Tuesday, March 31, 2009

#WinHiEd

So, today is the second day of the Higher Ed. conference I'm attending at the Microsoft campus. So far, things have been pretty interesting. Yesterday there was a section about FERPA and it was interesting to hear about whta other colleges are doing with FERPA and its guidelines towards AD and Directory Information.

Today so far, I'm learning about Powershell - which is useful right now, because I do a few things in Exchange. Nothing special, but it's a lot of fun to learn about this stuff. It'll all be more useful beyond the HelpDesk. I do want to get out of End-user support at some point. Not sure when though....it's been really nice to have a change of pace from things. Three days off from work to learn new things is a gift. I'm definitely enjoying things. :-)

If you found this blog, then you definitely need to take a poke at their website: http://www.windows-hied.org/14.html

Agenda: http://windows-hied.org/wiki/index.php5?title=Agenda_2009

If you're on Twitter - then do a search for hashtag: #winhied and you'll see what other conference attenders are twitting about.

This entire conference thus far has been a bit over my head because all I do is end user support. I don't do a lot of 'administration' when it comes to the topics at this conference. Things we've discussed or learned about were SQL Server Virtualization, Microsoft Research, FERPA & AD, AD Backup and Recovery....all things other people within CIS handle. Today we'll discuss SQL 2005, Clustering (I've done a little there), Virtualization, IT Governance and tomorrow comes some Security discussions and hopefully a few more things that I can apply to my current position.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Patience, how I need you.


I have been listening lately a lot to this song: 마음이 상한 자를(Cello) by 소리엘 on a Korean Worship Album I purchased in 2002 and it sounds so beautiful and yet bittersweet at the same time. I image that it's a song about two friends who are parting ways and that they're not sure when they'll see each other again. But that they both know each will go their own path and go on to do great things with their lives.


I also imagine it being a love song...a song about unconditional love that in spite of the hurt and pain that sometimes comes in relationships, that there will always be this unconditional love offered. Just like how Christ loves His church. It's a song that pours out emotion and lays everything on the line.


Sometimes I wish I could be like that. Be comfortable with changes and saying good-bye like the two friends parting or to show unconditional love to everyone around me. I lost my temper this week and I really had no excuse. Even with a person yelling at me on the phone there's no reason for me to take it out on someone else. I apologized and things are okay, but I wish I hadn't responded that way. It's been a lot easier for me to get frustrated lately and I don't like that I've become so impatient with people or how and when things are done. I find that I often want things done on my schedule and I know I've written about this before, but it's an ongoing struggle that I want to deal with.




Saturday, March 14, 2009

An update on my life

Let's see here...it's been quite awhile. Today I locked my cat in the closet on accident on the way out to get my haircut. He didnt' appear to be too perturbed with me when I got back. At first I thought someone broke in and took him because he wasn't waiting for me to walk through the front door. There's apparently been a robbery on my floor so I was worried...

My mother called me this week to remind me that she's coming to Seattle for a conference. It happens to be at the same time I'll be attending one at the Microsoft Campus for Higher Education. I'm excited for my mom to come at the end of the month. I'll get to spend a lot of time with her and I'll see her again for a week at the end of April. She also wants to take a trip to the east coast this summer. Perhaps New York and a few other places? I'd like to go to Washington D.C. again, but am open to really...anywhere over there. I don't really remember much of our first trip to Washington D.C. when I was 6/7th grade. I wish I did though. It'd be so much fun to take pictures and see the museums again.

As for my own life, there's not much new. I've been doing a lot more things on my own and it's exciting. Going to Greenlake...getting coffee...reading...it's relaxing and I enjoy it. It's also been a lot of fun to meet up with friends and chat online to those I can. I've also had the opportunity to run into old friends or people I haven't seen in a few years like Mark. He's going to join the Marines and I hope it helps put him on the right track. I know it's hard, but I think it'll be good for him and I think he believes that too.

This week I had a moment of peace with the world. I prayed and told God all of my fears and left things in His hands. it's amazing now because I feel like weight has been lifted off my shoulders and that there are just some things I shouldn't worry about. At least...no worrying right now. right now I can just let things be. it's a nice feeling to be taken care of.

With the economy slowing, I'm still a little worried about my job, but I hope things will be okay. I hope that SPU doesn't feel the same hurt that a lot of other companies are having. I would hate to wake up and find myself unemployed. It would be really hard right now with the amount of bills I have.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Sick

Blah...I'm getting sick and it's thanks to a student that I went home sick.  I started getting a runny nose...so since going home at 1:00 p.m. I've done laundry...slept and watched some TV Episodes of Mythbusters.  I'm now onto moving my website and re-designing it for my new domain.  

I don't have to care so much anymore because it won't be hosted on SPU's FTP server.  Plus I'll have more space.  Not that I would ever post things that are inappropriate, it's just I have to be extra careful with what I say because of the site's association with SPU.


Sunday, March 1, 2009

Grandparents are a gift

I truly believe my grandparents are a gift (both sides of the family). I went to visit my mom's parents for the day this weekend and what a treat it was. The food was okay, the dog bit my toes, my grandma drives well...like an old woman, my grandpa has difficulty getting out of his chair (BUT WALKS without a walker!!) and in spite of these aging signs and hearing stories told over and over, I loved being there. I don't know how accurate the stories are, but it was so much fun to hear them both reminisce about childhood and how the world was when they were younger.

At one point we were talking about tips left for waiters and waitresses and my grandpa asked grandma what the biggest tip she received was...$0.25. :) There was a lot of laughter over that one. I think she must've worked as a waitress when she was in high school.

I also heard venting about how stupid the name "Red Canoe" bank or credit union was on the drive back to their house. Funny how one name can set a person off, but it made them both quite endearing. They both love each other so much. It's cute how much they pay attention to each other and make sure things are just so.

They have the craziest Yorkie dog. She's lost some teeth now so her tongue hangs out the side of her mouth. Yesterday, grandma had managed to put the dogs ear up in the little top knot. I think Dolly didnt' like that very much. She demanded treats later. :) A spoiled rotten dog, but great company for them. They dote on her so much and are so happy to have her.

I'm sure getting older isn't easy for anyone...both the ones aging and those who take care of those who are aging. But right now, I'm grateful for any and all time I get to spend with them because they're getting older and won't be here all the time. I know, I'll see them again someday, but in the meantime...while I have them now, I've realized the importance of just being with those you love when you can. That making the effort is important because you never know what the future may bring.