Ive become empathetic...

...with emphasis on the PATHETIC part! To my students that is.

Oh my...why oh why did I sign up for two three week classes? (Oh yes, thats because I WAITED SO DANG LONG AND HAD NO OTHER OPTIONS!!)

Its kicking my arse! The first class is Foundations of Counseling and is very interesting although mostly stuff I know already...the basics that I had years ago in Psych 101 and 102. The second class, Legal and Ethical Issues in Professional Counseling is like...OH MY...I dont even know the words for it. For the first time in my life I think Ive actually gotten overwhelmed to the point where I was immobilized.

My mind set is generally when faced with a huge task or many duties to accomplish is that you just hunker down and do it...put your nose to the grindstone and, to borrow a popular phrase, just GIT ER DUN! I was so honestly overwhelmed by this second class that I literally shut down for a day.

Im doing better now, but that was after taking most of Sunday afternoon and evening to work on things. On these online classes, you must participate in the online forum four times a week by posting 2 substantive posts on those days. That's 8 posts per class per week. Times two classes. Thats a lot of posts!!! Additionally, there are specific formats you must use. Throw in required reading, article reviews, a project for each, and response papers and weekly summaries and Im realizing Im seriously in trouble!!!

E was kind enough to take the girl to the movies on Sunday afternoon and I got alot done, but good lord, THANK YOU that its only three weeks as you cant keep this pace up.

The instructor for the second class is a bit elitist, I can tell. She only accepts work written in AMA style....never mind that Im familiar only a little bit with MLA style, AMA is more specific. SO...I had to figure that out and teach myself how to do that and Im not even sure I got that right. I'm hoping she doesn't look too closely cause I don't know that I cited the right way. English teachers...a little help anyone?!?

Still, the topic is interesting. I'm actually enjoying the thoughts of maybe one day getting a counseling degree!

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On the home front, the girl has had VBS this week and its been a nice way to really get into the summer with her having some activity in the morning. In the afternoons she began volleyball camp twice a week. She was shocked at how demanding it was and was very sore the next day. Its good for her though to be involved in a team as she is an only child. I definitely desire for her to have that team mentality. Volleyball is very big at school and so I hope she ends up liking it because I think that is the sport she will play!On days when there was no volleyball we spent time chilling , swimming with her peeps in the neighborhood, taking walks, watching television, baking cookies, reading, reading, reading.

It does my heart such joy that she is a reader . Its really a blessing to her and I know that it will suit her well in her life. 10 is such a fun age!

Ive enjoyed my mornings to myself for the most part. Its given the opportunity to make the annual "GO-THROUGH" of the closets, drawers, kitchen, under the beds etc, and get rid of clothes that doesn't fit, stuff we don't need, broken things, or just to re-organize it. I love it when its done (not so much doing it) it really needs it once a year.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to go through our files. They need to be weeded out every year or so.

Next week we have 3 doctor appointments and volleyball camp and tutoring and the dentist. It will be a busy week. We are heading to see the grandparents in Ocala towards the end of the week as well to visit Silver Springs. I'm dying to see what that is about!

Okay, until later...ciao!