There was a lot of food and visiting. David and I went over there yesterday to help prepare for today. My grandparents have two pecan trees in their backyard, we collected at least four grocery bags full of pecans. I then set to work cracking and shelling them. After working diligently for awhile, I asked my grandmother how many more we needed to make the pecan pies. Wouldn't you know it, she bought two bags of pecans for pie! So I didn't need to shell all those pecans. Oh well, people will eat them anyway. I just made it easier on them, I guess.

David and I got adventurous and made some goodies for our family gatherings. We made bread pudding, broccoli-rice casserole and pumpkin dip. All of which turned out really well! YAY!!!!

Quote of the Day: This one needs an explanation. When I was in kindergarten, we prepared several songs to sing for our parents at our class Thanksgiving party. We sang one particular song entitled "Turkey Dinner" that my mom fell in love with. In fact, I have to sing it for her every year on Thanksgiving. So, Mom, I'm dedicating today's quote to you!

Turkey Dinner (to the tune of Frere Jacques)

"Turkey dinner, turkey dinner,
Gather 'round! Gather 'round!
Who will eat a drumstick? Yummy, yummy drumstick?
I'll sit down, I'll sit down.

Getting my poster tacked up to the board was interesting, especially since I am short. However, a couple of guys held it up so I could attach it. Then I was thankful that I brought extra pushpins, the people on either side of me needed some. I had lots of people come by and ask me questions about my study, and I was excited that I could answer! And sound reasonably intelligent as I was answering!!! Overall, I found people to be very supportive and enthusiastic and my research and me as well. I was very glad when it was over, though!

I attended several workshops and meetings yesterday and today. I learned about diversity and cultural issues in psychology, anti-bullying and violence strategies in the schools, and issues related to graduate students. I bought some books, one that I'm particulary excited about is about the psychologist's role in the courtroom. That would come in handy should I ever have to go to trial (Let's hope I never do!). Something funny that happened today: I got a brain! Well, it was one of those stress ball things, that looked like a brain! One of the exhibits had them, and I had taken it into the student meeting this afternoon. Several of the other students saw it, and actually left the meeting to go upstairs and get a brain! How crazy is that?

Tomorrow Mom and I will journey home. Although I enjoyed my time in San Antonio, it is always good to be home! Plus, Lake Dallas ISD is closed this week for Fall Break, so I have a week off. Hooray! Go make it a great one, world!

Birthday Greeting: Happy Birthday, Holly!!!!

While we were waiting for the rehearsal to start on Friday night, I found a piano in an adjacent room. I asked if it would disturb anyone if I played on it. I then opened it up and went to town. What was really funny is that of all the pieces that I played, the song Linus and Lucy (a.k.a. the Peanuts theme) was requested several times the next night. Not Moonlight Sonata, not Canon in D, but the Peanuts theme? Oh well, I am glad that they enjoyed it, and it kept me occupied, which is always a plus.

Saturday night at the reception, David and I had a good time dancing! We were definitely ripping it up on the dance floor! It was really neat to see how our dancing lessons had paid off! I received several compliments on how good we looked together out on the dance floor. I know David did, too! Yay!!!

After safely arriving home, it was off to church for children's choir rehearsal. We (the three-four-pre-k group) have been asked to sing a song before the children's Christmas program on December 5th! Laurie and I divided up the kids and were trying to make it a two-part song, which is tough for that age, but do-able. I also found out that Desiree's lap was apparently the place to be for the girls in that group. We circled up on the floor and one girl immediately jumped in my lap. Then the girl next to her said she was next, then two other girls wanted to sit there after them. At one point I had two girls both trying to sit in my lap, but my lap isn't big enough for that. Oh well. It was really cute and I apparently have fans in the group!

After getting home yesterday, I am home today and tomorrow, then on Wednesday, Mom and I leave for the Texas Psychological Association convention in San Antonio. I will be attending the convention while Mom checks out San Antonio! I haven't been to San Antonio in eleven years, it'll be fun to check it out!

On a completely random note. I saw the web site that David had linked to last week, and I decided to investigate. I came across this and thought it was really funny. Hmmm, who needs this for a Christmas present? Anywho, go make it a great one, world!

Birthday Greeting: Happy Birthday, Katie!!!!!!!

New web site: Check out the new web site of my friend Ian! I'm always excited to hear about a new blog!

This week has been absolutely insane! I went out to the Health Science Center today, to put the final touches on my poster before sending it to the printer. I will pick up the final product on Tuesday. My presentation at the convention will be on Friday, the 19th from 3:30-4:30. Well, that's my time slot, since there will be many posters set up, I highly doubt I will be talking for the whole hour. Mom and I will be driving down on Wednesday afternoon and returning on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it! I even bought a black suit to wear. It's at the tailor's along with my new black coat.

Tomorrow David and I are leaving for Houston. Actually, we'll be in Sugarland, which is a community near Houston. We are going for the wedding of David's best man, Josh. I am looking forward to the ceremony, and like a good bride-to-be, I will be taking notes! Anywho, I am mostly packed (I won't pack my makeup and stuff until the morning.)

On a totally different note: I realized that I promised to report on the Mark Schultz/Matthew West/Avalon concert that I attended a few weeks ago with Leanne, our youth pastor and Kara, another choir member (and fellow soprano!). The three of us met up at the church where the concert was, found our seats, then took turns saving our seats while the other two would go look at merchandise. I was standing in front of the Mark Schultz table, looking at the book he had written, along with sheet music. Anywho, I was looking at this book, when someone put their hand on my shoulder. I looked up, and this man in a baseball cap told me that I needed to take that book home with me. I was like, okay, and smiled as he walked off and shook hands with someone working the booth. I looked down at the book cover, which had a picture of Mark Schultz on it. I got this weird feeling that the man in the baseball hat was him!

To make a long story short, the concert was absolutely wonderful! We laughed, we cried, we got autographs! I wound up buying both the book and sheet music. The three of us were in line for autographs, when I made eye contact with Mark Schultz as he signed my stuff. Here's the kicker: although he had on a different shirt in the concert, he was wearing the exact same shirt that the man in the baseball cap had been wearing. Also, the minute I looked him in the eye I knew it was him that had spoken to me before the concert. How cool is that? How often do you get to meet a celebrity like that! Two other cool things, the artists were supposed to sign one thing per person. However, he signed both of mine. Also, Matthew West drew a smiley face on the back of my ticket, under his autograph. I felt so special! It was an awesome night and one that I shall remember for a long time.

I underwent training for Nonviolent Crisis Prevention and Intervention certification today. One of the teachers at Lake Dallas Intermediate is a trained CPI instructor, and she was training a particular aide for the certification, so I asked if I could jump in and get the certification as well. We learned how to stop a child from hurting themselves or others. We learned about the different stages in a crisis. We learned how to put a child in a restraint. Unfortunately, because of my size, I'm somewhat limited in my ability to restrain a child. I was pretty much told to let others with more size and strength do it, but that I could step up if needed. I did enjoy the training and know it will come in handy. Besides if I hadn't been there, who would have pretended to be the child?

Well, I have more to say, but not the energy. So that's a wrap for tonight. Go make it a great one!