One Down, Three to Go

I took my first of four Chemistry exams of the semester today. I did okay, but not great. I hate these tests with only 30 or so questions; if you miss a few your grade drops drastically to a B+ or a B. I like those tests with 100 questions where you can miss 10 and still get an A! Unfortunately, I was not able to review the exam to see which ones I missed, however, I can bet they involved math. It's amazing to me what a block I have with Chemistry and I KNOW it dates back 25 years ago when I took it and did so poorly. I lost my confidence. I really enjoy my Biomed class and I totally get it. Although you do need a basic knowledge of Chemistry to understand the concepts in Biomed, Chemistry itself just seems to elude me.

It was a very cold run this morning...11 degrees, but it was absolutely beautiful. Although there's no moon, it was so bright because of the newly fallen snow. I just love running in the dark and the quiet. Both Chip and I would rather get up at 5:00 (4:00 for Chip) to run than wait until later in the morning. Being alone, outside, in the dark is a good time and place to think.

We received a mailing today from Ogden Symphony and Ballet and there's a ballet production of Madame Butterfly coming in February. Caitlin and I are so there!

Sam started Science this semester and is really enjoying it. His teacher is "cool" and seems to be able to teach in a way that really engages the kids. I'm glad. Science is fascinating, but if it's taught the wrong way it can be so BORING!

My Book Group is on! February 18th is the first meeting and we'll decide which books we're going to read. I'm so excited!

Rain, Rain Go Away!!!

It's January and it's raining. This is not normal! We spent the day bailing water out of our basement/window wells, buying a sump pump, bailing enough water out to set in the sump pump, etc., etc., etc., We probably pumped 50 gal. of water out of one of the window wells. The ground is so frozen from our single digit temperatures last week, and now it's been raining for 2 days straight. Bad combination! We were supposed to have some friends over for a game night tonight and ended up cancelling because we didn't know if we'd still be bailing water. On the upside, the smog is gone so now our lungs won't be screaming during our runs.

Chip had the day off yesterday so I took the day off from studying. We went snowshoeing up the backside of Ben Lomond Peak in the morning and went to see Grand Torino in the afternoon. It was a great movie with a great message but had horrible language. I must say that Clint Eastwood looks pretty amazing for 81 years old!

Next week I have my first Chemistry exam and a Biomed exam. Chemistry is kicking my *#@ but I will persevere...as I have no choice. I am practically on a first name basis with my professor after only three weeks because I e-mail him with questions so frequently. It helps that our friend is the Dean of the College and Science and, therefore, his boss. Yes, I have played this card because I am desperate for the help! I have no pride when it comes to Chemistry or Math.

My friend e-mailed me about the possibility of joining a small book group. I was so excited about the idea and find myself getting more enthused by the minute. I have really missed being in a book group. I was in a book group when Caitlin and Sam were small and it was such a nice outlet . I love nothing more than reading a good book and discussing it with other book lovers. It's always fascinating to hear other people's perspective and helps me broaden my own.

Well, it's off to take some Ibuprofen for sore back muscles and then to bed!

A Historical Day

I watched the Inaguaration of President Obama today on CNN and was actually moved to tears a couple of times. Both the Invocation and Benediction were unique, rather personal prayers, and I found myself saying a resounding "Amen" at the end of each, even though I was alone! President Obama is such an eloquent speaker; I'm sure it's a challenge to write a speech for him. His speech was very inspiring to me and filled me with much needed hope for our country's future.

Today I told both kids that they are seeing history in the making and their children will read about this election, this president, and this day in history books. I'm not sure it made much of an impression on them but it will someday.

This morning on NPR I heard about a 105-year-old African-American woman, from Columbus, Ohio, who went to the Inauguration today and had a front row seat. People tried to discourage her from attending because of the cold, but she said she wouldn't have missed it for anything. The reporter said she was all bundled up in a sleeping bag and is such a tiny person anyway that all you could see was pretty much the top of her little gray head and her eyes peering out. I can only imagine what a powerful experience it was for her, being over a century old and having lived through so much in this country. That story just really touched me.

The picture of the flag is one my brother took. I love his pictures.

I am so grateful for this day!

A Beautiful Winter Day

Today is one of those beautiful winter days we get in Utah. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and it's a comfortable temperature, probably in the 40's. Chip and I went snowshoeing at North Fork today and had a great time. We worked hard to get a picture of the two of us and ended up tying our camera to a tree branch. Chip would set the automatic timer and then ever so carefully (which is not easy in snow shoes) try to get in the picture without hitting the branch and make the camera swing. We were successful, after a few attempts. I think we even got a little sunburned. It was great. I think next Friday we'll head back up there for some cross country skiing.

The kids have been home since Friday and don't go back to school until Tuesday, which is the beginning of a new semester. Sam gives up Art and P.E. for Science and Keyboarding (hardly a fair exchange!) and Caitlin gives up Psychology and Sports Marketing (not to mention 2 of the hottest teachers in the school...her words) for Sports Nutrition and C.S.I. (yes, the electives for Sophomores are lacking!)

I turned in my application for nursing school last week, just in time for the early application deadline. Of course, as I took it into the Health Sciences Building, I passed classrooms and hallways full of fresh faced, energetic, young, people also on the quest for the nursing program (and other health related programs) and thought to myself..."What the *&#@ are you doing?" So, my confidence is somewhat stunted right now, but that's okay. Tomorrow's a new day!

We went to a movie on Friday and saw Valkerie (sp?), the movie about the assassination attempt on Hitler. Three of us liked it, but Caitlin ended up leaving about half-way through and going into the next theatre to watch the rest of Bride Wars. There were a couple of moments in the movie that were so intense I almost joined her!

Sam is having a bunch of friends sleep over tonight and we're going to my mom's house to watch a movie and eat soup, our usual Sunday night tradition with the folks. It's all good.

A Good Weekend

This has been such a nice weekend to regroup after our first week back to school and work. We all just hit the ground running and didn't really see much of each other until Friday rolled around. Last night we had "date night" with our kids. The guys went to S.L. to see a Jazz game (they played the Pistons and won), and ate hot dogs and popcorn. Even though their seats were in the nosebleed section they had a great time. Caitlin and I went out for Italian food and had intended to rent an Audrey Hepburn movie (Caitlin's favorite actress), but ended up going to the dance recital of a former preschool student who's now in the First Grade. This particular little girl loves to see Caitlin perform in The Nutcracker every year and has even asked Caitlin for her autograph after the performance. Last night, Caitlin asked our little friend for her autograph, which she gladly gave. It was adorable.

Caitlin and Chip are heading off to Starbucks which they do every Sunday morning, to spend time together and work on math. I'm going to listen to more Biomed lectures and put the final touches on my application for the Nursing program which I am going to hand deliver tomorrow. I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed until March!

Back to School, Back to Work We Go

Well...the party's over and Christmas Break is officially done. Three of us returned to school today and Chip returned to work after a two week vacation. Caitlin and Sam only have two weeks left in the quarter, so of course the teachers will be piling on the work the next ten days or so. (I'm not sure when they'll realize this grim fact!) This will be the end of the semester with some new classes beginning and I think they're both ready for a change.

Today was the first day of my second semester at Weber. This semester I'm taking the second half of my Biomedical Core class and a Chemistry series that covers Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry. Both have labs that accompany them. January 15th is the deadline for early application to the Nursing program so I've been busy getting all my paperwork together for that. I won't find out the results until sometime in March. I'm not overly optimistic that I'll get accepted this year as it's an extremely competitive program. So, if I don't, I'm hoping to find a C.N.A. job with a Hospice or Home Health agency, take my pathophysiology class this summer and apply to the Nursing program again the following year. I can't help but believe the experience of actually working in a health care setting would be a feather in my cap the following year when I apply as well as incredible experience for when I am in nursing school. So, either way, accepted or not this March, I feel I have a game plan and some direction.

It's snowing like crazy and is COLD!!! Yesterday when I ran it was 3 above. Now, I know to our family in Iowa and Montana that probably sounds downright balmy but it was downright cold. This morning wasn't any warmer and all I can say is I'M READY FOR SPRING!!!

Sugar, Sugar

How about those Utes???!!! Okay, I admit I am not a big football fan. Honestly, I am in it for the food, conversation and the drinks. BUT....last night's game was incredible and after all the U of U is my alma mater. I even wore red. (I kept reminding my husband I would've been wearing the U of U shirt I'd asked for for Christmas if only I'd received it...) It is exciting to see an underdog team win in such a big and unexpected way. They made us proud!

Nutcracker 2008

Our Caitlin LOVES to dance and was in a local production of The Nutcracker for the third year in a row. This year she danced in three dances: Dance of the Snowflakes, Oriental Servant Dance, and Waltz of the Flowers, which just happens to be the longest dance in the program. She did a wonderful job. Every time we see her perform, we are struck by how graceful she is, and how fluid and soft her hand and arm movements are. Last year she was asked by several little girls to autograph their programs; this year she had little ones lined up to have their picture taken with a "real ballerina." It was so sweet. I told her it reminded me of when we'd go to Disneyland and she'd have her picture taken with one of the many Disney princesses. There are always many friends and family who come to the program, too, which means the world to all of us. Every year I'm so glad The Nutcracker is over as it's a huge investment of time, but it's always worth it in the end.

New Year, New Blog

A new year is here and in keeping with my tradition to try something new each year I've decided to create a blog. I've been resistant to doing this in the past, for some reason unknown to even me. Actually, my friend Gina and my niece Rachel are the people who have inspired me to take this on, as I love looking at their blogs and the pictures they post of their families. It helps me feel connected to them since I'm the world's worst at keeping in touch, even with people I love. So, we'll see how this goes.

We rang in the New Year (and Michael's 16th birthday) with our friends Dale, Candy, Michael, Megan, Michelle and Mason last night. Our evening included lots of good food, good wine, and Rock Band. I can honestly say that is probably the first time I have ever heard my husband sing in public. I had to strain my ear, and it was more like talking (we'll call it rapping), but he was holding a microphone and saying/singing words that actually had some sort of rhythm to them. AND, he was the designated driver so he wasn't even filled with liquid courage like the rest of us. Sam and I did an awesome duet to "Eye of the Tiger" which in his opinion is about the best song ever written.

I'm happy for this new year. I feel more hopeful than I have in a very long time. My family is healthy and strong, I'm pursuing a new career, we have a new president...life is good!

Happy New Year everyone!