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I had a nice weekend walking with my nieces and nephews, playing with the cats, napping, oh and taking a FOUR AND A HALF HOUR entrance exam for the teaching program. 
Fern and her ribbon
Pretty kitty
The snow is gone, the sun is back, and I learned to use semicolons!
I had a delightful evening last night. David and I went over to the University of Washington Bookstore for a reading/signing with the author David Weber.
David Weber writes (among other things) an amazing sci-fi series about a woman named Honor Harrington. I have hated sci-fi books almost my whole life. I find them redundant and very male oriented. I really could care less about the military perspecitive that most of these books have. And then I 'met' Honor. Honor is a brilliantly written very strong female character. While she is a naval captain in a sci-fi book she has a character of great depth. The books touch on philosophical and social issues in addition to kick ass naval battles. The books contain a religion I wish existed on earth, with a concept of God I could actually get on board with. The are full of laughs and full of moments that make me cry. The last book especially touched me with it's thoughts on adoption. I finished the book just weeks before I found out about my new adopted niece and was the final influence in my own desire to adopt. David Weber, Honor Harrigton, Andrew LaFolett and Nimitz have firmly converted me to sci-fi.
David's newest book is called "Off Armegeddon Reef." I have to admit when I read the summary of the new book I was less than intrigued. I went to the event last night with the hope we would talk about Honor in addition to the new book. I was amazed to end up enjoying the whole experience (especially hearing about his four adopted kiddos). This new book sounds completely delightful and intriguing when introduced by the author aglow with excitement for his story. The book seems to deal with some social and relgious issues that lie very close to what I have been studying in these three quarters since going back to school. It investigates what makes a religion, the ethics of how that relgion works in the world, what makes up our ontological selves (our souls), and what is gender and how does that identity develop. These are all questions I have had to confront and ponder recently. The are also all questions I do not have definate conclusions for. The book also seems to have a strong, interesting, and deep female main character and some kick ass battles. (no cats though.)
Most of David's books are published Baen Books. This company has a unique view on publishing, part of which is the belief in free books. Most authors authorize the first books in their series to be free for download. The first two Honor Books, "On Basilisk Station" and "The Honor of the Queen: (one of my favorites) are included in this service and can be found HERE!.
The only downer about the evening was getting stranded by ANOTHER storm. I had to sleep up at Shannon and David's AGAIN! I'm getting so sick of this weather.
My third quarter back to school has started and I'm already trying not to pull out my hair. I'm taking Comparative World Religions. It's an online class and we are supposed to have discussions in our online forum. But none of my classmates respond to anything. Everyone posts their thoughts, but do not respond to others or link their thoughts at all. This has lead to me feeling bored and not wanting to post comments.
This week I also experienced my first big moment of self doubt. I have to take an entrance exam for teaching school in 12 days. I took a practice test 3 days ago and I did not pass one of the sections. Ever since I have felt this overwhelming feeling that I will not suceed in this whole going back to school plan. I know I'm probably overreacting, but it's all I can think about.
Ah well.....we go on.
Found out today that we could get notice as soon as Thursday that it is time to travel to get Dulce. I'm so very excited to meet her. Shannon bought a really nifty new camera, thanks to my research and the recommendations of the Dutchess. I'm excited to go on Thursday and help her learn to use it. I'm going to work really hard on not coveting it. I am sure she will let me use it when she comes back from Guatamala.
I agree with Dawn that I have always viewed my self as a geek, not a nerd. The website that has this test defines the words geek and nerd. I'm greatly amused by the second definition for geek. This site also had a computer geek test. I got a 62 on it, I was also amused that the average score for girls is only 36.
From Merriam-Webster Online: (www.m-w.com)
Nerd:
Etymology: perhaps from nerd, a creature in the children's book If I Ran the Zoo (1950) by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)
: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
Geek:
Etymology: probably from English dialect geek, geck fool, from Low German geck, from Middle Low German
1 : a carnival performer often billed as a wild man whose act usually includes biting the head off a live chicken or snake
2 : a person often of an intellectual bent who is disapproved of
Got this from Melissa Anelli over at The Leaky Cauldron
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