I had my eye on a few rings back in 2008 when I finished my master’s degree, but I didn’t find one that fit both my tastes AND my wallet. When I started working toward my doctorate, I figured I would get a graduation ring when I finished, and it would be my all-inclusive graduate school ring.

Well, I had some in-store credit to use at my favorite department store the other day, so I browsed the jewelry section to look for new earrings. They had a big sale on all of their sterling silver (Score! I’m a silver gal, much more so than yellow gold) … and I found this:

A hand model I am not, but this is the best I could do. The ring is a Möbius Strip, which satisfies my inner geek, and it is engraved with the words “Nothing is impossible” that reminds me of two of my favorite verses, Mark 10:27/Matthew 19:26 and Philippians 4:13. I realize that some people think I’m crazy for going to grad school with all of the other things on my plate, but I’m not doing it for them, anyway, so what does it matter what they think? 😉

This little splurge for myself makes me smile and encourages me to keep pressing on toward my goals.

P.S. That’s my high school ring on my pointer finger. Hooray for losing enough weight that my old jewelry doesn’t fit right! 😀

As much as I wanted to delve into book 2 in the Game of Thrones series (A Clash of Kings), I reluctantly set it aside to focus on my required reading. My education policy analysis course is evaluating the No Child Left Behind initiative, which I was surprised to discover is another rehashed version of Johnson’s education efforts during the “war on poverty” era. It would seem that one President to the next seldom offers wholly new ideas; they just tweak previous ones and give them new names.

(You can find the book on Amazon here, though I must admit that when I did a search for “Collision Course,” a couple of novels with saucy covers showed up in the listing that looked far more interesting than a diatribe on federal education policy!)

It is helpful to learn about NCLB and its impact during the Bush administration and onward, because it puts into perspective the discussions at the federal and state levels about how to handle expectations of performance and juggle the budget, in the process. I do hope that we will touch on education policy beyond K-12, though, because my personal interest is largely in higher ed.

I lovelovelove my nook. No, this isn’t a paid endorsement for Barnes & Noble … although, if they offered, I might accept. I still have shelves bursting at the particle board seams with “real” books at home (and at work, for that matter), but I really enjoy my e-reader. I’ve had it for well over a year now, and I currently have 127 titles in my library, plus another 83 personal documents such as lecture notes and pdf articles. It has proven to be an invaluable study tool, because I can convert course materials to pdf files and carry them anywhere, which allows me to catch a few extra minutes of study time before meetings, during lunch … whenever!

Although the nook is my first e-love, I also have the Kindle app on my phone so that I can access e-books that are proprietary through Amazon (boo for not sharing &/or using compatible file types!). But I digress. I read an article today in which Amazon announced that e-book sales on the Kindle have surpassed ALL of their print sales. And, that doesn’t even include freebies (of which I have dozens on both the nook and Kindle). Wow.

In a whopping four years, the Kindle has overtaken sales of all hardback and paperback books … not worldwide, of course, but even just on Amazon – it’s astounding. I find it interesting to note that this summer semester marked the first time that I was able to purchase one of my textbooks electronically.

During my 1st round through college, there was no such thing as Amazon; the Internet was an infant. In the 2nd round, I gleefully bought most of my textbooks online – and used, whenever possible. Now, in the 3rd round, I am starting to find e-textbooks!

At this rate, if I go for a second doctorate, perhaps Amazon can just feed me the info subliminally! That would rock. Sleep = study!

For the record: I am NOT going back to school for a second doctorate. That was a joke. Seriously.

My eldest has had about a month to write out 10 questions and interview someone about a historical moment that they experienced. It was due today. We both forgot. I know it was his responsibility, but I feel bad for dropping the ball.

Not only that, but the little three had about a week to fill out little slips of paper with sweet things to say about their teachers, and I tucked the envelopes away to do over the weekend … and I forgot. Until that WEDNESDAY. D’oh!

This is one of those times when I feel like a slacker parent. Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels that way occasionally!

I keep a rather detailed Outlook calendar — complete with color-coding for meetings, personal appointments, extra-curricular activities and school functions, etc. I think that when school starts back in the fall, I will add a color for assignments due. I may even be neurotic enough to add reminders like “Bring empty water bottle for Nos. 4 & 5 on Monday” for those random crafts that they do at school. I remember having to keep an assignment notebook as a kid, and yes – the ball falls in their court, ultimately – but hopefully this extra step will help them (and me!) stay a bit more organized.

I just finished a 31-question final exam in under 40 minutes (it was timed). It was part multiple-choice, part fill-in-the-blank, plus a short essay question. I’ve never typed so fast in my life. Boy, am I glad that’s over!

I do believe I shall have a glass or three of wine now.