Thesis defense date

I had a thesis committee meeting this morning-very stressful, but it went pretty well and I was given permission to finish up and graduate. We set a date for the public oral defense of my dissertation-October 8 at 10AM. I have to get the written copy of my dissertation to my committee ten days before that date, among many other details, so I will be working very hard and will probably be pretty cranky from the stress! Please think positive thoughts for me (and for Brad and Caitlin to put up with me) in the weeks ahead!

One of the most important things...

Did you ever hear the saying that bravery does not mean the absence of fear, but rather doing something despite being afraid? I think I must be one of the bravest people I know because I am afraid of everything-but I am learning to do things anyway and have been quite astounded at how much I have been able to accomplish so far.

Well, something happened to me over the weekend that sort of threw me. The specifics aren't important, but it made me think. I have a sheet of paper posted at my desk at work with an inspirational message I printed out some time ago that really helps me to keep things in perspective (see below for the words and a link). It is about the importance of reminding ourselves to put failure behind us so that we can move ahead. I didn't fail (this time!) but it is hard for me to be willing to look bad in the eyes of others. Success can result in this as well as failure. Sometimes no matter what you do, certain people will not like you. I am just going to continue doing the best I can and hope for the best.

Anyway, here is the message:

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS EVER
By Steve Goodier

We ALL fail!

And I’m not talking about your latest baking disaster or losing a game of “Scrabble”. We fail in some important areas. We may fail at a significant relationship. We may fail at a job. We may fail at doing something we are convinced we were always meant to do! We all fail. And sometimes we fail in pretty spectacular ways.

Baseball player Lou Brock said something important about failure. Brock once held the record for stolen bases. He was about 35 years old at the time and his days as a professional player were winding down. Brock was talking about why he successfully stole more bases than younger, faster players.

“When you start out in baseball,” Brock said, “you’re young and you have the speed and reflexes. However, when you try to steal second base and you get thrown out, it’s a long walk back to the dugout with 40,000 fans watching you. When you reach my age, you come to understand that records are not set by being the quickest, but by the willingness to look bad in the eyes of others.”

When Brock became willing to look bad in the eyes of 40,000 fans, he broke the chains of fear and experienced true freedom. (He probably also played better!) He learned how to do ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS EVER: he learned how to put failure behind him.

Unless we learn how to put failure behind us:

• We will never ask for what we need for fear of rejection.

• We will never ask a boss for a promotion for fear of her saying no.

• We will never go back and take classes for fear of failing.

• We will never change careers for fear of it not working out.

• We will never forgive others who hurt us for fear of being hurt by them again.

• We won’t do the things we want to do for fear of letting ourselves and others down.

Unless we learn how to put failure behind us, we won’t take any risk at all! And we’ll never fully live, either.

The Bible talks about forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Learn to put your failures behind you and you can go places you never dreamed possible.

Steve Goodier books and newsletter: http://lifesupportsystem.com

Click here for a link to his website and to sign up for the Life Support newsletter.

Organogenesis Symposium brochure

The brochure just came out for the International Organogenesis Symposium at the U-M this October. Does the image on the front look familiar? I was so excited to see my image used as the cover photo, and even more so when I opened it up to see the schedule of speakers and saw another one of my photos as a background image! It doesn't mention my name since I signed over copyright to BioArtography, but I know :)

Drew & Dawn's wedding

We got a nice family picture taken, but we all missed John. Austin stayed home with Brit's Godmother.

Brad's nephew Drew and his fiancee Dawn got married Saturday. It was an outdoor ceremony, and they couldn't have asked for a better day. It was clear and warm, yet there was a cooling breeze that kept it comfortable. As usual, there was a lot of dancing and merriment.

Happy Anniversary, Jillian and Brittan!!

Happy 1st Anniversary, Jillian and Brittan- and wishes for many, many more years of wedded bliss. We love you very much. I just have to include this picture of Austin, our sweet grandbaby and your little "honeymoon surprise". What could he be thinking?

Harry Potter Days

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday last week were "Harry Potter Days" when Jacki was here. Monday we went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Imax 3-D (it was our second time to see the movie, but 1st in 3-D). Here are Jacki and Caitlin in their 3-D glasses excitedly awaiting the start of the movie.

Tuesday July 31, Harry Potter's b-day for muggles who don't know ;) we went to see two Wizard Rock groups at the library: "Harry and the Potters"








and "Draco and the Malfoys".







We all know it was geeky, but it was fun anyway. Some people even made birthday cakes.






It was a great time for some sisterly bonding, as well.