Technology Dependent

It almost hard to imagine a time when we did not carry a cell phone, have satellite, or internet.  We have become so depend on today’s modern technology and when we do not have it, we seem lost.  I experienced this a few weeks ago.

I felt helpless and not sure what to do was when we had the last batch of storms move through the area.  It was the Monday after spring break and my electricity went out hours before the storm even moved through.  Really?  What was I to do? I was feverishly working on my ESL midterm, a huge project, and a presentation all due on Tuesday.  I called ONCOR and of course they could not give me a straight answer as to when it would be back on.  My laptop had less than two hours of battery power left so I continued on for another 30 minutes.  I called my dad in hysterics about my predicament.  Well, what dad wants to hear their little girl have a psychotic breakdown? Not my dad!  He came to my rescue once again.  He went up to one of our neighbors and bored his generator.  When I opened my front door, there parked in my front yard was his white chariot with the generator in the bed of the truck.  I was ecstatic because I was just about to go old school by using pen and paper.  Who does that anymore?  I was able to plug in my computer and a lamp and I was back in business.  It was about an hour later and my electricity came back on.  Yeah!

It is crazy how dependant we have become.  When we forget our phone or lose a computer, it seems as if the world will end.  I look at my kids and this is a life they have only known.  I now know how my parents or grandparents must have felt telling me stories of the “good ole” days when I was little.  It just amazes my kids when I tell them I didn’t have a cell phone or internet when I was their age.  Crazy!

Not Going Down With a Fight!

What a week and I am so happy it is over, I think.  It started out with multiple projects that were all due on Tuesday.  I was up until after 2, early Tuesday morning trying to get them all finished.  I wish I could say that I got to sleep late, but I was up by 6 to get the kids together so we could leave.  I got through two presentations, a midterm, class, and then it was off to get my son from play practice.  It was after 8 before I even left the school for home which I was totally excited about.  About half way home, my son informed me that his beloved varsity basketball coach was asked to resign.  I tell you, nothing will wake you up faster than being madder than a wet hen.  My sleep deprivation, hunger, and need for a much needed shower quickly left my thoughts.  I soon began to rally and began researching all while trying to finish my homework that was due by midnight.  Needless to say, I have not been to bed before 12:30 or 1 or eaten dinner before 11 each night since then due to being on the phone or Facebook.

It is amazing how quickly people can get behind something that they believe in.  My son and I started a Facebook page as an online petition and a means to show support. It was started at 11:30 on Wednesday night and by Thursday night at 7:30 we had 67 “likes.”  By 11:30, we had over 250 people and it continues to go. I am proud to say we are at around 360 tonight.  We are determined to make our voices to be heard.  We may not be able to change the events that have already occurred, but we will continue to fight the athletic program and the changes made until something is actually done in the best interest of the students.  Let the fight continue!

Is it over already?

Where has this week gone? It just seemed like yesterday it was beginning. I wish I can say that I did nothing this Spring Break, but I would be lying.  I have spent the week catching up on homework, trying to start a midterm, and prepare for a presentation.  I did take a small break on Wednesday to take my kids to the movies.  I think this was the highlight of my week.  I was honestly hoping to have everything done for school today, but that didn’t happen either.  I will spend the rest of my Spring Break just as busy.  I truly hope that tomorrow will be my day to get everything done. 

I think my biggest problem is that I do not say “NO” enough.  I want to be helpful to those in need, but I always find myself getting roped into commitments that I did not volunteer or ask for.  I have to help supervisor a practice at church and make a cake this weekend.  Why me?  I wish I could buy an abrasive side that would help me out.  It would be kind of like that SpongeBob cartoon where he ordered one through the mail to help him out.  How I wish cartoons were really!   

Where has the time gone?

It is so hard to believe that in a little over two months, my first born will be 17.  I can remember the day he was born, the day we brought him home, the day he took his first step, etc.  It seems as if the last few years have really flown by, and next year he will be graduating from high school.  I am not sure that I am going to be able to take it.  They might as well just give me an I.V. of Prozac, Valium, Xanax, and anything else they can prescribe to keep me going.  I have warned Tyler ahead of time of my potential emotional state, so at least he is prepared. 

As most teenagers are, Tyler is in a “relationship.”  His girlfriend is really sweet, nice, and a good Christian girl, which is a plus in my book.  The best part of this relationship is her dad.  Tyler is very intimidated by him.  Her dad is a coach and teacher at the high school Tyler attends, so he sees him almost daily.  He gives Tyler a hard time whenever he sees him, just to keep him on his toes.  The ultimate test of bonding will come next week.  Tyler is going camping with his girlfriend and her family. 

That is right; I must be crazy for letting a 17 year old boy go camping with his girlfriend. All those hormones, open country, and fresh air would spell out trouble for most teenagers.  Lucky for me, I have a good, smart, Christian boy that knows his mother will take him out if he were misbehave and have told him this on more than one occasion.  The other thing I have going for me is her dad.  When Tyler came to me and told me about the invitation, he told me he asked his girlfriend, “Do I need to bring my tent?”  Good answer!  I asked him if his camping trip will be like the scene from the movie Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac.  You know what part I am talking about.  The one where Ashton Kutcher is forced to sleep with Bernie Mac on the full-sized, pullout couch bed so that he can “keep an eye” on his daughter’s suitor.  Let’s just say, my son is completely mortified at the potential thought of this happening.  I have been sworn to secrecy about not mentioning this to his girlfriend in fear she would tell her parents.  The visual image I have in my head about this is definitely priceless! 

I cannot wait to hear all about Tyler’s camping experience when he gets home.  I can only imagine the torment that he may face at the hands of her dad while they are gone.  I will have to remind Tyler before he goes of that famous saying, “That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!”  I know my son and this will make him stronger!

What a Day!

Today I had the pleasure of accompanying my oldest daughter, Lauren, and her fifth grade class to the Planetarium at UTA.  My friend and I were late to the first show because we were given the wrong start time by our children’s teachers.  We were able to catch the last 30 minutes and it was really neat.  The movie was about our solar system, and one of the best parts was the reclining stadium seats.  If the movie was about 30 minutes longer, then I would have been out like a light. 

Next, we were whisked away by a couple of graduate students to a science magic show.  The grad students did a few neat science demonstrations which the students thought were pretty great.  Unfortunately it was cut short due a class that was scheduled to meet in the classroom we were in. 

After lunch was when the real fun began.  We were separated into groups and given a list of items to find and take pictures of.  That is right, we had a Scavenger Hunt! I am not sure who was more determined to find everything, me or the students in my group.  I found myself trying to find where each item was located before we even finished lunch.  We walked what seemed for hours when in fact it was only about an hour.  The students I had in my group ran from one place to the next.  It was so tiring that I had to take a 15 minute power nap in the car while waiting to pickup my other girls from school. 

I honestly can say that this was the most fun and engaging field trip that I have been on in a very long time.  The students of UTA were so helpful when we stopped them for directions to the next location we were looking for.  I received many comments about how young the freshmen were looking these days.  There was even one student that stopped us to ask if they could direct us.  I was thinking on the way to UTA how the student reaction would be when 100 plus fifth graders descended on their campus.  I can say I was pleasantly surprised.  What a day!