Update

I didn't mean for so much time to go by between posts; I guess it's a combination of feeling like I didn't have anything interesting to say and being stuck in a mid-semester slump. Mark and I have both noticed that we really miss UNM's fall break. Last week, after the intense weekend of grading papers, I felt pretty burned out. I thought I would get a lot of work done for the classes I'm taking, but despite staying busy each day, I don't think I was very successful at working ahead. At any rate, I've enjoyed having a more laid-back weekend. Looking ahead, the rest of the semester is going to go by so fast--especially the two weeks after Thanksgiving. I'll have a lot to do for teaching, so I'm trying to be especially disciplined during the next two weeks in terms of working ahead on Linguistics and Methods stuff.

Mark and I have decided to start visiting new churches again. We had been going to one for a couple months, I guess, but the teaching didn't really satisfy us. We were mostly going because we enjoyed the small group, but after finishing a quick study of 1 Timothy, the leader decided to go through a long devotional book on developing a quiet time. Mark and I weren't really interested in that study, for various reasons, so we decided to start looking for churches again. We liked the one we visited today, but the pastor was out of town. So I think we'll go back another time to see what the regular teaching is like. I hope we'll find the place that seems right for us before long.

Also, yesterday we bought our DTV converter box (with coupon). We are so impressed! We're suddenly getting about twice as many channels, and they are all crystal-clear! If we had known what a difference it would make, we would definitely have purchased a box sooner. So, any of you watching TV with an antenna, request your coupon and get your converter--it's worth it! (Especially considering that it only cost us $10).

This week will be a little out of the ordinary--Mark will be gone Tuesday-Sunday at PASIC in Austin, TX. That leaves me here on my own (hopefully working ahead...). I plan to take advantage of him being gone and spend more time at home and less time at school. Maybe I can finally get our landlord to finish the last couple things around here since I'll be more available. Also, on Friday I'm going to drive up to Phoenix to see Aunt Linda and Uncle Chuck. I plan to spend the night with them and do some outlet mall shopping on Saturday. Of course, Mark is very excited about his trip. Should be a good week.