What do they all have in common you say? Basically the sum of my weekend.
On Saturday I went to Burnet for a Girl Scout day of training. I saw my favorite volunteers, showed off my ring a little and then tried to go home. Tried being the operative word. My car, Ruby, would not start. For 25 minutes my coworkers (gotta love them) and I worked on getting my wheels in gear. No dice folks, no dice. Roadside assistance had to come get the car and my CEO drove me home. Today I learned that it was the key-thingy. They gave me a technical term for it but I don't remember. Long story short, out of a car til Wednesday afternoon. Luckily I could take today off and Ross will drive me to work tomorrow and Wednesday.
To help cheer me up we went dancing Saturday night. It was a blast! We went to Midnight Rodeo with the Krzyz-es. That's not really Ryan and Susannah's last name but their last name is too hard to spell and too long to even try. I like those people though, the Krzyz-es and had an awesome time two-steppin' with Ross all night.
And finally, today I settled the photographer matter once and for all. I had tried to hire this one photographer but he never sent me a contract. I've been requesting it for 3 weeks! It's been over a week since the last time he told me it was in the mail. He only lives/works 10 minutes from me so there is no reason for it not to be here. Anyways, I've been very irritated and today decided it was time to really find a new photographer. We're using Red Letter Photos and I'm very happy about it. In fact, he's already gotten back to me and I have a contract to review. Hmmm. So there.
Jul 28, 2008
Jul 24, 2008
Mr. President, I agree
The president of UT recently made a plea to the legislature to put more funds into OTHER Texas state colleges. The idea is that other schools need to be brought up to tier one like UT and A&M. This my friends is very smart.
In California, the UC school system is pretty well respected all around (so I hear). UC-Berkley might be considered the cream of the crop but who was ever bummed about going to UCLA? Nobody. That's what we need in Texas. We need more schools that top students are excited to go to.
This would be especially great given the top 10% rule. If two other schools were as fantastic as as UT or A&M then top 10%-ers would be more evenly distributed instead of overcrowding our state's top two universities. Additionally, students not in the top 10% would be more likely to be accepted into a university that fits their academic level.
And, oh yes, there's more. It would bring money to Texas. Research dollars go to great top tier universities. We'd have more pull on research dollars if we had more schools with a top tier reputation. Not to mention general improvement of our education system's reputation nationally.
But which schools? I think Texas Tech should definitely be one of them. Currently our two top tier schools are Central to East Texas and neither very far north. Texas Tech as a top tier school would give outstanding students in Northwest Texas a closer-to-home option. Where for the other? UT-El Paso was mentioned in the article. I thought of A&M Corpus Christi. While either of those would add great geographic diversity, it clearly favors one system or the other. Perhaps a non UT or non A&M school would be best politically. Angelo State in San Angelo maybe? To be fair, I don't know what school besides Tech might be on the brink of top tier. It would definitely make the most sense to choose the school with the least investment necessary.
That's it. I'm done on that topic now. Time for dinner.
In California, the UC school system is pretty well respected all around (so I hear). UC-Berkley might be considered the cream of the crop but who was ever bummed about going to UCLA? Nobody. That's what we need in Texas. We need more schools that top students are excited to go to.
This would be especially great given the top 10% rule. If two other schools were as fantastic as as UT or A&M then top 10%-ers would be more evenly distributed instead of overcrowding our state's top two universities. Additionally, students not in the top 10% would be more likely to be accepted into a university that fits their academic level.
And, oh yes, there's more. It would bring money to Texas. Research dollars go to great top tier universities. We'd have more pull on research dollars if we had more schools with a top tier reputation. Not to mention general improvement of our education system's reputation nationally.
But which schools? I think Texas Tech should definitely be one of them. Currently our two top tier schools are Central to East Texas and neither very far north. Texas Tech as a top tier school would give outstanding students in Northwest Texas a closer-to-home option. Where for the other? UT-El Paso was mentioned in the article. I thought of A&M Corpus Christi. While either of those would add great geographic diversity, it clearly favors one system or the other. Perhaps a non UT or non A&M school would be best politically. Angelo State in San Angelo maybe? To be fair, I don't know what school besides Tech might be on the brink of top tier. It would definitely make the most sense to choose the school with the least investment necessary.
That's it. I'm done on that topic now. Time for dinner.
Jul 18, 2008
Another Great Pic from Jen
We finally went through all of Jen's pictures from Gramma's 80th birthday a couple weeks ago - this is Ross' favorite of us.
And Ross is done with clinicals! Woohoo! Hence why we have the time to sit down together and look at pictures. Also why he has the time to read this as I type it and offer his edits.
And Ross is done with clinicals! Woohoo! Hence why we have the time to sit down together and look at pictures. Also why he has the time to read this as I type it and offer his edits.
Jul 13, 2008
The Princess Bride
Yesterday my parents hosted our engagement party. We had 26 people all said and done. Doug and Linda even flew down from Boston to attend. I think it was the first time since my parents' wedding that all my uncles were in the same place.
My mom gave a little speech - essentially Cheryl and Ross, birth to dating and Melissa ended it with the proposal story. Complete with props. Ross was given a rubber ducky necklace to symbolize his outfit at proposal and I was given full princess garb to represent how I felt with that brand new diamond ring on my finger.
We had a blast! And now we're resting up and getting ready for the real world to kick back in tomorrow.
My mom gave a little speech - essentially Cheryl and Ross, birth to dating and Melissa ended it with the proposal story. Complete with props. Ross was given a rubber ducky necklace to symbolize his outfit at proposal and I was given full princess garb to represent how I felt with that brand new diamond ring on my finger.
We had a blast! And now we're resting up and getting ready for the real world to kick back in tomorrow.
Jul 10, 2008
Great Ring Pic!
Finally - a good picture of my ring! Thanks to Jen, Ross' sister-in-law, for making it happen.
Jul 6, 2008
Ay chi wah wah
Ay chi wah wah is right. I know I don't need to do it now - and thank God - but just the idea of creating the wedding guest list frightens me. I keep thinking "OK 125 people. We can do that." Then I realize that my family alone is like 30-35 people. And only one of my cousins is married and none have children!
If it doesn't rain we can have more than that. But what if it does rain? I don't want everyone coming to the wedding in the rain and then being too crowded because the inside venue isn't huge. We just cannot have that.
If you would like to create our wedding guest list - and break the news to anyone we can't invite - then you might even be able to secure yourself a seat. Maybe.
If it doesn't rain we can have more than that. But what if it does rain? I don't want everyone coming to the wedding in the rain and then being too crowded because the inside venue isn't huge. We just cannot have that.
If you would like to create our wedding guest list - and break the news to anyone we can't invite - then you might even be able to secure yourself a seat. Maybe.
Jul 3, 2008
Summer Goals: DONE
Well mostly done. Decided on. Not signed for and all that jazz quite yet.
The wedding will be October 4, 2009 at Mercury Hall in south Austin. We looked at it today - though unfortunately the manager was sick and couldn't answer some of our questions. Ross likes it as does his mom, sister and gramma. I'm going to meet with the manager next week to ask some questions and get the paperwork started. I love Mercury Hall. It's perfect and I am so excited.
And I have a photographer! I'm very pleased with what he's offering us. He'll be doing our engagement photos (I think overlooking the 360 Bridge), the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. I am really excited about having the rehearsal dinner photographed as well. It was a bit of an after-thought but I think that will be really good. He'll get to meet everyone before the wedding and we'll have great photos. I think this will be especially great for Nancy because she is so excited about hosting it. This will ensure that she has great photos to remember it with.
YAY!
The wedding will be October 4, 2009 at Mercury Hall in south Austin. We looked at it today - though unfortunately the manager was sick and couldn't answer some of our questions. Ross likes it as does his mom, sister and gramma. I'm going to meet with the manager next week to ask some questions and get the paperwork started. I love Mercury Hall. It's perfect and I am so excited.
And I have a photographer! I'm very pleased with what he's offering us. He'll be doing our engagement photos (I think overlooking the 360 Bridge), the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. I am really excited about having the rehearsal dinner photographed as well. It was a bit of an after-thought but I think that will be really good. He'll get to meet everyone before the wedding and we'll have great photos. I think this will be especially great for Nancy because she is so excited about hosting it. This will ensure that she has great photos to remember it with.
YAY!
Jul 1, 2008
A New Soapbox
Today Barack Obama said he would continue President Bush's plan to give money to religious organizations so they can help meet the needs of under-served people. So far, I'm OK with this. Any organization that is going to meet basic needs, without discriminating against anyone, should have the government's help in doing so (if you ask me and since you are reading this, we'll assume you asked).
But if I understand correctly, Obama is happy to give this money to organizations that discriminate in the hiring process by religion. How is THAT OK? Can we require an particular belief system like we require college degrees? I can't say I am comfortable with that.
While I'm on board for the better part of the plan - helping faith-based organizations meet the needs of the poor - I am not OK with the discrimination in the hiring process. We need to be very careful with this and perhaps Obama and his staff should reconsider this part of the deal.
But if I understand correctly, Obama is happy to give this money to organizations that discriminate in the hiring process by religion. How is THAT OK? Can we require an particular belief system like we require college degrees? I can't say I am comfortable with that.
While I'm on board for the better part of the plan - helping faith-based organizations meet the needs of the poor - I am not OK with the discrimination in the hiring process. We need to be very careful with this and perhaps Obama and his staff should reconsider this part of the deal.
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