10 Things I learned about Myself

On Tuesday, I set out for an assistive technology conference with three ladies from work. I could not possibly begin to describe all that I learned that will be beneficial to my students (and if I could it would really bore you since that's not your chosen career), but I can explain the top ten things that I learned about myself this week:



1. I miss my husband when I'm away. It's crazy what I take for granted on a daily basis: even just being away from him for a few days makes me really appreciate all that he is and all that he does. In fact, I felt compelled to tell him this through a series of texts at 10:30 Thursday night. I cannot imagine why he didn't feel the same way at the time ;-)


2. I sometimes prefer not to make decisions for fear that I will make the wrong one. Other times I prefer not to make decisions because I truly do not have an opinion on the matter.


3. I will make it my mission to explain to others that spell check should not be the final authority. I am certain that the manager of the "El Cheapo" gas station did not intend to explain that he was sorry for the incontinence.


4. I am a difficult student: When someone in a class is asking a zillion unnecessary questions or is commenting on everything a presenter says, or (especially) if someone keeps asking very specific questions that only deal with her situation and not the group at large, I tend to get very annoyed. It takes my every effort not to sigh loudly, roll my eyes, and throw myself on the floor out of frustration (dramatic, but true)!


5. I am thankful that I do not live a life revolving around drama--that God keeps me grounded and that I remain joyful in Him and do not rely on what others think, feel, say, or do. This has nothing to do with something happening to me. It is more an observation and realization I had.


6. I expect a presenter to prepare: Call me crazy, but if you're going to get up in front of 50+ certified professionals, wouldn't you...I don't know...think about what you might say? Some of these people simply got up and fumbled through the presentation. One poor lady had my friend Shannon so confused that she thought the lady said something about sorting turds (the worst part about it is that the ladies around us thought that's what she said as well, so we still don't know what she was doing in her classroom. I hope her kids wear gloves)!


7. The beach makes me happy.


8. When I am frustrated, bored, happy, annoyed, or if something silly happens, I have the same response: I text my sister.


9. I expect professionals to use relatively correct grammar: I am a grammar weirdo, I understand and accept that. I do not think everyone should use correct grammar at all times. I break grammar rules (eg., "Folks is whack") but if you are going to speak in front of a group, please, please do not confuse 'was' and 'were'. Also, I would really like to take a second to clear up the confusion with 'I' and 'me': it is tempting to always say, for example, "Brad and I". However, 'I' is a nominative pronoun (so it goes in the subject) whereas 'me' is objective. Here's a tip: say the sentence without the other word. You might be tempted to say, “Would you explain that to Brad and I?” which may sound okay at first, but if you take out the other object it becomes, "Would you explain that to I?" Doesn't work, does it? Now, try it the other way. “Would you explain that to me?” (Sounds right, huh? So...) “Would you explain that to Brad and me?” (Ah, I feel better already)!


10. I spell words spoken with a southern drawl in my head or on my hands (ASL fingerspelling): Peeyacher (picture); awduh (order).