so speedy!

penny was a due for an oil change, so i just took her in to the valvoline place by my work. i walked in at 2:35, sat down to read my book, and was interrupted moments later because they were finished. FINISHED! i drove out of the lot at 2:40! and they apologized that i didn't get to read more of my book. incredible. i realize i could learn how to change the oil myself, but i guarantee you it would take longer than five minutes. those guys are good. and they refilled my windshield wiper fluid. that's worth $33 to me anyday.
i appreciate good customer service, and i'll pay for it too. thank you, valvoline. thank you.

true or false

1. I am interested in a career in research.
___ True
_X_ FALSE

2. I know how to write a good survey.
___ True
_X_ FALSE

so, it turns out that creating a survey for my higher ed research class is a lot harder than i imagined. it's difficult to ask the right questions to find out what i want to know. i guess part of my problem is that i'm not exactly sure what i want to know. meanwhile, my survey is twice as long as it's supposed to be, and i'm not sure it would even get me the results i want! and so, naturally, i've chosen the ever-popular technique of distraction. unfortunately, i've gotta get back to it... it's due in a few short hours. wish me luck.

a morning resolve

so i went to this church once, and at the end of the service, they read this prayer. i really liked it, and i took a copy of it when i left. i'm going to post it. maybe you'll like it too.

i will try this day to live a simple, sincere life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking;
cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence;
excercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.
in particular i will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical excercise, eating, and sleep that i believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.
and as i cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, i look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
amen.

new look!

so, what do you think of my new template? i like the new color scheme. i've finally mastered blogger. i own it. or at least, i've succeeded in navigating the new model, and i've added some things i've been trying to add for ages. (becky, thanks for offering to help! i like this new way... it's easier than messing with the template!) and the picture is from the summer, and no, i'm not that tan anymore. or that blonde. but it's the arctic winter these days, and nothing can be done about it.
anyhow, i'm finishing up here at the office for the day. i'll be heading home to relax and catch up on some sleep i missed last night. but, it was time well spent, celebrating ms. gormley's birthday, eating cake made from scratch (?!who does that?!?!) and playing settlers. which i won. also, i spent some time with some beach students this weekend, which was wonderful and particularly helpful for clarifying some things in my life. so, thanks, y'all.
check back later this week for further updates. see ya.

superbowl XLI

i hope the colts win.