Three years ago I went back to school to “take a few classes” and 50-some credits later decided I might as well get a couple of letters after my name to prove I’d actually learned something. I now have an Associates Degree in Web Media to add to my 25 year old Bachelors in Parks and Recreation Resources. And it all ends with a plate of deviled eggs.
The final final (we’d already done final presentations and taken a final exam) for my intercultural communications course was to contribute some cultural food item to an intercultural feast. My other coursework was already finished so this really was the last hurrah for this recent adventure in school. Being a preacher’s kid of mid-western roots with laying hens and a ‘fridge full of eggs, I opted to take deviled eggs. It seemed appropriate and various websites talked about how easy it is to make them. (Did you know there are entire websites devoted to deviled eggs?!) I’ve eaten lots of them but never made them before. Thank goodness for Steve …
I didn’t take the above photo; it was snitched from a website called delicousdelicious.com. I haven’t had the energy or focus to take my own pictures lately. Too much energy was going into finishing with school. If you visit riverdaughter.com you’ll get a sampling of what I learned to do, and maybe a sense of what I hope to do more of in the future.
More energy went into worrying about the lawsuit. Thanks to a good attorney, we “won” and I was dismissed out of the suit but the reality is that nobody really wins a lawsuit except the attorneys. Ours earned her pay, and I am grateful, but dang, that’s a lot of money down the drain. And the larger suit drags on … it feels like it will never end. It is significant the damage that one evil man can do.
And yet more energy went into worrying but our jobs. I think the only real answer for this one is to leave them. Steve’s making progress on that, having given his retirement notice, officially for December 28 but we’re hoping he departs sooner than that. I’m going the opposite direction, at least in the short run, and will be back to working full-time in July. My job-share partner is making her escape, and though I’ve worked in the position for years now, trying to fill the void she leaves will be challenging. It’s going to be really interesting to see how my perceptions shift when my focus is back on work again.
And how long will it last? This is a big, big question. We are making many changes in life and even bigger ones are bound to be around the corner. Stay tuned and I promise to make space in life for taking pictures and telling stories as the tale unfolds.
Congratulations Big Sister on those extra letters after your name. I am sure you will get a card in 9 months, since that seems to be how long it takes me nowadays to put something in snail mail. Though, since I have my first summer of no work and no school – maybe come June 15th I will get on the ball.
I am very proud of you! And WOW – 50 credits! I think a party is in order soon! Maybe after your travels begin we can celebrate together.
Love you and again congratulations!
Thanks, Michele. No need to send a snail mail card. Web site wishes suit me just fine. Westi, Mike, Steve and I had fun with your Costa Rica box this weekend though. We weren’t sure who you meant to have what so we tried to guess what you intended and then we did whatever we wanted anyway. We thought maybe the cutting board was for us (the rooster theme and all) but Woo liked it and it looks nice in her kitchen. I kept the jewelry (the amethyst HAD to be meant for me!) and Steve took the toucan stash box. Ground coffee stayed with us (no grinder). Bean coffee with Mike and Westi. All-in-all, everyone was happy. Thank you!
Today was momentous because we moved Grayson and Penny to Westi’s house. The timing is all about the deck and house getting stained this week, and wanting to keep their little paw prints out of the wet stain. But, if they adjust well, then they’ll stay in town. Better to have them transition once than put them through it multiple times, and expose them to the stress of strangers and packing, etc. I am SOOOO grateful to Mike and Westi for agreeing to give them a good home but the house is strangely empty-feeling tonight, three dogs not withstanding.
Congratulations! I will send snail mail this week.
We are very proud of you and hope you get to do
more of this in future. We are back from Fort Wayne and I am going to look at web next. I had
lots of emails to answer and did some of those.
I have to get group one out now as the slide
show is up, classmate has died and we can sitll
order from photographer. Enjoyed reading your
long post. In fact, I read it to dad as he is
working on his laptop. Still has some bugs but
it is getting better. No kitties, I have never
been around you without kitties! love you both
I didn’t put a note! EEKKK. Well, glad you got to pick and choose. Cutting board was for Steve but if Westi loves it – cool! Jewelry was for you. Coffee/banana paper scrap book for Westi. Wooden toucan was for Mike but again, if Steve likes it – works for me! Coffee was for whoever wanted it.
Was the recipe in there for the ice coffee? I don’t like ice coffee but let me tell you it is wonderful with the Expresso (if you have a french press especially) and then that liquor. That was for all of you.
Glad to know it arrived!
Love you,
Michele
Ah yes, I forgot the liquors (Steve and I snagged those!) and the little book (we guessed right and Westi kept that), and don’t remember seeing the recipe. Send it if you have it.
Congratulations, Laura! And I can’t think of anything better than deviled eggs with which to celebrate. Love them!
Also, it was good to hear the sigh of relief regarding legal matters.
Carry on! I hope you find your new position satisfying and not too stressful. I’ll keep checking back for updates on the good things that I know are in your future.
Cathy, it is so good to have you visit. I have been lurking on “lookingup” … just haven’t commented lately. My little brain has just been totally full up!
Thank you!
Yeah! I am so glad to see you “won” the lawsuit! I’ve been thinking about ya occassionally. Hope all is well.