creepy music...

I was listening to my satellite music channels the other night doing homework. There is a great one called "Cinemagic" that had been playing scores from Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Hamlet, etc. So, I have this music on, and I start getting creeped out - something was not right about the music, it reminded me of something, something scary...

I look and see that it is the soundtrack to Nightmare on... I can't even finish it scares me so much! You've never seen a big girl move so fast to turn a channel!

Anyway, I leave it on "Lite Classical" now - safe, right?

I will be posting pics soon - once I figure out how to transfer them from my camera to the computer. I'm working on it, but I'm a slow learner, so give me time :)

And now - anyone can comment - you don't have to have a blog address in order to do so :)

Love - Jess

good news

Be sure to read the next few posts - we've entered a few over the past couple of days...

And now, Good news today...

From JSLHR, regarding my thesis and manuscript with U of A colleagues and profs:
"Dear Dr. Plante,
I am writing regarding the review of manuscript# JSLHR-L-xx-xxxx.xx, "Subcategory Learning in Normal and Language-Learning-Disabled Adults: How Much Information Do They Need?" submitted to Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. The revision of this manuscript was reviewed by one of the original reviewers. As you will see below, this reviewer feels that you have adequately addressed the majority of concerns raised in the initial reviews. I agree. The only remaining concern this reviewer has is with the discussion section. I agree with the suggestion to craft the final paragraph in terms of how you intend to pursue this line of work in children with SLI...As soon as you attend to these minor revisions, we will be able to officially accept the manuscript for publication. I look forward to receiving the final version. Sincerely, X X, Editor, JSLHR-Language"

Dr. A's note:
"If you see Jessica Richardson (one of our dept doctoral students) in the hallway sometime soon….give her a hearty congrats. She just got her first paper accepted for publication in JSLHR, our profession’s flagship scholarly journal! YEA !!!!!!! This is a major accomplishment for her and we are all proud of her for doing so.

Way to go Jess!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Richard D. Andreatta, Ph.D."

My response:
Woo-hoo!

Love, Jess

a bat!

So - mucho drama in my house last night. I finish my run, enter the house, take a shower, get ready for homework/therapy planning, and see something in my bedroom. Shadows, a flicker here, a flicker there. Napoleon is going crazy in my room, and Cash is getting as far away as he can...

I begin to walk towards my room, and I decide it must be a bird. A bird must have gotten into my house. However, upon closer inspection, I realize that IT IS A FREAKING BAT! My gut instinct is to run screaming from the house, but what good would that do? It would still be there when I got back!

I shut the bathroom door and closet doors, to prevent it from getting elsewhere. I left the room, closing the door behind me, and had to think ... and shake. My whole body was shaking! I call my neighbor - I have a bat...what do I do...how do I get a bat out of my house???

I come up with a plan. But first, I had to dress appropriately. So, I put on my only jacket with a hood and some gloves, and I grabbed a broom. I was going to open the window, and direct him outside with the broom. As I entered, I saw the bat flying around like crazy, and I just could NOT make myself go inside. But Napoleon went fearlessly into the room, and must have gotten his claws into the bat during a low pass or something, because when I entered the room with my new "weapon", the bat had parked it behind my dresser.

So, I had to move the dresser - very slowly, very quietly, so as not to wake the beast. My bright idea (keep in mind the bat seemed very large) was to suction the bat onto the extension hose of my vacuum cleaner, move to the window, and turn the vacuum off, in order to let him fly outside. I inched closer to the bat, shaking, shaking, shaking. I get the extension as close as I dare, and then turn on the vacuum!

And then - I hate to say it, because it was NOT my intention - it sucked it up! The whole bat! The bat goes into the hose! And I'm pretty sure it got stuck. So now, I'm freaking out, because either I have a dead bat in my vacuum cleaner, or a bat that is about to fly out of the extension hose and get revenge. So, I yank the plug out of the wall, and run outside, and throw the vacuum cleaner into my back yard.

And it is still there. Where it will remain until I haul it off to the landfill this weekend, because there is NO WAY I'm getting near it! Its really sad too - it was a really great vacuum cleaner.

I found the point of entry, sealed it up, and hope, pray, pray, hope, that this NEVER happens again.

More later - love, Jess

ROK update - Feb

Hey everyone, I am checking in to let you know that every thing here is fine. I just got back from Physical Training (PT). We have PT 3 times a week for about an hour a day. I am lifting weights so I can gain some weight. Jess and I are in competition for gaining/losing weight. For everyone pound she loses, I have to gain a pound. So, I weighed myself this morning and I weigh 175.2 pounds. Jess is going to kick my butt because there is no way that I can gain weight at the rate she is losing it. However, I am glad we started this competition after she lost 30 pounds. Can you imagine me at 205? I am sure Jess would love me at 205. Anyway, we are making this public so we are both held accountable and this will help us to stay motivated. I think she will post her lost weight in here soon so that we can keep track.

I tested for Technical Sergeant this past week, but there is no way that I made it. I knew more than I thought, but going to school has been my priority. I will be finished with 2 more classes in a couple of weeks and I get to celebrate it with Jessica in Hawaii. I am looking forward to the warm weather and sandy beaches. It will be a nice break from 20 degree weather.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well. I have exactly 130 days left in Korea and I can't wait to finally go home. Talk to you soon.

Love, Brent

At least I can make fun of myself...

Taken from Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life by A.K. Rosenthal

"Busy"

How have you been?
Busy.

How's work?
Busy.

How was your week?
Good. Busy.

You name the question, "Busy" is the answer. Yes, yes, I know we are all terribly busy doing terribly important things. But I think more often than not, "Busy" is simply the most acceptable knee-jerk response.

Certainly there are more interesting, more original, and more accurate ways to answer the question how are you? How about: I'm hungry for a waffle; I'm envious of my best friend;...I'm itchy.

Yet, busy stands as the easiest way of summarizing all that you do and all that you are. I am busy is the short way of saying - suggesting - my time is filled, my phone does not stop ringing, and you (therefore) should think well of me.

Have people always been this busy? Did cavemen think they were busy, too? This week is crazy - I've got about ten caves to draw on. Can I meet you by the fire next week?...

As kids, our stock answer to most every question was nothing. What did you do at school today? Nothing. What's new? Nothing. Then, somewhere on the way to adulthood...we cashed in our nothing for busy.

I'm starting to think that, like youth, the word nothing is wasted on the young. Maybe we should try reintroducing it into our grown-up vernacular. Nothing. I say it a few times and I can feel myself becoming more quiet, decaffeinated. Nothing. Now I'm picturing emptiness, a white blacket, a couple ducks gliding on a still pond. Nothing. Nothing...How did we get so far from it?

-- Love - Jess

a song

the song that is sustaining me...Water Falls by Jami Smith

(verse)
i need a hand to hold
one that won't pull away from me
and i need a smile
one that won't turn down on me
cause i need a reason
to put my feet on the floor
and i just want security,
given for all eternity

(chorus)
you said you'd stay,
one too many promises
that you made in vain
no offense but
there is only one
there is only one,
only one to depend upon

so take me where the water falls
down on me and washes me
take me where the water falls
down on me and lead me to where i'm free

my freedom is in God (repeat)

(verse)
cause His love is forever
it's unlike anything that we know
how high, how low, how wide
how deep, how rich, how true, how strong

Happy Friday

Friday advice:

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

Have a great weekend! Love - Jess

Which Muppet am I?

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know.You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems.Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green.Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!

The Muppet Personality Test

my memory returns

Today I was reminded of what I disliked about working as an SLP in a school. Many of you can understand I'm sure...without going into detail, just know that I was screaming inside "JUST LET ME DO MY JOB! YOU DO YOURS AND I'LL DO MINE!."

I will write more later.
Love - Jess

the weekend

I must say, I am completely WIPED OUT after this weekend's activities, but it was great fun (except for the heavy lifting...).

I, accompanied by my bro Jonathan, visited my cousins Lori and John and their sons in Alabama. Also in attendance: brother Josh and his family (Katie and Chas), and brother Chapin and his family (Leann and Ashley). There was hunting, grilling out, trampoline-jumping, exercising, talking, four-wheeler and motorcycle riding, and much much more. What was most amazing about the trip (besides the fact that all of the kids got along most of the time) was that there were 5 dogs roaming free - 3 German Shepherds, 1 Rottweiler, and 1 Lab (my Cash) - and NO dog scuffles! They were the best of friends! Amazing.

Jonathan and I had to head out EARLY Sunday morning (to the tune of 5:40-ish a.m.) to hurry back to Georgia and try and beat some of the rain b/c I had valuable construction materials just sitting in my driveway, covered by a lone tarp. It was all dry, however, and Jonathan and I were able to bring it in - he was a trooper and worked really hard. Our folks came to get him, we grabbed a bite to eat, and then I returned home to clear out ALL of the furniture out of the bedroom and closets and hallway in preparation for the flooring work this week. I am SO sore!

Needless to say, I did not get much homework done, so I must "marathon" it today...but you see what I 'm doing instead...writing you guys! But it was time for an update.

Also - I've updated the "one word" responses along the way - there are some new ones. I encourage you to do something similar. It has provided a wonderful opportunity for communication lines to be re-established with friends and family.

I will write again soon...
Love - Jess

ROK update

Hey everyone, I am sorry that I haven't checked in lately. I have been quite busy with work and school and I forget to post something on a weekly-basis. Things here are the same as always. However, for me at least, time is flying by very quickly. It seems this way because I constantly have assignments due for school and I feel rushed when I am trying to complete them. It sucks, but at the same time, I am glad that it is the way it is. As of today, I have 41 days left until I get to see Jess in Hawaii for her spring break. I am very excited. This will give us an opportunity to finally go to Hawaii and will limit our time apart. I will only have 109 days left in Korea after our trip. I can't wait. I am sure Jessica will take tons of pictures and she will post them shortly after she gets back.

What else? On the school subject- I have 10 classes left until I finish my degree. I get more excited every day knowing that this goal in my life is almost complete. I have tried for a long time, but it is very hard to do with my military schedule. School is the only positive thing about being here, so I am grateful for the opportunity.

I miss you all and hope everyone is doing well. I will try to do a better job of posting in the future.

Brent

Your "One Word" responses

There is an e-mail going around in which you ask friends and family to describe you in one word. I was surprised, motivated, and amused by the responses. I actually expected some to say "crabby" or "scatter-brained" or "complicated" or something like that, but I guess if you want to describe someone you care about, you would lean towards the positive...

Here they are:

Bold
Crazy
Sassy
Inspirational
Determined (x2)
Love
Knowledgeable
Kindred
Loyal
Superwoman
Joyous
Perfect (yes, this one was Brent's :)
Passionate
Faithful

This was fun - I received responses from some people that I haven't spoken with in a long time!Love - Jess

Some insight

A few things you might want to know about me (if you haven't figured it out by now :)...

-->I turn off my cell phone ringer for school, work, and church, and often forget to turn it back on.
-->I do not engage in phone conversations when I am in the company of others.
-->I love my pets.
-->I love God, even when He confuses me.
-->I am very forgetful - I misplace keys, wallets, purses, leashes, papers - you name it. I can remember some birthdays, but usually miss them when they arrive because I have lost track of which day and date of the week it currently is. I can remember entire monologues from movies but forget where we agreed to meet for lunch. And the list goes on ...
-->I am an organization freak.
-->I often do not answer the home phone when I am doing homework - sometimes because I am ignoring it, other times because I am so engrossed that I honestly don't hear it.
-->I finally learned that the friends and family you love the most have the most power to hurt you, and that it is okay - that is how love works, and if you don't take that risk, you can never experience it.
-->My feelings are hurt very easily, but I have become aware of this, and have begun to recover in a more timely fashion.
-->I love music - any kind, anywhere, any noise level...
-->I am stubborn. Bull-headed. Extremely.
-->I hate being married, but single. You know what I mean, right? I got married to be with Brent, you know?
-->I like to be right. Prefer it greatly. But I'm getting better at admitting when I'm wrong.
-->I sometimes freak out about minor situations very easily, and then can turn around and be completely calm about something much more important.
-->I don't work well with last-minute anything -- schedule changes, impromptu plans, surprises, etc. I like plans, planning, planners...
-->I have just learned to start saying "no" to avoid overextending myself. Not everyone appreciates this new quality.
-->I actually like being a student (most of the time). I love being a speech path (most of the time). And I finally like and appreciate research (most of the time).
-->I don't like to talk on the phone, but I try, really hard. I prefer face to face.
-->I am too hard on myself.

I think that is enough information for you today...Talk to you soon - Jess

In preparation for my trip...

Your Hawaiian Name is:

Palila Kaili

What's" your Hawaiian Name?

I don't know how to say it, but it sure looks pretty :) - Love, Jess

What kind of food am I?

You Are Italian Food

Comforting yet overwhelming.People love you, but sometimes you're just too much.

What Kind of Food Are You?

How accurate is this for me? Love ya - Jess

Update

I know, I know, it has been a while. Too long. It has been quite difficult to get back into the groove of things.

Brent did make it back safely - we had a really great time while he was home, though he was sick for most of it. Thank God for good cold and flu medicine. We have another countdown going, something to help our separation not seem so horrible. We will be meeting up in Hawaii in March - we are VERY excited.

Not much to report here. I have resumed classes and my assistantship work there, and I have also begun to do some contract work for the local school district. I wasn't sure how I would add 12 more hours of work into my schedule, but it is amazing what you can do when you need the money :) I just have to get up a little earlier, go to bed a little later, and have a little less play time, but it will be worth it when we start to pay off some bills.

My mom is slowly getting her house back together after "the flood". The restoration company will begin work soon, and she is looking forward to that.

Jill and Chuck had their baby - I will post a pic later after they have the chance to post their own - they should be first since it is their child, don't you think? But trust me, he's a cutie.

That is all for now - I will write more later. Love - Jess, Brent, Cash, and Popo

bumper stickers

Its the latest thing that bothers me - bumper stickers that don't match. For example:

The car that displayed "My poodle is smarter than your honor student" and "Love is the answer"

or

the one that said "COEXIST" (w/ each letter derived from different religious symbols) and
" F
the president"

or

the one that had the Christian fish <>< and a picture of a guy peeing on a Ford emblem.

I mean, really, give me a break. One message people, one message, preferably one that is not mixed. Preferably one that is genuine.

More photos

Crazy Christmas pic of us


Happy New Year at the Cracker Barrel

Christmas with the animals

Picture 1: Napoleon
2: Jonathan and Cash lounging on Christmas Day
3 & 4: Cash and his parents

Merry New Year!

...or at least that is how they say it in Trading Places. We certainly had an event-filled holiday, though it was odd for me - it was the first time in 14 years that I haven't spent New Year's Eve and Day celebrating my little brother's birthday.

To sum up -
-- the 30th and part of the 31st - spent quality time with step-sister and sister-in-law dealing with catastrophe at mom's house; spent New Year's Eve day with tailgating crew at Jill and Chuck's
-- the 1st - spent the night (New Year's Eve) with Kobi - Liz came to visit us! Woke up and had breakfast at Cracker Barrel - Beth was able to join us!

It was great to see everyone. I don't have pics to post yet - we have not yet joined the digital age, so I have to wait on Wal-Mart to process them :)

Brent and I are counting down the days (with apprehension, NOT joy) until his return to the ROK. His time home - where did it go?

We love you and will post again soon.

Love
Jess and Brent