Monday, August 21, 2006

Classes began today, so I drove Monkey and myself to campus. I gave her about an hour's tour showing her where I will meet up with her for the trams in the evening, how to add discretionary funds to her card, where to go for computer labs, etc. She said she felt overwhelmed, but she's pretty lucky, since she's got me to show her around and help out. She knows it.

I had one class already today, at 12, and another at 4pm. The first class was taught by the professor who hosted the Family in a Changing Society lecture last semester, and I am really looking foward to this semester. The class looks at population demographics and trends in the US and globally. Our fiinal project entails collecting and analysing data for a randomly selected California county. It should be plenty interesting, with some students being new, and others from last semesters' class. My other class I have yet to attend, and it is Advanced Child Development. In Fall 2005 I took Child Development with Manis, and this year I thought that further study would be good for me, as I plan on an MFT.

I've seen some people from a distance today around campus. Already I've had lunch with a friend, and seen others walking to classes. The first friend I ran into was Carrie, and I love my "chance" meetings with her, always leave me happy. I love running into my friends, but I get an extra lift when I know they are Christian. I am looking forward to this semester because of my classes, and the chances to get to know my friends even better. There are always challenges such as dermatology appointments, future spiritual director meetings, and Opus Dei nights at the Center.

I still have the skills -- getting lectured and keeping my mouth shut. Why is it that I can keep my mouth shut when I'm already in trouble to avoid more trouble, but not to keep me out of all trouble? Mom had some valid points, but I wanted to laugh when she said that toning down on the Christianity would be in my interest. Haha, really now, how am I to accomplish her valid point of being less judgmental if I don't follow that Christian attribute? Or patience? or a quiet mind? I pointed this out to Dad, he didn't seem pleased that the lecture had backfired in that regard. Leveling off on Christianity might make my household more comfortable, but I'm not about to do so. Nor am I about to do other things that mom mentioned. This was about a week ago, though.

Added two Catholic books to my collection: Hostage to the Devil and The Origins of Satan. And one fiction novel. Mom got tired of that, too, but I'd rather have an irate mom and a clean mind, than a happy mom and dirty mind. It keeps my list of sins down for when it comes to my next confession, when ever that is...

Speaking of religion ... I really need someone to tell me how I can tell this guy Steve that I do not, and may not be able, to date him. I could leave him hanging with " I'm single, but it's complicated" How do I explain that I pray for chastity daily? I don't have to tell him that, but he needs to be told that I'm not interested in dating. The least of my worries will be my parents asking why I didn't date him -- he doesn't want to go to school and is a chain smoker. That's reason enough for them.