Sunday Snippets

"I have found that in the simple act of living with hope...the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious."
--Elizabeth Edwards; People


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"I don't fear death.  I just fear getting to the end of life with regrets."
--Jane Fonda; People


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"If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives."
--Vince Lombardi; I forgot where I read this... oopsie.


**People magazine was not all that I read this week...I think...

Sunday Snippets

--www.postsecret.com


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--www.postsecret.com

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"We are all part of a plan that is so spectacular, so much more beautiful than anything in our most elaborate dreams, and approaching that plan with the audacity of thinking we control what happens is ludacris!  When we don't enjoy each moment and take time to notice our blessings, we're limiting God."
--Menard; http://heartyhullabaloo.blogspot.com/2010/12/eyes-ears-and-hearts.html


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"When u compete with urself u become better, if ur continuously competing with others u become bitter."
--RevRunWisdom; Twitter


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"A kind word will keep someone warm for years."
--My fortune cookie from The Egg Roll Machine


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"Determination seemed to be the factor that elevated any ordinary destiny into a life of impact."
--The Great Typo Hunt; Jeff Deck & Benjamin D. Herson


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"Women who strive to be equal to men lack ambition."
--WomenofHistory; Twitter

A Conversation Overheard at Macy's*

Imagine.
It's Saturday.  The mall is busy. Bustling. The parking lot is bursting full.  Not a spot to be found.  I only need ONE thing. ONE.  Hub drops me at the door.  "Good luck," he says.  "Thanks," I reply.
I enter the department store. Almost crowded.  Not terrible.  I'm not sure where to go.  I've never actually been here before.  I walk slowly trying to get my bearings, figure out where I'm going.  In front of me is a couple.  A husband and wife.  She's shopping.  He's helping.  I overhear their discussion.

Husband:  Honey, if you want one of those sweaters, you should get one.

Wife:  Well, okay.  I'm not really sure what size I'd wear, though.

Husband: Hmm. Probably an extra large.  I mean, a large might fit, but I'm not sure.

(Wife's eyes open wide; mouth drops a little; hand moves to hip; feet take a mini-step back)

Wife: I'm wearing a MEDIUM now.

(Husband's mouth opens a little, then closes to offer a fearful looking smile)

(Wife turns to face the sweater rack)

I keep moving.  Make it to the makeup counter.  Purchase complete.  I head toward my exit.  I wonder if the couple is still shopping.  Are they still a couple?  Is the husband still alive?  Who could be certain?  As I come closer to the site of the unfortunate dialogue, I see no wife.  I do see the husband.  He is sitting on the floor next to a display of mannequins.  Alone, like a child left in timeout while his mother roams the store.
I walk out of the mall.  It is chilly.  After the longest two minutes of my life, Hub pulls up.  I hop in.
"Did you get what you needed?" Hub asks.  "Yes," I reply, "and I have to tell you what just happened."


*True Story.  No embellishments.

Sunday Snippets

"Her letter reminded me of a recent article I had read in the paper about a "hands off" policy now in effect in nurseries, schools, and other institutions for children. I understand the reason--child molestation is a heinous crime--but there must be a balance. How ridiculous and unrewarding for a teacher to congratulate a child on a task well-done by saying, 'Pat yourself on the back.'"

-- Emergence Labeled Autistic; Temple Grandin

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"Good teachers are worth their weight in gold and I was lucky to have good teachers."

--Emergence Labeled Autistic; Temple Grandin

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"Your fears never go away.  You just get more comfortable ignoring them."
--Jason Ritter; People


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"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
--Colossians 3:17


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"I love people who make me laugh.  I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh.  It cures a multitude of ills.  It's probably the most important thing in a person."
--Audrey Hepburn; www.thinkexist.com

Belated by a Day

 To the woman who throws the best birthday parties, tells me everyday that she loves me, gets in to wild and crazy adventures, devotes herself to others, believes unswervingly in the good, and always has a smile.

Happy (belated) Birthday, Mama!

I love you to the moon and back a milliontrillion times.

Thanks for never letting me give up.

Thanks for being my biggest fan.

Thanks for loving me no matter what.

Thanks for all the happiness you share.

Thanks for being you.

I can imagine no greater friend.

I can imagine no greater ally.

I can imagine no greater mother.

I love you all the ways my heart knows how.

You are my rock.

Sunday Snippets

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

--Colossians 3:15

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"Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."

--Plato; www.thinkexist.com

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Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream."

--Malcolm Muggeridge; www.thinkexist.com

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(some of) The Things I'm Thankful For. (in no particular order) (categorized for convenience)

Books

1. The Holy Bible

2. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

People I Don't Know

1. The Presidents of the United States of America. All of them.

2. Nelle Carlile Maris

3. Stephanie Nielson

Movies

1. The Sound of Music

2. The Man Who Knew Too Much

3. The Jungle Book

Songs

1. Que Sera, Sera by Doris Day

2. Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

3. You are My Sunshine

Experiences

1. Walking down the aisle to get married.

2. Being a teacher of toddlers.

3. Having guests in Tucky. ("Tucky" is how I know refer to our new home state, Kentucky).

Memories

1. When Kitty held my hand just before I walked down the aisle.

2. My 13th birthday.

3. Seaside

Food

1. Avocados

2. Chocolate

3. Macaroni and Cheese

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

What I Said about Writing

In a class on methods of teaching English, we were charged to make a list of our philosophy or beliefs about writing. In a class full of future English teachers, we had a great time hearing what everyone had to say. Here's what I turned in.

My Philosophy on/Beliefs about Writing

1. Mean What You Say

Write about things that interest (or bore) you, and tell the truth about them. Writing is easier and more fun when you believe what you’re writing. Plus, an audience can usually spot a faker!

2. Say What You Mean

Say what you mean, and leave it at that! More words does not equal better writing. Don’t skimp your readers on valuable information, but don’t drone on and on either. Find a balance.

3. Learn to Read

If you want to be a better writer, learn to be a better reader. You’ll enhance vocabulary, learn new sentence structures, and develop a sense of your own style (among other things).

4. Remember Who You Are

Use your own voice and your own style. Always be yourself. Readers don’t want you to sound like every other writer; they want you to sound like you!

5. Edit, Revise, Rest, Repeat.

Your first product should not be your last. Don’t give up and call a first attempt bad, try to work with it. The ‘goodness’ will come, so edit carefully, make your corrections, and then give yourself a break before you start the process over again.

Sunday Snippets

"It's really dangerous to think that what you look like is who you are."

--Portia de Rossi, People Magazine, November 15, 2010

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VETERANS DAY -- In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day and its purpose extended to honor veterans of all US wars.

--Daily Factoid Widget

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"We cannot afford to listen to wishful thinkers or fanciful theorists and assume that their claims of effective treatments are true. Our mantra should be 'Show me the data.'"

--Howard Goldstein, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2000

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"Ignorance provides a vacuum that sucks in all kinds of ideas--some right, some irrelevant, some dead wrong, and some even harmful. The best hope for finding the correct and helpful answers is to evaluate critically the information that is presented to us."

--The Science and Fiction of Autism, Laura Schreibman

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"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues."

--Marcus Tullius Cicero; www.thinkexist.com

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"Through our fears and our regrets, our sadness and our hope, PostSecret reminds us that we are never as alone as we feel and shows us we are all connected, whether we recognize it or not."

--Curator, Winnipeg Art Gallery; www.postsecret.com

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"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life."

--Albert Camus; www.thinkexist.com

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"Don't be afraid to take that big step."

--My fortune cookie from P.F. Chang's

Happy (belated) Birthday!!

I missed The Middle Ground's first birthday.

I didn't mean to.

I knew it was coming.

It scratched at the back of my mind like a dog who is desperate to come inside from the cold.

I ignored it.

I thought, "I'll deal with that later."

I never did.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I missed it because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE birthdays of any kind.

So, The Middle Ground didn't get the fantastically wonderful first birthday blog post she (yes, my blog is female; what else did you expect?) deserved.

Oh, well.

Sometimes things like this happen.

That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.

I hope I'm better at remember my children's birthdays.

When I have children, that is.

When I have children a very long time from now, that is.

Surely I'll remember the birthday of my kids.

Although, one could argue that I created and gave birth to The Middle Ground.

Oh, dear.

At least The Middle Ground is just a blog, so she shouldn't suffer any major psychological trauma.

Right? Right?

Let's hope so.

So, here's to The Middle Ground and her first full year and one month as a blog.

Happy birthday. Here's to another year and one month together.

P.S. Next year, I'll do my best to remember your birthday on time. Besides, 2 is better than 1, right? I thought so, too.

P.P.S. I had to skip Sunday Snippets this week in honor of The Middle Ground's forgotten birthday. Sunday Snippets will resume next week. I know you were all on pins and needles about that one. :) ha.

Sunday Snippets

"Paper money was first issued on March 10, 1862, and became legal tender by an act of Congress seven days later."

--Daily Factoid Widget

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"Remembering to look both ways before crossing the street 90% of the time may result in premature termination of the opportunity for future learning!"

--Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers, Paul A. Alberto & Anne C. Troutman

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"Instead of using wifehood and motherhood as a cop out for not going to college, understand that the most sacred rolls will require the most preparation time, serious dedication to study, almost impossible tests and more advanced field studies that any university could possibly dream up."

--C Jane Enjoy It; http://blog.cjanerun.com/2006/08/in-my-quest-to-be-at-peace-with.html

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"It is better to ask some questions than to know all the answers."

--My fortune from The Egg Roll Machine

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"To exercise the body is to purify the soul."

--Hub's fortune from The Egg Roll Machine

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"And love is what changes trying times into bearable times, and hard moments into a good learning moments. Love is where I know I am safe and happy, and I want that for everyone-no matter what they look or act like."

--NieNie; http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-am-still-that-mommy-lady.html

Happy.

Dear Daddy,

I hope this is one of the happiest birthdays you've had so far. I hope you'll double your age.

I'm glad you're spending this fiftysomethink birthday with me.

I love you all the ways my heart knows how.

-Jess

What I'm Reading Now

From Publishers Weekly:

Deck is a man on a mission. From greasy spoon menus to national park signs, he and his cohorts (including co-author Herson) road trip around the nation looking for, and attempting to correct, spelling mistakes, misplaced apostrophes, and other small but apparently significant abuses to the English language. While Deck and friends approach their trip with a good sense of humor, early chapters feel prosaic. Before departing Deck contemplates the "madness" of the endeavor. Is correct commas from a car really all that wild? And surely we could have done without the litany of bear-related pet names Deck's girlfriend often employs when addressing him. Given that most readers drawn to this book will already share the authors' penchant for consistent and "proper" language, more substantial exploration of their evolving motivation would have been stimulating. Deck and Herson speed past questions of race, class, dialect, and education that their quest inherently raises. While the moments of human interaction run from tender to hostile, the end result doesn't add up to more than the sum of its anecdotes. Though the many snapshots included (often in the "before and after" vein, showing the fruits of their labor) add welcome humor.

I started last night. I'm on page three. So far, HILARIOUS.

I'm Officially a Fan of Pumpkin Carving

Hub and I decided we'd celebrate Halloween with a trip to the corn maze & pumpkin patch. We picked the prettiest, plumpest pumpkins and set off on our carving adventure. We had so much fun; we decided that we should carve pumpkins every year. I am a sucker for a tradition, so I'm hoping this one sticks.

My pumpkin is the cute little lady with the batty eyes and big smile. Hub was more adventurous with his skeleton and kitty cat. Overall, I think we did pretty well. We sure did have a great time.

I hope your Halloween was as happy as ours was.

Sunday Snippets

I read a lot. It's in my nature, my blood, my DNA; reading is what I do, whether I want to or not. (Usually I want to).

I read textbooks. I read journal articles. I read labels in the grocery store. I read labels at home. I read news articles. I read the buttons on my remote control. I read novels. I read my calendar. I read magazines. I read short stories. I read emails. I read poems. I read the sticker on the side of my wireless router. I read street signs. I read flyers. I read wall posts. I read inspirational quotes. I read blogs. I read websites. I read Daily Factoids. I read descriptions. I read Facebook messages. I read handouts. I read instructions. I read the Bible. I read tweets. I read information. I read license plates. I read text messages. I read syllabi.

I read everything.

I read a lot.

(I told you so).

I read so many things every single day of my life, and all the things I read that I find funny or inspirational or silly or interesting or worth remembering I want to blog about.

This poses a problem. Well, a few problems.

Problem Numero 1: How am I supposed to write a post for every one of the millionjilliontrillion things I read and find funny or inspirational or silly or interesting or worth remembering?

Problem Numero 2: WHEN in the world am I going to craft all of these blog posts?

Problem Numero 3: I would never be able to blog about anything else. My blog would be consumed by the millionjilliontrillion things I read and nothing else. I don't think I want that.

Problem Numero 4: What if I can't think of anything to say about this 'thing' I've read? What if I just want to share it?

See all these problems? (I know it's only 4, but still).

I have a solution.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and neighbors, I bring you

Sunday Snippets

(This is where you applaud and say "wow" "yay" "woohoo" and excited phrases of the like)

(Yes, you still do all of this even though you don't yet know what Sunday Snippets entails)

(DUH)

Now that you're all calm, cool, and collected again, let me tell you about Sunday Snippets.

I'll post Sunday Snippets on Sundays.

(Maybe that was too obvious.)

Throughout my week I'll collect a few of the millionjilliontrillion snippets that I found funny or inspirational or silly or interesting or worth remembering and post them here. Maybe I'll comment; maybe I won't.

It'll be a great way for me to share snippets of all of my reading that I've enjoyed (or found quite unenjoyable), and I'll always have something to post on Sundays (because I know you can't stand it when I don't post at least once a week ;)

Come back for the first set of Snippets next Sunday.

(If you want to).

I'll get to collecting.

P.S. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Sneaky, Sneaky

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3842331/

Stored Up in My Brain

Some time ago, a friend of mine (I probably call her 'Too') demanded to know if her suspicions about me were correct. She suspected that I narrated my life inside my head.

I guess it was a fair question.

Anyway, I don't. Narrate my life in my head, that is. I never have. Is it weird that I don't? Do you? Is it weird that you do? I think it probably is.

Anyway, I really don't narrate my life in my head. I mean, I'm living the life, so I don't find narration to be necessary, and that's the truth.

Sometimes comments are necessary, though. You know, comments in my head about what's going on around me. Since maybe everyone doesn't need to hear these comments, I keep them to myself. I think it's better that way. And no, that doesn't mean that I make mean and cruel and hateful comments all throughout my daily interactions. I make all kinds of nice comments, friendly and loving and precious comments even. So, there.

Anyway, narrating in my head is just not my style. What is my style? Blogging in my head.

Is this some kind of joke because I'm blogging right now? Nope. It sure isn't.

I think of all sorts of fun and exciting and wonderful blog posts that would attract ten bajillion readers to my humble internet abode. Well, maybe they would do that, but I can't be sure.

I always think of these fantabulous blog post ideas right before I fall asleep or while I'm in the shower or while I'm brushing my teeth or in the middle of cooking dinner or watching a t.v. show or chatting in my online class. I never think of these fantabulous blog post ideas while I'm actually blogging. It's becoming a problem. I'm starting to think it's possible that these fantabulous blog post ideas only sound so fantabulous in my head and that in real-life-blog-world they might be sub par, and that's probably why I'm always forgetting them. But, I guess we'll never know because it's highly unlikely that any of them will ever make it here.

Anyway, what I do always (ok, sometimes) remember are blog titles. Titles for posts I want to write. Not the titles to all of my fantabulous blog post ideas; all these lovely titles I remember and carry with me for a while before they, too, slip from the grips of my brain matter are for just normal, run of the mill, real-life-blog posts.

Since I carry these little gems with me for a while stored up in my brain before they evaporate into the heavens, I decided to do a project in an attempt to keep them a little longer. I also thought it'd help me with blog post ideas, ya know? I mean, a cool title could lead to a cool post, right? Right? Maybe, maybe-not? That's what I was afraid of. Oh, well.

So, back to my project. I decided to write these titles down. It didn't matter if they were titles for a possible post bouncing around in my brain or if they were just lone titles I thought sounded fun or weird or something. I think you get the drift.

Anyway, here they are. Maybe they'll pop up again sometime when you least expect it. Or when you most expect it. Who knows?

-How Gilbert Got His Name

-A Boy Named Q

-The Pink-Headed Girl in the Snow

-Through the Eyes of Guinevere

-The King & Queen

-The Questionnaire

-The White Watch that Beeps at 2:50

-Mr. H. Giraffe

-My Chocolate Bundt Cake on a Blue Plate

-Sam, He Is

-Ten/Ten/Ten

-Are You the New Couple?

-The Twins M

-I Wonder What I Would Have Called Her

-The Girl on the Beach in my Living Room

-Cozies

-I'm Makin' Stuff Up

-A Day I Long For

-I Don't Like to Watch a Car Pass Another

-Jeopardize

-F is for Frog, P is for Peanut, What's Your Point?

-Mesheshkah

I Want to See This.

I want to be here.

I want the wind to whisper in my ear and tell me it's secrets.

I want to watch the colors dance with the tree limbs.

I want to see the sun give way to the silvery moon.

I want to sit on the soft ground.

I want to marvel at the beauty of God's creation.

I want to feel the chill of the fog engulf me.

I want to see this.

How We Spent One Saturday, 9.29.10

The weather was beginning to turn cool, as fall pushed summer out of the air. It was lovely and crisp in the shade. It was our first day of the autumn season, joyfully welcomed after a months of summer heat. We needed a day outside. A day to feel like we really lived here. We needed a day of adventure. A day of fun. A day to remember.

We started out with a picnic under the trees. We ate our simple, yummy lunches quietly, looking around and pointing out the beautiful and strange and funny things around us. We laughed; we ate; we enjoyed.

We decided to explore.

The scenery was beautiful. Nature at her best. Wooden bridges and misshapen trees and curvy pathways and crunchy leaves. We walked and talked and held hands.

We found a tree popular for being carved into. We decided to jump on the bandwagon. Hub found a rock; he carved, and he carved. He carved until our initials were scraped exquisitely inside a heart, just like I requested.

We walked and talked and laughed on more curvy paths until we found our way home.

It was a gorgeous day. A day to remember. A day to fall in love. A day to laugh until the tears came. It was the day we felt at home.

Dear Dixie,

I'm sorry you've been so sick, and we didn't know.

I'm sorry we called you old and contrary when you stopped eating and got picky about your food. I'm sorry that tumor was stuck to all you're organs. I promise to do my best to never call you old and contrary again, although I don't feel too guilty because in your younger years we all spent a great deal of time cleaning up your messes, searching the neighborhood during your near daily getaways, and picking up trash you ripped from other peoples already-put-out trash bags. So, since you were young and contrary, it was pretty natural for us to assume you'd be old and contrary, too.

Thanks for being such a good dog.

Even in the midst of all your greatly adventurous getaways and your typical Dixie trash hunting, you're a pretty great pal. You never minded all those times I kicked you in the night when your snoring finally got loud enough to shake the bed, although I will say it was pretty nice of me to let you sleep in my bed for so long with all of that noise you make in the night. You're welcome, pal; but, if you do live a little longer, you might want to work on that snoring of yours. It's really not ladylike, and, yes, I know you can't control snoring in your sleep; I'm referring to when you snore while awake (everyone knows you do that).

There are things about you I won't forget.

Like the day we met. Two days before Christmas. You arrived in a stocking and you were the tiniest little puppy I'd ever seen. I'll always be a sucker for a runt. You're just as cute now as you were then. Gray hair and whiskers look good on you, girl. (be glad because not everyone looks good with gray whiskers) You know, at first your name wasn't Dixie. It was Chrissy, get it? I got you for Christmas. I know; I know; it's corny. Some super cool friends of mine convinced me to change it, and we decided on Dixie. I think it fit.

Or like the time at Christmas when we were all in the living room and heard a light 'tinking' noise that kept getting louder and more intense, which is when we noticed the Christmas tree shaking furiously. Then we discovered you, precious dog, stuck underneath the beautifully decorated tree frantically trying to paw your way out from your newest not-so-favorite food storage area. And, oh by the way, I hope that if you live a little longer you'll quit hiding food. I mean, seriously? Mom and Dad will feed you. Duh.

Oh, Oh, and that time I got my bridal portraits done and you made the journey to Florida with us. And except for being a little nervous, you loved it. Remember how you loved the beach? Fun times. Anyway, so when I was getting my bridals done, you were such a sweet girl, and you posed for so many pictures and even wore Mama's pearls. Thanks for that. Thanks for only rolling around on and pawing at my train with your scruffy little nails once. It wasn't a blanket, you know? Then again, I guess you don't know because you really don't know about clothes because you don't like them much. Oh, well. If you live a little longer, you should really learn to distinguish the difference between blankets and clothing. Not only did you mistake my wedding dress for a blanket, but I've also seen you napping on top of a pile of clothes many times, so you should work on that.

Some people probably think it's foolish for a dog to undergo surgery. That's just because they don't know you. I'm glad you're making it so far. Try not to develop a blood clot and die on me, okay? We all still need you around a little longer. Some people probably think it's foolish to love a dog so deeply. That's just because they don't know you. You're a tough old girl, so I know you're doing your best to hang in there. Thanks for that.

You're really great pal, Dixie.

I love you,

Jessica.

P.S. If you live a little longer, I don't care if you can't tell the difference between blankets and clothes or if you want to hide your food for later in the strangest of places or if you snore all day long every day. I don't care if you develop a million-trillion new bad habits. (and it's not because I don't live with you anymore) It's because you're a part of my home and a part of my family and a part of my heart, so you'd be doing me a real big favor if you'd stay for a while.

My name is Jessica, and I have a sick dog named Dixie, not to be confused with the name Gracie. And, yes, that nasty thing in the top right corner of the collage is Dixie's removed tumor. Does it look about the size of a grapefruit to you?

It should. I said she was tough, remember?

How Much is TOO Much?

Having all online classes, using my cell phone regularly to call and text, relying on email for important communication, using Facebook and Twitter as social networking outlets, and reading the news on my phone has me feeling a little too plugged-in lately.

It makes me wonder what all of this technology does to our brains and what effect it has on our interactions. Mind you, I'm not bashing technology. I'm all for it. Lately, though, I just feel a little stuck to it.

I mean, we've got two computers, cell phones that are more like mini-computers, iPods, televisions, and other gadgets. Information is instantly accessible, at any time. And it leaves me wondering if this is always a good thing.

Does using all of this technology diminish the authenticity of my real-time, non-virtual interactions? I'm afraid it might, and that makes me wonder about what it's doing to everybody else. (because believe you me, I know plenty of people who are far more stuck to their technology than I am, and they don't feel stuck at all)

Even though I'm interested in what these all-access passes to any information and communication we want is doing to the world, I'm not really interested in giving too much of it up. Sure, I want to feel unstuck, but I don't want to give up time on Facebook that's used to talk to friends far away or phone time to talk to Mom and Dad or texting to chat with whoever or blogging to accomplish whatever that accomplishes. Ya know? I'm too invested to give it all up now, which is a pretty scary and thought provoking statement in and of itself.

P.S. Do you think it's ironic that I'm blogging about wanting to be unstuck from technology? (because I totally do)

I'll Do Us All a Favor.

I'm not going to have my usual post after what I feel like is a too-long hiatus from blogging. I WON'T. It usually gets me nowhere.

So, even though in the back of my mind I'm saying, "I'm going to get better at blogging. I need to post regularly. Maybe I should have a posting schedule or routine. A routine!!! That's the ticket! It'll work this time!" I'm not going to tell you any of that because I'm sure you're tired of hearing it. Quite frankly, I'm tired of thinking it.

I guess we'll see.. : )

P.S. I think it'll work this time! (but you didn't hear that from me)

Overreaction.

Okay, I'll admit it. I probably overreacted a bit about this whole being a grad student thing. This type of overreaction has happened before in my educational life. It typically occurs at the beginning of every semester. I like to call it syllabi shock.

In case you couldn't tell, it's a pretty serious condition.

Syllabi shock occurs when a student receives a syllabus from each of her classes for the semester, reads through them in great detail (noticing every assignment, exam, and stipulation the professor has discussed), records assignments and other important information in her planner, takes a step back, notices all the things she has to do with little time in between, and swirls into a state of serious panic. The panic can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Serious cases, ones lasting more than seven days, should be reported.

None of my bouts with syllabi shock have needed to be reported, as they don't last long. It just seems to take me a day or so to decide that I can really do something.

This semester will definitely be challenge, but I think I'm up to it. I've already scratched out two assignments in planner. I love the feeling of accomplishment.

See Yesterday's Post for Greater Understanding of Today's

I am competent and intelligent.

I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I am grateful for my education.

I can do this.

I am competent and intelligent.

I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I am grateful for my education.

I can do this.

I am competent and intelligent.

I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I am grateful for my education.

I can do this.

I am competent and intelligent.

I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I am grateful for my education.

I can do this.

I am competent and intelligent.

I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I am grateful for my education.

I can do this.

I am competent and intelligent.

I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I am grateful for my education.

I can do this.

I AM COMPETENT AND INTELLIGENT.

I HOLD A BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY EDUCATION.

I CAN DO THIS.

I AM COMPETENT AND INTELLIGENT!

I HOLD A BACHELOR'S DEGREE!

I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY EDUCATION!

I CAN DO THIS!

I CAN DO THIS!

I CAN DO THIS!!

I CAN DO THIS!!!

My name is Jessica, and I am a graduate student trying not to lose my mind. So far, I'm succeeding.