Revised Fall 2011 Schedule and Some Random Thoughts

Summer in Alaska is the greatest gift from God...there is nowhere else on earth that I would rather be than right here, especially when the sun is shining and the clouds are lacy and high above me. It makes me think of the poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. It goes like this:

HIGH FLIGHT
By John Gillespie Magee, Jr. 

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
   Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. 

When I was a child, this poem was something we heard every night at midnight when KTUU Channel 2 signed off the air. (And yes, once upon a time there was only 12 hours of programming broadcast every day!) It was recited by someone with a wonderful speaking voice...and was accompanied by a beautiful video of an Air Force jet streaking through the clouds.  Brings back such memories...and a feeling of peace.

My son came to me late last week and mentioned that his classmate, Brianna Aspelund, had invited him to help her family place American flags and crosses (decorated with American Legion poppies) on the graves of each veteran in the Catholic section of Angelus Memorial Cemetery. So that is what we did this morning...it was an honor. When we finished and looked back at all those crosses and flags, it quite took my breath away.

Decided to ditch the Physical Geology class and am taking Prealgebra instead. I hope I'm not making a mistake...I think, however, that I'm much closer to graduation than I had originally thought. What's complicating things is my change of major. It adds about another year at least, so it looks like I may graduate in 2013 or 2014. Sooner would be nice, but what the heck, it's taken over 28 years to get to this point - so what's another two or three years? 

I've been thinking a great deal recently about our veterans, past and present. Two of "my boys" are in Afghanistan or Iraq right now - one in the Army, one in the Marines. I'm very proud of them...and terrified at the same time.With Memorial Day coming up, this is the perfect time to pay tribute to our men and women in uniform all around the globe..thank you for your service, each and every one of you!  

 Chester D. Jaques

Army Air Corps

Killed in Action 15 May 1943, 25 miles west of  Wilhelmshaven, Germany

 Wayne E. Lovel, United States Navy (and his baby sister Lulubelle)

 Clyde W. Lovel, Sr. (my dad), United States Air Force

Glen V. Lovel, United States Army

Served in Burma

and 

Charles A. Lovel, United States Army

Served in WWI, in France

THANK YOU...

Finals Week is HEEEERE!!

I learned a lesson this week about not holding on tight to my expectations. It's finals week here, and I see tired faces all over the campus. Sleep deprivation is the norm and people are studying well into the night, and waking up exhausted the next day. So, what is the lesson, you ask? Ah, listen my children! It's not complicated at all.  I was dreading this week, because unlike last semester, I had to actually TAKE my German final...and tests in German can send me into a tailspin like nothing else. I also have a final in Anthropology and a final paper in Western Civilization, so there are MANY hand grenades in the air at the present time. 

Monday and Tuesday evening I was able to work with a German tutor, which eased my concerns about that particular final. The University also makes free food available to those who are attending late night study sessions, so I didn't have to stress about my dinner for either evening.  The University also makes tutors available in almost every subject taught here, and there is a wonderful Writing Lab where you can go for help. I have been using the Writing Center a great deal, and my final paper is nearly finished. This is important to note as it is also due TOMORROW. No pressure!

Finally, I was able to secure extended time for my German final, which meant that I could take as long as four HOURS to finish. I was so much more relaxed...it made all the difference!  Then we had a study session for Anthropology which went really well, and I was able to work some more on my paper for Western Civ. Ran into a good friend from German class and bless her heart, she bought dinner for me! So you see, if you just let go of the controls, God can bring all things into their proper order and supply all of your needs!

And now, dear friends, I must finish my delicious dinner and get back to work on that paper.  Western Civ waits for no man!

Well, It's Been AWHILE...

I looked up finally from the crushing weight of homework, papers,classes and more of the same, and realized it's been like...since February? since I last posted on this...oh well,I'm maintaining a respectable GPA and getting my course work done and turned in, so something's happening as it should. We're getting down to the wire with less than 2 weeks of classes left before FINALS WEEK...aaaauuuuuggghhhh........................alles is GUT. 

Signed up today for Fall 2011 classes...I must be insane. German 201, English 121 (Literature), Physical Geology and...last but not least....PreAlgebra! Shoot me, just SHOOT ME NOW.

Thoughts on Writing College Papers

Did I mention that I HATE WRITING papers? Reeeeeallly hate it. Don't like it at all. Would rather stick NEEDLES in my eyes, in fact.  I'm fine if you tell me, "Write something! Be creative!" but when you tell me that I have to write NO MORE than TWO pages (who the sam hill writes that little?!?) and that it has to be 1/2" from the top and bottom of the paper, with left and right margins at 1", and that you have to use this stupid style or that stupid style (APA, MLA, Chiacgo-Turabian)....screw that!! Bite me.

Okay, done venting now.....back to writing about something I DO NOT CARE about....and I'm paying to do this...isn't that AA's definition of insanity?

Life is Like Juggling Hand Grenades: Midterm Report

Life is Like Juggling Hand Grenades: Midterm Report

Midterm Report

Hi guys...holy wow.  This semester is more than twice as tough as last semester, even though I'm only taking two more classes. Every professor figures that theirs is the ONLY important class you're taking and none of them cares whether or not you're swamped in any other class....go figure. Kind of like life, nu?


So far my grades are so-so, but the first test in German 102 was AWFUL....a real wakeup call. The next one was much better, so pray for me with the third chapter test, next Thursday! And I have a test in Anthropology 250...a paper in Western Civilization....a paper in Critical Thinking...followed by a nervous breakdown on Friday...hahahahahha....


Received an email from my dear friend, Kathy McEwen, who lives in Washington State. She started walking half-marathons a couple of years ago and is working her way up to actually RUNNING a marathon - and she's 64 years old! WAY TO GO, KATHY!! Check her blog out and be inspired to change YOUR life - http://toenailsareforwimps.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas...Or, Thank God For the Holidays!

After sweating literally buckets of blood over Linguistics 101, I am thrilled beyond measure to report that my final grade - drumroll, please! - is an earthshattering C! Thank you, Jesus...it's a great load off my mind to know that I will NEVER ever have to take that class again...!!!! Whew!

And the best news of all? My grade in Elementary German 101 is...are you ready for this?!? An A!! God is so good...He does help those who help themselves!

I studied hard in both classes - but German was where I really clicked. I'm so looking forward to next semester! I'm privileged to have Frau W again as my Professorin and I know at least four of the students in the class already. We're planning to work together on the group project, if there is one.

So now I can truly relax and enjoy the next 5 weeks of peace and joy...Froehliche Weihnachten, y'all!