Monday, July 27, 2009

The rest of my summer "break"

Well, as of Friday I finished my first semester of grad school! I can't believe that I am a third of the way finished! This summer has flown by! Although I don't have class and homework, I do have a graduate assistant job that still has to be done. And well, let's just say what I thought I was getting myself into has changed drastically in the last week or so. The main person I've been working with, the person who answers my questions, just moved positions on campus to another department. I am perfectly fine with that, the problem is that my boss will be out of the country for three weeks and I am now the sole person in the office...fun and scary all at the same time. Anyways, it just shows you that, God has a bigger plan in mind, and that when I think I've got it all figured out...I should probably expect the unexpected. As I sit at my desk, with nothing really to do, I wonder who will be in the office with me, will we get along..you know the normal what ifs in life that all humans wonder. Well, I should probably get "back to work." I just thought I would reflect on life for a few minutes. Hope you have a wonderful week!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Friday, July 17, 2009

Next round of Grad classes....fun

So, this week I started my second round of summer classes. I have the same teacher for both classes. One is about some assessments that I get to use on a child for the next two weeks. The other class is Writing Processes and Theories...which to the naked eye would seem pretty boring. Well for the most part it is, don't get me wrong I like the class but four hours about writing gets a little tough to pay attention. One of the things we do in class, that I appreciate is writing. In other words we write in class for around an hour. This is great for me because it gives me time to work on some writing homework in class. One of the other things that I really like is that we only have to write two pieces that we read to the class...what makes this more exciting is that there are no guidelines..we can write about what ever we want and how ever we want. So I thought I would share the first piece I wrote to share....It will give you a little glimpse of what I've been learning or thinking about in grad school.

Women, Cows, and Dogs:
What They Have in Common

I am a people watcher, not in a creepy way but more in a curious way. I am fascinated by people and some of the strange behaviors that many humans share. Being a woman I have observed and experienced several unique behaviors that I believe women share with cows and dogs. Before you freak out and say how dare you compare women to bovine and muts….just listen. I think you will find it quiet interesting how our behaviors really do imitate or correlate with those of cows and dogs.
First, a common behavior that I can say almost all women have participated in at some point in their lives is traveling in groups. For instance, we go shopping with our girlfriends, we have parties with these friends, we talk for hours with these girlfriends, we have sleepovers, and my personal favorite we go to the bathroom in groups. Think about how often do you see a girl go into a bathroom by herself. So now for the enlightening part; let me make the connection between women and cows. Cows travel and live in a herd, they tend to eat together, sleep together, and talk (moo) at each other. I think most firm connection is that, like women, cows use the bathroom together. They don’t mind standing by their friend cow while they take care of their business, in fact most cows do it together. Another major connection between women and cows is the hierarchy they have in place. How often have you driven past a cow pasture and have seen one cow off to the side and another group of cows in a circle. Could it be that that cow betrayed one of the other cows in the herd by stealing the bull from her, or maybe that cow just doesn’t quite fit in with other cows? Sound Familiar? Women, how often do we see a single woman off to the side at a different table and the other women sitting around another table whispering about….who I wonder? Maybe that girl betrayed one of the other girls, or maybe she just doesn’t fit in with the other girls. By now I think you are starting to get the picture; our behaviors are more in common with cows than I think we would like to admit.
While you chew on that, I think move onto the next comparison; women are like dogs. I’ve owned several dogs in my lifetime and have noticed some very strange patterns between women and dogs. For instance, dogs SHED….a lot! Think back on how many times your dad, brother, husband, or even yourself have gone to take a shower and what happens…the drain is clogged. And eventually when someone decides to clean this clogged drain, what typically is the problem but hair. And it’s not just anyone’s hair…it’s yours. I’m always shocked after I groom my dog that he has hair left, and I’m more shocked at how I have hair left after the sink/shower is unclogged, my hairbrush is cleaned and the floors are swept. I honestly can say I’ve come to the conclusion that women must shed more than dogs. My second observation about dogs and women is that there are typically two kinds of dogs… and women. First we have the overactive, never sit still then pass out from exhaustion dog/woman. And second there is the relaxed, just feed me and love me and I will be just fine dog/woman. It has been very rare in my life that I have ever met a woman or dog that has a good balance of those qualities. This previous connection leads me to my last connection between dogs and women. Romance and loyalty. Now that I’ve said these two words, I’m sure you know where I’m going with this. Ladies, how many times have you seen your best friend or even yourself in a relationship with a guy and wonder what she saw in him or watch the guy treat her horribly but she remains loyal because he “loves” her. Should I talk about how the dog remains loyal to its owner and trusts him even if they treat the dog badly? The owner could be the worst owner in the world, yet the dog will love on him and bark his praises because the owner “loves” the dog. I think you get the point.
So, are you still wondering what this crazy people watcher woman is talking about? I hope that you realize that I’m not pointing this out to be funny or mean, but that I am truly fascinated by human behaviors and how much they resemble animals that most consider lunch or a pet. Just remember that not all of us are the same. We, like these animals, are all unique, have different personalities, some have more friends, some come from big families, some don’t know their parents at all, but we are all made by God. You were fearfully and wonderfully made and don’t forget that. Who cares that women have some things in common with cows and dogs. Trust me you don’t want to know which animals I think men are like…


Hope you have a good day!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

TEAM VENABLE......You won't know what hit you!

So we (the entire venable family) went to Destin, Florida for my mom's side of the family reunion! We had four houses....with between 7 to 11 people in each house! So let's just say it was a lot of fun! So I am sure you are wondering what this Team Venable stuff is about..well we had shirts made that say Team Venable on the front..sort of like the team edward or team jacob for those that are twilight fans....well we decided to have these little competitions like Top Chef Smores Edition....and Project Runway..Flip Flop edition..and Everhart Trivia Scavenger hunt...and the greatest....Last Comic Standing....Let me just say..TEAM VENABLE DOMINATED!!! Aunt Debbie and I won Everhart Trivia Scavenger hunt....Mark and Robert took second...Renee won Project Runway....Amanda and Dad won Top chef Smore's Edition..and MOM...I mean Nana Niece..won Last Comic Standing...with some of Mrs. Ethel's dirty jokes..props to mom!!! Well, other than that, we spent a lot of time at the beach and being a family! It was really fun to take the twins and Eden to the beach...none of them liked sand...and if they were held..the water was okay! I just got back..but I miss them already! Well..here are some pictures! Enjoy!!