This is the first week of Winter term and a lot of new and exciting changes are happening for me in my job. It’s sort of complicated, let me try to explain:

Previously:

I taught in the Intensive English Program. This is a program for prematriculated university students, 15 contact hours / week. I taught intermediate/advanced Reading, Writing and Grammar, a U.S. Business and Economics elective, and I planned trips of regional and cultural relevance for students in this program.

Currently:

My FTE is now spread across many of my department’s programs this term. I’m scheduled for:

1. co-teaching a hands-on discussion section about CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) for graduate students in the Language Teaching Specialization program
2. teaching an intermediate academic writing class for international students who are matriculated (4 contact hours / week)
3. moderating discussions in online distance education English teacher training course for teachers in Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine (work that I’ve done before previously as a volunteer)
4. teaching an intermediate oral communication class (which I have lead taught before and I’m familiar with the materials)
5. planning activities for the Intensive English Program (work that I’ve done for the past two terms)

It’s shaping up to be a busy term, but I couldn’t be more thrilled! And look, I’m even in the official schedule of classes!

I’m ready to teach something different than what I’ve been doing for the past 2.5 years. Some of this is a real step up from what I was previously teaching. I only have 2 actual contact hours each day of the week, plus a lot of online course moderation from the computar. I still get to stay connected to the IEP program, which although is grueling in its time commitment, is fun with its diverse student population. Best of all, I get to do teaching training for technology, which I love.

My new schedule isn’t guaranteed to last in the future, but it’s possible that it will be similar to this through Spring 2009. This term promises to be diverse and challenging, but I’m so excited and so ready to do something different. Big changes, here I come! I’ve even scheduled in a realistic daily exercise plan to keep myself sane.

To kick off my new work responsibilities, I have to report for jury duty tomorrow. Yep, I called and they want my number. Yes I already deferred last year. Twice in fact; I got summoned for both Municipal and Circuit in the same year. And yes on my deferral form, I requested a month in which I have lots of free time: December. So what did Lane County Circuit Court give me? January. Thanks a lot, jerks. You couldn’t have picked a busier time for me if you tried.

Wish me luck in the coming 10 weeks! Maybe I’ll be exhausted and overwhelmed then, but right now I’m getting ready and I’m psyched!

We’re home from beautiful Kaua’i, the island of Hawai’i that is most like Oregon. It was unusually rainy for the first 4 days of our trip, but we were able to have three days of sun on the beach at the end of our trip. It was really difficult to leave such a beautiful warm place, especially when the weather here in the Pacific NW is seemingly trying to kill people by comparison to Kauai’s high 70 degree weather, warm wind and humidity.

Lucky holiday travelers are we to have made both of our flights home, especially since so many flights in the Pacific NW had been canceled due to snowy weather. We had a one hour delay from Seattle to Eugene, whereas most other travelers had their flights canceled the day before or worse.

Every year our neighbors make a Holiday card video that is so creative and fun. This year instead of printing DVDs, they posted their video on YouTube. They combined the music from a song in the movie Horse Feathers by the Marx Brothers and the story of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens into one video. It is so great, take 10 minutes and enjoy a great digital Christmas card!

We’re in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai.

We’ll be here for a week.

My soul feels like it’s converted from ice to Jell-o in the last 24 hours.

It’s grand.

Last December, I hosted my first ever holiday caroling party and it was as jolly as could be.  About ten of us had a small song book that I compiled of eight mostly secular Christmas songs and two Hanukkah songs to refresh our memories, lit candles shoved into paper cups for authenticity, potato leek soup and bread for strength, and hot buttered rum for cheer and for courage!  We had a short rehearsal and then we hit the streets of Whiteaker with our joyous caroling.  

In 2007, all ten or so of my fellow carolers were nervous about their singing abilities, but as soon as they sang for a few folks in doorways and realized that no one cared if they sang well or not because a.) it’s caroling and everyone loves a random, hip, holiday tradition, b.) we were tipsy, c.) most of our audience were also tipsy, my guests had way more fun than they thought they ever would singing for random strangers in public. Some went out of their way to say how much fun they had.

Since caroling was so much fun last year, I sent out invites earlier this year; 2-3 weeks out.  I upgraded our song book from ten to thirty-one awesome songs, as we got bored quickly with only ten songs the first year.  I spent a lot of time formatting, page numbering, alphabetizing, collating, copying, binding, and making a cover page for the song book (actually, Micah did those last three things.)  I made a trip to work to get a forgotten mp3 to rehearse with, I bought food, beer, new candles, apple cider, and whiskey for the occasion.  I also scheduled caroling as the same day as Llamasgiving, our annual friend version of Thanksgiving.  This was intentional, as out of town guests were going to be in town and it would be fun to continue the festivities by transitioning our late Thanksgiving into Christmas celebration with caroling.  Even better, the weather was unusually clear, cool, and cloudless, not rainy and cold as it should be in December.

 
My plans were unfolding nicely for a fantastic caroling celebration… except the part where several people seemed disinterested in caroling.  A total of 4 people out of 20 rsvp’d on the Evite that I had sent out weeks prior.  Four people rsvp’d as “maybes”, as is to be expected.  And life happened to many of my friends; the overwhelming work week took its toll, family priorities popped up, and sickness marked a couple of them as not being able to come to caroling.  Some people could have, but simply chose not to, which is absolutely their choice, but still annoying because most didn’t bother to rsvp at all.  

Needless to say, 20 minutes before my caroling party was going to start, I decided to cancel it.  Only a select few were still interested (bless all of your hearts, you know who you are) in caroling, but I think it’s much more jovial and gives people more confidence in their singing abilities when they can lose their voice amongst others.  At Llamasgiving, most people were really meh about caroling, which really sucked.  I know that singing holiday songs for random strangers isn’t everyone’s thing and that I can’t expect everyone to like my idea of holiday fun.  But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do something different for a change.  Being expressive and musical is something that I enjoy and that most everyone can do.  Everyone knows the words to the holiday songs.  Being tone deaf is irrelevant because it’s not a competition or an audition, it’s caroling.  If somehow the words get forgotten, that’s what the song book is for.  Also, don’t forget that a thermos of spiked cider is but a sip away should your confidence wane for even a moment.

I was (and still am) deeply disappointed that more people didn’t want to come caroling.  I feet like a ten year old kid who got all excited for her birthday party, only to have no one come.  I wish it didn’t affect me so much, but it does.  I did a lot of quality preparation for nothing.  And dammit, I still wanna go sing Christmas carols.    
 
 

“I’m asking  you to believe.  Not just in my ability to bring about change in Washington… I’m asking you to believe in yours.”

He won!  Barack Obama!  THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY ELECTED HIM!  He is, for real, our NEW PRESIDENT!

For months I’ve been on pins and needles, ashamedly doubtful that America would be capable enough to actually elect him.  After all, the only two presidential elections I’ve ever voted in have been a huge disappointment for me, my friends, my family, and the majority of people in my region.  For the past 8 years, I’ve disbelievingly accepted that I lived in a country full of people who didn’t share similar ubiquitous visions for our country, that somehow these people didn’t desire for the same opportunities, that the people who elected George W. Bush were willing to give up intelligent leadership for someone who docketed themselves as “morally right”.  It was depressing in 2000 and it was even more defeating in 2004.

From the moment Barack Obama’s victory was determined last night, I began to feel less like a crazy whacko who believes in patriotic values that are good for all Americans.  We did it!  We the People, have elected a smart, qualified, charismatic, humble, and powerful leader to lead us out of troubled times and into a new, more prosperous, more unified country.

The disbelieving disappointment of the two previous elections, the anger, the sadness, the drudging repressed feeling of buck-up-and-deal-with-your-elected-president-cause-your-powerless-to-do-otherwise feeling has lifted like a giant weight off my chest.  I’m proud of my country and I’m so very pleased with our new leader.  I’m so happyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

And for the first time in 8 years, I’m proud to be an American.

The past 8 years have been an emo-political roller coaster.

2000 – my first presidential election. W. was declared president with a slim margin after sketchy familial ties in Florida, pregnant chads, and a court case determining vote recount success.  Al Gore wasn’t that great of a candidate, but wasn’t an evil neocon either.  Many of us liberals “threatened” to move to Canada to avoid the administration (only one person I know actually did that, but she did it primarily to enhance her French in Quebec).

2004 – my second presidential election.  W. stays in office, defeating John Kerry again by a slim margin, after starting a war under false pretenses, continues to embarass us as a people by simply existing as his foolish self, and, with the help of the GOP, drove our national debt and economy so far into the toilet that it’s incomprehensible.  More frustration and disillusionment pervaded amongst my peers, there was more talk of defecting to Canada (and again, nobody did; in fact we all rooted ourselves more to America and bought houses).

2008 – my third presidential election.  I liked, but had my doubts about Obama before  the primaries.  Sure he was well-spoken, which I admired, but what were his solutions to our problems?  I liked Hillary and I knew her position on many important issues and admired her determination and experience.  Knowing that a woman or a black man would be running for a democratic candidate seemed like a win-win back in January 2007.

Obama gave great answers my two big questions: how do you plan on ending the Iraq war and what is your plan to pick up our economy from the toilet?  With my important questions answered, I was finally able to enjoy the whole Obama package:his intelligence, peaceful demeanor, and holistic approach to coming together as a nation was intriguing, just the tonic that our toxified, polarized nation needed.  Even in my slice of hippie haven here in Eugene, Oregon, the liberal extremists in my neighborhood have felt the need to openly, without reason, label me and Micah as “Republicans”.  Something is wrong when even smart intelligent people feel that they can only get what they want through divisive means, where they feel that social change only comes about through excluding those who don’t feel exactly as you do.  Change, hope, and unity are definitely what I agree that we need more of as a people; in my neighborhood, my city, and my country.

2008, November 3rd: the eve of election night.  Never in my life have I felt so strongly, so passionately about a candidate.  Never have I admired or liked a politian so much in all my life.  Our country needs leadership, solutions, and opportunities to fix the damage that the W. administration has caused.  If he wins, that will be his greatest challenge.  He is the only person who is qualified and suited for the job.

I feel as though it’s jinxing it to write about how much I like Obama and how badly I want him to win.  For months, I refused to let myself speak about this too much, for fear that over-confidence about his chances of election would somehow come back to hurt his chances.  But I’m through hiding how I feel about it.  I want him to win in the worst way.  I can’t hide my hope or my enthusiasum anymore.

Today is also my grandfather’s 90th birthday!  I wish so much that his wish will come true and that the democrats will once again take the the Oval Office and the majority in the house and senate.

Here’s hoping.

For the past month and a half, a number of unfortunate events that have unfolded around me, involving people I know and love.  Back injuries, broken arms, surgeries, concussions.  A general feeling of negativity amongst people whom I interact with.  People I know at work have had family emergencies, deaths in the family, and injured family members; about 5 of them in the past week.

I know that all of these things are regular and that life events like these just happen sometimes.  It’s the sheer number of them that are happening all at once that I can’t understand.  I want to be supportive and helpful for all of these people who are going through hard times.  With each new announcement of an unfortunate event, my brain tries to find some extra capacity to process and deal with the news.  But I feel like it’s running out of space to cope.

I’m not usually a superstitious person, but something is up in the universe, amongst the fates, according to the gods.  What reason is there for all of these seemingly  unexplicable unfortunate events?

Because I don’t wish to tempt any more bad tidings from coming forth, even though I know that some will leak through because that’s life, I wish to make a list of things that I am grateful and thankful for:

1. My family, for their love and support.

2. My recovering-from-surgery family members, for being strong.

3. My great friends, for their love and support.

4. My coworkers.

5. My own functioning and healthy body.

6. My kitties and doggy for being cute.

7. Being employed (despite a fledgling economy).

8. Having great students this term.

9. Knowing that my family and friends’ offers of: “Let us know if we can do anything to help” is truly meant and that they willingly help out in times of need, no questions asked.

10.  Micah, for being a wonderful husband, and for nursing my office plants back to health at “summer camp” (i.e. his own office and a twice a week watering schedule).

Here’s hoping that the latest series of unfortunate events quells back to a normal level.

The easiest way to explain what happened this week is by posting the emails that I wrote to our families. Here goes:

Email #1:

Howdy everyone,

I’m emailing to tell you that on Tuesday night (9/30), Micah broke his right arm while playing in a city league men’s “recreational” soccer game.  A player on the other team shoved him to the ground while in play and he fell, caught himself on his right arm, and well, you know the rest.  It was a clean break, for both bones.

He had an exciting ambulance ride to the new hospital ER, where they x-rayed and splinted his arm.  Even under heavy sedation, he still felt a lot of pain whenever his arm had to be moved and when it was splinted.  We left the ER when his pain became manageable.  We came home and crashed on the couch at 3:00 a.m.

Today (Wednesday, 10/1) he was fortunate to get an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.  The surgeon was really with it and confirmed what the ER doctor told him; that he would need surgery with pins and plates to set his arm.  He’s been controlling his pain with prescription painkillers today.  Drugs /can/ be good in some situations!  But don’t worry about him getting hooked; he hates the side effects that they cause him; nausea, wooziness, and cold sweats.

He goes in for outpatient surgery on his arm tomorrow (Thursday, 10/2) at 5:30 a.m.  He’ll go through pre-op, they will sedate him, and he’ll get his arm set back into place.  He’ll probably be home around 12 noon.  He’s a little nervous, but mostly thrilled that his arm will be back where it’s supposed to be, which will be /much/ less painful for him. Even with the painkillers, even little movements bother the soft tissues around the bones and hurt him a lot.  The surgeon also told him that he would likely have a simple, low profile velcro splint, as opposed to a clunky plaster cast, which thrills him a lot!

He’s not going to work, but he’s still checking his email if you wanna drop him a line.

So many people have been so supportive already; friends, family, soccer team members.  It’s no good when stuff like this happens, but the support from people definitely makes us warm and fuzzy.

I’ll send you all an email tomorrow and let you know how the surgery goes.  In the mean time, know that he’s in good hands and that he’s watching way more college football and playoff baseball and relaxing more than he normally would. 

Love to all, Rachel

Email #2:

Hay!

Here’s a quick msg from my phone to say that Micah’s surgery was successful. I’m with him now in the recovery room while he’s napping. He’s still fighting drug side effects and there’s some swelling, but he is in less pain now that his arm is back where it’s supposed to be.

I think we’ll get to go home within the next hour. Eating, sleeping, and taking it easy is on the to do list for today and awhile.

I’ll send more updates later. Thanks everyone for your support!

Rachel