So...as this semester is winding down, I am taking a little breather here during Thanksgiving Break! I am writing from my brother's kitchen in Gastonia, North Carolina....even as my sister-in-law, Jen, is preparing a gigantic meal for 26 people tomorrow. Of course, not all family, but it is Thanksgiving. In that spirit, I am reminded of how much I have to be Thankful for this year. Although transitioning continues to be a challenge for me, I am so Thankful for my home congregation, in their continued support and prayer and for my friends and family.
I was actually very stressed about being here at home for Thanksgiving, but it has actually been nice so far. I am reminded of how much I miss my family; of course, we haven't ventured to my mother's house yet. We are going over there for a family get together tonight- minus my brother since his wife's family is arriving today. My sister Myra and I went and ate Sushi today after my CPE interview this morning. It was a first for me. Myra's fiance Tony is also here. It's becoming more clear to me why they are getting married. He is a genuinely nice guy with a great personality. My sister's partner arrived today too. I haven't met her yet but everything I have heard about her I like. Tamara's kids aren't here this year but I am also enjoying spending time with my niece and nephew too. So...lots of family stuff; so far so good.
School has been continually more stressful as I get closer to the end of the semester, but I am trying to keep things in perspective and just one thing at a time....that is all I can do after all! So...I am now going to go...so I can work on a paper for a little bit. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Be sure to count your blessings! May the peace of God be with you all.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A little more Anti-Racism, Justification and just a few more papers later....
So for me, this semester is going by so fast. As I've been counting the days to Christmas Break, today marks 30 days till the day that I will be home in Texas! I am going to North Carolina, my native home, for Thanksgiving Break, courtesy of my baby sister Myra. I am looking forward to spending time with family, but since I am leaving so soon after break, I'll probably be spending most of my break, working on final papers....BUT I won't be missing the game or a few beers for sure!
So this semester over all has been pretty stressful yet a serious spiritual shift for me. And I honestly think, that's what the professors are wanting! My class had a class forum tonight; as there has seemed to be some tension going on. I have to say I do feel better about my class. It is tough being single, so far from home, but even more than that is feeling so alone in my concerns within myself. That's something I've been working on ALL semester, but something I've got to get batter at as I prepare for my CPE.
Speaking of CPE....I had my interview a few weeks ago. I teared up talking to the supervisor about things, as I tend to get emotional when talking about my own spirituality these days. All in all the interview went well; I'm assuming that since the supervisor asked me to apply to his location! I currently have 4 applications out. One at John Hopkins in Baltimore, which is my first choice. I have a college friend, Beth, who lives there who has offered to house me and her church has offered to help with the expenses. So we'll see,.....cause it's hard to get in there! I've applied to Carolina's Medical in Charlotte. It'd be cool to be near my family. I'm hoping to interview there over Thanksgiving. Then last but not least, I've applied to 2 hospitals in Dallas area; Children's Medical and Baylor Medical. Both are wanting to interview me in January; convenient since I"ll be there. I hope to have my official report back within the next few weeks from the dude that interviewed me. Some of my colleagues already for theirs back!
Along with paper deadlines, these past few weeks have had a little added stress with preparing for my baby sister's wedding. It all ended up working out in the end, but I hope to be able to communicate better my feelings to my family. That's the disadvantage of being away from family for so long, that we all tend to pretend we all know each other well...when in reality, I feel sometimes, like I hardly know them. I am to blame and am at fault in a large part of that. I hope to do better by my family, so that one day our relationships will be better.
So in my title sentence I mentioned Anti-Racism and justification. In my justification and justice class, we've spent a great deal talking about cultural diversity and how important anti-racism is. Then last Friday, we had a whole day workshop on that topic. Long day, but overall it was good stuff.
I am appreciating my colleagues more and more. I really enjoy our small group Spiritual practice class. (Shout out to Andrew, Gravy, Alyssa, Megan and Abagail and our professor Susan....WHO ALL ROCK!!!) It allows a more intimate session to really dig deeper into things. Spiritual practice for me, has been the most stirring class I've had this semester. I get frustrated that they lecture on all this really deep stuff that STIRS all this great spiritual stuff and right after class, I go into my Justification and justice and can't concentrate because my head is swimming from all the SP stuff! I expressed that concern with a professor today. I hope that will change for next year.
I have to just brag on one of my best friends Julie here. She has been my "rock" since I've been here. She listens to my complaints about my classes, my frustrations, my anger, my sadness, my loneliness, my revelations and just continues each day to surprise me with just the right thing to say to pick me up or make me smile. She reminds me each day that I am loved and missed. Not having a spouse, family, my home congregation or significant other to share all this, has been really hard for me. But I just have to say that I have the coolest Best Friend ever and I am eternally grateful.
So I have 30 more days, and 6 papers and then surgery next month. That I am NOT looking forward to that, but I have to get it done to continue to be functional next summer for CPE.
So to all reading....May God continue to bless and keep you. Peace!
So this semester over all has been pretty stressful yet a serious spiritual shift for me. And I honestly think, that's what the professors are wanting! My class had a class forum tonight; as there has seemed to be some tension going on. I have to say I do feel better about my class. It is tough being single, so far from home, but even more than that is feeling so alone in my concerns within myself. That's something I've been working on ALL semester, but something I've got to get batter at as I prepare for my CPE.
Speaking of CPE....I had my interview a few weeks ago. I teared up talking to the supervisor about things, as I tend to get emotional when talking about my own spirituality these days. All in all the interview went well; I'm assuming that since the supervisor asked me to apply to his location! I currently have 4 applications out. One at John Hopkins in Baltimore, which is my first choice. I have a college friend, Beth, who lives there who has offered to house me and her church has offered to help with the expenses. So we'll see,.....cause it's hard to get in there! I've applied to Carolina's Medical in Charlotte. It'd be cool to be near my family. I'm hoping to interview there over Thanksgiving. Then last but not least, I've applied to 2 hospitals in Dallas area; Children's Medical and Baylor Medical. Both are wanting to interview me in January; convenient since I"ll be there. I hope to have my official report back within the next few weeks from the dude that interviewed me. Some of my colleagues already for theirs back!
Along with paper deadlines, these past few weeks have had a little added stress with preparing for my baby sister's wedding. It all ended up working out in the end, but I hope to be able to communicate better my feelings to my family. That's the disadvantage of being away from family for so long, that we all tend to pretend we all know each other well...when in reality, I feel sometimes, like I hardly know them. I am to blame and am at fault in a large part of that. I hope to do better by my family, so that one day our relationships will be better.
So in my title sentence I mentioned Anti-Racism and justification. In my justification and justice class, we've spent a great deal talking about cultural diversity and how important anti-racism is. Then last Friday, we had a whole day workshop on that topic. Long day, but overall it was good stuff.
I am appreciating my colleagues more and more. I really enjoy our small group Spiritual practice class. (Shout out to Andrew, Gravy, Alyssa, Megan and Abagail and our professor Susan....WHO ALL ROCK!!!) It allows a more intimate session to really dig deeper into things. Spiritual practice for me, has been the most stirring class I've had this semester. I get frustrated that they lecture on all this really deep stuff that STIRS all this great spiritual stuff and right after class, I go into my Justification and justice and can't concentrate because my head is swimming from all the SP stuff! I expressed that concern with a professor today. I hope that will change for next year.
I have to just brag on one of my best friends Julie here. She has been my "rock" since I've been here. She listens to my complaints about my classes, my frustrations, my anger, my sadness, my loneliness, my revelations and just continues each day to surprise me with just the right thing to say to pick me up or make me smile. She reminds me each day that I am loved and missed. Not having a spouse, family, my home congregation or significant other to share all this, has been really hard for me. But I just have to say that I have the coolest Best Friend ever and I am eternally grateful.
So I have 30 more days, and 6 papers and then surgery next month. That I am NOT looking forward to that, but I have to get it done to continue to be functional next summer for CPE.
So to all reading....May God continue to bless and keep you. Peace!
Just a few pics to share....This is us studying (yeah right....) at a local winery one Sunday afternoon! (Andrew, Shannon and Emily)
2 weeks ago, I led chapel and wore my cleric collar for the first time. Scary huh? (Yeah, I thought so too!)
The first pic is of my buddy, Mara. She and I usually sit next to each other in classes. Cool friend!
Blogging....coming up....Peace!
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