From The Ground Up...Literally

Wednesday, September 22, 2010...McCracken Hall Computer Lab.
I arrive at 0900...walking into the lab I noticed clutter, chaos and grime...you see, I have a bit of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)...I was a bit traumatized! Introduction to Scott, with an immediate discussion regarding the clutter, chaos and grime...masses of boxes, CPUs, key boards, ink cartridges and I'm not sure what else. What's a girl to do?

Seven trips to the basement of McCracken Hall. Have you been there? There is no way to describe the odor, the sights and the sounds. Not to mention the antiquated elevator! Surplus versus keep...Success (after seven trips)! The clutter was gone! Moving on to the chaos...die cuts and contruction paper. Enter OCD organization skills...alphabetized and arranged the die cuts by size and patterns, organized the contruction paper by color and scraps vs. whole sheets. Next, recording/editing area, cords, cords everwhere...wrapped and hid behind computer/TV. Progress continues...grime! Swifter, 409, paper towels and wipes...computer screens, paper cutters, printers, shelves and window pains.

My philosophy, it is better to start from the ground-up, then to start at the top and fall down!

In This World You Will Have Trouble. But Take Heart!

Thank you to my two friends that invited me to join them in their quest for a PhD. I say with a little sarcasm! Thursday, September 9th, 5 pm, McKracken Hall...As I sat and listened to Dr. Franklin discribe, in great detail, what our journey through graduate school would entail over the next (hopefully) four years, I began to have chest pains, shortness of breath and severe anxiety (thank you Sue and Sherleena). Dr. Franklin continued to illustrate the journey, I became overwhelmed with the thought of emotional and physical overload.

Breath in, breath out...breath in, breath out...pray for peace and grace...

Next came the presentation of the course syllabus, group project, chapter presentations, 8 page paper, annotated bibliography, 25 page paper, computer lab requirements, blogs/wikis, etc...

Breath in, breath out...breath in, breath out...pray for peace and grace.

The chest pains, shortness of breath and severe anxiety subsided several hours later. With the support of my husband, my children and my friends I will survive.


"I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"   ~John 16:33~