Life has been busy the last month and I am ashamed I let my good updating habits go by the wayside. Since getting back from DC we have had a lot of catching up to do with all our friends in Pittsburgh. This is an attempt to make up some lost ground.
The School Highlights are as follows:
- It's my last semester. I'm working hard to fight off feelings of senioritis.
- I'm on a great capstone project with Bosch, the company that makes car parts, power tools, and kitchen appliances.
- Last week we had the much anticipated 3 day career fair (it was really two fairs back to back). I felt I got some good face time with the companies I'm interested in and found some opportunities that look promising and fun for starting my career. I have started to hear back from a few and we are praying the interviews go well.
- I'm in a Conflict Resolution class that I have been enjoying. We read an interesting book, 'Difficult Conversations' put out by a group at Harvard. I liked it, I will probably write a review to put up later.
- I have been getting back into the habit of swimming. My goal is to go at least 3 times a week. My body is slowly adapting, the first time I went my arms felt like jelly after.
Some life highlights:
- Sharon is now 5 months pregnant! Wow, it seems like yesterday we found out.
- The G-20 just came and went in Pittsburgh. Interesting environment. Everyone in Pittsburgh was talking about it and dreading it. I only saw one protest march past the front of the school, but I heard a lot of police sirens and I'm starting to hear a lot of stories.
- The Elders Quorum had a Brazilian BBQ as their opening social, it was the best Elders Quorum event I've ever been to. I made cheese bread and people seemed to like it, despite the fact that it didn't turn out all that well.
- Sharon and I finally made it down to 'The Strip District'. It's not what is sounds like. It is a really cool street market. It kind of reminded me of Pike's Place Market in Seattle. It has an open flee market feel with a lot of street vendors, most selling Steelers garb and food. Pretty fun environment and it looks like some good restaurant opportunities.
- Pittsburgh's 'The Great Race' is happening today, a Pittsburgh tradition. It's almost like the Boston Marathon, except it isn't a Marathon. It's only a 10K.
- It is starting to rain more and the cool weather is starting to slowly creep in. The leaves are hinting at change, exciting.
You know when we get to the weather the conversation has died. Hope the update was informative.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Sharon Update - Midwives, Mosques, and Mythology
Hi Family!
It's been another fun week here in Pittsburgh.
Last Sunday we had a little get together, which turned out to be my birthday party. It was just going Gabe and our friend Amy over for dinner and games, but since half of the Proulx clan was in town, we had them all over, plus a girl Gabe met at the singles ward. I made chicken curry and Ant made me a really yummy ice cream cake. After playing Loaded Questions, which is a really fun game by the way, we headed off to the Mosque for a Ramadan celebration. Anthony's friend that we gave a Book of Mormon to, invited us for what they call Humanity day. It's an inter-faith celebration of...humanity I guess. Anyway, it was really good, and the keynote speaker was amazing.
My real b-day on labor day, was really laid back. Hurray for not having work! We went to the ward "picnic" which ended up being in the cultural hall since our park got rained out.
The main event of the week for me was finding a midwife that I like. The women's hospital here, has a team of 8 midwives. I've heard really good things about them...mostly. After meeting with them last week I had second thoughts. Most of the benefits of having a midwife seemed lost with their team. I think the midwife I was speaking with sensed what kind of birth I wanted to have, and she referred me to this guy named Patrick who refers to himself as Mr. Midwife. I had a free consultation with him this week and was very very pleased. He delivers in the women's hospital, but operates as a separate entity. His Cesarean rate is about a third of the other midwife team, he stays with you during the entire delivery, makes house visits if you'd like, and is guaranteed to be the midwife who delivers the baby. Oh! And my insurance covers him!
Work is going well. This is the third week of our "world cultures" lesson plans, so I'll be covering South America, the Polynesian Islands, and Africa. Woohoo! We try to teach to the interests of our kids, and one of our kids has been obsessed with Greek Mythology lately. So if I can pull it together, that'll be our theme next week. I don't really know much about Greek Mythology though, so if you have any fun ideas, let me know.
Anthony's classes seem to be going well. He comes home most enthusiastic about his Conflict Resolution class. He's been analyzing his personality type and conflict style, which has caused for some fun conversation.
Last night we had Christian Hurst and his wife over (for those of you who know the Hursts). It was really fun. They live in a town about an hour North of here, but come to Pittsburgh regularly. It was fun to hear her story of conversion and baptism before they got hitched. I made a really yummy 2 melon cold soup, if anyone's interested in the recipe. Actually, Anthony wasn't wild about it. But I ate left overs for breakfast this morning.
Love you guys!!! Hope the new school year is going well for everyone!
Sharon
It's been another fun week here in Pittsburgh.
Last Sunday we had a little get together, which turned out to be my birthday party. It was just going Gabe and our friend Amy over for dinner and games, but since half of the Proulx clan was in town, we had them all over, plus a girl Gabe met at the singles ward. I made chicken curry and Ant made me a really yummy ice cream cake. After playing Loaded Questions, which is a really fun game by the way, we headed off to the Mosque for a Ramadan celebration. Anthony's friend that we gave a Book of Mormon to, invited us for what they call Humanity day. It's an inter-faith celebration of...humanity I guess. Anyway, it was really good, and the keynote speaker was amazing.
My real b-day on labor day, was really laid back. Hurray for not having work! We went to the ward "picnic" which ended up being in the cultural hall since our park got rained out.
The main event of the week for me was finding a midwife that I like. The women's hospital here, has a team of 8 midwives. I've heard really good things about them...mostly. After meeting with them last week I had second thoughts. Most of the benefits of having a midwife seemed lost with their team. I think the midwife I was speaking with sensed what kind of birth I wanted to have, and she referred me to this guy named Patrick who refers to himself as Mr. Midwife. I had a free consultation with him this week and was very very pleased. He delivers in the women's hospital, but operates as a separate entity. His Cesarean rate is about a third of the other midwife team, he stays with you during the entire delivery, makes house visits if you'd like, and is guaranteed to be the midwife who delivers the baby. Oh! And my insurance covers him!
Work is going well. This is the third week of our "world cultures" lesson plans, so I'll be covering South America, the Polynesian Islands, and Africa. Woohoo! We try to teach to the interests of our kids, and one of our kids has been obsessed with Greek Mythology lately. So if I can pull it together, that'll be our theme next week. I don't really know much about Greek Mythology though, so if you have any fun ideas, let me know.
Anthony's classes seem to be going well. He comes home most enthusiastic about his Conflict Resolution class. He's been analyzing his personality type and conflict style, which has caused for some fun conversation.
Last night we had Christian Hurst and his wife over (for those of you who know the Hursts). It was really fun. They live in a town about an hour North of here, but come to Pittsburgh regularly. It was fun to hear her story of conversion and baptism before they got hitched. I made a really yummy 2 melon cold soup, if anyone's interested in the recipe. Actually, Anthony wasn't wild about it. But I ate left overs for breakfast this morning.
Love you guys!!! Hope the new school year is going well for everyone!
Sharon
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Media
Jib-Jab, 'That's what we call the News'.
So, this was made in 2007, but recently I've been reminded of how ridiculous the news can be.
If I were to add one thing I would add something about the news being more about opinions over facts. I always thought of the media being a place where facts are presented with little or no opinion and bias. It is so difficult to get a balanced delivery of information.
However, I think that was a naive point of view to take. I had a good conversation with Del (my father-in-law) about this. We were discussing many things, one of which was the news and how it runs today, but he pointed out that it has always been about presenting opinions with the intent of persuasion. He gave an example of Lincoln and the North using media during the Civil War. Thinking more about it I remembered that even back during the early days of the church the church printed it's paper and the mobs printed their papers which created a lot of conflict and emotion.
I'm still figuring out how I feel about all of that, but I realized there was a connection between this and my recent thoughts after reading the 'Thirteen American Arguments'. The realization is that I'm soo.....I don't know the right word. Not ethnocentric, but the same idea from a generational/time point of view, maybe tempo-centric?... I've felt the debates and issues in the recent elections have been so heated and important, as if they had never occurred before my generation and my interest in politics. If they had we would have found the solution already, right? We are 'that great nation' that has the best solutions to the worlds problems, if we were having this much trouble, debate, and hate brewing it must be the first time we have gone through this. I was wrong, these debates and diverse opinions have always existed and always will, but that is healthy.
I'm reminded of the lessons from the Book of Mormon and other scripture that we need to learn from our past. It seems we hardly ever do. We are quick to forget what our fathers have gone through. I guess I'm starting to realize the value and appreciate the perspective that comes from knowing and understanding history.... but I digress into the other thoughts branching out from my original post, so I will end this before I drag on much longer. Leave your thoughts. I will end with another funny clip from SNL making fun of the election coverage by one of the large news networks. Enjoy.
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So, this was made in 2007, but recently I've been reminded of how ridiculous the news can be.
If I were to add one thing I would add something about the news being more about opinions over facts. I always thought of the media being a place where facts are presented with little or no opinion and bias. It is so difficult to get a balanced delivery of information.
However, I think that was a naive point of view to take. I had a good conversation with Del (my father-in-law) about this. We were discussing many things, one of which was the news and how it runs today, but he pointed out that it has always been about presenting opinions with the intent of persuasion. He gave an example of Lincoln and the North using media during the Civil War. Thinking more about it I remembered that even back during the early days of the church the church printed it's paper and the mobs printed their papers which created a lot of conflict and emotion.
I'm still figuring out how I feel about all of that, but I realized there was a connection between this and my recent thoughts after reading the 'Thirteen American Arguments'. The realization is that I'm soo.....I don't know the right word. Not ethnocentric, but the same idea from a generational/time point of view, maybe tempo-centric?... I've felt the debates and issues in the recent elections have been so heated and important, as if they had never occurred before my generation and my interest in politics. If they had we would have found the solution already, right? We are 'that great nation' that has the best solutions to the worlds problems, if we were having this much trouble, debate, and hate brewing it must be the first time we have gone through this. I was wrong, these debates and diverse opinions have always existed and always will, but that is healthy.
I'm reminded of the lessons from the Book of Mormon and other scripture that we need to learn from our past. It seems we hardly ever do. We are quick to forget what our fathers have gone through. I guess I'm starting to realize the value and appreciate the perspective that comes from knowing and understanding history.... but I digress into the other thoughts branching out from my original post, so I will end this before I drag on much longer. Leave your thoughts. I will end with another funny clip from SNL making fun of the election coverage by one of the large news networks. Enjoy.
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