Just a quick post before the family descends on us. CJ pretty much organized everything, cleaned etc.
We tried to make it out of the house last night, but managed to talk ourselves out of it...quiet night at home.
My first class went well. I have about 50 students which is a nice break from 300+!
We had a nice dinner for our anniversary...I noticed that CJ was wearing the white gold sapphire ring I bought him last year. I was very pleased to see it .
Did I wear mine? Uh, no. I don't think I'll ever wear that ring again. You see, his ring was bought and given out of real love and committment. Things weren't great (in my mind) but he was still my love. My ring, on the other hand...is rather tainted. I feel like I bought it for myself under really false pretenses (only I didn't know it at the time).
CJ didn't give me card or gift, but he's been doing so much lately, and I rather took the trip to be an anniversary gift. I asked him why no card before we turned in. He said that if he'd had a chance to go out that day (remember...one car) he would have. Odd, he'd been out running around all week, even nabbed a card and gift for my cousin's birthday.
But I let it slide, because frankly everything else is just great. Next morning I found an e-card from him .
Well, that's about it for now. I sure hope I have the chance to check on you guys soon!!
Glad everything went so well on your special day, the R is getting stronger, and your class size is smaller!
I understand the whole ring thing. I remember your posts about it and I feel the same way about Sam's wedding diamond. It is an absolutely stunning diamond - colorful and sparkley - and was given to her in a rather unique sort of way. It was very special to both of us.
But she wore it during her infidelities, and took it off once too. I'm not sure which hurts more. Either way, it was present during each "date" and I don't think I want it around anymore.
She and I were married by a lawyer and never had a honeymoon...maybe when this is all fixed and we are ready to renew our wedding vows (in a church this time) I'll put the ring on eBay and take a honeymoon.
CJ wore both of his rings, wedding band and anniversary sapphire until the very last visit he had with OW #2. That time he had no rings, she told me.
But I want him to wear his rings...to me, they were given in love. It's only MY anniversary ring that just feels hollow to me.
...precious little time!
Well folks, it's day two of my "full year course in 6 weeks". It's a lot of work. As it's a third year course, I have to stay on my toes a tad more as many of these students aren't quite as "green" as are the first years. (What would that be in "American"? Juniors and Freshmen?)
Things are still good in shinyville. CJ has a job interview tomorrow. Part time, in a more creative and teaching aspect of Info Technology.
Might just suit as he's also looking at an on-line post grad degree in designing/developing on-line web based education.
I also have a meeting with the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences on Thursday....seems he might nominate me for a teaching award.
Now HOW do I choose who to check in on! I miss you all!
HI, Shiny! I'm pulling for you for the award. A little envious, maybe, since I've worked SO HARD to be good at what I do, and now I've been SO BAD. Very humiliating and disappointing. But, I'm smart, and I AM a hard worker, and now I'm going to find a job that makes me happy and leaves me less drained for my family.
Hi SB, just checking up on some old friends. Well, not old. You know what I mean. Sounds like things are progressing well for you, and I couldn't be any happier for you. You really deserve it!
Jim
I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much.
4 days into my course...can you say "exhausted"? For some reason it just seems tougher this year. Gee I don't know, could it be 8 months of constant stress? Kidney stones?
Oh well, I will survive! Just wishing I hadn't signed on for another course in July. Oy!
Hi, Shiny...thanks for the compliments. I was really starting to feel like I was FINALLY getting to be a really top notch therapist. About the last half of last year. Of course, I knew I was being a really LOUSY therapist with one of my clients...then with another, which REALLY REALLY scared me. But, just because you're good at something doesn't mean it's the right thing for you to do. I had a friend in grad school who was so impressed with me b/c I went to Oberlin College & Conservatory as a Double Degree student in psych & piano performance. He said, "You're not a slave to your talents," because I didn't keep on playing the piano. But, you know what? I've been a slave to my talents anyway! RATS!
About a year ago I thought of a great vanity license plate - I've never had one because I couldn't think of any one phrase that would sum up my whole self. But you rarely see anyone using the letter "Y" to represent "WI" and I thought I'd like to have a plate that said, "OLDR YZR." But I've never felt wise enough to get it!!!!
I guess it'll probably be a good thing if I never do. If you stop learning, you're headed for danger!
Don't forget to take care of yourself!!! Stress & kidney stones & 9 months in 5 weeks don't mix very well! Even if you "only" have 50 students. I'm impressed with your energy!!!!!
Actually I DO have some today. Probably it's just knowing I'm off until Monday (Unless you count working on the midterm and prepping Monday's lecture ).
Are you playing your piano, Sam? I just wondered because that's one thing I remember: CJ stopped playing his guitar after "it all came out". I missed it.
If it makes you feel good, I hope you are. I just did my first drawing in over a year and it felt really good to express myself in a nonverbal way. We do enough of that, right?
I had my meeting with the dean today. He wrote an embarassingly glowing letter of nomination for the "Distinguished Instructor" award. Highest award at the University. Only one winner per year.
I was pleased of course (he's a really nice guy, very down to earth and supportive), but at the same time my old anxieties were flickering under the surface: "You're a fraud! Some day they'll find you out!" Arggg!
No worries, it was just a passing thing. I'm mostly excited.
I'm simmering my zuchinni, red pepper tomato sauce as I type (with a cat on my lap), sipping some well-deserved vino.
CJ deposited his severence check (a tidy sum) into the savings account that I opened under my own name back in December. I didn't ask him to do that, suggested another joint account or something, but it's done. Now that it is, I realize that it is a gesture of faith and I'll take it as such!
