International Relations

I spent most of the morning (after taking the boys to school) attempting to read a 17 page essay about International Relations written in 1961.

I don't know about you, but I'd like to think that a whole lot has changed between the time that essay was written and present day.  It was extremely dry and I sat there (more often than not) thinking to myself, "Why am I taking this class?  Is it REALLY necessary?  Is there something else I can take?"

Alas, it is the only upper level Political Science class available solely online through the school in which I attend, so I'm stuck with it...because I'd rather die of boredom than have to drive up I-35 to Denton and back again on any given day.

I have one class this semester that in on campus, and it's through a local community college.  It's less than 5 minutes away.  I can handle that, no problem.  The department is using a brand new curriculum this semester, so there have been a lot of bumps in the road.  I should, hopefully, have my textbook by next week.  It's made getting started somewhat difficult.

My professor has also said I should be her TA.  I find it funny, hilarious really, because I have zero knowledge of the subject.  It was flattering, don't get me wrong, but I think her hopes are set just a little too high.  We'll see.

B and I have been at odds as of late.  When I try to talk to him about anything, he puts his hands over his ears and runs to his room, shutting the door forcefully behind him.  It doesn't happen all the time, mainly when I'm getting onto him for something, but it's really getting old.  He says it's because I'm yelling, but I'm not.  Not even a little bit.  I can be talking to him in a normal voice or raising my voice slightly to be heard over him, but I make it a point not to yell.  And he still runs.  Punishing him for it (removing privileges, early bedtimes, etc.) have done nothing to squash this potentially bad habit, and I'm getting super frustrated.

N requested to go to The Mix (youth group) tonight, and I was happy to hear that...because there were several times this summer where he begged not to go because it was too loud or he just didn't want to.  It makes my heart happy to hear/see them both get involved in whatever aspect is most comfortable to them.  I hope it's rubbing off on me.

I was really cranky earlier today, and in a random move, I turned on the actual radio in my car.  I put it on a local Christian station and almost immediately, I felt peace wash over me.  It was the most amazing thing...and it hasn't moved from that station since.  Before we dropped N off, a song came on and he started singing along.  He looked at me in surprise, then smiled and kept right on going.

Those brief moments?  They make it all worth it.

Aubs