May 19, 2008

  • Working towards Plan E, F, G, and Q

    We survived yesterday, with the help of our daughter's best friend, and didn't even get rained on.  A few sprinkles, but the weatherguys really got that forecast wrong.  Luckily for us.

    I'd like to share a few "Words of Wisdom" from the Cornerstone, a publication put out by the GMU College of Humanities and Social Sciences, from which my daughter graduated.  These are snippets of advice written by the faculty of the school.

    "Our friends agree to listen to us complain, and in turn we listen to them.  Yet complaining is a very weak form of communication.  It focuses on the past and doesn't build anything.  Eliminate most of your complaining and get on with what really matters to you."  -Andrew Finn, Communication.

    "Develop a purpose, pursue it with passion, and let nothing stand in your way.  Education merely opens your eyes so you can see clearer than before; now you must do the hard work and find one." -Patrick McKnight, Psychology.

    "Choose the career that makes you happy rather than the one that satisfies other's people's expectations.  Twenty years from now, they will have forgotten and you'll be happy."  -Mills Kelly, History and Art History.

    "Whatever you do when you're not doing your work is your real work." - Roger Lathbury, England.

    "Don't give up.  When Plan A doesn't work, move on to Plan B.  It's not a coincidence that we have 26 letters in the English Alphabet." -Don Gallehr, English.

    There were more, but those were the ones that impressed me the most.

    My real work this week will be to get things straight around the house again and get back to routine.  Also, I have to clean out the basement utility room and inventory our camping gear in preparation for upcoming camping trips.  And try to coordinate everyone's trips and calendars for this summer.

    I can already see I'll need a second cup of coffee.