhood tonight and the rain has let up a little. I keep hearing a humming noise, sort of like a low-flying plane. Is that possible?
Anyway. I know you all want to know how my first day was.
I walked home around 6 pm in the rain, without my umbrella. My feet hurt and I was tired, but I was smiling. Despite the awkwardness of meeting new people and trying to remember names, orientation made me want to take every class, meet every professor, work on every research project, and change the world of education, even though that's naively idealistic. The HGSE motto is "impact the world". It just made everything real to me- all the things I'd read online about the program, through applying and being accepted, became real today. All the names signed at the bottom of emails, all the course descriptions. Their unique approach to adolescent risk and prevention and prevention science and practice really stood out to me. This is a program that is distinctly different from any of the others I applied to, which is why I wanted to come here so badly.
I have known this was the program for me and this is where I'm supposed to be, and that was very much reinforced for me today. It is wicked expensive, and it will be hard work, and I will probably complain, but it is just perfect for me and I am going to bed happy.
More orientation tomorrow from 9-2.
-mollie
Anyway. I know you all want to know how my first day was.
I walked home around 6 pm in the rain, without my umbrella. My feet hurt and I was tired, but I was smiling. Despite the awkwardness of meeting new people and trying to remember names, orientation made me want to take every class, meet every professor, work on every research project, and change the world of education, even though that's naively idealistic. The HGSE motto is "impact the world". It just made everything real to me- all the things I'd read online about the program, through applying and being accepted, became real today. All the names signed at the bottom of emails, all the course descriptions. Their unique approach to adolescent risk and prevention and prevention science and practice really stood out to me. This is a program that is distinctly different from any of the others I applied to, which is why I wanted to come here so badly.
I have known this was the program for me and this is where I'm supposed to be, and that was very much reinforced for me today. It is wicked expensive, and it will be hard work, and I will probably complain, but it is just perfect for me and I am going to bed happy.
More orientation tomorrow from 9-2.
-mollie
Sunday, August 22, 2010
And So It Begins
Well hello!
Last Friday, I spent the day with mom shopping for items for my new room. I was awake until almost 3 am trying to pack things to take with me. I really only had clothes left to take, but then I had to pack all the random things, like curling irons or pictures for the wall, etc. I got up on Saturday at 7:30ish and we left at 8:30ish.
I moved all my things in and then unpacked some things while dad put together bookshelves (Thanks Dad!) and then mom and dad went to look at some shops around the corner. I cleaned baseboards and sprayed Raid around the corners as a preventative measure against spiders- and then I felt better. When they came back, we went and parked near Harvard Square and walked around to figure out the T and get me a CharlieCard (like an Oyster card in London- a refillable credit-card thing that gets you cheaper fares) and ate at Charlie's Kitchen, which is where we ate the last time we were here. We're adventurous. Actually, it was mostly because we knew it would be cheap because Harvard recommended their double-cheeseburger for $5.25, which I found out after we ate there the first time.
It was overcast and cool most of the day. After that, we drove down to where I would be going to church. There is an (apparently) brand-spanking new three story building with a parking garage built under it. We parked there and walked to the Kendall Square T station so I would know where to go if I took the T down there. While near the T stop, some guy asked me where MIT was and I told him I didn't know. We asked a girl sitting at the bus stop who seemed like she might be local, but she didn't know either. I've had no luck finding "the locals" and successfully getting information. It makes me wonder where all the people who live here are!
We then roamed around and found a Shaw's to do some grocery shopping. I HATE grocery shopping. It's just so... pointless. You go, spend money on food, bring it home, eat it all, and then have to go and do it again. I wish I didn't need food to survive, and I certainly wish I didn't like it so much, because I. Hate. Grocery. Shopping! And at Shaw's, most things are overpriced. I think I paid $4 for turkey lunch meat. $1.60 for eggs. It was lame. Well, mom paid. (Thanks mom!)
I brought all my stuff home and mom and dad left me here in an empty house to fend for myself. I spent the night unpacking all my clothes (I have a walk-in closet, so I don't need a dresser, which is pretty great) and hanging pictures/posters around my room to make it feel more homey. Evan and Laurel donated a TV to me that I promptly set up with an antenna and I am enjoying my 25 channels, though there are 6-7 that don't actually get anything. I really like being able to watch the news before bed or when I wake up in the morning, and getting the weather forecast.
My room is pretty big- almost 12 by 12, and then the closet. And even though it's in the basement, it doesn't really feel like it because the first floor is up about 6' off the ground, so my windows start at about shoulder height and go to the ceiling. There are three- two that look out into flowers and bushes, which reminds me of home since it's sort of like having a tree outside the window... and one that's made out of those light blocks. So even though there's a driveway there, I don't notice because I get all the light without the view.
About the house:
-In Cambridge (apparently Cambridge is a fairly fancy place to live- the girls here got a great deal. I looked at some places in Somerville and the girls said Somerville is nicknamed "Slumerville" because it's known for cheap, run-down housing. Who knew?)
-4 girls. Me, Jenna, Janna, Sarah. They play the violin, baroque flute, and harpsichord respectively.
-On a one-way street
-With a porch in the front
-FIRST FLOOR: When you walk through the front door, the stairway is right ahead. Off to the right is a space with a half-bath. About a third of the room opens to the second floor "loft"/balcony. It was a living room, but the girls made it into a bedroom to cut costs. To the left, there's a small dining/living room with a table and chairs and a couch. That connects to the kitchen which is back off the hallway, behind the dining room. For what I looked at, the kitchen is pretty large. Actually, larger than anything else I saw. Off the kitchen there is a porch where the recycling and big garbage can are. In the back to the right (under the stairs) is the stairway down.
-BASEMENT: At the bottom of the stairs, on the left is my room and on the right is Jenna's room. There's a hall to a full bath and washer/dryer.
-UPSTAIRS: to the left is a bedroom, and a hallway that leads to another full bath, and then to the right is the "loft" room that's a big open space overlooking about 1/3 of the first floor bedroom. That's where Jenna teaches violin lessons.
I know pictures would work better, but again, I'm too lazy. It's a pretty big place, with 2.5 updated bathrooms for 4 people, which is a huge selling feature in comparison to every other place with 1 bathroom for as many people.
Anyway- across the street is the back of a large Harvard-owned housing complex. It appears to be new and really nice and has no-trespassing signs on it. It's not listed on the Harvard map of campus/property, so my theory is it is home to professors or visiting faculty etc. since we seem to see a lot of children around. Around the corner are shops- a bakery and an (over-priced) market, dry-cleaner, pizza place, and branch of the Cambridge public library. And the bus stop where 5 different buses stop to go into Harvard Square.
So back to living here.
Last night I unpacked and realized I didn't have internet. So I waited until the girls got home and went up to talk to them for a few minutes, which turned into a couple hours. I slept well last night, even though it was a little stuffy in my room. There are sirens a couple times each evening (so far) but I only hear them passing. Being a one-way street, ours is very very quiet. I see people jogging by in the morning, and in the afternoon today there were quite a few young families out with little kids in strollers. It is definitely not a college-student neighborhood, which I like. The girls said they've never had a problem walking home at night or leaving windows open, which is good, though I will obviously be cautious.
I woke up this morning and got ready for church. I did my hair and wore new shoes because I realized all my comfortable flats got abandoned in UT (I assume, since I can't find them). They were falling apart (the soles had separated and worn off) so it needed to be done, but I miss them. And I walked outside armed with my London umbrella because it was raining. I walked down to Harvard Square, took the T, and walked to the building. I left the house at 9:45. I got to the church building at 10:30ish, and church started at 11. My hair was flat and crazy by the time I got there, and my new shoes were wet.
Mom and Dad joked that I should just go to one of the churches around the block from me, since they're all pretty much the same- as Reverend Lovejoy says. I passed probably 5-6 churches on my way to the T, and there a lot of people out walking to them. Church is definitely a good 5 hour adventure, especially if I don't end up finding someone to hitch a ride with. There are two wards for people age 25-30. I have the choice to go to that one or the one essentially for undergrads (age 18-25). I chose the older one to be with people who were in graduate school and it was fine and I met lots of new people, but I felt young. Yes, most of the people are in graduate school, but they're 26/27/28.
So maybe I'll check out the undergrad. ward next week.
I got home around 3, after breaking one of the spokes on my umbrella when it got blown inside out after an unusually strong gust came up out of the T station, and after a stranger woman heard me say that to mom on the phone and interrupted me to ask if she could fix it. At home, all the girls were upstairs in the dining room. We had a conversation about house rules and things like that, which was good. I came down and had a very comfortable nap thanks to my new pillows from Ikea, which are actually discontinued couch cushion covers that I got for $3 and filled with down comforters. I woke up and made dinner- half a baked potato, ham, and green beans that were in the freezer and were announced as free game at our meeting. It was a delicious little Sunday dinner, and then I came back down here to sit in my rocking chair and write a blog entry (which is turning out very very long, and probably equally as boring.)
While we were shopping at Target and Wal-mart, we came across little square ottomans that could be opened for storage. I liked them, but didn't have a need for one so I passed them up. Well, as I sit in my little rocking chair, I will say that an ottoman would be nice because there's really no way to sit in this chair except with your feet on ground, especially if I want to be using the laptop. (So if you come across one again, mom, feel free to get me one!)
I'm still trying to figure out things like how to put on make-up or use a curling iron in my room, but I think I'll be fine. So far I quite like being here and the thought of being in New England for the fall and being only a couple hours from home makes me happy every time I think about it. It is so nice to feel close to home and mom and dad, but I really miss my lame sisters and nephews who are stuck out west, and I'm sure there will be things I miss about Utah in general- like the mountains and dry snow; and about BYU- like my job, friends who lived within walking distance, feeling comfortable driving around, etc.
Anyway.
Tomorrow is the big day.
Program orientation starts at 8:45 and goes until... 1? And then there's a break until 5 I think. I have already registered for the wrong workshop twice, so things are off to a good start. And it's supposed to be windy and rainy all week until Thursday and my umbrella is broken- although I think I may have fixed it enough to use for a while. I guess I needed to find out at some point how I would like walking to school (15 minutes) in crappy weather, but it didn't need to come quite so soon.
And I have no idea what to wear.
-mollie
Last Friday, I spent the day with mom shopping for items for my new room. I was awake until almost 3 am trying to pack things to take with me. I really only had clothes left to take, but then I had to pack all the random things, like curling irons or pictures for the wall, etc. I got up on Saturday at 7:30ish and we left at 8:30ish.
I moved all my things in and then unpacked some things while dad put together bookshelves (Thanks Dad!) and then mom and dad went to look at some shops around the corner. I cleaned baseboards and sprayed Raid around the corners as a preventative measure against spiders- and then I felt better. When they came back, we went and parked near Harvard Square and walked around to figure out the T and get me a CharlieCard (like an Oyster card in London- a refillable credit-card thing that gets you cheaper fares) and ate at Charlie's Kitchen, which is where we ate the last time we were here. We're adventurous. Actually, it was mostly because we knew it would be cheap because Harvard recommended their double-cheeseburger for $5.25, which I found out after we ate there the first time.
It was overcast and cool most of the day. After that, we drove down to where I would be going to church. There is an (apparently) brand-spanking new three story building with a parking garage built under it. We parked there and walked to the Kendall Square T station so I would know where to go if I took the T down there. While near the T stop, some guy asked me where MIT was and I told him I didn't know. We asked a girl sitting at the bus stop who seemed like she might be local, but she didn't know either. I've had no luck finding "the locals" and successfully getting information. It makes me wonder where all the people who live here are!
We then roamed around and found a Shaw's to do some grocery shopping. I HATE grocery shopping. It's just so... pointless. You go, spend money on food, bring it home, eat it all, and then have to go and do it again. I wish I didn't need food to survive, and I certainly wish I didn't like it so much, because I. Hate. Grocery. Shopping! And at Shaw's, most things are overpriced. I think I paid $4 for turkey lunch meat. $1.60 for eggs. It was lame. Well, mom paid. (Thanks mom!)
I brought all my stuff home and mom and dad left me here in an empty house to fend for myself. I spent the night unpacking all my clothes (I have a walk-in closet, so I don't need a dresser, which is pretty great) and hanging pictures/posters around my room to make it feel more homey. Evan and Laurel donated a TV to me that I promptly set up with an antenna and I am enjoying my 25 channels, though there are 6-7 that don't actually get anything. I really like being able to watch the news before bed or when I wake up in the morning, and getting the weather forecast.
My room is pretty big- almost 12 by 12, and then the closet. And even though it's in the basement, it doesn't really feel like it because the first floor is up about 6' off the ground, so my windows start at about shoulder height and go to the ceiling. There are three- two that look out into flowers and bushes, which reminds me of home since it's sort of like having a tree outside the window... and one that's made out of those light blocks. So even though there's a driveway there, I don't notice because I get all the light without the view.
About the house:
-In Cambridge (apparently Cambridge is a fairly fancy place to live- the girls here got a great deal. I looked at some places in Somerville and the girls said Somerville is nicknamed "Slumerville" because it's known for cheap, run-down housing. Who knew?)
-4 girls. Me, Jenna, Janna, Sarah. They play the violin, baroque flute, and harpsichord respectively.
-On a one-way street
-With a porch in the front
-FIRST FLOOR: When you walk through the front door, the stairway is right ahead. Off to the right is a space with a half-bath. About a third of the room opens to the second floor "loft"/balcony. It was a living room, but the girls made it into a bedroom to cut costs. To the left, there's a small dining/living room with a table and chairs and a couch. That connects to the kitchen which is back off the hallway, behind the dining room. For what I looked at, the kitchen is pretty large. Actually, larger than anything else I saw. Off the kitchen there is a porch where the recycling and big garbage can are. In the back to the right (under the stairs) is the stairway down.
-BASEMENT: At the bottom of the stairs, on the left is my room and on the right is Jenna's room. There's a hall to a full bath and washer/dryer.
-UPSTAIRS: to the left is a bedroom, and a hallway that leads to another full bath, and then to the right is the "loft" room that's a big open space overlooking about 1/3 of the first floor bedroom. That's where Jenna teaches violin lessons.
I know pictures would work better, but again, I'm too lazy. It's a pretty big place, with 2.5 updated bathrooms for 4 people, which is a huge selling feature in comparison to every other place with 1 bathroom for as many people.
Anyway- across the street is the back of a large Harvard-owned housing complex. It appears to be new and really nice and has no-trespassing signs on it. It's not listed on the Harvard map of campus/property, so my theory is it is home to professors or visiting faculty etc. since we seem to see a lot of children around. Around the corner are shops- a bakery and an (over-priced) market, dry-cleaner, pizza place, and branch of the Cambridge public library. And the bus stop where 5 different buses stop to go into Harvard Square.
So back to living here.
Last night I unpacked and realized I didn't have internet. So I waited until the girls got home and went up to talk to them for a few minutes, which turned into a couple hours. I slept well last night, even though it was a little stuffy in my room. There are sirens a couple times each evening (so far) but I only hear them passing. Being a one-way street, ours is very very quiet. I see people jogging by in the morning, and in the afternoon today there were quite a few young families out with little kids in strollers. It is definitely not a college-student neighborhood, which I like. The girls said they've never had a problem walking home at night or leaving windows open, which is good, though I will obviously be cautious.
I woke up this morning and got ready for church. I did my hair and wore new shoes because I realized all my comfortable flats got abandoned in UT (I assume, since I can't find them). They were falling apart (the soles had separated and worn off) so it needed to be done, but I miss them. And I walked outside armed with my London umbrella because it was raining. I walked down to Harvard Square, took the T, and walked to the building. I left the house at 9:45. I got to the church building at 10:30ish, and church started at 11. My hair was flat and crazy by the time I got there, and my new shoes were wet.
Mom and Dad joked that I should just go to one of the churches around the block from me, since they're all pretty much the same- as Reverend Lovejoy says. I passed probably 5-6 churches on my way to the T, and there a lot of people out walking to them. Church is definitely a good 5 hour adventure, especially if I don't end up finding someone to hitch a ride with. There are two wards for people age 25-30. I have the choice to go to that one or the one essentially for undergrads (age 18-25). I chose the older one to be with people who were in graduate school and it was fine and I met lots of new people, but I felt young. Yes, most of the people are in graduate school, but they're 26/27/28.
So maybe I'll check out the undergrad. ward next week.
I got home around 3, after breaking one of the spokes on my umbrella when it got blown inside out after an unusually strong gust came up out of the T station, and after a stranger woman heard me say that to mom on the phone and interrupted me to ask if she could fix it. At home, all the girls were upstairs in the dining room. We had a conversation about house rules and things like that, which was good. I came down and had a very comfortable nap thanks to my new pillows from Ikea, which are actually discontinued couch cushion covers that I got for $3 and filled with down comforters. I woke up and made dinner- half a baked potato, ham, and green beans that were in the freezer and were announced as free game at our meeting. It was a delicious little Sunday dinner, and then I came back down here to sit in my rocking chair and write a blog entry (which is turning out very very long, and probably equally as boring.)
While we were shopping at Target and Wal-mart, we came across little square ottomans that could be opened for storage. I liked them, but didn't have a need for one so I passed them up. Well, as I sit in my little rocking chair, I will say that an ottoman would be nice because there's really no way to sit in this chair except with your feet on ground, especially if I want to be using the laptop. (So if you come across one again, mom, feel free to get me one!)
I'm still trying to figure out things like how to put on make-up or use a curling iron in my room, but I think I'll be fine. So far I quite like being here and the thought of being in New England for the fall and being only a couple hours from home makes me happy every time I think about it. It is so nice to feel close to home and mom and dad, but I really miss my lame sisters and nephews who are stuck out west, and I'm sure there will be things I miss about Utah in general- like the mountains and dry snow; and about BYU- like my job, friends who lived within walking distance, feeling comfortable driving around, etc.
Anyway.
Tomorrow is the big day.
Program orientation starts at 8:45 and goes until... 1? And then there's a break until 5 I think. I have already registered for the wrong workshop twice, so things are off to a good start. And it's supposed to be windy and rainy all week until Thursday and my umbrella is broken- although I think I may have fixed it enough to use for a while. I guess I needed to find out at some point how I would like walking to school (15 minutes) in crappy weather, but it didn't need to come quite so soon.
And I have no idea what to wear.
-mollie
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Housing Update
Well, I have lots of stories about people I've met while out apartment-shopping. I've been to Boston three times, I've looked at ... 11 places?
I liked 2- well, I found two that I could make work. I liked one of those a LOT- it was by far the best thing I've seen.
It was within walking distance to school, in a quiet neighborhood, with three music students (getting their Master's), who all seemed really nice! They had rules for the apartment that were great- and the place was so clean (it was glorious) and inviting. And they're religious (at least I know one of them is) so they should have standards very similar to mine and share some views on political/social issues!! It was a beautiful little house (with an upstairs and downstairs and everything!), and it was perfect!
I only met one roommate in person (who said she likes ice cream and baking-sound similar to anyone you know? hah) so I had to wait until they talked about their potential renters, but I got an email saying I could move in! I'm SO excited!
My search is finally over for good- thank heavens!
Now let's just pray nothing changes.
I liked 2- well, I found two that I could make work. I liked one of those a LOT- it was by far the best thing I've seen.
It was within walking distance to school, in a quiet neighborhood, with three music students (getting their Master's), who all seemed really nice! They had rules for the apartment that were great- and the place was so clean (it was glorious) and inviting. And they're religious (at least I know one of them is) so they should have standards very similar to mine and share some views on political/social issues!! It was a beautiful little house (with an upstairs and downstairs and everything!), and it was perfect!
I only met one roommate in person (who said she likes ice cream and baking-sound similar to anyone you know? hah) so I had to wait until they talked about their potential renters, but I got an email saying I could move in! I'm SO excited!
My search is finally over for good- thank heavens!
Now let's just pray nothing changes.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Words to Live By
Always find your glasses before you take your contacts out.
I feel like Helen Keller* over here, pretty much every night.
Seriously.
*Please do not be offended by my reference to Helen Keller. I'm not making fun, I'm sympathizing.
I feel like Helen Keller* over here, pretty much every night.
Seriously.
*Please do not be offended by my reference to Helen Keller. I'm not making fun, I'm sympathizing.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
It's only a 2 hour commute...
So...
How is the Boston apartment-hunting going? you ask.
Well, I dreamt all last night about apartment shopping.
I had a dream that I won the key to an apartment and I was really excited. The person said it was one of the most desirable places to live, blah blah blah. And then they said it cost $1000/mo. so I gave the key to Stephanie Patinha. (Where did that come from, brain?)
So then I found a room with only three walls for $300/mo. I was considering it, but was concerned about bugs getting in.
And that pretty much sums it up.
I told mom I'll be needing to sell a kidney to pay for housing, but she told me that was illegal.
So the beat goes on.
p.s.- After LDS options (of which there was really only one; it was plenty big etc. with nice people, but I wasn't ready to commit to it) I started to move to Craigslist. There are some WEIRD people living in Cambridge, looking for roommates. That's all I got to say.
How is the Boston apartment-hunting going? you ask.
Well, I dreamt all last night about apartment shopping.
I had a dream that I won the key to an apartment and I was really excited. The person said it was one of the most desirable places to live, blah blah blah. And then they said it cost $1000/mo. so I gave the key to Stephanie Patinha. (Where did that come from, brain?)
So then I found a room with only three walls for $300/mo. I was considering it, but was concerned about bugs getting in.
And that pretty much sums it up.
I told mom I'll be needing to sell a kidney to pay for housing, but she told me that was illegal.
So the beat goes on.
p.s.- After LDS options (of which there was really only one; it was plenty big etc. with nice people, but I wasn't ready to commit to it) I started to move to Craigslist. There are some WEIRD people living in Cambridge, looking for roommates. That's all I got to say.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Dear Little Guy
Sawyer!
It's your birthday today! You're THREE years old! Soon you'll be going to school like Will. I hope you're enjoying your birthday and having lots of fun! I miss you! I still laugh thinking about how you got so excited to see the Easter Bunny brought your pacifier in your basket.
I remember when you were just a little baby and pretty much didn't want anyone but mommy holding you. Luckily you sort of grew out of it by the time I left. Although you did have a fondness for saying "No! I don't wuv you anymore!" whenever I did something you didn't like.
Happy birthday!!!!!
Love,
Aunt Mollie
Sawyer is so cute. He really didn't like me at first, but after babysitting so much, he learned that I was Aunt Mawwee and he was just going to have to deal with it. He loves pretty much everything that's furry or alive and non-human and non-plant. He kept saying bugs were his "favorite friend" and pretty much loves to do whatever Will is doing. They definitely have very different personalities. I predict Sawyer will be the quieter, more shy and sensitive one, while his brother sucks up attention. I am curious to see the pair they make in 10 years.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Mr. Will
Dear Mr. Will,
It's your birthday today! I miss you! It has been fun tracking you through your first 5 years. I was reading my past blog posts, and I have documented so many cute things you've said/done. I wish I wasn't so far away!
Will is like my best kid friend. I spent many many hours babysitting him during my freshman year and we just got attached. In my last three years, I still spent many hours babysitting, and I've enjoyed being part of his antics and watching him grow up. He's getting so big and smart and someday he won't care about me at all, and it will be so sad!
I was just remembering a conversation I had with will before I left. We were reading "Make Way for Ducklings" and he said "Mawwee, you're going to Boston for school right?" and I said "Yes." and he asked me why I was moving to Connecticut and I said "So I can work so I can get some monies to go to school." (Ok... that didn't work out quite as planned.) And he said "Is school going to cost a lot of monies?" and I said "Yes."
There was a pause.
Then his little voice said "Aunt Mawwee? You can have all my monies from my bank to help you go to school."
I miss him a lot. :(
Happy Birthday Will!!!!!
-Aunt Mollie
Friday, July 09, 2010
Hey June Bugs, FYI: It's JULY Now!
So in my room, there is an air conditioner.
In the air conditioner, there is a filter.
In the filter, there are holes.
At least, this is what I've deduced given the frequent presence of bugs, especially the hated June Bugs, in my room. I hate June bugs. I think I got it from mom. Last week I watched her take a bottle of Raid and spray it like a fire hose on the screen of the front door, where a whole swarm of june bugs had landed for the evening, angrily ordering them, "Die! Die! I want to see you die!"
Anyway, I hate them. So here's a picture in case you don't know what a June bug is. Don't they just LOOK like you should hate them?? They crunch when you kill them. They're like kamikazes, flying crazy, pithing against the wall, and then you look down and they're crawling on your leg. It's disgusting. And they crunch when you kill them!!!
I would know.
You see, my air conditioner is a lovely thing. It keeps my room from getting unbearably hot in the summer time. It allows me to comfortably sleep with a blanket so I don't feel all disoriented trying to sleep in the open air, and it blocks out other noises, while also nicely blocking the lower half of my window so the neighbors can't see in, which they have been able to do since they chopped their bushes to nice skewampus, barren stubs. I love the thing dearly, but we need to have a talk about its filter, or whatever it is that keeps things that are outside from coming inside.
Like June bugs.
I see them spattered on the glass of my window, all congregated to look in at what they can't have. But every so often, one of them finds their way in. I always know they're coming because there's a quiet little rattle from the inside of the air conditioner. I grab the fly swatter I have hanging on a hook by the head of my bed for this specific purpose (it is cruelly unfair to be attacked by bugs and unarmed) and wait.
It always takes me by surprise when the air conditioner shoots one out into the room, launching it out over my bed. The thing is probably just happy to be alive, and that's when I frantically flail my weapon of choice and smack it out of the air. It's like skeet shooting. Thwoooom, they sail out, and I try my best to beat them down before they land on something or worse, I lose sight of them. Then, of course, to verify the deed is done, I hunt for the corpse. Usually they land on the floor, though sometimes I've whipped them off behind my bookshelf. I find them, swat them to the floor if they're not already there, and then give them another good smack. And that's when they crunch. I return to my bed, put the fly-swatter on its hook, and wait for my heart rate to go down.
My floor has become a veritable bug graveyard. They lay there, crunched, like land mines. I have to try carefully not to step on them when I foggily make my way to the bathroom at night. There are few things worse than feeling your bare foot re-crunch a dead June bug. So the Air Conditioner June Bugs join the Corner Spiders and whatever other insect detritus makes its way to the floor. I figure I have to leave them there to teach the others a lesson. Come in through that glass, June bug, and you will see the same fate as your fallen comrades.
I guess I could just try to fix whatever holes are allowing them in, but what would I blog about?
-mollie
In the air conditioner, there is a filter.
In the filter, there are holes.
At least, this is what I've deduced given the frequent presence of bugs, especially the hated June Bugs, in my room. I hate June bugs. I think I got it from mom. Last week I watched her take a bottle of Raid and spray it like a fire hose on the screen of the front door, where a whole swarm of june bugs had landed for the evening, angrily ordering them, "Die! Die! I want to see you die!"
Anyway, I hate them. So here's a picture in case you don't know what a June bug is. Don't they just LOOK like you should hate them?? They crunch when you kill them. They're like kamikazes, flying crazy, pithing against the wall, and then you look down and they're crawling on your leg. It's disgusting. And they crunch when you kill them!!!
I would know.
You see, my air conditioner is a lovely thing. It keeps my room from getting unbearably hot in the summer time. It allows me to comfortably sleep with a blanket so I don't feel all disoriented trying to sleep in the open air, and it blocks out other noises, while also nicely blocking the lower half of my window so the neighbors can't see in, which they have been able to do since they chopped their bushes to nice skewampus, barren stubs. I love the thing dearly, but we need to have a talk about its filter, or whatever it is that keeps things that are outside from coming inside.
Like June bugs.
I see them spattered on the glass of my window, all congregated to look in at what they can't have. But every so often, one of them finds their way in. I always know they're coming because there's a quiet little rattle from the inside of the air conditioner. I grab the fly swatter I have hanging on a hook by the head of my bed for this specific purpose (it is cruelly unfair to be attacked by bugs and unarmed) and wait.
It always takes me by surprise when the air conditioner shoots one out into the room, launching it out over my bed. The thing is probably just happy to be alive, and that's when I frantically flail my weapon of choice and smack it out of the air. It's like skeet shooting. Thwoooom, they sail out, and I try my best to beat them down before they land on something or worse, I lose sight of them. Then, of course, to verify the deed is done, I hunt for the corpse. Usually they land on the floor, though sometimes I've whipped them off behind my bookshelf. I find them, swat them to the floor if they're not already there, and then give them another good smack. And that's when they crunch. I return to my bed, put the fly-swatter on its hook, and wait for my heart rate to go down.
My floor has become a veritable bug graveyard. They lay there, crunched, like land mines. I have to try carefully not to step on them when I foggily make my way to the bathroom at night. There are few things worse than feeling your bare foot re-crunch a dead June bug. So the Air Conditioner June Bugs join the Corner Spiders and whatever other insect detritus makes its way to the floor. I figure I have to leave them there to teach the others a lesson. Come in through that glass, June bug, and you will see the same fate as your fallen comrades.
I guess I could just try to fix whatever holes are allowing them in, but what would I blog about?
-mollie
Friday, June 25, 2010
Adventure of the Day
So.
Today, I got up. I showered. I got dressed, did my hair, and made snack mix from Erin's recipe. I burned my finger on the snack mix syrup (karo syrup, sugar, butter), which hurt A LOT. But I think it'll be fine since there's no blister.
With my snack mix in hand, I printed directions, got in the car, and headed out Route 99, through the GHO traffic, on my way to get on I-91 North.
Where was I going, you ask? Well, Mrs. Bing (my 9th grade English teacher and Yearbook advisor) had invited me up to her house in Tolland for lunch and a swim (in her fancy new in-ground pool) with Mrs. Line (my 11th and 12th grade English teacher) and her daughter. This is pretty much tradition. Our first party was held the summer after I graduated and also included Megan and Ms. Stillman (my H.S. guidance counselor). I think I laughed harder that day than I had before or have since. We played Cranium and it was hysterical. I think it was sophomore year when I was home on Christmas break when the second party was held. And now this. (Someday I will convince them we need pictures to document these things.)
Anyway. So I was a little nervous about driving there in crazy Friday traffic, but I have done it before. Plus I'm a good little driver- I don't drive aggressively; I've never gotten a ticket, been in an accident, or anything, and I kind of pride myself on that fact. So I soldiered on. On for about... oh, 10 miles, when I ran into stop-and-go traffic trying to get over the Charter Oak Bridge to I-84 E. This exit ramp is always, always backed up. Partly because people like to speed up alongside the waiting cars and sidle their way in as quickly as possible. "Please, you first. I was waiting in this line because I just have some extra time to kill, but you must obviously have somewhere more important to go than I do." Not.
So there I was, driving up over an overpass at about 1:15, stop (or at least slow down), go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. BAM.
I hit my head on my headrest, looked in my review mirror and may have yelled "WHAT THE HECK, YOU IDIOT?!" I do not credit myself with thinking quickly in emergency situations, but, I instinctively put on my blinker and pulled over. The guy behind me didn't look as keen on stopping, but did when I did. Before I even got out of the car, I called 911. (My first 911 call EVER!) She asked me where I was, and if anyone was hurt. (No one was.) She said they'd send someone out.
The guy was out of his car and I got out of mine, standing next to the barrier that separated us from 4 lanes of traffic below. He asked if I called the police- I said yes. He then started talking to me about the traffic, how he tried to stop, his girlfriend, and other random bits of broken English that I didn't have the mental capacity to process. I called my mom but she didn't answer. (That facebook group that said "I could be dying and you didn't pick up your phone mom!" was just funny to me before- now I feel like I should add myself to it) I went back to the car and got out my license, and looked for the registration in the glove compartment. I called my dad.
He was at work, but luckily for me, he answered. At that point, my big girl you're-fine-the-car-is-fine facade broke down and I started to cry. "Dad?" sob sob. You know- the sob where you're bawling and still trying to talk to someone like you're fine. "I just *sob* got *sob* rear-ended on the highway." sob sob. He asked if I was hurt and if the car was ok, and then where I was and where I was going. He said he'd come meet me.
Then I called Evan to ask if there was an insurance card in the car. Same deal. "There should be one in there with the registration. Why do you need it?" Cue bawling.
Shortly after that, my mom called back and said "Aren't you driving?" "No..." sob sob. Ok, so I might be a little bit of a cry-baby. But I've never been in an accident before, and it just scared me. I was alone and stopped on the side of the highway, and didn't really know what to do. And in the words of Lesley Gore and an oldies favorite, "You would cry too if it happened to you!"
Then we waited for probably 20 minutes for the cop to get there and my dad. I'm not sure I've ever been happier to see my dad. The cop got out and asked if anyone was hurt and then looked at the cars and seemed unimpressed. About 10 minutes later he came back and took our licenses, registration, and insurance information. About 10 minutes after that, another cop pulled up and the first one left. He came and asked me what happened. I told him, "We were just in stop-and-go traffic to get over the bridge and the car in front of me stopped, so I stopped, but he didn't." That's all I really knew about it.
The cop went away. My dad asked me if I'd called Mrs. Bing to let her know what happened. (I hadn't yet because I didn't want to cry on the phone talking to her- it would freak her out.) I called her, but she didn't answer, so I left a message letting her know I was in an accident, I was fine, the car was fine, but I was going to be late. Then I called Mrs. Line who luckily answered and told her my little story. Somewhere around then, Evan showed up. I don't think I've ever been happier to see him either. The guy driving the other car commented "Wow- everyone loves you!" Well, yes, they do. And that's the way I like it.
Evan left shortly after that and the cop came back and told us to get in our cars. He talked to the other guy first then came and told me that he gave a ticket to the other guy, and gave me a copy of the information for the police report. He told me I could leave.
And with that, I took a deep, deep breath, waited for a break in traffic, and pulled out to continue on my way. I made it to Mrs. Bing's about an hour after my original estimated time of arrival. They gave me big hugs and Mrs. Bing made me a sandwich while I told them what happened.
We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up, sitting on her lovely patio, and swimming. It was relaxing and fun. I stayed a little later than planned to wait out rush hour, but made it home uneventfully around 7:30. Can I just tell you that turning into Shanley Court and seeing the house made me feel like Brigham Young seeing the Salt Lake Valley? Or finally arriving at grandma's in Provo after the cross-country drive? Or the 101 Dalmatians seeing the Collie that led them to the barn? Home. It was glorious.
And at about 8:30, mom sent me to go pick up pizza and milk, even after I protested: "Me?! I almost DIED today!" She didn't sympathize. She told me I needed to get back in the saddle.
And there you have it. I guess my "I Have Never" repertoire just got smaller.
p.s.- So the damage is on the left side of the bumper- a nice blue imprint of the guy's license plate!
p.p.s.- My neck and back are hurting a bit, but I'm hoping it's unrelated.
Today, I got up. I showered. I got dressed, did my hair, and made snack mix from Erin's recipe. I burned my finger on the snack mix syrup (karo syrup, sugar, butter), which hurt A LOT. But I think it'll be fine since there's no blister.
With my snack mix in hand, I printed directions, got in the car, and headed out Route 99, through the GHO traffic, on my way to get on I-91 North.
Where was I going, you ask? Well, Mrs. Bing (my 9th grade English teacher and Yearbook advisor) had invited me up to her house in Tolland for lunch and a swim (in her fancy new in-ground pool) with Mrs. Line (my 11th and 12th grade English teacher) and her daughter. This is pretty much tradition. Our first party was held the summer after I graduated and also included Megan and Ms. Stillman (my H.S. guidance counselor). I think I laughed harder that day than I had before or have since. We played Cranium and it was hysterical. I think it was sophomore year when I was home on Christmas break when the second party was held. And now this. (Someday I will convince them we need pictures to document these things.)
Anyway. So I was a little nervous about driving there in crazy Friday traffic, but I have done it before. Plus I'm a good little driver- I don't drive aggressively; I've never gotten a ticket, been in an accident, or anything, and I kind of pride myself on that fact. So I soldiered on. On for about... oh, 10 miles, when I ran into stop-and-go traffic trying to get over the Charter Oak Bridge to I-84 E. This exit ramp is always, always backed up. Partly because people like to speed up alongside the waiting cars and sidle their way in as quickly as possible. "Please, you first. I was waiting in this line because I just have some extra time to kill, but you must obviously have somewhere more important to go than I do." Not.
So there I was, driving up over an overpass at about 1:15, stop (or at least slow down), go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. Stop. BAM.
I hit my head on my headrest, looked in my review mirror and may have yelled "WHAT THE HECK, YOU IDIOT?!" I do not credit myself with thinking quickly in emergency situations, but, I instinctively put on my blinker and pulled over. The guy behind me didn't look as keen on stopping, but did when I did. Before I even got out of the car, I called 911. (My first 911 call EVER!) She asked me where I was, and if anyone was hurt. (No one was.) She said they'd send someone out.
The guy was out of his car and I got out of mine, standing next to the barrier that separated us from 4 lanes of traffic below. He asked if I called the police- I said yes. He then started talking to me about the traffic, how he tried to stop, his girlfriend, and other random bits of broken English that I didn't have the mental capacity to process. I called my mom but she didn't answer. (That facebook group that said "I could be dying and you didn't pick up your phone mom!" was just funny to me before- now I feel like I should add myself to it) I went back to the car and got out my license, and looked for the registration in the glove compartment. I called my dad.
He was at work, but luckily for me, he answered. At that point, my big girl you're-fine-the-car-is-fine facade broke down and I started to cry. "Dad?" sob sob. You know- the sob where you're bawling and still trying to talk to someone like you're fine. "I just *sob* got *sob* rear-ended on the highway." sob sob. He asked if I was hurt and if the car was ok, and then where I was and where I was going. He said he'd come meet me.
Then I called Evan to ask if there was an insurance card in the car. Same deal. "There should be one in there with the registration. Why do you need it?" Cue bawling.
Shortly after that, my mom called back and said "Aren't you driving?" "No..." sob sob. Ok, so I might be a little bit of a cry-baby. But I've never been in an accident before, and it just scared me. I was alone and stopped on the side of the highway, and didn't really know what to do. And in the words of Lesley Gore and an oldies favorite, "You would cry too if it happened to you!"
Then we waited for probably 20 minutes for the cop to get there and my dad. I'm not sure I've ever been happier to see my dad. The cop got out and asked if anyone was hurt and then looked at the cars and seemed unimpressed. About 10 minutes later he came back and took our licenses, registration, and insurance information. About 10 minutes after that, another cop pulled up and the first one left. He came and asked me what happened. I told him, "We were just in stop-and-go traffic to get over the bridge and the car in front of me stopped, so I stopped, but he didn't." That's all I really knew about it.
The cop went away. My dad asked me if I'd called Mrs. Bing to let her know what happened. (I hadn't yet because I didn't want to cry on the phone talking to her- it would freak her out.) I called her, but she didn't answer, so I left a message letting her know I was in an accident, I was fine, the car was fine, but I was going to be late. Then I called Mrs. Line who luckily answered and told her my little story. Somewhere around then, Evan showed up. I don't think I've ever been happier to see him either. The guy driving the other car commented "Wow- everyone loves you!" Well, yes, they do. And that's the way I like it.
Evan left shortly after that and the cop came back and told us to get in our cars. He talked to the other guy first then came and told me that he gave a ticket to the other guy, and gave me a copy of the information for the police report. He told me I could leave.
And with that, I took a deep, deep breath, waited for a break in traffic, and pulled out to continue on my way. I made it to Mrs. Bing's about an hour after my original estimated time of arrival. They gave me big hugs and Mrs. Bing made me a sandwich while I told them what happened.
We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up, sitting on her lovely patio, and swimming. It was relaxing and fun. I stayed a little later than planned to wait out rush hour, but made it home uneventfully around 7:30. Can I just tell you that turning into Shanley Court and seeing the house made me feel like Brigham Young seeing the Salt Lake Valley? Or finally arriving at grandma's in Provo after the cross-country drive? Or the 101 Dalmatians seeing the Collie that led them to the barn? Home. It was glorious.
And at about 8:30, mom sent me to go pick up pizza and milk, even after I protested: "Me?! I almost DIED today!" She didn't sympathize. She told me I needed to get back in the saddle.
And there you have it. I guess my "I Have Never" repertoire just got smaller.
p.s.- So the damage is on the left side of the bumper- a nice blue imprint of the guy's license plate!
p.p.s.- My neck and back are hurting a bit, but I'm hoping it's unrelated.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
"Cool" is a Relative Term...
So, as most of you know, the end of June is high school graduation season here in CT.
The Middletown Press has been posting pictures taken at most of the smaller local ceremonies, which is nice. I think the best picture I've seen, by far, comes from Hale Ray's graduation.
It features this cool kid who ripped off his robe after walking across the stage to reveal a cheerleader's skirt and bikini top. I don't know why he's only wearing one shoe, but maybe that was part of his plan.
First, I thought 1) Wow, his parents must be proud.
Then I thought 2) 20 years from now, his children will come across this picture and he'll say "Yep kids, I was awesome. I dressed in women's clothing and undressed on stage at my high school graduation! I EVEN cut a dress shirt at the collar to make everyone think I was dressed! So awesome!" I hope they are deeply, deeply embarrassed.
Then I thought, maybe there will be no children if 3) 10 years from now, every employer or potential significant other googles his name, finds this picture, and turns him down. "No, I'm sorry, you can't be the future father of my children. I don't want to pass those genes on." "No, I'm sorry, you can't work here- I'm afraid you might take 'casual Friday' to a new, uncomfortable level. Nevermind the fact that I'll always be wondering if you're wearing a bikini top and skirt under that suit jacket."
And THEN I thought 4) Look at the poor woman in the background, who is, no doubt, some school or town official.
She had been happily smiling away when the camera just so happened to capture the very moment when she realized what happened and can't hide her disgust. No doubt thinking, "If this is the future of America, God help us," while also quickly considering how hard it would be to revoke his diploma.
All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not this kid's parent, future employer/significant other, or child. And sometimes I wonder why I want to work in a high school.
The Middletown Press has been posting pictures taken at most of the smaller local ceremonies, which is nice. I think the best picture I've seen, by far, comes from Hale Ray's graduation.
It features this cool kid who ripped off his robe after walking across the stage to reveal a cheerleader's skirt and bikini top. I don't know why he's only wearing one shoe, but maybe that was part of his plan.
First, I thought 1) Wow, his parents must be proud.
Then I thought 2) 20 years from now, his children will come across this picture and he'll say "Yep kids, I was awesome. I dressed in women's clothing and undressed on stage at my high school graduation! I EVEN cut a dress shirt at the collar to make everyone think I was dressed! So awesome!" I hope they are deeply, deeply embarrassed.
Then I thought, maybe there will be no children if 3) 10 years from now, every employer or potential significant other googles his name, finds this picture, and turns him down. "No, I'm sorry, you can't be the future father of my children. I don't want to pass those genes on." "No, I'm sorry, you can't work here- I'm afraid you might take 'casual Friday' to a new, uncomfortable level. Nevermind the fact that I'll always be wondering if you're wearing a bikini top and skirt under that suit jacket."
And THEN I thought 4) Look at the poor woman in the background, who is, no doubt, some school or town official.
She had been happily smiling away when the camera just so happened to capture the very moment when she realized what happened and can't hide her disgust. No doubt thinking, "If this is the future of America, God help us," while also quickly considering how hard it would be to revoke his diploma.
All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not this kid's parent, future employer/significant other, or child. And sometimes I wonder why I want to work in a high school.
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