So I barely managed to get my history test done. 11 pages, single spaced. Booya. My sincere hope is that everyone else in the class sucks and when she reads mine, I still suck, but I'm the least sucky in the class, so I get the best grade. Is that mean?
In any case, everything is really starting to pile on. I have another looming deadline in thesis, though my advisor was incredibly merciful about it. I'm sworn to secrecy on details, so that's all I can obviously say. Research on thesis also is a frightening thing right now. I also have to start reading this 450 page book for history of medicine, because there's a paper due in about two weeks on it. Shit.
Besides that, I have typical work to do in German: learn vokab, do the Arbeitsheft, get my lab hours, etc.etc. My little lead that I built up in Greek is basically gone at this point, so I'm going to have to forge ahead into chapters four and five this weekend. That'll get me over halfway through the semester....
Then there's piano, which I have been practicing, but just feel like I care, frankly. Is that bad? I mean, sure, on the one hand, it would be good to be able to play an instrument, but continued piano lessons are SOOO expensive. This class has made me think about trying out the pennywhistle again. I figure at this point, now that I'm able to read music much better, and with the whistle won't have to worry about sharps and flats, that the main things I'll need to work on are breathing and force of blow into the whistle.
Then again, I have thought too about playing the dobrhan. Argh...too much.
So that's what the immediate future looks like. I have made some firmer decisions on my long term future, but I want to sort of have everything arranged before I make it this public spectacle. Suffice it to say, I'm finishing it all this weekend.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I don't understand how any professor should be able to expect nine pages of quality written material in LESS than two days. I don't know how any of them can assign something on Tuesday, say "here, it's due Thursday" and not consider that people have 1) other classes, 2) jobs, and 3) the need for sleep.
I actually have nine pages now, but I'm going to have two more within the next two hours. Then it's two hours of editing. Ray's going to get to sleep at about 3 AM this morning, and I have to be up by 5:30. Fuck.
I actually have nine pages now, but I'm going to have two more within the next two hours. Then it's two hours of editing. Ray's going to get to sleep at about 3 AM this morning, and I have to be up by 5:30. Fuck.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Suicide that is painless?
I'm slowly waging an aggressive campaign of self destruction. In the rest of this week, I must:
1. Write my history test, which is supposed to be between 6 and 9 pages (I by the way got the test today....)
2. Do all kinds of fun work for my thesis class--reviewing others' work, actually having a thesis, more research, etc.
3. Get to some kind of a draft on my biochemistry article.
4. Practice fun piano.
5. TONS AND TONS OF WORK.
1. Write my history test, which is supposed to be between 6 and 9 pages (I by the way got the test today....)
2. Do all kinds of fun work for my thesis class--reviewing others' work, actually having a thesis, more research, etc.
3. Get to some kind of a draft on my biochemistry article.
4. Practice fun piano.
5. TONS AND TONS OF WORK.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Life and Such
I am so stressed out with school right now, it's not even funny. I don't really want to talk about it though. We'll just say that this week may kill me yet.
In other news I went to Denver and hung out for a while with peeps. Definitely good times, but those sorts of social things always remind me about how my little personal vow of celibacy is so important to me. I have to stay on track with my life, and a relationship will absolutely destroy that.
In football news, I do have some comments, as always:
1. Best conference is probably going to be the Big XII followed closely by the SEC and MWC. The Big Ten, Big East, Pac-10, and ACC all are just not good this year. SEC has LSU, Florida, and Georgia, but all of those have looked unimpressive at times. MWC at least has really good teams in Utah, BYU, TCU, UNLV, and probably Air Force on the next tier. Big XII though has Texas and Oklahoma, as always, and a STACKED Big XII north (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado all look really good). My predictions based on these first three weeks are:
Big XII Winner: Oklahoma
Pac 10: USC (duh)
Big Ten: Wisconsin
SEC: Florida
ACC: Wake Forest
Big East: South Florida (do NOT count out Connecticut though)
MWC: Brigham Young
WAC: Boise St.
National Championship game=Oklahoma vs. USC unless Florida goes undefeated (which I doubt)
Other BCS teams=WI, FL, WF, SF, BYU, Missouri, LSU, Penn State.
Surprising NFL stuff:
The AFC West may have already been won. It's three games into the season and Denver has a 2 1/2 game lead already (tie breaks over San Diego and Oakland). Where did that come from?
Miami's absolute demolition of New England today.
How there's going to be no really dominant teams this season.
My picks after three weeks(ish):
AFC:
1. Denver
2. Buffalo
3. Tennessee
4. Baltimore
5. San Diego
6. New England
NFC
1. Dallas
2. Green Bay
3. New Orleans
4. Arizona
5. New York
6. Minnesota
Hmm, what else. Oh yes, ballot issues.
Here's what my votes are looking like right now:
President/VP: McCain/Palin
Senate: I'm really not sure here. I personally do not like Schaffer (I think he's not a great person, leader or representative for our state), but I do want McCain to be able to do something. It's a toss up for me between Schaffer and Campbell [American Constitution Party]
US House Distrcit 5: I'm not casting a ballot here. I despise Lamborn completely and I don't agree with Bidlack's positions.
State House/Senate: I don't have any issues with the Republicans on the ballot for these positions, so I'll vote for them.
District Attorney: No choice really, it has to be Dan May
Judges: I don't know how my votes are going to be because I don't know what district I'm in.
Amendment 46: Yes
Amendment 47: NO
Amendment 48: I'm actually not sure on this one. Scientifically speaking, it's sound, but the intent here is to go after abortions and stem cell research. It presents all kinds of legal problems when a mother is carrying a child and wants to abort to save her life. In these instances, the mother's life EASILY comes first {of course, it is noble for mothers to keep the children and sacrifice their lives, but our constitution isn't written for people to be noble. No person has the right to force her to die for a fetus}, but according to the law, the mother and fetus will have equal representation before the law. Thus mothers whose lives are in danger may be put at greater risk. If we're going to hammer abortion, it needs to be done like the Europeans have done it. it may be Europe, but they're far more conservative legally than we are. After the first trimester, a women who wants an abortion has to get approval from a court, and almost never gets it unless her life is in danger. I may abstain on this amendment. Like it or not, if it passes, the Supreme Court will overturn.
Amendment 49: No
Amendment 50: Yes
Amendment 51: No
Amendment 52: NO
Amendment 53: YES
Amendment 54: Yes
Amendment 55: Yes
Amendment 56: NO
Amendment 57: No
Amendment 58: NO
Amendment 59: No
Referendum L: Yes
Referendum M: Yes
Referendum N: Yes
Referendum O: Yes
In other news I went to Denver and hung out for a while with peeps. Definitely good times, but those sorts of social things always remind me about how my little personal vow of celibacy is so important to me. I have to stay on track with my life, and a relationship will absolutely destroy that.
In football news, I do have some comments, as always:
1. Best conference is probably going to be the Big XII followed closely by the SEC and MWC. The Big Ten, Big East, Pac-10, and ACC all are just not good this year. SEC has LSU, Florida, and Georgia, but all of those have looked unimpressive at times. MWC at least has really good teams in Utah, BYU, TCU, UNLV, and probably Air Force on the next tier. Big XII though has Texas and Oklahoma, as always, and a STACKED Big XII north (Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado all look really good). My predictions based on these first three weeks are:
Big XII Winner: Oklahoma
Pac 10: USC (duh)
Big Ten: Wisconsin
SEC: Florida
ACC: Wake Forest
Big East: South Florida (do NOT count out Connecticut though)
MWC: Brigham Young
WAC: Boise St.
National Championship game=Oklahoma vs. USC unless Florida goes undefeated (which I doubt)
Other BCS teams=WI, FL, WF, SF, BYU, Missouri, LSU, Penn State.
Surprising NFL stuff:
The AFC West may have already been won. It's three games into the season and Denver has a 2 1/2 game lead already (tie breaks over San Diego and Oakland). Where did that come from?
Miami's absolute demolition of New England today.
How there's going to be no really dominant teams this season.
My picks after three weeks(ish):
AFC:
1. Denver
2. Buffalo
3. Tennessee
4. Baltimore
5. San Diego
6. New England
NFC
1. Dallas
2. Green Bay
3. New Orleans
4. Arizona
5. New York
6. Minnesota
Hmm, what else. Oh yes, ballot issues.
Here's what my votes are looking like right now:
President/VP: McCain/Palin
Senate: I'm really not sure here. I personally do not like Schaffer (I think he's not a great person, leader or representative for our state), but I do want McCain to be able to do something. It's a toss up for me between Schaffer and Campbell [American Constitution Party]
US House Distrcit 5: I'm not casting a ballot here. I despise Lamborn completely and I don't agree with Bidlack's positions.
State House/Senate: I don't have any issues with the Republicans on the ballot for these positions, so I'll vote for them.
District Attorney: No choice really, it has to be Dan May
Judges: I don't know how my votes are going to be because I don't know what district I'm in.
Amendment 46: Yes
Amendment 47: NO
Amendment 48: I'm actually not sure on this one. Scientifically speaking, it's sound, but the intent here is to go after abortions and stem cell research. It presents all kinds of legal problems when a mother is carrying a child and wants to abort to save her life. In these instances, the mother's life EASILY comes first {of course, it is noble for mothers to keep the children and sacrifice their lives, but our constitution isn't written for people to be noble. No person has the right to force her to die for a fetus}, but according to the law, the mother and fetus will have equal representation before the law. Thus mothers whose lives are in danger may be put at greater risk. If we're going to hammer abortion, it needs to be done like the Europeans have done it. it may be Europe, but they're far more conservative legally than we are. After the first trimester, a women who wants an abortion has to get approval from a court, and almost never gets it unless her life is in danger. I may abstain on this amendment. Like it or not, if it passes, the Supreme Court will overturn.
Amendment 49: No
Amendment 50: Yes
Amendment 51: No
Amendment 52: NO
Amendment 53: YES
Amendment 54: Yes
Amendment 55: Yes
Amendment 56: NO
Amendment 57: No
Amendment 58: NO
Amendment 59: No
Referendum L: Yes
Referendum M: Yes
Referendum N: Yes
Referendum O: Yes
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Not in a million years
have I updated. My goodness, I don't even know why I have blogs anymore. Suffice it to say, I am INCREDIBLY busy all the time. I'm actually busier this semester taking 16 hours than I was last with 23. My hours are deceptive. Chemistry, for example, is only 1 credit, but I end up doing like 5 hours of work a week. Piano is also one credit, but I have to practice like 8 hours a week. German and Greek are my easy courses, thankfully. In German, I've already gone thru one chapter and throughout it all, I have a 100%. Same is basically holding in Greek after three chapters. I'm about one and a half ahead of the game, but I figure it's best to get as far ahead as possible in Greek.
By the way, Χαλερος εστίν ό βιός. I thought you'd all like to know that.
So then there's history of medicine, where I think I'm getting someplace, he says with total uncertainty. I got another A- on my last paper, so it's better than my one B (which is like my first B in two years, ugh). I get the feeling that in the end, I'm going to be on the cusp, and I hope desperately that my participation in the class will push me into A range.
In the midst of all of this are my TWO jobs, which look to become three soon enough. More info to come soon.
The nice thing about all of this is that finally, my money is in order. I should (soon) have over $3300, and no debt.
There are some tidal wave decisions brewing, but I'm not ready to make them public yet...
By the way, Χαλερος εστίν ό βιός. I thought you'd all like to know that.
So then there's history of medicine, where I think I'm getting someplace, he says with total uncertainty. I got another A- on my last paper, so it's better than my one B (which is like my first B in two years, ugh). I get the feeling that in the end, I'm going to be on the cusp, and I hope desperately that my participation in the class will push me into A range.
In the midst of all of this are my TWO jobs, which look to become three soon enough. More info to come soon.
The nice thing about all of this is that finally, my money is in order. I should (soon) have over $3300, and no debt.
There are some tidal wave decisions brewing, but I'm not ready to make them public yet...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Pointless Updates
I have another blog out there called pointlesstrauma. I think I need to change this one to pointless updates, probably because by the time I get on here at night, I'm so tired that I don't want to write anything, so I just spew pointless crap.
Whatever.
Anyways, I just noticed that I have not fully delved into my whole class situation, my expectations, etc. I will rectify that now.
First off is Ancient Greek. This class frankly feels like Latin did for me three years ago. A lot of meh feelings about it. We waste a lot of time doing very little productiveness (I mean, we're two weeks in and we're still in chapter one when we could be in chapter three), and I sit with a bunch of people who don't want to participate. Normally, I'm ok with that, but she waits until someone chimes in, so I end up doing it most of the time. I don't have high expectations that this class is going to be very difficult. So obviously, my prediction for this semester is a solid A.
Next is German. On one hand, I feel similarly to this as I do to Greek. We could be in Chapter one already, but we're still in the surprisingly long introductory chapter. It's mostly vocab, basic sentences, and articles. Seriously, let's MOVE. Maybe we'll move more once we get into the meat a little more? Anticipated grade: A.
Now, my final 100 level course, class piano. My distinct impression with the professor is that while she's competent, she's not terribly organized. Maybe artists are like that, but for me, being a total beginner, I need some structure. Several of the other students are totally annoying, especially the music majors who think their lives are actually majorly important to the class. Guess what? I don't care if you know your chords and crap. Get the hell out of the class if you're too advanced for it! That being said, I have no idea what the expectations are of me. How am I graded, what does she want? Anticipated grade: Reserved until actual grading begins.
Next, CHEM 940, independent study. I've been having some serious issues getting the data to work out, but I'm hoping that it comes through over the rest of the week. I would REALLY like to get this article written before the end of the month....
Next, history of medicine. This one is really tricky to assess. On one hand, I can tell the prof is enthusiastic about the subject, but on the other she kind of cares too much about the students. It's nice to have someone who cares, but she had us bring in pictures with notecards so she could memorize who we were quicker. I guess with science, I'm so used to not mattering and it's different over in humanities land. I can tell she's tough though--I've already gotten an A- on one writing assignment. Whether she's just this hard at the start or the whole way through only time will tell. Anticipated grade: A-.
Finally thesis. Same problems as last semester, harder challenges. Anticipated grade: B+.
So there you have it.
Next time I update, I might actually get to some of the developments in my life.
Whatever.
Anyways, I just noticed that I have not fully delved into my whole class situation, my expectations, etc. I will rectify that now.
First off is Ancient Greek. This class frankly feels like Latin did for me three years ago. A lot of meh feelings about it. We waste a lot of time doing very little productiveness (I mean, we're two weeks in and we're still in chapter one when we could be in chapter three), and I sit with a bunch of people who don't want to participate. Normally, I'm ok with that, but she waits until someone chimes in, so I end up doing it most of the time. I don't have high expectations that this class is going to be very difficult. So obviously, my prediction for this semester is a solid A.
Next is German. On one hand, I feel similarly to this as I do to Greek. We could be in Chapter one already, but we're still in the surprisingly long introductory chapter. It's mostly vocab, basic sentences, and articles. Seriously, let's MOVE. Maybe we'll move more once we get into the meat a little more? Anticipated grade: A.
Now, my final 100 level course, class piano. My distinct impression with the professor is that while she's competent, she's not terribly organized. Maybe artists are like that, but for me, being a total beginner, I need some structure. Several of the other students are totally annoying, especially the music majors who think their lives are actually majorly important to the class. Guess what? I don't care if you know your chords and crap. Get the hell out of the class if you're too advanced for it! That being said, I have no idea what the expectations are of me. How am I graded, what does she want? Anticipated grade: Reserved until actual grading begins.
Next, CHEM 940, independent study. I've been having some serious issues getting the data to work out, but I'm hoping that it comes through over the rest of the week. I would REALLY like to get this article written before the end of the month....
Next, history of medicine. This one is really tricky to assess. On one hand, I can tell the prof is enthusiastic about the subject, but on the other she kind of cares too much about the students. It's nice to have someone who cares, but she had us bring in pictures with notecards so she could memorize who we were quicker. I guess with science, I'm so used to not mattering and it's different over in humanities land. I can tell she's tough though--I've already gotten an A- on one writing assignment. Whether she's just this hard at the start or the whole way through only time will tell. Anticipated grade: A-.
Finally thesis. Same problems as last semester, harder challenges. Anticipated grade: B+.
So there you have it.
Next time I update, I might actually get to some of the developments in my life.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Thoughts and Things
These are the top 15 things that have happened, that I think, or that I plan:
1) This Saturday I got to 'see' McCain/Palin for the first time. The anticipation was more than the event, as the sound was terrible, and I was stuck in the boonies. Stupid event started an hour and a half late and I got SERIOUSLY burned. Like, the skin on my hands and face are peeling off and my neck (where I have 4 pre-cancerous moles) is blistering. But then again, I may have gotten to see the next president of the US....all in all exciting.
2) I went to the Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival, and got a few things out of it, including a pasty, sweet potato fries (so much better than normal fries!), a massively huge Irish flag (the harp flag), a Scottish yellow flag, a Guinness draft glass, a family history crest, and a piano book of Irish songs. Amazing fun today.
3) College football is back, and it's good. Well, mostly. Stories like East Carolina's are amazing. That Notre Dame is ALREADY getting votes to be ranked from coaches after one win against a LAME SDSU and after the year they had last year is disgusting.
4) I started my Peace Corps app last night. I'm leaning more to doing this first right now.
5) I desperately need to learn how to say 'no'.
6) I graduate in like 101 days.
7) I NEED MONEY.
8) After tomorrow, I seriously need to get going on my school stuff this semester. Really have been lagging these first weeks.
9) I wish I could know that my life is sort of going where it's supposed to go....
10) I plan on going to bed before 11 for the first time in like a week now.
1) This Saturday I got to 'see' McCain/Palin for the first time. The anticipation was more than the event, as the sound was terrible, and I was stuck in the boonies. Stupid event started an hour and a half late and I got SERIOUSLY burned. Like, the skin on my hands and face are peeling off and my neck (where I have 4 pre-cancerous moles) is blistering. But then again, I may have gotten to see the next president of the US....all in all exciting.
2) I went to the Scottish-Irish Highlands Festival, and got a few things out of it, including a pasty, sweet potato fries (so much better than normal fries!), a massively huge Irish flag (the harp flag), a Scottish yellow flag, a Guinness draft glass, a family history crest, and a piano book of Irish songs. Amazing fun today.
3) College football is back, and it's good. Well, mostly. Stories like East Carolina's are amazing. That Notre Dame is ALREADY getting votes to be ranked from coaches after one win against a LAME SDSU and after the year they had last year is disgusting.
4) I started my Peace Corps app last night. I'm leaning more to doing this first right now.
5) I desperately need to learn how to say 'no'.
6) I graduate in like 101 days.
7) I NEED MONEY.
8) After tomorrow, I seriously need to get going on my school stuff this semester. Really have been lagging these first weeks.
9) I wish I could know that my life is sort of going where it's supposed to go....
10) I plan on going to bed before 11 for the first time in like a week now.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Pushing through
So at this point there are a little over 100 days left until I graduate from college, he says with great excitement and anticipation. However, I also feel this twinge of frustration that it's not getting here any faster. I mean, COME ON. Once this semester is over, Ray doesn't have to work in the language lab anymore and deal with those stresses, nor do I have to deal with the stresses of this semester.
What I can't stand right now is the total lack of progress that's going on in my life. Sure, I'm going to be finishing up some cell lines in the lab over the next few weeks (my progress is about one cell line per week--that should take me to November). But at the same time there's this thing looming over my head that says "other project". I still haven't heard about this other project that is supposedly coming for me, but whatever.
I'm also stifled by the inablity to get ahead in many of my classes, partially because of a lack of resources and partially because of a lack of instruction. Ugh.
This weekend was sort of mellow, with just work, some homework, and relaxation on the menu. Despite that, I have absolutely no break between now and Thanksgiving. Fortunately, with only 16 hours of classes to worry about, school is going to be less of an issue than everything else that's currently on my menu of things to do.
This week does mark the last of the beginning of semester jitters in the language lab. Conversely, I now have to deal with my class that I'm co-teaching.
Whatever.
What I can't stand right now is the total lack of progress that's going on in my life. Sure, I'm going to be finishing up some cell lines in the lab over the next few weeks (my progress is about one cell line per week--that should take me to November). But at the same time there's this thing looming over my head that says "other project". I still haven't heard about this other project that is supposedly coming for me, but whatever.
I'm also stifled by the inablity to get ahead in many of my classes, partially because of a lack of resources and partially because of a lack of instruction. Ugh.
This weekend was sort of mellow, with just work, some homework, and relaxation on the menu. Despite that, I have absolutely no break between now and Thanksgiving. Fortunately, with only 16 hours of classes to worry about, school is going to be less of an issue than everything else that's currently on my menu of things to do.
This week does mark the last of the beginning of semester jitters in the language lab. Conversely, I now have to deal with my class that I'm co-teaching.
Whatever.
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