Amen!

I'm reading Jane McGonigal's book Reality Is Broken for my dissertation, and I love it!  she does an excellent job of putting into words things that I've been thinking of but haven't been able to put into words myself.  For example, I've never really like the concepts of "self-esteem" and "self-fulfillment".  In my opinion that's part of what has torn my marriage apart.  And here is what this book as to say on the matter:

"Jean M. Twenge, a professor of psychology and the author of Generation Me, has persuasively argued that the youngest generation today -- particularly anyone born after 1980 -- are, in her words, "more miserable than ever before."  Why?  Because of our increased cultural emphasis on "self-esteem" and "self-fulfillment."  But real fulfillment, as countless psychologists, philosophers, and spiritual leaders have shown, comes from fulfilling commitments to others.  We want to be esteemed in the eyes of others, not for "who we are," but rather for what we've done that really matters.
The more we focus on ourselves and avoid a commitment to others, Twenge's research shows, the more we suffer from anxiety and depression.  But that doesn't stop us from trying to make ourselves happy along.  We mistakenly think that by putting ourselves first, we'll finally get what we want.  In fact, true happiness comes not from thinking more of ourselves, but rather from thinking less of ourselves -- from seeing the truly small role we play in something much bigger, much more important than our individual needs."  (Emphasis in original.)

It has been my opinion for several years now that the more people focus on themselves and their self-esteem and self-fulfillment, the more they hurt themselves and all those around them.  Especially their families.  When you have self as your primary focus, as your god to be served, then everything and everyone else takes a back seat.  It's inevitable.  And so, eventually, you and everyone around you will be more miserable because you are working so hard to make yourself happy.

Busy, busy

I'm not completely sure where to start with this entry.

Let's see, on Friday I played Mario Kart Wii with the kids over the internet!  It was a lot of fun!  Carly is getting much better at it and can almost stay on the track about 50% of the time.  I'm still just a little bit better than Michael.  He would cackle with glee whenever he got in front of me, and then he would say: "Daddy, slow down!" when I got in front of him.  :)  Then there's William...  Of the four races I did with William I think I beat him once!  :oP  And believe me, I was trying!  He does have a slight advantage in that they have unlocked some better vehicles on their Wii, but really that's just an excuse.  But I'm using it!

Over the past several weeks I've also been making quite a few tshirts.  I'm getting better at it and really enjoy it!  So far I've made about 5 shirts for myself, a couple for the kids, and almost all the ones I need for Jessica and her brood.  :)  I've also been wearing my shirts to school on Fridays.  My students seem to get a kick out of them too.  I'm thinking of making one with a picture of Gandalf's face when he's facing the Balrog and have him saying: "You shall not pass!!!" and wearing that shirt when my students take their final exam.  Hee hee!  I'm thinking I might see if they have a bumper sticker like that too.  ;o)

But it hasn't all been soda and pizza.  I was just called as one of the Gospel Principles teachers.  I've subbed for the class several times and it has gone well.  This time I could really feel the Spirit helping as I prepared the lesson!  I was learning a lot and was very excited.  Then I got cocky.  Needless to say I was humbled and the class didn't go that well.  :op  But I did have chocolate chip cookies!

In other news, the dissertation is progressing nicely, as is the job search.  I just had my first preliminary interview via Skype today and I think that it went rather well.  Which was nice.  :o)  It probably didn't hurt that I had been praying all day that I wouldn't make a complete fool of myself.  It was for a lecturer position at North Texas University, which is a little under 300 miles from the kids, so well within driving distance, which is one of the main things I'm looking for.  Ironically, in the middle of the interview my phone went off!  I had it on because they had asked me to have it on before the interview in case they needed to call me, and then I forgot to turn it off.  So after my interview was over I checked my messages, and it had been a call from the University of Central Arkansas wanting to set up a phone interview with me!  So I'll have that interview this Friday morning.  This is also just for a lecturer position, but this one is even closer to the kids at around only 230 miles away!  I am being extremely blessed!  I hope you are too!  :o)

Recovery?

I've been sick for about four days now.  Not anything bad, but bad enough to be annoying.  I'm almost better, I think, the only thing left is my voice.  Of course, now that I've been sick for almost a week, I'm having to get back into a regular work routine again.  Have you ever noticed that it's a lot easier to get into a lazy routine than into a work routine?  <sigh>

In other news, here is a cute picture of the kids' Halloween costumes this year that Jenny sent me.  :)

Speaking of the kids, I've planned what I'm going to buy them for Christmas this year come Black Friday.  But don't tell them!!!
For William:
  
For Michael:
  
For Carly:
  

So that will be one Wii game and one Barbie-size doll each.  I'm hoping the Barbie-size GI Joes will encourage the boys to play more with Carly, who LOVES Barbies.  I do feel sorry for the Prince Ken guy though.  He's going to be living in a dollhouse with something like 14 girls, 8 or 10 of which are disney princesses and all of which enjoy running around in their undies.  I grew up with five girls, at least one of which seemed to think that she was a princess, so I can sympathize with him.  <<shiver>>  My guess is that the ninjas will just be occasional visitors.  I was thinking of getting them more legos, but, to be honest, I'm starting to think that we may have enough... for now.

Oh, and today my Telephonophobia was ingrained a little more.  I got my first bite for a job opportunity next year!  : D  North Texas called to set up a skype interview with me for next week.  The university is pretty darn close to the kids, so I'm hoping to do well.  The professor who called had somewhat of a heavy accent and I was nervous, bad combination.  Anyway, after setting up an interview for next Wednesday evening he politely asked how my dissertation was going.  Well, at first I thought that he had asked how my application was going.  Not sure exactly what he meant I hedged and said: "I'm not sure.  But I hope its going well."  He laughed, and then made a point of saying that the availability of this position hadn't been finalized yet.  Oops.  Or, in the words of my dissertation supervisor: "YOU SAID WHAT?????"  Anyway, now that I'm going to be starting job interviews, feel free to keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Oh yeah, I've been stopping by Goodwill on occasion to see if they have any interesting movies dubbed in Spanish.  I've been watching such movies as well as reading books in Spanish to help, get this, improve my Spanish.  Which has suffered somewhat after doing almost all my graduate coursework in English and only speaking in Spanish on a regular basis with beginning/intermediate level Spanish students.  Anyway, yesterday I watched The Ring for the first time.  Now, I'm not normally one for horror.  Though I do quite enjoy several comedy horrors such as Tremors I, II, III, and IV, The Care Bears, and Poltergeist.  For those of you who aren't familiar with The Ring.  It's not a comedy horror film.  But I did manage to get some sleep last night.  :)  Which just goes to show that prayer works.