Sunday, April 29, 2012

Day 163: Thankful Today For LinkedIn


It took me awhile to get around to using it. My first thought was not another website I have to check. I have several email addresses, go to school online, have a Facebook account, and more. I just didn't want to add one more reason to be on the Internet more often. But through the encouragement of friends I made a profile. And did nothing else.

But then a class introduced me to the concept of using LinkedIn as a personal learning network. It was an assignment so I did. I joined groups pertaining to what I was studying. Not only did I learn more about the industry I hope to enter, but I also began to make new connections. I started to meet people who practice what I am learning. I also met people in my current industry. LinkedIn has turned out to be a productive tool in my educational and career development.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Day 162: Thankful Today That I am Nearing the End


With only about a week and a half left in the semester I am nearing the end. I have enjoyed my time with my classmates. Together we have grown in understanding of the subject being taught in our class. We have grown to appreciate the varied talents we each brought to the group projects. And we have also begun to know each other and form friendships they may carry beyond this class.

But we have also grown weary with the demands of work, school, family, … life. It is time for that break between semesters that give opportunity for rest and recharge. I am looking forward to that time and am thankful to be heading towards it.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Day 161: Thankful Today I Don't Have to Move My Office


What may seem like a small thing was actually an answer to an unspoken prayer. The new spot that had been chosen for me posed quite a few challenges that would have made my situation worse. And then today when I relented and was ready to accept my fate without any further complaint: it changed.

I was given the news that after further discussion they thought it best to leave things as they were. They wanted to keep the group dynamics they saw developing. Hmmmmmmm. I knew that was a better solution all along. But I guess they needed time to see it for themselves. Thank you Lord for opening their eyes.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Day 160: Thankful Today for Re-Connecting with an Old Friend


Through Facebook and old friend found me. We tried for months to connect to no avail. But finally, today we did. It was so nice catching up. A lot has happened since we last spoke, which was over 10 years ago. It was comforting to hear how some things hadn't changed but also exciting to hear what had. There have been good times and bad times in both of our lives. But interestingly, the conversation ended on a value I didn't know we both shared.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Day 159: Thankful Today for A Better Encounter


Thankful today for a better encounter with my new boss. The first one was not good. So many unfortunate factors influenced our initial meeting within the new reporting relationship. So after much prayer, contemplation and counsel from my old boss, I devised a strategy. And so far it seems to be on the path to a working relationship that is livable. It is not the synergy and mutual respect I had with my former boss.  But for now, it is better than it started and hopefully will improve much more over time.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Day 158: Thankful Today for Time with Old and New Friends


 It was going to be a usual holiday away from family and close friends. It is not the way I like to spend them, but it is one of the consequences of living here. But then I got a text from a friend I used to work with that he and a friend of his would be in town. Was I available for dinner? Of course the answer was yes.

It turned out to be a very enjoyable dinner and then a lunch the next day. It was so nice to spend time with an old friend and meet a new one. The food was good but the conversation and time together was even better. It was also nice to see his life had taken a turn for the better, with a new relationship that complimented him.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Day 157: Thankful Today for A Calm Day


 I haven't posted much lately because my life has been like a constant storm lately. And oddly the passage in my devotional today talked about the time Jesus asked Peter to walk out of the boat, in the midst of a storm, and walk on the water towards him.

Today I recognized what I had been holding onto during my storm. And I was reminded that the safest place to be is where Jesus calls me to, even if it looks unsafe. And that I can trust him to calm the storm.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Day 156: Thankful Today for the Perfect Score


I am relieved and happy. We received a perfect score on our first group project. All the hard work, compromise, late nights studying and writing, etc. were worth it. Our collaboration turned into a great project as well as a learning experience in so many ways.