5 Things I Learned at Convention

We had a great time at convention.  We met some nice people and I learned alot.  Here is a list of the top 5 things I learned at convention:

1. Geeks/Nerds/etc. have very little people skills.  Many people were awkward or downright rude.
2. A hotel with a 3 star rating does not mean that you will have a clean bathroom or a TV you can watch.
3. You will not be able to complete any homework while attending a convention.
4. Never underestimate the value of a good pair of walking shoes.  I bought some Ecco's on the last day and I soooo wish I had done it earlier
5. You never know who you are going to run into in the hotel lobby.  Deadliest Catch fans will recognize Capt. Keith from the Wizard. 

Convention

The Phi Theta Kappa Convention begins tomorrow morning in Seattle.  Myself (the VP of Leadership), and our VP of Fellowship are travelling from Portland to Seattle on the train this morning.  It should be a very productive trip, and I'm looking forward to getting alot out of it.  Getting homework done while I'm gone should be a challenge, but the whole trip should be fun.

Spring Term First Week

This has been an interesting first week back.  Besides reading, there is very little work to be done.  It's a nice way to transition into a new term.  None of my classes are very exciting, except for maybe Group Communication.  That instructor is a laugh RIOT!  For our second class meeting, she simply posted a scavenger hunt list on the door and each of groups had do go do things.  It was pretty cool.

The kids are dealing with Mom going back to school pretty well.  They began softball, baseball, flag football, and cheer this week, so they are plenty busy with their own stuff this week.  We're going to be busy, busy, BUSY!

Back at It

Well, it's the last day of Spring Break.  I begin my last full term at Clackamas Community College tomorrow.  I will be taking classes after I graduate, but only one or two per term (electives mostly, because they are cheaper than at OIT).  Tomorrow is also my first day of getting up early for Swim Conditioning. While I think that this class is going to be great for me physically, I'm hoping that it will balance out the lack of sleep I will be getting because of having to get up early three days a week.

Also, I have decided that, because I am going to be exercising three hours a week, I will take this opportunity to work on eating healthier.  I'd like to drop 50 pounds by the end of the term. 

The kids have all been out the last week also.  I'm really going to miss spending the days with them.  We've hugged, cuddled, read books, and played games.  I don't think we've had this much fun in a while.  Now Mom is diving head first back into the books.  They are sad, especially since I have evening classes three days a week, so we'll only have Thursday - Sundays for hanging out.  Weekends will also be busy with baseball, softball, flag football, and cheerleading.  Finding time to study will be interesting. 

So, I'm going to enjoy this one "free" night until June!

Followers & Chip-In

I see that, as of this moment, I am up to 14 followers!!!!  Welcome, welcome, WELCOME!!!  I am sooo excited to see you guys here.

I want to draw your attention to the blue "Chip-In" box on the right.  We are trying to raise money for our daughter, Kimberly, to participate in the Oregon State National American Miss Pageant, taking place Memorial Day Weekend.  This pageant is designed solely to increase the self-confidence of girls of all ages.  It is completely age appropriate.  Kimberly, age 7, will be wearing no makeup, her formal gown (already on layaway), is floor length (as required), and is also age appropriate.  This is, by all means, NOT "Toddlers & Tiaras."  Kimberly begged for 3 years to be in a pageant and she was invited to participate in this one.  I know it seems like a silly thing to give money too, but no more so than buying candy bars for softball or popcorn for Scouts.  This is just another activity.  Also, I found out that the entry fees for this pageant are about half of what other pageants charge, so this will be the last one she does.  At any rate, if you are willing to give anything at all, we'd really appreciate it.  If you have any questions, you can visit the NAM website at: www.namiss.com.

NOTE:  If you donate funds out of a business account, it is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE as a business expense (we can provide receipts).

Anyone who donates $10 or more will be placed in a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card!!
*Email me and let me know that you donated and I will place you in in the drawing.  This prize is being offered by our family as an incentive for sponsorship.  You will receive one entry for every $10 donated!

Thanks, in advance, for your support!

Angry Birds

I'm a geek.  Everybody knows it.  Because of that, I'm obsessed with geeky things.  One of these things is "Angry Birds" a game app originally designed for the iPhone/iPad.  I would play this at my friend Tara's iPad, but could not play it at home, because there was no version for Mac OS X.   I was soo excited to see that Angry Birds is now available for Android.  Since we are switching carriers next week, I will be getting a Samsung Epic, powered by Android, so I will now be able to play "the birds" any time I want.

Plus, I found this while walking the mall yesterday, and I just may have to go get it for use when I play!

Official Grades & Looking Ahead

Grades have been posted and, to my amazement, I kept my 4.0!  How is that possible??!  With 27 credits??  I also completed all of the work needed to challenge another 4 credit class and should get that grade back next week.

Now looking ahead, here are the classes I'm taking Spring term which starts next Monday, the 28th:

CCC
BA-226  Business Law
BA-217  Budgeting for Managers
MTH-243  Statistics I
PS-202   Government
SP-219  Small Group Communication

I am also taking a swim conditioning class (swimming laps) 3 times a week 6-6:50am

OIT
ANTH-452  Globalization
BUS-356  Business Presentiations
WR-327  Advanced Technical Writing

The interesting thing is that, while in previous terms most of my classes were online, this term 3 of my classes are in-class only, and one is a hybrid.  I also have never taken classes in the middle of the day.  combine that with taking the PE class and this is a radically different term for me.  We'll see how it goes!

I have to tell you that I'm not overly enthused about any of these courses, except maybe Government, which is too bad.  These are all my "have-to" take classes, no my "want-to's."

Wish me luck!!