My former life...

I was cleaning off some computer storage keys and I found my resume from 2008 (I suppose I was looking for a job while pregnant and with two kids under 3-years-old?). Today in particular, it was nice to take a trip down memory lane and remind myself of why my current life is so much more rewarding, even on the most trying day (think vocation not occupation).

I am blessed!

EDUCATION

September 1994- May 2000         EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, ST. LOUIS

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Doctoral-level coursework in psychology and psychopharmacology

August 1991- July 1992               UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, PA

Master of Science in Education

Concentration -Psychological Services in Higher Education

September 1988- May 1991          DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY, Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Arts

Majors -Psychology and English

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

September 2001- July 2003    LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER DIRECTOR

Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA

Supervise center's operation, including budget planning and management

Oversee staff secretary, learning skills specialist, and work-study students

Supervise and assist study group leaders and peer tutors

Conduct yearly training of peer tutors

Serve as mentor and academic advisor to select group of students

July 1997- September 2001    ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER DIRECTOR

                                           Assistant Professor

Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV

Supervise center's operation, including budget planning and management

Develop and implement study skills program to promote retention

Supervise and assist study group leaders and peer tutors

Counsel individuals and groups on the keys to academic success

Serve as mentor and academic advisor to select group of students

Teach one section of Freshman Year Experience each fall

Implement programs to promote retention of LD/ADHD students

Member of the Academic Life Committee, dealing with at-risk students

July 1995- July 1997             DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE

                                                    St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO

Plan and oversee first-year and transfer student orientations

Develop and implement the Student Recovery Network

Serve as coordinator for the Residential Life Program

Design literature to promote and increase usage of Student Life services

Act as an academic advisor to all incoming first-year transfer students

July 1993- June 1995             DIRECTOR OF CAREER PLANNING

                                                     Union College, Barbourville, KY

Supervise center's operation, including budget planning and management

Present workshops on admission to graduate school, study skills, and job search techniques

Implement the use of Discover II with students for graduate school and employment searches

Responsible for coordination of GRE and ACT exams

RESEARCH / TEACHING EXPERIENCE

July 1995- July 1997              INSTRUCTOR

                                                     St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO

Responsible for teaching one section of STLCOP SEMINAR to incoming freshmen

Provide course instruction in Turning Point to improve study skills including goal setting, reading, note taking, listening, and test taking

July 1993- June 1995              INSTRUCTOR

                                                     Union College, Barbourville, KY

Responsible for teaching one section of Introduction to Psychology both spring and fall semesters

Create course syllabus and devise course plan following stated requirements

Participate in the planning, implementation and teaching of a Freshman Seminar course

September 1991-                     RESEARCH ASSISTANT Pre-Freshman Program

     May 1992                             

                                                      University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Assisted with predictive research on retention rates in minority and underprivileged

undergraduates

Compiled and analyzed data on the program using SPSS

Presented conclusions from the data

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

March 2001                                PRESENTER, “Pulling Out In Front: Moving beyond traditional LD accommodations,” National Association for Developmental Education, Annual Conference, Louisville, Kentucky

July 2000                                 GRADUATE, Summer Course In Neurodevelopmental Variation, "Understanding Misunderstood Minds: A Neurodevelopmental Approach to Differences in Learning," University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

June 2000                               GRADUATE, Post-Secondary Learning Disabilities Training Institute, University of Connecticut,

Saratoga Springs, New York.

July 1999                                GRADUATE, "LD and ADHD: What service providers need to know," Landmark College,

Putney, Vermont.

June 1999                               PRESENTER, "Time Management: Tips to help students succeed in college," NASA's Summer

High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP Plus), Center for Educational Technology, Wheeling, West Virginia.

May 1998                                PRESENTER, "Collaborating with the Allies: Creating a cooperative environment among faculty, students, and writing center staff," East Central Writing Centers Association, Youngstown, Ohio.

October 1997                          CERTIFICATION, Myers Briggs Certification Institute, Chicago, Illinois.

June 1996                               GRADUATE, University of Utah School on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies, Pharmacy

Section, Salt Lake City, Utah.

November 1995                       PRESENTER, "What's Your Type: Classroom applications of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator," Owens Community College, Toledo, Ohio.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

National College Learning Centers Associations

National Academic Advising Association

The Association for the Study of Higher Education

The National Peer Helpers Association

National Association of Student Personnel Administrators

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Playground Coordinator, South Hills Chapter, Mothers & More, 2008-2009

Secretary, South Hills Chapter, Mothers & More, 2009-2010

Volunteer Orientation Coordinator, National Office, Mothers & More, March 2009 –

Creator and Moderator – The Catholic Moms Group of Pittsburgh (Meetup.com), Nov 2008-

Going it alone...

Today is the 17th anniversary of my dad's death. I know. I doesn't even seem like yesterday anymore. Before I fell asleep last night I tried very hard to remember his voice and I couldn't do it. Sometimes it's hard to imagine him in an animated state (something more than a memory from a picture). I am sad, though not really like last year. This is a more complex thing. Mainly, I'm wondering about other people.

You see, I realize that even though my day is a sad one, tomorrow will be better (or some later day) and even if it's one of the worst days in a long time; I'm not alone. Yes, I am without my dad, with whom I would have loved to sit and parse the finer issues of child rearing. However, even when my kids are too little to understand and my husband is away at work, I have a constant companion.

"I know God is in my heart. With Him I go to work, with Him I go to recreation, with Him I suffer, with Him I rejoice; I live in Him and He in me. I am never alone, because He is my constant companion. He is present to me at every moment. Our intimacy is very close, through a union of blood and flesh."

 Saint Faustina

Recently, I read some of the book, Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell. I don't have the exact numbers but she stated some results of a survey and there was a not-exactly-tiny percentage of regular churchgoers who agreed that they had no personal relationship with God. There was a fairly tiny percent (but even so...why?) that said they weren't even sure they believed there was a God! This book is fodder for another post but, for now, I'm wondering about the people who believe but have no relationship.

I think the main reason I can make it through days like this (and why I had such difficulty earlier in my life) is that I know God is there...always, every minute, to answer my call. The answer may not always be what I want but I know that He knows my heart and what is best for me. He is my loving Father. One that never dies and one, I pray, I will spend eternity praising with my own dear dad.

So, what happens with those people? Is that why society seems so dangerous these days? Has the lack of an anchor sent people listing about with no clear course? Is the failure to feel a loving presence in one's life the reason that we are turning into such an angry, violent mob? What do the Jobs of today do if they don't believe or have a relationship with our Heavenly Father?

I'm currently finishing another tiny-but-powerful book, Can You Drink the Cup? by Henri Nouwen. Fr. Nouwen points out another essential ingredient in working through the sorrows of life without losing your way - intimate relationships.

"Lifting our cup means sharing our life so we can celebrate it. When we truly believe we are called to lay down our lives for our friends, we must dare to take the risk to let others know what we are living. The important question is, 'Do we have a circle of trustworthy friends where we feel safe enough to be intimately known and called to an always greater maturity?' Just as we lift up our glasses to people we trust and love, so we lift up the cup of our life to those from whom we do not want to have secrets and with whom we want to form community."

The urgency of the human condition to have others with whom we share the daily difficulties (and joys!) of life cannot be overlooked and certainly cannot be replaced by 400 semi-acquaintances on Facebook. True friendship and companionship come from time invested and lives made bare. I am so grateful for my three or four friends to whom I know I can turn and discuss the workings of my life. How blessed I am to enter into their lives as they have mine and how much we are able to grow as a result.

My prayer is that more people can realize the loving God who awaits their call. He is a good parent. He won't let you do whatever you want, especially if it is harmful to you, but He will guide you if you just call to Him and then listen. He was so loving, in fact, that He placed a few people in your life who, if you are willing to open yourself up and share your life, will help you grow in unimaginable ways. (Like, a woman with whom I do some charity work just signed her recent email, "see you in Church!" - that kind of friend.)

So, after 17 years, I think I get it (somewhat, anyway). Going it alone, or settling for "friends" who lead you down a destructive path or with whom you always feel second-rate, are choices that make life harder than it has to be. As we close in on the end of another Advent, why not take the time to reassess your support system in life? Two of our greatest advocates will be appearing soon in a little manger in Bethlehem. Stop, pray, be thankful. You will be greatly rewarded.

And, because I love to use oddly appropriate '80s music, here's some Devo for your Friday afternoon...I'll be praying your choice is one which will lift you up and ease your burden.

Don't be tricked by what you see
You got two ways to go

I'll say it again in the land of the free
Use your freedom of choice

We are so very blessed.