Darci and I celebrated our tenth anniversary today. (the actual day of our anniversary is October 27th) I can't believe it has been ten years. It has been a fun journey. We have lived in California, Oregon, and Texas. We have been blessed with 4 healthy, smart, and happy children. They are obnoxious too, but I guess that comes from the offspring of two very stubborn and independent people. I told Darci that I wouldn't change a thing.
We spent the day shopping for Halloween costumes. It was a lot of fun. It reminds me of a story that happened after our honeymoon. We went in to a grocery store on Halloween Day, but we actually didn't know it was Halloween, because of the honeymoon and everything. One of the first people I saw was a man dressed in drag. I just figured he was cross dressing. We were afterall, at the beach in Southern Oregon. As we walked through the grocery store we saw witches, nurses, goblins, etc.. After several minutes one of us finally realized what day it was. We had quite the laugh.
Happy Anniversary Darci!!! I love you. Ben
10/28/10
10/24/10
Graduate School
I wanted to post the text of my letter of intent for graduate school. I would love to hear what any and all of you have to say about it. I can't wait to get started with school again, but I guess I have to get accepted to the program first. Sorry for the short sentences it had to be less than 500 words. Anyways here it is:
Over ten years ago I lived in the Dominican Republic as a missionary. It was an enriching experience that has blessed my life in many ways. I learned to speak Spanish. I discovered new cultures. I saw unbelievable poverty. I was amazed at the resiliency of the people there. I began to understand that there is much more to life than what we own. After two years I returned home. I soon was married and began a family. I also started college. I decided to study history.
My undergraduate work was completed at Portland State University. I studied as much as possible about the land I had lived in and had grown to love as my own. I studied politics, culture, race, and even baseball. I enjoyed sharing what I learned with fellow students. I loved the chase of a fresh topic and the research involved to write about it. After five years I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Minor in Spanish.
I was very busy during school. I worked full time as a loan processor. As the sole provider for my family I had to work extremely hard to find time for every aspect of my life. I worked, studied, and nurtured a young family. Through it all I managed to graduate with a respectable grade point average, and a thirst to continue my education.
I applied and was accepted to Washington State University Vancouver. I was excited to begin a Masters program in History. However, as the term started the economy went sour. I was laid off. I informed the school I would not be attending classes. I decided to use my degree immediately to teach high school. The next two years were filled with substitute teaching and working as a special education aide. When the school year ended I knew it was time to finish what I had only briefly started.
I am now applying to the graduate program at UTSA. I am excited to learn more about history, the methods of teaching, and research. I look forward to using primary sources in Spanish. I am fascinated with stories about immigration. I enjoy seeing how immigrants assimilate into American culture, and how they introduce their own cultural traits to American society. I also want to explore the topic of race in the Dominican Republic, and how it is different from racism in other parts of the world.
I plan to finish my Masters degree in History and use that as a stepping stone to earn my Doctoral degree. I want to research, write books, and share what I learn with others, both in print and in the classroom as well. I look forward to working with the staff and graduate students at UTSA. I know they will invigorate my education, and help me to learn and grow as a historian. I also know that my knowledge will help others to learn and to succeed in their educational goals and aspirations.
Over ten years ago I lived in the Dominican Republic as a missionary. It was an enriching experience that has blessed my life in many ways. I learned to speak Spanish. I discovered new cultures. I saw unbelievable poverty. I was amazed at the resiliency of the people there. I began to understand that there is much more to life than what we own. After two years I returned home. I soon was married and began a family. I also started college. I decided to study history.
My undergraduate work was completed at Portland State University. I studied as much as possible about the land I had lived in and had grown to love as my own. I studied politics, culture, race, and even baseball. I enjoyed sharing what I learned with fellow students. I loved the chase of a fresh topic and the research involved to write about it. After five years I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Minor in Spanish.
I was very busy during school. I worked full time as a loan processor. As the sole provider for my family I had to work extremely hard to find time for every aspect of my life. I worked, studied, and nurtured a young family. Through it all I managed to graduate with a respectable grade point average, and a thirst to continue my education.
I applied and was accepted to Washington State University Vancouver. I was excited to begin a Masters program in History. However, as the term started the economy went sour. I was laid off. I informed the school I would not be attending classes. I decided to use my degree immediately to teach high school. The next two years were filled with substitute teaching and working as a special education aide. When the school year ended I knew it was time to finish what I had only briefly started.
I am now applying to the graduate program at UTSA. I am excited to learn more about history, the methods of teaching, and research. I look forward to using primary sources in Spanish. I am fascinated with stories about immigration. I enjoy seeing how immigrants assimilate into American culture, and how they introduce their own cultural traits to American society. I also want to explore the topic of race in the Dominican Republic, and how it is different from racism in other parts of the world.
I plan to finish my Masters degree in History and use that as a stepping stone to earn my Doctoral degree. I want to research, write books, and share what I learn with others, both in print and in the classroom as well. I look forward to working with the staff and graduate students at UTSA. I know they will invigorate my education, and help me to learn and grow as a historian. I also know that my knowledge will help others to learn and to succeed in their educational goals and aspirations.
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