Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I'm Scared!

Yes, you heard me correctly! I'm scared! That may not sound like a bold statement to you, but for me it's almost like admitting I'm really 47 years old. Admitting my age isn't really so bad except I'm older than David and he likes to say it way more than I do.

But back to the scared part. I have an exam next week that is a little too frightening to suit me. I've already had one this semester and it was ok, not great, but ok. I'm not fearful of failing Church History, or Senior Synthesis or even my Preaching class, but for some reason, I am terrified of blowing it in Theology. I don't test well with exams that consist of primarily essay questions and this being the one and only exam we will have in this class this semester, I must do well.

I have been doing a lot of reflecting this semester since we have to write this huge Senior paper and reminisce about our days growing up and more specifically, our days at Campbell. I have thought back to my very first test at CUDS. Old Testament I. Dear Dr. Jones. We had been taking quizzes throughout the beginning of the semester so I had a little hint as to how he tested. Or so I thought. He put that test paper in front of me and I about had a stroke. Everything I had studied left me. I sat for a few minutes searching my brain, hoping to be able to pull out the information needed to successfully complete this exam. After about 15 minutes, it came. Not all of it, mind you, but most of it.

From that day until now, I have feared exams. Elementary school, Junior High school, and High School were a breeze for me. Everything came so easy. Not so now. Is it because I'm older and my brain cells are dying away? Is it because I'm so wrapped up in life in general that I don't have time to study like I should? Is it because.........?

I think I just caught myself trying to come up with another excuse why I won't do well on this upcoming Harmon exam. Well, one thing is for certain. If I don't get off this computer and get to work, Tuesday will come quicker than I'm ready for it to get here and I still won't be prepared.

Say a little prayer and I'll get back to work.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Traffic Laws

Long time, no see! I am so sorry for the delay in posting, but life is catching me and passing me as the days go by.

As many, if not all, of you know, I am in the midst of a CPE internship at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. I drive to NH twice a week at least and then again when I'm on call. I've been amazed at the traffic infractions I see along the way. Now, again, as most of you know, I am not above breaking a traffic law myself, but one does learn after a pink slip falls into your lap with a pricetag of $145.

However, I drive through a relatively new development on my way which has new turning lanes. It's quite interesting but also very different than what we're used to. I think they call them Michigan turning lanes. You pull into the lane and make half a U-turn then wait for the light to change. This is pretty self-explanatory, right? Well, then there is the situation of a right turn. When you leave the Wal-Mart parking lot, you much make a right turn no matter which direction you want to go. Now, here's the catch. The red light is a red arrow which means, NO TURN ON RED!!!!!

So, I'm sitting in the lane, waiting for the light to turn green and this BOZO blows his horn at me to go ahead. Well, having just given the state of NC a little funding for traffic violations, I'm not keen on doing it anytime soon, so I sit there. The longer I sit, the more he blows his horn. By this time I'm getting the giggles and the man behind me is getting red faced. Because, you see, the folks in the other lane are turning on red.

You can imagine his frustration with me, but if he knew the traffic laws in NC, then he would be very patient with me ............ or use the other lane.