Beneath the Wraps

             Even though I knew I had two classes coming up, I had agreed to fill in for one of the aides during the last two weeks of February.  Technically, my two classes started on President’s Day which I had off.  Still, I struggled through that first week and did not make the best grades compared to the other ones I have been getting.             It snowed on the last Sunday in February.  The next morning I had three messages on my phone:  “Buses will be delayed for two hours on Monday morning”  “Buses will be delayed for two hours on Monday morning”  and “School has been canceled for Monday."  I thought I'd take advantage of having the time off and get a better jump start on my classes than I had the week before.  I was able to listen to the live lecture and had completed one discussion post before taking what I thought would be a short bre...

            Share an experience that you have had with when the power went out             For the most part power outages provide positive memories for me.  I know that might sound strange, but except for one time that I can recall, the experiences have been great.   I don’t even remember all of the details about the unpleasant power outage.  In my mind, it took place during the course of several hours, but in reality, it may have only been minutes.  I would guess that I was seven.              Mike’s parents were out of town, and my parents had agreed to watch him – I'm guessing for the weekend.  Mike and I were the same age and my brother Patrick was two years younger.  Mom said that she and dad had gone over to a neighbor’s house for an activity.  I don’t know if they were on a different powe...

            I recall a time when we were  living in West Valley and the water pipes in the neighborhood had burst.  There were at least five of them shooting geysers.  This problem took the water company well over 24 hours to repair.  I don’t recall what time I noticed the geysers sprouting in various locations.  It must have been during the summer months when the sun sets later as it was still light enough to drive but late enough that I would be getting ready for bed within a few hours.  I don’t imagine it was a great night for Granger-Hunter as they had set up crews at each geyser and worked throughout the night and into the next morning using artificial light to help them see.             Roland had purchased a 50-gallon water tank several years before.  We had emptied it in Kearns so we could take it with us to West Valley.  We filled it back up – fortu...

I can strike a match to light up a room or start a fire to toast marshmallows I can play different versions of match game For example, I've tried to learn about which flag goes with what country by matching one to the other I can attempt to paint the shutters and trim to match the rest of the house. I can mix and match socks I get tired of trying to match assignment problems with the responding exercise found in the book an electronic book I might add I would like my clothes to match Occasionally I would like to match the face to the voice We've been through quite a few furniture pieces that didn't match. you remember this scene from Frasier?  We had worse cases than Martin's chair. Some librarians and instructors will read books and set up an activity The activity matches themes based upon the book There is a lot of competition in the retail business.   So many try to match anot...

I was supposed to work this week but  the schools have been closed  first due to the storm and then  because we were part of  many that were without power.   During that time I've  had so many thoughts  going through my head  and have jotted a bit  on paper - some on my  laptop but nothing concrete.   I still have classes next week and  the week after that. I am grateful for the generator that gave me enough power to at least start my assignments  Amazingly I have finished up and can finish a few other things that got neglected during our power outage. I realize that four days is nothing compared to some others who have experienced without for much longer.  Roland's sister for example,  had gone two months as she lives in Puerto Rico and  Hurricane Maria was quite unkind. I'd rather lose electric power than running water - even if it was  equivalent to riv...

Name a strength  that you really admire about your mom              My mom was raised in San Francisco but had moved to Salt Lake after she married my dad.   His family became her family.   I remember mom as a caregiver to three particular family members starting with my dad’s maternal grandmother – though I don’t have many memories of her when she was healthy.  I don’t know why.   I was old enough that I should have more memories of her at her Magna house than I do.  It was a very teeny house where she had raised her family.  It boggles my mind, really.             I don’t know how old I was when she was sent to the nursing home – or if her mind was slipping at the time that she was brought in. It saddens me at how many elderly are left at nursing homes and rarely, if ever, visited.   This was Grandma Helen’s mom.   I remember mom picking up G...

            Next week the class is expected to answer 3-5 interview questions for our discussion post.   We have been given 20 to choose from.   Each seems to have the ability to become a "dash" question. Again, the topic of "dream job" and "where do you see yourself . . ."             Okay, let me get one thing clear.   I think the term "dream job" is an oxymoron.   Here is why:   The word "job" does not necessarily represent pleasure though "dream" indicates something that would be favored.   A job for many is a menial task involving a paycheck.   They go to work to collect earnings in order to make ends meet.   Some people genuinely do love their jobs.   Others struggle with their day to day efforts of being employed.   A job can be gratifying but not always.   I think a job is very different from a career. ...