This is my life?

What a whirlwind!

2009-02-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

It's February already! Now I remember why I had such a hard time trying to get through college the first time around. Overwhelming doesn't come close to describing my weekend. I had a book analysis due today (February 2) in Sociology on a book that was, essentially, assigned to us. We had a choice ... from a list ... choices include "While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West From Within" or "Slouching Toward Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline" or how about "The 30 Secrets of a Happily Married Couple"?!!? ARGH! I realize that, as the instructor, [he] has every right to pick and choose and tell us what and when; however, my problem comes when there is no choice. We could choose from conservative to ultra-conservative to neoconservative. And the subjects range from biological weapons to how liberalism is killing America with a sprinkling of how divorce is ruining our children (now I know what's wrong with my kids!). Of course I picked the epistle by the neoconservative Jewish woman - "An Old Wife's Tale, My seven decades in love and war." On a certain level it was interesting - it pointed out the notion that not much changes from decade to decade, but there are soooo many other things I would rather read about. Maybe even some not-so-conservative points of view (might help the instructor's lectures be a little more palatable). The kicker of it all ... after he spent the first 5 minutes of the last 4 classes painstakingly writing the assignment and its due date on the board ... he wasn't there today. There were some pretty upset people. Only thing that made me made was that I hung around campus for an hour waiting for the news. Oh well. That was just one part of my weekend.

I also had the opportunity to attend the symphony. While it was an assigned activity (Humanities), I thoroughly enjoyed it! Not surprising, though. Been there- liked it. My friend, Tym, went with me. We do these random nights out. Last time was in December (we're really shakers & movers) for the MoTab Christmas concert. I took her to Thai food then we sprinted for the Conference Center (ok, she waddled, I walked really really really slow in order to keep pace with her 5'4" little out-of-shape self), but we had fun. This time she treated me to Olive Garden, which wasn't half bad. The symphony was mahhhhvelous - we couldn't decide who was the better entertainer - the conductor or the pianist.

Jen C. and I went up to Park City Sunday afternoon and had an early dinner ... caught part of the 1st quarter of the Super Bowl and a few of the commercials. Headed home, started drafting my analysis of the symphony, then studied for a biology test.

Freaking awesome weekend! Oh! I spent $115 on groceries! I don't think I've spent that much on groceries in 3 months cummulative, let alone in one shot. I hope I got some good stuff ... or stuff I know what to do with! Oh the excitement.

I drafted this on January 21 and apparently didn't publish it

2009-01-28T11:18:00.000-08:00

We have a new president.

Just in case you didn't notice, I thought I'd throw that out there. Just in case you are unaware of how I feel about our new president, I thought I'd fill you in.
I watched the inauguration of our 44th president in the Student Center on campus yesterday (1/20/09), along with many fellow students and instructors. I am amazed me at how many [young] people were there. Clearly, this younger generation is much more informed that my own older, wiser generation - and I don't say this merely because they were there en mass. The evidence of their knowlege has shown itself as I sat in classes, in the library, walked around campus, with these kids. It seems they have an opinion, they know how to back that opinion up, and they move forward in doing something about the things they care about. Adversely, a lot of my friends, family, and acquaintances seem uninformed and unmotivated.
When I was a teenager (sounds like something an 80 year old would say, huh) I worked in the county elections office. I was registered to vote at 15 (ok, I filled out the registration card and the head elections clerk held onto mine, as well as my best friends, who also worked there with me). I looked forward to turning 18 and being able to vote. I voted for Ronald Reagan that year - which was 1984. Admittedly, I probably wasn't as informed as I should have been nor as I have strived to be since, but I voted and I cared.
Back to the uninformed and unmotivated people ... everyone has an opinion. Everyone has a right to an opinion, which goes back to that whole electoral/democratic process. However, my biggest pet peeve is that there are so many people who feel they have a right to express said opinion without any foundation or actual argument to back up the opinion AND the fact that many of them didn't vote! ARGH! My younger brother, who is an extremely intelligent man (he has an MBA to prove it) was of the opinion that Obama would turn us into a muslim nation and there was nothing we could do about it if he was elected (so he didn't vote). It's probably a good thing I heard this second hand through our mother. He wouldn't have lasted 10 minutes with me ... as it was, my wonderful mother simple sat and listened to me rant about the process and the fact that we have a 3-tiered government and that it would take more than one man (regardless of office) - even if Obama were elected president (this conversation took place sometime in October) we have a congress in place as a checks and balance for that esteemed office. See ... here I go again on a rant. I'll just say this. Being the fabulous mom that she is, she asked me why I felt as strongly as I did about Mr. Obama, and of course I obliged. One does not need to listen to the rhetoric of the media, etc., although it is good to listen with one ear to understand some things better; however, since I do research for a living I tend to fall back on it whenever I have a question. I formed my opinion on my own by doing my own research ... and also by participating in some conversations.
The thing that gets me now that President Obama has taken the Oath of Office, is the lack of respect. I understand that not everyone is in favor of [him] or his processes. My problem comes with the lack of respect for the office. Regardless of the person filling the shoes, the office demands a level of respect. For those of us who supported Mr. Obama in his quest, we see him as a change; change is generally a good thing - if nothing earth-shattering happens in the process, hopefully something useful has been learned. Those nay-sayers have this way of thinking that "we" (supporters) see him as a savior ... the man who is going to fill in the hole that we, as a nation, have dug ... and that he will fail, at which time they'll jump up and down and celebrate [his] failure. How can they not see that his failure would be our failure?
Just my opinion.

I am amazed

2009-01-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have always been acutely aware that I am not one of those people who collects friends (like my beautiful daughter, Brandi, has a talent for). However, it amazes me that the few friends I have now, have been with me through it all ... thick and thin, good and bad, blah blah blah.

While I realize most people see me as an outgoing person who makes friends easily, the people who know me also know it is not an easy feat for me to be outgoing. I've always said that it would be so much easier to stay in bed/at home and hide from the world. Honestly, people scare me. I am most boisterous and loud and obnoxious when I'm the most nervous.

I recently read something in a magazine that gave me one of those "uh huh" moments ... "When a local shop owner told me my smile always catches his eye, I realized I'm the only who pays attention to my extra 10 pounds." This is something I struggle with every day. ok, it isn't necessarily the extra 10 pounds, but a long list of things I constantly stress about. All of these things have come front and center now that I'm back in school. I'm 42, sitting among 18-22 year olds, the same people I'm currently competing with for scholarships and grants and will soon be competing with for a job; I'm 42, nearly 6' tall and not in the same shape I was in 20+ years ago when I was these kids' age; and do I dress to fit in and actually fit in or do I look like a 42 trying to be 20 again. I sit in classes, in labs, in the library, walk across campus and see friends together ... people who know each other - even if they didn't before they started classes, they know each other. They want to be lab partners (two 18 yr olds took pity on me) and work on projects for classes, go to required concerts and museum's together. I need to say here that I don't want to be "friends" with any of these kids, but I am envious with the ease in which they slide into these friendships, how easy it comes to some people. But I'm thinking maybe I'm the only one who notices that I sat in the student center and watched the inauguration by myself. I was, afterall, just one in a sea of people laughing and cheering and crying, and I didn't notice that there were probably several other people there alone, not feeling self-conscious-like they stuck out like a sore thumb.

I didn't start this entry as a pity party - don't want it to come across that way. I started it because I have some wonderful friends who I love dearly. Friends I have known - one since the 4th grade, getting in trouble with for passing notes or chewing gum in Mrs. Trainer's class and vowing to never wear a dress in high school; the one when we were military wives and young mother's trying to figure out our lives and eventually going through divorces (yes, more than one for each of us) together; and the one who didn't want to be my friend because she didn't think she was worthy. These are the friends who, over the many years of graduating from high school, of moving across the country and back again, and losing contact for years at a time, can come together again and pick up where we left off - no recriminations of why didn't you call or write or keep in touch - just a hug and a smile, an hour here and there of catching up or a minute to say hi I still love you. These are the friends I cherish every day, even though I don't take the time to tell them as often as I should.

I appreciate every day the friends I make along the way. And while they may not become life-long friends, I've decided that it's worth a little effort to make friends ... even if it doesn't last a lifetime or even past next month. You never know who'll be around in 5 or 10 years to give you a pat on the back and make your day!

My day of service

2009-01-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 19 was Martin Luther King, Jr. day. The lawfirm I work for gives us this day off, but they call it a "day on, not a day off." In exchange for not having to show up to work we are asked to do some type of volunteer service, charity work, something along those lines. We also have a blood drive at the office the Friday before.

A group of us from the office served lunch at St. Vincent's - a homeless shelter downtown. It is absolutely amazing the amount of organization in serving a simple meal (ok, not so simple ... talk about carb-loading!). They definitely have it down to a science! In talking to Agnes, the gal who was in charge of the kitchen, the majority of their help comes from volunteers, such as myself. They also have several people through workforce services who are there for the work-through-learning program. Most of the food is donated by local grocery stores and it is all prepared on-site. On Monday we served just over 700 people. They were expecting closer to 1000, since so many restaurants and businesses were closed for the holiday. The "regulars" and full-time people working there were truly concerned about why/where people were.

While I didn't have much opportunity to look up and really take it all in - it's truly a well-tuned machine - when I did have a chance to glance up, the place was packed! Absolutely amazing that there are so many people in need. I am truly grateful for what I have and the opportunities that I have been given. As much as I complain about homework and school, I am very lucky to be able where I am in life right now.

I met a neighbor

2009-01-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

Last Friday I was enjoying a few quiet moments before I went off to work. In the midst of my trip to lala land I heard a faint little knocking. Now let me just preface the rest of this by telling you that I live in a condominium, and while it's fairly quiet, there are times that certain noises resonate, so I tend to either not hear or just ignore them. So when I heard this knocking, it wasn't very loud, so I kind of ignored it. But it persisted, so I went out to look thru the peep hole. I didn't really see a person, but I saw this little flurry of activity, so I got a wild hair and opened the door. Another side note - I have met very few of my neighbors. While there are 18 units in my building and I share a common hall with 5 of these units, I rarely see any of my neighbors, so I don't know many of them. So when I opened my door, one of my neighbors was walking back to his place. I had seen these neighbors (I even said hi) but I've never met them, so it was a little awkward. Anyhoo ... he came back and proceeded to tell me that it is a Korean (they're Korean) tradition to make rice cakes on a child's birthday and share them with friends (how'd I get so lucky to become their friend?!!?). At least that's what I gathered from what I could understand - ok, his English was very good, but with the awkwardness and my inability to respond - so I asked if his little girl (did I mention she was with him and the one who knocked) was 2 and he seemed impressed that I would know that (yay for me!). So he hands me this pretty little cake, which is about 6x6 square with 6 different colored layers, wrapped in plastic wrap, still warm, and smells yummy (cinnamon & nutmeg)! I [awkwardly] thanked him and wished his little girl a happy birthday.
That was my random little moment last week. School started this week, so you may or may not hear from me more. I have a pretty heavy load this semester, so ... we'll see what the near future brings!

I know you missed me

2008-12-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know ... it's been a month since I've been here. Sorry. I know you all missed me dearly and I appreciate it. But rest assured, I never forget my fans nor do I take you for granted! My life is just so hectic it's hard to keep up with it all. What have I been doing with myself since I the semester ended, you ask?

I spent a week (yes, day & night) watching the school website to see what my final grades for the semester were. It paid off, too! My diligence showed a 4.0 for the semester. Yes, thank you very much, I got straight A's! Woot! Woot! Sadly, my dad says that the days of getting paid for my A's are long over. It's just not fair! I never got A's when he was paying for them! Gosh!

I have read a total of ... wait for it ... wait ... 11 books since December 14. I'm working numbers 15 and 16. Yes, two at a time. One is for pleasure, one is for a scholarship (1800 pages - ugh!)

It's been a struggle, but I think I'm going to make my goal of reading 20 books before the next semester starts. Talk about a struggle! I'm carrying 22 credits this next semester! I'm crazy, I know! Gotta keep the eye on the ball, though - and it's a fast one!

Sunday golf outing

2008-11-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's November 16 and I went golfing today. WOW! What an absolutely gorgeous day! I haven't been for a couple of months and I was invited to golf with 3 people I didn't know, which always makes me very nervous, but I had fun anyway. Took me a while to loosen up, but I finally figured out they were just there to have fun, so it was all good. Had a good time... and the other girl (her name is also Jenn) is 6'3!!! Wow again! She was a lot of fun. The really bad part of was that we WALKED the ENTIRE 18 holes! Holy bat crap! Guess I've got my exercise in for the rest of the year.
SO. My next speech is a "ceremonial" speech. ...like a toast or acceptance speech or something along those lines. Any great ideas for me? Let me know!

what to do

2008-11-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Or maybe what to write. I'm bored, tired of sitting here in the library killing time between classes and can't think of anything to write or say but feel like I need to.
I am having a huge amount of fun since I discovered Facebook. As Brandi said, it is a huge timesuck but I'm having so much fun. People I went to high school with are finding me... I've searched out a few, but don't have the guts to add them. Just seems kinda weird to me. Too stalker-ish, but I'm more than happy if they stalk me and add me! Which is weird, I know, but still... it keeps me with my warm fuzzy feeling that I'm not a creepy stalker person. Besides, there is this notion that I really don't care about most people I went to high school with. I really can't remember too many... had a guy add me that I went to HS with but I had to ask someone else if we did. I guess that's a sign that it's been a REALLY REALLY long time since I was in HS.
And now that I'm in college, it's funny how many of my fellow students (who are my kids' age) want to know if I'm on Facebook. They prolly just wanna see if I really do have kids and if they're a gorgeous as I say they are!
Well, since I'm in the library I think I'll go find a book. A co-worker told me about a funny book called "Bitsy and her Bait & BBQ". I have to read just based on the title! There's also one titled "Angry Housewives eating BonBons".
TTFN

President Obama

2008-11-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

Going back to my last entry, I couldn't do it. Election Day is the first Tuesday of November. That's when I voted ... right after math class this morning. No wait, no fuss, no muss. It was awesome! Electronic voting machines! Blessed be technology!!
I'm sitting here at work - 7:46pm MST and the electoral count is currently at 200 to 90. For 80+ years now (or 15 elections) the Washington Redskins have decided the outcome of the elections. If the Redskins lose their home game just prior to election day, a new political party will take office. If they win, the incumbant party stays. It's pretty amazing, but that's how it's happened for 15 elections - consistently (check snopes.com if you don't believe me)! So... it will be interesting to see if it holds true for 16 elections.
On to school ... my favorite subject ... I gave my second "informative" speech. I said earlier that I was going to do it on PB&J's, but my mom (thanks, mom!) came up with an even better idea - and it was a complete hit! With my class AND my teacher! My subject - "how to cook a turkey"! I got me a rubber chicken (couldn't really cook a real bird in class, duh!), made some stuffing (yes, the real stuff), went thru the whole schpeel... pick it out, thaw it, pull the guts out, clean it, stuff it, cook it, set a perfect table (for this I gave everyone a placemat, plate, napkin & fork), then ended it by giving everyone a piece of pumpkin cake. It was pretty freakin' awesome!
OH! I also got 101 on my last math test. yippee!!!
OH! and I gave in to the pressure and now have a 'facebook' page or wall or whatever it's called. It's a huge time suck! Holy cow!
UH OH... it's now 7:58 and the race is at 200 to 124... McCain is creeping up there (get it... creep(ing)) OY
K, more later. I'll try to be better, although I don't know why. Seems my time is going to Facebook, so who knows.

Happy Haunting

2008-10-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

I can't decide if I should go vote early today or not. It's the last day for early voting. I've been holding out for Tuesday ... there's just something sacred about voting on election day ... that's why it's called election day. I guess the upside to the whole early voting thing is that it's in anticipation of lots of people actually getting out and voting. Which makes sense, but still... At this point, the decision is going to be made by whether my laundry gets done early enough for me to leave early for work and vote on my way to work. hmmm... tune in to find out.
I'm still waffling on my "How to make a PB&J Sandwich" for my speech topic. I have to give it on Monday, so I need to make a decision. I have done a little research and have my random facts to throw out while I'm putting on the show, but ... is it a little immature? Probably. Am I a little immature? Definitely. Do I really care? Not so much. Comments?
Ok, Brandi, what the heck am I supposed to do with that tag? I read it, I commented on it, but now what? Is there something else?

...later that day...

2008-10-27T19:11:00.001-07:00

Well we got our history mid-terms back today. wahoo! I got an "A-". I missed two very obvious questions (they were extra credit, tho... whew! - last week I asked him if he'd graded it yet; he said yes and that I missed something I was gonna kick myself for missing). So... what did I miss? I got the 13th (abolition of slavery) and 19th (women's rights) Amendments mixed up. D'OH!
Again with the speeches in my communications class. I'm really surprised at the topics my classmates choose. We've had topics from steroids (the guy works at a gym - everything he talks about has something to do with working out), organ donation, looking on the bright side of everything, economic impact of deporting illegal aliens, rights of voting, legalizing same sex marriages, lowering voting age, to saving for retirement. It's really interesting to see what people come up with. There is one guy in this class that I can't figure out why he's at a community college. He's in his early 20's and extremely smart (his speeches have been on embryonic stem cells and the economic impact of deportation). I'm just amazed that he's not someplace with scholarships, etc. Of course, he is married and has a baby (I think - on the baby thing), so that may be part of it. I dunno. Maybe he just seems really smart to me.
Oh, by the way, I made a friend today. Or at least I think I did. There is a girl in my communications class that I've really found interesting. She's very open and honest about who she is and what her past is (recovering drug addict) and is very much like me in that she says it like it is. Anyhoo, she asked me for my phone number today (of course, maybe she wants to ask me out, although I haven't gotten that vibe from her). It was kinda kewl but kinda weird, too. Funny, though, that she asked for it today... the day I said I was going to make a new friend! WEEEEEE!!!

Extend your life expentancy

2008-10-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

So I'm determined to have a great week this week. I'm trying to think positively about this school experience. I'm hoping to find out today that I got an "A" on my history mid-term, and I have a test in math tomorrow that I'm going to get an "A" on - even without the extra credit (glad it's there to boost my score, though)!
I've also decided I'm going to make a new friend this week. They said on the news this morning that one of the things that helps extend your life expectancy is having a [good] social life. It also said regular exercise helps, which I'm going to try and improve as well, but I figure that since I'm in school and see tons of people every day, it should be fairly simple to make a new friend. Working nights certainly doesn't help increase my social circle.
AND ... since I'm going to be 47 by the time I finish my law degree, I'm going to need a little extra time to actually practice and to make the big bucks. So I prolly need all the help I can get!
I'm excited ... sort of ... that someone besides my daughter found this blog. She gave me a great recipe for another cake. I'll have to try it out. I'm all about easy and yummy... and it seems to fill both those requirements. Thanks for the recipe! wahoo! Here's the question, though... do I consider that as adding to my "social circle"? (the random person, not the cake!) hmmm....
Time for class, gotta run. More later.

TGIF

2008-10-24T19:27:00.001-07:00

It's the end of another week... thankfully, not nearly as busy as last week. In fact, I'm sitting here at work and have checked and double checked all my homework, shopped online for a car (I need something that gets better mileage and has [way] lower payments), forwarded all the jokes I've received to other people, played several hands of solitaire online, read the newspaper online. BORING. Makes for a long night!

I just have to say that school is tough and that I'm very proud of my two daughters who are both in college. Brandi is in her final year - and having a tough one trying to put her new little home together, work, be a wife. She's gonna make it, though! Channing is working and going to school - she's in her 2nd year at Gainesville State and doing great.

Well, I'm going to call it a night. I need to go get my car cleaned up so it looks semi-decent so I can get lots of $$ on a trade-in. I hate car- shopping.
Brandi is so domesticated. I'm glad she got that gene from her grandma!! I had someone send the following to me.
This is remarkable & just in time for the holiday baking season! Just click on the name of the cake and bam the recipe appears!

'Night Before Christmas' Coffee Cake
'Real New York Style' Cheesecake Supreme
A Cake That's Fit For A Queen
Amaretto Italian Sour Cream Cake
Amazing Tropical Fruit Cake
Apple and Nut Cake
Apple Cake
Apple Cake
Apple Sauce Cake
Applesauce Fruitcake
Apricot Nectar Pound Cake
Baby Cheescakes Baby Cheesecakes
Banana Cake
Barron Family Cheesecake
Baumtorte (Tree Cake)
Becky's Pumpkin Cupcakes
Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Broken Angel Cake With Chocolate Chips
Candied Fruit Cake
Carmel Coffee Cake
Carrot Cake with Hot Glaze
Carrot-Pineapple Cake
Cherry Cake
Cherry Cake Sauce
Cherry Cheesecake Cups
Cherry-Pineapple Dump Cake
Chocolate Angel Food
Chocolate Browny Cake
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Chocolate Cookie Sheet Cake
Chocolat e Éclair Cake
Chocolate Ice Box Dessert
Chocolate Logs
Chocolate Lovers Heaven Triple Threat Chocolate Di
Chocolate Sheet Cake
Chocolate welington fudge pudding
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cake
Christmas Cake
Christmas choclate cake
Christmas Mixed Glace Fruit Loaf
Christmas-Comes-But-Once-A-Year-Chocolate Cake
Cinnamon Morning Delight
Coca-Cola Cake
Coconut Cake
Cookie Pizza
Cream Cheese Icing
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Cream Puff Cake
Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes
Creamy Chocolate Layered Cake
Decadent Chocolate Cake
Decadent Fudge Cake
Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars
Dream Cake
Dreamcicle Cake
Drizzle Cake
Earthquake Cake
Easy Cocoa Snack Cake
Easy Coconut Cake
Éclair Cake
Edie Ching's Cherry Cheesecake
Eggnog Cake
Extra Moist Coconut Cakes
Festive Pumpkin Gingerbread
Flower Garden Cake
Fruit Cake
Fruit Cocktail Cake
German Chocolate Upside-Down Cake
Golden Bacardi Rum Cake
Gooey Butter Cake
Gum drop cake
Heavenly Pecan Cake
Hedge Hog Cake
Holiday Cake
Holiday Poke Cake
Holiday Rum Cake
Honey Bun Cake
Honey Cake
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
Hummingbird Cake
Ice-Cream Chocolate Roll
Jewish Apple Cake
Johnny Appleseed Cake
Lemon Cake
Lemon Poppyseed Cakes
Lemon Pound Cake
Linda's Yule Log
Mama's Homemade Banana Cake
Mandy's Cake
Microwave Scottish Pudding
Mini Fruitcakes
Miniature Cheesecakes
Mississippi Fudge Cake
Mississippi Mud
Mock Lemon Meringue Cake
Neiman Marcus Cake
No Bake Fruit Cake
Norwegian Gold Cake
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake
Old Fashion Pound Cake
Old Fashioned Light Fruitcake
Orange Date-Nut Cake
Orange Slice Cake
Oreo Cheesecake
Peanut-Topped Devil's Food
Pecan Icing
Pennsylvania Dutch Pastry
Pineapple Heaven
Plum-Nut Cake
Pound Cake Pound Cake
Pumpkin Cake Roll
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin log
Pumpkin Nut Roll
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Pumpkin Roll
Queen's Cake
Red Velvet Cake
Reese`s white cake
Reese's Brownie Cupcakes
Refrigerator Chocolate Cheesecake
Russian Tea Cakes
Russian Teacakes
Santa's Breakfast Cake
Self-Filled Cupcakes
Shirley's Chocolate Sheet Cake
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Southern Apple Cake
Swedish Nut Cake
Tiny Christmas Fruitcakes
Toll House Carrot Cake
Triple Chocolate Torte
Turtle Bars
Turtle Cake
Warcake
Watergate Cake
White Christmas Loaf
World War I Cake
World War II Cake

Stuff and things

2008-10-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

Can't even begin to describe how far under I got last week! And it was NOT a good week to be buried. We were supposed to receive our History class mid-terms on the 9th - first half received on the 11th (T/F, multiple choice & fill-in-the blank) with the second half promised on the 13th. Second half received on the 15th (7 documents to read and 4-7 questions to answer for each doc.). All this due on the 22nd - not so bad. Assigned to give a "persuasive" speech on Monday the 20th. ...and then there's my favorite subject - MATH. For the most part I can accomplish a little bit of homework every night at work - my first hour or so is usually pretty slow. Not so last week, plus I was asked to come in early the last half of the week- so I worked about 14 hours 3 days in a row. Not so condusive to homework - or even brain cells. So Saturday I had a major cram session - started with math (7 chapters of homework to do, each with 30 questions to answer), got burned out and couldn't see the numbers/letters after completing the first 4 1/2 chapters. Moved to communications and starting my speech. My first thoughts were that it was a really lame subject and probably not a good one, but I couldn't come up with anything else, so I went with it. Tried to work on history, but sitting at home watching the world go by just doesn't make for good absorption ratio. Plus, I made the HUGE mistake of checking out an Ann Rule book that someone recommended to me. I'm a little addicted to reading (when it's good). I have a horrible habit of starting a book and not stopping until it's done. This one was particularly hard to put down because I could have substituted my ex-husband's name in it. Ann Rule writes fiction - mostly true crime stuff. This one was about a narcisstic husband who killed his estranged wife. Rang a little too close to home several times. I had to keep reading to make sure the guy was convicted!
So ... I spent more time working on my speech on Sunday - still wasn't any more impressed with it. Worked on a little more history. Decided to finish that in the library on Monday (quiet is good). And I did. Handed in both parts of my history mid-term. Oh, and I got my math test from last week (fractions) back. Got a 97% - my best score yet. wahoo... Gave my speech today. I was kinda hoping I would get bumped to Wednesday, but was one of the few who [appeared] to be prepared, so onward and upward as they say.... didn't do so well. I'm not so happy with myself.
Maybe... just maybe... if I had some friends and/or followers on this thing (not that I want any!) I could ask for ideas for my next speech. Actually, I have to do another informative speech next. I am considering giving it on "how to make the perfect PB&J." Figured if I take all the fixings and pass one out to everyone it might help my overall score... maybe.... thoughts on this, Brandi?
All appears to be quiet here at work so I think I'll crack my math open and see if I can accomplish anything. Later.

Been a few days

2008-10-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a few days since I've been here. I've thought about it a couple times, but didn't really have anything to say. I don't really have anything to say tonight, either, but I'm sitting here at work tonight looking out my 8th-floor window at the gorgeous sunset wishing I could share it with someone (If I had a camera I could post a picture of it...). That is one thing that the cold(er) weather does well... creates fantastic sunsets.
The other thing I wanted to share with someone tonight is a quote I discovered. Actually, it's in a letter to the editor of Inc. magazine, so I don't really know who the originator is, but it's going to become my new mantra. At least until I find the next great one. It goes like this:

"There is no lmit to what you can learn or how much better you can become, as long as you keep reading, listening, and searching for wisdom."

Every part of that is so true. There seems to be a plethora of people out there who feel they are better than those around them. I wonder... do they think they have reached their peak? Do they strive to be better? or do they think there is no better than they?

That's enough food for thought tonight. Have a great one!

Monday Monday

2008-10-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

I did think about just abandoning this altogether over the weekend... had kind of a bad week last week. A "feel sorry for Jenn" kind of week. It's not really something I want to put out in the universe, so suffice it to say, it sucked and I'm working through it.
I did, however, have a great weekend. I went up to Idaho Falls and helped Brandi and Drew get settled into their new little house. They closed on it a month ago and Drew has been kicking ass getting the place all spiffy'd up so they could move in. He and his dad tore out the carpet, layed new, beautiful laminate down and he painted the entire place. I'm still shocked that he let Brandi pick the colors she did.... that's my girl! Red and bright yellow with black cabinets for their kitchen. It looks great, and once she gets stuff on the walls it'll come together really nicely. I'm pretty excited for them... despite my hesitancy (ok, I was downright against them buying it from the beginning)... but they'll make it work and I'm proud of them for taking the chance/opportunity and buying a house so early in their marriage.
Not much has been happening. I suppose I'll find out today how I did in my communications mid-term. No math mid-term (thank you!) and my history final will be emailed to us on the 9th (it's take-home, yea!). It should be fairly easy-ish, since it's take-home and is based on class lectures. Hopefully my note-taking will pay off.
Well, I'm off to math. Feels like it's gonna be a long week. I don't know why... just does.
Later.

Boring night at work

2008-10-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

I've been reading about the bailout that just passed in Congress. I'm a little disheartened that the House caved so easily. I thought for sure my letters would pursuade them otherwise. There certainly were plenty of others who, like me, opposed the bailout. It seems many of us agree that Senator Bob Bennett is whole-heartedly backing himself. He stood to lose a lot if the bailout bill failed to pass muster. Just so you know, the blog I have been participating in re this subject was started due to an article on KSL.com. There were ays and nays aplenty, so it wasn't just a Bennett-bashing thing (although even those for the bailout generally agreed with the ouster of Bennett theory).

Realizing that [we] all stand to lose something, and that there is no "win-win" solution, I still feel that there has got to be a better way to solve this ongoing problem of fiscal solvency. One thought would be to take the "personal interest" out of the decision-makers hands. I mean, come on, it's an election year. We need to line pockets! and who lines the pockets... uh huh... you get where I'm going. One of the hair-brained ideas someone suggested in my history class today was to go completely crazy and put some people who actually have some financial expertise on the oversight committee. Crazy, I know.

Apparently there is an email going around with probably the best idea ever! While I haven't seen it, from what I gather, every adult US citizen would be given $437k. Of course, that money would be taxed... 30% ... which would go back into the federal coffers, and would pay back many millions of the deficit. The remaining $300k (give or take) would be ours for the spending. And honestly... tell me you wouldn't. Pay off the house (stimulate the economy) pay off the car... and heck, buy a new one! (stimulate the economy.) Pay off those pesky credit cards (got the idea yet?). By now we're all probably out of money. So guess what... back to the credit cards (stimulate away). Think about it. Would you be willing to help out your country this way? Ok, I know there are those who would do the "responsible" thing and invest [some of] it. But that's still helping out.

Okay, I'm tired of talking about this. I'm sure it will be a topic of conversation for many, many years to come. You've probably quit reading so I'm wasting valuable energy. Time to read some more of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and stimulate my brain.

How many congressmen does it take to balance the budget (I know it's old, but still...)

School is ... cool?

2008-10-01T13:31:00.001-07:00

It's good to be consistent, right? Even if it's consistently bad. right? If I'm honest with myself I'm not even consistent.... unless you count consistently getting worse. My first math test I got 95/100. Second 90/100. I went in early this morning so I could get my results from Monday's test. ... you thought I was going to say 85/100, didn't you. Well... you're wrong. and I was WAY wrong. 70/100. yup. Failed miserably. Hopefully my Communications mid-term will turn out better. That was this afternoon. I'm pretty confident about that one.

Good news is - I have the next two days off for fall break. YEAH! If only I had the same courtesy from work! sheesh! of course, I'm wondering what I'm going to do with my time during the day. I can't imagine what I'd do with 4 entire days of no school and no work. I do have math homework, though, so it'll give me something to do... if I can figure it out. Fractions. ugh.
Maybe I'll go crazy and dust.

Day 2... How many days for a habit to form?

2008-09-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

I got my history essay back yesterday. We were assigned to write an essay on an assigned topic (mine was "The Tyranny of the Majority), with 2 drafts and a final to be turned in at about 2-week intervals from the beginning of the semester. I got my second draft back yesterday ... 99% and I don't have to turn in a final. Considering I had no idea what I was talking about, I'm pretty impressed with myself! I might be getting this school stuff (second time around is WAY easier)! I just hope my term paper (another essay, but muuuuch longer) impresses him as much as this one did.

Wait... I take back that easier part. Did I mention I had a test in math yesterday? I don't want to mess up my karma and put out there that I completely bombed it, but I have a bad feeling. A couple of my fellow "developmental math" peers and I were discussing our shortcomings this morning before class started. My brain has this thing... which it seems it had the first time I tried algebra many, many moons ago... I have no problem understanding the concept during class and while I'm doing the homework (usually either immediately following class or that same evening). But when I get to the test my brain has moved to another hemisphere (did I mention we take tests every 10 days?!!? ARGH!). Once I finish this blog I'm going to go to my friend google and see what others have to say about this problem. I even did EXTRA work to study. The chapter homework usually consists of about 100 problems, of which we are assigned to do every 4th problem. Last chapter I did every single problem! You'd think it would be hammered into my pea brain (maybe it's pee 'cuz it pours right out... ok, that's kinda icky but I'm leaving it in 'cuz it's kinda funny, too). I'm going to go in and sit with Charlie (my math prof) tomorrow morning before class while he corrects my test. We have fall break starting Thursday and I'll go crazy if I have to wait until next week to see how [poorly] I did.

Oh, and I have my public speaking mid-term tomorrow, too! wahoo buckaroo! Wish me luck...

Bragging rights

2008-09-29T18:36:00.000-07:00

One of the classes I'm taking is public speaking. Realizing that if anyone who knows me reads this, they are going to laugh themselves into hysterics, I have to tell you ... it's got to be the most evil required class (second only to math) the education system came up with! I DO like to talk and I DO generally add my 2 cents... wanted or not... but I can do that from the back of the classroom or the back of a conference room or among a group of friends/family. It is NOT the same when forced to stand IN FRONT OF a group of people (in my case, this group is made up of kids the same age as my kids). While I don't want to come right out and say that these [kids] intimidate me, I can say that I've heard what kids like these say about people [like me]. I've never really been one to care much what people think about me, but I have to see these people around campus every day for the next 3 semesters. I'm supposed to be old enough and wise enough to "get" this ... to supposedly know what I'm doing. I tried to explain to my classmates one day how hard this class is for me. They laughed at me of course, because I do generally participate in class discussions, which [should] make it a piece of cake to "just stand up in front of us and talk" like I usually do.

While I think I am getting a little less anxious about my speech assignments (I didn't throw up before last weeks "informative" speech), I will NOT be sad when this class is over and I am SO happy that the requirement will be fulfilled.

P.S. After my informative speech last week the teacher said I aced the speech due to my visual aides (my chosen subject was Drunk Driving and how if effects everyone. I used a PowerPoint presentation that included pictures... graphic pictures... blood and guts tend to leave an impression).

What the heck am I doing?!!?

2008-09-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

I've been curious as to why people blog. I've read (and commented) on many public blogs. I have an artist friend who blogs on his own website about his current projects and his dog, so I assume he blogs for his clients. Now my beautiful daughter, Brandi and her slightly dorky husband, Drew, have a blog, to which her many friends can see what [they] are up to and comment.

Since I'm currently posing as a college student (which seems to be the main genre for blogging), I'm going to give this a shot... I'm assuming it's going to be similar to keeping a diary/journal, which is something I've tried numerous times over the years and gloriously failed at... it's so much work! The last time I [didn't] try was when Brandi so lovingly gave me a beautiful leather-bound journal for Christmas 4 years ago; I think I wrote myself a to-do list in it. Anyone want to take bets on how long this lasts? Oh... right... read on... no one is reading this!

I'm going to boldly assume that no one will read this, so I'll essentially be yammering to myself... which isn't much of a stretch, since I spend a majority of my time (outside class) alone and have, I think, 2 friends. Family I have in abundance, but I tend to be loud-mouthed, so they usually know what's going on in my life.