June 5, 2016: Car Troubles, PhD Celebration, and Planning

This past week had some highlights and things not so high.

The highlight was a celebration thrown for my by Carol and Greg Springs at their home in Anacortes, WA. It is a two hour drive from here, but a wonderful group of people joined in to celebrate the completion of my PhD.

Jean is checking out the spread!
Jean is checking out the spread!
At the celebration with one boring book (the dissertation) and two amazing desserts by Carol and Catherine! Yum!
At the celebration with one boring book (the dissertation) and two amazing desserts by Carol and Catherine! Yum!

Another highlight was the fun of hosting many of the youth from our Tanzanian mission team for a movie night at our home. It was Tanzanian food, and we made them eat with their hands to be prepared for a possible–but not probably–similar experience in Tanzania. We watched The Lion King along with a game of movie Bingo and had some meaningful conversation. The evening spontaneously moved outside for some soccer in the street, and one of the neighbor boys came and joined in the fun. We also played some Speedminton with a glow in the dark birdie.

Pretty cool to play in the dark!
Pretty cool to play in the dark!

The less enjoyable aspects of the week were related to maintenance, mine and my car’s.

For me at 51, it was time to have a screening colonoscopy. Previously, I said that you know who your best friends are: they are the ones taking you to and from the airport. But now, there is a special place for Jean, who also takes me to and from my colonoscopy. All is good. Insurance is supposed to cover everything, but it seems like you never know until you get the statement.

Less physically grueling but more emotionally grueling was my car repair. After $2,184, I drove away from the replacement of the vehicle stabilization module (VSM, related to the anti-lock brakes) on my Honda Fit that is less than 4-years old. Within 18 hours, the light came back on. Now, I was told it was the powertrain control module, but it was under warranty. Yes, they said that it wasn’t a mis-diagnosis of the VSM, but two critical systems failed simultaneously. So, no refund. On my way home from the mechanic, the check engine light and vehicle stabilization warning light came on again! So, tomorrow morning, I’m back to the mechanic. Its a good thing that I stayed cordial to the service rep and shared my disappointment with the manager.

Here are some other tidbits of the week:

Can you guess the purpose of my creation? A iPhone holder, to practice Swedish vocabulary while I eat!
Can you guess the purpose of my creation? A iPhone holder, to practice Swedish vocabulary while I eat!
Anya's physics project: Her concept is an adapted analog of pole vaulting physics. How does the depth of the "box" affect the bending of the pole. (Yes, my handiwork on the apparatus!)
Anya’s physics project: Her concept is an adapted analog of pole vaulting physics. How does the depth of the “box” affect the bending of the pole. (Yes, my handiwork on the apparatus!)
The first-fruits of the backyard strawberry season.
The first-fruits of the backyard strawberry season.

With blessings,

Beth

One thought on “June 5, 2016: Car Troubles, PhD Celebration, and Planning”

  1. I’m keeping up with your blog and love it. My incoming mail gets me o me but outgoing doesn’t, hope this will.

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