Surprise, Arizona

Surprise, Arizona, is a little over 20 miles northwest of Phoenix.  Population is just under 120,000 according to 2010 census, which is up from 38,000 in the 2000 census.  Needless to say, it just grew.  It is the home of spring training camps for the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals.  The surrounding towns have training camps for something like 16 major league baseball teams.

I’ve been here now since January 4^th and so far have become involved in the following:

(1)  A Course in Miracles – meets every Friday at the Surprise Unity Church.  The teacher is a fellow named Hal Lafler.  If you Google his name you can get an idea of who he is.  He certainly gets my vote for a wonderful instructor and I am enjoying the class immensely.

(2)  On the first Monday of the month is a class on a book entitled:  “The Gift of Years” by Joan Chittister.  I have only attended once but plan to be here long enough to finish it.  I’m sure you can tell what it’s about.  My initial assessment is, “just okay.”

(3)  On the last Monday of the month is a class on a book entitled:  “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie.  The first one I showed up for was cancelled (not a very good sign) but I very much want to see how this one goes.  It’s about a process called The Work.  It is based on four simple questions that you ask yourself when having difficulties with, I guess, anything or anyone:  (1)  Is it true?  (2)  Can you absolutely know that it’s true?  (3)  How do you react when you think that thought?  (4) Who would you be without that thought?  Seems like a good approach to Cognitive Therapy to me.  What do you think?

(4)  I am also spending time transcribing interviews that my son, Matt, is doing as part of his dissertation for his doctoral degree in education.  He expects to be in the graduation class of May 2013 from St.Mary’sCollege.  (Just so he acknowledges me along with his wife and children if he has to give a speech!) 

 

(5) Last but most definitely not least.  The real truth is that I am spending the majority of my time following the Jodi Arias trial on TV.  She admitted to killing her boyfriend, Travis Alexander, by shooting him in the face, stabbing him 29 times, and slitting his throat.  (She says it was in self defense.)  This all happened here in Mesa, Arizona, so it's on TV all day and I am not missing another opportunity to follow a big murder case.  I missed O. J. Simpson, and I missed Casey Anthony.  This one I’m sitting in on – up close and personal.