Well, this post shouldn't take much space... in two months I have not yet had a face-to-face interview! A few preliminary phone interviews, but nothing more. It's tough out there, right now!
For those of you inclined to pray, however, I do have a request. I applied for two different openings, at our local university, that I feel would be a great match for me. One is as an Academic Advisor, the other in the Academic Success Center (overseeing student tutors, etc.). Both prefer a Master's Degree, but not exactly in my field... but, I feel I made a great case for myself in my cover letters/resumes. I spoke with Human Resources today, and was able to get contact information for key staff in each department, and I plan to follow up later this week, to try to increase my odds of being considered. I am told there are many applicants, especially for the advising position, (which would probably be my choice of the two). I am also told that there will be one, possibly two more advising positions posted in the coming weeks.
This is the most exciting opportunity I have found that fits the skills of a Master's Degreed Audiologist, turned (laid-off) Architectural Draftsman. I feel either of these would be a great opportunity for me, so I would covet your prayers on my behalf. My God is not daunted by difficult odds, even though I often am!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
half a year... half a world ago
I was reminded by reading the blogs of some of my travel friends, that today is the six month anniversary of meeting Lily. I considered not posting about this, because it seems that I don't make such a big deal about monthly milestones of my other kids. But, the milestone is significant because it still, many times, seems unbelievable that six months ago I was on the other side of the world, meeting my 3 year old daughter for the first time. Sometimes the experience seems like a dream, yet the proof that it was not sleeps in the next room, as I write this.
June 30, 2008 - December 25 2008
Lily,There are a handful of days of my life that I never want to forget... and June 30, 2008 is one of them. You're my favorite Lily in the WHOLE world, and I love being your Baba!Love, Daddy
just for fun!
My brother sent me this... probably as close as I'll ever get to seeing a leg lamp in that window!Monday, December 22, 2008
Home for Christmas
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, from our home to yours. I hope you have a safe holiday season, and that you are able to celebrate with ones you love. I hope, too, that you have the greatest Christmas gift possible. . . Jesus Christ!
Here is a picture of the kids with our "Charlie Brown" tree. We are a little tight on space with our remodeling and the addition of two more kids, one with lots of baby gear, so we didn't put up a full sized tree this year. We actually really like our simple pencil tree, though.
A tradition that I started when Dylan was born, is to make an ornament that is significant for each kid every year. Well, almost every year. . . I missed a few. We skipped the bulbs and beads on this tree, and just used the sentimental ornaments this year. I was very emotional when I pulled out the one that we put on the tree last year, in honor of Longxiao, our future daughter. What a blessing to have Lily home this Christmas, to place that significant ornament on the tree, in person. And, her little brother is here, as well. . . a blessing we knew nothing about last Christmas.
I saw this video on another blog recently. I know it features China, but how wonderful it is to think of all the children of the world, adopted in 2008, that are home for Christmas this year. And yet, I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness for all the children who have no home for Christmas this year.
Here is a picture of the kids with our "Charlie Brown" tree. We are a little tight on space with our remodeling and the addition of two more kids, one with lots of baby gear, so we didn't put up a full sized tree this year. We actually really like our simple pencil tree, though.A tradition that I started when Dylan was born, is to make an ornament that is significant for each kid every year. Well, almost every year. . . I missed a few. We skipped the bulbs and beads on this tree, and just used the sentimental ornaments this year. I was very emotional when I pulled out the one that we put on the tree last year, in honor of Longxiao, our future daughter. What a blessing to have Lily home this Christmas, to place that significant ornament on the tree, in person. And, her little brother is here, as well. . . a blessing we knew nothing about last Christmas.
I saw this video on another blog recently. I know it features China, but how wonderful it is to think of all the children of the world, adopted in 2008, that are home for Christmas this year. And yet, I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness for all the children who have no home for Christmas this year.
Merry Christmas! Jeff and Jenny; Dylan, Zachary, Lily, and Ben
Sunday, December 21, 2008
My three stars
Tonight was the children's Christmas play at our church. It was titled, Heli, the Star of Bethlehem. Since I have some drama experience, I was one of the adults that helped put the play together. When we started working on it in the fall, it honestly appeared a little hopeless. But, the kids really worked hard, and we pulled it together.
Dylan was asked to take a speaking part this year, and at first he said he didn't want to, because he was too shy. I pushed him to take it, telling him that it is good to stretch ourselves sometimes, and do things that are hard. Once he started memorizing and rehearsing, he got excited about it. In fact, he wasn't feeling well this morning, but he was determined to be there tonight for his part. He did a great job, and I was proud of him.
Zachary sang in the kids choir. When Dylan stayed home from church this morning, Zachary also agreed, last minute, to be his understudy. He rehearsed in Dylan's place during the Sunday School hour, and spent a large part of the afternoon cramming to memorize Dylan's lines, in case he had to pinch hit for his brother. In the end, he didn't complain at all when Dylan performed, and his effort was for naught. I was really proud of Zachary for his attitude, and he seems to have a dramatic flair. Maybe next year. . .
Lily also sang Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with the group of younger kids. She didn't quite get all the words, but she was right up front, singing, swaying, and giving it her all. It was one of those evenings that make a parent want to say, "those are my kids"!
My three thespians
Lily (left, front) singing, "ting-ko, ting-ko, la la star"
Zachary (left, front), and Dylan (2nd from left, back)
Dylan, as "Polaris, the North Star"
Dylan was asked to take a speaking part this year, and at first he said he didn't want to, because he was too shy. I pushed him to take it, telling him that it is good to stretch ourselves sometimes, and do things that are hard. Once he started memorizing and rehearsing, he got excited about it. In fact, he wasn't feeling well this morning, but he was determined to be there tonight for his part. He did a great job, and I was proud of him.
Zachary sang in the kids choir. When Dylan stayed home from church this morning, Zachary also agreed, last minute, to be his understudy. He rehearsed in Dylan's place during the Sunday School hour, and spent a large part of the afternoon cramming to memorize Dylan's lines, in case he had to pinch hit for his brother. In the end, he didn't complain at all when Dylan performed, and his effort was for naught. I was really proud of Zachary for his attitude, and he seems to have a dramatic flair. Maybe next year. . .
Lily also sang Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star with the group of younger kids. She didn't quite get all the words, but she was right up front, singing, swaying, and giving it her all. It was one of those evenings that make a parent want to say, "those are my kids"!
My three thespians
Lily (left, front) singing, "ting-ko, ting-ko, la la star"
Zachary (left, front), and Dylan (2nd from left, back)
Dylan, as "Polaris, the North Star"Wednesday, December 17, 2008
shhhh...it's private!
One of the bloggers I follow, recently wrote a post about a topic that I thought was prudent: Privacy. Her post was reactive, because her privacy had already been breached. Fortunately, my post is proactive, so don't take it personal. It isn't directed at anyone in particular. Consider it an FYI, or a friendly reminder. I fully supported her view, and it was a good reminder to me, so I felt it was worth mentioning.
Privacy: each blogger has his or her own standard. Blogs can be completely private, and by invitation only; some are public, but not available to search engines; Some use no names or identifying information; Some use fictitious names; Some use first names only; Some use full names and identifying information. It all depends on what the blogger and his or her family is comfortable publishing on the Internet.
The standard of the blogger I spoke of is first-name-only. It seems, though, that other bloggers, who know her personally, were using her last name on their blogs, or in links back to her blog. Most likely it was innocently done, but the fact remains that this is a big blogging faux pas.
I cannot promise that I have never violated anyone's privacy, but I don't believe I have. Personally, I try to only use last names on my blog in these three situations:
Again, this hasn't been a problem, so this isn't directed "at" anyone. It is just a proactive and friendly reminder of some blogging etiquette... and, a reminder to myself, as well!
Privacy: each blogger has his or her own standard. Blogs can be completely private, and by invitation only; some are public, but not available to search engines; Some use no names or identifying information; Some use fictitious names; Some use first names only; Some use full names and identifying information. It all depends on what the blogger and his or her family is comfortable publishing on the Internet.
The standard of the blogger I spoke of is first-name-only. It seems, though, that other bloggers, who know her personally, were using her last name on their blogs, or in links back to her blog. Most likely it was innocently done, but the fact remains that this is a big blogging faux pas.
I cannot promise that I have never violated anyone's privacy, but I don't believe I have. Personally, I try to only use last names on my blog in these three situations:
- You regularly use your last name on your own blog. For example, if your blog is titled, "The ______ Family Blog".
- If I have the your permission to use your last name.
- If I use it as a term of respect, whereby saying "Mr. _______" is the equivalent of using your first name, and the post is general enough that you are not identifiable to the general public.
Again, this hasn't been a problem, so this isn't directed "at" anyone. It is just a proactive and friendly reminder of some blogging etiquette... and, a reminder to myself, as well!
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