Back to the ole' grind

Well, it is back to work for me. Poor Damien did not get anytime off for Christmas. Well, at least no extended time. He worked Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Next year he is off. Thank God!! I know I said back to the "ole' grind," but I would like to thank God deeply for both of our ole' grinds!! These days many people are losing their jobs and it is such a blessing to have our jobs. I think I speak for both of us when I say that there is definitely stressful and challenging times at our jobs, but overall we both wakeup to go to work and overall look forward to the day. There is absolutely NO amount of money that can equal enjoying your job AND having job security. God gets ALL the glory for this!!

I began with 36 new students last week and I am claiming a great 8 weeks. Last 8 weeks was a bit chaotic and stressful. I have implemented some guidelines for the students that should make this semester a bit more structured. Amazingly enough adult students often need this more than adolescent students. Some of my adults blow me away with their lack of professionalism, respect etc. I am eager to get into the semester and have a great one though.

It is so funny... Last night we were celebrating Damien's and Barb's birthday at Bravo in Castleton and I heard, "Mrs. Eppes" being called behind me. It was one of my students. It is very odd for me to hear Mrs. Eppes outside of the college so I was suprised. It was one of my male students who works as a server on the weekend there. He was so nice and respectful to my family and even gave me a free dessert for being an A+ professor. Ha!! My family thought he wanted an A+, but they already know they have to earn it! :) and...not with desserts. I thought he was VERY nice and respectful to me and the family. Sometimes that IS a suprise these days...too bad it has to be that way! Anyway I enjoyed my creme brulee thoroughly!! There are perks to being a professor...

In fact, I just emailed my nursing instructors the other day. It has been 8 years. I told them that I know I certainly wasn't a model student, but I know realize how difficult it is to be a professor and how much work goes into it. I thanked them for all that they did to help me become who I am today and what they do everyday for nursing. I think it is very important to try to remember to tell others how much they mean to you before it is too late. I am certainly not perfect about this, but I try more and more all of the time.

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of making a difference in the lives of other people. I hope I always make Him proud...

I encourage you to always say what you need to say before it is too late. You never know when this is your last day on earth...

Listen to this (listen to the words!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ0z86LmXBM