Friday, May 10, 2013

100 things I love about grad school: #1-16.


I am truly ashamed of how often I feel and act like this is a punishment
and not an incredible privilege. 
Giving myself stern lectures about how lucky I am to be here
and making commitments to never complain outwardly or inwardly again isn't working,
so I'm pulling an Ann Voskamp. Although we'll start with 100.


1. Professors who acknowledge with us, "This schedule is insane. Tell the registrar to never do it again."

2. Texted coffee orders and group deliveries to grateful recipients for 8 am classes.

3. Four of us knitting in class.





4. Grant money that sent me to Bolivia.


5. Studying in beautiful Oregon. Professors who take us outside.




6. How much my cohort laughs with each other. And at, but always in a warm way.


Sometimes they dress alike by accident. And then sit next to each other.


7. Passionate professor with zillions of letters after her name who could be anywhere more important and impressive, and instead brings her experience and excitement into our afternoons "to pass! psychology! on to the next! generation!", as she beams over her bright red reading glasses at us.

8. The moment when the at-first-glance-random results scattered on an assessment print-out, piece into understanding of a child's functioning...

9. ...Especially when it means we think we can help.

10. Cohort spouses. Love the guys in my program; love their wives even more. Joining this group meant new friends times two.

11. Jaynie.

12. Breanna.




13. Ryan and Jeffrey, guys in my cohort who worked with me at the college counseling center this year. Both became real friends and were huge consistent encouragements to me.

14. Heather, Luann, and Courtney, the other girls in the program who worked with me at the counseling center.  I adore them and we had so much fun together.

Counseling Center Girls' Night Out

15. Courtney.


What a surprise gift this girl was this year.


16. Our statistics professor stared at our confused and miserable faces this morning... "Okay. Hmm. Well.... who knows what mean and mode are??!!". Every hand shot up. "There! See! Don't you all feel better!" We did.


To be continued.

1 comment:

cori haughery said...

this was a really good post! so good to remember about being thankful. i am reading her one thousand things right now! : )

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.