Abigail Adams Quote

"These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties." Abigail Adams

Last week this quote stood out to me during Stake Conference. 

The meetings were truly inspired and motivated me to try a little harder to do a little better.

Just a quote

Sometimes the hardest part isn't letting go, but rather, learning to start over - Nicole Sobon.

Isn't this so true? I think sometimes we let go and don't even realize that we have until we are starting over and it hits us.

Chemistry and Friends

Last night I had the opportunity to help my friend MR grade papers for her students. It is the end of the semester and grades are due. She had posted earlier in the week about not begin nice and not extending deadlines. My response to that was: this is not about being nice but rather about teaching them about the real world and meeting deadlines.
After all when you go to work and you have a project you are given a deadline. You either meet the deadline or you don't. If you don't and you do this on a regular basis I can say you probably wont be employed by that employer for very long. Anyways, as I helped her, I realized that I was learning a little bit about chemisty and a lot about how the future leaders of our world take pride in their work. The assignment I was helping grade consisted of writing down the question and then putting down the answer and time was given during the class time. The assignment was given in November I think and it is part of their notebook they use in class.
I am no chemistry wizard and I will admit I dropped that class and opted to take biology in high school. I remember blowing off my butterfly assignment in that class and being at a very lod D and somehow pulling of a C after my dad had to meet with the teacher. Next semester I did much better and took pride in putting my leaf collection together and belief I still have it in a binder in a box - that's how much effort I put into that assignment.
The notebooks ranged in penmanship and neatness. There were the ones where I could tell there was hard work being put in but some shortcomings ; there was the one where I knew oh this kid is just passing time and then there was one where I was completely impressed. The individual took time to have clear legible writing; the answers were well written. 
I learned that parents truly have to be involved in their childrens academics and sometimes that is hard when English is a second language which the parents may not speak and that is where the teachers step in to help these children.
I feel that teachers are underpaid for what we are asking them to do which is educate our future leaders. Granted there are probably some teachers who are overpaid for the effort they put into their carreer. Since I met MR I have been impressed with her dedication to her job, students and community in which she works. She is a model of showing these kids to take responsibility and pride in their school. If I had kids I would want them to have someone like her to educate them and help them become the best that they can be.
I don't know that I helped her much but I hope I did; I do know that she helped me think back on my high school years and have renewed gratitude for the teachers who did a lot for me and also feel remorse for those who I gave a hell of a time. 

FB Research, FB Stalking, or FB lurking...what are your thoughts?

So one of the things I recently talked about with a person what constitutes FB stalking and what I call FB research.

Think about it,,,research is when you are trying to determine if David Smith or Jane Smith is the right person that you really want to recconnect with or friend request or accept a friend request. It can also be to see what that friend that you know is up to but you don't really want them to be in your business so you are not FB friends. You just want to be nosy and see what is up with them.

FB Stalker - Now the term stalker was started to be used by the media in the 20th century to describe people who pester and harass others.  Stalking can be defined as the willful and repeated following, watching and/or harassing of another person. This usually is a series of actions that occur over a period of time. So if you are doing more than just quick FB research described above then maybe just maybe you are a FB stalker.

Or wait maybe you are a FB lurker? Lurkers are those people who read but do not contribute to the discussion; or maybe they do randomly and that is when you realize there have been lurkers on your FB page. 

So what are your thoughts, seriously please share and comment.

Reflections

Last Friday night I drove up to OC for a wedding reception for one of my previous Sunday School kids. Spencer not only has a cool name but has become a wonderful man who found a beautiful lady to marry. It brings me joy to see him accomplish this milestone in his life. I will blog about him one day this month.

So I drove up the 5 and made great time from Escondido to Costa Mesa. As I went from the 73 to the 405 I quickly saw a sea of red brake lights. I immediately turned off at Harbor and figured I would drive back to Cypress by side streets.

Suddently as I found myself at the intersection of Brookhurst and Talbert I looked to my left and saw Orange Coast Memorial and I immediately had flashbacks to a year ago. I drove myself on Saturday, January 7 to La Palma and stayed the night at the Farrers. We had a game night that night with the young Woods, LS, the Farrers and LM. Then Sunday I went to church we chilled and watched football and then the Boulton's came over so CB and RF could give me a blessing.

On Monday, January 9 LS picked me and drove me to OCM and I checked in for my surgery. I was a bit nervous and worried about what laid ahead the next few days but also relieved I was taking care of something that was taking over my life.

On Tuesday, January 10 my sil picked me up and took me back to PD where I would spend 5 or 6 weeks being spoiled by my family.

As I headed to the reception in Cypress, I thought about my stay at the Farrer's, OC Memorial and my crazy roommate, my family allowing me to recuperate in their home for a few weeks, the cards I received from people along with e-mails.

As I got closer to Cypress and drove in silence and thought how darn lucky I am to have such good people in my life. 

This year I am taking the Butterfly project on full speed ahead. I often express my gratitude to people in thank you cards or by saying thank you; or via this blog but I am going to do it in a more personal way.I though of doing 52 letters, but seriously who am I kidding how about I aim for 24.

Winter Break

My winter break was wonderful.

I left work on Friday, December 21 and did some errands.

12.22.12 Busy day but saw MS and MR that day.

12.23.12 immediately after church I headed to Moreno Valley to pick up my niece N so we could spend Christmas Eve at Disneyland. I was able to get a good deal at the Courtyard Marriott in Cypress. We drove down the 91 just like the good old days to Cypress, checked in rested and then headed to Downtown Disney. Purchased her park hopper pass for Christmas Eve and walked to find a restaurant for dinner.

Dinner was great...walked around and headed back to the hotel. I somehow passed out around 9 pm and she was watching the Sound of Music and Passed Out.

Christmas Eve - started the day at CA Adventure where we met up with TW and then headed off to Disneyland. It has been so much fun to go to both parks with these girls since they were pre teens. It is nice to see that they have their own friendship and keep in touch even though they only see each other during school breaks. I think their friendship is a positive commercial for FB and texting. (Oh how did I forget we ended up getting NE a pass we need to go back and party at Cars Land. I have realized the next 5 months I am going to be emotional as I watch her finish this phase of her life and move on to college!!!)

Christmas Day - Woke up in Palm Desert with the family. The night before when we got there I felt like I was home. I spent the night in SE's room which was my bedroom almost a year ago during my recovery time. My sister in law E made me a yummy Christmas dinner but we did go see SkyFall first. I didn't like how M died - just not right.

Day after Christmas - drove back to SD; picked up a friend at the airport and chilled. Reflected that my mom passed away 19 years ago this day. Time has flown by and I still miss her and think of her more lately not sure why.

12.27 and 12.28 went to the office but it was slow got quite a bit done but not as much as I would like to have accomplished.

12.29 - went to SD temple to see MH & MO be sealed it was so great. Then headed up to PD again for a family birthday dinner and see my niece LE and nephew SE who returned from their Birth Right trip to Israel. It had been the longest I have ever gone without seeing LE so I was happy to see her. We had dinner at a family friends restaurant and it was yummy. Saw some long time family friends there too. Unfortunately I started to get sick after dinner. Good thing NE was driving my car that night. My family quickly setup my bed and I was down for the night.  = (

12.30 - hung out in PD and drove back that night. I learned how to use my sewing machine thanks EE!!

NYE - woke up with a head cold but managed to make it o OC for a party. I was almost going to stay home but I kept thinking there have been two times when I did not want to go out on that night and both those times I went out and had a good time; so I couldn't let a little head cold get the best of me). Had a good time seeing friends I had not seen in a while and seeing how some of my SD peeps know my OC peeps. small world I tell you.

NYD - slept in then went to see Jack Reach dang I already forgot the name of the movie. and had a comical moment when I realized the adult couple next to me had a flask and were making out at times like teenagers. I busted out laughing and MR asked me if I was ok. Went back to her place and started working on a puzzle. AW and SS came over to join us. As I left to go home I was happy to have had an opporutnity to spend a couple of hours with such amazing women. I love these ladies they are diamonds!!!

I think my subconcious was rebelling as I laid down at 10:30 but did not fall asleep until sometime after 1:35 am. I made it to work but I was not early as planned. Maybe tomorrow.

All in all my winter break was wonderful!! I spent it with my family that I love and friends that I cherish (and yes, I love them too).