Hijinks and hilarity...

A friend sent me this link that originated from another blog. Check it out only if you want to laugh hysterically. These similies make me ponder that one day soon these will be the professionals from whom we bank, receive medical care, legal advice. scary.

http://bethanyamandamiller.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/the-56-bestworst-analogies-written-by-high-school-students/

Power Points to come...

Perhaps I'll put together a Power Point (or Keynote) slideshow on Reactive Attachment Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder (you know, when I have some free time).

I also want to put a plug in for Dr. Curt Thompson's book Anatomy of the Soul (2010). It is an amazing and clearly-defined look at neuroscience, how God created the brain, and how we long for connection with others more than anything else. You won't be sorry you took the time to read it. I do recommend going through it slowly enough to absorb the nuances and how it speaks to you on a personal level. Very worthwhile.

Children and Separation Anxiety Disorder

I am currently working on a paper for my Psychopathology class on Separation Anxiety in children. This is on the heels of a paper I did last week on Reactive Attachment Disorder. Both of these speak to the basic needs of children to have secure attachment to their caregivers; conversely, how destructive an insecure attachment can be in their understanding of themselves and the world around them. It is heartbreaking that there are parents who abuse their children; the effects of which last typically into late adolescence and adulthood. This is in stark contrast to those married couples who try but cannot have children for one reason or another, who can understand the value of human life at a potentially deeper level (than those who take life for granted). I am friends (and know of) several couples who have either adopted because they could not have children of their own, or those who already had other children but decided to adopt, too. I am so proud of those who open up their homes to those who need to know what it is to be loved; to know that they are love-able; to know that they matter, are safe, and from whom they can develop a secure attachment. God can redeem the years that have been lost in their young lives.

Snow

I awoke to the unique sound of the snow plow on the frontage road outside my window. As of last night, the forecasted precipitation was less than an inch today. While I'm so thankful for the trucks and salt, I can still see grass peeking out from the dusting of snow. They seem a little eager. Come March, they aren't as eager and one wonders how much snow has to fall to warrant a plow/salt truck. I do have to add, though, that this winter is getting an unusually slow start--for which I'm thankful. When will our first real, heavy snowfall (defined as 6" or more) be? Any "predictions"?

End of the Year Blah's...

Here it is just days after Thanksgiving 2011, and I am feeling bogged down and unmotivated to do all those things I must do. I am feeling defeated in many ways and disconnected. Somehow I feel as though I do not have what it takes to do all that is required of me. For example, right now I should be reading several chapters in several textbooks for class on Tuesday. I should be working on (and completing) my literature review. I should be cleaning, doing laundry, and organizing my home. I should be exercising. I should be in better communication with friends and family. I should be caught up on my Bible reading. I should not fret over all these things. I do not want to be distracted by so many externals that scream for my attention. I don't want to fall prey to procrastination any more than I already have. I wish that I had answers to all the medical mysteries that have been problematic for me for months. I need to focus on all that I have to be thankful for; for the countless ways that God has been my Defender, Provider, and Advocate.

--Just thought I'd share my two cents...

After a significant absence from the blogosphere, I am returning! I will strive to make fairly regular posts to share my two cents, favorite sites, photos, movie quotes, etc.

Currently, I am taking advantage of a Saturday to myself doing homework! That's right. I have assignments due for my Psychopathology and Research Methods classes. You're jealous, I know. We can't all spend time outside in the beautiful fall weather pre-snow here in MN. Some of us have to buckle-down and study. hmpf. To help assuage this tug on my sensibilities, I have a Yankee Candle (Mulling Spices) lit, and listening to Christmas music (ie. not "Holiday" music), and donning fuzzy pink slippers. That's the best I can do for now.

Until later!

From a Child's Point of View

When working with some Kindergarten students this summer, I found myself jotting down these comments. Maybe you'll get a chuckle, too.

1. I was talking to the boys about how God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. I was hoping they would be able to tell me that it was Moses that God used. I gave them prompts such as "He's a famous man from the Old Testament...". One boy replied, "David?". Before I could respond, another boy blurted out, "David Archuletta?".

2. We were outside for recess when one of the boys (same boy as mentioned above) needed to use the bathroom. So, I had to walk him into the school building. As we walked passed the ice arena, there was a full-sized Caterpillar tractor parked there. He saw its immense size and blurted out, "Wow! That tractor's bigger than my Grandma!".

3. The group of us were waiting for all the kids to arrive when the boys were talking about how old their parents are. One boy said that his dad was 48 years old. Someone misunderstood him and thought he said 14 years old to which the same boy as above replied, "Not 14! You can't be a parent until you're 48!".

4. I was tutoring a boy this summer who really struggles with school. I had a difficult assignment for him so I warned him ahead of time that I had something for him to do but it might be hard. He said with an exasperated look, "I know all about hard things: metal, rocks, brick.".

Friday Plans

I am thankful to have today off of work! Today I'll be visiting the Arboretum in Chaska, MN with some friends. I hope to return with wonderful photos that I can post. From what I've heard, it is similar to the Chicago Botanic Garden of which I am very fond. Also, my roommate and I are off to look at another apartment complex today. Our lease is up at the end of this month, so we'll have to find something sooner than later. I know it's in God's hands, though.

Oddities and Opinions

Three things tickled my funny bone recently. Well, three things in the same day, that is. The first was when I awoke to find my two cats spooning. That's right, spooning. There they were on my bed with Mittens in front and Snickers behind without space enough for a whisker between them. The second occurred as I was leaving the neighborhood mall. Suddenly I heard the overhead music play "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles. I had to resist the impulse to whip out my hairbrush and sing along. Trust me, I was singing on the inside..."An eternal flaaaaame". The third was the oddest of all. You might be thinking, "How could it get more odd?" Well, I've found that while driving frequently on the freeways in Minnesota one is bound to see strange sights. I was driving to work on good ol' 94 heading west when lo and behold on the side of the road was a boat on its trailer. There was no vehicle attached to it--just the boat on its trailer. Inside the boat standing up and peering over the sides (rather recklessly, I might add), were two boys probably between the ages of 8 and 10! That's right. I wondered, "Where did this story begin?" As I whizzed by in my zoomy car, I wished them well.

I do have to add that my roommate saw perhaps on even stranger sight the other day. As she was driving home on good ol' 694 heading east, she saw a man carrying a canoe over his head trying to cross the 4 lanes of oncoming traffic! It was a wonder he wasn't killed. A minivan didn't see him in time to stop and hit the canoe which went flying--also a wonder that it didn't hurt any other vehicle or person. I think all involved were okay--even the canoe. Sheesh. The term "Minnesota Nice", in my opinion, is suspended as soon as one gets behind the wheel. At that time it's "Every man for himself".

There you have it.