Long-Distance Relationships

Currently, I am working (inching, crawling?) toward a Master's Degree. All through a Distance Education course which means I live online, I travel through mail, and take occasional trips to the east coast.

Which brings me to my next point. Group reasearch projects.

Yes, difficult. However, with a little creativity, semi-decent communication and tons and tons of technology, it is possible and even fun. When do I get the opportunity to write a proposal for a research project with someone from Annapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Texas? This year I do!

So after a few agonizing weeks, lots of emails, discussion board postings, a few group instant message chats, phone calls (the longest being 3 and 1/2 hours--ha ha I beat you Christy!) we finally got our 14 page PROPOSAL written. This is just the beginning... Now we have the rest of the semester to actually do the research and write the big fat paper at the end with our findings...

But, even with all my complaining, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. (Really Jen? what about living in Ireland or even owning a yacht?)

NO! I wouldn't trade it....

But can't I do both?

For all you C.S. Lewis fans, Douglas Gresham visited my school recently. As I live 2,974 miles from my school, I could not attend the meeting.

However, he has written a new book, which looks very INTERESTING. (yes, E*)

Serendipity: finding something of value while looking for something else.

Tell me who you think I am!

http://kevan.org/johari?name=Jennifer+Joy+Staab

Thanks...

Debate

Regardless where you stand on the whole abortion debate, you should note this little fact....

Generation X, born between 1961-1981 (about a 20 year span) are estimated at about 17 million

while....

Generation Y, born between 1977-1994 (about a 17 year span) are estimated at about 60 million.

Don't tell me that the fact that abortion was made legal in the 1973 doesn't have anything to do with the fact that there are less of us gen Xers than gen Yers....

Also, side note...perhaps another reason why I am having a hard time finding my soul mate.... (as I was born in 1974).

Just something to ponder.

A Good Day Is...

Working from home until after lunch
A proper cup of tea
An old man sitting on a bench in the sun wearing a beret
Hundreds of birds sitting on a telephone wire
Sending mail through the post office
Clear, cold and sunny
Target
Ben and Jerry's ice cream
Diet cherry Coke
a 20+ email string
Text Messages from a friend delayed at the airport

Here I am with my friend "bean sprout" at a very nice party throw by some amazing folk. Thanks Guys!

Rewind...

If you could start life over and become an Olympic athlete, which event would you choose to compete in?

Me? Snowboard Half Pipe.

Desert Island Food Survey

What one food item would you choose if you were stuck on a desert island?

I would choose the peanut.

Squirrel II

I have decided to adopt a little squirrel named Raphael. He has been, of late, spending a lot of time sitting on top of the garbage can that sits outside my window at work. He hops in, forages around for some food, then hops out and sits on top of the garbage can, eating and watching the world pass him by. I suspect that he may be a Mexican squirrel, as he loves eating tortillas. I also left some Jalisco Salsa Corn Nuts out on the garbage can for him, and he scarfed those right up.

As there is a Deli in the neighborhood that uses Squirrel in their daily "Special," I think that my job is to protect Raphu and keep him alive. However, I will not just let him have any kind of food that he likes. I will put out nuts with shells so that he does not turn into a lazy squirrel. I have a feeling that he already has a propensity toward this as he frequents the garbage can after lunch to scavange any leftovers that he can get.

For all you folks who have recently commented on the "vicious" nature of squirrels, I just want to note that I believe the best about these furry friends and will continue to promote their health and well being as much as possible.

Squirrel Poll

Today at lunch, a Mr. Christopher Moody put something nasty on my plate and this nasty thing was referred to as a "squirrel turd" by a Mr. Jon Brown. Yesterday, Mr. Mario Avila pointed my attention to this story about a squirrel. And recently a Mr. Michael G. Finley directed my attention to Portable Nut...



So I thought that I would take a three question survey to see how everyone is feeling about these creatures.

Question:
1. Do you like Squirrels?

2. Why or why not?

3. How do they make you feel?

THE SUN WAS OUT IN SEATTLE TODAY!

Breaking News!
While the whole state of Washington entered a mourning period after the depressing results of Superbowl XL yesterday, the Sun decided to grace the Puget Sound with its presence to bring cheer and joy to the native Seattle-ites. Go Sun! Boo Hawks!

P.S. I killed Dante.

Paradox
--Bertrand Russel

Laughter

I have noticed something about myself. Lately, I have been laughing a lot. A LOT. A few years ago, I did not laugh much. When people told jokes, I would either not get the joke, or I'd smirk a little, perhaps chuckle a bit. Now, any little thing gets me going. If I am instant messaging with a person, and I type in "LOL," I am pretty much really doing that. I am truly laughing!

A very good benefit to my current job is that I sit in a reception area that for much of the day is occupied only by myself. So I can laugh away to my hearts content.

I also get jokes a lot quicker than I used to. It really does not take much any more to get me to laugh. Also, another change is that I used to never think that "guys" were funny. I would think, "Oh how immature" and roll my eyes. But now--I think they are hilarious! I am not sure for this switch, but perhaps it has to do with the fact that I finally just gave up being so stuck on myself. One thing is for sure, I can also laugh at myself and I do this quite frequently.

I wonder if laugher makes one younger? No one believes me anymore when I tell them how old I am... There is a proverb: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Next time you see me, stop me and ask me to do my Old Man Laugh for you. Its my favorite laugh.