Electronic databases are not my friends today.

Before we came home today, Paul and I went to Best Buy for a new black ink cartridge. I think this is the only time we've ever gone in, gotten what we wanted, paid for it, and left. We usually look around the store for a while. (I guess we were both ready to go home and eat.) Anyway, I finished printing the articles for my HG&D research paper (I'm hoping I have enough resources now) and started searching for articles for my research proposal in my research class.

Even using "transition", the search term Dr. L suggested, I am still not really finding anything. Instead of printing out all these articles that are closely related but not really what I'm looking for, I realized I could print just the citation and abstract. My next step is to email the research librarian and see if she can help me out. I'm really starting to wonder if nobody has done any research on whether transitioning from small elementary schools to large junior high/middle schools has an effect on student behavior. Maybe I'm totally off-base with my question. Maybe there are just too many variables, with the change in school and puberty, with all the hormones, craziness, and confusion it seems to bring. Maybe I should just change to a topic that is simpler to research. But I'm really interested in this topic right now. I'll talk to the reference librarian before I make a decision.

Two words for the week . . .

Test and research. Other than work, that's what my week has been all about. Monday night was the test over the methodology presentations in my research class, followed Tuesday night by the usual chapter test in Human Growth and Development. Wednesday morning was my makeup test for last week's chapter test in HG&D. Since all that's over, I've been working on research.

Last night, I was looking up articles for my research proposal in the research class. I found some articles that I think may work, but I was having a lot of trouble finding the right search criteria for my topic. My question is "How does moving from a small elementary school to a large middle school effect student behavior?" I found lots of info on small schools vs. big schools and whether middle school/junior high should even exist. Today, I finally messaged Dr. L for suggestions. I don't know why I never thought last night to use the term "transitioning", but I'll check it tomorrow.

Tonight it was time for some research on my topic for my HG&D research paper, causes of the downward aging of menarche (a girl's first period) in America. I was able to print eight articles before my black ink cartridge went out. I'm on hold until tomorrow. I guess that's a good thing. I just realized it's a little after midnight. I have to be at work at 8:30 am. At least it's finally Friday.

Detour!

Here's a little detour from my education.

I want an Elf on a Shelf. Not one of the creepy-looking ones with the big head and small body, but the cute, poseable (did I spell that right?), mischievous-looking ones. I waited too late last year to decide that I wanted one. And I probably never would have decided that if it weren't for Pinterest. I kept seeing all these cool ideas of things to do with the little suckers. I even started coming up with my own ideas. Now I'm determined. As soon as I see that Target has them out, I'm getting one!

Oh! Consider yourself warned. I'll probably be posting some pictures of my little elf on here in the near future.

One down, two to go!

The final for my web class was due Monday night. I was happy to turn it in with almost an hour left. I was even happier yesterday when I realized that I have an A for the class. {Happy dance, happy dance, happy dance!} Now, if I could only do so well in my other two classes. I felt sick all day Monday and had a migraine Tuesday and Wednesday. I even missed my Human Growth & Development class Tuesday night. I emailed Dr. R to see if I can take the test I missed after Tuesday's test. I guess I'll see how that goes. When Dr. L posted our grades for Tests 2 and 3, I asked if she had seen my Test 1. Of course, she hadn't. She said she would check at the Testing Center. I hope they find it; I can't stand to lose 100 points. Otherwise, I seem to be doing pretty well. I think I have a strong B in HG&D. I'm not too sure about the research class yet.

On a much more positive note, my migraine appears to be gone and is now just an annoying headache. I'm hoping it's gone soon.

It just strikes me that I seem to be doubting. God's already got this semester taken care of. Why should I doubt? If I do my part, why wouldn't God take care of me? Thanks for the eye opener, God!

As the deadline looms . . .

I have so much to do and so little time in which to do it. Today is Thursday. The last weekly assignments for my tech class are due by 11:30 Sunday evening and the final project is due Monday evening. I think I'll have a busy weekend. I'm debating whether I should go to the university - or Starbucks - Saturday and Sunday. I really wish I could take tomorrow off from work, but, alas, I didn't plan ahead. I'm considering checking the calendars for my other two classes and requesting some time off toward the end of the semester. I haven't really had a chance to start the research on any of my research projects. I've gathered some info, but I haven't had a chance to really read any of it yet. That's where God comes in. My mom always told me "Study like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God."

As I have said more than once on this blog, God is in control. If it weren't for His guidance, I wouldn't be in grad school right now. Once I felt like this was what He wanted me to do, I asked Him over and over again to make it happen if I was on the right path and stop me if I was wrong. Without God's help, I would have never made it through Summer II with a B average. (I really should've had an A in one class, but I have to let that go. Let's just say 25 points can make a difference in a letter grade.) God has led me this far, I know He has a plan for me and will put me where He wants me in his timing. I saw a picture on Facebook tonight that inspired this post:

This is so true. I have been in more places and situations that I didn't understand than I can even remember. Every time, He has put me where I needed to be. I think I'm in one of those places now. All I can do is trust God and follow His lead.

She gone.

Well, not exactly. But I'm done with my tech class for this week. And I finally got messages from the last three people in the group and got them added to the blog. All's well that ends well. (Isn't that Shakespeare? I can't remember.)

Now, if I could just get into reading these blasted four chapters for my research class. We have a test over them tomorrow night and I'm still reading the first chapter. I just can't seem to concentrate on them. That's kinda been my problem this week. I can't seem to concentrate on reading the stuff I'm supposed to read. Almost anything else has had a better chance this week. Does this mean I'm hitting the wall already? I have way too much to do to hit the wall anytime soon.

Father, please help me to concentrate. You have led me this far. I know You won't let me fail.

The bookmark I chose for my research class textbook is rather fitting:
"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
God has led me to this point. I am here for a reason. His reason. He has great things in store for me. I just have to trust and follow Him. By "great things" I do not mean monetary wealth. I simply mean that I know God plans to work through me. It is only by His grace and love that I am who I am. He has allowed me to make every mistake I have made for a reason. It is completely within God's power to take me out of the situations I have created and place me exactly where He wants me to be. But that isn't how He chooses to work in my life. He allows me to make mistakes and learn from them. Or not learn from them and repeat them. Instead of creating robots that worship Him at will, God created humans with the ability to make our own decisions and love and worship Him when we are ready. Often, when we have reached the end of our ropes and learned that our way isn't working. Thank you, God, for allowing me to be me and being there to pick up my broken pieces and put them back together to serve Your purposes.

I do not have to be in control.

But I really wish I were in control right now. There are five people in my group in the web class. One of our assignments this week involves developing a group blog on which each group member is to write at least five blog posts. I didn't want to possibly have to wait until the weekend to do my stuff, so I went ahead and created the blog Tuesday. Then I was just waiting for everyone else to post their email addresses so I could add them as administrators. As I type, it's a little after 9 pm on Saturday. All our assignments are due to 11:30 pm Sunday. Only one of my group mates has sent me her email address and posted on our blog. I keep checking the discussion board, the group discussion board, and the messages to see if anyone has posted their email address for me to add them. It's getting pretty frustrating. That's why I wish I could be in control. I wish I could just somehow make them do their part so I can do my part, which will allow them to do the rest of their part. Sounds like my codependency is showing. If they wait until late tomorrow, that's their fault. Mr./Dr. G can look at the postings on the discussion boards to see when they finally posted their email addresses. I don't know what everyone else's schedules are like. Maybe they haven't even looked at the assignments for this week yet. That's their bad planning, not mine. I just keep reminding myself of the saying:  Failure to plan on your part does not create an emergency on my part. I'll check Blackboard again before I go to bed. Probably more than once. And I'm sure I'll check it multiple times tomorrow. It is not a bad reflection on me if others in my group fail to do their part. Not my emergency.

It's about dang time!

So, tonight in Human Growth & Development, as usual, we got last week's tests back. I finally made an A!!! Until tonight, all I've seen was B. Here's the real shocker:  I didn't even have time to finish reading last week's chapter. I guess I already knew more about the prenatal period than I thought. I'm hoping for an A on tonight's test; I read the chapter, participated more in the discussion, and actually felt pretty confident during the test. I guess I'll see how I did next week. And Dr. R has finally learned my name. I'm not sure if that's good or not.

And here's an update on my tech class:  Instead of waiting for someone else to start our group blog, I just went ahead and started it. Now I'm just waiting for everyone else to post their email addresses so I can add them as administrators. We're each required to write five posts. I wrote my first one before I left work. And when I checked a little bit ago, no one has posted an email address yet.

All in all, today has been a good day. Of course, I haven't done what I intended since I got home from class. Instead, Paul and I have caught up on the first two episodes of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Sunday's episode of The Simpsons. I guess I'll have to kick my butt into gear the rest of the week.