Yesterday was the day our Darpa grant proposal had to be submitted (if we were going to meet the 10 a.m. submission March 1st and not work on the Sabbath). [Thanks to Cherri, Cherri's friend, Kim, Gary and Steve for supplying support letters - or at least attempting to.] It was an incredible day that began at 3 a.m. when I couldn't get back to sleep and started answering email about our joint submission. Luckily, I did go back to sleep after that. Four of us have been working on this for a month. It's a seven million dollar grant - and likely has about that many people vying for it.
I decided to actually go in to work as things are just easier there. It was a crazy time with everyone trying to share the same documents simultaneously, reread what was wanted to make sure we were on-track, adjust all the documents if we decided something should be added, approve each others' submissions, gain a few new skills (combining pdfs and adding page numbers to pdfs). One other faculty member was in his office. Two others worked remotely. One was with his extended family ninety miles away - but just kept working. Here are my personal records set:
1. Longest continuous time spend in my office (14 hours)
2. Most number of emails sent/received in a single day (I didn't count - but WAY too many)
3. Last car in the Old Main parking lot (I have never had that happen - usually at least someone has left their car while away on business)
4. Longest time on a single task with no interruptions (longer than a minute)
I am SO GLAD for the Sabbath. I totally need a break.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Great Grandma's Genes
During Halle's surgery on Friday, I got to spend the time with Zach. He is such a character. He just keeps talking all the time. I started writing down what he said. Here's a smattering of his conversation over a few minute's time, which starts as I am studying in front of the TV when he comes up the stairs first thing in the morning:
Zach: My clock is blinking. Can you make the clock stop blinking [there had been a power outage].
Me: Yes, I think I know how to make it stop blinking. Is that your monkey?
Zach: No, it is cat. Cat loves you. You are going to stay for a long time, right? [We fix the clock and settle down on the couch to watch his show.]
Zach: Don't open that book [looseleaf], Ok? It's too big for cat. That book is too big for cat. We don't open it. [We start watching Dinosaur Train.]
Zach: Can I share your blanket? Who are you writing. Can you write my name there at the bottom. Can I tell you how to spell my name. ZACH. Can you write Greg's name? Can you show me how to spell Ben and Chelle's name. Put the names on the bottom, okay? Is that good? [Back to the show.]
Zach: Tiny has a beak. I think its a boy. When this show is done, can we watch another one? Do you know how to? Velosoraptor's have feathers on the arms. Buddy can't fly. Buddy can't fly - no feathers. You can have amazing teeth too, AHHHH!
Me: Why is there a dinosaur on the top of the train?
Zach: It wants to see things. I think he's a girl. See that penguin over there [on the floor]? I think its from Madagascar. [The show finishes and we eat breakfast. I'm sitting next to the table.]
Zach: You want that light on?
Me: No, I'm okay.
Zack: I'll turn that light on. You love it on. You want some candy hearts? How about I get two orange ones for me and two yellow ones for you. Is that good? Grandma, my Mom and Dad are doing Halle's Belly Button so she's okay. Hey Grandma, I could be done. Those flowers [roses Brandon bought for Trisha] have pokies on them. We don't take them off. They smell good. I could be done. How about one more bite?
Me: How about five?
Zach: Okay, you count. One comes first. And two comes after that. Grandma, two, three, four. Now one more. I'm done. You can read your big book while I'm in the tubby. You can lay on the bed and read your book. [He gets into the tub.]
Zach: Grandma, we have a big book. I'm not in it, just Mom and Dad. I don't know who else. I think Grandpa is in it. He is by you and you are by him. Go get it. It is way up high. Can you reach it? Do this with your toes so you can reach it. Can you hear the bubbles? I can. Do you hear them? You are going to stay for a long time, right? You are getting big Grandma. Everybody is getting big. Kram can reach the ceiling.
Such a funny kid. He never stops talking. He is such an observer of people and knows exactly what he wants. He reminds me a lot of my mother - never at a loss for words, interested in everything, and always knew what she liked. Good genes.
Zach: My clock is blinking. Can you make the clock stop blinking [there had been a power outage].
Me: Yes, I think I know how to make it stop blinking. Is that your monkey?
Zach: No, it is cat. Cat loves you. You are going to stay for a long time, right? [We fix the clock and settle down on the couch to watch his show.]
Zach: Don't open that book [looseleaf], Ok? It's too big for cat. That book is too big for cat. We don't open it. [We start watching Dinosaur Train.]
Zach: Can I share your blanket? Who are you writing. Can you write my name there at the bottom. Can I tell you how to spell my name. ZACH. Can you write Greg's name? Can you show me how to spell Ben and Chelle's name. Put the names on the bottom, okay? Is that good? [Back to the show.]
Zach: Tiny has a beak. I think its a boy. When this show is done, can we watch another one? Do you know how to? Velosoraptor's have feathers on the arms. Buddy can't fly. Buddy can't fly - no feathers. You can have amazing teeth too, AHHHH!
Me: Why is there a dinosaur on the top of the train?
Zach: It wants to see things. I think he's a girl. See that penguin over there [on the floor]? I think its from Madagascar. [The show finishes and we eat breakfast. I'm sitting next to the table.]
Zach: You want that light on?
Me: No, I'm okay.
Zack: I'll turn that light on. You love it on. You want some candy hearts? How about I get two orange ones for me and two yellow ones for you. Is that good? Grandma, my Mom and Dad are doing Halle's Belly Button so she's okay. Hey Grandma, I could be done. Those flowers [roses Brandon bought for Trisha] have pokies on them. We don't take them off. They smell good. I could be done. How about one more bite?
Me: How about five?
Zach: Okay, you count. One comes first. And two comes after that. Grandma, two, three, four. Now one more. I'm done. You can read your big book while I'm in the tubby. You can lay on the bed and read your book. [He gets into the tub.]
Zach: Grandma, we have a big book. I'm not in it, just Mom and Dad. I don't know who else. I think Grandpa is in it. He is by you and you are by him. Go get it. It is way up high. Can you reach it? Do this with your toes so you can reach it. Can you hear the bubbles? I can. Do you hear them? You are going to stay for a long time, right? You are getting big Grandma. Everybody is getting big. Kram can reach the ceiling.
Such a funny kid. He never stops talking. He is such an observer of people and knows exactly what he wants. He reminds me a lot of my mother - never at a loss for words, interested in everything, and always knew what she liked. Good genes.
Happy Valentines Day
For Valentines, Steve surprised me with tickets to the American Festival Chorus's Valentine's concert. Jenny Jordan Frogley and Daniel Beck also performed. It was a very nice evening.The graphic is courtesy of my sister-in-law, Lori. I asked her to give me some templates I can use for bridal shower invitations. I'm such a novice with photoshop, but with her patience we got it to work.
The sentiments are mine. Our marriage really has been a dream come true.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Comorbid
I don't think I've ever heard of comorbidity before. In medicine, it means the presence of one or more disorders in addition to a primary disease.
I've been teaching myself about Aspergers because of a young friend I am tutoring in math.
The most common co-conditions of Aspergers are as follows:
·OCD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
·SPD Sensory Processing Disorder
·ADHD Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
·Depression
·Schizophrenia
·Anxiety
·Tourette's syndrome
·Dyspraxia (monotone speech, uncoordinated, low muscle tone)
·Seizures
·Bipolar Disorder
·Learning Difficulties and Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
That's a tough list!
Most of us who suffer from none of those things have no idea how good we've got it. Years ago one of my students was in a head on collision in Sardine Canyon. I think his accident was a force behind putting up the center barriers we have now. He was a brilliant, delightful young man. His folks came from India and spent several months with him in the Ogden hospital, before they took him back to India. He had severe brain damage. He couldn't talk. He couldn't walk. I visited him several times in the hospital. I thought how thrilled we would have all been if he could have just uttered a word, smiled, or followed us with his eyes. Simple things that we don't even appreciate.
I've been teaching myself about Aspergers because of a young friend I am tutoring in math.
The most common co-conditions of Aspergers are as follows:
·OCD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
·SPD Sensory Processing Disorder
·ADHD Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
·Depression
·Schizophrenia
·Anxiety
·Tourette's syndrome
·Dyspraxia (monotone speech, uncoordinated, low muscle tone)
·Seizures
·Bipolar Disorder
·Learning Difficulties and Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
That's a tough list!
Most of us who suffer from none of those things have no idea how good we've got it. Years ago one of my students was in a head on collision in Sardine Canyon. I think his accident was a force behind putting up the center barriers we have now. He was a brilliant, delightful young man. His folks came from India and spent several months with him in the Ogden hospital, before they took him back to India. He had severe brain damage. He couldn't talk. He couldn't walk. I visited him several times in the hospital. I thought how thrilled we would have all been if he could have just uttered a word, smiled, or followed us with his eyes. Simple things that we don't even appreciate.
Avatar
Greg, Steve and I went to Avatar. I loved it! In the museums I have visited in various countries, the one thing that hits you is how consistently a people (often Europeans ) take over another country for their own benefit. In Avatar, they tried to rewrite that all too common history. Nicely done!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Forty-three thousand pictures
I've been thinking about Lori Hurst's 43,000 pictures and thinking, I'm so glad she got those tagged as otherwise, when she goes to the great beyond, no one is ever going to know what to do with them.
The last couple of weeks I have been tending (during mutual) for a family in the ward whose wife is Young Women's president and the husband is a newly called bishopric member. When I was at their house, I saw something really neat. Their Grandfather had put together a book he called "Flying Lessons". It was hardbound and geared to kids. He had a picture of himself with his flight crew, the planes he flew, a plane being refueled, him standing next to the governor, etc. Then he would have four paragraphs next to each picture: an historical explanation of what was going on, his personal feelings, the life lesson in the story, and a gospel principle exhibited. For example, when he was talking about flying in the cold war, he said, "We are in a cold war with Satan," and then went on to explain. I thought it was such a clever idea.
Sadly, I don't have Lori's problem. I have so few pictures, tagging is not an issue. I do need to do something with the stories I have been collecting in my head. Otherwise, they'll never be much good to anyone.
The last couple of weeks I have been tending (during mutual) for a family in the ward whose wife is Young Women's president and the husband is a newly called bishopric member. When I was at their house, I saw something really neat. Their Grandfather had put together a book he called "Flying Lessons". It was hardbound and geared to kids. He had a picture of himself with his flight crew, the planes he flew, a plane being refueled, him standing next to the governor, etc. Then he would have four paragraphs next to each picture: an historical explanation of what was going on, his personal feelings, the life lesson in the story, and a gospel principle exhibited. For example, when he was talking about flying in the cold war, he said, "We are in a cold war with Satan," and then went on to explain. I thought it was such a clever idea.
Sadly, I don't have Lori's problem. I have so few pictures, tagging is not an issue. I do need to do something with the stories I have been collecting in my head. Otherwise, they'll never be much good to anyone.
Need Hierarachy
Grandma has had the same housekeeper for fifty some odd years. Lois has got to be nearly 75. Poor Lois fell and broke her hip almost three weeks ago. My OBGYN always said that breaking a hip for an older person often puts them in a care facility permanently - they just never recover.
When I heard the news about Lois, I felt so badly for her. Thus, I was taken aback at the conversation I had with Grandma (not once, but twice). It went something like:
Me: That is too bad about Lois.
Grandma: Yes. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I had to repeat the conversation (the next day) to make sure I heard it right. I was just surprised and mystified. I've been thinking about it ever since.
I think it has to do with Maslow's need hierarchy. You know, the idea that until basic needs on one level are met, you can't go to the next level.
I have come to understand where Grandma is on that need hierarchy. The week after Lois fell, we picked her up for dinner on Sunday and took her to the hospital to visit Lois. Steve was to her house on Wednesday to take her shopping. On Thursday, Steve took her to the mortuary for a viewing. On Friday, she needed to have her hair done and go to the funeral. Steve took her to her hair appointment. I picked her up from the hair appointment and took her to the funeral. Friends brought her home from the funeral. Within a few hours, she called me on my cell to say she had washed her sheets and couldn't get them back on so could we stop by. I then realized why her first reaction to Lois's injury was "What am I going to do?"
I hadn't realized how important Lois is to her independence. I hadn't realized that Kathy has been transporting Grandma to and from hair appointments all winter (so sweet of her). I knew Grandma didn't drive much - as we often take her to doctors appointments and always transport her for Sunday dinner, but I thought she drove short distances, when she didn't have to walk far, in the daylight, when there is no traffic. Guess not.
We have a "Lois replacement" who started last week. Yet, it was a real wake-up call for me to see the needs surface. There really aren't any good transportation options. Getting old is just plain tough!!!
When I heard the news about Lois, I felt so badly for her. Thus, I was taken aback at the conversation I had with Grandma (not once, but twice). It went something like:
Me: That is too bad about Lois.
Grandma: Yes. I don't know what I'm going to do.
I had to repeat the conversation (the next day) to make sure I heard it right. I was just surprised and mystified. I've been thinking about it ever since.
I think it has to do with Maslow's need hierarchy. You know, the idea that until basic needs on one level are met, you can't go to the next level.
I have come to understand where Grandma is on that need hierarchy. The week after Lois fell, we picked her up for dinner on Sunday and took her to the hospital to visit Lois. Steve was to her house on Wednesday to take her shopping. On Thursday, Steve took her to the mortuary for a viewing. On Friday, she needed to have her hair done and go to the funeral. Steve took her to her hair appointment. I picked her up from the hair appointment and took her to the funeral. Friends brought her home from the funeral. Within a few hours, she called me on my cell to say she had washed her sheets and couldn't get them back on so could we stop by. I then realized why her first reaction to Lois's injury was "What am I going to do?"
I hadn't realized how important Lois is to her independence. I hadn't realized that Kathy has been transporting Grandma to and from hair appointments all winter (so sweet of her). I knew Grandma didn't drive much - as we often take her to doctors appointments and always transport her for Sunday dinner, but I thought she drove short distances, when she didn't have to walk far, in the daylight, when there is no traffic. Guess not.
We have a "Lois replacement" who started last week. Yet, it was a real wake-up call for me to see the needs surface. There really aren't any good transportation options. Getting old is just plain tough!!!
Working on her Valentines
I got an email from a friend who said she was working on her valentines and thought it would be fun if all the Relief Society sisters sent a valentines note to our Relief Society president (who is absolutely fantastic). I thought that was a wonderful idea, but I kept going back to the statement, "I was working on my valentines."
I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that "working on my valentines" would never occur to me. Most people would keel over if they got a valentines from me. Maybe I'll try sending them to the grand kids, as if they keeled over they wouldn't have so far to fall.
I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of you that "working on my valentines" would never occur to me. Most people would keel over if they got a valentines from me. Maybe I'll try sending them to the grand kids, as if they keeled over they wouldn't have so far to fall.
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