Saturday, April 25, 2009

some "flair"



some "flair" from my FB page. this one cracks me up :) I have others along these lines, all in support of the "real women have curves" idea....
Goddesses have hips
I'm built for comfort, not for speed
etc.

Fun stuff

Thursday, April 23, 2009

funny comic strip



Even after careful perusal of this very informative chart, I still don't know what to call my profs. I do the "Dr. B", "Dr. P", "Coach", etc. The funny thing is that I am about to graduate, and I am still no closer to calling them by their names, even when they request it. It just doesn't even want to come out of my mouth, gets stuck at my lips.... Oh well. I wonder if any of my students feel this way when trying to figure out what to call me....

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

An anthem for me these days

I have been a wayward child,
I have acted out,
I have questioned sovereignty,
and had my share of doubts,

And though sometimes,
my prayers feel like they're bouncing off the sky,
the hand that holds won't let me go,
and is the reason why

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart,
many times before,
My life has been like broken glass,
and I have kept the score
of all my shattered dreams,
and though it seemed,
that I was far too gone,
my brokenness helped me to see,
it's grace I'm standing on.

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

Oh the chaos in my life,
has been a badge I've worn,
and though I have been torn,
I will not be moved

I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand,
I will not be moved

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Become a better writer!

Here are some valuable tips to teach the kids on how to become better writers:

Avoid clichés like the plague – their old hat.
Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.
Do NOT use a foreign word when there is an adequate English quid pro quo.
Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.
Don’t repeat yourself, or say again for the fiftieth time what you have said before.
Be more or less specific (depending on what you mean too say)
Proffread to see if ewe have mispelled words or left any words out that you meant include.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Love this song

"I Choose" by India Arie

Because you never know where life is gonna take you
and you can't change where you've been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose.

[Verse 1:]
Here am I now looking at 30 and I got so much to say.
I gotta get this off of my chest, I gotta let it go today.
I was always too concerned about what everybody would think.
But I can't live for everybody, I gotta live my life for me.
I pitched a fork in the road of my life and ain't nothing gonna happen unless I decide.

[Chorus:]
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.

[Verse 2:]
I done been through some painful things I thought that I would never make it through.
Filled up with shame from the top of my head to the soles of my shoes.
I put myself in so many chaotic circumstances, but by the grace of God I've been given so many second chances.
But today I decided to let it all go. I'm dropping these bags, I'm making room for my joy.

[Chorus:]
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.

[Bridge:]
Because you never know where life is gonna take you and you can't change where you've been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose.
release the guilt about why things happen they way they did cuz life is gone do what it do.
And everyday, I have the opportunity to choose.

[Verse 3:]
From this day forward I'm going to be exactly who I am.
I don't need to change the way that I live just to get a man. (NO!)
I even had a talk with my mama and I told her the day I'm grown,
"from this day forward, every decision I make will be my own." And hey!

[Chorus:]
(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be courageous in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.

(And I choose) to be the best that I can be.
(I choose) to be authentic in everything I do.
My past don't dictate who I am. I choose.

[Bridge:]
Because you never know where life is gonna take you and you can't change where you've been.
But today, I have the opportunity to choose.
release the guilt about why things happen they way they did cuz life is gone do what it do.
And everyday, I have the opportunity to choose.


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

If a dog was the teacher...

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

my evening



looking at formant transitions, measuring vowels and voiceless stops, and measuring frequency...I'm ready for this part of my life to be over, but am grateful for the opportunity this work has given me in terms of learning and publications

A "WICKED" weekend


FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD


PRACTICING MY POPULARITY SKILLS, TRYING TO LEARN FROM GLINDA


ME AND TWO OF MY BROS


CROSSED EYES


THE LADIES


THE LADIES AGAIN


MOM AND JONATHAN - SO CUTE

Friday, April 10, 2009

Experiment Week 2 update

funniest quote this week (besides those uttered by our wonderful amazing inspiring participants):

S. (a research assistant) knocked on the door to relieve C. (another research assistant) who was participating in the CIAT (constraint-induced aphasia therapy) language games

C. says "Aw man..."

I loved it - she wanted to hang out more....loved it...we are having so much fun

I had a rough couple of days this week - A camera died on me, ~30 minutes of treatment went unrecorded, a tape was corrupted, etc. Roughness. Those things impact my research of course. But in the end, they are just a footnote in a document. The big picture is that therapy went great despite it all, participants made improvment, and we are having an impact. Who cares about the rest? It is important to remember I am doing this - not for a publication, not even for graduation requirements, but to help people, to change lives. Blips on the radar screen don't compare to #2 grabbing my hand and putting it to his face to say thank you, #0 bringing treats and buying us drinks everyday to express his gratitude, #1 making great strides and working hard on every sentence, and seeing #4 even make improvements despite how high functioning she is, and cheer us on, and cheat at games ;)

There is always drama in my life, in my family. Dramatic events have occurred recently that have definitely thrown a curveball - some handle it well, others don't. I keep asking myself - self, why aren't you more worried about this? self, why aren't you more upset about this? self, why aren't you stressed about this? Have you become unfeeling, emotionless?

Searching for the answer has led to this conclusion - I care, and deeply so. But I am honored, blessed to work with people every day who, in return for my therapeutic services, give me perspective and joy. For the most part, none of them can return to work, they are restricted to communicating with 1-2 people who will take the time to try and talk to them, they no longer talk on the phone or get on the computer, most avoid going out to eat or other recreation and leisure activities b/c they aren't designed for people who have difficulty communicating, many can't read or write anymore, some can't walk, spouses have left, friends and family avoid, etc....Those are real problems. And they are hopeful and motivated and generous despite it all, and a joy to have in my life. Perspective.

Love it. Love what I do. Love them. Love life.

Sunday, April 05, 2009

"Animal Crackers" from our winter concert

1 week down, more to go

Last week, I worked 87 hours in 5 days. Besides being so thankful for a wonderful week of experimentation, all I can say is "Oh my neck. Oh my back. Oh my neck and my back."

I'm exhilarated, amazed, exhausted, fulfilled, stressed, .... all at the same time. Its an interesting time for me.