Top Ten of 2008

TOP 10 of 2008
In Chronological order...

10. Graduationg from college (the first time technically happened in 2007, but really, did I blog about it then?)

9. Getting into Nursing school!! Fourth time's the charm I guess!

8. Adam going on a mission! FINALLY! Go Elder Webb!

7. Starting nursing school! It's really cool when you have no idea what you're getting into!!

6. Turning 25- still debating whether or not this is actually a highlight.

5. Surviving my first semester of nursing school- barely!!

4. Watching Nick (little bro #1) play football for Weber! Go Wildcats!!

3. Visiting with the Kokany family and Szandra this fall! Alegcsodalatosabb nekem!! Yay!

2. Being halfway done with nursing school!!!! Hooray for Breaks!!

1. Getting to celebrate the birth of my Savior rather than the hustle and bustle of the holidays! What an amazing blessing!

It's been a good year!! Who knows what 2009 will bring (other than the end of nursing school- that's the only for certain thing!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas time is here!

Now that finals are over, I am finally free!! And I can finally focus on Christmas- the most wonderful time of the year. I have really been pondering this year why it is such a heart-warming season. The birth of Christ is celebrated all over the world, and even if the hustle and bustle of presents takes over a bit, there is still a permeating feeling of goodness, joy, love and service that really only focusing on the Son of God can bring. I really love that for a day the whole world pauses to celebrate peace, joy and love.

In Hungary, where I served my mission, instead of Santa bringing the gifts on Christmas Eve, Jezuska (baby Jesus) brings the gifts! I am so grateful that one day a year, we can sing and praise the Son of God who died for us. And even if there is a whole lot of commercialism tied in, at least we can remember, in the midst of it all, why we are celebrating. May everyone have a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas! I hope it is full of love!!

Finals...

<----- Me attempting to study, but really just blogging... see the buildings in the background? I am at school.

As I am in the throngs of what we call "finals," I am thinking that they are really counterintuitive. The educational process seems flawed by this crazy idea that a test will prove that we know our stuff. I am floored by the way this works. 

Let me outline the craziness for you. First, we learn something, then they test us on it.  This part I get. Then we move on, and we learn more and are tested on the new stuff, I am still good here.  Then as we are applying and working through all that we have "learned," they throw a huge test at us, contrived almost entirely to negate the previous x number of tests, as if we never learned anything before.  Because, if you do poorly, or even worse on the final than any of your other tests, you can tank the class. Conversely, if you have slackened your strength all semester, haven't learned a thing, and then cram for and do well on this final test, you could ace the class. Not that I am really concerned about grades here, I am just making the point. 

Education seems not to have learning at heart, but rather testing. SAD!! I wish it weren't so! But alas, it is! I guess if I actually want to LEARN something, it is up to me! I must now get back to my studying, because if I want to pass these finals, I am going to have to cram hard! Love the system!  Wish me luck!