nothing to show for any of it

This morning I was able to participate in this learning experience offered on campus. As a student, faculty, or staff you can sign up for sessions to learn different tools in technology. It's offered through the Learning Enhancement Center on campus. They are fabulous and I love them. I'm a dork, I know. They offer courses from Photoshop to Powerpoint to SPSS (a not so fun, but powerful research tool). And the best part-- they are FREE! (and my boss encourages us to go to them)

So I sign up for these classes to learn more and expand my excellence (the classes are called Expanding Excellence). Well this morning I attended a class and LOVED it! (again- I'm a dork- I know). In my excitement of the project I created, I emailed it to my boss. You can imagine my excitement!

The subject line went along the lines of, "Look at what I learned!!" I attached the project which happened to be a quicktime movie. The text body talked for a line or two telling how great this program is and so on. After sending the email I return back to my office for work.

I get back to the office and check my email. I have a response from boss about my project! Yay! I just know he is going to be equally excited about my ever growing knowledge. Ha! Wishful thinking! I open the reply email to read:

"Nothing came up! Glad to know you learned nothing!"

Are you kidding me?! This can only happen to me! I'm tempted to take my boss across campus to the computer I was working on earlier to show him I did in fact attend the session and learn something. Oh well... Better luck next time I suppose... I really did learn a lot... obviously I missed the "How to Save PROPERLY" section. Oops!

the last supper

This weekend marked the festive holiday of Easter. You know, that religious holiday where bunnies suddenly lay eggs of chocolate in celebration of the resurrection of Christ. I've grown up getting excited about what I will I find in my Easter basket, wondering how a bunny could ever possibly hop into my room and leave that basket of sugary goodness beside my bed. Since then, I still enjoy when the Cadbury Creme Eggs come out to play, but my wonderment has changed from how that bunny hops in to how that bunny has ANYTHING to do with Easter? but that's not really my point...

We've all seen (probably not the original) the painting of "The Last Supper" by Di Vinci, or at least heard about it. Last week I was able to see a re-enactment of it-- a "Living Last Supper". Actors sat at the table frozen in place like the painting. One at a time, the characters came to life reflecting their thoughts and life. It was so interesting to see. A great way to learn about the different persons who were able to sit at the table with Jesus. After seeing this, I got to thinking about all the different ways this famous meal has been portrayed, and then I remembered a picture taken last summer. One hot evening, 13 friends got together and took a picture-- Last Supper style. Thought I would share.... in this photo, I played Andrew (third from the left).

A Bill Clinton Sighting

Today is Mississippi Primaries... make sure you go out and vote. Since the Democratic nominee has not been stated yet, Mississippi actually matters. In preparation for this day, the candidates have made a quick run through the state. On Friday, Hillary was in Hattiesburg at the train station. Saturday Bill visited JCJC. Sunday Chelsea made an appearance at Milsaps. Monday Obama got a word in at Jackson State.
I was unable to see Hillary at Friday, but a three of us went over to Ellisville to see Bill on Saturday. I was thinking on the drive over, if elected Bill will be the FIRST first Husband. Obviously I'm not the first to ponder this, because there was a man at the rally with this exact button.

While at the rally we were able to get our Bill Clinton books signed, be annoyed by some lady, shake his hand, stand behind THE tallest man with THE broadest shoulders and get a picture with Bill in the background. All in all a fun day. A 5 hour event enjoyed! :)

welcome to the REAL WORLD

No, I did not make it to the finals of The Real World application process. No, I did not apply. I am talking about the actual "real world". This thing that happens, or is supposed to happen, after college.

This year marks my OFFICIAL first year in the "real world". So far, there's not much to complain about. I really like it. No homework. No classes. No papers. No book fees. What could be bad about this? Well, this week answers that question-- NO SPRING BREAK!!!

This wouldn't be so bad, if I worked maybe in a bank or somewhere, anywhere other than where I do. BUT I work on a college campus, and the fact that this week is Spring Break is evident everywhere you turn. Campus is so quiet right now. The bulk of students were ready to split from campus last Thursday and most did. That periodic bump from above is oddly missed. Knowing its Spring Break, I think back to last year's. A Road Trip through the Southeast with Tabitha. By now we were half way through Georgia, with anticipation of visiting Savannah.

Here's a picture from last year to reminisce-- taken outside the capitol building in SC.

Although I do not get a Spring Break, I feel as though I've already had one. This weekend was crazy busy. On Saturday I attended a soccer game. The team I was watching won! yay! Go Strikers! I then headed over to JCJC to see the one and only Mr. President Bill Clinton! I'll tell more about that when I get pictures. Sunday I attended a cookout at Kamper Park. I spent the entire day outside. Thankfully the weather was BEAUTIFUL! Today though I am slightly sunburned in a not-so-even coverage sort of way. Oh well... what you can do?

funny how... complimenting differences

Isn't it funny how we just brush compliments off, or do we just think they are brushed off. Some people give them all the time, others once in a blue moon. Compliments come in so many different forms, but the way they are accepted can be equally large in variation.

One of the best compliments for a woman to give another women is to compliment their choice clothing for the day. It's funny though how, most women take it in so quickly that the realization of a compliment is questionable. Instead of thanking the other, they use this as a chance to show off their bargain shopping abilities. And when I say all this, I am NOT pointing my finger at others. I am the first to admit, I AM TOTALLY GUILTY OF THIS. The pointed finger is absolutely turned back and bouncing in my face.

We've (as in ladies) all overheard and been a part of a conversation that goes something like the following:
Woman 1: "That's a really cute shirt." (This sentence can vary depending on the garment of topic and the typical language used by the person. In this sentence also lies the compliment).
Woman 2: "Oh, get this-- Belk. $21.49. On Sale. Originally $62.50." (Usually stated like baseball stats, but always including the totaled paid with the amount saved and/or original price).

Question-- Does that person really need to know how you spend your money? Does that person want to know? Did that person ask?

No.

You don't typically see two guys excitedly chatting about the latest great buy from Banana Republic, Gander Mountain perhaps, but that's a whole other story.

Compliment HER shoes-- you're good as gold.
Compliment HIS shoes-- you might get a questionable glare.

an act of randomness

Today I was running a quick errand on campus. I decided before I left my office that I had to be quick in order to get to a class in plenty of time. So as I left the place of my errand, I was hurrying down the stairs. Now you have to understand the stairs I was hurrying down are slightly different from other stairs-- they are located in a huge curve with a railing going through the middle. Being the oh-so-safe person I am, I took the outer side (it's wider steps, more confidence for ladies in heels, like myself). As I started down the "stairs of death", they've always kinda frightened me (I can just see myself tumbling down the skidding to a halt at the front doors of the building on my face) when a young man approaches me on the inner track of the stairs. I smile, that's what we do in the South. He says, "Hey, how are ya?". I reply with a, "Hi, fine thanks". I continue on my way down.

End of story in my mind, NOT his.

He then takes this exchange as a conversation opener and decides to turn around and start walking down the stairs beside me. Remember he was originally traveling up. This stranger then says, "You look really good today". As the thought- how do you know what I look like any other day? You've never seen me before- goes through my mind, I flash a nervous smile and reply thank you and hurry on my way.

I joke when I say that I wore my intellectual glasses today, but honestly don't I at least look smarter than that? Come on, guys. Does that really work on some girls?

I think pigs just flew...

This afternoon I was blessed by a visit from my dad. He was in town for the afternoon and called to meet me for lunch. Yay! While we were waiting on a delicious meal of shrimp and oysters, my dad told me about not being able to get in touch with someone. I told him to just text them. Recently I received my first text message from my dad on Valentine's Day-- pretty much a big deal. He grinned and said, "You're right, I should. I didn't even think of that."

After a few minutes of typing a short message, I introduced the concept of predictive text. His mind was blown by the sheer genius of text messaging! He then tells me he would "rather text than talk to people. It's the easier thing to do."

Wait! What? Hold the press-- Pigs are officially flying!

I can not tell you how many arguments have occurred in the past over the phone bill with my amount of text messages being the topic of choice. I can distinctly remember being told that there was absolutely NO reason for it!

I was so shocked, I asked him to repeat himself. Crazy! It's true. He said it. My dad has crossed over into the light. Watch out for the growing number of older adults using the technology of today!