Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Bragging on Damaris
Damaris got her test results from the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills that she took last month at school. I won't go into the breakdown of all the scores, but here is some overview of it. For reading, she is functioning at a 8.7 grade level. For language, she is functioning at the highest level, 13+ grade level. For math, she is functioning on a 7.0 grade level. Her core total for reading, language, and math is 9.6 grade level. For social studies, she is functioning at a 7.9 grade level. For science, she is functioning at a 8.1 grade level. Her core total means that she scored higher than 98 percent of 5th grade students nationally. The only area they suggest she really needs to work on is math computation. She scored at a 5.2 grade level, but her concepts & estimation & problem solving and data interpretation in the math area were in the 7th & 8th grade level.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Damaris at Fort Bend International Festival & Birthday Shopping
Damaris' choir sang at the Fort Bend International Festival this morning.
2009 - November 7 - Damaris' Choir at Fort Bend International Festival from C.C. Almon on Vimeo.
Afterwards, we took her to spend some of her birthday money. She got a new bedding set (she has decided she doesn't like Hannah Montana anymore), a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of flats, & a new bag for school.
2009 - November 7 - Damaris' Choir at Fort Bend International Festival from C.C. Almon on Vimeo.
Afterwards, we took her to spend some of her birthday money. She got a new bedding set (she has decided she doesn't like Hannah Montana anymore), a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of flats, & a new bag for school.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Update on Foot Injury
I was so upset when I got home last night, I didn't even post an update on my foot injury. I saw a specialist yesterday. He determined that I don't have a stress fracture, but instead a very bad case of Peroneal Tendonitis. He put me on steroids for 6 days. Then I will take another prescription to continue decreasing the swelling. I have to keep wearing the walking boot for another month. He also prescribed custom made inserts for my shoes which insurance will not cover. In addition, & this is the part that just about killed me, after 5 minutes with me, he told me that he questioned my ability to be a hospital chaplain since I have to do so much walking. He said this will be an ongoing condition & that I should reconsider my career path. I got back to work & one of my supervisor's asked how the appointment went & I just burst into tears. I have such wonderful work colleagues, one of whom reminded me that we have a disabilities act in this country & even if it means doing visits in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter, I could still be a hospital chaplain. Anyway, the expense of these inserts is really weighing on me. We are struggling financially because Russ hasn't found a job yet & we've been in for 9.5 weeks. It's not for lack of looking. The job market here is just really bad. You can read more about Russ' thoughts & this process on his blog at http://desperatetheologian.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/urgent-prayer-needed/. Please continue to hold us up in prayers. We see small blessings everyday & we're hanging out, but by a little thread that weakens everyday.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Happy 10th Birthday Damaris!
10 Years Ago today, Damaris Mikaelia was born. I cannot believe she is 10 years old today. It seems that just yesterday she was a baby & now she is into the double-digits. :-) Happy Birthday Damaris! I love you princess girl!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
12 years ago today, I married the love of my life. It seems like just yesterday we were walking down the aisle. We blinked & it's been 12 years. I am so thankful for the blessing you are in my life Russ. I love you! Happy Anniversary!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
My Personality
I took an amazing personality assessment a couple of days ago that tracks your personality across 45 traits. I was so in awe of how well I think it pegged me that I knew I wanted to blog about it. I'm just now getting the chance though.
Here is a visual representation of my top 10 traits:
Here are descriptions of my top 10 traits:
Friendly
You would rather hang out with others than spend time alone, and you'd far rather be doing something with your friends than just sitting around. You're happy in a crowded room, club, stadium, or auditorium. You're not a private person who is ill at ease in a group; you don't view excessive socializing as a waste of time.
Warm
You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place. You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.
Understanding
You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place. You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.
Tender
You are gentle with others, both physically and emotionally. You are careful not to upset people and go out of your way to find the nicest way to say something. You naturally focus on the fact that the world is full of wonderful people, places, and things. More often than not, people with a high score on the "tender" trait enjoy spending time with children, love romantic movies, and are enthusiastic about making the world a better place. You don't think of yourself as tough-minded or gruff, nor do you need to be seen as some kind of objective source of truth and rationality.
Empathetic
You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others. You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.
Conscientious
You feel it's important to work according to a plan and finish every task, to do things correctly and thoroughly. You are not the kind of person who abandons a project before finishing it, or slacks off when you've lost interest.
Passionate
You are in touch with your emotions, and sometimes you react before you think. The good news: you don't tamp down your feelings. The bad news: you sometimes say or do things that you later wish you could take back. You do not live your life on an even keel; you do not go for long periods without experiencing some mood swings.
Sympathetic
You have a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand. You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.
Assertive
You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others. Among those who have a high score on the "assertive" trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others. You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.
Outspoken
You like to talk. Luckily, you always have something to say, you tell a good story, and people generally enjoy listening to you. It's no wonder that you're often the center of attention. You don't tend to keep your thoughts to yourself, and you don't feel you're imposing on others when you share your thoughts and opinions with them.
Here is a visual representation of all my traits:
Here is a visual representation of my factors:
You can take this amazing assessment at Psych Central. If you take it, let me know so we can compare results.
Here is a visual representation of my top 10 traits:
Here are descriptions of my top 10 traits:
Friendly
You would rather hang out with others than spend time alone, and you'd far rather be doing something with your friends than just sitting around. You're happy in a crowded room, club, stadium, or auditorium. You're not a private person who is ill at ease in a group; you don't view excessive socializing as a waste of time.
Warm
You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place. You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.
Understanding
You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place. You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.
Tender
You are gentle with others, both physically and emotionally. You are careful not to upset people and go out of your way to find the nicest way to say something. You naturally focus on the fact that the world is full of wonderful people, places, and things. More often than not, people with a high score on the "tender" trait enjoy spending time with children, love romantic movies, and are enthusiastic about making the world a better place. You don't think of yourself as tough-minded or gruff, nor do you need to be seen as some kind of objective source of truth and rationality.
Empathetic
You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others. You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.
Conscientious
You feel it's important to work according to a plan and finish every task, to do things correctly and thoroughly. You are not the kind of person who abandons a project before finishing it, or slacks off when you've lost interest.
Passionate
You are in touch with your emotions, and sometimes you react before you think. The good news: you don't tamp down your feelings. The bad news: you sometimes say or do things that you later wish you could take back. You do not live your life on an even keel; you do not go for long periods without experiencing some mood swings.
Sympathetic
You have a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand. You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.
Assertive
You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others. Among those who have a high score on the "assertive" trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others. You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.
Outspoken
You like to talk. Luckily, you always have something to say, you tell a good story, and people generally enjoy listening to you. It's no wonder that you're often the center of attention. You don't tend to keep your thoughts to yourself, and you don't feel you're imposing on others when you share your thoughts and opinions with them.
Here is a visual representation of all my traits:
Here is a visual representation of my factors:
You can take this amazing assessment at Psych Central. If you take it, let me know so we can compare results.
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