View Full Version : Won't be around much for a while
Hello, all! Since some of us naturally wonder where regular posters are when they suddenly disappear, just thought I'd give you a bit of a head's up.
I'm going to be super busy for the next six months or so, although I will pop in from time to time.
The last semester for my theological education program begins 10/1 and goes through early January. This semester is just a wrap up and less intensive. However, I have two take home exams from previous classes (I turned in the third several weeks ago) to finish (one about half done). I hope to be done by T'giving, as I've got two major exams starting me in the face.
First, the huge national exam (it's a take-home, open book) so I can get my catechist certification.
Two, the US customs broker licensing exam in early April that my boss has asked me to sit for. I just got written confirmation this week that my company will reimburse me (as soon as I order) the several hundred dollars for the test prep materials. I'm doing an at home course. I'm a self-starter, plus I'm used to studying a lot on my own from the theological course the past two+ years.
And I'm also observing and beginning to teach a bit in a new series of classes for adults in my parish.
So, a lot on my plate, and some things are going to have to go by the wayside.
See you around!;)
ETA: you're more than welcome to drop me a PM (they come to me via email) and say hi. I will write back! :)
That is a lot. Good luck with it all. :)
Thanks for the note.
loosechickens
9-24-11, 2:59pm
Boy, it really sounds like you ARE going to be busy, but with really interesting things, and stuff that will help "recession proof" you in your chosen field, for sure. You'll be missed......
It's really nice that you put this post in, because when people we're accustomed to seeing on the boards just disappear, people DO worry and are concerned. Nice to know that all is well with you, and that you're just knee deep in real life for awhile.
Good luck on all those projects!
Good luck. Keep us posted occassionally on your progress!!
Simpler at Fifty
9-24-11, 3:52pm
Good Luck Tradd I know you can do it. You are very organized and dedicated.
We will miss you, keep us up-to-date.
Bastelmutti
9-24-11, 4:08pm
Good luck on your exams!!
Tradd you are working TOOOOOOOOO hard :-)! You need to join me, as I'll be leaving in a few days for a trip up north and will be gone awhile also (having fun though not working :-) and not posting. See ya all when I return. Hoping to bump into gary (aka simplygib from the old boards) as he is on another of his mega-bicycle trips from the Pac NW to Mexico.
It sounds like you have a very intensive few months ahead but I'm sure that taking the national catechist exam and getting the customs broker license will repay you in many postive ways!
good luck Tradd. I know it's hard now but you have a solid vision of your future. You will make it to the other side, and be so grateful you put in the effort. Keep us in the loop on your progress.
Awww... best of luck Tradd. (Your absence will definitely be felt). P.S. Don't forget to spoil yourself with a good-old pot of homemade soup from time to time. Wink-wink!
fidgiegirl
9-24-11, 11:11pm
Wow, how fantastic. You are really going to be working hard and, I hope, reaping lots of benefits for it.
Will miss you!
Wow - you really will be busy in real life! Good luck with all of your endeavors!
goldensmom
9-25-11, 6:52am
That's quite an ambitious schedule but you can do it and you will feel such accomplishment when it is over. Praying for you.
Tradd, good to hear about your plans, stop back when you have some time!
Just an update of sorts:
When I first wrote this post, I had two exams for theological program to be done and turned in. One was turned in about a month ago. I had turned in one right before this original post - Dogmatic Theology - and instructor said it was excellent! :D I am 2/3 done with the last one (three-part exam and instructor told us to work part by part and turn in what we had done as it was done) - just 12 essay questions left to go (although I may end up writing 15+ pages!). I hope to finish the last part this weekend. There is still the national exam, sometime in Feb. or March. A friend who went through my program and graduated a few years back finally sent me the national exam (without her answers) she took. Not so bad, after the exams I've had to do!
I ordered and received the study materials for the customs broker exam. I did several chapters and had to put it aside since I've been working frantically on the last theological program class exam. I found what I did so far very interesting.
You might remember situation with foundation problems in the building where I RENT a ground floor condo. The outside work is pretty much done and inside work will begin Dec. 12. I will be out the 11th. Will be out close to a month! My landlords were originally going to put me up at an extended stay hotel close to my office, when we thought it was only going to be a week. However, they have a recently married friend with an unoccupied condo that's furnished in a basic way (friend moved into spouse's place) where I will be staying. It happens to be just across the road from my current complex, so that works well.
All my furniture will be placed in the kitchen since only BR and LR will be affected by interior foundation work. It will be well covered with plastic. A friend who works for a high end furniture store gave me the large plastic bags used for upholstered furniture, so I have one for couch and one for chair. I will leave my kitchen stuff here, although not sure what I will need at temp place. All my clothes, books, memorabilia will go with me. It's not a terrible amount since I'm a minimalist. Dad of wife half of landlords who is helping since his daughter just had a baby is astonished how little stuff I have! :) But glad since it makes things easy. They'll be schlepping maybe 15 tubs of stuff. I'm not leaving anything important to me here while work is going on. I could stand to lose my furniture (I'm not especially attached to it - and I can always replace my IKEA Ektorp chair easily), but not my books or icons!
I had a nice quiet T'giving. All my friends who would ordinarily have me over were out of town or visiting relatives. A friend brought me dinner on the way home from a relative's. I got a lot of studying done and some good sleep!
Well, that's enough update for now! :D
My office moved in late October. Since I'm such a minimalist, it went well - we're in smaller 6'x6' cubes.
Tradd. Your patience level exceeds mine by umpteen fold! I really do give you credit for being so calm and accepting of everything you have been put through over the past several months. (Here's hoping for new and brighter days ahead)! :)
Hi Mrs-M!
Well, yesterday I saw the condo where I'm going to be staying. It's sooo close that I'm going to be parking in MY complex's lot and just walking across the little street to the building where I'll be staying (different complex). It's a really nice place. Fully furnished! Kitchen cupboards are full of her "bachelorette" dishes, pots and pans, etc. The only kitchen stuff I'm going to bring is my electric kettle and my favorite thermal mug. Not having to bring my kitchen stuff allows me to leave about 3 tubs of my stuff at my place, which is nice as I'll have less to take!
The owner, friends with my landlords, got married a few months ago and moved into her DH's place. The condo association will NOT permit her to rent it, so she's going to try for a short sale. The real estate agent will be showing it while I'm staying there, so that will be a bit aggravating. The place won't be perfect as there will be 20 tubs or so of my stuff there. The real estate agent will be advised what's going on (with my place uninhabitable), so they can explain when the condo is being shown. My landlords knocked $100 off my January rent due to this.
No in-unit laundry like I have. Will have to use laundry room, but it's right next to the unit where I will be staying. My landlords gave me $20 towards laundry. It will be something of a PITA since the laundry room is only open 8am-10 pm. I'm used to coming home late from something and throwing a load in! Will have to plan better.
No internet, but I have an Android smartphone and I can turn my phone into a mobile hotspot with Verizon for $20 a month (for 2GB) to get online with my laptop when it's something that absolutely canNOT be done on my phone. But if I have to use my laptop, I'll try to go to a coffee shop near me.
Busy times and great stuff Tradd! Best of luck with everything in the upcoming months.
Good luck on your exams, coursework, temporary housing, and everything else, Tradd! We are also getting ready for a major overseas move (to Israel) exactly three weeks from now. :cool: Again, best wishes and congratulations in advance!
If anyone cares to see pictures of our new rental apartment in Israel, here's a link to my blog: www.movingtonahariya.blogspot.com
Good luck on your exams, coursework, temporary housing, and everything else, Tradd! We are also getting ready for a major overseas move (to Israel) exactly three weeks from now. :cool: Again, best wishes and congratulations in advance!
If anyone cares to see pictures of our new rental apartment in Israel, here's a link to my blog: www.movingtonahariya.blogspot.com
I love your blogs and pics!! I especially appreciate all the info on renting an apt in Israel. I'm a fairly avid user of long term furnished vacation rental houses (in the states mostly) and like to hear other's experience when renting overseas. Sounds like you guys have a really interesting life.
And Tradd - good luck with everything. You sound like have an incredible life - but with lots and lots of work :-)!
QUOTE=Selah;55454]Good luck on your exams, coursework, temporary housing, and everything else, Tradd! We are also getting ready for a major overseas move (to Israel) exactly three weeks from now. :cool: Again, best wishes and congratulations in advance!
If anyone cares to see pictures of our new rental apartment in Israel, here's a link to my blog: www.movingtonahariya.blogspot.com[/QUOTE]
Selah, how neat! I'll have to look at the pics tonight. How much stuff are you taking?
OMG!
Condo soap opera: contractor is a bit ahead of schedule and called my landlord (unit owner) wanting everyone in building out tomorrow. Landlord told contractor exactly what he thought of them. Since they already have keys, contractor was told police would be called if they attempted to enter my unit before Monday. All were told this past weekend work would begin 12/12.
If contractor tries contacting me directly to try to force me out, they'll get an earful they won't soon forget. If they call me at work, I'll go into an empty
Move today went well. I only had 17 x 18 gallon tubs of stuff, and several plastic crates. This is all my stuff aside from 4 tubs of kitchen stuff that stayed at my place. It only took 90 minutes to move my stuff and for the two male relatives of landlord to rip up carpet and padding. They were very impressed by how little stuff I have and the fact that I was organized enough that only my bed had to be taken apart (two person job) amd bathroom stuff packed after it dried out when I got home from church.
I had six tubs between class papers and my books. I have more books than clothes! :)
Place I'm staying is very nice, but also big. So it went better than expected.
Selah. Wonderful blog and fabulous pictures! I love the way you write, mixing subtle comedy lightness with seriousness. So enjoyable. Re: Betty Boom Bah, she helped give me a little boost, as her and I sport nearly identical figures! LMAO! P.S. Hope your move goes well.
Tradd. Here's hoping that all the disruption you've been subjected to will soon be over. Being the meticulous housekeeper that you are, I give utmost credit to you for showing such patience and understanding. I really admire you for that.
Well, believe it or not, I actually caught a break! The head of my theological program mentioned, almost in passing, several months ago that I might be able to graduate from the program without taking the national exam, specifically since I'm not a candidate for diaconal ordination. The customs broker exam studying is taking up so much of my time that I requested to be able to not take the exam.
My request was approved! So, I just have to finish up the essay portion of one exam (about 11 questions, since the first is mostly done), and submit it by the end of February!
Congrats Tradd!! You've worked so hard the last few months - especially with all the housing stuff going on at the same time - you deserve a break. Will be nioce not to have so much pressure on you. My travel plans fell thru myself (long story) so I'm staying around and enjoying the sunny SoCal winter instead!
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