Like most college students, Ashlee and I returned to classes recently (a week ago today for us) and are now settling into the routine. Luckily, we aren't like most others students in the fact that neither of us have classes on Fridays. In fact, we haven't had classes on Fridays since the fall of 2006. For me, this arrangement actually isn't really by design, but is mostly just a result of how my departments schedule their classes. Ashlee has to be a bit strategic to make it work, but obviously it's worked out.
This semester I'm pretty excited to be taking a photography class at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. I've taken other photography classes here at CMU, but this semester it worked better to go off campus. We've only met once so far, but one of my first impressions is that the instructor, Tim Fabian, reminds me of a character from the Simpsons... I think. It's probably going to drive me nuts trying to figure out who exactly comes to mind. But really, I think I will learn a lot and enjoy the class quite a bit. Also, Professor Towe, who teaches a computational methods class that I'm taking at CMU, is enrolled the photo class with me. That should be fun.
Jan 21, 2008
"HowTo" Get posts via email
This is just a quick post on "HowTo" have new posts to this (or any) blog automatically sent to you email inbox. SendMeRss is a service that allows you to have updates to an RSS feed automatically sent to any email address of your choice.
Further Info - An RSS feed is really just a list of content from a website, and every time new content is added to the website, the feed is updated. There are a bunch of web services and desktop programs that allow you to subscribe to feeds and automatically get updates. While each of you could download a program that would let you know when Ashlee or I update our blog, we realize many of you probably don't want to do that. Instead I found SendMeRSS which will simply email you the updates automatically.
- Follow this link (opens a new window/tab)
- In "RSS Feed URL" put:
http://ddeeffnn.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default - Fill in your email address
Further Info - An RSS feed is really just a list of content from a website, and every time new content is added to the website, the feed is updated. There are a bunch of web services and desktop programs that allow you to subscribe to feeds and automatically get updates. While each of you could download a program that would let you know when Ashlee or I update our blog, we realize many of you probably don't want to do that. Instead I found SendMeRSS which will simply email you the updates automatically.
Dec 17, 2007
Home (Bitter) Sweet Home
Ashlee and I made it home for Christmas break as scheduled without any troubles. Fortunately, we beat the storms that crippled the midwest and had three trouble-free flights.
Unfortunately, this Christmas is not all sweet. As many of you know, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer in September and started chemotherapy six weeks ago. She elected to leave Sheridan to seek expert cancer treatment in Tulsa, OK at one of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. This place is amazing and every time I talk her she has nothing but wonderful stories and interesting tid bits to share about the center and people there.
Every other week she flies out of Sheridan Thursday afternoon and starts the drug infusion Friday afternoon. She returns on Monday. This past weekend was a chemo weekend for her, and it turns out that she was in the Denver airport the same time Ashlee and I were so we got to spend almost an hour with here before we had to go our seperate ways. Tonight she is coming home, and it will really be nice to see her again. She will continue this routine into April.
All things considered, my mom is doing great. She has been very aggressive in fighting the cancer, and they did catch it early. As soon as she found out about it she contacted CTCA and starting making arrangements. She has nothing but the highest of hopes and has incredible resolve to beat this. My mother has always been someone whom I admire and see as a rolemodel, but these last couple months have really proved inspirational. Thank you Mom. With all that being said, I encourage you to continue to pray with us during this long, hard process.
On a much lighter note, Dr. John Naugle dug out my four wisdom teeth this morning. I am still a bit numb as I type this message, and I can't wait for feeling to fully return. I think I would rather have pain than to be drooling and unable to taste anything. All in all, it hasn't been bad though. Again, it's great to be a bit closer to adulthood.
Ashlee and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time off from work or school and finish up your shopping, but also remember and celebrate the coming of Christ.
Unfortunately, this Christmas is not all sweet. As many of you know, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer in September and started chemotherapy six weeks ago. She elected to leave Sheridan to seek expert cancer treatment in Tulsa, OK at one of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. This place is amazing and every time I talk her she has nothing but wonderful stories and interesting tid bits to share about the center and people there.
Every other week she flies out of Sheridan Thursday afternoon and starts the drug infusion Friday afternoon. She returns on Monday. This past weekend was a chemo weekend for her, and it turns out that she was in the Denver airport the same time Ashlee and I were so we got to spend almost an hour with here before we had to go our seperate ways. Tonight she is coming home, and it will really be nice to see her again. She will continue this routine into April.
All things considered, my mom is doing great. She has been very aggressive in fighting the cancer, and they did catch it early. As soon as she found out about it she contacted CTCA and starting making arrangements. She has nothing but the highest of hopes and has incredible resolve to beat this. My mother has always been someone whom I admire and see as a rolemodel, but these last couple months have really proved inspirational. Thank you Mom. With all that being said, I encourage you to continue to pray with us during this long, hard process.
On a much lighter note, Dr. John Naugle dug out my four wisdom teeth this morning. I am still a bit numb as I type this message, and I can't wait for feeling to fully return. I think I would rather have pain than to be drooling and unable to taste anything. All in all, it hasn't been bad though. Again, it's great to be a bit closer to adulthood.
Ashlee and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Enjoy your time off from work or school and finish up your shopping, but also remember and celebrate the coming of Christ.
Dec 6, 2007
Last lectures of 2007 behind us
Today both Ashlee and I had our last classes of the semester. It's always a great feeling to be done (with classes at least) and to know that we'll be home with friends and family soon. The next week is still very busy though. Ashlee has four papers to turn in and I have an exam, a group presentation and report, and a final photography critique. Wednesday is when the last of it is due, and we fly home Thursday.
On a completely different note, Pittsburgh has finally taken the plunge and settled into legitimate winter weather. We have a few inches of snow and the highs have been in the 30's. Luckily we haven't had any bad wind with the cold yet, but I'm confident that Pittsburgh will show its teeth before all the students leave.
This break we are going to be home for 4 weeks to the day. We fly back January 10th and start classes the 14th. This break is a bit exciting for me because I feel like I'm going to progress a bit along the graduated road to adulthood. I starting driving when I turned 16, I bought some cigars for my dad after I turned 18, I got married when I was 19, I ordered a beer for the first time when I turned 21, and finally, while I'm still 21, I am getting my wisdom teeth pulled. In just a couple years I'll be able to rent a car. I'm sure I still won't be a full adult even then, but that's okay. I guess the age limit for the draft might serve as the final milestone on that long road.
Well, I guess that's about it. Wish us luck for the last few chaotic days we have ahead of us. We won't get to really relax until we claim the last of our luggage in the Sheridan airport. Oh well, that's how it is every semester.
Take Care,
Todd
Nov 28, 2007
The last weeks...
Well, it's that time of year again: the time of year when all those final projects are due...you know the ones I'm talking about. These are the final projects that were assigned at the beginning of the semester that your professors kept reminding you to work on - advice which you blissfully pushed off to the side in pursuit of more immediate pleasures.
And now you're faced with the last two weeks of school and you have 4 papers due (3 are supposed to be about 15 pages each and the 4th on is only a 4-6 page paper), 3 presentations to run, and a VERY limited time in which to complete everything. I think that my problem is that I work very well under pressure. This quality has been reinforced time and time again and thus I haven't learned to do things in advance. Tonight, for instance, I had quite a bit of time to work on homework. However, I found myself unable to focus - trying to read articles and becoming easily distracted and finding other things to do (e.g. updating the blog!).
These next couple of weeks will certainly be busy for both of us, but I'm optimistic that things will work out in the end. We've decided that we'll hardly see each other this weekend because we'll be doing so much homework.
And now, I will attempt to do a little more homework before bed. Wish me luck!
And now you're faced with the last two weeks of school and you have 4 papers due (3 are supposed to be about 15 pages each and the 4th on is only a 4-6 page paper), 3 presentations to run, and a VERY limited time in which to complete everything. I think that my problem is that I work very well under pressure. This quality has been reinforced time and time again and thus I haven't learned to do things in advance. Tonight, for instance, I had quite a bit of time to work on homework. However, I found myself unable to focus - trying to read articles and becoming easily distracted and finding other things to do (e.g. updating the blog!).
These next couple of weeks will certainly be busy for both of us, but I'm optimistic that things will work out in the end. We've decided that we'll hardly see each other this weekend because we'll be doing so much homework.
And now, I will attempt to do a little more homework before bed. Wish me luck!
Nov 23, 2007
Thanksgiving with the Landerholms
As has been the tradition for the past few years, my uncle Kurt (Landerholm) and his family have welcomed us into their home for the Thanksgiving Holiday. They live in Akron/Canton area of Ohio, which is about two hours from Pittsburgh. It's been great to be able to spend this holiday with family every year without spending so much time and money to fly to Wyoming.
For those of you who don't know my uncle Kurt and his family, here is an introduction. Kurt (my mom's brother) and his wife Nancy have three kids: Megan, Mark, and Scott (oldest to youngest). Megan's husband Bob, as well as Nancy's brother, Warren, and niece, Kaylee, are also here this year. Mark, however, is in Kenya on a Christian mission, and is probably warmer than most of us, but is a bit homesick. Finally, Megan and Bob brought their Yorkshire Terrier Shatzy (probably spelled wrong) and Warren and Kaylee brought their dog Baxter (also a Yorkshire Terrier). Parents, children (and dogs) alike are very kind and friendly, and there is never a time when we don't feel welcome.
As you can imagine, there really hasn't been a dull moment with all the people (and canines) in the house. Highlights have included celebrating Scott'sbirthday, watching the dogs meet each other and eventually starting to play together, football games (all the men except me follow college ball quite closely), board games (Cranium, Taboo, and Scattergories), meals (traditional Thanksgiving fare, but also other wonderful food), and some tv (especially the old series "Hogans Heroes" on DVD).
Saturday night is going to be a bit different. We have spots reserved to tour and eat in a nearby mansion. Once the home of a wealthy industrialist, the mansion will be fully decorated for Christmas. Some of the men aren't too very excited about this, but the women are pretty much unanimous that it will be fun. Afterwards we will drive through a local neighborhood known for it's Christmas lights. The sentiments about this part of the evening are very similar.
Well, this post took longer than I expected, and I need to get to bed, so that's all. Ashlee and I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
For those of you who don't know my uncle Kurt and his family, here is an introduction. Kurt (my mom's brother) and his wife Nancy have three kids: Megan, Mark, and Scott (oldest to youngest). Megan's husband Bob, as well as Nancy's brother, Warren, and niece, Kaylee, are also here this year. Mark, however, is in Kenya on a Christian mission, and is probably warmer than most of us, but is a bit homesick. Finally, Megan and Bob brought their Yorkshire Terrier Shatzy (probably spelled wrong) and Warren and Kaylee brought their dog Baxter (also a Yorkshire Terrier). Parents, children (and dogs) alike are very kind and friendly, and there is never a time when we don't feel welcome.
As you can imagine, there really hasn't been a dull moment with all the people (and canines) in the house. Highlights have included celebrating Scott'sbirthday, watching the dogs meet each other and eventually starting to play together, football games (all the men except me follow college ball quite closely), board games (Cranium, Taboo, and Scattergories), meals (traditional Thanksgiving fare, but also other wonderful food), and some tv (especially the old series "Hogans Heroes" on DVD).
Saturday night is going to be a bit different. We have spots reserved to tour and eat in a nearby mansion. Once the home of a wealthy industrialist, the mansion will be fully decorated for Christmas. Some of the men aren't too very excited about this, but the women are pretty much unanimous that it will be fun. Afterwards we will drive through a local neighborhood known for it's Christmas lights. The sentiments about this part of the evening are very similar.
Well, this post took longer than I expected, and I need to get to bed, so that's all. Ashlee and I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Nov 18, 2007
New Blog
Hello everyone!
Just thought that I would put the first post up letting you all know that we've just started a blog. I'm not really sure how it's going to go. Our hope is to keep in touch with everyone through the blog, since we don't do so well with emails.
We'll just be posting whatever comes to mind and different things that we've been doing.
I hope that you enjoy reading (and I hope that we're able to keep posting!)
Just thought that I would put the first post up letting you all know that we've just started a blog. I'm not really sure how it's going to go. Our hope is to keep in touch with everyone through the blog, since we don't do so well with emails.
We'll just be posting whatever comes to mind and different things that we've been doing.
I hope that you enjoy reading (and I hope that we're able to keep posting!)
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