Mind Blowing Generosity

The only reason I can afford to go to school is because I get a fairly good amount of financial aid in the form of grants.  Being the working poor does have its benefits, LOL.

Anyway this semester I FINALLY, after years and years of writing scholarship essays, won a scholarship award . . . a RENEWABLE scholarship award.  It was an amazing feeling.  Also, my scholarship is what is called a "named" scholarship, which means it is funded by an individual who donated the funds to the university with specific requirements, and they are deeply involved in choosing who wins the scholarship.  

All that is to say, last weekend I went to the Recipients' Dinner and met the lady in person who funded my scholarship.  It was such an amazing and humbling experience.  She talked to me in detail, specific detail, about my essay and why she chose me.  She told me about herself and her life and how my life parallels hers in many ways.  It was such an intimate and enlightening conversation.  I almost cried.  Financial aid awards are one thing, but this was a remarkably unique experience like I have never experienced before.

It just really reminded me that there are still honest, genuine, good people in the world.  She is.  She gives me something to aspire too.  I'm glad to have had that experience.  I won't put her name on the Internet, because she may not want her privacy exploited, but I will post a photo of us at the dinner.

Me with my Benefactor

Has anyone or anything blown your mind lately?


Until next time . . .
 

The Taste of Victory!!!!

Last Thursday was the OFFICIAL last day of the semester for Baby Boy and me!!!

Since we're so darn proud of ourselves, we decided to have a victory meal.  Baby Boy planned the menu as follows:

• Barbecue Chicken Wings
• Homemade Pasta Salad, and
• Hand-cut Home Fries

Which, of course doesn't include the strawberry fruit bars we had for dessert, YUMMY.   

I have to admit, it is one of the strangest meals I've ever eaten.   Mom #2 and I thought the entire thing was hilarious, but Baby Boy REALLY enjoyed the Taste of Victory!

We never could say "No" to the tummy desires of a hungry Baby Boy.  It's just the Mom in us, I guess.  I'm so proud of him for getting another semester of school behind him.

Congratulations, Baby Boy, YOU DID IT!!!!

 
Until next time . . .

I'm Already Having a Freaky Fun Christmas!!!

Well I'd like to say that I successfully completed two VERY intense presentations at school over the last couple of weeks.  One in Spanish, OMG, that was tough.  The other was presenting a research poster on a project I've been working on all semester.  It was so intense and scary.  I hate speaking in front of groups, especially when I'm supposed to be an expert on something and I feel like a blubbering idiot on the subject, LOL.  But look, I'm still alive . . . I'm battling hell week right now, but that's ok, after this, it'll be over. 

One reason I was able to get through the last week was because of some great advice and just a general friendly listening ear from one of my very best blogging buddies, Freakmom.  Thanks to her years of experience speaking in front of groups, she really helped me calm my nerves and get the job done.  I was all ready to send her a thank-you email, when something super special showed up in my mailbox. 

 Isn't it beautiful??!!!! 

It's a real live handmade knitted from scratch scarf!  I've never had anyone sit down and actually make something with their own two hands while thinking of me.  I just about burst into tears when I saw it.  It's just the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.  It really made my whole day/week/month/year/lifetime. 

It got here just in time too, because it's been freakishly cold here in Central Texas.  You know, I don't do well when the temperature falls below 65 degrees.  That's hibernating weather to me!

See, I like it so much, I'm wearing it right now.  

This is how my face looks with no make-up.  Don't allow your small children to look directly into the computer screen, they may turn to stone.  Grownups, you can just ignore it if you like.  How do you like my Merry Christmas Rudolph pajamas?  We're already in full-fledged Christmas mode right now.  

Anyway, What a Freaky Fresh start to the Christmas season. 

Thanks, Freakmom!

Until next time . . .

30 Day Countdown & A Fairy Good Visit

The fall 2011 semester is nearing the home stretch, as the penultimate exams have been archived and the amount of work is steadily decreasing.  

My progress in the classes have been on a steady high note the last few weeks and I am determined to come out of it all with the best grades possible.  In addition to this, I have already registered for another onslaught of classes for the upcoming spring 2012 semester. It makes the small break between the two seem like the calm before the ultimate storm. . . 

It is a bit too soon to worry myself with the details of spring, my energy must be fully focused on ending on a high note for the task at hand!



As of today, there are officially 30 days left in the semester. We're in the Home Stretch!  I don't know where the heck Baby Boy is going to school, because my classes are getting increasingly difficult and they are demanding more work at the end of the semester than they ever did at the beginning.  Don't even talk to me about finals . . . the horror!

I'm beginning to accept that I won't be getting straight As this semester.  I'm working like a runaway slave just to keep a B in statistics and I seem to be headed for a B in astronomy as well.  I might get an A in Spanish, but I still don't seem to speak Spanish.  I read and write Spanish well enough, but I was hoping I'd actually learn to speak Spanish.  I'm not that fond of my Spanish professor this semester.  She's a very nice lady, but her teaching style (lecture) and my learning style (lots of participation) don't jive.  I'm going to make sure to steer clear of her for Spanish IV.  I have to give a full-fledged presentation in Spanish in a couple of weeks in front of my considerable-sized class.  My whole body goes into a dry heave just thinking about it.  I don't do well speaking in front of groups.  *SIGH*  I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive I don't do well speaking in Spanish in front of groups, LOL.  We'll see.

Anyway, I'm on a tangent, as usual.  Mostly I'm looking forward to Winter Break and getting into the Holiday swing.

Did I mention that three beautiful little fairies came to visit us for Halloween?  Well, they did. Aren't they precious?

Well, of course, they flew in only to sit in front on the television and watch the Shrek Halloween Special

But they'd never begrudge their *ahem* grandma a smile 

(the g-word applies to Mom #2, not me)

Now they're flying out to get all the neighbors' candy! 
Too cute! 

So, needless to say, I'm trying not to obsess too much over school and enjoy the other joys of life.



Until next time . . .

Week 7 Observations, Baggage of Sorts

The week after the 6 week point goes without a hitch.  The quiz in Japanese goes ever so smoothly, just as the test did, in which I passed with a pretty darn good grade.  

 It is, however coming around to exam time in psychology, and the heat is starting to reach a fever pitch.  Will it be tough?  Most likely.  Will I crumble under the pressure?  NEVER!   

It is time to march into class armed and ready to beat down exam#2.   

Until next time. . .

After I had a tiny breakdown last week and a not-so-tiny breakdown earlier this week, Mom #2 sat me down and had a really long and thorough talking with me.  It felt good to kind of get all of my emotions about not homeschooling anymore; having an adult son (!); and interacting all day long with young, skinny co-eds.  I think I may have been keeping too much locked up inside.

Whatever it was, I feel MUCH better now, and I'm refocused on being successful in my studies, which is a good thing, because they aren't getting any easier. I think that's all I'm going to say about that this week.:) 

My main observation this week is all of the STUFF I've noticed around campus.  Why do college students have so much stuff?  Myself included. 

I leave the house on school days with the following baggage

The big one is the backpack, which holds textbooks, binders, pens, pencils, paper, and other. . . ahem . . . necessities.  The smaller one is my lunch and, most importantly, extra water since it's hotter than Hades here.  I still don't understand why I'm not skinny yet; I walk miles and miles (it seems) every day with hundreds of pounds on my back, but I digress.

Today as I waited for my bus, which was running late, as usual, I noticed that I'm not the only one who likes to keep all of their stuff with them at all times.  Take a look.

 This lady has one large bag on her arm and one medium bag cross-body.

 This lady has a ginormous backpack, but that isn't enough, she still has the big red bag that looks like a bunch of kittens are trying to break out of it. 

This lady is trying to deceive everyone into thinking she's packing light, but look closely and you can see the great big bag she sat down on the bench.  I saw her set it there, so I know for sure it's hers. 

And the grand prize winner of the Overburdened In Academia Award is this lady who has a great big overstuffed backpack, and not one but TWO additional bags.  One over each shoulder.  I mean seriously, did she leave anything in her dorm room? 

 

I think we've all turned into a society of mobile hoarders.  Our houses are squeaky clean, but we still don't have the heart to throw anything away.  We just shove it in a bag, and bring it with us wherever we go. ;-)

Well those are my observations for the week.  I promised my Mom I'd go to a church-lady luncheon with her today, so I need to practice not being a Heathen for a couple hours so nothing sacrilegious comes flying out of my mouth in front of everyone, LOL. 

Have a fantastic weekend, Everyone

Until next time . . .

Fall 2011 - Week 6 - Baby Boy and Mom #1

I have survived long enough to see the 6 week point.

I endured a test in chemistry with another looming next week, a super brutal first exam in Japanese, and another visit into the bowels of the ever-so-dry-and-boring textbook of psychology.

On the positive note, I have made a few new friends, am finally getting a firm grip on my Japanese, and am currently (and PERMANENTLY) passing all of my classes.  Maybe not with flying colors, but steadily gliding colors, which is acceptable enough for now.

Well… until next time!



Well I'm feeling FANTASTIC right now.

I had a tough week because I had major exams in both my stats and Spanish classes. 

The stats test was brutal, plus I ran out of time towards the end and I had to rush.  But I know I nailed the independent groups t-test, which took 3 pages of scratch paper, but I checked and double-checked my answer and I KNOW it's right.  As far as I'm concerned, that's success.  The fact is, I studied my bum off, I'm in class and at review sessions at every available opportunity, and I did the best I could.  I left blood, sweat, and tears in the classroom.  I'm at home now and my family is as happy to see me as I am to see them.  Let the grades fall where they may.

My Spanish test wasn't that hard, except that I don't speak Spanish, which consistently causes me trouble in that class. ;-)   

Mom #2 was ever-so-generous as to make us a delicious meal of fried red fish, hand cut fries, and jalapeno hush dogs.  That's how you finish off a rough week.  I love her so!

I do have another astronomy test next week, but I'm not quite prepared to start stressing about that yet.  I did receive approval to do a special project to help balance the C I got on the last test.  I'm going to investigate seasonal affective disorder and if people in the international space stations suffer from it and if (possible) life on other planets would suffer from it.  I think it'll be interesting, but it will be time consuming.  You know, because I have nothing but tons of free time, LOL.

Oh, and let me pass on a little free entertainment I got at school this week.  I know I've mentioned how intimate and entertaining my bus rides can be.  Well, this week, it reached an all time high.  I was sitting right in front of a guy wearing not one, but two masks.  I was a little freaked out because I thought he was going to try to rob us, but then I thought about that fact that it was a university shuttle and we're all dirt-poor students, and just took his picture while he wasn't looking.  Here's a visual.  

How hilarious is that?  

I think that's a pretty fitting way to wrap up the week.  

Until next time . . .

Week C - I mean Week 5 - Family Style

Week 5 ends on a bit of a sour note as the heat in my classes is turned up dramatically.   

My psychology class has finally become manageable for me, and hopefully my Japanese class will follow.  The difficulty is only increasing, but I, along with my study-buddies, are slowly but surely starting to understand the material and cope with the onslaught of new information coming at us.   

As for chemistry. . .  well that’s a different story.  I was recently put squarely in my place by a surprising C level grade on my first exam.  Why this happened is still somewhat of a mystery to me; however, I am now stepping up my studying tenfold to ensure that this is permanently a ONE-TIME DEAL!!!  

Fortunately, I was able to re-test.  The new grade is yet to be determined . . . One can only hope!   

Until next time. . .

Well, I don't have any good news, so I'll just start with the bad news. 

I had a majorly dramatic bit of a breakdown this week.  I spent the majority of if wailing and crying solemnly reflecting on my brain's apparent saturation level.  I'm sure I've reached it.  It started with me getting a %$$@#$%% darn C on my astronomy test (didn't I mention how much I hate tests), and just kept rolling downhill from there.  Fortunately, my professor does drop one test grade and even allows an extra credit project to help pump up grades, but I have to admit, that C was a huge blow to my confidence.  I mean, if I can't do any better than a C in conceptional astronomy for non-science majors . . . then seriously . . . what am I even doing there?

I'm taking today off.  The end.  I'll take positive energy, if you have any. 

Oh, last week Wendy asked for an update on Mom #2, who was oh-so-gracious as to sit still for a minute and give you all a personal update:

Hello Mom #2 here, the last time I wrote on this blog I had hacked in ;) 

I just wanted to stop by and give an update on what I've been up to.

Mostly I've been working.  I wish I could also say gardening, but when the temperature is over 105 degrees every day, it's hard to keep the plants alive. Aside from that, I've been daydreaming about a vacation but not exactly sure where to go. So if anyone knows of a great weekend getaway in Texas please let me know.

Oh yeah also if you could convince Mom #1 to be a home school Mom again (minus the kid of course) that would be GREAT!!!!!!!  ;)

Happy Autumnal Equinox! 

(I learned about that in astronomy, LOL)

Until next time . . .

Keeping Score in Week Four

Week #4 ended on a pretty good note for me. 

The dreaded psychology exam proved to be no mach for my unparalleled brainpower!  Although I did miss a couple of questions that I should have and DID know and felt like a dummy about for the rest of the day, I still managed to get a respectable grade in the end. 

The results of my exam in chemistry have yet to come in, but I still feel that I did a good job on it. 

The intensity in my Japanese class has been turned up dramatically.  I am constantly being hit by such a torrent of new information that even my notebooks feel overwhelmed.  However, the good news is that a couple of friends and I have decided to form a small study group and work as a team to break down the obstacles that this class has set before us. 

Well, back to the books. 

Until next time. . .




Well, all I can say about week four is that I'm glad it's over. 

I had a really difficult time grasping some of the concepts in my statistics class, but I spent over an hour with my professor during office hours (she seemed pretty happy to see me) and I was pretty confident that I was on the right path . . . until the next lecture.   I think she and I may become either the best of friends or the worst of enemies.  I'll be spending a lot of time in her office.  Fortunately she seems very patient and happy to help.  That goes a long way in my book, but that sure is one tough subject.  It is kind of freaking me out that I'm having so much trouble so early in the semester, but I'm trying not to let my anxiety get the best of me.  I'm sure if I just take it one assignment at a time, I'll look up before you know it, and it'll be all over.  At least, that's what I keep telling myself.

I had my first big exam in astronomy today.  You know, I LOVE that class.  It's so incredibly interesting!  I just wish I didn't have to memorize stuff and take tests on all the information I'm enjoying reading about and listening to.  Tests suck.  I could do fine if it weren't for those pesky tests.  Unfortunately that isn't exactly how the university model of learning works. *SIGH*  Hopefully I'll have a good grade to report next week.  We'll see.

Enough negativity, on a positive note, my Dad gave me some money for my birthday and usually I just spend my birthday money on rent, food, water . . . you know, practical stuff like that.  This year, I got a wild hair and actually bought myself some quality make up and new make up brushes that didn't come in a blister package from the Wal Mart.  It felt so nice to have a sales clerk actually help me find the RIGHT shade for my skin and the brushes feel like butter against my skin.  Now that I'm walking a few hundred miles a day in the 105 degree heat on campus, I'm not wearing make up every day, but when I do . . . it'll be the good stuff. ;-)

One more positive thing, since I'm on a roll.  Baby Boy is too modest to mention it, but he was awarded another scholarship by the hospital my Mom volunteers at.  I'm so happy and proud of him.  They are awarding it to him at a fancy banquet this weekend.  I'll try to take some photos and post them next week.  Just in case you're keeping score:  Baby Boy - 2 scholarships; Mom #1 - 0 scholarships.  Can you say "moderately agitated?"

Oh, well, you're always supposed to want better for your kids.  Right?

Drop me a line and tell me how your week went.
 
Until next time . . .

Labor Day Week . . . The Long and Short of if All

The intensity begins to rise in my classes as week three comes to an end. My chemistry and psychology classes are both going to put me to the test next week with their first round of exams.  I'm not too worried about the chemistry exam.  That is actually my easiest class so far, plus I've made a couple of new friends in that class.  If push comes to shove, we can form a study group to help each other out. 

The psychology exam has me feeling QUITE uneasy . . . this class has proven to be one of my toughest yet, only rivaled by trigonometry a few semesters back and cellular and molecular biology last semester.  Truly bears!

Japanese II has proven to be just as tough as the rumors surrounding it had predicted.  I am currently trying to burn twenty-five new Kanji into my brain along with a bevy of new verb conjugation tenses.  Interestingly enough, this class, though tough, is so much fun.  I really enjoy learning Japanese.  I've been watching Japanese videos online and I've changed the audio and written language to all my video games to Japanese.  I'm going to become fluent if it's the last thing I do! 

I keep asking myself, JUST WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO???

Well, as you know, even though I am facing a supreme challenge next week, the fire within that will drive me to the peak of success continues to burn.  


See you next week!



I don't have classes on Mondays anyway, so I had a regular week.  Actually, both my Sister and I have birthdays over Labor Day weekend every year, so I had a regular week, plus I'm a year older.  All the baby hair at my hairline must have heard the news, because I'm looking awfully gray lately. *SIGH*

For some reason, this week was exhausting.  I'm so glad the weekend is here.

My statistics class is kicking. my. butt.  I have never had much of a math mind, and this class intends to make sure everyone knows about it.  I spend more time looking around with my "idiot face" on, raising my hand without even having the proper language to ask a coherent question, and crying quietly to myself.  So sad.

Good news in my astronomy class.  I met two more ladies and we've formed a "we're older than the professor, but still hanging in there" study group.  I always feel like the biggest, wrinkliest person in the room, so finding these two nice ladies really makes me feel great, and not so alone.

I've made A's on my first two Spanish quizzes, but I'm still having a hard time with hearing and speaking.  Too bad I can't just walk around Costa Rica with a pen and paper and write down everything I want to say.  I'm an excellent Spanish writer and reader, LOL.

Lots of homework, as usual, so I guess I'll get on with it.



Until next time . . .

Fall 2011 - Week 2 - Baby Boy and Mom #1

Week two has been a success!  

I have hit the ground running in all of my classes.  The homework isn’t too terribly difficult, the classes don’t seem to be giving me much trouble at the moment.  However, I believe in the future that my psychology class of all classes is going to give me the most trouble out of all of them .  ** Whomever said that psychology is an “Easy A” needs to be kicked in the teeth!**  I say this because of the multiple essays that are required to be written, my horrid writing skills, and the dry, crusty, and just flat out boring textbook with seemingly never-ending chapters that I must read and draw information from.   

Well. . . no choice but to keep a steady pace.   

Wish me luck!

 Well, I'm officially exhausted!  This was my first FULL week of classes from both the community college and the university.

So far I'm really enjoying everything except my Spanish class.  It's conducted entirely in Spanish, which would be great except that I don't speak Spanish.  It also moves a little too fast for me.  I'm more of a slow, methodical listener, speaker, and writer . . . that won't cut it at all this semester.  After that class, I'm out of breath.  I feel like I've been running a Spanish-speaking-marathon.  I think I'm going to have to start watching Spanish television (which I should have already been doing, but I'm not) because I really need to fine tune my Spanish listening ears.  *SIGH*  I also really hate all the hundreds and hundreds of pages of busywork my professor keeps giving us.  I need to read, write, and study in my other classes, but I'm dedicating way too much time to Spanish-Spanish-Spanish.  As you can see, that's going to be my problem class for this semester.

I'm super-duper excited about my psychological statistics and research design class.  It's supposed to be the hardest class in the liberal arts department, but I'm so excited about being able to create my own statistical study and collecting data from real live people and writing up my findings, well . . . I don't mind the hard work.  I'm too embarrassed to admit it in mixed company, but it sounds like FUN to me. ;-)

I've also learned to really enjoy my bus rides.  I usually put my iPod on with a little classical music to keep my anxiety at bay, and then I review my reading selections for my classes.  That way it's fresh in my mind when I get to class.  It's a great way to multitask, and I don't have to get my blood pressure up in the out-of-control traffic.  WINNING!

Unfortunately, this week on the bus, a man using a walker and wearing one of those plastic bracelets (the ones that you get either from the hospital or when you are out on your day trip from rehab) asked me out on a date.  I guess I don't look as young and fresh as I thought I did in my brand-spanking-new sundress.  The quality of heads I'm turning these days has really declined, LOL.  LOSING!

I don't know how Baby Boy gets his week summed up so briefly.  I had to take out 75% of  the stuff I wanted to say to keep mine to a reasonable length.  Oh, well.  Such is the difference between Mom and son. 

Enjoy your holiday weekend, Everyone!



Until next time . . .

Fall 2011 - Week 1 - Baby Boy and Mom #1

At the beginning of this week, I felt nervous.  I had a bit of a hard time sleeping and couldn't get the anxious  thoughts out of my mind . . . Am I crazy for taking Japanese II and Chemistry II in the same semester?  Why did I sign up for Intro to Psychology, I'm not even remotely interested in that stuff . . . What will come of the new semester of school???

This week has been somewhat of a relief and a preparation for me.  I'm relieved to have learned that my professors seem very engaged and my classes don't seem like they'll give me too much trouble.  I'm feeling more prepared to buckle down, get ready, and trudge through these classes full throttle.  I'm will absolutely not allow them to defeat me!

Overall, my first week of school turned out successfully.  I met and got a good feel for my professors, and fully know what to expect from my classes.

All that's left to say is . . .

. . . Time to LOCK and LOAD!




Well this was my first week taking classes at the University.  I am experiencing a lot of new things all at once.  I'm getting used to walking all. day.  long.  When I got home on the first day, I ran and looked in the mirror and couldn't believe I was still fat.  I thought for sure I'd lost 50 or 60 pounds walking all over campus carrying a backpack full of books in the 106 degree heat.  But, alas, no.  Skinny apparently is not in the cards for me.

My Statistics and Research Design professor actually said that the class was BRUTAL and that we should be prepared to work 10 to 15 hours a week outside of class and the two hour weekly lab.  Seriously.  I almost peed my pants right on the spot.  The rest of my university classes seem challenging, but manageable.  I guess we'll see.

I'm also taking Spanish III at the community college.  I've come to the conclusion that I. Don't. Speak. Spanish. and apparently no amount of book-learnin' is going to help me.  ;-) But I'm still hanging in there.

Since we have three people going three different directions and I have super-duper-traffic-driving-anxiety coupled with a strong aversion to paying $300 a semester for a parking pass, I've been reduced to public transit.  I am starting to consider this a sixteen week sociological study in giving up my personal space.  The bus is very . . . ahem . . . intimate.  That's all I have to say about that. 

I'm staring the week off  with a fair amount of homework, and my first quiz is already on the horizon next week, so not much time to chat.

Have y'all started back to school yet?  How's it going?

Give Baby Boy and me an update. 

P.S. Have a great weekend everyone!


Until next time . . .