It has really hit me hard

Hurricane Katrina and its effects have absolutely blown my mind. I have spent everyday since Sunday watching the news to see the latest developments with the effected region. It has really been a traumatic experience for me. I have never lived close enough to a hurricane region to really have to deal with it in a personal way before. Here I am at work on Wednesday morning and all I want to do is cry, cry out to God to spare the lives of so many people, to speed up the recover efforts, to bring more people to help. I want to help, I decided on Monday that I really want to be a part of the relief efforts. I may not be able to build a house, or fix plumbing or provide medical assistance, but I can work hard and be a light to these people. I want to be there to give them a hug and tell them that God still has control no matter what happens, and that he will provide for them. My heart is absolutely broken for the victims, and their families who may not know there whereabouts or even if they are alive. God make a way for me to be a helper, a stronghold for these people. Give me the strength to do everything that I can to assist the people who have no home left to go to, no food to eat, no water to drink, no place to seek refuge.
I am aksing everyone who may read this to search your heart and find a way to help these people. Give blood, send food, water, medical supplies, donate money, in any way you can, help! Thank you!

My new reddish brown hair

My new reddish brown hair
Originally uploaded by beanie_rat.

Here is the new look. I decided I wanted to go more natural so I didn't have to "maintain" it so often. I like it, but it really shocked me as to how dark it was when I first saw it!

Teaching and Learning

Well, I had my first college class last night since I quit back in '99 from Clark State. I am taking an Intro to Computer Info course, basically it is MS Office 2003 training course. I am, as most of you know, in the Administrative field and I use the 5 programs of Office 2003 everyday(well, all except Powerpoint). I have about 5 years of experience with these software programs. I didn't want to take this class since I figured it would be boring since I know most of it already.
But....
Last night I went and we started in by taking pre-tests of all the programs...Word, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint. I finished my Word Pre-test before everyone and I asked our professor if I should continue on. He said "You're done already?" Then he preceded to tell the 16 other students in the class that I had finished my Word test and got almost all of them right... then he said "I think I found my Teaching Assistant". I just thought he was kidding. I stayed after class to check with him about it though, because during the class he actually asked me to help another student. So I talked to him about it and he said that I seem to have more experience than the other students and he would like me to help answer questions and such during the class. We have to come to some agreement on what I expect to get out of the class and what my role will be. He also said he may have me work from a higher level book just to really stretch myself to learn more. I am supposed to call him next week to set up a time to meet with him to discuss my role and such. I am so excited about this. I feel like for the first time in a long time, I know how to do something and somebody knows it!

I have decided that if this is any indication of what my college experience will be while I am working toward my Associates degree, then I will love it!

Artsy Changes

Just wanted to change my old boring blog template. I like my new one a lot. Hope you do to.

Your Birthdate: January 21

Being born on the 21st day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about. You are affectionate and loving, but very sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Duck Ride Pic

Duck Ride Pic
Originally uploaded by beanie_rat.

I really like this picture of Josh and I. We look happy!