it's official, i have finished my first semester of school! one semester down, i think 8,000 to go :)
this semester i travelled 4,000 miles between Albany and Binghamton....used 18 tanks of gas....listened to 9 books on cd.....got lost in my thoughts and figuring out my life.....had numerous group meetings...took four tests and wrote 9 papers....i had a variety of characters in my classes and still giggle about many of them....
during my travels, i learned where all the safe stops were along 88 (if anyone ever needs to know)....i fell down and broke my crown, which worried me for a while about not getting to the end of the semester....i did most things i enjoy while in school, better than i thought i would....some things did get neglected, but i guess that happens when you take on something new....
but the semester has ended, i have no grades yet....next semester i will be going twice a week...which should prove interesting....but for now, the end has come and it is sweet.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
the light
it's almost here...the end of my first semester of doctorate school....on monday i had two group presentations....one class should have ended and the other one only has a homework and final left.
in my first class our group presentations were 10 minutes each....i think there were 10 groups....it was a waste of everyone's time...the projects, the presentations, everything....the professor promptly announced at the end of the presentations that they would not hurt or improve our grades....that's right, they won't really count! what the hell!?!! each group spent alot of time running statistics, writing summaries, putting together information....for it not to count! i left the class a little disappointed and wishing that i didn't have to go back.
in my second class, we did our final project presentation....this is the one that i have been working on all semester...the group that had the crazy member early on....anyway, we had been working for the last two weeks to finalize our paper and powerpoint....one group member was less than on top of her stuff....it was pretty crappy of her to not put more energy into the final project....and when she finally did her part, she didn't do what the rest of us did and was way off in the presentation....overall though, the presentation went well....we presented our stuff and then got the third degree from the panel of VP's that our professor invited to come.....we survived the third degree and then sat through the other group....
at the end of class, our professor announces that he had some feedback for both groups....he wanted to let us all know that he had expected to see three things in our presentations but didn't....and that he hoped they were in our papers....if they weren't in our papers, we would need to put it in and get the papers to him by sunday at noon....that's right, he basically said our papers probably sucked and we needed to fix it....okay, maybe that is a little extreme....but myself and one of my group members made faces at each other as he announced this extra work...the class was supposed to be over monday.....now we have more work to do....
i am a little crazy about this....i just want to be done....i just want to put the semester behind me, be done with statistics, be done with group projects.....today is wednesday....i have finished my "extra" work for the group project....good thing....i have started my last homework for stats, though still have enough to do....and still need to study for the final....the 40 question, cumlative final....
i am looking for the light....hoping i will see it soon.
in my first class our group presentations were 10 minutes each....i think there were 10 groups....it was a waste of everyone's time...the projects, the presentations, everything....the professor promptly announced at the end of the presentations that they would not hurt or improve our grades....that's right, they won't really count! what the hell!?!! each group spent alot of time running statistics, writing summaries, putting together information....for it not to count! i left the class a little disappointed and wishing that i didn't have to go back.
in my second class, we did our final project presentation....this is the one that i have been working on all semester...the group that had the crazy member early on....anyway, we had been working for the last two weeks to finalize our paper and powerpoint....one group member was less than on top of her stuff....it was pretty crappy of her to not put more energy into the final project....and when she finally did her part, she didn't do what the rest of us did and was way off in the presentation....overall though, the presentation went well....we presented our stuff and then got the third degree from the panel of VP's that our professor invited to come.....we survived the third degree and then sat through the other group....
at the end of class, our professor announces that he had some feedback for both groups....he wanted to let us all know that he had expected to see three things in our presentations but didn't....and that he hoped they were in our papers....if they weren't in our papers, we would need to put it in and get the papers to him by sunday at noon....that's right, he basically said our papers probably sucked and we needed to fix it....okay, maybe that is a little extreme....but myself and one of my group members made faces at each other as he announced this extra work...the class was supposed to be over monday.....now we have more work to do....
i am a little crazy about this....i just want to be done....i just want to put the semester behind me, be done with statistics, be done with group projects.....today is wednesday....i have finished my "extra" work for the group project....good thing....i have started my last homework for stats, though still have enough to do....and still need to study for the final....the 40 question, cumlative final....
i am looking for the light....hoping i will see it soon.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The children....
last night, i think i realized what life must be like for my friends who have children....one, two, three, it must be crazy. but here is what happened.
i have a butt load of homework due in the next two weeks. two group projects and presentations (both include group papers that are 15-20 pages), a final homework, and a final exam. so, i had no after work commitments yesterday and decided i would dedicate the evening to getting some of the work done.
now, as some of you may know i have been home for the last 10 days (if you don't know, read "i feel weird")...so the dog and cats have had alot of "mommy" time with me....i couldn't do anything for most of those 10 days, so i laid in my bed or on the couch.....and they got all the attention they wanted....jack was sooo good in that time, he usually just laid with me, not getting into anything or doing anything bad....the cats too.
in my wisdom, i figured this behavior would continue....the "children" had been so good while i was stuck at home, they would continue to be good....i could probably get alot of work done. that was the plan....then i got home...
jack decided that he was going to be a pain about everything....chasing the cats around the house, digging up one of the house plants and after i cleaned it up, digging it up again....tater insisted on sitting on my lap or in front of the computer the whole time....and bella wanted food, to go outside, to come inside, to go outside again, to tease jack so he will chase her around the house....it went on like this for hours....no treat i gave jack interested him....nothing got tater and bella to be like cats and just sit in the corner.....NOTHING.
it figures in the time i need to do work, they all act up....all i wanted to do was get some extra credit work done for my stats class....and get some of the writing done for the two group papers, because i (someone kick me) volunteered to do the majority of the writing for both papers....yes, that was my "i need to be an overachiever" that came out when i volunteered to do that....the others in my two groups are wonderful and i have enjoyed working with them, but really, they are all very laid back about their grades and work....i needed to know it will be done.
to my friends with kids- this is why i don't have them....i couldn't imagine what last night would have been like if the animals were humans....and i had to pay all this attention to them after having been home with them for so many days in a row....i give you all alot of credit, good work on doing it all....
i did get some of the work done....with no help from the children.
i have a butt load of homework due in the next two weeks. two group projects and presentations (both include group papers that are 15-20 pages), a final homework, and a final exam. so, i had no after work commitments yesterday and decided i would dedicate the evening to getting some of the work done.
now, as some of you may know i have been home for the last 10 days (if you don't know, read "i feel weird")...so the dog and cats have had alot of "mommy" time with me....i couldn't do anything for most of those 10 days, so i laid in my bed or on the couch.....and they got all the attention they wanted....jack was sooo good in that time, he usually just laid with me, not getting into anything or doing anything bad....the cats too.
in my wisdom, i figured this behavior would continue....the "children" had been so good while i was stuck at home, they would continue to be good....i could probably get alot of work done. that was the plan....then i got home...
jack decided that he was going to be a pain about everything....chasing the cats around the house, digging up one of the house plants and after i cleaned it up, digging it up again....tater insisted on sitting on my lap or in front of the computer the whole time....and bella wanted food, to go outside, to come inside, to go outside again, to tease jack so he will chase her around the house....it went on like this for hours....no treat i gave jack interested him....nothing got tater and bella to be like cats and just sit in the corner.....NOTHING.
it figures in the time i need to do work, they all act up....all i wanted to do was get some extra credit work done for my stats class....and get some of the writing done for the two group papers, because i (someone kick me) volunteered to do the majority of the writing for both papers....yes, that was my "i need to be an overachiever" that came out when i volunteered to do that....the others in my two groups are wonderful and i have enjoyed working with them, but really, they are all very laid back about their grades and work....i needed to know it will be done.
to my friends with kids- this is why i don't have them....i couldn't imagine what last night would have been like if the animals were humans....and i had to pay all this attention to them after having been home with them for so many days in a row....i give you all alot of credit, good work on doing it all....
i did get some of the work done....with no help from the children.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
i feel wierd
on thursday of this week, i feel down a set of stairs and injured myself...it wasn't a small fall, i think there were 7 stairs and i fell down them all....i was wearing regular shoes, nothing fancy, but hit the stairs the right way and down i went....it was scary...i couldn't breathe....it felt like hours before i got my breath back....it wasn't that long, but for a good while i sat outside on the stairs making an awful noise trying to figure out if i would ever breath again....two very nice students came over and helped me and were patient with me as i told them no ambulance....to make the story shorter, i got to the walk in, thanks to my supervisor....everyone let me refuse the ambulance, as i sat there all i could think is that bad things happen when someone is in the ambulance...i can't get in one....the walk in determined i broke nothing but i had injured my back badly and needed to stay in the lay down position for 7 days....i told the doctor no way 7 days....but he maybe right....
so, why do i feel wierd? well, pain meds aside, for the first time that i can remember, i have had to ask for an extension on a test for school....yes, i have a quiz this week and the pain is so bad that i could not make the drive to albany....i can't even sit up long enough to eat, could you imagine a 2 hour drive, 6 hours of classes, and then 2 more hours home? since friday i have been communicating with the professor, explaining what happened and how my recovering has been...i am thankful that she understands and is going to let me make up the quiz later....i still feel wierd about this....
i also feel wierd because in my other class my group and i have to present on dec 1....that is just a week away and we have been less than productive lately....so, here i am not able to get to albany tomorrow....i am hoping that they will be willing to talk with me over the computer or something during class....i have been working on my part of the project, but i also have been on pain meds...so, who knows if it all makes sense....i just hope the group is understanding....and the professor....
i go for a follow up with the doctor on tuesday....i hope by then that i am feeling better....that i can sit for longer than a meal....especially since i want to go see the family for thanksgiving....i don't really want to be stuck in bingo for the holiday....but if it happens, then it happens....it won't be so wierd.
so, why do i feel wierd? well, pain meds aside, for the first time that i can remember, i have had to ask for an extension on a test for school....yes, i have a quiz this week and the pain is so bad that i could not make the drive to albany....i can't even sit up long enough to eat, could you imagine a 2 hour drive, 6 hours of classes, and then 2 more hours home? since friday i have been communicating with the professor, explaining what happened and how my recovering has been...i am thankful that she understands and is going to let me make up the quiz later....i still feel wierd about this....
i also feel wierd because in my other class my group and i have to present on dec 1....that is just a week away and we have been less than productive lately....so, here i am not able to get to albany tomorrow....i am hoping that they will be willing to talk with me over the computer or something during class....i have been working on my part of the project, but i also have been on pain meds...so, who knows if it all makes sense....i just hope the group is understanding....and the professor....
i go for a follow up with the doctor on tuesday....i hope by then that i am feeling better....that i can sit for longer than a meal....especially since i want to go see the family for thanksgiving....i don't really want to be stuck in bingo for the holiday....but if it happens, then it happens....it won't be so wierd.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
life in the fast lane
i am not sure how fast lane i live, but sometimes it feels very fast....right now, i think i feel that way because i need time to do my homework, but i don't have it this week.....there are lots of reasons why, some that have made my heart happy, others are work related, but basically it's not getting done.
so on monday, i went to class as usual....and sat through stats class....i think if any class could kill, this would be it....the material is not interesting, and i know the professor can't help that, but she could be more exciting....i sit in class and think up stories about her life....what her house must look like- based on what her office looks like....her office is outta control! it's crazy messy and i am not sure how she finds anything....i went in to see her and there was no where for me to sit....now, i am sure some of you are thinking of other people you know with offices like this....just giggle for a minute.
back to her made up life in my head....her husband is just finishing up law school....a think it must have been a mid-career crisis....he decided he didn't like what was he was doing, so he went back to school....i give him credit, because i have decided he must be at least 55, which means that he decided at like 50 to change careers....a big decision when you are so close to retirment....so, in my head i give him alot of respect....
in class we got back our second quizes and homeworks....it was not as anxiety enducing as before...good thing. the guy next to me got a 100 on his quiz....i am a little jealous....fred flintstone announced during the break that he has never been in such a boring class before in his life....so, it's even bad for fred.
in org devo we talked about change....how to be a change agent, how to make change work, what needs to happen to be effective....the reading we had to do was very relavent to my everyday life...when i was reading, i kept thinking of my work life....what is happening in my department, on campus....things aren't great right now....mostly i think because the governor keeps bringing everyone down with budget crap....but i am not sure that's all it....but something feels off....maybe i will never figure it out....as for class, it was interesting to sit with the young ones and listen to them....again it goes back to me being the bitter old lady and them being the naive young ones....
as for life in the fast lane...this past weekend i was down in cold spring....that is where the in-laws are....we had a birthday party and a baby shower....not at the same time....this was the weekend some of the family decided it would be good to talk to me about dating again....i understand they are being supportive and helping me to know it's okay....it's not time....because i was away for the weekend, no work got done....i got home on sunday and i was exhausted....so i napped instead of doing my work....so the work i did get done was only this past week's, nothing ahead....the weekend with the family was nice, as always....and jack got to play with his cousin henry alot.
this week, i went to visit a friend in auburn....she is here from turkey....the country that is....yes, a good friend, she moved away....i miss her lots....i drove there with another friend....it was nice to just spend the time with them both....it made me realize how much i miss all my friends....and how much it really hurts....well, not hurt as much as i ache to be around them....i feel more whole when i am aroudn them....i dreamed last night that we all lived in the same place....again. i guess i am the only one who has really at one time lived in the same place as my friends....my friends haven't necessarily done that, but it would be nice....but as for my friend in turkey, i told someone today that i think of her being just in california....it makes it feel a little more close and easily accessible...the rest of the week is late meetings and then more time with friends....i hope to squeeze in laundry and homework....oh, and of course sleep.
i think the other thing that is hard for me is, that i miss my house and the cats and the dog when life is crazy....i work with moms and dads who talk about not having enough kid time or family time....and i guess when i think of it, while it's not the same, i don't have enough pet time....they are like my kids, my family.....and i miss them....and it's not fair to them that i am not here....but i just don't know how to do it all....i can't imagine if they were real children....so, i give you all credit- but i am still allergic ;)
okay, so this post is not so exciting....life in the fast lane for me this week has been a little depressing, i guess....but what's important is that i did see and will see lots of my special people...
so on monday, i went to class as usual....and sat through stats class....i think if any class could kill, this would be it....the material is not interesting, and i know the professor can't help that, but she could be more exciting....i sit in class and think up stories about her life....what her house must look like- based on what her office looks like....her office is outta control! it's crazy messy and i am not sure how she finds anything....i went in to see her and there was no where for me to sit....now, i am sure some of you are thinking of other people you know with offices like this....just giggle for a minute.
back to her made up life in my head....her husband is just finishing up law school....a think it must have been a mid-career crisis....he decided he didn't like what was he was doing, so he went back to school....i give him credit, because i have decided he must be at least 55, which means that he decided at like 50 to change careers....a big decision when you are so close to retirment....so, in my head i give him alot of respect....
in class we got back our second quizes and homeworks....it was not as anxiety enducing as before...good thing. the guy next to me got a 100 on his quiz....i am a little jealous....fred flintstone announced during the break that he has never been in such a boring class before in his life....so, it's even bad for fred.
in org devo we talked about change....how to be a change agent, how to make change work, what needs to happen to be effective....the reading we had to do was very relavent to my everyday life...when i was reading, i kept thinking of my work life....what is happening in my department, on campus....things aren't great right now....mostly i think because the governor keeps bringing everyone down with budget crap....but i am not sure that's all it....but something feels off....maybe i will never figure it out....as for class, it was interesting to sit with the young ones and listen to them....again it goes back to me being the bitter old lady and them being the naive young ones....
as for life in the fast lane...this past weekend i was down in cold spring....that is where the in-laws are....we had a birthday party and a baby shower....not at the same time....this was the weekend some of the family decided it would be good to talk to me about dating again....i understand they are being supportive and helping me to know it's okay....it's not time....because i was away for the weekend, no work got done....i got home on sunday and i was exhausted....so i napped instead of doing my work....so the work i did get done was only this past week's, nothing ahead....the weekend with the family was nice, as always....and jack got to play with his cousin henry alot.
this week, i went to visit a friend in auburn....she is here from turkey....the country that is....yes, a good friend, she moved away....i miss her lots....i drove there with another friend....it was nice to just spend the time with them both....it made me realize how much i miss all my friends....and how much it really hurts....well, not hurt as much as i ache to be around them....i feel more whole when i am aroudn them....i dreamed last night that we all lived in the same place....again. i guess i am the only one who has really at one time lived in the same place as my friends....my friends haven't necessarily done that, but it would be nice....but as for my friend in turkey, i told someone today that i think of her being just in california....it makes it feel a little more close and easily accessible...the rest of the week is late meetings and then more time with friends....i hope to squeeze in laundry and homework....oh, and of course sleep.
i think the other thing that is hard for me is, that i miss my house and the cats and the dog when life is crazy....i work with moms and dads who talk about not having enough kid time or family time....and i guess when i think of it, while it's not the same, i don't have enough pet time....they are like my kids, my family.....and i miss them....and it's not fair to them that i am not here....but i just don't know how to do it all....i can't imagine if they were real children....so, i give you all credit- but i am still allergic ;)
okay, so this post is not so exciting....life in the fast lane for me this week has been a little depressing, i guess....but what's important is that i did see and will see lots of my special people...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
change?
i need to write a little about what i saw happen last night....a man was elected to be our president, someone who is a minority, something i thought i would never see in my life time....it was a part of history that i can someday i saw happen....but i was not a supporter, i did not vote for him, and i am not sure what if any change he will bring to our country....
i voted for a third party candidate....i exercised the right i have as a citizen of this country and voted for who i felt would make the changes i believe need to happen....most people assumed through alot of this election, or at least that is the sense i got from them, that i would support the major party candidate....i never said one way or another who i was supporting....i was carefully watching.....to me, the major party candidates, neither of them, have any real balls....sorry for the language, but i want a leader who is not afraid to take on the tough issues and have a REAL opinion about them.....not someone who gives wishy washy answers and the answer that most of society will want to hear.....that's crap.
i voted for a third party candidate because i could....and i am thankful for that....alot of people said to me as i talked about my voting choice, "why would you vote for someone who won't win. your vote won't count." to me my vote did count...my vote said to the nation, we need to get over this two party stuff.....i mean really, what have these two parties done for us? except show us that it's okay to be disrespectful of each other, it's okay to say mean things about each other, and that it's okay to find ANY dirt you can about the other party.....i look for a leader and i don't see one....i haven't seen one....
now, i am a clinton person....i loved bill clinton....to this day the man excites me and motivates me....and everyone could say what they want about his morals....i believe that it was something between three people, a man, his wife, and his mistress.....i still stand by the man....1992 was my first presidential election.....that year, i drove to manchester, nh with one of my friends....we went to her family's house and then to democratic headquarters....it was the last time i was excited about an election....it was the last time i was truly happy about our "leader." i thought about that night last night as i was watching what was happening on the tv....watching all the supporters who were feeling hope, it brought me back to then....and i am happy that they too got to experience what i once did....
today i woke up sad....more sad than normal, because as i watched the news, i saw two states take away rights from me....i saw two states turn me and other people gay people into second class citizens....i am now watching a third state figure out how they are going to make a decision about their proposition...another state has taken away adoption rights to anyone, gay or straight, who is not married....that's right, a single person can not adopt or foster in this state....are gay people really that scary....i mean i do my best to not be scary.....but we are scary enough that we can't have simple rights to have a family and a legal, recognized marriage.....i sat in my office this morning, reading the news on line, and cried...it still blows me away that we live in a place that doesn't feel everyone deserves the same rights....equality.....
to my friends who support our new president, i say, i hope he proves me wrong.....to all, i want to apologize for assuming you may think like me or feel the way i do.....as i looked around during this election, i realized that it happens alot....that people make alot of assumptions about each other, based on what they do for a living, or where they work, or live.....so, to anyone i did that to, i am sorry for not being more self aware....
i will still hope that one day i will be seen as an equal in society....i hope that politicians will clean up their acts and be real leaders....and i hope there is some kind of change.
i voted for a third party candidate....i exercised the right i have as a citizen of this country and voted for who i felt would make the changes i believe need to happen....most people assumed through alot of this election, or at least that is the sense i got from them, that i would support the major party candidate....i never said one way or another who i was supporting....i was carefully watching.....to me, the major party candidates, neither of them, have any real balls....sorry for the language, but i want a leader who is not afraid to take on the tough issues and have a REAL opinion about them.....not someone who gives wishy washy answers and the answer that most of society will want to hear.....that's crap.
i voted for a third party candidate because i could....and i am thankful for that....alot of people said to me as i talked about my voting choice, "why would you vote for someone who won't win. your vote won't count." to me my vote did count...my vote said to the nation, we need to get over this two party stuff.....i mean really, what have these two parties done for us? except show us that it's okay to be disrespectful of each other, it's okay to say mean things about each other, and that it's okay to find ANY dirt you can about the other party.....i look for a leader and i don't see one....i haven't seen one....
now, i am a clinton person....i loved bill clinton....to this day the man excites me and motivates me....and everyone could say what they want about his morals....i believe that it was something between three people, a man, his wife, and his mistress.....i still stand by the man....1992 was my first presidential election.....that year, i drove to manchester, nh with one of my friends....we went to her family's house and then to democratic headquarters....it was the last time i was excited about an election....it was the last time i was truly happy about our "leader." i thought about that night last night as i was watching what was happening on the tv....watching all the supporters who were feeling hope, it brought me back to then....and i am happy that they too got to experience what i once did....
today i woke up sad....more sad than normal, because as i watched the news, i saw two states take away rights from me....i saw two states turn me and other people gay people into second class citizens....i am now watching a third state figure out how they are going to make a decision about their proposition...another state has taken away adoption rights to anyone, gay or straight, who is not married....that's right, a single person can not adopt or foster in this state....are gay people really that scary....i mean i do my best to not be scary.....but we are scary enough that we can't have simple rights to have a family and a legal, recognized marriage.....i sat in my office this morning, reading the news on line, and cried...it still blows me away that we live in a place that doesn't feel everyone deserves the same rights....equality.....
to my friends who support our new president, i say, i hope he proves me wrong.....to all, i want to apologize for assuming you may think like me or feel the way i do.....as i looked around during this election, i realized that it happens alot....that people make alot of assumptions about each other, based on what they do for a living, or where they work, or live.....so, to anyone i did that to, i am sorry for not being more self aware....
i will still hope that one day i will be seen as an equal in society....i hope that politicians will clean up their acts and be real leaders....and i hope there is some kind of change.
Monday, November 3, 2008
good monday
so, today is monday and i only had one class....i was home by 9:30, which is much different than the normal 1am monday....but let me tell you about the last few days....
yesterday i went to my normal studying place- barnes and noble....i had a statistics quiz today and really was determined to do better this time....so, index cards in hand, i found a place to camp out until i got it....something to understand is that i also had my second homework due for the class today....a homework that totally escaped me and really didn't understand, so studying for this quiz was causing alot of anxiety....
i got to the noble, found a comfy chair and pulled out my books, lecture notes, and note cards....let the studying begin...and the observing....sitting next to me is the man who sleeps every sunday....today i had a close up of the process....he read a magazine for about 10 minutes....then the snoring began....oh, and it wasn't the quiet little snoring one might due....oh, no...this was loud, i have something up my nose snoring....people staring snoring....all i wanted to do was study....but how could i not giggle at this man....until the moaning began....yes, that's right, he began to moan....not too loud or gross....but enough to be creepy.....what does one do with that? i do nothing...i recalled how last week i asked someone to stop breathing and decided i needed to be nicer....so, i did my best to focus on my studying.....he moved a little....opened his eyes, closed them again....then he got up....out of the chair....phew....snoring man was gone.
then there was the couple at the table....they were in their 50's i would say....she was a teacher...i know this because i hear the man say to her, "they only want to see your paystub because they are nosy about how much you make." my ears perk up....i need to hear more of this one....she insists that it's just to prove she is currently employed by a local school district, they didn't look at her salary...."yeah, right. they are probably tracking it all." was the husbands response....she leaves the table, he continues to sit there and read some hunting and gun magazine....for those who know me- i don't like guns....just ask one of my colleagues/friends about active shooter training...i won't be your partner.
a young couple comes in, i would say late high school....she wants to sit in the one available comfy chair, he is clearly annoyed that there isn't a place for him to sit....he goes over to the table man and asks if anyone is sitting in the clearly empty chair....the man turns from his magazine and says, "no you can't have that my wife is sitting there." the smartass kid says- i don't see your wife. of course there are four other available chairs at the table, but the kid was being an ass. anyway, the guy compromises with the kid, let's him have the chair....the kid then places the chair in the middle of the aisle right in front of his girlfriend's chair....yes, that's right, can you say clingy...or abusive....or something....he sat there and stared at her while she read....he read nothing....just stared at her....CREEPY!
goth girl was there, studying, not working....ancient greek....not because i asked, but because i heard....she is graduating in december....hoping to move to- get this- rochester or DC....yes, think about it, can you think of the similarities....i mean i often compare the two....i guess the big thing is, soon she won't be around to look at anymore....for those of you who know her, get your time in at the noble now!
other interesting people at the noble- a man of god....the best part of him being there was that alex was also there....and when alex saw him he said, "jesus" loud.....alex also thought it would be good to sit next to me....he talked to himself alot....kept saying how much he liked the book he was reading....and wandered....he never sat for more than 10 minutes, but at one point he started reading out loud the text from my book that i was studying from....i didn't say a word.
as for tonight...i had my quiz and i hope i did okay....i felt like i knew the material, let's hope i was right....today the professor wore an interesting outfit....her pants were too short, she had on two scarves- one bigger than the other- and a big necklace....i spent alot of class thinking about how i would help her to dress better some day.....of course, i think this about alot of people....
now, i will go back to jack, who is whining....and enjoy the rest of my good monday night.
yesterday i went to my normal studying place- barnes and noble....i had a statistics quiz today and really was determined to do better this time....so, index cards in hand, i found a place to camp out until i got it....something to understand is that i also had my second homework due for the class today....a homework that totally escaped me and really didn't understand, so studying for this quiz was causing alot of anxiety....
i got to the noble, found a comfy chair and pulled out my books, lecture notes, and note cards....let the studying begin...and the observing....sitting next to me is the man who sleeps every sunday....today i had a close up of the process....he read a magazine for about 10 minutes....then the snoring began....oh, and it wasn't the quiet little snoring one might due....oh, no...this was loud, i have something up my nose snoring....people staring snoring....all i wanted to do was study....but how could i not giggle at this man....until the moaning began....yes, that's right, he began to moan....not too loud or gross....but enough to be creepy.....what does one do with that? i do nothing...i recalled how last week i asked someone to stop breathing and decided i needed to be nicer....so, i did my best to focus on my studying.....he moved a little....opened his eyes, closed them again....then he got up....out of the chair....phew....snoring man was gone.
then there was the couple at the table....they were in their 50's i would say....she was a teacher...i know this because i hear the man say to her, "they only want to see your paystub because they are nosy about how much you make." my ears perk up....i need to hear more of this one....she insists that it's just to prove she is currently employed by a local school district, they didn't look at her salary...."yeah, right. they are probably tracking it all." was the husbands response....she leaves the table, he continues to sit there and read some hunting and gun magazine....for those who know me- i don't like guns....just ask one of my colleagues/friends about active shooter training...i won't be your partner.
a young couple comes in, i would say late high school....she wants to sit in the one available comfy chair, he is clearly annoyed that there isn't a place for him to sit....he goes over to the table man and asks if anyone is sitting in the clearly empty chair....the man turns from his magazine and says, "no you can't have that my wife is sitting there." the smartass kid says- i don't see your wife. of course there are four other available chairs at the table, but the kid was being an ass. anyway, the guy compromises with the kid, let's him have the chair....the kid then places the chair in the middle of the aisle right in front of his girlfriend's chair....yes, that's right, can you say clingy...or abusive....or something....he sat there and stared at her while she read....he read nothing....just stared at her....CREEPY!
goth girl was there, studying, not working....ancient greek....not because i asked, but because i heard....she is graduating in december....hoping to move to- get this- rochester or DC....yes, think about it, can you think of the similarities....i mean i often compare the two....i guess the big thing is, soon she won't be around to look at anymore....for those of you who know her, get your time in at the noble now!
other interesting people at the noble- a man of god....the best part of him being there was that alex was also there....and when alex saw him he said, "jesus" loud.....alex also thought it would be good to sit next to me....he talked to himself alot....kept saying how much he liked the book he was reading....and wandered....he never sat for more than 10 minutes, but at one point he started reading out loud the text from my book that i was studying from....i didn't say a word.
as for tonight...i had my quiz and i hope i did okay....i felt like i knew the material, let's hope i was right....today the professor wore an interesting outfit....her pants were too short, she had on two scarves- one bigger than the other- and a big necklace....i spent alot of class thinking about how i would help her to dress better some day.....of course, i think this about alot of people....
now, i will go back to jack, who is whining....and enjoy the rest of my good monday night.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
wwhd
my group in org devo taught class last night...it was about branding and promises....the big question- what promise is ualbany making to it's students.....it's new brand is "the world within reach"....who knows what that is supposed to mean....every student in my class came up with it meaning something different.....not a good mark of a brand.
anyway, on the wwhd....what does that stand for you may ask? it is something we have come up with in class- what would harvard do?-that's right, we ask alot, what would harvard do....we had a whole discussion last night about how so many colleges and universities compare themselves to harvard....and why wouldn't someone not want to be like harvard- the top university in the world....but as i thought about it more, i have never heard anyone in my work settings ask that question....i have never had a director say to me, "how would harvard do that?" of course here at bingo- we do pride ourselves on being a "public ivy" that's right, some book wrote that about us...and we cling to it...we cling to being a premiere institution.....again, because some book said it about us....but if we were like harvard, we wouldn't have to say those things out loud....right? makes sense....harvard stands on it's own.....no one at harvard is working to sell their product, their education....most people would be happy to have a degree from harvard....maybe it should be wwhd....what would hapgood do?- then i would truly be in charge!
i met with my stats professor yesterday too....the homework was overwhelming me and i felt like i was doing it all wrong....my confidence in the class has dropped greatly since my quiz grade....so, i met with her....then when we get to class, lots of people asked her the same questions i did....she volunteered me to teach it to them....i said no....no thank you.....but it did help to know others were having the same problems....the best part of class was when she made up a dance to explain the bell curve.....that's right, she did a little dance in class....
i am not sure that would happen at harvard.
anyway, on the wwhd....what does that stand for you may ask? it is something we have come up with in class- what would harvard do?-that's right, we ask alot, what would harvard do....we had a whole discussion last night about how so many colleges and universities compare themselves to harvard....and why wouldn't someone not want to be like harvard- the top university in the world....but as i thought about it more, i have never heard anyone in my work settings ask that question....i have never had a director say to me, "how would harvard do that?" of course here at bingo- we do pride ourselves on being a "public ivy" that's right, some book wrote that about us...and we cling to it...we cling to being a premiere institution.....again, because some book said it about us....but if we were like harvard, we wouldn't have to say those things out loud....right? makes sense....harvard stands on it's own.....no one at harvard is working to sell their product, their education....most people would be happy to have a degree from harvard....maybe it should be wwhd....what would hapgood do?- then i would truly be in charge!
i met with my stats professor yesterday too....the homework was overwhelming me and i felt like i was doing it all wrong....my confidence in the class has dropped greatly since my quiz grade....so, i met with her....then when we get to class, lots of people asked her the same questions i did....she volunteered me to teach it to them....i said no....no thank you.....but it did help to know others were having the same problems....the best part of class was when she made up a dance to explain the bell curve.....that's right, she did a little dance in class....
i am not sure that would happen at harvard.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
homework
i have spent the last two days doing homework for my stats class....on saturday i went to the starbucks, by pier one....it was a nightmare. the workers were loud and distracting....they yelled at each other across the store and really were unprofessional....
all the noise in the place made it more and more stressful for me to get my work done....i had gone there to try somewhere new. i stayed for 2 hours and didn't get too much done and really couldn't people watch :(
after i left starbucks, i went to target....there in target was goth girl....now, a friend texted me to tell me she was in target....funny that we were there at the same time....i didn't go looking for her, but came across her looking at cards....the best part- she was looking at halloween cards....of course goth girl would like halloween, makes lots of sense.....she saw me...took a look....i must be making an impression.
today, i went to my normal stomping ground- b and n....i sat at the table and had it to myself for a little bit....then annoying boy came along....yeah, the whole table is empty and he HAS to chose the chair across from me....then he proceeds to shake his leg, which shakes the table....he sighs loudly alot and keeps moving....then he pulled out the earbuds....at this point he starts to shake his whole body as he must be trying to keep beat to his music.....whatever it is, the beat doesn't seem so great. finally, i was sooo annoyed, i asked him to stop....actually it went like this, "excuse me, can you stop? i mean moving and shaking and breathing?" yes, i did ask him to stop breathing....i meant the sighing but i had it....he looked at me, packed up his things and left....well, at least i didn't have to deal with that anymore....
the homework itself seemed easier today....i felt somewhat more relaxed...though i did send the professor an email telling her i was overwhelmed and could she meet with me before class....now this is the same woman who told us that we would all get at least B's....but i can't feel the B....
as for the other people....the sleeping man was sleeping again today! there he sat in a comfy chair, just asleep.....no magazine today....no book....in my head i have decided that he really can't stand to be home with his wife for too long....so, he comes and sleeps.....there was also a couple speaking a different language....it was interesting watching everyone stare at them.....as they chatted away.....
here is the big break through- goth girl talked to me today! that's right, words came out of her mouth directed at me....and they weren't to ask me if i was done looking at something....actually, it's not that big of a break through- i helped her figure out what the cost of something that is 20% would be....and she told me that math wasn't her thing.....and then she asked me if i was a cop- i had my wallet out....so, i explained that to her.....not a huge interaction, but she smiled....not something i have seen her do alot.
other than stats homework, my group also has to teach our org. devo class tomorrow.....our one goal- be better than the other group....we have a powerpoint, have tied our talk back into the reading, and have a great group activity....let's hope we kick some butt.
all the noise in the place made it more and more stressful for me to get my work done....i had gone there to try somewhere new. i stayed for 2 hours and didn't get too much done and really couldn't people watch :(
after i left starbucks, i went to target....there in target was goth girl....now, a friend texted me to tell me she was in target....funny that we were there at the same time....i didn't go looking for her, but came across her looking at cards....the best part- she was looking at halloween cards....of course goth girl would like halloween, makes lots of sense.....she saw me...took a look....i must be making an impression.
today, i went to my normal stomping ground- b and n....i sat at the table and had it to myself for a little bit....then annoying boy came along....yeah, the whole table is empty and he HAS to chose the chair across from me....then he proceeds to shake his leg, which shakes the table....he sighs loudly alot and keeps moving....then he pulled out the earbuds....at this point he starts to shake his whole body as he must be trying to keep beat to his music.....whatever it is, the beat doesn't seem so great. finally, i was sooo annoyed, i asked him to stop....actually it went like this, "excuse me, can you stop? i mean moving and shaking and breathing?" yes, i did ask him to stop breathing....i meant the sighing but i had it....he looked at me, packed up his things and left....well, at least i didn't have to deal with that anymore....
the homework itself seemed easier today....i felt somewhat more relaxed...though i did send the professor an email telling her i was overwhelmed and could she meet with me before class....now this is the same woman who told us that we would all get at least B's....but i can't feel the B....
as for the other people....the sleeping man was sleeping again today! there he sat in a comfy chair, just asleep.....no magazine today....no book....in my head i have decided that he really can't stand to be home with his wife for too long....so, he comes and sleeps.....there was also a couple speaking a different language....it was interesting watching everyone stare at them.....as they chatted away.....
here is the big break through- goth girl talked to me today! that's right, words came out of her mouth directed at me....and they weren't to ask me if i was done looking at something....actually, it's not that big of a break through- i helped her figure out what the cost of something that is 20% would be....and she told me that math wasn't her thing.....and then she asked me if i was a cop- i had my wallet out....so, i explained that to her.....not a huge interaction, but she smiled....not something i have seen her do alot.
other than stats homework, my group also has to teach our org. devo class tomorrow.....our one goal- be better than the other group....we have a powerpoint, have tied our talk back into the reading, and have a great group activity....let's hope we kick some butt.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
grades
so, i "called in sick" to class last week....i had been having a tough week emotionally and just decided it was best to stay home.
this week i go back to class and get back all my papers, bibliography, quiz, and homework back...all in one night....it's alot to take in....alot to process....and a very nerve racking thing.
so, let's start with stats....i am not sure i explained this, but the stats class is one in which we do not do statistics....we talk about how stats work, but we never actually do the math....for me, it's been a struggle....mostly because i want to do the math....but i also know it's important to know how to read and talk about statistics for those people who don't know anything about them.
now back to the grade....the professor walks in and immediately is like, "now don't be nervous." great i think...it's time to be nervous....then she does her best to hand out our stack of work like she knows our names....in reality, she knows a few names, but not many....she had told us she wouldn't learn our names until the end of the semester, even though for three classes in a row we had to say our names and give her some way to remember us....i was jen and i drive from the "other big state university in binghamton." there was one guy in the class who wanted her to remember his name because he always wears polos....like polo shirts....right, i don't remember his name and that's just a strange thing....but he is right, there hasn't been a monday when he didn't wear a polo shirt....
okay, back to our work....i get my homework and quiz back....and there is a little slip of paper attached to them....that is what holds our grade, not the work itself....however on the work is alot of marks and words that are hard to read....on my little slip of paper i see this....quiz:C....that's right a C! i don't think i have gotten a c on a quiz or test since i was at least a junior in college....i was a little shocked....and very disappointed....i got 2 extra credit points for getting four questions that were worded wrong or didn't contain the right answer correct....but i couldn't get the questions that had the right answers! so, i stared and listened to the professor review the "most missed" questions....i did get all the most missed wrong....there were four of those....on my slip is also a note from her....please write up the extra credit for the quiz and see me ASAP....great....more work for me to get done by monday....
the homework i got an A....so that helped the quiz feel a little better....but still disappointing....now, a few friends have said to me-"it was a bad week." "think of what that week meant to you personally." right friends, i get it....be easier on myself....but really a C?
in my next class, the other group gave their presentation....it was on symbolism....i was a little confused about some of the things we talked about....anyway, there are 12 people in the other group and only 5 in my group.....one person is missing last night, so that makes four of us....that's right, 12 people presented to 4 of us.....4 of us got to decide part of their grade.....they expected the four of us to fill two hours of discussion for them....bad idea....there was some code talking from the professor to our group after class about the other groups teaching....
but at the end of class the professor puts on the table our annotated bibliographies....he says, "you can go through the pile and find yours." i panic a little thinking that our grades are right on top for the world to see as they are digging through the pile....i am not sure why this makes me anxious...other than some of the people in the class rub me the wrong way...
so, i get to the area of the table and find my paper....phew- no grade on the front....it's on the last page....then the professor says that everyone who missed class the week before needed to see him to get our book precis back....i wait and get it back....he has used the review tool in word to write in red his comments and other thoughts....there is the red, all over the paper.....the comments were helpful, mostly about how to further my writing....make it stronger....so, this guy really has intimidated me most of the semester, but after getting back both my pieces of work and getting positive feedback, i feel better....
one last thing....the prof talked in code again to us....my crazy group member has left the class...last week the prof pulled her from the group, then she dropped the class....our code this week was this- "the other group sucked at this teaching thing....you now know how to do it better." ok, that is it's translation....but you get the point.
this week i go back to class and get back all my papers, bibliography, quiz, and homework back...all in one night....it's alot to take in....alot to process....and a very nerve racking thing.
so, let's start with stats....i am not sure i explained this, but the stats class is one in which we do not do statistics....we talk about how stats work, but we never actually do the math....for me, it's been a struggle....mostly because i want to do the math....but i also know it's important to know how to read and talk about statistics for those people who don't know anything about them.
now back to the grade....the professor walks in and immediately is like, "now don't be nervous." great i think...it's time to be nervous....then she does her best to hand out our stack of work like she knows our names....in reality, she knows a few names, but not many....she had told us she wouldn't learn our names until the end of the semester, even though for three classes in a row we had to say our names and give her some way to remember us....i was jen and i drive from the "other big state university in binghamton." there was one guy in the class who wanted her to remember his name because he always wears polos....like polo shirts....right, i don't remember his name and that's just a strange thing....but he is right, there hasn't been a monday when he didn't wear a polo shirt....
okay, back to our work....i get my homework and quiz back....and there is a little slip of paper attached to them....that is what holds our grade, not the work itself....however on the work is alot of marks and words that are hard to read....on my little slip of paper i see this....quiz:C....that's right a C! i don't think i have gotten a c on a quiz or test since i was at least a junior in college....i was a little shocked....and very disappointed....i got 2 extra credit points for getting four questions that were worded wrong or didn't contain the right answer correct....but i couldn't get the questions that had the right answers! so, i stared and listened to the professor review the "most missed" questions....i did get all the most missed wrong....there were four of those....on my slip is also a note from her....please write up the extra credit for the quiz and see me ASAP....great....more work for me to get done by monday....
the homework i got an A....so that helped the quiz feel a little better....but still disappointing....now, a few friends have said to me-"it was a bad week." "think of what that week meant to you personally." right friends, i get it....be easier on myself....but really a C?
in my next class, the other group gave their presentation....it was on symbolism....i was a little confused about some of the things we talked about....anyway, there are 12 people in the other group and only 5 in my group.....one person is missing last night, so that makes four of us....that's right, 12 people presented to 4 of us.....4 of us got to decide part of their grade.....they expected the four of us to fill two hours of discussion for them....bad idea....there was some code talking from the professor to our group after class about the other groups teaching....
but at the end of class the professor puts on the table our annotated bibliographies....he says, "you can go through the pile and find yours." i panic a little thinking that our grades are right on top for the world to see as they are digging through the pile....i am not sure why this makes me anxious...other than some of the people in the class rub me the wrong way...
so, i get to the area of the table and find my paper....phew- no grade on the front....it's on the last page....then the professor says that everyone who missed class the week before needed to see him to get our book precis back....i wait and get it back....he has used the review tool in word to write in red his comments and other thoughts....there is the red, all over the paper.....the comments were helpful, mostly about how to further my writing....make it stronger....so, this guy really has intimidated me most of the semester, but after getting back both my pieces of work and getting positive feedback, i feel better....
one last thing....the prof talked in code again to us....my crazy group member has left the class...last week the prof pulled her from the group, then she dropped the class....our code this week was this- "the other group sucked at this teaching thing....you now know how to do it better." ok, that is it's translation....but you get the point.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
remembering
i have been thinking this week that i should write a little about my kristen....it was october, 2006 when i lost her, when we all lost her....but i want to write not to make anyone sad but because of what she did/does for me everyday....my journey has pretty much sucked the last two years, but i guess it's the going on that's important....
anyway, she was in a doctorate program....in april of 2006 she came home from a counseling conference at albany to announce to me she thought maybe she wanted to go back to school....her and one of her bosses had talked about it all day and she felt this was the time..."what do you think?" on thing about kristen was she always was thinking about what was next....and i thought for one second back to the time when she came home and announced to me that she thought she was going to take the state police physical exam and maybe go to the academy....she had scored very high on the written exam and they had called.....it would be good she told me....my answer, "i will support whatever you want to do." the same answer i gave her that day in april about school....
the difference was- she didn't go to the academy...she did get in and start school. that summer we talked about school...what it was going to mean for us everyday, what it meant for her future, how we were going to balance our relationship, families, friends, and everything else....we, of course, were very busy people :), so adding this big commitment in was going to change things....we also talked about my future....she knew that a doctorate was on my mind....so, she told me to ask...."it doesn't hurt to ask. they're letting me do it." but her "they're" was different than my "they're" but i did it...i asked....
that fall i started my studying for the gre's....kristen would study for school, i would study for the exam....well, she studied more than i did....i mostly did other things like knit, quilt, cook....whatever i felt like....and then i studied once in a while....i knew that i could probably study in 8 weeks and be fine....and i hadn't signed up yet, so i would study later....always later. but the plan was i would start the following fall....we would be in school together....supporting each other and getting it done at once....and maybe even commuting together once in a while....
then we lost her....and there was no more studying....
but i knew for her i had to go through with our plan....and that it was going to have to be put off a year....so, here it is two years later and here i am in school....i remind myself when i get frustrated with the drive or the homework or my classmates that in the end, i am doing it for us....and she would be proud.
anyway, she was in a doctorate program....in april of 2006 she came home from a counseling conference at albany to announce to me she thought maybe she wanted to go back to school....her and one of her bosses had talked about it all day and she felt this was the time..."what do you think?" on thing about kristen was she always was thinking about what was next....and i thought for one second back to the time when she came home and announced to me that she thought she was going to take the state police physical exam and maybe go to the academy....she had scored very high on the written exam and they had called.....it would be good she told me....my answer, "i will support whatever you want to do." the same answer i gave her that day in april about school....
the difference was- she didn't go to the academy...she did get in and start school. that summer we talked about school...what it was going to mean for us everyday, what it meant for her future, how we were going to balance our relationship, families, friends, and everything else....we, of course, were very busy people :), so adding this big commitment in was going to change things....we also talked about my future....she knew that a doctorate was on my mind....so, she told me to ask...."it doesn't hurt to ask. they're letting me do it." but her "they're" was different than my "they're" but i did it...i asked....
that fall i started my studying for the gre's....kristen would study for school, i would study for the exam....well, she studied more than i did....i mostly did other things like knit, quilt, cook....whatever i felt like....and then i studied once in a while....i knew that i could probably study in 8 weeks and be fine....and i hadn't signed up yet, so i would study later....always later. but the plan was i would start the following fall....we would be in school together....supporting each other and getting it done at once....and maybe even commuting together once in a while....
then we lost her....and there was no more studying....
but i knew for her i had to go through with our plan....and that it was going to have to be put off a year....so, here it is two years later and here i am in school....i remind myself when i get frustrated with the drive or the homework or my classmates that in the end, i am doing it for us....and she would be proud.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
talking in code
earlier i said how i was voluntold by my group to send an email to our professor about our reappearing group member....
as i was writing the email i was thinking about how a few weeks ago our professor approached our group and talked to us in "code"....he reminded us how if there was someone who wasn't performing that we would be able to grade each other at the end of the semester....we of course took that as, "if you have a sucky group member, i should know."
so, in code today i basically told him that our sucky group member hasn't done a thing and she had disappeared and now that she reappeared we don't want her....but in reality we know we have to keep her and she sucks....and we don't want to fail because of her....
anyway, after the group approved my coded she sucks email, i sent it....then the professor replied...in code! first he tells us that sometimes in the "real world there are employees who don't pull their weight." no kidding...but in the real world we are not getting a grade for our degree program....then he encouraged us to be sure to talk with her....duh....and then said we would get to grade each other....great....the best line and most coded- "i will also talk with her about her performance and keep this in mind. please keep me informed of her performance throughout the semester."
even he knows she sucks....without saying he knows she sucks....all in code.
as i was writing the email i was thinking about how a few weeks ago our professor approached our group and talked to us in "code"....he reminded us how if there was someone who wasn't performing that we would be able to grade each other at the end of the semester....we of course took that as, "if you have a sucky group member, i should know."
so, in code today i basically told him that our sucky group member hasn't done a thing and she had disappeared and now that she reappeared we don't want her....but in reality we know we have to keep her and she sucks....and we don't want to fail because of her....
anyway, after the group approved my coded she sucks email, i sent it....then the professor replied...in code! first he tells us that sometimes in the "real world there are employees who don't pull their weight." no kidding...but in the real world we are not getting a grade for our degree program....then he encouraged us to be sure to talk with her....duh....and then said we would get to grade each other....great....the best line and most coded- "i will also talk with her about her performance and keep this in mind. please keep me informed of her performance throughout the semester."
even he knows she sucks....without saying he knows she sucks....all in code.
class
the group member has reappeared....that's right, the one with the stolen everything, showed up for class last night. it was crazy to see her....she cut, i mean buzzed, all her hair off....and she was carrying a laptop, i guess to protect it from further bleach incidents....my group was shocked and surprised to see her and we have alot to say to her and the professor about her....which i was voluntold to do....that will be my next task, email the professor.
some have asked about fred flintstone....he has been doing okay....he doesn't sit by me anymore, but has made some friends in the class...so now when he waves, he actually waves at someone....last night our professor started off the lecture by saying, "this is the most difficult part of the course." it was all down hill from there....fred had lots and lots of questions...most of which just repeated what the professor had just said....we are learning about distributions and z-scores...not too hard and we don't even have to do the math....but fred just kept right at the questions.....i do wonder how he got to be where he is without understanding some basic things about the bell curve....especially since i thought faculty grade on a curve ;)....the other thing that happened in class last night is we all got yelled at....well, not so much yelled, but given a little talking to, since everyone was falling asleep....that's right, she stopped class and told us to wake up....and she said some other things, but i didn't listen....
have i told you about the crazy rd lady? probably not....so, she is an rd at a school that is not albany, but a two year suny.....from what she has said this is her third year as an rd....she is in both my classes....until last night she has never once been on time for class....the first night she was an hour late....the second and third she was at least 45 minutes late...the fourth she didn't come at all....but why is she always late? she has a 45 minute commute....not too bad....but everytime she comes in with some crazy story about how she had to do this for this student or that she didn't want to leave her "kids" while they were doing one thing or another....(the kids being her residents)....and she is always a hot mess when she does show up....going on and on about this or that....the best thing she said last night though was this, "we just hired a black basketball coach, now there are four of us on campus!"
i have been going to barnes and noble regularly....lots of things go on there....i highly encourage you to take the time to check the place out....in my last visit i sat at the table so i could type my paper....and two other women were sitting there....studying for an exam....as i was sitting down, one of the women announces that i proctored her LSAT exam the day before...excellent....the other one just smiled at me....so LSAT girl and the other would study a little then start talking about this and that....and then the boy talk started....the other mentioned how she drove down to scranton to visit with a boy...LSAT says, "what's in scranton?" i think, yeah what is in scranton? the other says how they did this and that and it was nice....so when LSAT asked if this was serious the other says, "oh, no." the best response LSAT says- then why did you tell me about it...i giggled a little on the inside....then it was LSAT's turn....from what i could tell she had a recent breakup....the other kept saying, "if it was meant to be..." i wanted to say, "get over it and find yourself a nice boy in law school." but LSAT went on and on about how he said this and did that and what does it mean....really it turned into a complete analysis of the man's every move....poor man.
goth girl was there and different....she was very friendly this week....giving high fives to the coffee people....asking nicely if i was done reading that magazine....smiling....it was wierd...someone must have spiked her coffee.
there was a man who got a magazine, sat down in a comfy chair, and then slept for two hours....the two women at my table got a kick out of him too.....he just slept....i decided he was kicked out of his house by his wife because she was trying to clean and he was in the way....
alex was in...he made friends...they talked about sports....wrongly (and i don't know alot about sports) but they were arguing over who the quarterback was for the giants....and everyone involved was wrong- this i knew....alex also told his new friends about how sometimes his mom comes and waits for him outside and he doesn't like that....and then he got up and walked away from them....no good bye, no it was nice to meet you....just walked away.
some have asked about fred flintstone....he has been doing okay....he doesn't sit by me anymore, but has made some friends in the class...so now when he waves, he actually waves at someone....last night our professor started off the lecture by saying, "this is the most difficult part of the course." it was all down hill from there....fred had lots and lots of questions...most of which just repeated what the professor had just said....we are learning about distributions and z-scores...not too hard and we don't even have to do the math....but fred just kept right at the questions.....i do wonder how he got to be where he is without understanding some basic things about the bell curve....especially since i thought faculty grade on a curve ;)....the other thing that happened in class last night is we all got yelled at....well, not so much yelled, but given a little talking to, since everyone was falling asleep....that's right, she stopped class and told us to wake up....and she said some other things, but i didn't listen....
have i told you about the crazy rd lady? probably not....so, she is an rd at a school that is not albany, but a two year suny.....from what she has said this is her third year as an rd....she is in both my classes....until last night she has never once been on time for class....the first night she was an hour late....the second and third she was at least 45 minutes late...the fourth she didn't come at all....but why is she always late? she has a 45 minute commute....not too bad....but everytime she comes in with some crazy story about how she had to do this for this student or that she didn't want to leave her "kids" while they were doing one thing or another....(the kids being her residents)....and she is always a hot mess when she does show up....going on and on about this or that....the best thing she said last night though was this, "we just hired a black basketball coach, now there are four of us on campus!"
i have been going to barnes and noble regularly....lots of things go on there....i highly encourage you to take the time to check the place out....in my last visit i sat at the table so i could type my paper....and two other women were sitting there....studying for an exam....as i was sitting down, one of the women announces that i proctored her LSAT exam the day before...excellent....the other one just smiled at me....so LSAT girl and the other would study a little then start talking about this and that....and then the boy talk started....the other mentioned how she drove down to scranton to visit with a boy...LSAT says, "what's in scranton?" i think, yeah what is in scranton? the other says how they did this and that and it was nice....so when LSAT asked if this was serious the other says, "oh, no." the best response LSAT says- then why did you tell me about it...i giggled a little on the inside....then it was LSAT's turn....from what i could tell she had a recent breakup....the other kept saying, "if it was meant to be..." i wanted to say, "get over it and find yourself a nice boy in law school." but LSAT went on and on about how he said this and did that and what does it mean....really it turned into a complete analysis of the man's every move....poor man.
goth girl was there and different....she was very friendly this week....giving high fives to the coffee people....asking nicely if i was done reading that magazine....smiling....it was wierd...someone must have spiked her coffee.
there was a man who got a magazine, sat down in a comfy chair, and then slept for two hours....the two women at my table got a kick out of him too.....he just slept....i decided he was kicked out of his house by his wife because she was trying to clean and he was in the way....
alex was in...he made friends...they talked about sports....wrongly (and i don't know alot about sports) but they were arguing over who the quarterback was for the giants....and everyone involved was wrong- this i knew....alex also told his new friends about how sometimes his mom comes and waits for him outside and he doesn't like that....and then he got up and walked away from them....no good bye, no it was nice to meet you....just walked away.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
it's been a while
it's been a while....and i have heard from a few people that it's been a while....i know, what can i say, i have been busy....but let me fill you in a little.
i am actually supposed to be writing a paper for my org devo class....i have a little over a page written....but i hate the book i have to write it on and i can't give my personal opinion in the paper, so it's been difficult to stay focused....
this past week we didn't have class because of the jewish holidays....my group for org devo decided we needed to meet this past week anyway, because we have to teach class at the end of the month....so a meeting would help....we also had to pull together an annotated bibliography for our group....we decide to meet at 7:30 in the science library....i have to leave by 5 from work to get there on time....
i get to albany and realize i have NO idea where the science library is....and i didn't look it up before i left....i drive around campus until i see a sign that says, "science library" and have an arrow pointing at a parking lot....i pull in and park....then i start walking....i keep walking and walking and walking....i soon realize that while it has become winter in bingo, it is not winter in albany and i am dressed very warmly....i finally find the science library and it's CLOSED....remember it is break, makes sense.....then the panic starts and the frustration and the anger....why hasn't anyone from my group called or contacted me or anything! what the hell am i supposed to do now?- walk over to the regular libray....i learned where that was during orientation....
i walk in there and i am immediately told, we close at 8pm....it's 7:40. i look around in all the group rooms and tables and everything, no group....i keep thinking, why haven't i heard from my group! i leave the library slightly paniced and decide i am probably going to just drive home....but first i will get something to eat...at this point i had eaten a bag of chips and some gummy worms for dinner....into the campus center i go....i am walking through one of the 800 eatery areas and sitting at a table all together was my group! it was a miracle....but i was completely annoyed....they didn't seemed phase that i might have found them or that i was now 1/2 an hour late.
we have our meeting....the group member, who i wrote about earlier, did not show- big surprise...her phone is probably still stolen....(ok, that was not nice). we decide that we will send our top six references to one person who will pull together and send to our professor our work...done. then we start to discuss the class we have to teach...we have an outline along with the readings for our teaching due on the 13th....what will we talk about? and how funny is it going to be when our group, five people, is listening to the other group, 12 people, teaching....we decided that maybe throughout the other group's lesson we will all get up and go to the bathroom.....then there will be no one left in the class for them to teach.
we go on to start talking about our stupid books, the one i am writing the paper for....and i am the only one who had finished my book....the others had not....they gave me a hard time....i told them i wanted to be able to have fun this weekend and not spend it reading and writing....anyway, i told them my book was stupid and come to find out out of the five of us, four are reading my book....one other person had started our book and she agreed with it's stupidness....thank goodness.
we then decided on a next group meeting, which i will attend virtually....the group agreed they didn't want me driving so much....nice people...they really are. then we went our ways, i drove back to the place where it is winter and left the place where it is not....
i am actually supposed to be writing a paper for my org devo class....i have a little over a page written....but i hate the book i have to write it on and i can't give my personal opinion in the paper, so it's been difficult to stay focused....
this past week we didn't have class because of the jewish holidays....my group for org devo decided we needed to meet this past week anyway, because we have to teach class at the end of the month....so a meeting would help....we also had to pull together an annotated bibliography for our group....we decide to meet at 7:30 in the science library....i have to leave by 5 from work to get there on time....
i get to albany and realize i have NO idea where the science library is....and i didn't look it up before i left....i drive around campus until i see a sign that says, "science library" and have an arrow pointing at a parking lot....i pull in and park....then i start walking....i keep walking and walking and walking....i soon realize that while it has become winter in bingo, it is not winter in albany and i am dressed very warmly....i finally find the science library and it's CLOSED....remember it is break, makes sense.....then the panic starts and the frustration and the anger....why hasn't anyone from my group called or contacted me or anything! what the hell am i supposed to do now?- walk over to the regular libray....i learned where that was during orientation....
i walk in there and i am immediately told, we close at 8pm....it's 7:40. i look around in all the group rooms and tables and everything, no group....i keep thinking, why haven't i heard from my group! i leave the library slightly paniced and decide i am probably going to just drive home....but first i will get something to eat...at this point i had eaten a bag of chips and some gummy worms for dinner....into the campus center i go....i am walking through one of the 800 eatery areas and sitting at a table all together was my group! it was a miracle....but i was completely annoyed....they didn't seemed phase that i might have found them or that i was now 1/2 an hour late.
we have our meeting....the group member, who i wrote about earlier, did not show- big surprise...her phone is probably still stolen....(ok, that was not nice). we decide that we will send our top six references to one person who will pull together and send to our professor our work...done. then we start to discuss the class we have to teach...we have an outline along with the readings for our teaching due on the 13th....what will we talk about? and how funny is it going to be when our group, five people, is listening to the other group, 12 people, teaching....we decided that maybe throughout the other group's lesson we will all get up and go to the bathroom.....then there will be no one left in the class for them to teach.
we go on to start talking about our stupid books, the one i am writing the paper for....and i am the only one who had finished my book....the others had not....they gave me a hard time....i told them i wanted to be able to have fun this weekend and not spend it reading and writing....anyway, i told them my book was stupid and come to find out out of the five of us, four are reading my book....one other person had started our book and she agreed with it's stupidness....thank goodness.
we then decided on a next group meeting, which i will attend virtually....the group agreed they didn't want me driving so much....nice people...they really are. then we went our ways, i drove back to the place where it is winter and left the place where it is not....
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
clay aiken
so, clay aiken officially came out in people magazine....AMEN! it's about time....
i was reading an AP article about it...how he and his partner just had a baby...there was no more hiding it now....they called the american idol judges- none of which were available for comment....but my favorite part of the whole article was this-
"This is really shocking news as I had no idea he was gay," read a comment posted by "Sheridansq." "And now I have to deal with this. I am not sure what to say to people who know I was a fan. ... I didn't go to work today and am not answering the telephone."
i want to meet this person....who the hell can't go to work or answer the phone because some celebrity you like comes out? i want to meet this person....clearly this is someone who believes you can catch the gay....watch out everyone, you might catch it too....
i will leave you with this fun quote- "If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in sick to work, 'Hello can't come to work today, still gay'"
i was reading an AP article about it...how he and his partner just had a baby...there was no more hiding it now....they called the american idol judges- none of which were available for comment....but my favorite part of the whole article was this-
"This is really shocking news as I had no idea he was gay," read a comment posted by "Sheridansq." "And now I have to deal with this. I am not sure what to say to people who know I was a fan. ... I didn't go to work today and am not answering the telephone."
i want to meet this person....who the hell can't go to work or answer the phone because some celebrity you like comes out? i want to meet this person....clearly this is someone who believes you can catch the gay....watch out everyone, you might catch it too....
i will leave you with this fun quote- "If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in sick to work, 'Hello can't come to work today, still gay'"
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
the group member
sunday i was sitting in barnes and noble doing my normal sunday studying...or at least what is becoming my normal sunday studying....anyway, my phone rings with a restricted number....i don't answer, which is what i do....i don't answer restricted numbers, who knows who it could be....anyway, they leave a message and i go on with my work.....
later on sunday night my group and i "meet" on line to create a timeline for our project....when i sign in a few members are talking about something, but i have missed most of whatever it is, so i just ignore it....we get down to business....one member is missing, but people don't seem concerned, so i am not concerned...i am sure someone knows where she is.....
we finish our work and i decide it's time to listen to my messages....there is only one.....and it's from the missing group member.....now a little background about this member.....she talks a 100 miles a minute....and i am not kidding....i can never follow her no matter how hard i concentrate.....i understand our classmates who don't speak very good english better than i do her....and she is always very busy and by busy i mean- she can't sit still-ever.....she also gets very agitated, very easily....okay, so back to the message she left me....
what i understood from the message is something spilled on her laptop....her bibliography is not and will not be done because of it....she can't take her son to the school to her homework, so it won't be done....her cell phone and home phone were both stolen....and she won't be online tonight because her laptop is gone...and she can't take her son to the library....
i deleted this message....now you have to think that she is saying all this at her 100 mile a minute pace and really, i didn't get most of what she said....unfortunately another group member actually answered the call....the rest of us ignored it.....he answered....and 40 minutes later all he had was bleach was poured on her laptop and couch....someone stole her home and cell phones (which i am still perplexed how one's home phone gets stolen).....and she didn't do her homework and isn't coming to class....he told the group we were never allowed to call him.....
so, i don't know the fate of the 100 mile a minute talker....but whatever her story, it is bizarre....
later on sunday night my group and i "meet" on line to create a timeline for our project....when i sign in a few members are talking about something, but i have missed most of whatever it is, so i just ignore it....we get down to business....one member is missing, but people don't seem concerned, so i am not concerned...i am sure someone knows where she is.....
we finish our work and i decide it's time to listen to my messages....there is only one.....and it's from the missing group member.....now a little background about this member.....she talks a 100 miles a minute....and i am not kidding....i can never follow her no matter how hard i concentrate.....i understand our classmates who don't speak very good english better than i do her....and she is always very busy and by busy i mean- she can't sit still-ever.....she also gets very agitated, very easily....okay, so back to the message she left me....
what i understood from the message is something spilled on her laptop....her bibliography is not and will not be done because of it....she can't take her son to the school to her homework, so it won't be done....her cell phone and home phone were both stolen....and she won't be online tonight because her laptop is gone...and she can't take her son to the library....
i deleted this message....now you have to think that she is saying all this at her 100 mile a minute pace and really, i didn't get most of what she said....unfortunately another group member actually answered the call....the rest of us ignored it.....he answered....and 40 minutes later all he had was bleach was poured on her laptop and couch....someone stole her home and cell phones (which i am still perplexed how one's home phone gets stolen).....and she didn't do her homework and isn't coming to class....he told the group we were never allowed to call him.....
so, i don't know the fate of the 100 mile a minute talker....but whatever her story, it is bizarre....
Sunday, September 21, 2008
NYC
i went to the city on saturday to do some serious shopping....and by serious i mean, tiffany, jimmy choo, barney's, bergdorf...you get the picture....you may also wonder what this has to do with school...well, it is only related because i blow off my homework to go....
so, my friend and i get off the nj transit and get on the subway.....we are on the c train...and phillip gets on....he starts by saying, "good people, i don't mean to disturb you..." and i am thinking, you are disturbed....he then proceeds to announce to the entire train that he is HIV positive and has been kicked out of his house....i feel a little bad, but avoid making eye contact....oh, i was standing up, not far from him....he then starts to tell the train that he went to "the bellvue hospital" and walks up to me and grabs the same pole i was holding....at this point, i prayed for a stop, any stop, because i was getting off....i also kept my head down the entire time- no eye contact....the good news, the train stopped and me and my friend got off...
while we are getting off, some little girl gets caught in the doors....her mother pulls on her until she pops out on the platform....then her mother starts to give both her and her sister a lecture on what to do if they get caught on the train without her...."stay on the train until the next stop...then get off and wait for me....i will come get you as soon as i can..." the one thing i would have added- find a police officer....
now my friend and i are leaving the subway on the escalator and in front of us is this very cute little girl with her mom? or older sister....anyway, the woman is giving the little girl directions about the escalator and what they would be doing today....but the whole time all i could see was her thong....yes, the woman's thong was hanging out of her pants, staring at me....there it was...and there was no way to look away, because that is all my eyes wanted to look at....
once i got away from the thong, we went off to the fancy stores....operation- expensive shoes....first it was off to manola blanik's....where they keep the doors locked and only the security guard can let you in....inside there are people who are there to spend lots of money and people who have no inention of spending any money.....on this day, there is a future bride, who's mother keeps asking her, "what's the big deal about this place? why are you spending so much on shoes?" the bride clearly annoyed, says, "i didn't get to spend what i wanted on my tiara, so instead i will buy these." mom just sighed....another customer was speaking very loudly in another language....from what i could make of it, the store didn't have the color she wanted....i didn't try anything on there....we left the store.
i did try on shoes at bergdorf....there in the shoe department all the sales people are men....not young attractive men touching women's feet....nope, old balding men....they are at least well dressed....my old, balding man was very patient with me as i asked him to bring me shoe after shoe and changing the sizes....he also didn't try to touch my feet, which i appreciated....i didn't buy anything from him, i felt bad....but then the woman next to me bought $7,000 worth of shoes from him....i didn't feel so bad after all....
anyway, if you are wondering, after a long day of shopping, i did buy shoes....at the jimmy choo store....they didn't keep the doors locked, though they did have a door guard....my saleslady was wonderful....especially when i told her i was looking for a "fun shoe and color" in other words, no direction what so ever....she didn't flinch....instead she brought me into a room on my own and brought me shoes....once the sale was done, she gave me wine to celebrate, a catalog, four waters, and the best her card....as we were leaving after the store was closed, she says, "jen please call me when you are ready for more shoes...i will send them to you right away!"
someday, maybe, i will make enough money to buy more shoes....
one last thing....we went to macy's...the mecca....anyway around floor 8 or 9, my friend and i were starving....in her bag were our leftover sandwiches from lunch....so, we found chairs in the dressing room, sat down, and ate our sandwiches....yes, in the dressing room....
so, my friend and i get off the nj transit and get on the subway.....we are on the c train...and phillip gets on....he starts by saying, "good people, i don't mean to disturb you..." and i am thinking, you are disturbed....he then proceeds to announce to the entire train that he is HIV positive and has been kicked out of his house....i feel a little bad, but avoid making eye contact....oh, i was standing up, not far from him....he then starts to tell the train that he went to "the bellvue hospital" and walks up to me and grabs the same pole i was holding....at this point, i prayed for a stop, any stop, because i was getting off....i also kept my head down the entire time- no eye contact....the good news, the train stopped and me and my friend got off...
while we are getting off, some little girl gets caught in the doors....her mother pulls on her until she pops out on the platform....then her mother starts to give both her and her sister a lecture on what to do if they get caught on the train without her...."stay on the train until the next stop...then get off and wait for me....i will come get you as soon as i can..." the one thing i would have added- find a police officer....
now my friend and i are leaving the subway on the escalator and in front of us is this very cute little girl with her mom? or older sister....anyway, the woman is giving the little girl directions about the escalator and what they would be doing today....but the whole time all i could see was her thong....yes, the woman's thong was hanging out of her pants, staring at me....there it was...and there was no way to look away, because that is all my eyes wanted to look at....
once i got away from the thong, we went off to the fancy stores....operation- expensive shoes....first it was off to manola blanik's....where they keep the doors locked and only the security guard can let you in....inside there are people who are there to spend lots of money and people who have no inention of spending any money.....on this day, there is a future bride, who's mother keeps asking her, "what's the big deal about this place? why are you spending so much on shoes?" the bride clearly annoyed, says, "i didn't get to spend what i wanted on my tiara, so instead i will buy these." mom just sighed....another customer was speaking very loudly in another language....from what i could make of it, the store didn't have the color she wanted....i didn't try anything on there....we left the store.
i did try on shoes at bergdorf....there in the shoe department all the sales people are men....not young attractive men touching women's feet....nope, old balding men....they are at least well dressed....my old, balding man was very patient with me as i asked him to bring me shoe after shoe and changing the sizes....he also didn't try to touch my feet, which i appreciated....i didn't buy anything from him, i felt bad....but then the woman next to me bought $7,000 worth of shoes from him....i didn't feel so bad after all....
anyway, if you are wondering, after a long day of shopping, i did buy shoes....at the jimmy choo store....they didn't keep the doors locked, though they did have a door guard....my saleslady was wonderful....especially when i told her i was looking for a "fun shoe and color" in other words, no direction what so ever....she didn't flinch....instead she brought me into a room on my own and brought me shoes....once the sale was done, she gave me wine to celebrate, a catalog, four waters, and the best her card....as we were leaving after the store was closed, she says, "jen please call me when you are ready for more shoes...i will send them to you right away!"
someday, maybe, i will make enough money to buy more shoes....
one last thing....we went to macy's...the mecca....anyway around floor 8 or 9, my friend and i were starving....in her bag were our leftover sandwiches from lunch....so, we found chairs in the dressing room, sat down, and ate our sandwiches....yes, in the dressing room....
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Dream
i know that school must be on mind alot....last night i was sleeping and heard jack start to bark....but i thought it was part of my dream....in my dream jack was barking because he couldn't get the classes he needed to complete his program....so he was complaining....then my senses came to me and i realized it was a dream and really he had to go out....
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
tidbits
so a few people have asked about fred this week....he was late for class- oh, no! so when he came in his seat was taken....a group of "jocks" took it....the jocks all work as ga's in athletics at albany....anyway, fred was thrown off the whole class....poor guy.
i learned that the average age for college students is now 26....no more of this 18-22 year old stuff....
i met with my ta for stats before class....he reminds me of a mix between george jetson and this boy i went to school with....the boy i went to school with was in my class from kindergarten through high school....he was our basketball manager in junior high and high school....the reason why he reminds me of these two people is- he would totally be the person tracking all the stats at a basketball game (and he has a similar walk to the boy in high school) but yet seems to have the common sense of george jetson....more to come about him
the final tidbit is about financial aid....or my uup benefits.....the benefit is that the union pays for 1 1/2 classes each semester....sounds like a good deal, right? except that you have to fill out five hundred forms and then they have to be approved by 800 people....and you need official letters and then the state has to decide if you deserve to get the money! today i found out that one of my waivers was approved- but the state still hasn't decided about the other one....i love bureaucracy
i learned that the average age for college students is now 26....no more of this 18-22 year old stuff....
i met with my ta for stats before class....he reminds me of a mix between george jetson and this boy i went to school with....the boy i went to school with was in my class from kindergarten through high school....he was our basketball manager in junior high and high school....the reason why he reminds me of these two people is- he would totally be the person tracking all the stats at a basketball game (and he has a similar walk to the boy in high school) but yet seems to have the common sense of george jetson....more to come about him
the final tidbit is about financial aid....or my uup benefits.....the benefit is that the union pays for 1 1/2 classes each semester....sounds like a good deal, right? except that you have to fill out five hundred forms and then they have to be approved by 800 people....and you need official letters and then the state has to decide if you deserve to get the money! today i found out that one of my waivers was approved- but the state still hasn't decided about the other one....i love bureaucracy
Week 3
today i am questioning what i am doing....last night i sat in class, discussing the reading we had to do, and thought, "i feel old." and then i thought, "jeez, they have no idea what the real world is like." we were discussing organizational change and how to make change happen. a lot of what we discussed i felt like i have been seeing in my everyday work for the last year- what causes change, how can it be effective, how can it be ineffective- and the biggest thing was how to help people through the process. this is when i started to feel old or bitter or something. the people in my group (all new grad students just out of college) went on and on about how change is easy and people will follow. this is when i said, "not really." and that is when they all looked at me like i was the old lady with 10 heads. i get that i am working on a different degree and i have a different set of experiences and that i was once as young and optimistic as they all are, but really what am i doing?
on the other hand...i just found out that my student loans from undergrad (yes i am still paying) have been deferred....who knew? they would do that without a request...
on the other hand...i just found out that my student loans from undergrad (yes i am still paying) have been deferred....who knew? they would do that without a request...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
stats class
last night in stats class we learned how to use excel to crunch numbers....the interesting part...the professor, doesn't know how to use the program...it was funny to watch her trying to show us how to use the program and she didn't know what she was doing.
we had to learn this information in order to start our first homework assignment...it's a four section, 4 part to each section assignment- so not short. in class i shared a computer with a woman who is a middle school administrator....she talks to fred flintstone alot- and spent 2 hours doing the first part of our homework by hand....that's right, she counted over 300 answers on three different columns of information to get her answers....so, while sitting in class doing the excel work, she says, "i can't beleive the computer can do that in 3 seconds...it took me 2 hours." she promised me to never again to stats by hand.
we had to learn this information in order to start our first homework assignment...it's a four section, 4 part to each section assignment- so not short. in class i shared a computer with a woman who is a middle school administrator....she talks to fred flintstone alot- and spent 2 hours doing the first part of our homework by hand....that's right, she counted over 300 answers on three different columns of information to get her answers....so, while sitting in class doing the excel work, she says, "i can't beleive the computer can do that in 3 seconds...it took me 2 hours." she promised me to never again to stats by hand.
Fred Flintstone
monday brought my second set of classes...it was weird to go to class, have a week off, and then go back...but i got right into the swing of it again...
let me tell you about fred flintstone- this is not his real name....but i do believe we all in someway resemble a cartoon character and this man reminds me of fred....
fred is in my statistics class and he comes to ever class in a three piece suit....now in his defense, his day job is provost of a community college in the state, so it's probably required (that's the suit)....fred has made me giggle a little since the day i met him during orientation....he is very much a politician, but a very awkward one....he comes into class (the last two weeks) and waves as he comes in...i am still not clear who he is waving to- the class is only 20 people and i have yet to notice anyone waving back....he then is very careful to use the names of the people who sit in his row and says hello- "hello, sarah....hello, bob....hello, jen" oh, i sit in his row....i asked fred this week what his plans were- i mean i do wonder why a provost is taking higher education classes....i find out that he wants to be president and doesn't have a terminal degree....his community college told him if he got his doctorate, they would make him president....that's when i asked him for a job....
i mean, these things don't happen to me....but i am okay with that....so, fred is going to be president someday....he hopes in the next 3 years he will be done....then promoted....in reality, i don't want to work for fred flintstone- i would always wonder about how he runs his car with his feet...
let me tell you about fred flintstone- this is not his real name....but i do believe we all in someway resemble a cartoon character and this man reminds me of fred....
fred is in my statistics class and he comes to ever class in a three piece suit....now in his defense, his day job is provost of a community college in the state, so it's probably required (that's the suit)....fred has made me giggle a little since the day i met him during orientation....he is very much a politician, but a very awkward one....he comes into class (the last two weeks) and waves as he comes in...i am still not clear who he is waving to- the class is only 20 people and i have yet to notice anyone waving back....he then is very careful to use the names of the people who sit in his row and says hello- "hello, sarah....hello, bob....hello, jen" oh, i sit in his row....i asked fred this week what his plans were- i mean i do wonder why a provost is taking higher education classes....i find out that he wants to be president and doesn't have a terminal degree....his community college told him if he got his doctorate, they would make him president....that's when i asked him for a job....
i mean, these things don't happen to me....but i am okay with that....so, fred is going to be president someday....he hopes in the next 3 years he will be done....then promoted....in reality, i don't want to work for fred flintstone- i would always wonder about how he runs his car with his feet...
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Barnes and Noble
today i decided to try doing my homework at barnes and noble....mostly hoping it will keep me better focused....i did get alot done, but let me tell you about the characters i saw....
the man in his yankee pj's....yes, it's true, an adult man was in his pj's....yankee's pj's....he was also carefully studying the sex section...CREEPY
also in the sex section- another man- long ponytail.....he stood there in the section and looked at every book...he had to be there at least half an hour (and the section is only one small book case)
the first date...as I was reading about the commercialization of higher education- i kept hearing this annoying throaty laugh...i finally looked up and saw two people sitting at a high table....the annoying laugh coming for a very plain looking woman...sitting across from a man with no hair dressed "athletically." being who i am, i decided to listen....what i learned is the woman has not been in a long term relationship for more than 4 years, she has a cat who scratches her alot, and she likes to hang out in the music section at b and n.....also, she has a very annoying laugh that comes out of her alot
and now onto the worker lady....she carries this "i don't care about anything" attitude, as she walks around picking up books people have left behind....she seems put off by the fact that this is her job, yet secretly seems to enjoy it.....i also wonder about the goth look but not really...maybe she is a vampire...all i know- is she can walk by me anytime.
then there was "alex" this is not his real name, but i have decided to name him....he just walked around for about 4 hours....talking to himself about the circus....just paced about the sitting area....sometimes he had a book in his hand....he even asked a worker to not take his book....then he got a call and told the person on the other end they better not be outside waiting for him....he wasn't ready to go home....and then he paced more
oh, you might be wondering if i got any work done....i did....it's true...yo
the man in his yankee pj's....yes, it's true, an adult man was in his pj's....yankee's pj's....he was also carefully studying the sex section...CREEPY
also in the sex section- another man- long ponytail.....he stood there in the section and looked at every book...he had to be there at least half an hour (and the section is only one small book case)
the first date...as I was reading about the commercialization of higher education- i kept hearing this annoying throaty laugh...i finally looked up and saw two people sitting at a high table....the annoying laugh coming for a very plain looking woman...sitting across from a man with no hair dressed "athletically." being who i am, i decided to listen....what i learned is the woman has not been in a long term relationship for more than 4 years, she has a cat who scratches her alot, and she likes to hang out in the music section at b and n.....also, she has a very annoying laugh that comes out of her alot
and now onto the worker lady....she carries this "i don't care about anything" attitude, as she walks around picking up books people have left behind....she seems put off by the fact that this is her job, yet secretly seems to enjoy it.....i also wonder about the goth look but not really...maybe she is a vampire...all i know- is she can walk by me anytime.
then there was "alex" this is not his real name, but i have decided to name him....he just walked around for about 4 hours....talking to himself about the circus....just paced about the sitting area....sometimes he had a book in his hand....he even asked a worker to not take his book....then he got a call and told the person on the other end they better not be outside waiting for him....he wasn't ready to go home....and then he paced more
oh, you might be wondering if i got any work done....i did....it's true...yo
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
homework
i have had some interesting homework assignments so far. most of what has been assigned is reading, which is what i am used to....one professor, however, has assigned some youtube videos to watch...this blows me away- you tube for homework? it just doesn't seem very academic, but it is amazing what is on there. check them out:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3-qfeCQvNA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaBwpnDAgZ8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG5na7JD7rE
the first one is funny, the second and third cheesy....
back to my reading.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3-qfeCQvNA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaBwpnDAgZ8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG5na7JD7rE
the first one is funny, the second and third cheesy....
back to my reading.
New
so, i have decided to start blogging my experience returning to school, for my ph.d, after 10 years of working and not being in school. i am still working full time, school is a part time gig for me, but so far feels full time.
my first day was a week ago. i was very nervous and overwhelmed. what was i doing? i must be crazy- commuting two hours a week- missing an afternoon of work each week. i don't miss work, ever. now i am going to miss it once a week.
two classes later, and a pile of homework, i felt pretty good. i met a few nice people, who actually talked to me, and my professors seemed fair, firm, and friendly.
my first day was a week ago. i was very nervous and overwhelmed. what was i doing? i must be crazy- commuting two hours a week- missing an afternoon of work each week. i don't miss work, ever. now i am going to miss it once a week.
two classes later, and a pile of homework, i felt pretty good. i met a few nice people, who actually talked to me, and my professors seemed fair, firm, and friendly.
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