Maybe some similarities....
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Spring Break at the Library
I am at the Marriott Library right now, on campus at the U. It's pretty quiet which doesn't surprise me for Spring Break. You may be asking yourself, "Micah, why are you at the library on Spring Break?" And I would answer, "because I'm a nerd." Hahaha - only kind of kidding...
In any case, it's kind of fun being here when it's so empty. A lot of the tables have been cleared away and the carpets have been/are being cleaned, so it smells "soapy." About 10 minutes ago I almost had a heart attack at a scraping/click-ey noise right above my head, but then Ella Fitzgerald's voice came streaming through the intercom. Someone turned on some old-time music (Pandora?) and they are piping it through the intercom system. Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstong, now Frank Sinatra is singing, "Just the way you look tonight." I might be annoyed any other day, but I love this type of music, the 40's/50's, big band type stuff - classic! To think I could be at work/home right now missing this! I love having unexpected experiences in familiar settings. I like a little extaordinary in an ordinary day.
The real reason I'm here is for the internet so I can update my financial aid for grad school (I just LOVE how that sounds!!) and check my emails. I do have some homework to do this week and I didn't want to go out of town or anything, so I think I will enjoy doing homework "at my own pace" and hopefully stay on top of things. I don't know how I did on my midterms (I still have one next week), so I am trying not to think about it, but it's hard!
In any case, it's kind of fun being here when it's so empty. A lot of the tables have been cleared away and the carpets have been/are being cleaned, so it smells "soapy." About 10 minutes ago I almost had a heart attack at a scraping/click-ey noise right above my head, but then Ella Fitzgerald's voice came streaming through the intercom. Someone turned on some old-time music (Pandora?) and they are piping it through the intercom system. Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstong, now Frank Sinatra is singing, "Just the way you look tonight." I might be annoyed any other day, but I love this type of music, the 40's/50's, big band type stuff - classic! To think I could be at work/home right now missing this! I love having unexpected experiences in familiar settings. I like a little extaordinary in an ordinary day.
The real reason I'm here is for the internet so I can update my financial aid for grad school (I just LOVE how that sounds!!) and check my emails. I do have some homework to do this week and I didn't want to go out of town or anything, so I think I will enjoy doing homework "at my own pace" and hopefully stay on top of things. I don't know how I did on my midterms (I still have one next week), so I am trying not to think about it, but it's hard!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
More info
I felt good about applying to Grad School and felt confident I was going to get in, but then the doubts came...
Especially when all the Audiology students were hearing back, but not the SLP students - granted, they have a different admission committee, but still.
Then I was talking to a friend who said they normally have about 60 people apply and admit about 25-30 people. Normally. Because of the economy, this year was different. They had about 187 applications!! 3 times the "normal" amount. I have not asked (nor do I want to) how many people they admitted. I'm guessing they admitted more than usual, but still! After thinking about it, I realized that I should be even more honored than I was at first. This was never a competition for me, but hearing that 187 people applied suddenly made me feel like it was. In any case, I am even more humbled that they accepted me and feel like this is definitely the right thing for me to be doing.
(Now if I could just lose like a hundred pounds, life would be REALLY awesome!!!)
Especially when all the Audiology students were hearing back, but not the SLP students - granted, they have a different admission committee, but still.
Then I was talking to a friend who said they normally have about 60 people apply and admit about 25-30 people. Normally. Because of the economy, this year was different. They had about 187 applications!! 3 times the "normal" amount. I have not asked (nor do I want to) how many people they admitted. I'm guessing they admitted more than usual, but still! After thinking about it, I realized that I should be even more honored than I was at first. This was never a competition for me, but hearing that 187 people applied suddenly made me feel like it was. In any case, I am even more humbled that they accepted me and feel like this is definitely the right thing for me to be doing.
(Now if I could just lose like a hundred pounds, life would be REALLY awesome!!!)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I GOT IN!!!
Just a quick note before I head off to my midterms...
I have been accepted into the Graduate School Program for Speech Communication Disorders (i.e., Speech-Langauge Pathology) for this Fall!!!
I can't express how excited I am. This feels like a miracle for me and I look back and see how I have had Heavenly Father's help through this process. I feel like this is a huge confirmation of where I am supposed to me and what I'm supposed to be doing.
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support - it has meant so much to me! Now if I can just get through these midterms....!!! Aaaagggghhhh!!!!
I have been accepted into the Graduate School Program for Speech Communication Disorders (i.e., Speech-Langauge Pathology) for this Fall!!!
I can't express how excited I am. This feels like a miracle for me and I look back and see how I have had Heavenly Father's help through this process. I feel like this is a huge confirmation of where I am supposed to me and what I'm supposed to be doing.
Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support - it has meant so much to me! Now if I can just get through these midterms....!!! Aaaagggghhhh!!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Update
Today marks the third day in a weird mourning trifecta. It started with my Grandpa's passing and funeral, then my dad's birthday and today is the anniversary of his passing. It came quickly this year. I can't believe it's been four years already. I still remember everything like it was yesterday. It seems like so much has changed so quickly, until I realize that the only thing that has really changed is me.
I think I've grown up a lot in the last 4 years. I hope in ways that my dad would be proud of me. I've certainly taken some risks, especially going back to school, but I feel like that has all been a part of my growth as well.
I've learned a lot too. I don't know that I can put it all into words, so I won't attempt to, but I'm glad for what I've gone through these last 4 years. I really wouldn't trade it for anything.
I know I'm in the right place. I feel like I'm where I need to be. I miss my dad; I miss sharing with him the things I've learned and the ways I've grown, but I know that he knows all that. And I know he is in the right place; I know he's where he needs to be, I just sometimes wish that his "right place" was still here.
I think I've grown up a lot in the last 4 years. I hope in ways that my dad would be proud of me. I've certainly taken some risks, especially going back to school, but I feel like that has all been a part of my growth as well.
I've learned a lot too. I don't know that I can put it all into words, so I won't attempt to, but I'm glad for what I've gone through these last 4 years. I really wouldn't trade it for anything.
I know I'm in the right place. I feel like I'm where I need to be. I miss my dad; I miss sharing with him the things I've learned and the ways I've grown, but I know that he knows all that. And I know he is in the right place; I know he's where he needs to be, I just sometimes wish that his "right place" was still here.
Friday, March 4, 2011
This past week...
This past week has been a good week, but also a rough one. My grandpa's funeral was nice. It was great to see family that I hadn't seen for awhile; obviously, not the best circumstances, but still, it was good to see them.
It's annoying that life doesn't stop. Work is still there; school is still there; etc. Just life in general keeps going. I know that it isn't just my grandpa's passing that's hard. My dad has been on my mind a lot too. His birthday was Wednesday and the anniversary of his death is next Friday. I still miss him, but know he is near. I feel torn between being sad for relationships that ended too soon and also being... I don't know how to describe it... maybe "all mourned out" is the best way to say it.
I think I just need to plan to take some time to get away from everything. I don't know where or when, but I think if life isn't going to stop, then maybe I need to be the one to "stop."
My step-mom shared with us a gift that she was given by a lady in HR who had helped them quite a bit when my dad first got sick. My step-mom had commented that she was sad my dad would never get his well deserved retirement party, i.e., recognition for his 20+ years working for the church. Well, this thoughtful HR lady gave my step-mom a piece of granite from the original temple building site on temple square with a plaque on it honoring my dad for his service. It was a really nice gesture and very thoughtful. I'll have to get a picture of it.
Hope is elusive sometimes isn't it? Maybe I get so used to it at times that I misplace it without realizing; then I get doubtful. But that is part of the good news of the gospel, that hope is still there just waiting for me to remember it and pick it back up again. It comforts me each time. I wrote a poem during a hopeful moment when I was struggling with my dad's illness. I know I've posted it before, but the post was a little long so I'll just copy and paste it here again. (If you want to read the longer post, you can read it here.)
I really do have a lot to be thankful for...
It's annoying that life doesn't stop. Work is still there; school is still there; etc. Just life in general keeps going. I know that it isn't just my grandpa's passing that's hard. My dad has been on my mind a lot too. His birthday was Wednesday and the anniversary of his death is next Friday. I still miss him, but know he is near. I feel torn between being sad for relationships that ended too soon and also being... I don't know how to describe it... maybe "all mourned out" is the best way to say it.
I think I just need to plan to take some time to get away from everything. I don't know where or when, but I think if life isn't going to stop, then maybe I need to be the one to "stop."
My step-mom shared with us a gift that she was given by a lady in HR who had helped them quite a bit when my dad first got sick. My step-mom had commented that she was sad my dad would never get his well deserved retirement party, i.e., recognition for his 20+ years working for the church. Well, this thoughtful HR lady gave my step-mom a piece of granite from the original temple building site on temple square with a plaque on it honoring my dad for his service. It was a really nice gesture and very thoughtful. I'll have to get a picture of it.
Hope is elusive sometimes isn't it? Maybe I get so used to it at times that I misplace it without realizing; then I get doubtful. But that is part of the good news of the gospel, that hope is still there just waiting for me to remember it and pick it back up again. It comforts me each time. I wrote a poem during a hopeful moment when I was struggling with my dad's illness. I know I've posted it before, but the post was a little long so I'll just copy and paste it here again. (If you want to read the longer post, you can read it here.)
I really do have a lot to be thankful for...
Gratitude
We had time to talk,
to listen,
to understand,
We had time to laugh,
to wonder,
to explore,
We had time to reach out,
to heal,
to mend,
We had time to ponder,
to remember,
to learn,
We had time to live,
We had time to love,
and, in time...
We will have eternity.
Micah James Foster
For Robert Dennis Foster
Mar. 2, 1947 – Mar. 11, 2007
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