I am fairly certain they (the two I am referencing) don't read my blog--but here it is anyway.
Dear Scott and Heather,
The next few months will be difficult, but I want you to know that you are not alone. There are no less than 10 of us standing behind you ready to catch you if you fall. Every night while you lay awake crying, we lay awake praying. When you cry out, we hear you. When you aren't breathing, rest assured knowing that we are breathing for you...or at least trying.
It may be too soon to say this, but I am going to say it anyway. We feel the loss of your relationship as a deep blow to the gut--of our church and our own bodies. The last few days have left me wanting to throw up as I see no end to the pain where once there was only love (or at least it appeared). We feel as though we have lost a person. Your happy spirit once lighted our homes and brought us joy. Behind your backs, we laughed at your naivety...but I miss your naivety. For now, you are no longer naive. Ha! You know more about love than we do. I fear, however, what exactly it is that you know and pray to God that I will never learn this lesson.
We love you.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I fought the law (ie: the insurance company) and...
I won.
About two months ago, I went to the dentist's office. I hate going to the dentist's office in general--but this office is the absolute worst. Last time I was there, I had to wait 45 minutes to be seen and ran into all kinds of trouble. I hate that place. Anyway, the dentist found a cavity (surprise, surprise) and recommended I have it filled right away. Now, this seemed reasonable enough at the time and so I agreed. The dentist sent his little office/insurance lady into my cubical to give me a figure.
"$350.00!!!!! ISN'T THIS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE!!!"
"Actually, ma'am, your insurance only covers silver fillings. Isn't that funny?"
"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEY STILL DID THOSE. Can I get a silver filling."
"We don't offer silver fillings."
At this point, I got out of the chair and left. "I'M CALLING MY INSURANCE." Which I did as soon as I arrived home.
According to my insurance company, the dentist has to offer silver fillings--and if he/she doesn't, he/she must provide normal fillings for free. The insurance company agreed to call my dentist and explain the situation. After about 3 rounds of the dentist calling me, me calling the insurance, insurance calling the dentist, we had a solution: The dentist was instructed to order special silver fillings just for me.
Ha! Justice.
I went in today to have my filling. They ended up putting in a white filling for free...all because the dentist was too lazy to order the silver.
About two months ago, I went to the dentist's office. I hate going to the dentist's office in general--but this office is the absolute worst. Last time I was there, I had to wait 45 minutes to be seen and ran into all kinds of trouble. I hate that place. Anyway, the dentist found a cavity (surprise, surprise) and recommended I have it filled right away. Now, this seemed reasonable enough at the time and so I agreed. The dentist sent his little office/insurance lady into my cubical to give me a figure.
"$350.00!!!!! ISN'T THIS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE!!!"
"Actually, ma'am, your insurance only covers silver fillings. Isn't that funny?"
"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEY STILL DID THOSE. Can I get a silver filling."
"We don't offer silver fillings."
At this point, I got out of the chair and left. "I'M CALLING MY INSURANCE." Which I did as soon as I arrived home.
According to my insurance company, the dentist has to offer silver fillings--and if he/she doesn't, he/she must provide normal fillings for free. The insurance company agreed to call my dentist and explain the situation. After about 3 rounds of the dentist calling me, me calling the insurance, insurance calling the dentist, we had a solution: The dentist was instructed to order special silver fillings just for me.
Ha! Justice.
I went in today to have my filling. They ended up putting in a white filling for free...all because the dentist was too lazy to order the silver.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Peep, Peep, BAWWWK!
I didn't want to get anyone excited until I knew for sure, but...
Four healthy new chicks landed safely on my doorstep this afternoon at approximately 10:45. Instead of replacing the lost chickens with their own kind (Delaware hens), I decided to branch out and try a new breed (well, actually two new breeds).
The reason I had to order four is because 3 of the new chicks are a a type of chicken known as Bantam Silkes--which are a miniature breed. Bantams will grow to about 2.2 pounds (vs. the 8-10 pound average for standards), and they need to snuggle together for warmth. Their names are Rex, Curmudgeon, and Bandicoot. The fourth chicken is a standard Plymouth Rock. Her name is Roxanna. I think the name Roxanna matches well with the name Clemency. Unfortunately, I will not be able to officially introduce the chicks for a couple of months to Clemency as she is a carnivore and will eat them.
By the way, did anyone else read the article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch about clearing the Clayton area of chickens? Who are these people?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Chemistry vs. Community
So, Ryan and I were talking on Friday, and...
We came back to a reoccurring problem in our relationship/with my personality. For those of you who don't know, I am a recovering introvert. It's true. I would rather read a book about grabbing coffee with a friend than actually grab coffee with a friend. I would rather play with my pet chicken than tell people about my pet chicken, and I would rather work on chemistry homework than attend community group.
My problem is as embarrassing as it is frustrating.
It's not that I don't like people--it's just that I don't like being with people as much as I like doing other things (like gardening, tending the chickens, blowing up things, dissecting things, etc). Those of you who are extroverts, you don't need to pretend you understand. At this point, I think it's best we agree on never understanding each other and letting that be okay--but here's the rub.
My religion requires me to love people--and not just in the hypothetical (although, I am really good about loving people in the hypothetical. I think about starving children and people affected by environmental disaster all the time). This leaves me in a very awkward and uncomfortable position. The truth is that I want to love people (and in most situations I do--I just find the expression of love exhausting), but I feel a deep tension within myself to explore that which interests me. In a perfect world, I could do both. Due to recent time constraints, however, doing both is nearly impossible. The only real alternative is to quit work--which, unfortunately, is no alternative at all.
Anyway, my point is this. Don't give up on me. Don't stop calling me. And if I hurt your feelings, just remember that I am a work in progress.
Maybe we should talk about it over lunch sometime.
We came back to a reoccurring problem in our relationship/with my personality. For those of you who don't know, I am a recovering introvert. It's true. I would rather read a book about grabbing coffee with a friend than actually grab coffee with a friend. I would rather play with my pet chicken than tell people about my pet chicken, and I would rather work on chemistry homework than attend community group.
My problem is as embarrassing as it is frustrating.
It's not that I don't like people--it's just that I don't like being with people as much as I like doing other things (like gardening, tending the chickens, blowing up things, dissecting things, etc). Those of you who are extroverts, you don't need to pretend you understand. At this point, I think it's best we agree on never understanding each other and letting that be okay--but here's the rub.
My religion requires me to love people--and not just in the hypothetical (although, I am really good about loving people in the hypothetical. I think about starving children and people affected by environmental disaster all the time). This leaves me in a very awkward and uncomfortable position. The truth is that I want to love people (and in most situations I do--I just find the expression of love exhausting), but I feel a deep tension within myself to explore that which interests me. In a perfect world, I could do both. Due to recent time constraints, however, doing both is nearly impossible. The only real alternative is to quit work--which, unfortunately, is no alternative at all.
Anyway, my point is this. Don't give up on me. Don't stop calling me. And if I hurt your feelings, just remember that I am a work in progress.
Maybe we should talk about it over lunch sometime.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Secret Life of Teachers
Class just ended, and...
I am lamenting yet another failed lesson (or at least what I perceived as a failed lesson). During moments like these, I always wonder if my teachers felt the stabbing nausea I feel minutes after the disaster we call "class time" has occurred.
My biggest weakness is MY persistent belief that MY students are mature individuals.
I consistently create lessons designed for human beings who understand the delicate balance between freedom and responsibility only to learn that (duh) they still don't get the freedom part.
Tomorrow, I will swing back to the other side of the pendulum. Instead of lab stations, we will do labs as a class. Instead of small group discussions, we will do class discussions.
In other words, class will be as boring as possible until I forget today.
I am lamenting yet another failed lesson (or at least what I perceived as a failed lesson). During moments like these, I always wonder if my teachers felt the stabbing nausea I feel minutes after the disaster we call "class time" has occurred.
My biggest weakness is MY persistent belief that MY students are mature individuals.
I consistently create lessons designed for human beings who understand the delicate balance between freedom and responsibility only to learn that (duh) they still don't get the freedom part.
Tomorrow, I will swing back to the other side of the pendulum. Instead of lab stations, we will do labs as a class. Instead of small group discussions, we will do class discussions.
In other words, class will be as boring as possible until I forget today.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Abstinence Only?
A third party organization (Define your Identity) does Sex Ed classes for our school. I am sitting in on a session right now.
The whole situation is pretty hilarious. Here I sit, in a room of 7th grade girls just about busting at the seems when it comes to talking about sex. They have so many questions and misunderstandings. Unfortunately, I am not certain our program (or maybe its the people running the program) fits the needs of our kids.
The instructor is young (about 28), white, and horribly awkward. The girls ask her questions about the junk they see on TV, and she answers with "you shouldn't be watching that show."
But they are watching that show.
Don't get me wrong. I (of all people) am for abstinence education. My question, however, is how we might better serve the needs of this population in light of what they already know about sex which, incidentally, is too much and too little at the same time.
Now they are throwing balloons around in order to illustrate how difficult it is to balance a "special boy" and school work. One balloon represents a boy. The other represents school work. The girls are shouting "Drop the boy!!!!"
Will they always be this smart?
The whole situation is pretty hilarious. Here I sit, in a room of 7th grade girls just about busting at the seems when it comes to talking about sex. They have so many questions and misunderstandings. Unfortunately, I am not certain our program (or maybe its the people running the program) fits the needs of our kids.
The instructor is young (about 28), white, and horribly awkward. The girls ask her questions about the junk they see on TV, and she answers with "you shouldn't be watching that show."
But they are watching that show.
Don't get me wrong. I (of all people) am for abstinence education. My question, however, is how we might better serve the needs of this population in light of what they already know about sex which, incidentally, is too much and too little at the same time.
Now they are throwing balloons around in order to illustrate how difficult it is to balance a "special boy" and school work. One balloon represents a boy. The other represents school work. The girls are shouting "Drop the boy!!!!"
Will they always be this smart?
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