Reasons

Reasons to be thankful.

Mike. He is absolutely and completely wonderful. He loves and supports me in everything I do. I came home upset the other day, and he canceled his meetings at work to take care of me. He is sweet and intelligent and is always there for me.

Max. My new little nephew. He is completely adorable, and he makes me excited about the kids Mike and I will have in a few years.

My mom. I probably talk to her on the phone at least once a week. Although we have a rocky past, I completely just love her and want her to be happy. I love talking to her and sharing my life with her. I have learned to appreciate the good things that make her her. She is funny and a warm person. She works really hard, and she loves her daughters very much.

The animals. I am never alone. I just turned around, and sure enough Scuro is laying on the ottoman behind me. Sometimes it is Ra snoring on the floor or the wiggle-Ru waiting at the foot of the stairs to greet me. They are all beautiful and have adjusted pretty well to living together.

God. Mike and I pray together at night, and we just have to thank God for all the blessings he has given us. I don't think we could have ever found one another without Him. I look back at some of the obstacles in my life, and I realize that God was letting me go through them to shape me into the person I am now. He has always brought people into my life at the right times to keep me going.

Friends. I am not the most social person, but I have soo many friends. They might not even be people I talk to for years, but I know there are people I could call right now who would be there for me if I needed them. It is the fact that people care. There is a connection. No matter how busy everyone gets, there is acknowledgment of existence and mutual love.

Alternatives. Even though I have struggles right now, I am not painted into the corner. The world is a blank canvas, and I just have to decide what I want to do with it. So many people don't have options because something limits them in some way or another. It is good to know you have multiple positive choices even when you don't know which one is the right one to choose.

Qualifying Exam Update

I passed 2 out of 3 parts of my qualifying exams. I need to retake the closed book portion of the qualifying exam. I expected that since I didn't take 3 out of 4 of the classes that were being tested on for that section. Originally, the department waived those classes because they thought I had taken similar courses during my masters program. However, without actually knowing the content that was covered in my courses or me knowing the content covered in the UNCC courses, it was impossible to really make that call. It turns out that much of the material had no overlap, and I was trying to learn material that I had never seen before. So I am happy with the results. I guess I won't be ditching the PhD program just yet.

Pam Ra Ru

Here is the picture I sent Mike in San Diego to show him what he is missing here at home. The picture quality is pretty bad because I took it with my phone in a really low light.

He's Here! He's Here!

My new little nephew Royce Maxwell Pauley was born yesterday! Yay!! Kim and Tony are doing well and should be able to bring him home tomorrow. Love you guys!

In my world: I took the first section of my qualifying exams today. Ugh. I did okay on parts and not okay on some other parts. As long as they average over 70%, I get to pass. If not, I have to try again (or decide not to get my PhD afterall) next semester.

My hand is killing me! I don't think I ever learned how to hold a pencil right. Man, I am not used to actually writing anything anymore in pencil. I think my carpel tunnel is acting up. I have to figure out if I am supposed to use heat or ice on it.

Mr. Karr

Hehehe! Mike and I have pretty much combined all of our accounts in some fashion or another. Well, he keeps getting called Mr. Karr by people who call the house because a lot of the bills are in my name. I think it is neat that he gets a taste of this perspective so he can understand how women feel when they get married and change their names. I have been feeling a little insecure because I quit my job, and he is basically the "bread winner" in the family right now. I don't think he gets how it makes me feel, but then I just remind him about "Mr. Karr." (Love you honey!)

On the sister front, Kim is about to pop. Max will be here any day now - definitely by Monday. See gratuitous belly shot lifted from Kim's blog below:



I have qualifying exams next week. Need prayers, say lots of prayers.

And check out our wedding blog when you get the chance. We should have hotel information posted soon. Most people should have gotten their invitations by now. It was like pulling teeth to get Mike to round up all the addresses for his family. I guess that is one advantage of having a close-knit Chinese family. Everyone knows where everyone is at all times.

Growing up Poor, in the South

Here is a very picturesque scene of two young girls sharing one ballerina outfit and leaning on a Winnebago. Ah yes, growing up poor in the South. Such fond memories . . .

I was just scanning a few baby photos for a wedding slide show. I came across this one and couldn't resist posting it. :-) Love ya, Kim.