Sun Jan 22 13:16:49 MST CES Seminar: Yesterday I traveled to Springfield to a Seminary and Institute teacher seminar. I was certainly a good experience; It reminded me quite a bit like education week at BYU, but with commitments added on. I should have expected it, and it does me some good to have a more experienced teacher point out flaws in my preparation and teaching methods; and then challenge me to improve one or two specific things.
It seems that I have a good opportunity to improve myself during this time. I hope I never get weary of the work of learning how to better myself. On the other hand, I seem to have aquired some acute angles in my personality, and I wonder sometimes if I am becomming too eccentric. Last week I inadvertedly, unknowingly annoyed one of the ladies with whom I work. I simply didn't realize it until Brenda the office manager brought it to my attention. "It is funny how you can so innocently get into so much trouble" she said.
I also visited Louise last week since Dr. Jones is off in Jamaica doing surguries in the undeveloped areas. It was very nice. I was hopeing that I could bring her back to Missouri this weekend, but they decided to allow Louise to stay until Feb 10th. I am very proud of her progress--even though it costs me her companionship for a time. She really has done well and good in her time at the center. She now reads at 95 Words per minute. Reading together is not quite so taxing for us. She has almost finished Harry Potter 5, and she has already tackled Genesis. She also finished the Book of Mormon last year as well--so progress is quite dramatic in that area.
Louise also got a letter from Mom last week; a very nice letter of thanks for all the help Louise offered over the Christmas break. Louise does a good job of redeeming me to my family. I am still trying to understand the cause of the strained relationship that exists between Mom and myself. It was there during our trip to California, during Christmas, and has never quite been resolved. I am sure that Freud would have something to say about that. I find it very ironic, however, that I have a wonderful relationship with my Dad who may have done the most to harm our family--even though that relatoinship is not quite so placid--it is still quite well. I am still working on how to harmonize our relationship.
