I is a Straight Line - Neck and Shoulder Exercise by StretchClock

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I have this saved as a Google Gadget on my desktop. It goes off every 60 minutes and prompts me to do a 30 second stretch to keep me from tensing up. If I get up and leave the computer for a bit, it also allows me to pause the timer and resume it once I return. This has been a lifesaver for all the hours I have spent on my computer working on school and work stuff! If you spend a lot of time on your computer, give this a whirl...the stretch on this link is one that I just did...there's quite a few different ones that the guy uses. You do need to turn your speakers up so that you can hear the guy's calm soothing voice, along with the chirping birds...I love the fact that the "model" is a guy in a shirt and tie in the middle of the wilderness...

I would love to hear what you think so please post a reply!

Cheers!

Almost done...

It's almost too good to be true. A week from today I may be just reading a book (one that I want to read and not one that I have to read for a class) or maybe taking a nap on the futon while I wait for a load of laundry to finish doing its thing.

I am about to start up again--on my final paper--I have about 10 pages left to edit one last time and type up. This paper has been interesting and it definitely has sparked my interest into using the topic for my Masters Thesis...but I won't worry much about that right now....that's a ways away--next summer.

Right now, I need to remain focused, finish and post it. How am I going to feel once I hit that "send" button? Exhilarated? Relieved? Content??? Who knows....I know I won't feel sad about it. Will I go through school withdrawal? Will it be like being pregnant for 9 months and having the post-partum blues one sometimes gets?
Or, the post-marathon blues I have experienced after training for 7 months and then finishing a 26.2 mile marathon? The cure for that is to keep on running and to put another marathon on the calendar to work toward.

No, I don't think so...we are talking 7 years! 7 long years mixed with family, kids, work, house, and school...not an easy feat...no, not at all.

This will be a very special week...on Friday we are going to the Graduation Banquet which will be real nice...My dad and Joan will join Jeff and me for a night of recognition and a lovely dinner...all my professors are supposedly going to be there too. Then, Saturday morning, is the official Graduation Ceremony....Cap and gown and all. (The last time I did that was for my two AA degrees in 2006.(Yup! Almost 3 AA degrees with all the units I've taken.)

Time to hit the books...my case study paper awaits completion. The sooner I finish, the sooner I get to bask in my own glory of being DONE!!!!

I am soo tired....Glad it's Friday....my last weekend as a student...soon to be graduate! A week from today is my graduation banquet...!

More stats...

5 days until the END of my FINAL class
7 years...YEARS....of school: Night classes, summer classes, accelerated classes
Hundreds of papers...(I dare not count!)
Hundreds of books
10 days to Graduation

oh....and one final paper....ONLY 20 pages....due in 5 days.

Am I really almost done?

Pictures are priceless...
Yesterday, one of my very special kids...an 8th grader, gave me his school picture...not just a wallet size....but a 5X7 in a beautiful frame! I asked him of his mom knew that he had given me this picture--thinking to myself that he may have grabbed it off a dresser at home, unbeknownst to mom--so, emailed mom to thank her for the framed picture....her response was that yes, her son had a choice of who to give the picture to....and he chose me (even over his dad--who is divorced from mom)

I was speechless. That picture sits in my office at home...his smile....priceless and inspiring!

I just had to share this...

Only one more paper...

Well, it's Sunday night and I have to get up early tomorrow. Mondays are the early staff meeting morning where I work.

I have my stack of research articles and notes nearby...I really need to make a plan and start this final paper. It's going to be 20 pages and is basically a mini-dissertation written in case study format. Ugh! I so don't want to do it....but at this moment, that stack of papers and deadline (12/8) are all that separates me from 7 long years of classes, papers, and countless hours of frustration , tears, happiness, exhiliration...and hope.

The sooner I get this paper done, the sooner I can relax....right? A friend suggested moving up the deadline on myself....(Yeah, right!) My dear brother gave me an even earlier deadline--This Tuesday....oh yeah! Although, from the seriousness of his voice, I think I best get started.

When you can, check out this song on YouTube:
This song reminds me of my young mommy days....when rain and rainbows lived in my heart.
(Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is no longer alive....He was very much loved....) http://iz.honoluluadvertiser.com/

I am determined to FINISH this research paper before I head off to the Thanksgiving festivities later today. The sun is shining outside....the rain came and went much too quickly. As I sit here--still in my PJs--I find myself looking out the window and looking at the VERY blue sky patches amidst the big white billowy clouds...December 13 is not that far off. It will ALL be over then....Wow! 7 years of blood,sweat and tears....(really!) Ok, there were some funny, happy, and great times too...but I am going for the drama...so go with it!

As I ponder my next thought, I realize that one cup of coffee is not enough. I think I will make some more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been trying to set the Playlist in my blog and cannot figure it out!
So frustrating....(stay tuned!)

It finally rained last night! When I went outside this morning, the air was crisp, cool and clean....the ash smell is all gone!

I just hope and pray there are no mud slides in the fire areas....

I am off work today and after an errand, I will be back to finish my paper!

13...18...24...

No, these are not some magical Lotto numbers that you should play. (Although, if you do and you win, then, I would like to know!)

The picture above represents what I have on my desk right now! Well, I googled the picture by searching "stack of papers." I think my real pile is slightly taller and bigger!


My journey of going back to school to get my degree began in the fall of 2001. In fact, it was a month or so before 9-11. That year was a pivotal year for me. I had made the decision to go back to school and get my degree. Little did I know that this decision would take me this long. Well, working full time and going the traditional route wasn't pribably the best way to do it. Add in a busy family schedule and all the other stuff that life throws at you and you get what I got!

Tears, smiles, frustrations, joy, success, failure, fear, exhiliration, impatience, paptience, growth, wisdom, character, tenacity, perserverence, endurance, anger, love....just about every one of these words describes what I have felt in the past 7 years.

My pace picked up in 2003 when I quit my corporate job and took a part-time office job at my daughter's high school. It was by far--the best move I had ever made!
Even if everyone thought I was a bit crazy to give up the good salary and position I had at the time in a major corporation....but if you knew me then, you'd agree and say that the corporate life was sucking the life out of me...

I have saved every class's notes, tests, projects and assignments. I probably have most of the books too. I have a hard time letting go of things I invest so much of myself into...(this translates into boxes full of papers and notebooks!)

The past 2 years, I have attended Hope International University in Fullerton. This accelerated degree program nearly sent me off the edge a few times and--even as I write this- I am deliberately avoiding work on one of my final research papers.

Papers! Ugh! I have lost count of all the papers I have written....enough--if combined--for a few dissertations and at least one major thesis!
(Just wait until I start my graduate prgram next summer!)

So, what are those dates that title this post?
--13 days until my last class is OVER
--18 days until my graduation! (I am getting a B.S. in Human Development)
--24 days until we leave for Japan to go to my son's wedding!

What a way to end the year-eh?

Well...I best get back to work....Ugh!

...and this is Tippy. He's been with us since 9-11-01! He is finally getting used to Lucy who joined our family in July!




...and this is Lucy--the newest family member! She loves to hang out under the coffee table and munch on my books when whe's not taking a nap!

Where do I begin?

It's been a while. (I think I have said that before!) I figured out why I don't post quite as regularly> It's because I have this expectation of writing something deep, profound and long. Well, after perusing a few other blogs, I realized that that is not really necessary. Given my schedule--I don't have that kind of time so I will have to try this new way.

Thepicture you see above comes from the Getty Museum gardens. When I saw that maze/labyrinth...it made me think about how similar it is to life. At times, I feel like I am getting nowhere when I am actually making progress. At other times, I feel like I am getting somewhere and realize that I am right where I started. Confusing....I know.

Right now, it feels like I am going through that maze at 100 mph. In exactly 37 days, I will be done with school and will be graduating with my B.S. degree in Human Development. This educational journey began back in 2001....one class at a time.
Of course, I am not done....I am going to pursue a Masters in Education with Special Ed. credential. I can't wait until I am done!

Then, in about 2 months, we leave for Japan! Yup...Japan. My son who's been living and working there is newly engaged and is getting married there. This should be interesting. My husband is going for the first time (I've been theer twice already)

So, this is it for now...got to get back to my reading for my last class!

Cheers...

Time really does fly!

Has it been this long? Really? Here's a quick recap:

I need to work on posting more...I guess since I really don't have many regular readers, I feel like it's OK to go a spell without a post!

My daughter came home from her first year in college mid-May and was off to Colorado for her summer job. It was nice having her home even if only for a couple of weeks. She'll be back end of summer before she makes it back to college.

My son in Japan is paying us a visit mid-August so I am super excited to see him. He is bringing his new Japanese girl-friend who also sings Italian Opera! That should be interesting....

I am done with work for the summer. I brought home stacks of papers and reading materials. I do have a conference coming up in July which I am excited to attend!
Other than that, I am concentrating on finishing up the last few classes with my last class being on 12-2! Hooray!

The weather has been crazy-hot and I am praying for cooler breezes...the air in my house only works downstairs....and unfortunately, I spend most of my day working/studying upstairs :-(

Cheerios for now....

Is it really Sunday?

The weekend flew by. It's amazing just how the weekend came and went. Perhaps it's the schoolwork that makes my time fly....there's ALWAYS a paper, a book to read, a test to take. Add to it the work stuff, laundry, housework, and everything else....
and then there's sleep--not enough of it.

So, before I brave yet another task, I thought I'd have some fun with the new Shelfari feature which shows you what I am currently reading: The 2 books for ethics are for my new class....they are quite ineresting. Since the class is a mere 5 weeks though, we are reading them fast! The One Year Bible has been in the works for more than one year. Every time I have started it, I end up failing miserably and then get behind. Anyone else have that issue? I have to work harder at this...It has to become a non-negotiable daily must (kind of like brushing your teeth...)

Then, I just started "The Shack" and I can't seem to put it down. A friend at work highly recommended it....boy, was she ever right! I won't say more....but this: It's a MUST READ!

Cheerios for now!

Mother-Mom-Mommy....


It's been a while since I've posted. Easter has come and gone...I got to see my daughter over Easter weekend and that was awesome. She's been calling me "mother" and referring to her daddy as "father"...she's a freshman in college and so I just chalk it up to growing up. I miss her calling me mommy....When I email her or text her on the phone, I still sign my name as "mommy"

Once a mommy, always a mommy...right? My sons have always called me "mom" and continue to do so.

What was nice about seeing her is that she did slip a few times and either call me or refer to me as "mommy"...which made me happy!

So, as I continue to move forward with my life as a mother/mom/mommy with no children under my roof to take care of...I realize even more just how precious that part of my life really was.

Sometimes, I wonder how on earth I ever managed to make it all work with a full time job, soccer, baseball, school, homework, birthday parties, sleep overs, measles, flus, colds, toys everywhere, cooking, cleaning, and my favorite, LAUNDRY!

If you are reading this today, and you are a mom, know this....cherish the moments you have with your little ones....really enjoy them. If you can, I encourage you to journal some of your thoughts. I wish I did!

My heart goes out to the rest of the women who would give anything to be a mom...I can't even begin to fathom your pain but certainly empathize with you. My youngest brother and his wife have tried for 9 long years to have a baby and finally succeeded! My one and only nephew just turned one! What a blessing this has been to our whole family. I can see the joy in their eyes when they are with him...to me it seems even more pronounced because of how much it took for them to have him.

Our God is an awesome God and He knows the plans He has for us...if we are to become a mother-mom-mommy....if it's in His plan, so shall it be. I pray that God's will continues to prevail.

In the meantime, I am off to run some errands since I have the day off....it's just me and the dog at home since my hubby is at work.

Rain...rain....

There's something special about a rainy day spent home. The constant drizzle has not stopped since late last night when we got home. I eagerly anticipated going to bed and cuddling up in my warm (pre-heated) bed!

I fell asleep long before I finished praying. What happens to those prayers. God?
I usually awaken once or twice in the night being a light sleeper but not last night. Even our dog slept in well past 8am and when I opened my eyes, I saw that it was past 8am....the heater downstairs was going strong, and the air in our bedroom felt cool as I reached my arm outside the blankets. I contemplated getting up and just laid there, listening to the falling rain....it's still raining.

My hubby was still dozing so I got up to let Tippy out and to make some coffee....the routine is pretty set.

So, as this morning slowly continues to pass, the rain also continues to fall lightly. As much as I love the rain on days like this, I also miss the warm sun on my face.

Lots to do today but I am not feeling completely motivated...snuggling on the couch with a warm blanket and a good book (the kind you read for fun and not because you have to--ie: for school)

Digging my toes deeper into my UGG slippers....I yawn. We'll see.
Ciao for now

Bringing work home and homework...

Maybe it's because I am getting older (and more tired) who knows....or maybe it's because I am closer to that final graduation day for my degree....that I am so ready for this insance schedule to just be done.

Oh, the joys of coming home after work and just making dinner, doing dishes and vegging with my hubby....

Not a chance--I bring work home and I have homework too....never a dull moment.

After my degree, I will be looking at credentialing..........ugh. Just when I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...there in the near distance, another long, dark tunnel.

If I could write an ode I would...

Monday,Monday....da-da-dada-da.....


Some of you may remember that song from way back when (I'm dating myself).
Every time I hear it, I find myself back in a tree house that my dad built in our back yard when I was about 13. My best friend Diana and I spent the night in it and had a portable radio which only had AM stations....and this song was playing that Sunday night....on a radio station called KHJ.

The memory is so vivid because it was so special....the carefree days as a 13 year old. I didn't dread Mondays as much as I do nowadays. It's more a dread that I didn't get everything done like I wanted to during the weekend.

As I sit and make my list of things I still need to do....this song pops in my head.
I stop and look out my window to ponder the sun outside. Better get a move on I say to myself.

I think it's because I am going to school full time AND working full time that I feel so time deprived. Getting up earlier isn't even an option because I need every minute I can of sleep...

So, time to log off....until next time.

Out with the old...

Have you ever wondered why you hang on to stuff? I mean really old stuff...

For me, the trigger is emotional. I tend to keep things that hold a strong emotional reminder. Sentimental attachments can be paralyzing and over time they can take over your home. Watching a cool series on HGTV called "Neat"http://www.neattv.com/aboutHellen.html, I've learned that I am not the only one who has boxes and boxes of mementos, keepsakes, worn out things,etc....simply because they remind me of someone or something in my past.

Letting go of these things can be emotionally taxing and difficult; however, the release and freedom that one experiences shortly after it's accomplished.....well---it's very fullfilling and quite liberating.

Yesterday, I packed up about 50+ magazines that were gathering dust up on a shelf in my closet. I had Martha Stewart issues, Cooking magazines and Marie Engelbreit magazines dating back to 1998! Ouch! It didn't take long to do the math....10 years!

The problem with magazines is that if I don't make time to look at them right away, they tend to pile up. With all good intentions, I make it a point to "someday" read them...get caught up. I even reorganize them and put them in date order....oldest to newest so I don't miss a thing. HA! That's yet to work.

Helen Buttigieg, professional organizer from the show "Neat"http://www.neattv.com/aboutHellen.html addresses this very issue and advises people to just let go and move on...start fresh.

My attic is full of keepsakes and mementos from all my kids' school projects, toys, clothing....even my mom's suitcase filled with some of her prized clothing outfits. She died almost 10 years ago....and I've yet been able to give those clothes away.
This will be the toughest and most difficult thing to do so the suitcase remains next to the Christmas boxes...

Helen claims that having these things around cause undue stress and rob us of our energy. I sure can see that...because they are always there waiting to be dealt with.

2008 will be the year that I face some of these issues....God willing. After all, why would I want to pass all this stuff on to my kids to deal with?

New Beginnings...indeed.

The year is off to a better start than the end of the year. My dad is doing well and has a follow up appointment in a month to see about a potential bypass procedure. He also had a birthday a few days ago and celebrated 77 years! I am going to be interviewing him about his life and recording his responses so that I can begin writing a book about his life. I am in awe each time he pulls out yet another scrap book filled with pictures, news paper clippings etc. of numerous statues, monuments, films....etc. etc....He even has a statue in the Vatican in Rome!

My dad has always been a quietly modest man and never boasted of his accomplishments. I think it's time that the world sees just all he has done...so stay tuned as this will be my first attempt at writing a biographical book. My dad has always told me that he knew that I was destined to become a writer of books. My schedule is pretty hectic so it will be a feat to make time here and there to even begin this project...

So what's new? My son in Japan has renewed his contract for another year....I was hoping that he would decide to come home after 2 and a half years....but this isn't the case....Hopefully he will come home in May for a short visit. 5,000+ miles is too far and I miss him so much. He calls often but it's not the same.

My daughter is back in her dorm and really enjoying her first year in college. It was nice to have her home...but I feel like I didn't get to spend much time with her since I was with my dad so much...I read her blog daily to see what she's up to. I am so proud of her! She's become quite an accomplished knitter too....

So, with the new year....old resolutions surface:

*establishdaily devotions/Bible study
*lose some weight
*start running again (no more marathons!)
*Spend more time with friends
*complete my degree! (10/08!)
*Clean out my closet
*purge the "closet" <----this closet-in my office-- is the "catch all and needs to be cleaned out!
*Start my dad's Biography
*Blog more regularly
*Read my books
*Play my guitar

I think this is plenty to start off...I may tweak this list later!

Blessings....