Putting the "dys" into dysfunctional

We had the most dysfunctional faculty meeting that I have ever been to today.

It's central components were:

A department head with a hidden agenda that was going to be rammed down our throats no matter what.

A full professor who thinks that only his opinion matters. He refuses to listen to anyone else and won't relinquish the floor to anyone else. This plays into the department head's plan, so he does nothing to control it.

A large contingent of faculty members who offer comments, but aren't willing to go up against the powerhouses who take the floor and won't budge.

It was BAD.

I am so sad

While earlier in the month I post about the "Happiness Project", I now am admitting sadness.

When I read "Waiting for the Light to Change", written by a high school friend of mine about her teaching experience at Logan High, I was so interested in the fun friendships that she had at work - people that genuinely supported and cared for each other. I thought about my work relationships. While I have lots of student teacher relationships that are great (and, of course, a few that aren't), our department has been a fairly sterile environment for friendships.

It generally isn't a well integrated group. Everyone is busy with their own students, publishing, and pressures. People are "friendly" but not friends, if that makes sense. Of course, there are exceptions. Mary V is personality plus - but she retired several years ago. Having two female faculty members in recent years has helped. But, generally speaking, I wouldn't consider my work environment a place to make friends.

Of course, I could be part of the problem. I remember the first year here, I made chocolates for Christmas and gave a plate to each faculty member. Nothing was reciprocated, and few even acknowledged the gift. I thought, "Oh, I guess they don't do that here." I've come to accept that work is work and friends are, well, something else.

But there are two fellows in the department that I really enjoy and appreciate (besides my husband, of course). Dean is an instructor for us. He is the greatest guy. He is a deep thinker, cares about everything, and gives personality to the department. Chad is an assistant professor and Co-PI on my grant. He is funny, has great ideas, and a "can do" attitude.

I am so sad. These two people are both leaving us. Dean is taking a more lucrative position with a company in town. Chad is giving up on his dreams of being promoted (due to an anti-promotion climate passed down from top administration) and taking a lecturer position with us. While he COULD keep working on the grant, he has chosen not to - as grant money doesn't matter for a lecturer - and he has other dreams to pursue. He'll be gone this summer to work on a business project, and in the fall, will teach twice as many classes. Our paths won't cross as much.

Happiness Project

On Friday I went to a luncheon for faculty women. The topic was happiness.
One of her thoughts was, "Contentment is not the attainment of what you desire, but the realization of what you already have."

The speaker also talked about The Happiness Project (by author Gretchen Rubin). On Rubin's webpage, she talks about creating your own set of happiness commandments - rules you live by to help you find happiness. Here are some of the ones she mentioned. (I haven't written mine yet.)

Be yourself.
Let it go.
Act as I would feel.
Do it now.
Be polite and be fair.
Enjoy the process.
Identify the problem.
Lighten up.
Do what ought to be done.
There is only love.

One of her ideas is "The days are long, but the years are short." With that in mind, I thought I should record, "The sleepover" - as how many times will I have a sleepover with my grandson?

When Zach sleeps at our house, his parents are in the basement with baby Halle, and he sleeps two floors away in the room with the twin beds. Last time, I offered to have a sleepover so he didn’t have to be alone. Last night was another of those sleepover nights. At about six this morning he started stirring. I wanted him to know he wasn’t alone so I said, “You okay Zach?” That started a series of questions:

1. When it is seven (the time he is allowed to get up), do you know how to start a show?

2. Can you turn the clock so I can see it?

3. I think I need to go potty. I’m a little wet. I need new underpants. Can you come with me? [We found his underwear, but not another set of pajamas.] I can just put my blanket on my legs so I won’t be cold.

4. Hey Grandma, you want an animal?

5. You can have giraffe or cat. I can’t find elephant. Can I turn on the light? [He does.] I found elephant’s bum. I did. I found elephant's bum.

6. Can you turn off the light so I can sleep?

7. Hey Grandma, you want giraffe? [He brings him to me and I tuck him under by arm, but he corrects…] He needs to go under your covers.

8. Hey Grandma, is your pillow white?

9. It matches mine, huh?

10. Hey Grandma, what are you doing?

11. Hey Grandma, can I get up?

12. Hey Grandma, the clock won’t get seven. I can’t go back to sleep. How come we can’t get up?

13. [He coughs.] I’m okay, Grandma.

14. Hey Grandma, is Grandpa sleeping a long time too?

[I hear singing over in his bed – “Ba-dub. A dub Dub dub.”

15. Hey Grandma, how about we don’t wake up at seven? Let’s get up now.

16. Is Grandpa awake?

17. Do you have Thomas? [We settled down to watch Thomas the Train.]


Children are such a gift. You see life anew in their eyes

Easter Day

Steve tossing Halle. I don't know who enjoyed it more.

























The fam playing Hungry Hungry Hippo (a gift from the Easter Bunny).



















Halle enjoying her Easter Egg.

I've got to Move it Move it

Dancing to "Move it move it"










































We decided "girls night 0ut" while the fellows are at Priesthood meeting is better with the kids at home. Grandma fed the kids while Chelle and Trisha grabbed take out. As you can see, the little tea set was a hit.











































Halle talking on a ipod (as a cell phone).