PHOTODORK » School

Decisions for the Fall

Photodork — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 16:11:41 +0000

I have been thinking about taking one class this Fall while working full time. I would work from 9-6 each day, and I am enrolled in a class that meets from 8-8:50 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So it wouldn’t be so bad. My original plan was to take a semester off, but I am feeling like it is important for me to continue making progress towards my teaching certificate. It was hard enough to go back after a 9 month hiatus, and I don’t want to give up. Plus, if I take one class this semester it will lighten my load for the Spring. I should be able to finish taking classes in May and student teach in the Fall. Of course I will still need to log a certain amount of observation hours, which will be tricky. I’ll have to look into that I suppose.

A little about a lot

Photodork — Wed, 03 May 2006 13:49:16 +0000

Well…I finally sit down to update my blog and find that I really have nothing important to say. Awesome. It’s not that nothing has happened, things have been super crazy busy. Maybe I am just too overwhelmed to put anything comprehendible together….I don’t know.
I started working again this week, which has been a little strange. I am doing some pinch-hitting type stuff for the bank I worked at for 6 years before I went back to school. It’s odd jobs mostly, but the hours are flexible so that’s nice. I was gone for just under a year, and there are so many people who don’t recognize me. It’s pretty funny.
It is also my finals week…ick. I have my biggest final tomorrow, and I have yet to start studying. That is the plan for this afternoon. I did all the assigned reading already, so it shoudn’t be too bad. I just don’t feel like doing it I suppose. Oh well, after tomorrow I will be free. Free for 16 weeks. Whoohoo! Although I am considering taking a Spanish class at Aims. I have to make sure I have something to whine about over the summer after all…
Well…I must jet off to work now. I will try to write a more complete post soon.

Casting Like a Pro

Photodork — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 03:34:23 +0000

That’s right…today was casting day, and I ruled it up. Okay, my instructor helped me with the torch a bit, but otherwise I was in control. It is quite the adrenaline rush. And, Dylan’s ring came out very nicely. The only problem is that it is a little big for him, which is baffling because the wax mold fit him snugly. I am slightly peeved, but will think of something to tweak it. Maybe Dylan could gain a few pounds…that would be the easiest way, I think.
I have yet another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and am not looking forward to it in the least. This is my fourth appointment this month and I have one next week as well. Ugh! I am so tired of medical crap. I know that isn’t the attitude to have…but I am allowed to feel fed up every now and again. On the bright side, my wounds are making pretty good progress. I have been using an algae-based stimulant to pack them and it seems to be working. I am hoping that they will be mostly healed in a few more weeks. Alright, I really hope that they will be healed when I wake up tomorrow, but I try to set realistic goals.
Well, I am going to go offer Dylan some icecream…I’ll make it a big bowl, and then his ring will fit sooner.

Reno’s Birthday

Photodork — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 03:35:29 +0000

So today is my little ginger cat’s 1st birthday. And yes, I am one of those obsessed cat people who knows their cat’s birthday, but not one of those psycho cat people who bakes them a cake and throws them a party. There is a slight difference there, you know…
Anyhoo, I finished the wax mold of Dylan’s new wedding band and invested it today. I will cast on Thursday, so everybody needs to keep their fingers crossed for me. I am very nervous about whether or not it will be a successful casting. First of all, I spent a ridiculous amount of time creating the wax model, and practically went cross-eyed working on it. Also, a reasonable amount of my grade for this class rides on this project. And lastly, it involves lighting and using a fairly big torch. So, should you think of it around midafternoon on Thursday, say a little prayer for me.
Only a week and a half left of school…tralalalalala. I am very ready for a little break. I only have the casting (dum-da-dum-dum-dummmmmmm), two tests and a pretend grant to write before I am finished. Not too bad, although I would honestly really enjoy not having to write a pretend grant…oh well. C’est la vie, I suppose.
I am going to go smother some vanilla icecream with chocolate syrup now, and then I am going to bed.

Prime Rib for Easter

Photodork — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 23:14:23 +0000

I have been meaning to update my blog for awhile now…I suppose it has only been about a week and a half since my last post though. So..not so bad. It is crunch time for school right now, only two and a half weeks until finals, so I have been busy with that. I finally finished my education project last week…yippee! I also had to register for next fall last week, and that was just a mess. UNC has just switched registration programs and the new one is dumb. It took me two days to sign up for three courses. On the plus side, I got into all the classes I wanted to (being a grad student has its perks) and I will only have to go to school on Tuesday and Thursday next semester. Sweet.
This weekend is Easter, and I am very excited to have prime rib with my Mom. I know that eating is not the point of this particular holiday…but its prime rib. And ever since I started having all my health issues, I have turned into quite the carnivore. I’ll admit it’s a little strange…I didn’t eat red meat for about 5 years or so…and now I crave steak like nobody’s business. Weird.
Dylan has just gotten home, so I am going to go see how his day was. More on my adventures later.

Sad Sunday

Photodork — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 22:41:14 +0000

Sunday is such an odd day. I almost dislike it, because all day I dread having to get back to the grind the next day. On the other hand, it is a day off, so I can’t actually dislike it. Quite the predicament.
Well, I have not been nearly as productive as I should have been this weekend…which is no good. Yesterday I was just grumpy, a condition that is becoming more common as I get fed up with my various ailments. And today I have felt slightly under the weather, making it necessary for me to nap instead of work. Okay, maybe not necessary, but certainly more appealing. Dumb school work, making me feel guilty for being lazy.
I am about to go rule up my education project, but I don’t really want to. It is due Wednesday, so I am in a bit of a pickle time-wise. But at least after I turn it in, I’ll only have my jewelry projects to worry about. One of those is due this week as well. Looks like it’s going to be a fun one. Ugh. That’s all I have to say about it: ugh, ugh, ugh.

Sarah the Brave

Photodork — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:23:43 +0000

So…I was quite proud of myself this morning. I had to have blood drawn and I did. It may not seem like a big deal, but for me it was. I have, as I am sure anybody who reads this has figured out, a serious aversion to needles, followed very closely by my dislike of blood and anything having to do with my veins. I only cried a very little bit, and the phlobotomist was awesome. Three cheers for Reina. Usually it takes a full two to three minutes for the nurses to get things done, during which time I lose the feeling in my hands and chest because I am hyperventiliating, but this lady ruled it up in about 10 seconds. It was amazing. And that is why I have earned the title of Sarah the Brave for today.
It has been a crazy week, and I am very grateful that tomorrow is Friday. I am observing in the afternoon, but otherwise am free. Free to do my homework, that is. But all the same, I am ready for the weekend. Dylan is working all day at the Children’s Festival on Saturday, which is kind of sad because it will cut into our weekend time together, but I think he will have fun. I just know that he has had a long week too, and wish that he got to have a more relaxing weekend.
As for me, it’s going to be a long weekend of ruling up the school work. I have to pretty much wrap up my project for my education class, get a healthy chunk of the piece I am creating for my jewelry class completed, and work on the wax model for the next project in that class. I will be casting a new wedding ring for Dylan, since he misplaced his when I was in the hospital. Casting involves using a very large torch to melt the metal. I am very afraid….I will earn the title of Sarah the Brave the day I cast, too. Rotten metal, having to be melted with scary fire. Plus, I have a little bit of work to do for my computer course. Ick. Only 5 more weeks left though, so it is time to kick it into gear.

Superstar Sarah is Sleepy

Photodork — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:48:41 +0000

I was a such a superstar yesterday, I actually made it to all my commitments. I realize that doesn’t sound like a great accomplishment, but it has been about three weeks since I have felt well enough to get everywhere I am supposed to be in a day. I went to both my classes, observed at Central, and visited my Mom’s house just like I was planning. Plus, I took the mid-term I missed before Spring Break. Good for me eh? Oh, and I bought the supplies I need for my jewelry project. I was quite productive…though I didn’t have a lot of time left over to do my homework.
So that is what I am trying to do this morning…it is not super fun. I am only behind in one class, but I need to keep up with my other work, too. One of my classes is pretty heavy on reading requirements…blech. Textbooks get old. Plus, I have this wretched project that is just, well, wretched. I hate research, and I mean hate with a capital H, and this project requires me to pull together information on a lot of different subjects. It is due next week, so I will hopefully finish it this weekend and stop whining about it.
The kitties were restless last night…and my stupid skin lesions made me uncomfortable so I am sleepy today. It is making for slow progress on the school work, but I suppose I better get back to it.

Feeling Contradictory

Photodork — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 16:14:59 +0000

It always amazes me how fast time passes. It never seems like it is going that quickly, but it seems like the days just slip by. It is already Thursday, and I am wondering where Tuesday went. I never feel like I’ve accomplished anything either…maybe it is just me.
I’ve been feeling a little down the last couple of days, but I’m not sure what triggered it. My appointment on Tuesday passed without much incident, and I don’t have to go back for another month, which is good. I have to do some wound care for my lesions, however, and it is super icky. Even Dylan is grossed out. I am helping them to heal, but I have to make them a little angry to do that, so they’ve been stinging and I’m not a huge fan. Oh well. I think I have just reached my patience’s limit. The medication that they have me on is good in terms of it’s treatment properties…it hits all the required ailments, but the side effects are no fun. I guess I just have to stick it out…
I am procrastinating on my school work once again. I just have absolutely no motivation lately. I’ve been exhausted this week too, so that is not helping. By the time I get up and shower, I’m ready to go back to bed. I don’t know if it’s still the drug rashes taking their toll or what, but I am not very good at being tired all the time. It makes me irritable. I need to get to work, because it stresses me out that I have all these projects, but I just can’t seem to get started. I care..but I don’t. Hmmm.

One Down, One to Go

Photodork — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 22:00:02 +0000

It is Monday…my second least favorite day, and I have a case of the Monday blahs. I just feel funny today. My stomach is a little unsettled and I’m not in the swing of things, you know? I hate that. Anyway, I had my first doctor’s appointment of the week, and I have one more tomorrow. All the way to Denver in the snow…should be super fun. The appointment this morning went pretty well, however. I learned that I will not have to take anymore of the mesalamine drugs, because they just don’t seem to agree with me. I have some other options, and I am feeling better about those. I am relieved that I will not have to take any more of the medicines that have that letters “col” in the name…those were the villians that kept landing me in the hospitals with needles and other instruments I dislike.
My first class of the day was cancelled on account of snow…woohoo! Although I discovered this after I had risen early to attend it. It worked out for the best though since I was going to have to leave half way through to go to my appointment anyway. I have class tonight, however, and I am dreading it. It is cold and snowy and I want to stay on the couch with my Monday blahs. Oh, and I suppose I might do some homework too. If I have to…which I do, because I have projects and such.
Alright…I guess I have put off organizing myself for long enough. I feel very jumbled at the moment…like everything is out of order. This seems to happen when I go through one of my unwell periods. When I start to feel better it’s like I lost a big chunk of time and I don’t know how to start piecing things back together. It is particularly frustrating because of school…they like due dates and on timeness. So I need to make a plan to get things back on track…stupid plague, interrupting my life.