Yesterday proved to be a good day to concentrate on my seminary class as it was cold, overcast, and a bit wet. The sun did peak out for a little bit midday, but it really was another wee gra da.
A good day to stay inside for the most part, which worked out well as the lecture turned out to be four hours instead of two. I was not entirely thrilled with that, but it is what it is. Taking the class is an experiment on and for me.
After the lightning strike, I had some short- and long-term memory issues. One of the therapists explained the long-term issues as being from my root directory getting trashed, and the brain having to figure out where everything was stored again. Most was good, but there were some odd gaps and I still occasionally “find” a memory that was misfiled.
The short-term memory issues we spent a lot of time dealing with via coping mechanisms. I still use a number of them, and live by lists to this day. If I don’t have a list, things often don’t get done. I have gotten to where I will, often, remember those things but it can be a while. As in days or weeks, not hours.
According to the latest round of cognitive testing I did last year, the neurologists say my memory is fine. Unofficially, the doc who oversaw the testing had a talk with me about the fact that it’s not that I can’t remember things; rather, it is that the conditions to form new long-term memories are not always present. In fact, they may not be present a good bit of the time.
Yes, the testing can be gamed and yes I have gamed the tests (I still do good at pattern recognition). Not long after I got struck, insurance and others (who stood to make a lot of money off it courtesy of federal funding) pushed home care and assisted living — hard. I wasn’t interested in that at all, and like being independent. So, I played the game with the tests even though there were downsides (including financial).
I’ve been trying to do some of the things that can provide the right conditions for long-term memory development with the class. It’s not natural for me and frankly I’m absent minded and as a result don’t always do what I should. It is one reason I make extensive notes, as the process of writing can help with retention as does repetition. Give me a few thousand times and I will eventually memorize the Trisagion Prayers. A few thousand times is not always an option for a class.
One thing with doing this class and doing the open-book tests with this class is that it helps me to determine how well I could do in a traditional class. Sad thing is, I’m not sure I would do well in a traditional class. In fact, right now, I’m pretty sure I would not. Got to do some serious thinking about such, and give the issue up to God. Meantime, I want to pass the class and if possible, do well at it. I can be a touch competitive on occasion, and this time it is in part with myself and what I used to be capable of doing. I don’t want to just pass, I want to ace it. Probably not going to happen, but…
Meantime, working the logistics for Mount Athos hard. Plan to go out in a bit and see if I can find out when a church near me is having services, and also check on a couple of others. Meantime, I’ve booked a day trip to go visit Rila on Saturday, and have my second cooking class tomorrow. Need to hit the Women’s market today or tomorrow morning to shop for fresh goods (milk, eggs, cheese, fresh veggies, etc. Also, see if the shoe guy is open again so I can get my fuzzy slippers. With temps dropping back down into the 30s at night, want them. Life is too short not to have fuzzy slippers.
Also, am amused at watching trucks and other vehicles back down the street out front. Since it doesn’t connect on one end, most traffic has to back down. Watching the garbage truck back down each day is entertaining.
Onwards!
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.