Yay Idol!

And it's Kris!

Wednesday night was the big night. Kris sang "Man in the Mirror" on the second round of twelve in American Idol. The competition was much more stiff than in week 1, and we rallied the voting troops as best we could. In fact, I'm spending a few days in Boston at the National School Psych Conference...going to lots of presentations and not playing any hooky at all with Kyle, Laura, & Abby (wink wink). So,  after a long day of traveling and getting all checked in at the conference Wednesday night, I enjoyed dinner and the much-anticipated Kris performance at the Shachmut household. As you can see from the pictures, I worked diligently for two hours voting as many times as possible for Kris. Neither Kyle, Laura, or I have unlimited texts, so we could only send a few texts and then resorted to calling. After the first 30 minutes we got an answer every call. It was intense. I did, however, have a pretty good system (you might be able to see from the pictures). We were able to vote well over 500 times...and it seemed to make a difference because Kris made it into the top 12! That's crazy. He was stunned. He has a great voice and a humble personality. We're super proud that someone who is such a good person could have something like this happen to him. So...let's keep up the good work (we get a rest the next couple of weeks as they still need to select the other six finalists) of voting.

I had a good system...3 phones.

IDOLS 06

Check out the time...Getting in the very last votes (Boston time).

Drug Test

Well, I finally was officially offered the Behavior Support Specialist position at Clackamas ESD, and with the job offer came an exciting experience--a drug test. Because today was President's day, things were somewhat slower at the office that the ESD uses to do their testing, and they were able to fit me in this evening...so off I went. Can I just say for the record that the whole idea of peeing in a cup so they can analyze your pee and determine if you take drugs is weird? Especially weird for someone who doesn't have anything at all to hide. The whole experience--from arriving at the office, completing the paperwork, sitting completely alone in the waiting room (other than the in-and-out of the receptionist who was sweeping the floor and straightening the magazines before they closed for the evening), to being called back, showing identification, having my purse locked in a cabinet, peeing in the cup (in a room with a toilet but the flush button on the outside) while a technician waited right outside the door was awkward! I mean, it seems like there must be some better way to screen someone like me who's never done a drug in her life... How do you go to do a drug test without feeling somewhat guilty? I mean, it seems that people who are suspected of doing drugs would do drug tests, right? Not just random people applying for a real job that requires at least a Master's degree, right? Wrong...I guess. But it still felt weird, and I'm glad it's over (or at least it should be---won't get the results until tomorrow or the next day). Hope your President's day experience was less awkward.

Update

Yesterday I received good news. My internship position still exists and everyone has agreed that it is a valuable position. My to-be supervisor, Lee Ann, called with the good news and told me she agreed to cut other programs if necessary to keep me. She doesn't think it will come to that, but I am flattered and impressed. I feel honored that she is impressed enough with my skill set to fight for me and that they value the position enough to sustain it over time. Positions like this aren't super traditional, and it shows that the ESD is working toward some great long-term improvements in how they serve schools. 

In other news, my dissertation is making good progress (*keeps fingers crossed*), and I'm hoping to stay on track and be ready to defend the end of May. While I won't officially graduate until after I finish my internship, I will have jumped all the graduate school hurdles and will be able to put that huge task toward my PhD behind me in a timely manner. 

And in really unrelated news, I want to just say a quick note about how much I've enjoyed going to Ricky's HS girls basketball games this year. They are ranked #1 in the state and have not lost a game. The fun thing is four of these girls have been starters the last three years (since Ricky's been in his job), and we've seen them "grow up" as players and as people. We typically have them over once during the season for dinner, and I am sure we'll do it again this year. It's fun to have a house full of HS girls, but it makes me feel old. ;-) I feel like I know all of the girls on the team, although, most of them (with the exception of the senior starters we've known for three years) wouldn't know me if they saw me outside the context of the school. Isn't that funny how we can do that with sports? While they aren't the Boston Celtics (that Kyle and Laura get to support), they are pretty fun to watch. And I really enjoy getting to relax for a few hours a week at their games. So, let's go Lady Wolverines. Win State!

Oh, and don't forget to cheer for Kris on American Idol. Here's the video of his group round performance from last week--The White Chocolates (He's in the cardigan sweater).

American Idol Hollywood Week The White Chocolates

Say a Prayer

So I just found out today that my internship position could be in a bit of jeopardy. My to-be supervisor was approached yesterday about the "criticalness" of the position and has a meeting on Monday to "fight for me." She firmly believes all of the superintendents for the districts they work with will argue that this position is critical, and she hopes the meeting is just an attempt to make sure people are thoughtful about which positions they add or let go, BUT we're both a little worried. So, please say your prayers that this will work out because the opportunity to work for this Education Service District would be amazing. 

American Idol

Well, tonight is the start of Hollywood week for American Idol, and this year is especially exciting. A contestant, Kris Allen, is from Arkansas. Not only is he from Arkansas, he went to UCA. Not only is he from AR, went to UCA, he is the same age as Ricky's middle brother (Chris). The Allens are actually close family friends of the Rodriguez family. They lived next door to Ricky when he was growing up, and Ricky used to "babysit" Kris and Chris. Kris sings at New Life Church and played in Chris and Susan's wedding. And now it's up to those of us who know him to spread the word to support Kris. So, watch American Idol. Look for Kris, and if he makes it through Hollywood. Help us vote. It's super cool! Kris is a great Christian man and amazing singer. You can see a clip of his interview with American Idol here:
http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/hollywood_hopefuls/introducing_kris_allen

Enjoy!

Visiting

Sorry I've been slow to post. Ricky's parents have been here since last Saturday and between entertaining and working, it's been crazy. They leave tomorrow morning. We've had a lot of fun--snow skiing, visiting the coast, touring King Estate Vineyard and Winery, visiting the Mexican market, taking a trip to the dog park, and eating out at some of our favorite restaurants. I didn't take my camera to the mountain but here are some pictures of the coast and the vineyard. Ricky has a few more that he wants to play with and then I'll upload those.

Mr. President

It wouldn't be a good blog if I didn't take a moment to reflect on my emotions in response to today's events... 

First thing this morning, I had a meeting on campus with Rob (i.e., very important researcher who makes sure I'm taken care of financially while in graduate school) to go over the results and implications of a study we recently completed. When I got to campus, I saw Cindy (my advisor) literally dancing down the halls... apparently elated with joy for the changing of Presidential guard. Several times during my meeting with Rob we were interrupted by the sound of "testing" computer speakers and staff popping in to tell us we were "missing it." Where at one point Rob matter-of-factly (you have to know him to appreciate it) said, "Well, it's not until 9am." "Yeah" Anne replied, "But you're missing all the build up activities." We completed our meeting, and Rob headed to the conference room to watch the activities while I headed home to watch with my hubby. I heard the oath "live" on the radio as I pulled in the garage, and then I re-watched the previous hour's events on the DVR with my hubby. I continued to remain glued to the tv until about 1:20 pm (Pac time) when I had to drag myself away and head to class.

There's just something neat about the history that our country made today. Don't get me wrong. I'm more conservative than President Obama, and I do not believe he is going to save the world by any means. I know I'm not going to agree with some (possibly many) of his policies. But he is a young, bi-racial man whose father, as he said, would've been refused service in many restaurants only 60 years ago. President Obama came from nothing, chose paths of service, and is now our President. I think he will fight for improved education and healthcare for those who need it most. And if nothing more, I'm amazed at the huge leap Our country took in overcoming its not-so-pretty history today. That's what brings tears to my eyes and keeps me glued to the t.v. President Obama represents a new face of confidence and a new step forward. He doesn't represent perfection, but he definitely represents change. It's exciting to be a part of history.