Here it is, December 17:
my first quarter is over...
another semester finished...
another year to look back on...
another year to look forward to/dread.
Sometimes my pessimism astounds even me. Where was I?
Actually, as the title of my blog suggests, not everything is so awful at the moment. I just got my grades back for the quarter and I will count it among the successes in my academic history. I received an A- in my philosophy class, an A- in my Early American lit class, and a B+ in my American novel class. Not bad for my first quarter! Even my GPA at UCD is higher than my average transfer GPA, and if you compare it to my final semester at ARC, I only lost a .44 in my overall GPA, so I'm way ahead of the curve in that respect.
The quarter, however, was hard. At one point I even looked into the consequences of dropping out, and although I did not consider dropping out in any real way, it was something that crossed my mind this quarter. It's hard sometimes: I feel as though I'm way behind in everything I do. Some of the kids in my classes are so smart, and they are, in some cases, 10 years younger than me, and there were definitely times when I would ask myself why I decided to go through with school to this extent. After all, the question everyone seems to ask me is "what do you plan to do after college?" and you would think that at 27 I would have a fairly well-thought out answer, or even an answer at all. I am beginning to feel quite silly saying "I don't know."
Even if I do make a decision, and that decision involves graduate studies (which seems to be everyone's assumption at this point), I am not looking at graduating until I'm well into my thirties. I know that's not unheard of, but I was hoping to have something in my life settled by that time, and I don't believe anything will "settle" in our lives until I'm through with school.
-sigh-
And graduate studies. I don't even know where to begin with that. I've definitely been considering it, and have even researched some schools in the area. I just cannot commit to teaching as a profession! I think on it, consider it, wonder about it, but frankly without experience, I cannot, and will not, commit myself to a future that I don't feel I fully understand. What if I go through all the education to become a college teacher, and then stand in front of a classroom and at that moment realize that I made a serious mistake? Dreadful thought. I would like more experience with students, and I was hoping to get an IA position at ARC, but with the current economy I just don't see that happening either. As far as my current job is concerned, I have just decided to hang on for the long haul, and hope some thing opens up in the next 3-5 years so I can work with students on an educational basis, instead of taking messages.
Work. That brings me to the source of most of my current anxiety. I am so disheartened and discouraged, and I don't know how to change it. Suffice to say, I was really counting on people being cooperative with me, being that I'm going through many changes outside of work--transferring and such--and I found that cooperation lacking, severely. I'm mostly disappointment with people that I really felt I could count on, one person mostly. Now I think my boss is upset with me, and I don't know why. I will be the first to admit that I have not been myself this semester, but could one really expect me not to change when so many other things in my life have? I feel I was naive to expect any kind of understanding at my job. After all, it is just a job, and even though, up until now, they have been, I'm no longer a student at ARC, and I can no longer represent our program.
For the first time since I got this job I've actually started looking for another job. It's painful to admit, and it's really half-hearted on my part, but still I've been looking. I know I work really hard there, and even at my most miserable (like most of this semester) I have given nothing but my best to keep things running, and to do my job to the best of my ability. I keep hoping that "tomorrow" will be better, but everyday is worse, and everyday I come home disappointed that I even bothered to hope. I was even hoping this weekend that I would get really sick and miss work this week.
That's not a good thing.
I haven't officially given up yet. It was one semester, so I know that overall my job here has been a happy one. I really do like what I do, mostly, but I would like more opportunities. I know someday I'll leave, and I just have to be patient. As far as the current problem, perhaps they will get better next semester, or maybe it's just me, and now that I'm acclimated with my new surroundings I'll feel more confident in everything else. No matter what, I'll "keep on keepin' on."
Until next time...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Entry 22--AKA: "Halfway!"
I cannot believe how fast the first five weeks of school have flown by! Incredible! It seems just yesterday I was sitting in the CoHo blogging about my first day taking the bus, and finding my classes and now I'm knee deep in midterms.
I am exhausted, but so far satisfied with my little successes here at Davis. I got a B on my first English paper, which just about made my month. I've had a teacher call one of my in-class discussion topics "brilliant," and I've managed to write my very first philosophy paper (thanks to an all night writing session) and survive my first English midterm. I'll get back to you about how successful those are next week. As for the campus, I'm feeling more and more at home here, and less scared and lonely, which was my major feelings here the last few weeks.
The things I like about Davis are:
1. THE COFFEE. Seriously, I cannot say enough good things about the coffee on-campus. Unlike ARC's coffee, it doesn't taste like it was roasted in a boot found at the dump. It's organic, and delicious, and very reasonably priced--cheaper than ARC by a long shot!
2. The classes. The vast majority of the students in my classes are there because the subject is their major. This makes for a great learning environment when everyone is interested in the class discussion, and says things that are actually relevant to the topic at hand. Gone are the days of the idiot in the back of the class (who believes he knows everything) saying "Why are we studying literature, anyway. It's just made up crap no one cares about." Go back to your DND in the cafeteria, R-tard.
3. The professors. At first a little intimidating, yes, but after you get the hang of it, they are awesome. I so enjoy the lectures in my class (though my Philosophy teacher can be dry sometimes) and I look forward to them every day. I have an English professor who brings me close to tears with laughter some days, and my other professor makes these deep intellectual points regarding the literature that I actually can feel myself getting smarter as I sit in his class.
4. The Library. Holy shit, this library is bigger than any mall I've ever been in. I've never seen so many books in my life, and there are tables and desks everywhere. It's so quiet (because the students actually want to study), and the bathrooms are clean. I have a four hour break on Monday, and sometimes I just wander row after row after row of the books, taking it all in. I've still not seen every wing of the library.
Things I don't like about Davis:
1. The Freshman. I hate to be an upper-division snob, but the frosh are just out of highschool, and they still reek of gym class, if you know what I mean. They are loud, obnoxious, and mostly idiotic, and I've tried to avoid them as best I can in lunch lines, and coffee lines. I've already heard some of the silliest things some of these frosh know-it-alls have spewed, and it's enough to make a person lose faith in humanity. I guess it's bad because many of these kids were the "best and brightest" of their highschool, and have probably never had to stuggle with school in their life--until now. But why should they worry? Most of them haven't figured out yet that they don't know everything...
2. The bikes. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about transportation, but the way that some of these people ride bikes is down right frightening. I have seriously come close to death crossing the roads around here, and I find it even more frightening to think that assuredly some of these people drive cars as well as bicycles. I'd rather be hit by a semi-truck than a bicycle, because, if you think about it, if you're hit by a semi-truck, chances are you'll die. You get hit by some kid on a bicycle, you're in for alot of pain, broken limbs, and suffering--all because some kids was running late for class. Yikes. Not my cup of tea.
I guess that's it. I had better get back to reading before I get even more behind than I already am. Thanks for reading, as usual, and have a wonderful rest of the week.
I am exhausted, but so far satisfied with my little successes here at Davis. I got a B on my first English paper, which just about made my month. I've had a teacher call one of my in-class discussion topics "brilliant," and I've managed to write my very first philosophy paper (thanks to an all night writing session) and survive my first English midterm. I'll get back to you about how successful those are next week. As for the campus, I'm feeling more and more at home here, and less scared and lonely, which was my major feelings here the last few weeks.
The things I like about Davis are:
1. THE COFFEE. Seriously, I cannot say enough good things about the coffee on-campus. Unlike ARC's coffee, it doesn't taste like it was roasted in a boot found at the dump. It's organic, and delicious, and very reasonably priced--cheaper than ARC by a long shot!
2. The classes. The vast majority of the students in my classes are there because the subject is their major. This makes for a great learning environment when everyone is interested in the class discussion, and says things that are actually relevant to the topic at hand. Gone are the days of the idiot in the back of the class (who believes he knows everything) saying "Why are we studying literature, anyway. It's just made up crap no one cares about." Go back to your DND in the cafeteria, R-tard.
3. The professors. At first a little intimidating, yes, but after you get the hang of it, they are awesome. I so enjoy the lectures in my class (though my Philosophy teacher can be dry sometimes) and I look forward to them every day. I have an English professor who brings me close to tears with laughter some days, and my other professor makes these deep intellectual points regarding the literature that I actually can feel myself getting smarter as I sit in his class.
4. The Library. Holy shit, this library is bigger than any mall I've ever been in. I've never seen so many books in my life, and there are tables and desks everywhere. It's so quiet (because the students actually want to study), and the bathrooms are clean. I have a four hour break on Monday, and sometimes I just wander row after row after row of the books, taking it all in. I've still not seen every wing of the library.
Things I don't like about Davis:
1. The Freshman. I hate to be an upper-division snob, but the frosh are just out of highschool, and they still reek of gym class, if you know what I mean. They are loud, obnoxious, and mostly idiotic, and I've tried to avoid them as best I can in lunch lines, and coffee lines. I've already heard some of the silliest things some of these frosh know-it-alls have spewed, and it's enough to make a person lose faith in humanity. I guess it's bad because many of these kids were the "best and brightest" of their highschool, and have probably never had to stuggle with school in their life--until now. But why should they worry? Most of them haven't figured out yet that they don't know everything...
2. The bikes. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about transportation, but the way that some of these people ride bikes is down right frightening. I have seriously come close to death crossing the roads around here, and I find it even more frightening to think that assuredly some of these people drive cars as well as bicycles. I'd rather be hit by a semi-truck than a bicycle, because, if you think about it, if you're hit by a semi-truck, chances are you'll die. You get hit by some kid on a bicycle, you're in for alot of pain, broken limbs, and suffering--all because some kids was running late for class. Yikes. Not my cup of tea.
I guess that's it. I had better get back to reading before I get even more behind than I already am. Thanks for reading, as usual, and have a wonderful rest of the week.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Entry 21--AKA: "Anonymity."
I was walking across campus today after my 2:00 class and it hit me somewhere around A street at Shields Avenue that I was suffering from academic loneliness. I realized that I'm a week into my first quarter at Davis and I've yet to speak to anyone in any of my classes beyond "is this seat taken?" I started to recollect my first semesters at ARC when I didn't work on campus, and how I felt in the back corners of my classrooms, refusing to speak to anyone, afraid that I would say the wrong thing, and feeling behind everyone else who was younger, smarter, and was already used to this foreign collegiate atmosphere. I had really taken for granted these last few semesters the comforts of people who were familiar to me, teachers who I knew (even if it was through an acquaintance of an acquaintance), and classrooms that had become like a second home.
I am feeling extraordinarily average. Average in everything I do, and think. Even the dumb people in my classes (yes, there are a few), still seem to have some sense to them, and I'm beginning to wonder to myself if my own attempts at classroom participation aren't laughed at by others the way I laugh at some of the people myself. I think the first hint that I got of this apprehension was this morning when this guy I know from ARC who has been sitting next to me every class now sat two seats over, completely passing up the seat next to me. I sniffed myself wondering if I was emanating some sort of funk that I had, until then, not noticed, and didn't smell anything. Paranoia set in, and next thing I knew I started to analyze who sat next to me, and why they didn't speak to me and the ball continued to rolling around in my mind.
This is what led up to my revelation.
Part of me is kind of wishing I had decided up on Sac State, because at least most of the people I already know from ARC (at least English majors) are already there and I would know at least someone. But, Davis is where I set my heart on, and Davis is where I'll stay. I know this is going to be a hard quarter--change is always hard--I just need to stick it out.
Until then, I know that eventually Davis will be old, and I'll know people. It's just a matter of time. I just need to be patient and this, too, will be comfortable and easy.
I am feeling extraordinarily average. Average in everything I do, and think. Even the dumb people in my classes (yes, there are a few), still seem to have some sense to them, and I'm beginning to wonder to myself if my own attempts at classroom participation aren't laughed at by others the way I laugh at some of the people myself. I think the first hint that I got of this apprehension was this morning when this guy I know from ARC who has been sitting next to me every class now sat two seats over, completely passing up the seat next to me. I sniffed myself wondering if I was emanating some sort of funk that I had, until then, not noticed, and didn't smell anything. Paranoia set in, and next thing I knew I started to analyze who sat next to me, and why they didn't speak to me and the ball continued to rolling around in my mind.
This is what led up to my revelation.
Part of me is kind of wishing I had decided up on Sac State, because at least most of the people I already know from ARC (at least English majors) are already there and I would know at least someone. But, Davis is where I set my heart on, and Davis is where I'll stay. I know this is going to be a hard quarter--change is always hard--I just need to stick it out.
Until then, I know that eventually Davis will be old, and I'll know people. It's just a matter of time. I just need to be patient and this, too, will be comfortable and easy.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Entry 20--AKA: "Student: day 2"
It's the second day of class, which is kind of weird because it's a Monday and it's strange that class begins on Friday. Anyway, second day, and so far so good. I actually got up the nerve to raise my hand in two of my classes, even though both times I felt nauseous afterward from fright. Actually, the first time was much easier than the first. The instructor in my first class seems a little more approachable than my second, but I think it may just his demeanor.
The second time, as a matter of fact, I was borderline panic-attack by the time I finished my sentence. It was all in my head, though, because my instructor liked what I had to say. I wish I could remember what it was.
I bought all my books today. $134 for fourteen books--I count that as a win. That is one perk to being an English major: the books are cheap because it's all novels.
I also got the nerve up to go and talk to the philosophy adviser about declaring myself a philosophy major and also asked him about the logic minor. Turns out, my instructor for symbolic logic at ARC teaches here in the summer and the adviser said that if I did well in his class I should do fine in the upper division class. That made me feel pretty good since I got an A in symbolic logic.
I guess that's it. I really brought my computer so I could check my email but since I have none, I'm going to go back to reading, since I have tons to read before Wednesday.
Thanks for reading.
The second time, as a matter of fact, I was borderline panic-attack by the time I finished my sentence. It was all in my head, though, because my instructor liked what I had to say. I wish I could remember what it was.
I bought all my books today. $134 for fourteen books--I count that as a win. That is one perk to being an English major: the books are cheap because it's all novels.
I also got the nerve up to go and talk to the philosophy adviser about declaring myself a philosophy major and also asked him about the logic minor. Turns out, my instructor for symbolic logic at ARC teaches here in the summer and the adviser said that if I did well in his class I should do fine in the upper division class. That made me feel pretty good since I got an A in symbolic logic.
I guess that's it. I really brought my computer so I could check my email but since I have none, I'm going to go back to reading, since I have tons to read before Wednesday.
Thanks for reading.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Entry 19--AKA: "My first trip to UCD as a *student*"
Hello, everyone!
Currently, I'm sitting in the "CoHo" at UCD main campus surfing the internet and drinking coffee, just like a real student. Sitting here among all these kids--seriously, most of the people are are less than 20--has me feeling a little awkward, but overall I'm more excited than anything.
I tried to keep the trip here today as real as possible. I left my house around 9:20, sat at the bus station, and walked to each of my classes so I could find them. Each of the classrooms I'm in are really much smaller than I was expecting. There are 4 classrooms total that I have classes in, and the largest of the 4 is about the size of the largest classroom I was in at ARC. None of them hold more than 40 or 50 people, so I think I'll feel right at home.
The most exciting thing so far is that right outside the building where my first class is located is a small coffee-house, much like the "snack shack" outside Davies Hall at ARC. To top it off, it serves organic coffee--none of that burned javacity crap that ARC gets away with. Unfortunately the little shack was closed today, but just knowing it was there for the first day of class brought a smile to my face.
I am still overwhelmed by the sheer size of this campus. It's HUGE. I'm lucky, however, because my classes are no more than a 3 minute walk from one another, which is nice. I think I'm going to throw my backpack on here in a minute and go take in the city around the campus before I had back to Sac.
The bus was also unexpectedly pleasant. I catch it at West Capitol and Enterprise, and I was little afraid at the thought of it being filled with homeless and thugs. Almost everyone on the bus turned out to be students (since about 20 of us got off at MU [Memorial Union]) so it really wasn't so bad. I might even be brave enough to take my bike one of these days. :-)
I think that's it. I'm going to take a walk, then go to the transfer student event at 1:30. I don't plan on being there long, and then I'll head home around 3. Wish me luck, everyone, and thanks for reading.
Currently, I'm sitting in the "CoHo" at UCD main campus surfing the internet and drinking coffee, just like a real student. Sitting here among all these kids--seriously, most of the people are are less than 20--has me feeling a little awkward, but overall I'm more excited than anything.
I tried to keep the trip here today as real as possible. I left my house around 9:20, sat at the bus station, and walked to each of my classes so I could find them. Each of the classrooms I'm in are really much smaller than I was expecting. There are 4 classrooms total that I have classes in, and the largest of the 4 is about the size of the largest classroom I was in at ARC. None of them hold more than 40 or 50 people, so I think I'll feel right at home.
The most exciting thing so far is that right outside the building where my first class is located is a small coffee-house, much like the "snack shack" outside Davies Hall at ARC. To top it off, it serves organic coffee--none of that burned javacity crap that ARC gets away with. Unfortunately the little shack was closed today, but just knowing it was there for the first day of class brought a smile to my face.
I am still overwhelmed by the sheer size of this campus. It's HUGE. I'm lucky, however, because my classes are no more than a 3 minute walk from one another, which is nice. I think I'm going to throw my backpack on here in a minute and go take in the city around the campus before I had back to Sac.
The bus was also unexpectedly pleasant. I catch it at West Capitol and Enterprise, and I was little afraid at the thought of it being filled with homeless and thugs. Almost everyone on the bus turned out to be students (since about 20 of us got off at MU [Memorial Union]) so it really wasn't so bad. I might even be brave enough to take my bike one of these days. :-)
I think that's it. I'm going to take a walk, then go to the transfer student event at 1:30. I don't plan on being there long, and then I'll head home around 3. Wish me luck, everyone, and thanks for reading.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Entry 18--AKA: "The calm before the storm."
Vacation next week! I cannot wait. Every year we go camping with my parents for a week in the most beautiful place on the face of the planet, and every year I have such a great time. I come home relaxed, happy, and refreshed; ready for another year of grueling work and school and all the stress that comes with both.
For the first time since I left Dimple I'm actually looking forward to time away from my job. I guess I've finally become burned out with what I do, and although I know it was bound to happen eventually, I am sad that the time has finally come. I can't complain that much, however, since I still very much respect my bosses, which for any job can make or break the experience. I think I'm just comfortable in what I do: the "honeymoon" phase has definitely ended.
On a different note, I'm either excited and optimistic or petrified in fear and depressed about my transfer to Davis that is all-too-quickly approaching. Depending on the day (and sometimes the hour) my anxiety level changes regarding this life changing alteration. I still cannot believe that I'm going to such a huge school, or that I'm finally working on classes for my B.A. Incredible. I had an appointment with a program at Davis that you have to apply for. It's an undergraduate program to help students with research, but also give them the opportunity to have a faculty mentor in a subject they are interested/majoring in, and to write a paper based on the research they do. It's also an opportunity for units and financial aid money, so all around seems like a good program. It was great, though, because at the end of the appointment the woman was practically begging me to apply--which made me feel really good. I wish I could interview for jobs the way I interview for academics!
I really want to do so much when I'm there. I told Jason the other day that I don't want to graduate just to get "a job." My goal is to graduate and be so qualified, so educated, so that I get my pick of the jobs. I want to be the applicant that employers feel fortunate to even get a chance to look at my resume. When the hiring committee is through interviewing me, I want them to say "Wow, I really hope she accepts our offer." For me, it's not about the money. Sure, I want to have a good paying job, but more than that, I want to have my choice of jobs, not just take the first one that's offered to me. Maybe I'm just setting the bar too high, but I think I can do this.
School starts September 22. I'm probably going to take that whole week off, just for the adjustment. I don't know where to park, or if I have to pay for my classes, or anything. I feel so clueless--so out of touch. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, but it's such a huge adjustment. I'm sure I'll cope...
As always thanks for reading. I'll try and write again before we leave on vacation, but only if I have something interesting to say.
For the first time since I left Dimple I'm actually looking forward to time away from my job. I guess I've finally become burned out with what I do, and although I know it was bound to happen eventually, I am sad that the time has finally come. I can't complain that much, however, since I still very much respect my bosses, which for any job can make or break the experience. I think I'm just comfortable in what I do: the "honeymoon" phase has definitely ended.
On a different note, I'm either excited and optimistic or petrified in fear and depressed about my transfer to Davis that is all-too-quickly approaching. Depending on the day (and sometimes the hour) my anxiety level changes regarding this life changing alteration. I still cannot believe that I'm going to such a huge school, or that I'm finally working on classes for my B.A. Incredible. I had an appointment with a program at Davis that you have to apply for. It's an undergraduate program to help students with research, but also give them the opportunity to have a faculty mentor in a subject they are interested/majoring in, and to write a paper based on the research they do. It's also an opportunity for units and financial aid money, so all around seems like a good program. It was great, though, because at the end of the appointment the woman was practically begging me to apply--which made me feel really good. I wish I could interview for jobs the way I interview for academics!
I really want to do so much when I'm there. I told Jason the other day that I don't want to graduate just to get "a job." My goal is to graduate and be so qualified, so educated, so that I get my pick of the jobs. I want to be the applicant that employers feel fortunate to even get a chance to look at my resume. When the hiring committee is through interviewing me, I want them to say "Wow, I really hope she accepts our offer." For me, it's not about the money. Sure, I want to have a good paying job, but more than that, I want to have my choice of jobs, not just take the first one that's offered to me. Maybe I'm just setting the bar too high, but I think I can do this.
School starts September 22. I'm probably going to take that whole week off, just for the adjustment. I don't know where to park, or if I have to pay for my classes, or anything. I feel so clueless--so out of touch. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually, but it's such a huge adjustment. I'm sure I'll cope...
As always thanks for reading. I'll try and write again before we leave on vacation, but only if I have something interesting to say.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Entry 17--AKA: "An Open Letter to Comcast Cable/Internet."
Dear Comcast (cable & internet divisions),
I know you're reading this, or at least someone from your corporation will read this, so I'm going to RANT about you, since I have no other way of complaining. Apparently your company has paid off every government agency, ever consumer advocate agency, and ever single lawyer from here to eternity, so I'm taking this to the blog-reading public. Sure, in my case, this may be no body, but at least it's out there, and maybe someone will read it and avoid you, like I should have done years ago.
We started out sometime in 2003, when I had a little money to blow and some schmuck came to my apartment door selling your services for a low-low price of $50 a month for cable and internet. I had just recieved a raise and had cut back on drinking and, in doing so, was surfing the internet a helluvalot more.
Then, I moved, then hell broke loose. I think I opened Pandora's box. I only moved 2 apartments over and up to the second floor. I didn't think it would be that hard. I had to take the day off work because my given appointment time was "between 10-2 pm." I didn't mind, it's a day off work. I waited. I waited. I was so afraid I would miss the technician that I didn't even leave to do laundry or buy a soda next to the swimming pool. I sat in my house watching DVD's (since, y'know, my cable and my internet weren't working...). I even went to the bathroom with the door open so I could hear the knock. 2 pm came, and I called and what did you tell me? That the "technician came by, knocked, and no one was home." BULLSHIT! What did you have me do? I had to set up YET ANOTHER appointment a few days later. Take YET ANOTHER day off of work. I should have known this was only the beginning.
Things are good for awhile. I begin to think that my bad moving experience was just a one-time deal. Maybe the tech was having a bad day; maybe your company is short-handed. My boyfriend moves in with me and we decide to move in 2004. I grit my teeth, call, and set up an appointment for installation (and upgrade!) in our new apartment. Things go okay. The guy was almost two hours late, but he called in advance. It was okay. Not great: okay. I'm moved in, we're happy, so what if it's a little bumpy? Moving always has it's hassles.
A few months later you offer DVR service. I am jumping for joy. I go to school full-time and I daydream of being able to watch my favorite shows anytime of the day and not have to put off homework. It's a slice of heaven for someone who works full time and goes to school full time. I talk my boyfriend into it, set up the appointment and take the time off work.
I wait....
and wait....
and no one shows up. Again.
I call and you tell me that I don't have an appointment today. I never called to set one up. But, (you say), I am paying for DVR service. I ask you "how can I be paying for something I don't have?" You tell me "I don't know." I get upset, and tell you to get someone out to my place with a DVR. You tell me that you can set up an appointment "at the earliest" in three weeks. I get angry. You accuse me of lying to you about the first appointment. I say some things I don't mean, you hang up on me. I call back. It gets ugly. You hang up again. We end up having to drive across town to pick up a DVR that should have been delivered. I'm angry, but my boyfriend is willing to continue the service, so I play along. Frankly, I wanted to rip all the cable wiring out of our apartment walls and throw your equipment through the glass window of your useless "service station," but my boyfriend tells me that it's okay--hopefully we won't have anymore problems.
And things are good for awhile. Then we move. Early 2007. I beg my boyfriend and new room mate to switch to another service. BEG THEM. Our new room mate worked for comcast, though, as a technician, so my boyfriend assures me that we can install our own equipment: no appointment, no hassles. We can just call and tell them we've moved. So we do, but you insist that we MUST have a qualified, current comcast "technician" install our equipment, so again, we grit our teeth, take time off work, and set the appointment. (This time, btw, I took three days). This time, the guy comes out promptly on time. I've NEVER seen a comcast tech on time. It blew my mind. He was in and out in record time--unbelievable. He leaves, and I'm swimming in my good fortune; perhaps, comcast, you've cleaned up your act. I hook up my computer--internet's not working. I wait for my boyfriend or my room mate, because I'm sure it must be me or my computer, and not our internet service. My boyfriend comes home, and sure enough, he can't get it working either. Our room mate gets home (remember, comcast, he used to install your crap), takes one look at the install job of the internet line--THE TECHNICIAN PUT STAPLES THROUGH THE ENTIRE LINE ACROSS THE SIDE OF OUR HOUSE!!!!
The line--ruined. Our internet--out.
So we call, and what do you say? It cannot possibly be the line. On your end, everything looks fine. It must be our equipment, and there's NOTHING you can do. We ask you to send out someone to look at the line, and you say that we can probably get someone out "at the end of the month." IT'S THE FIRST WEEK IN NOVEMBER, and you don't think you can get someone out here until December. However, you want us to continue PAYING, since, "on your end" we're getting a "perfect signal." We try to get through to someone who will listen (since we can't ever seem to talk to someone who knows ANYTHING about how your service works), and we get put on hold for 20 minutes. Finally, we hang up.
You know what we did? We had to go buy our own line, and install it ourselves, all because your "certified technician" put about 100 staples through the line down the side of our house and you say it was "working fine."
Have we reached our limit, yet? Nope, obviously not.
My boyfriend calls--about someone totally mundane, neither of us can remember what now--and you ask for our account number. He's at work; he doesn't have the account number at his finger tips. He offers just about any information you need to find the account number. He is put through 5 different people, at five different offices and no one can seem to locate our account number. Finally, he is put on the phone with one of your representatives who barely speaks English (obviously, in India) and the guy keeps just telling my boyfriend "need account." My boyfriend asks to speak to his boss, he refuses, and hangs up.
Real professional, comcast, really.
Today, however. Today was it. We are done.
We have an appointment for "sometime between 2-4 pm." I don't hold my breath. The guy shows up at 3:50. At least he shows up. We are just turning off the television, not the internet (yet). He goes in, does his thing, and is out. (Of course, as he pulls up, another representative calls me and tells me he'll be late, even though the tech is standing in my backyard. Tut-tut, comcast.) We are just going to have internet, but we have TWO IP addresses, not one. We have been paying extra every single month for a second IP address, so my room mate has one of his own. My room mate realizes that he no longer has his own IP connection. My boyfriend calls tech support, and says "we are supposed to have two IP addresses, can you tell me if the IP address is still on our account?" Your ever knowledgeable (and barely English-speaking) tech support says "you don't need two IP addresses."
My boyfriend calmly says "Yes, I know, we want two, and have been paying for two; can you tell me if it's still on the account?"
Tech support: "you don't need two."
BF: "I know, can you tell me if we are paying for two?"
TS: "You don't need two."
This goes on for about 15 minutes.
Finally, after this madness, my boyfriend says: "Can you put me on the phone with someone who will tell me if it's on the account?"
Tech support finally says "let me check your account to see if it's on the account."
IDIOCY!!!
Tech support genius tells my boyfriend that it's not on the account, and tells my boyfriend that he'll have to transfer him to "billing." He transfers him--not to billing--and the people at this extension tell him that there's nothing that they can do for us; we need to talk to tech support. We get someone else at tech support who goes into another circle about not needing two IP addresses; so my boyfriend says:
"Please, please, please--I am begging you, please transfer me to someone in billing. PLEASE. I'm begging. Billing. Someone in billing. Begging. Please."
And what do you do, comcast?
Hang up, of course.
Our only course of action at this point is to call sales (since sales seems to have the only people who can speak English, and who will do what you ask) and ask them to add a second IP address to the account. Of course, you'll do it, you say, but only if we pay the "additional line" fee. A fee for something that YOUR TECHNICIAN disconnected, that worked perfectly before he was here. Now you want us to pay more.
I get it now. Really, I get it. Not only do you charge people for EVERYTHING, but every time your technicians come out they destroy something so you can get even MORE money from your customers.
Why am I telling you this? Because I have written countless emails, letters, and online forums posts and you continue to do this. You have not government or public oversight. You are not controlled by the Better Business Bureau (because I've tried to go that route, too). You, obviously, have no internal customer care control or regard, and frankly, I'm tired of doing it.
What I'm going to say now I say in complete truth:
Someday comcast--someday soon--I am going to graduate college, then I'm going to get a great job. Not crazy money, buy-my-own-jet great, but great. And you know what is the very, very first thing I'm going to do?
I am going to cancel comcast and buy ANYTHING else other (Dish, perhaps?) than comcast for cable, internet, telephone and whatever else they sell me on!!!
Because I'll have the money to do it, and I can. Just think--that's money YOU could have (since that's all you care about) and you won't. So, for now, the best I can do is cancel everything I can live without (television) and know that my money is just less money you'll have. As soon as I can go without internet, that's going too.
I honestly don't know how you get away with, or how you've gotten away with it for so long. But, someday it will end, and if you had a grave, comcast, I would dance on it. And spit on it.
To conclude, comcast, I hate you. I will tell everyone how much I hate you. I will do everything I can to let people know that, if they can afford it, they should go with someone else. Because I hate you.
Screw you,
Jolene
I know you're reading this, or at least someone from your corporation will read this, so I'm going to RANT about you, since I have no other way of complaining. Apparently your company has paid off every government agency, ever consumer advocate agency, and ever single lawyer from here to eternity, so I'm taking this to the blog-reading public. Sure, in my case, this may be no body, but at least it's out there, and maybe someone will read it and avoid you, like I should have done years ago.
We started out sometime in 2003, when I had a little money to blow and some schmuck came to my apartment door selling your services for a low-low price of $50 a month for cable and internet. I had just recieved a raise and had cut back on drinking and, in doing so, was surfing the internet a helluvalot more.
Then, I moved, then hell broke loose. I think I opened Pandora's box. I only moved 2 apartments over and up to the second floor. I didn't think it would be that hard. I had to take the day off work because my given appointment time was "between 10-2 pm." I didn't mind, it's a day off work. I waited. I waited. I was so afraid I would miss the technician that I didn't even leave to do laundry or buy a soda next to the swimming pool. I sat in my house watching DVD's (since, y'know, my cable and my internet weren't working...). I even went to the bathroom with the door open so I could hear the knock. 2 pm came, and I called and what did you tell me? That the "technician came by, knocked, and no one was home." BULLSHIT! What did you have me do? I had to set up YET ANOTHER appointment a few days later. Take YET ANOTHER day off of work. I should have known this was only the beginning.
Things are good for awhile. I begin to think that my bad moving experience was just a one-time deal. Maybe the tech was having a bad day; maybe your company is short-handed. My boyfriend moves in with me and we decide to move in 2004. I grit my teeth, call, and set up an appointment for installation (and upgrade!) in our new apartment. Things go okay. The guy was almost two hours late, but he called in advance. It was okay. Not great: okay. I'm moved in, we're happy, so what if it's a little bumpy? Moving always has it's hassles.
A few months later you offer DVR service. I am jumping for joy. I go to school full-time and I daydream of being able to watch my favorite shows anytime of the day and not have to put off homework. It's a slice of heaven for someone who works full time and goes to school full time. I talk my boyfriend into it, set up the appointment and take the time off work.
I wait....
and wait....
and no one shows up. Again.
I call and you tell me that I don't have an appointment today. I never called to set one up. But, (you say), I am paying for DVR service. I ask you "how can I be paying for something I don't have?" You tell me "I don't know." I get upset, and tell you to get someone out to my place with a DVR. You tell me that you can set up an appointment "at the earliest" in three weeks. I get angry. You accuse me of lying to you about the first appointment. I say some things I don't mean, you hang up on me. I call back. It gets ugly. You hang up again. We end up having to drive across town to pick up a DVR that should have been delivered. I'm angry, but my boyfriend is willing to continue the service, so I play along. Frankly, I wanted to rip all the cable wiring out of our apartment walls and throw your equipment through the glass window of your useless "service station," but my boyfriend tells me that it's okay--hopefully we won't have anymore problems.
And things are good for awhile. Then we move. Early 2007. I beg my boyfriend and new room mate to switch to another service. BEG THEM. Our new room mate worked for comcast, though, as a technician, so my boyfriend assures me that we can install our own equipment: no appointment, no hassles. We can just call and tell them we've moved. So we do, but you insist that we MUST have a qualified, current comcast "technician" install our equipment, so again, we grit our teeth, take time off work, and set the appointment. (This time, btw, I took three days). This time, the guy comes out promptly on time. I've NEVER seen a comcast tech on time. It blew my mind. He was in and out in record time--unbelievable. He leaves, and I'm swimming in my good fortune; perhaps, comcast, you've cleaned up your act. I hook up my computer--internet's not working. I wait for my boyfriend or my room mate, because I'm sure it must be me or my computer, and not our internet service. My boyfriend comes home, and sure enough, he can't get it working either. Our room mate gets home (remember, comcast, he used to install your crap), takes one look at the install job of the internet line--THE TECHNICIAN PUT STAPLES THROUGH THE ENTIRE LINE ACROSS THE SIDE OF OUR HOUSE!!!!
The line--ruined. Our internet--out.
So we call, and what do you say? It cannot possibly be the line. On your end, everything looks fine. It must be our equipment, and there's NOTHING you can do. We ask you to send out someone to look at the line, and you say that we can probably get someone out "at the end of the month." IT'S THE FIRST WEEK IN NOVEMBER, and you don't think you can get someone out here until December. However, you want us to continue PAYING, since, "on your end" we're getting a "perfect signal." We try to get through to someone who will listen (since we can't ever seem to talk to someone who knows ANYTHING about how your service works), and we get put on hold for 20 minutes. Finally, we hang up.
You know what we did? We had to go buy our own line, and install it ourselves, all because your "certified technician" put about 100 staples through the line down the side of our house and you say it was "working fine."
Have we reached our limit, yet? Nope, obviously not.
My boyfriend calls--about someone totally mundane, neither of us can remember what now--and you ask for our account number. He's at work; he doesn't have the account number at his finger tips. He offers just about any information you need to find the account number. He is put through 5 different people, at five different offices and no one can seem to locate our account number. Finally, he is put on the phone with one of your representatives who barely speaks English (obviously, in India) and the guy keeps just telling my boyfriend "need account." My boyfriend asks to speak to his boss, he refuses, and hangs up.
Real professional, comcast, really.
Today, however. Today was it. We are done.
We have an appointment for "sometime between 2-4 pm." I don't hold my breath. The guy shows up at 3:50. At least he shows up. We are just turning off the television, not the internet (yet). He goes in, does his thing, and is out. (Of course, as he pulls up, another representative calls me and tells me he'll be late, even though the tech is standing in my backyard. Tut-tut, comcast.) We are just going to have internet, but we have TWO IP addresses, not one. We have been paying extra every single month for a second IP address, so my room mate has one of his own. My room mate realizes that he no longer has his own IP connection. My boyfriend calls tech support, and says "we are supposed to have two IP addresses, can you tell me if the IP address is still on our account?" Your ever knowledgeable (and barely English-speaking) tech support says "you don't need two IP addresses."
My boyfriend calmly says "Yes, I know, we want two, and have been paying for two; can you tell me if it's still on the account?"
Tech support: "you don't need two."
BF: "I know, can you tell me if we are paying for two?"
TS: "You don't need two."
This goes on for about 15 minutes.
Finally, after this madness, my boyfriend says: "Can you put me on the phone with someone who will tell me if it's on the account?"
Tech support finally says "let me check your account to see if it's on the account."
IDIOCY!!!
Tech support genius tells my boyfriend that it's not on the account, and tells my boyfriend that he'll have to transfer him to "billing." He transfers him--not to billing--and the people at this extension tell him that there's nothing that they can do for us; we need to talk to tech support. We get someone else at tech support who goes into another circle about not needing two IP addresses; so my boyfriend says:
"Please, please, please--I am begging you, please transfer me to someone in billing. PLEASE. I'm begging. Billing. Someone in billing. Begging. Please."
And what do you do, comcast?
Hang up, of course.
Our only course of action at this point is to call sales (since sales seems to have the only people who can speak English, and who will do what you ask) and ask them to add a second IP address to the account. Of course, you'll do it, you say, but only if we pay the "additional line" fee. A fee for something that YOUR TECHNICIAN disconnected, that worked perfectly before he was here. Now you want us to pay more.
I get it now. Really, I get it. Not only do you charge people for EVERYTHING, but every time your technicians come out they destroy something so you can get even MORE money from your customers.
Why am I telling you this? Because I have written countless emails, letters, and online forums posts and you continue to do this. You have not government or public oversight. You are not controlled by the Better Business Bureau (because I've tried to go that route, too). You, obviously, have no internal customer care control or regard, and frankly, I'm tired of doing it.
What I'm going to say now I say in complete truth:
Someday comcast--someday soon--I am going to graduate college, then I'm going to get a great job. Not crazy money, buy-my-own-jet great, but great. And you know what is the very, very first thing I'm going to do?
I am going to cancel comcast and buy ANYTHING else other (Dish, perhaps?) than comcast for cable, internet, telephone and whatever else they sell me on!!!
Because I'll have the money to do it, and I can. Just think--that's money YOU could have (since that's all you care about) and you won't. So, for now, the best I can do is cancel everything I can live without (television) and know that my money is just less money you'll have. As soon as I can go without internet, that's going too.
I honestly don't know how you get away with, or how you've gotten away with it for so long. But, someday it will end, and if you had a grave, comcast, I would dance on it. And spit on it.
To conclude, comcast, I hate you. I will tell everyone how much I hate you. I will do everything I can to let people know that, if they can afford it, they should go with someone else. Because I hate you.
Screw you,
Jolene
Friday, June 27, 2008
Entry 16--AKA: "Reality Check."
I think I may have been a little naive. Just a little.
Today was my UC Davis orientation, and if you don't already know, that's where you speak with advisors for your major, pick some classes and enroll and hope you get something that works for you. I was so excited I could barely sleep last night, and was wide awake at 5 am this morning stoked out of my mind that it was finally here.
At first, it was all I'd hoped. I met people right away that I had a connection with, and I was so early to it that I barely had to wait in line for anything. First in line for free coffee (just a cup; this is an important fact later), second in line to get my picture taken for my identification card; I barely had to wait in line for anything! I was overjoyed, because I hate waiting in line.
I should have known that things would take turn for the worst when we had to stand up to learn the words and motions to the Aggie fight song. Seriously, it's possible to have school spirit and not sing fight songs: I'm proof of it. I don't have to look like an idiot and sing in my terribly flat (borderline tone-deaf) voice to prove that I'm proud of my school. At any rate, I was slightly annoyed, but I played along. After an hour long (seemingly neverending) lecture, from kids who have entirely too much energy at 8 am, about why I should join in on sporting events, they had me almost convinced that maybe this school wasn't for me. I perservered, however, because I am wise enough to know that I don't have to participate in such things to feel like I "got something" out of college. Believe me, kids, I will not regret missing out on screaming 20-somethings chugging beer, painting faces, and flashing god-knows-what at sporting events. I think I'll manage to sleep at night--somehow.
Once that was over, I felt pretty good, mostly because they hadn't spoiled my good mood. It was time for the small-group settings and they split us up by major. Lucky for me, there are only about 10 people who are English majors so the group is really small. Also, this girl, Anne, who I know from ARC is there and she's awesome and she was in my group so we got to catch up and hang out most of the day. Boy amd I glad she was there because this is where things start to get ugly.
So our group leader was seriously lacking in time management skills. We left a workshop in the morning early so we could get to our advisor's appointment, but he stopped so much, and for so long, on the way there, that we were almost 5 minutes late.
-->I HATE BEING LATE.<--
I was annoyed, but I coped. Shit happens, and I really try to go with the flow. Anne was annoyed too, but we both just rolled our eyes and went to the appointment. Not so bad.
So after the appointment, we have to wait, who knows why, and we end up being late for lunch. Partly because we left late for lunch, partly because we were all the way across campus, partly because the guy took us the wrong way, and partly because he would stop us every 5 minutes to tell us something about his fraternity, or some club he was in, or how he was from orange county, or...blah blah blah. Seriously, I could tell you more about this guy than I can about the campus. I could even tell you where his fraternity is located, but I'll be damned if I can tell you where classes are located. Awesome.
So, because of all of the reasons above, our group got--I kid you not--15 minutes for lunch. Granted, they served us lunch, so at least it was free, but 15 minutes? It's 1:30 in the afternoon, I haven't eaten AT ALL, I've been up since 5 am, with one cup of coffee, and by the time we got there the only sandwiches they had left were tri-tip (which I don't eat), and vegetarian. So despite the fact I ordered turkey, since I got there late, I had to have the veggie sandwich. There were no more sodas left, so even though I wanted water, even if I had wanted something else, owell. AND, we got 15 wonderful minutes to eat.
Again, awesome.
During lunch anyone who brought their laptops with them (me) were supposed to register them with campus IT, but since we were so late I couldn't do that. I was so annoyed. Why did I bring my laptop if we weren't even going to show up on time? By lunch time I was totally done with this guy, so I complained about him to the orientation leader. I'm sure NOTHING will happen, but at least I vented.
The people running the orientation kicked us out of the lunchroom at 1:30 ish and so we asked someone where we were supposed to go and since our leader guy was just sitting around talking about useless crap, we decided to just walk by ourselves. He wasn't having it and called to us (by the wrong names of course), and made us come back. We did, reluctantly, but only after we ignored him for a bit and made him run after us to tell us. Again, he stops like every 5 minutes to tell us some mundane detail about him or his life or whatever, so by this time I'm just ignoring him. Apparently we were supposed to pick our classes while workshops are going on so we can enroll after the workshops. What a waste of time. Why should I BOTHER going to a workshop if I'm just going to be distracted by looking for classes? Seriously? Does this make sense to anyone? And he was trying to make a competition out of it by saying that the first person to write down 30 class numbers will get to enroll first and go home first.
Seriously. I could just open the catalog and pick 30 numbers...so stupid.
I didn't do it. I didn't care. I had all day to be there and I didn't care if I was last, and I didn't care if he had to sit there with me until 6 pm that night. Fuck'em. During the workshops (since he didn't care if we were paying attention anyway) I left and went to the library to register my laptop with IT, then I went and bought some coffee and some water, and I walked around campus at my own pace, not mention free of idiotic orientation leaders. I'd say that was the most relaxing part of my whole day.
When the workshops were over I met back up with Anne and her boyfriend, and we made our way over to the rest of our group. I think dude knew we were totally annoyed with him by that time, because he made some sad attempts at being nice to us. I don't know if the orientation guy said something to him, or he could just see the complete unsatisfied looks on both our faces. Whatever the case, we went to register for our classes.
The class registration process was so stupid. I mean, seriously. Seriously. Stupid. Basically, we wrote down ten numbers for ten classes, and it really didn't matter which ones, as far as I could see, and we punched them in, and that's our schedule. Right now I have THE ABSOLUTE WORST class schedule that I could've ever imagined. Seriously, if this is what my class schedule has to be, I'm not going to Davis. I'll just apply at Sac State and start there in the spring. With my schedule as it stands right now, I have to go there everyday, monday through friday. I have one class on tues/thur, and two classes mon/wed/fri, wish one discussion class on monday evenings. First, I do not want to go out there every goddamned day if I don't have to. Second, I do not want my classes so spaced out (I have a class on monday at 10 am, and a gap and my next class is at 1pm, then another gap and another class at 6pm) that I have to spend entire days on campus just waiting for my next class. Do they really expect me to quit my job? Really?
Why is it that working students are punished? Seriously, that's how I feel right now. Sorry, I'm a responsible adult, I'll be sure to remember that colleges don't like that kind of thing...
Whatever.
I guess I can still change my schedule, but I have to wait, again, in order to do it. I have to wait until Sept. 2, actually, which totally blows because that means I'm going to have to take the whole first week off for the first week of school so I can frantically go to classes trying to add from the waitlist. Lame.
I guess this is reality. It's a big school and I knew that I wouldn't get this perfect schedule that would totally accomodate me commuting, going to work, and attending classes. I'm still excited about transferring, for the most part, but I suppose this is my first "bad experience." I've had plenty of them at ARC, but I'm now in that phase where, looking back, they "weren't so bad." Ahhh...nostalgia. I'll just go with the flow, for now, but we'll see how this plays out in the long run.
Any illusions of grandeur I had about UC Davis are in the past: bad experiences do exist in dreams, but only when dreams become reality.
Today was my UC Davis orientation, and if you don't already know, that's where you speak with advisors for your major, pick some classes and enroll and hope you get something that works for you. I was so excited I could barely sleep last night, and was wide awake at 5 am this morning stoked out of my mind that it was finally here.
At first, it was all I'd hoped. I met people right away that I had a connection with, and I was so early to it that I barely had to wait in line for anything. First in line for free coffee (just a cup; this is an important fact later), second in line to get my picture taken for my identification card; I barely had to wait in line for anything! I was overjoyed, because I hate waiting in line.
I should have known that things would take turn for the worst when we had to stand up to learn the words and motions to the Aggie fight song. Seriously, it's possible to have school spirit and not sing fight songs: I'm proof of it. I don't have to look like an idiot and sing in my terribly flat (borderline tone-deaf) voice to prove that I'm proud of my school. At any rate, I was slightly annoyed, but I played along. After an hour long (seemingly neverending) lecture, from kids who have entirely too much energy at 8 am, about why I should join in on sporting events, they had me almost convinced that maybe this school wasn't for me. I perservered, however, because I am wise enough to know that I don't have to participate in such things to feel like I "got something" out of college. Believe me, kids, I will not regret missing out on screaming 20-somethings chugging beer, painting faces, and flashing god-knows-what at sporting events. I think I'll manage to sleep at night--somehow.
Once that was over, I felt pretty good, mostly because they hadn't spoiled my good mood. It was time for the small-group settings and they split us up by major. Lucky for me, there are only about 10 people who are English majors so the group is really small. Also, this girl, Anne, who I know from ARC is there and she's awesome and she was in my group so we got to catch up and hang out most of the day. Boy amd I glad she was there because this is where things start to get ugly.
So our group leader was seriously lacking in time management skills. We left a workshop in the morning early so we could get to our advisor's appointment, but he stopped so much, and for so long, on the way there, that we were almost 5 minutes late.
-->I HATE BEING LATE.<--
I was annoyed, but I coped. Shit happens, and I really try to go with the flow. Anne was annoyed too, but we both just rolled our eyes and went to the appointment. Not so bad.
So after the appointment, we have to wait, who knows why, and we end up being late for lunch. Partly because we left late for lunch, partly because we were all the way across campus, partly because the guy took us the wrong way, and partly because he would stop us every 5 minutes to tell us something about his fraternity, or some club he was in, or how he was from orange county, or...blah blah blah. Seriously, I could tell you more about this guy than I can about the campus. I could even tell you where his fraternity is located, but I'll be damned if I can tell you where classes are located. Awesome.
So, because of all of the reasons above, our group got--I kid you not--15 minutes for lunch. Granted, they served us lunch, so at least it was free, but 15 minutes? It's 1:30 in the afternoon, I haven't eaten AT ALL, I've been up since 5 am, with one cup of coffee, and by the time we got there the only sandwiches they had left were tri-tip (which I don't eat), and vegetarian. So despite the fact I ordered turkey, since I got there late, I had to have the veggie sandwich. There were no more sodas left, so even though I wanted water, even if I had wanted something else, owell. AND, we got 15 wonderful minutes to eat.
Again, awesome.
During lunch anyone who brought their laptops with them (me) were supposed to register them with campus IT, but since we were so late I couldn't do that. I was so annoyed. Why did I bring my laptop if we weren't even going to show up on time? By lunch time I was totally done with this guy, so I complained about him to the orientation leader. I'm sure NOTHING will happen, but at least I vented.
The people running the orientation kicked us out of the lunchroom at 1:30 ish and so we asked someone where we were supposed to go and since our leader guy was just sitting around talking about useless crap, we decided to just walk by ourselves. He wasn't having it and called to us (by the wrong names of course), and made us come back. We did, reluctantly, but only after we ignored him for a bit and made him run after us to tell us. Again, he stops like every 5 minutes to tell us some mundane detail about him or his life or whatever, so by this time I'm just ignoring him. Apparently we were supposed to pick our classes while workshops are going on so we can enroll after the workshops. What a waste of time. Why should I BOTHER going to a workshop if I'm just going to be distracted by looking for classes? Seriously? Does this make sense to anyone? And he was trying to make a competition out of it by saying that the first person to write down 30 class numbers will get to enroll first and go home first.
Seriously. I could just open the catalog and pick 30 numbers...so stupid.
I didn't do it. I didn't care. I had all day to be there and I didn't care if I was last, and I didn't care if he had to sit there with me until 6 pm that night. Fuck'em. During the workshops (since he didn't care if we were paying attention anyway) I left and went to the library to register my laptop with IT, then I went and bought some coffee and some water, and I walked around campus at my own pace, not mention free of idiotic orientation leaders. I'd say that was the most relaxing part of my whole day.
When the workshops were over I met back up with Anne and her boyfriend, and we made our way over to the rest of our group. I think dude knew we were totally annoyed with him by that time, because he made some sad attempts at being nice to us. I don't know if the orientation guy said something to him, or he could just see the complete unsatisfied looks on both our faces. Whatever the case, we went to register for our classes.
The class registration process was so stupid. I mean, seriously. Seriously. Stupid. Basically, we wrote down ten numbers for ten classes, and it really didn't matter which ones, as far as I could see, and we punched them in, and that's our schedule. Right now I have THE ABSOLUTE WORST class schedule that I could've ever imagined. Seriously, if this is what my class schedule has to be, I'm not going to Davis. I'll just apply at Sac State and start there in the spring. With my schedule as it stands right now, I have to go there everyday, monday through friday. I have one class on tues/thur, and two classes mon/wed/fri, wish one discussion class on monday evenings. First, I do not want to go out there every goddamned day if I don't have to. Second, I do not want my classes so spaced out (I have a class on monday at 10 am, and a gap and my next class is at 1pm, then another gap and another class at 6pm) that I have to spend entire days on campus just waiting for my next class. Do they really expect me to quit my job? Really?
Why is it that working students are punished? Seriously, that's how I feel right now. Sorry, I'm a responsible adult, I'll be sure to remember that colleges don't like that kind of thing...
Whatever.
I guess I can still change my schedule, but I have to wait, again, in order to do it. I have to wait until Sept. 2, actually, which totally blows because that means I'm going to have to take the whole first week off for the first week of school so I can frantically go to classes trying to add from the waitlist. Lame.
I guess this is reality. It's a big school and I knew that I wouldn't get this perfect schedule that would totally accomodate me commuting, going to work, and attending classes. I'm still excited about transferring, for the most part, but I suppose this is my first "bad experience." I've had plenty of them at ARC, but I'm now in that phase where, looking back, they "weren't so bad." Ahhh...nostalgia. I'll just go with the flow, for now, but we'll see how this plays out in the long run.
Any illusions of grandeur I had about UC Davis are in the past: bad experiences do exist in dreams, but only when dreams become reality.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Entry 15--AKA: "I can't believe vacation is almost over."
I'll try not to just focus on my current adventures in reading. My birthday was so awesome. I tried to keep it low key this year just because I wanted to. I can't believe I'm 27--I'm still wrapping my mind around that number. Thirty is only 3 years away! Yikes. I got everything I wanted. Jason bought me this beautiful ring, not an engagement ring, but I'll take it. My parents bought me this awesome desk that I picked out and a throw rug to put it on. It's great because I can sit at my desk barefoot now and my feet don't freeze. Jason had almost this whole week off with me so we've been staying up late, sleeping in late and drinking beer almost every night. When I'm not reading I'm totally addicted to the Simpson's game on the PS3 and when I'm not playing that I'm playing MarioKart on the Wii.
I didn't have a "birthday party" however Jason made my favorite, Mole chicken enchiladas and Shawna came over because she made me cupcakes, which was totally awesome. We all had dinner together, drank beer and watched South Park. It was such a blast.
I found my housekeys on Tuesday, which was a total relief. I lost them the week before finals and I knew I lost them in the house somewhere but I didn't know where. Jason and I had been playing the "one set of house keys swap" game almost every day since then so I was so glad to find them. Come to find out they were trapped in some plastic wrapping around a bulk package of Kleenex. Weird, I know. I'm just glad I found them.
Inspired by my new desk, which looks great in my little office, I finally unloaded some boxes that have been sitting around my room and I put up some pictures, finally. I guess I'm finally starting to feel at home.
On Thursday my grandma took us both to Thunder Valley Casino, which was great for several reasons. One, my grandma was feeling up to leaving the house, and that's definitely a good sign. Two, Jason had never been there and he enjoyed it. Three, we both got to spend time with her and I think she really likes Jason which is awesome. I'm glad she likes him. Not that I thought she wouldn't, but still, it's nice. It's not the first time she's met him and she's always had good things to say about him but we actually spent time together. It was a lot of fun, too. It was nice to get out of town, even if it was just up to Lincoln.
I think that's it. Tomorrow Jason, Shawna and I are going to ride out bikes on a trail somewhere. I don't know if we have one picked out yet. It should be pretty fun. Sunday Jason is going to make a ton of Mole sauce and we're going to freeze some of it so we can have it for awhile and not have to make it fresh. It takes nearly all day to make because it's so labor intensive.
Really, that's it. I'm tired and I just wanted to unload before I feel like going to bed. I'm finally starting to get tired but not a ton. I'm going to sit in bed and read for awhile before I officially conk out. Here's to reading, summer, and staying up late on a Friday night!
Cheers!
I didn't have a "birthday party" however Jason made my favorite, Mole chicken enchiladas and Shawna came over because she made me cupcakes, which was totally awesome. We all had dinner together, drank beer and watched South Park. It was such a blast.
I found my housekeys on Tuesday, which was a total relief. I lost them the week before finals and I knew I lost them in the house somewhere but I didn't know where. Jason and I had been playing the "one set of house keys swap" game almost every day since then so I was so glad to find them. Come to find out they were trapped in some plastic wrapping around a bulk package of Kleenex. Weird, I know. I'm just glad I found them.
Inspired by my new desk, which looks great in my little office, I finally unloaded some boxes that have been sitting around my room and I put up some pictures, finally. I guess I'm finally starting to feel at home.
On Thursday my grandma took us both to Thunder Valley Casino, which was great for several reasons. One, my grandma was feeling up to leaving the house, and that's definitely a good sign. Two, Jason had never been there and he enjoyed it. Three, we both got to spend time with her and I think she really likes Jason which is awesome. I'm glad she likes him. Not that I thought she wouldn't, but still, it's nice. It's not the first time she's met him and she's always had good things to say about him but we actually spent time together. It was a lot of fun, too. It was nice to get out of town, even if it was just up to Lincoln.
I think that's it. Tomorrow Jason, Shawna and I are going to ride out bikes on a trail somewhere. I don't know if we have one picked out yet. It should be pretty fun. Sunday Jason is going to make a ton of Mole sauce and we're going to freeze some of it so we can have it for awhile and not have to make it fresh. It takes nearly all day to make because it's so labor intensive.
Really, that's it. I'm tired and I just wanted to unload before I feel like going to bed. I'm finally starting to get tired but not a ton. I'm going to sit in bed and read for awhile before I officially conk out. Here's to reading, summer, and staying up late on a Friday night!
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Entry 14--AKA: "3 down 7 more to go!"
3. Love in the Time of Cholera --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
5. Madame Bovary --Gustave Flaubert
6. Catcher in the Rye --J.D. Salinger
7. East of Eden --John Steinbeck
8. Crime & Punishment --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
9. The Satanic Verses --Salman Rushdie
10. TBA
I also added two new books, and I might up the list to 15 if I keep up this mad streak of reading! We shall see!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Entry 13--AKA: "Updated reading list and cause for concern?"
2. 100 Years of Solitude --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Love in the Time of Cholera --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
5. Madame Bovary --Gustave Flaubert
6. Catcher in the Rye --J.D. Salinger
7. East of Eden --John Steinbeck
8. Crime & Punishment --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
9. The Satanic Verses --Salman Rushdie
10. TBA
Can one become addicted to reading? I think I have. I haven't watched more than an hour of television in over a week. I have read three books in almost the same number of days. I am considering, quite seriously, upping the number of books I read this summer to 15 or even 20.
I am addicted to the written word.
I suppose this was bound to happen. One can only read so much literature before the quest to define your own tastes takes hold and you read just about everything you get your hands on. I've always been an avid reader but I cannot remember the last time I was reading with such devotion--such ferocity.
I'm currently reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This book is astounding!! (yes, two exclamation marks). I am so enamored by this book that last night I had dreams where all the characters had Spanish names and I was relating to the characters of my dreams as though they were characters in this novel. Come to find out Marquez was influenced by another great author I've only recently read, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who may become one of my new favorite authors. His Notes from Underground I read almost over night, and I have every intention of going back and reading it again fairly soon. Incredible.
There you have it. Though I'm starting to worry I am placated by the idea that being addicted to reading is far more pleasurable than being addicted to crack. Not that I know from experience. Actually, since I don't know I won't make a comparison. I'll just say that I feel safer being addicted to reading and I'm fairly certain that it won't drive me to the brink of financial, familial and emotional ruin.
And thats good, right?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Entry 12--AKA: "2 down, 8 more to go."
2. 100 Years of Solitude --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Love in the Time of Cholera --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
5. Madame Bovary --Gustave Flaubert
6. Catcher in the Rye --J.D. Salinger
7. East of Eden --John Steinbeck
8. TBA
9. TBA
10. TBA
Friday, May 23, 2008
Entry 11--AKA: "Reading list update--1 down, 9 to go."
2. 100 Years of Solitude --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Love in the Time of Cholera --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
4. Notes From the Underground --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
5. Madame Bovary --Gustave Flaubert
6. Catcher in the Rye --J.D. Salinger
7. East of Eden --John Steinbeck
8. TBA
9. TBA
10. TBA
Monday, May 19, 2008
Entry 10--AKA: "When I grow up I want to be a well-read human being."
1. Into the Wild --Jon Krakauer
2. 100 Years of Solitude --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Love in the Time of Cholera --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
4. Notes From the Underground --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
5. Madame Bovary --Gustave Flaubert
6. Catcher in the Rye --J.D. Salinger
7. East of Eden --John Steinbeck
8. TBA
9. TBA
10. TBA
Books I'm considering:
* Oil --Upton Sinclair
* Paradise Lost --John Milton
* The Grapes of Wrath --John Steinbeck
* Crime & Punishment --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
* Absalom, Absolom! --William Faulkner
I am also taking suggestions, so feel free to post something if you think it might be worthwhile. I want to try and read things that are considered "classics" to some extent in order to prep for my Literature classes next quarter. But I will throw books in if they are really good, too, because I do need some pleasure reading in there from time to time! Also, length is kind of a factor because I want to read 10 books and I don't know if that's possible if the books are all 1000 pages. I would greatly appreciate and consider any and all suggestions!
Thanks!
2. 100 Years of Solitude --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Love in the Time of Cholera --Gabriel Garcia Marquez
4. Notes From the Underground --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
5. Madame Bovary --Gustave Flaubert
6. Catcher in the Rye --J.D. Salinger
7. East of Eden --John Steinbeck
8. TBA
9. TBA
10. TBA
Books I'm considering:
* Oil --Upton Sinclair
* Paradise Lost --John Milton
* The Grapes of Wrath --John Steinbeck
* Crime & Punishment --Fyodor Dostoyevsky
* Absalom, Absolom! --William Faulkner
I am also taking suggestions, so feel free to post something if you think it might be worthwhile. I want to try and read things that are considered "classics" to some extent in order to prep for my Literature classes next quarter. But I will throw books in if they are really good, too, because I do need some pleasure reading in there from time to time! Also, length is kind of a factor because I want to read 10 books and I don't know if that's possible if the books are all 1000 pages. I would greatly appreciate and consider any and all suggestions!
Thanks!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Entry 9--AKA: "Just a short one before I begin work."
I can't describe my feelings lately. I'm so excited that the semester is almost over and yet I do not want it to end. I have this paper due tomorrow that I have procrastinated practically the entire semester and I'm still nowhere near finished with it. I'm feeling uninspired and I'm beginning to doubt my talents as a writer. I'm feel as though I have this lump in my chest that is keeping me from feeling truly happy about where I am with school and I don't know why and I don't know how to change it.
I guess I feel unprepared. I know that's probably not the case but I feel as though I should take another writing course or at least a few more literature courses here before I take that leap into a four year school--but for what? Everyone who reads my academic writing says I'm fairly good at it and aside from my lack of planning (in most cases due to procrastination) my writing is pretty good. But that doesn't make me feel any better. I would like to know how I can change it. Right now when I write I feel like I'm aiming an arrow into the dark and it's lucky that I manage to hit the target every time. I wonder if it's that my teachers haven't been hard enough on me, or have been easy on me because of my personality or whatever. Is that concieted to even think? I know I haven't been every english teachers favorite student my wholel life so I must be doing something right.
I suppose I'm just having "cold feet." I'm sure this is totally normal, after all I'm really secure at ARC--I know my way around, I know teachers, where the best study places are, the best bathrooms, I know my way around the system, where to get help, and how to make the most of my experience here. It's been a trial and error kind of process but now it's more trials and less errors and mostly positive, especially in recent years. I also get alot of support here from teachers and other students that I've actually grown quite fond of.
I was riding my bike to school last Friday morning at around 7:15 in the morning. I walked over to the cafeteria to get some coffee and as I was walking to the LRC (where I work on campus) I realized how absolutely stunning the morning was. It was this perfect temperature and the sun was just fully over the horizon and light seemed to be reflecting off of everything in this surreal sort of way. Everything seemed brighter; even inside I felt brighter in spirit. Then I hear this fantastic sound--it immediately took me back to jazz band in the early morning hours of highschool--like the sound of wire brush dragged down the side of cymbal. It was this prolonged, incredibly beautiful sound that made the hair on my arms stand up on end. I stopped and couldn't help my close my eyes and drink in this delicious sound with every ounce of my being. It finally stopped and I looked around for the source of the sound. It seemed to come from everywhere since it reverberated off of the brick buildings of the library, LRC, and bookstore. The sound began again and this time I looked around at what could've caused it. A sprinkler was running and the stream of water was hitting this metal light pole square on the side: that was the source of this otherworldly sound.
I think these are the things I'm going to miss about ARC. These small nuances that, though they may seem simple or even obscure, I like to know that these experiences are here for me and every day I can have them. I know this great spot between the LRC, Bookstore and Gym that, if you stand there while the bells are ringing on the hour from the Library the sound will echo several times and it's wonderful to hear. I love taking a break at 5 pm just to stand there and listen to the bells echo in this one spot.
I know I'll find this kind of stuff at Davis but I worry at how long it will take. I hope it's sooner rather than later.
I guess I feel unprepared. I know that's probably not the case but I feel as though I should take another writing course or at least a few more literature courses here before I take that leap into a four year school--but for what? Everyone who reads my academic writing says I'm fairly good at it and aside from my lack of planning (in most cases due to procrastination) my writing is pretty good. But that doesn't make me feel any better. I would like to know how I can change it. Right now when I write I feel like I'm aiming an arrow into the dark and it's lucky that I manage to hit the target every time. I wonder if it's that my teachers haven't been hard enough on me, or have been easy on me because of my personality or whatever. Is that concieted to even think? I know I haven't been every english teachers favorite student my wholel life so I must be doing something right.
I suppose I'm just having "cold feet." I'm sure this is totally normal, after all I'm really secure at ARC--I know my way around, I know teachers, where the best study places are, the best bathrooms, I know my way around the system, where to get help, and how to make the most of my experience here. It's been a trial and error kind of process but now it's more trials and less errors and mostly positive, especially in recent years. I also get alot of support here from teachers and other students that I've actually grown quite fond of.
I was riding my bike to school last Friday morning at around 7:15 in the morning. I walked over to the cafeteria to get some coffee and as I was walking to the LRC (where I work on campus) I realized how absolutely stunning the morning was. It was this perfect temperature and the sun was just fully over the horizon and light seemed to be reflecting off of everything in this surreal sort of way. Everything seemed brighter; even inside I felt brighter in spirit. Then I hear this fantastic sound--it immediately took me back to jazz band in the early morning hours of highschool--like the sound of wire brush dragged down the side of cymbal. It was this prolonged, incredibly beautiful sound that made the hair on my arms stand up on end. I stopped and couldn't help my close my eyes and drink in this delicious sound with every ounce of my being. It finally stopped and I looked around for the source of the sound. It seemed to come from everywhere since it reverberated off of the brick buildings of the library, LRC, and bookstore. The sound began again and this time I looked around at what could've caused it. A sprinkler was running and the stream of water was hitting this metal light pole square on the side: that was the source of this otherworldly sound.
I think these are the things I'm going to miss about ARC. These small nuances that, though they may seem simple or even obscure, I like to know that these experiences are here for me and every day I can have them. I know this great spot between the LRC, Bookstore and Gym that, if you stand there while the bells are ringing on the hour from the Library the sound will echo several times and it's wonderful to hear. I love taking a break at 5 pm just to stand there and listen to the bells echo in this one spot.
I know I'll find this kind of stuff at Davis but I worry at how long it will take. I hope it's sooner rather than later.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Entry 8--AKA: "I forgot that I enjoy wearing earrings."
During my angsty late teens and early twenties I managed to pierce myself in several places in order to look as tough as I felt I might be. It was an interesting time in my life. It started with my tongue (at 18) and ended with the right side of my lip (at 21). In between I managed to put at least 5 holes in each ear (though not all at the same time), and a hole in my left eyebrow. At my worst I looked like a closeted butch lesbian who was angry with her parents for not accepting her, despite her lack of attempts and "coming out." (No offense if you are a butch lesbian attempting to come out and are feeling angry about it!) Anyway, somewhere around 23 (give or take 6 months, I am still having a hard time piecing out those years because of the booze intake) I decided I didn't want any piercings--everyone had them and they were getting "played out." So, I took every one out, except the tongue stud because of sentimental reasons. After all, it was my first body piercing, I went with Noelle and I nearly passed out afterwards.
Moving on.
Instead of piercings I focused on tattoos and I haven't looked back. Of course, with tattoos, everyone has them and they are getting played out but I cut my losses and figure if I ever don't like them I will wear sweaters for the rest of my life. I can live with that. Where was I going with all this? Oh, yes....
In taking out all my piercings I also took out all my ear piercings. I had three in each ear at one time, and I think one in each upper ear. All. Gone. I took them out and never looked back. Until Yesterday.
Saturday morning I'm standing in Target obsessing over the shower curtain I'm going to buy my brother for a wedding gift. After I find a plain one, at a reasonable cost, I'm on my way to the front when I see the CUTEST pair of earrings. Little hanging silver stars, lumped together in a package with 5 other earrings. "Dare I try to poke those through my ears today?" It's been a good 4 years since the last time I wore earrings, I'm not even sure I have open holes anymore. I buy them and figure if nothing else I can re-pierce them with a needle, if I have to.
I get home and try them out (with the help of a little rubbing alcohol). Lo and behold! the holes are still there! Two on my left ear and one on my right. Super. I wore the earrings all day Saturday and I was so happy I think I'm going to make this a regular thing. Earrings. What a concept. I had forgotten I even had the ability.
The wedding was nice, too. What can I say? It's nothing like how I want to have a wedding. Pay a fortune, and for what? A few photo-ops so people can stand around and talk to each other about how beautiful the wedding is? What taste they have? Hm...not my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong, it's what my brother and his wife wanted so I'm glad they could have it. I'm just saying that if I had that kind of money to spend I would have something else to do with it. Buy a house? Go to Europe? Finish school? Bah...those kids have money coming out their asses so I guess they don't value it as much as I do. I'm happy for them, I know they're in love and will be happy; I just disagree with their politics.
My wedding will be like this:
1. Outside.
2. "BYO" everything--I'm not your momma.
3. Transients will set up chairs, in exchange they can wander the aisles and panhandle during the ceremony--as long as they're not too loud.
4. The vows will be written by each one of us and read to each other. Backwards. To invoke the devil.
5. The "priest" will be dressed like a Simpsons character dressed like Elvis. He will have a poor southern accent and be nearly fall-down drunk.
The reception will consist of:
1. Several days, if not weeks, of camping.
2. Drinking.
3. More drinking.
4. Laughing.
5. Bad jokes, including "your momma," "sexist," "a guy walks into a bar," and "some guys on a boat," and "blonde."
6. Four words: Pooping In The Woods.
7. Dancing around a campfire.
8. Telling ghost stories.
If you're interested let me know. I'm on the "Torres Ten Year plan" so it should be sometime between now and 2018. So keep open every August 20th between now and then.
That's not too much to ask, is it?
Moving on.
Instead of piercings I focused on tattoos and I haven't looked back. Of course, with tattoos, everyone has them and they are getting played out but I cut my losses and figure if I ever don't like them I will wear sweaters for the rest of my life. I can live with that. Where was I going with all this? Oh, yes....
In taking out all my piercings I also took out all my ear piercings. I had three in each ear at one time, and I think one in each upper ear. All. Gone. I took them out and never looked back. Until Yesterday.
Saturday morning I'm standing in Target obsessing over the shower curtain I'm going to buy my brother for a wedding gift. After I find a plain one, at a reasonable cost, I'm on my way to the front when I see the CUTEST pair of earrings. Little hanging silver stars, lumped together in a package with 5 other earrings. "Dare I try to poke those through my ears today?" It's been a good 4 years since the last time I wore earrings, I'm not even sure I have open holes anymore. I buy them and figure if nothing else I can re-pierce them with a needle, if I have to.
I get home and try them out (with the help of a little rubbing alcohol). Lo and behold! the holes are still there! Two on my left ear and one on my right. Super. I wore the earrings all day Saturday and I was so happy I think I'm going to make this a regular thing. Earrings. What a concept. I had forgotten I even had the ability.
The wedding was nice, too. What can I say? It's nothing like how I want to have a wedding. Pay a fortune, and for what? A few photo-ops so people can stand around and talk to each other about how beautiful the wedding is? What taste they have? Hm...not my cup of tea. Don't get me wrong, it's what my brother and his wife wanted so I'm glad they could have it. I'm just saying that if I had that kind of money to spend I would have something else to do with it. Buy a house? Go to Europe? Finish school? Bah...those kids have money coming out their asses so I guess they don't value it as much as I do. I'm happy for them, I know they're in love and will be happy; I just disagree with their politics.
My wedding will be like this:
1. Outside.
2. "BYO" everything--I'm not your momma.
3. Transients will set up chairs, in exchange they can wander the aisles and panhandle during the ceremony--as long as they're not too loud.
4. The vows will be written by each one of us and read to each other. Backwards. To invoke the devil.
5. The "priest" will be dressed like a Simpsons character dressed like Elvis. He will have a poor southern accent and be nearly fall-down drunk.
The reception will consist of:
1. Several days, if not weeks, of camping.
2. Drinking.
3. More drinking.
4. Laughing.
5. Bad jokes, including "your momma," "sexist," "a guy walks into a bar," and "some guys on a boat," and "blonde."
6. Four words: Pooping In The Woods.
7. Dancing around a campfire.
8. Telling ghost stories.
If you're interested let me know. I'm on the "Torres Ten Year plan" so it should be sometime between now and 2018. So keep open every August 20th between now and then.
That's not too much to ask, is it?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Entry 7--AKA: "I love this time of year."
Yes, I should be doing homework but I'm not and though I don't have a good excuse I will say that the weather this weekend is distracting in its beauty. I wish the weather stayed like this year-round. It's warm, but not hot; it's cool but not cold; it's sunny but not cooked; it's days like this I want to go to the lake and chill out on the shore.
Yesterday my friend Shawna came over to my house with her bike and we rode our bikes around my neighborhood for an hour and a half. It was such a blast. We figured it would be pretty warm so we got our start around 11 am. First, we went around my neighborhood, sticking to side streets and a park near my house. It was awesome! In the first ten minutes the chain came off of my bike and I popped it back on but it was in front of house where there was this contractor guy working on the house. He came out to the street and commented that my chain was too loose and needed to be tightened. I agreed and commented that I would have to take it to a bike shop since my boyfriend had already tried to fix it. He offered to fix it for me and within 30 seconds had my bike upside down with wrenches in hand. He totally fixed it--free!--and my chain didn't come off once for the rest of the time! We headed to the park and rode around the park then through the neighborhood around the park. We got chased by a dog, a huge, wolf-like creature, that had a voice like a vicious chihuahua and towered over my ankle. It was hilarious! We came back to my house after about 40 minutes, to get water at a radio to strap onto the handle-bars of Shawna's bike. Jason offered to burn us a Dr. Dre cd but since it was just a radio, no cd player, we had to say "no." So instead we bumped some old school jams in the vein of "adult contemporary" and were "hella cool." Actually, I was "hella cool" and Shawna was "beyond cool."
On the second leg of our journey we went to this other part of the neighborhood I had never been to before. We ended up on Garfield, near the park we were at earlier, and decided to head back to the park. From the park there is this trail that goes under this bridge where there's tons of graffiti and from there you can get to the other side of the Garfield. From there is another trail that follows a creek and there was a family walking along looking at the scenery. On the other side of the creek there were also some homies with garbage bags and clippers "trimming some foliage" which is awful suspicious, partly because why would anyone want to "trim foliage" but more so because why would 20-something homies want to to "trim foliage?" Uhm, yeah, growing some plants on public property, anyone?
So we headed back to the house and called it a day. We're going to go every other weekend or so during the summer which I think is awesome. I love riding my bike, especially now since it works and the chain doesn't come off it!
What else? Jason and I are going to do our part to "stimulate the economy" by purchasing a new bed with our stimulus checks. I don't want to spend the money but I think I've been having so many headaches lately because I don't sleep well at night. Our bed is all sunken and old, Jason has had it for almost 10 years, plus it will be nice to have a bigger bed. We're going to buy a queen size, pillow-top Sealy Posturepedic. We can get a really good deal at Sleep Train, somewhere in the area of $1100, which is perfect since each of us should be getting $600.
I will be finding out about my financial aid package this week and I am seriously nervous and excited. I'll let you know how that pans out.
My brother is getting married this weekend, May 3, so I'm booked all day Saturday.
Only 24 days until school is out.
31 days until my birthday.
So, look out summer, here I come.
Yesterday my friend Shawna came over to my house with her bike and we rode our bikes around my neighborhood for an hour and a half. It was such a blast. We figured it would be pretty warm so we got our start around 11 am. First, we went around my neighborhood, sticking to side streets and a park near my house. It was awesome! In the first ten minutes the chain came off of my bike and I popped it back on but it was in front of house where there was this contractor guy working on the house. He came out to the street and commented that my chain was too loose and needed to be tightened. I agreed and commented that I would have to take it to a bike shop since my boyfriend had already tried to fix it. He offered to fix it for me and within 30 seconds had my bike upside down with wrenches in hand. He totally fixed it--free!--and my chain didn't come off once for the rest of the time! We headed to the park and rode around the park then through the neighborhood around the park. We got chased by a dog, a huge, wolf-like creature, that had a voice like a vicious chihuahua and towered over my ankle. It was hilarious! We came back to my house after about 40 minutes, to get water at a radio to strap onto the handle-bars of Shawna's bike. Jason offered to burn us a Dr. Dre cd but since it was just a radio, no cd player, we had to say "no." So instead we bumped some old school jams in the vein of "adult contemporary" and were "hella cool." Actually, I was "hella cool" and Shawna was "beyond cool."
On the second leg of our journey we went to this other part of the neighborhood I had never been to before. We ended up on Garfield, near the park we were at earlier, and decided to head back to the park. From the park there is this trail that goes under this bridge where there's tons of graffiti and from there you can get to the other side of the Garfield. From there is another trail that follows a creek and there was a family walking along looking at the scenery. On the other side of the creek there were also some homies with garbage bags and clippers "trimming some foliage" which is awful suspicious, partly because why would anyone want to "trim foliage" but more so because why would 20-something homies want to to "trim foliage?" Uhm, yeah, growing some plants on public property, anyone?
So we headed back to the house and called it a day. We're going to go every other weekend or so during the summer which I think is awesome. I love riding my bike, especially now since it works and the chain doesn't come off it!
What else? Jason and I are going to do our part to "stimulate the economy" by purchasing a new bed with our stimulus checks. I don't want to spend the money but I think I've been having so many headaches lately because I don't sleep well at night. Our bed is all sunken and old, Jason has had it for almost 10 years, plus it will be nice to have a bigger bed. We're going to buy a queen size, pillow-top Sealy Posturepedic. We can get a really good deal at Sleep Train, somewhere in the area of $1100, which is perfect since each of us should be getting $600.
I will be finding out about my financial aid package this week and I am seriously nervous and excited. I'll let you know how that pans out.
My brother is getting married this weekend, May 3, so I'm booked all day Saturday.
Only 24 days until school is out.
31 days until my birthday.
So, look out summer, here I come.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Entry 6--AKA: "Blogging for Inspiration--reality or fiction?"
Before I delve into some Edgar Allan Poe this evening in preparation for my Literature class tomorrow I wanted to take a moment to thank my blog, or my brain or both.
I had a class presentation on Tuesday (the 22nd) and I have been agonizing over it for the last several weeks. Then, in a stroke of luck (uhm...sarcasm) one of my group members dropped the class and it was down to me and another girl and well, panic ensued. I volunteered to take on the extra responsibility, including finding a visual for our presentation which, it turned out, was nearly impossible to do. At any rate, back to agony. On Sunday night I finally gave up on searching video stores for movies that would work with our short stories and in a final act of desperation, broke down and searched YouTube. What luck! It turns out there are weirdos out there who enjoy acting out short stories and posting them on YouTube for their own sick enjoyment, and for my academic sanity. I was relieved, book marked the page and went to bed for the night.
Monday I took my laptop with me to school to see if there was internet on campus that I could hook my laptop to, whether by line or wirelessly. Sure enough, there's free wireless internet on campus now, which is awesome, glad that they finally got around to doing it now that it's my LAST SEMESTER. So I got online, made sure the videos worked and they did. But, then I realized that I would look pretty stupid just pulling up YouTube and searching for the videos so I started thinking of ways to present the videos to the class. This proved an all day thought-assignment.
I got home Monday night, which I would like to add that Monday absolutely SUCKED. My new bike broke, my bike locker wouldn't open, I had to have Jason pick me up, I think I failed my philosophy test and then there was this whole "group project" stress that was not helping my state of mind. Back to Monday night: I got home and immediately started to think of ways to get the YouTube videos into class. I knew there was a laptop in the class that was hooked up to this projector, but I didn't know if the laptop had access to the internet. I also did not know if my laptop would hook up to the projector. Either way I was taking a risk. I was really stressing. I didn't even know how I would present the videos--pretty lame to just search, or bookmark, so I was beginning to get frustrated. Then, I wanted to blog. I always do my best thinking when I'm blogging.
I came to my blog site (here at eBlogger) and as soon as the blog entry box came up it hit me: you can post videos on here, pictures, and make it look however you want! It was like a light went on, angels started singing, birds started chirping--basically every kind of revelation symbolism you can think of occurred in that one moment. I was inspired! I created a whole new blog and titled it special just for our presentation, posted the videos, then I got crazy. I posted my entire discussion on the blog, along with pictures and I put in hyper links to all the sites I used to do research on all the keywords. It was awesome. Seriously, I don't like to toot my own horn, but I was so proud and happy. I decided that if we couldn't show the videos, or the site in-class I could still just give the URL for the students to visit on their own time; they probably wouldn't but at least it's out there and the teacher probably would.
All in all the presentation went on so much better than I had anticipated. I was pretty confident about my online presentation (as long as I could show it) and I knew what I was going to say. The technology worked so great, and the blog looked fantastic on the screen. The videos didn't work: I don't think the campus laptop had the plug-ins or something to play the videos but because I had pictures and text up I think it counted for our visual presentation.
I stayed after class to ask my instructor how we did and we received 75 points out of 75. FULL CREDIT! I'm totally stoked. I think I'm solid in for an A now in that class.
Well, I should really call it a night. Despite this week--since the end of the semester is really starting to get to me--I am very pleased with how our presentation went. I may have failed my Philosophy test, but I think I still have a good shot at either a high B or even an A if I do really well on the final. I cannot believe there are only 3 weeks left in my last semester at ARC...
it seems surreal. I wouldn't say "too good to be true." Perhaps "too true to be good?"
I'm having breakfast with Rose tomorrow between classes and I have been looking forward to that all week. (Hi Rose! I know you're reading!) There are exciting things on the horizon for the both of us and I cannot wait to share those with her tomorrow, and to see Alina. It will definitely be good times. Thanks again for reading. It's a pleasure writing for you, though I know it's not always a pleasure to read.
I had a class presentation on Tuesday (the 22nd) and I have been agonizing over it for the last several weeks. Then, in a stroke of luck (uhm...sarcasm) one of my group members dropped the class and it was down to me and another girl and well, panic ensued. I volunteered to take on the extra responsibility, including finding a visual for our presentation which, it turned out, was nearly impossible to do. At any rate, back to agony. On Sunday night I finally gave up on searching video stores for movies that would work with our short stories and in a final act of desperation, broke down and searched YouTube. What luck! It turns out there are weirdos out there who enjoy acting out short stories and posting them on YouTube for their own sick enjoyment, and for my academic sanity. I was relieved, book marked the page and went to bed for the night.
Monday I took my laptop with me to school to see if there was internet on campus that I could hook my laptop to, whether by line or wirelessly. Sure enough, there's free wireless internet on campus now, which is awesome, glad that they finally got around to doing it now that it's my LAST SEMESTER. So I got online, made sure the videos worked and they did. But, then I realized that I would look pretty stupid just pulling up YouTube and searching for the videos so I started thinking of ways to present the videos to the class. This proved an all day thought-assignment.
I got home Monday night, which I would like to add that Monday absolutely SUCKED. My new bike broke, my bike locker wouldn't open, I had to have Jason pick me up, I think I failed my philosophy test and then there was this whole "group project" stress that was not helping my state of mind. Back to Monday night: I got home and immediately started to think of ways to get the YouTube videos into class. I knew there was a laptop in the class that was hooked up to this projector, but I didn't know if the laptop had access to the internet. I also did not know if my laptop would hook up to the projector. Either way I was taking a risk. I was really stressing. I didn't even know how I would present the videos--pretty lame to just search, or bookmark, so I was beginning to get frustrated. Then, I wanted to blog. I always do my best thinking when I'm blogging.
I came to my blog site (here at eBlogger) and as soon as the blog entry box came up it hit me: you can post videos on here, pictures, and make it look however you want! It was like a light went on, angels started singing, birds started chirping--basically every kind of revelation symbolism you can think of occurred in that one moment. I was inspired! I created a whole new blog and titled it special just for our presentation, posted the videos, then I got crazy. I posted my entire discussion on the blog, along with pictures and I put in hyper links to all the sites I used to do research on all the keywords. It was awesome. Seriously, I don't like to toot my own horn, but I was so proud and happy. I decided that if we couldn't show the videos, or the site in-class I could still just give the URL for the students to visit on their own time; they probably wouldn't but at least it's out there and the teacher probably would.
All in all the presentation went on so much better than I had anticipated. I was pretty confident about my online presentation (as long as I could show it) and I knew what I was going to say. The technology worked so great, and the blog looked fantastic on the screen. The videos didn't work: I don't think the campus laptop had the plug-ins or something to play the videos but because I had pictures and text up I think it counted for our visual presentation.
I stayed after class to ask my instructor how we did and we received 75 points out of 75. FULL CREDIT! I'm totally stoked. I think I'm solid in for an A now in that class.
Well, I should really call it a night. Despite this week--since the end of the semester is really starting to get to me--I am very pleased with how our presentation went. I may have failed my Philosophy test, but I think I still have a good shot at either a high B or even an A if I do really well on the final. I cannot believe there are only 3 weeks left in my last semester at ARC...
it seems surreal. I wouldn't say "too good to be true." Perhaps "too true to be good?"
I'm having breakfast with Rose tomorrow between classes and I have been looking forward to that all week. (Hi Rose! I know you're reading!) There are exciting things on the horizon for the both of us and I cannot wait to share those with her tomorrow, and to see Alina. It will definitely be good times. Thanks again for reading. It's a pleasure writing for you, though I know it's not always a pleasure to read.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Entry 5--AKA: "Paying for College and Other Forms of Heartburn."
How does anyone do it? This stress, paying for college, waiting and waiting and waiting to find out if you're going to get some free ride from some sucker who's willing to shell out some cash? Or if you're going to have to take out a loan as large as some taken out for houses? Or maybe you should consider selling some bodily organs that you don't use as often as you should? After all, don't we all have kidneys? Or maybe I can donate an eye? These days the glass ones are so well done, no one would notice, or would they?
At any rate, I find out--at least I should find out--my financial aid package on May 1. I can't believe that it's so close! I have found myself, all of a sudden, wishing that this semester would take just a few more weeks, and perhaps I shouldn't have wished it to go so fast. Panic--sheer panic--is setting in and tonight, on some sort of obsessive binge, I applied for probably a dozen scholarships through fastweb.com and scholarship.com. Once I started I just could not stop! It was this intense desire to search out money, any money, and plead my case as to why I was the one they should give it to. Think of it as some high-profile, semi-anonymous, e-begging: here, let me hold out my electronic cup, please put some of your money in it! Except in this case you can't even see the disgusted look on the people's faces as they walk by reading your cardboard sign, shriveling their nose in disapproval. You just have to sit... and wait.
Next time I go to Berkeley I'm going to take $20 in ones with me just to give to the bums--I think it will lessen this feeling of Karmic retribution.
On to better topics. That hiring committee I was on went really well. I have two offers for letters of recommendation which makes me feel pretty good since I so rarely have an opportunity to do things where I can earn letters of recommendations. I've also given some serious thought to teaching--again--but I still cannot make up my mind. Law or Education--Law or Education. I think I have strong traits that would suit well for both, and either way I think I would be "giving something back." I just keep asking myself "Jo, what do you want to wake up to in the morning, everyday for the rest of your life?" Somehow the answer always seems to be "happiness." Thanks brain, no wonder you like philosophy so much you abstract sumbitch.
There's only four weeks left in the semester and I think I have my classes picked out for the summer. PSYC 370 and Yoga. I've decided against PHIL 350--I think--I just can't bring myself to be at school for that long, I'll be exhausted. That, and I have to train some people at work in preparation for my decreased hours and wacky schedule that I anticipate having come September.
Don't tell anyone but I have been secretly dreaming of new job opportunities. I really, really want to be an IA lately, I don't know why. I just feel ready to do the job, and most of the stuff I do is already most of that job anyway, so yeah. I am no going anywhere, but I'm secretly hoping that a position will open up sometime in the next few months so I can at least interview for it. I don't want to leave RAD (which is where I work now) so I know that there's really no hope of anything opening up. But I hope, and I know that hope is never a bad thing.
After all, without hope, I would not be where I am today.
Thanks for reading.
At any rate, I find out--at least I should find out--my financial aid package on May 1. I can't believe that it's so close! I have found myself, all of a sudden, wishing that this semester would take just a few more weeks, and perhaps I shouldn't have wished it to go so fast. Panic--sheer panic--is setting in and tonight, on some sort of obsessive binge, I applied for probably a dozen scholarships through fastweb.com and scholarship.com. Once I started I just could not stop! It was this intense desire to search out money, any money, and plead my case as to why I was the one they should give it to. Think of it as some high-profile, semi-anonymous, e-begging: here, let me hold out my electronic cup, please put some of your money in it! Except in this case you can't even see the disgusted look on the people's faces as they walk by reading your cardboard sign, shriveling their nose in disapproval. You just have to sit... and wait.
Next time I go to Berkeley I'm going to take $20 in ones with me just to give to the bums--I think it will lessen this feeling of Karmic retribution.
On to better topics. That hiring committee I was on went really well. I have two offers for letters of recommendation which makes me feel pretty good since I so rarely have an opportunity to do things where I can earn letters of recommendations. I've also given some serious thought to teaching--again--but I still cannot make up my mind. Law or Education--Law or Education. I think I have strong traits that would suit well for both, and either way I think I would be "giving something back." I just keep asking myself "Jo, what do you want to wake up to in the morning, everyday for the rest of your life?" Somehow the answer always seems to be "happiness." Thanks brain, no wonder you like philosophy so much you abstract sumbitch.
There's only four weeks left in the semester and I think I have my classes picked out for the summer. PSYC 370 and Yoga. I've decided against PHIL 350--I think--I just can't bring myself to be at school for that long, I'll be exhausted. That, and I have to train some people at work in preparation for my decreased hours and wacky schedule that I anticipate having come September.
Don't tell anyone but I have been secretly dreaming of new job opportunities. I really, really want to be an IA lately, I don't know why. I just feel ready to do the job, and most of the stuff I do is already most of that job anyway, so yeah. I am no going anywhere, but I'm secretly hoping that a position will open up sometime in the next few months so I can at least interview for it. I don't want to leave RAD (which is where I work now) so I know that there's really no hope of anything opening up. But I hope, and I know that hope is never a bad thing.
After all, without hope, I would not be where I am today.
Thanks for reading.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Entry 4--AKA: "Not always feeling on the up and up."
I don't know what it is lately but I am definitely not feeling my best. I haven't been sleeping well at all and I cannot decide if I'm getting sick or suffering from terrible allergies. Whatever my problem it is certainly taking its toll on my attitude this last few weeks and this week is no exception.
I had a migraine on Friday which--forgive my vulgarity--sucked donkey balls. I hate, hate, hate having headaches and that hate is only made exponential when I wake up with one. The only thing worse than waking up with a headache is waking up with a migraine, which was the exact situation on Friday. I wouldn't have gone to work except that the other person with the door keys, as well as any knowledge on how to get the place running, had already called in sick and I knew he wouldn't be there. So I sucked it up, stopped for a 4-shot espresso on my way to work and hoped that it was just a serious case of caffeine addiction causing my headache.
It wasn't. After about an hour at work I was feeling like I couldn't keep my eyes open. The lights were starting to get the blurry sensation around them and I was beginning to get nauseous. At that point it's only a matter of time until my stomach begins expelling its contents (no matter how little might be in there) so I called it a day and went home. Once home I not only was struggling with a headache but was starting to feel oncoming flu symptoms so Jason hooked up some night-time theraflu (yes, at noon), I drank a crap load of water and curled up in bed with the lights out managing to go to sleep. I woke up sometime between 4-5 pm that afternoon and though my head was feeling much better I was still feeling some pain. I was just glad I wasn't feeling nauseous--I hate feeling nauseous.
The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful. I managed to get a lot of homework done. After my last streak of good test grades I'm feeling more motivated than I have all semester.
I should be getting my tax return any day. I'm so excited at the thought of having savings again!
We're reading "The Sound and the Fury" by Faulkner now in my Literature class. I find that book so fascinatingly disorienting. It took awhile, but the style has definitely grown on me. I enjoy that the author doesn't just feed you the information: you have to really interpret each word on the page and use the context to really understand the plot. It's as though Faulkner respected the reader enough to assume that it will be understood.
"Here, reader, you're smart--figure it out!"
"Thanks, Faulkner; you're such a pal!"
I'm sure that's not what he intended but I'll take my compliments, no matter how far-fetched, where I can find them.
In other news I have decided I'm not going to watch the news anymore in the mornings. (See that? How I started with "in other news" to begin talking about news? How clever.) I find that I experience more anxiety on days where I watch news in the morning and I am not going to take that. Not from CNN, MSNBC, and certainly not you, FoxNews..."America's unbiased news" my ass. I'm tired of the elections or primaries or whatever they're called at this stage in the game, I'm tired of the economy, I'm tired of recession, stock, housing crisis, the Israeli-Iran disputes, war in Iraq and every other nonsensical, over-the-top, media nightmare, ratings-grabbing crap that is circulating the networks.
I'm tired of it!!!
At least they should tell you something new--they are the NEWs--right? I'm just going to start calling it the olds.
"Didja watch the olds?"
"Nope, I decided it would be a better use of my time tweezing every hair off of my limbs, one by one."
What else? Nothing I guess. It's 9pm and I am exhausted. I have to get up early tomorrow to go my instructor's office hour before class. Sure am glad she holds her office hour at 6:45 am. The epitome of convenient, especially for those of us who have nothing better to do than plan our lives around 6:45 am office hours. Nice.
Seriously, that's all. I'm grumpy, so don't mind it. Actually, by that measure, just disregard this whole blog.
Thanks.
I had a migraine on Friday which--forgive my vulgarity--sucked donkey balls. I hate, hate, hate having headaches and that hate is only made exponential when I wake up with one. The only thing worse than waking up with a headache is waking up with a migraine, which was the exact situation on Friday. I wouldn't have gone to work except that the other person with the door keys, as well as any knowledge on how to get the place running, had already called in sick and I knew he wouldn't be there. So I sucked it up, stopped for a 4-shot espresso on my way to work and hoped that it was just a serious case of caffeine addiction causing my headache.
It wasn't. After about an hour at work I was feeling like I couldn't keep my eyes open. The lights were starting to get the blurry sensation around them and I was beginning to get nauseous. At that point it's only a matter of time until my stomach begins expelling its contents (no matter how little might be in there) so I called it a day and went home. Once home I not only was struggling with a headache but was starting to feel oncoming flu symptoms so Jason hooked up some night-time theraflu (yes, at noon), I drank a crap load of water and curled up in bed with the lights out managing to go to sleep. I woke up sometime between 4-5 pm that afternoon and though my head was feeling much better I was still feeling some pain. I was just glad I wasn't feeling nauseous--I hate feeling nauseous.
The rest of the weekend was pretty uneventful. I managed to get a lot of homework done. After my last streak of good test grades I'm feeling more motivated than I have all semester.
I should be getting my tax return any day. I'm so excited at the thought of having savings again!
We're reading "The Sound and the Fury" by Faulkner now in my Literature class. I find that book so fascinatingly disorienting. It took awhile, but the style has definitely grown on me. I enjoy that the author doesn't just feed you the information: you have to really interpret each word on the page and use the context to really understand the plot. It's as though Faulkner respected the reader enough to assume that it will be understood.
"Here, reader, you're smart--figure it out!"
"Thanks, Faulkner; you're such a pal!"
I'm sure that's not what he intended but I'll take my compliments, no matter how far-fetched, where I can find them.
In other news I have decided I'm not going to watch the news anymore in the mornings. (See that? How I started with "in other news" to begin talking about news? How clever.) I find that I experience more anxiety on days where I watch news in the morning and I am not going to take that. Not from CNN, MSNBC, and certainly not you, FoxNews..."America's unbiased news" my ass. I'm tired of the elections or primaries or whatever they're called at this stage in the game, I'm tired of the economy, I'm tired of recession, stock, housing crisis, the Israeli-Iran disputes, war in Iraq and every other nonsensical, over-the-top, media nightmare, ratings-grabbing crap that is circulating the networks.
I'm tired of it!!!
At least they should tell you something new--they are the NEWs--right? I'm just going to start calling it the olds.
"Didja watch the olds?"
"Nope, I decided it would be a better use of my time tweezing every hair off of my limbs, one by one."
What else? Nothing I guess. It's 9pm and I am exhausted. I have to get up early tomorrow to go my instructor's office hour before class. Sure am glad she holds her office hour at 6:45 am. The epitome of convenient, especially for those of us who have nothing better to do than plan our lives around 6:45 am office hours. Nice.
Seriously, that's all. I'm grumpy, so don't mind it. Actually, by that measure, just disregard this whole blog.
Thanks.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Entry 3--AKA: "My definition of a successful week."
Work drama aside this week has been awesome. I am so very happy about how this semester is shaping up that I am almost sad that I'm done with ARC. Isn't that the way it goes? Just about time you get comfortable is about the same time you're done with whatever you're comfortable in. I can only hope that I am this successful at Davis as I have been at ARC this semester. Allow me to recap my week, at least in academic terms.
Monday was your average Monday: frantically trying to catch up on all the homework I didn't do last weekend, but I was let down that my Philosophy instructor had not finished grading our tests from last week. I studied, alot, for my Anthropology test on Tuesday and I was really stressing this test. I have been on a major "B" streak this semester in both my Philosophy class and my Anthropology class so far this semester and though, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't normally care this semester it is frustrating. I should not be getting B's in my Anthropology class--this class is definitely not rocket science by any stretch. I know why: I have absolutely no interest in this class, the subject matter, or being awake at the time of the morning of this particular class. At 7:30 in the morning my first cup of coffee hasn't even kicked in yet! I know it's no excuse, which is why I went the extra mile to prepare for this test.
Tuesday I got out of bed early which is almost shocking since I think it was the first time in three weeks I haven't slept through my alarm and ran out of the house in a frenzy to get to class on time. I did, however, have, not one, but two revelations in the shower which perturbed me and made me start of the day in a fit of anxiety. I had forgotten to study this definition that I thought sure would be on the test, and I realized I had forgotten to email some information to a friend from my Anthropology class regarding the test. I hate when I forget things. I hurried through my shower, threw my crap in my bag and rushed out of my house to get to my test on time. I was the first person to finish the test (per the usual) and I went to the cafeteria to read for my Literature class. While on my way to my Literature class I had an anxiety attack that really took me off-guard. In a matter of minutes it suddenly hit me the scope of all the life-changing decisions I, or more appropriately: we, have had to make the last few months and our future. Suddenly I was freaked out about my transfer: would I be good enough to transfer? Am I smart enough? What if I fail? What if I can't even pay for it to find out if I would be a success? What if we can't get a loan for a house? What if we buy a house and it collapses? What if, what if, what if??? By the end of it I found myself sitting on the floor of Davies hall in front of my lit class my hands in a white-knuckle grip around the handles of my bag, holding my breath and staring straight ahead at a wall. I must've looked like a nut job. I came out of it, rattled, but I survived. It was the first anxiety attack I've had regarding all of this, as long as you don't count my string of nightmares involving my Davis application last October.
On a personal note, rather than academic, Tuesday night we had to take Jason's mom to the emergency room. She's okay--it was nothing serious, fortunately--but we were at the hospital until almost 2 in the morning. I was absolutely exhausted by the time we got home but I managed to go to work the next day. I still haven't managed to catch up on my sleep but I hope to this weekend. Give me one Saturday where I can sleep until I want to and I should be good.
Wednesday my Philosophy instructor passed back our much-anticipated (at least I was anticipating) test. I couldn't believe it: I got a 94%! I was so happy. He wrote on the board the curve for the class, which was astonishing.
A-5
B-1
C-1
D-1
F-6
When he did that, which was right before he passed back the tests, I had this moment of self-doubt and found myself whispering "please be an A, please be an A, please be an A" over and over until he handed me my test. Have I said I was happy? Oh, more than that: ecstatic. Overjoyed. Overwhelmed. Not bad for someone who is not good at math in a class that is basically math disguised as philosophy. I did not have an anxiety attack that day, but part of that may be because I was on only 5 hours of sleep. We will never know.
Thursday. Today. Well, for one, I'm glad it's over. I woke up late, but not terribly, and made it to class just on-time. Our instructor handed out our tests from Tuesday and--holy crap--96%! I am so happy I finally broke my streak of B's! I think at this point I officially have a shot at getting a 4.0 this semester, which is, well, AWESOME. What a way to end my time at ARC.
This week I was also asked to be on a hiring committee for an English Writing instructor, which is a huge honor but is also really exciting. One of my literature teachers from last semester asked me on Tuesday and it was the teacher whose class I really struggled in last semester. ("Struggled" is kind of harsh, but I definitely had to work hard in her class!) I am so flattered that she thought of me, but I am really looking forward to being a part of the process because I know someday I will have to go through that experience again and it will only help me to know what is going on on the other side.
What else? I think that's it. Work is still kind of sucking, but I'm over complaining about it, at least at the moment. Thanks for reading. It's always a pleasure to know you're out there.
Monday was your average Monday: frantically trying to catch up on all the homework I didn't do last weekend, but I was let down that my Philosophy instructor had not finished grading our tests from last week. I studied, alot, for my Anthropology test on Tuesday and I was really stressing this test. I have been on a major "B" streak this semester in both my Philosophy class and my Anthropology class so far this semester and though, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't normally care this semester it is frustrating. I should not be getting B's in my Anthropology class--this class is definitely not rocket science by any stretch. I know why: I have absolutely no interest in this class, the subject matter, or being awake at the time of the morning of this particular class. At 7:30 in the morning my first cup of coffee hasn't even kicked in yet! I know it's no excuse, which is why I went the extra mile to prepare for this test.
Tuesday I got out of bed early which is almost shocking since I think it was the first time in three weeks I haven't slept through my alarm and ran out of the house in a frenzy to get to class on time. I did, however, have, not one, but two revelations in the shower which perturbed me and made me start of the day in a fit of anxiety. I had forgotten to study this definition that I thought sure would be on the test, and I realized I had forgotten to email some information to a friend from my Anthropology class regarding the test. I hate when I forget things. I hurried through my shower, threw my crap in my bag and rushed out of my house to get to my test on time. I was the first person to finish the test (per the usual) and I went to the cafeteria to read for my Literature class. While on my way to my Literature class I had an anxiety attack that really took me off-guard. In a matter of minutes it suddenly hit me the scope of all the life-changing decisions I, or more appropriately: we, have had to make the last few months and our future. Suddenly I was freaked out about my transfer: would I be good enough to transfer? Am I smart enough? What if I fail? What if I can't even pay for it to find out if I would be a success? What if we can't get a loan for a house? What if we buy a house and it collapses? What if, what if, what if??? By the end of it I found myself sitting on the floor of Davies hall in front of my lit class my hands in a white-knuckle grip around the handles of my bag, holding my breath and staring straight ahead at a wall. I must've looked like a nut job. I came out of it, rattled, but I survived. It was the first anxiety attack I've had regarding all of this, as long as you don't count my string of nightmares involving my Davis application last October.
On a personal note, rather than academic, Tuesday night we had to take Jason's mom to the emergency room. She's okay--it was nothing serious, fortunately--but we were at the hospital until almost 2 in the morning. I was absolutely exhausted by the time we got home but I managed to go to work the next day. I still haven't managed to catch up on my sleep but I hope to this weekend. Give me one Saturday where I can sleep until I want to and I should be good.
Wednesday my Philosophy instructor passed back our much-anticipated (at least I was anticipating) test. I couldn't believe it: I got a 94%! I was so happy. He wrote on the board the curve for the class, which was astonishing.
A-5
B-1
C-1
D-1
F-6
When he did that, which was right before he passed back the tests, I had this moment of self-doubt and found myself whispering "please be an A, please be an A, please be an A" over and over until he handed me my test. Have I said I was happy? Oh, more than that: ecstatic. Overjoyed. Overwhelmed. Not bad for someone who is not good at math in a class that is basically math disguised as philosophy. I did not have an anxiety attack that day, but part of that may be because I was on only 5 hours of sleep. We will never know.
Thursday. Today. Well, for one, I'm glad it's over. I woke up late, but not terribly, and made it to class just on-time. Our instructor handed out our tests from Tuesday and--holy crap--96%! I am so happy I finally broke my streak of B's! I think at this point I officially have a shot at getting a 4.0 this semester, which is, well, AWESOME. What a way to end my time at ARC.
This week I was also asked to be on a hiring committee for an English Writing instructor, which is a huge honor but is also really exciting. One of my literature teachers from last semester asked me on Tuesday and it was the teacher whose class I really struggled in last semester. ("Struggled" is kind of harsh, but I definitely had to work hard in her class!) I am so flattered that she thought of me, but I am really looking forward to being a part of the process because I know someday I will have to go through that experience again and it will only help me to know what is going on on the other side.
What else? I think that's it. Work is still kind of sucking, but I'm over complaining about it, at least at the moment. Thanks for reading. It's always a pleasure to know you're out there.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Entry 2--AKA: "Getting ready for the weekend by blogging off my bad mood."
Whoa, I just realized something. This blogger allows you to do tabs at the beginning of paragraphs unlike most other blogging tools! That's awesome! The English major in me is doing a little happy dance.
Down to business.
So this week has totally sucked. I can't really go into it, suffice to say shit is going down at work and it affects me more than I'd like to think about. Wednesday I came home and just cried--literally--for about an hour before I felt like I had it in me to face the world again. Needless to say I didn't get much homework done that night so this weekend I have to play catch-up with all the homework I didn't do this week. With all the shit rocking my world at work I am feeling overwhelmingly anti-social especially on Thursday when I tried my best to avoid just about everyone by sitting in the back to work. I cannot wait until things get back to normal and I can just go on about my business.
Work may suck right now but school is going well. I had a test in my Symbolic Logic class on Wednesday and I think I totally nailed it. I was so stoked when I left the test and I will be shocked if I don't get an "A." I finished every question completely and only had to stop one time to get my bearings. I got halfway through a proof when I got stuck: I put my pencil down, turned my paper over, closed my eyes and tried to clear my head. After a few minutes I flipped my page back over and picked up where I left off. All the other problems went really smooth so I feel good about it. I will be so stoked if I get an "A" on this test. Just to make myself feel better about this week, tonight I added up my scores from my quizzes and tests in my English class and if I calculated correctly I have (seriously) 149 points out of 145 points. Do the math on that, kids: for those who are mathematically illiterate, that calculates out to 103% in the class. That's nothing to sneeze at! My Anthropology class is the only "thorn in my side" this semester since I seem to be on a "B" streak on my tests this semester. I am getting together with a girl from my class tomorrow and we are determined to get "A's" on the next test so we shall see. Right now I have an 89% in that class so it won't take much to move it up to an A. I would absolutely love it if I can get a 4.0 this semester; it would be the icing on my academic cake, so to speak.
Today was a lot of fun. I went to the Oak Cafe today with a girl who works next to me, Jennifer, and it was a Filipino lunch that was so damn good. It was so nice to get out of the house, away from work and to hang out with a female, which is something I haven't done in a long time. Jennifer is so cool to hang out with and we laughed and talked the whole time so it was so much fun, even though I went over my lunch hour. Then, after I got home from work Jason and I went to Costco to do some shopping and afterwards we went to Pasquale's Italian restaurant for dinner. It just so happened that one of our friends and his girlfriend were there too, they were parking when we were parking, and so we had dinner together with our room mate (we called to invite him). It was a blast! The food there is always good, even though the service is always bad, and the company was entertaining and comfortable. I am so happy I have time to socialize this semester and not feel guilty about it. Tomorrow our friend Kevin is coming over because Jason is grilling this huge rack of pork ribs (and a chicken breast for me) and we're going to drink beer and probably watch movies or listen to music or just sit around stuffing ourselves. This is, of course, after my study session with Shauna (the girl from my Anthro class) so I will be doing some real work tomorrow.
Sunday should be fun, too. It's my aunt Peggy's birthday so my mom is going to take her to Jackson casino for dinner and I am invited along with my aunt Beth. I'll never complain about going out and it will be nice to see my aunts and hang out with my mom. Free meals are nice, too. All around good deal to me.
Well, it's time for another drink. My house is abound with Guinness lately, and with that comes responsibility: the responsibility to combine it with Bailey's Irish cream, and Irish whiskey and pretend to hold your liquor. It's Friday night and, well, I'm not going to fight it. Have a good one, and I hope you continue reading.
Thanks again, reader, I'll dedicate my next drink to you.
Down to business.
So this week has totally sucked. I can't really go into it, suffice to say shit is going down at work and it affects me more than I'd like to think about. Wednesday I came home and just cried--literally--for about an hour before I felt like I had it in me to face the world again. Needless to say I didn't get much homework done that night so this weekend I have to play catch-up with all the homework I didn't do this week. With all the shit rocking my world at work I am feeling overwhelmingly anti-social especially on Thursday when I tried my best to avoid just about everyone by sitting in the back to work. I cannot wait until things get back to normal and I can just go on about my business.
Work may suck right now but school is going well. I had a test in my Symbolic Logic class on Wednesday and I think I totally nailed it. I was so stoked when I left the test and I will be shocked if I don't get an "A." I finished every question completely and only had to stop one time to get my bearings. I got halfway through a proof when I got stuck: I put my pencil down, turned my paper over, closed my eyes and tried to clear my head. After a few minutes I flipped my page back over and picked up where I left off. All the other problems went really smooth so I feel good about it. I will be so stoked if I get an "A" on this test. Just to make myself feel better about this week, tonight I added up my scores from my quizzes and tests in my English class and if I calculated correctly I have (seriously) 149 points out of 145 points. Do the math on that, kids: for those who are mathematically illiterate, that calculates out to 103% in the class. That's nothing to sneeze at! My Anthropology class is the only "thorn in my side" this semester since I seem to be on a "B" streak on my tests this semester. I am getting together with a girl from my class tomorrow and we are determined to get "A's" on the next test so we shall see. Right now I have an 89% in that class so it won't take much to move it up to an A. I would absolutely love it if I can get a 4.0 this semester; it would be the icing on my academic cake, so to speak.
Today was a lot of fun. I went to the Oak Cafe today with a girl who works next to me, Jennifer, and it was a Filipino lunch that was so damn good. It was so nice to get out of the house, away from work and to hang out with a female, which is something I haven't done in a long time. Jennifer is so cool to hang out with and we laughed and talked the whole time so it was so much fun, even though I went over my lunch hour. Then, after I got home from work Jason and I went to Costco to do some shopping and afterwards we went to Pasquale's Italian restaurant for dinner. It just so happened that one of our friends and his girlfriend were there too, they were parking when we were parking, and so we had dinner together with our room mate (we called to invite him). It was a blast! The food there is always good, even though the service is always bad, and the company was entertaining and comfortable. I am so happy I have time to socialize this semester and not feel guilty about it. Tomorrow our friend Kevin is coming over because Jason is grilling this huge rack of pork ribs (and a chicken breast for me) and we're going to drink beer and probably watch movies or listen to music or just sit around stuffing ourselves. This is, of course, after my study session with Shauna (the girl from my Anthro class) so I will be doing some real work tomorrow.
Sunday should be fun, too. It's my aunt Peggy's birthday so my mom is going to take her to Jackson casino for dinner and I am invited along with my aunt Beth. I'll never complain about going out and it will be nice to see my aunts and hang out with my mom. Free meals are nice, too. All around good deal to me.
Well, it's time for another drink. My house is abound with Guinness lately, and with that comes responsibility: the responsibility to combine it with Bailey's Irish cream, and Irish whiskey and pretend to hold your liquor. It's Friday night and, well, I'm not going to fight it. Have a good one, and I hope you continue reading.
Thanks again, reader, I'll dedicate my next drink to you.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Entry 1--AKA: "New blog for new times" or "Because I can!"
Hello world, it's me Jolene. I decided to start a new blog that is easier for the average anti-MySpace-r to access. If you want to check out my other blog go to:
http://blog.myspace.com/god_hates_you.
But this blog should do for most everyone. At any rate, things are changing so fast it's hard to keep up. As most of you already know I was accepted to UC Davis as an English major. If you didn't know, you know now. My plan is to major in English and either double-major or minor in Philosophy, but we see how that goes. I cannot wait to transfer. I have a sever case of something I call "transfer-itis" which is kind of like high school senior-itis except with a little more responsibility, paying bills and having a job and all.
So how was everyone's Easter? I hope the rise of Zombie Jesus was glorifying and that the Easter bunny left lots of chocolate covered bunny poop for everyone. Ours was good. Long, but good. We went to Jason's aunt and uncle's house and they made ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, sweet potatoes and german chocolate cake. I ate everything except the ham, obviously, so by the time we got home I was feeling a little protein deficient so I scarfed some leftover sesame chicken we got last night. Overall, I'd say it was pretty fun.
School starts again tomorrow and I'm glad I got some homework done this week. I did alot of reading and worked on alot of my logic homework so I wouldn't forget anything. I have a test in that class on wednesday and the last thing I need is to forget all that cra--I mean stuff I have learned in the first half of the semester. I am so glad the semester is halfway over. The weather is so nice lately I cannot wait until summer!
Okay, so my first blog is done. I have to go switch over laundry now, and ready myself for bed. I was watching the new Futurama episodes air on Comedy Central for the first time tonight, and though I've seen them probably 20 times already I love to watch them over and over and over. I cannot wait until the next installments to the final season come out. I hope hope hope they renew and do more, but I think that's a little too much to ask.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see everyone again soon!
*Jo
http://blog.myspace.com/god_hates_you.
But this blog should do for most everyone. At any rate, things are changing so fast it's hard to keep up. As most of you already know I was accepted to UC Davis as an English major. If you didn't know, you know now. My plan is to major in English and either double-major or minor in Philosophy, but we see how that goes. I cannot wait to transfer. I have a sever case of something I call "transfer-itis" which is kind of like high school senior-itis except with a little more responsibility, paying bills and having a job and all.
So how was everyone's Easter? I hope the rise of Zombie Jesus was glorifying and that the Easter bunny left lots of chocolate covered bunny poop for everyone. Ours was good. Long, but good. We went to Jason's aunt and uncle's house and they made ham, macaroni and cheese, green beans, sweet potatoes and german chocolate cake. I ate everything except the ham, obviously, so by the time we got home I was feeling a little protein deficient so I scarfed some leftover sesame chicken we got last night. Overall, I'd say it was pretty fun.
School starts again tomorrow and I'm glad I got some homework done this week. I did alot of reading and worked on alot of my logic homework so I wouldn't forget anything. I have a test in that class on wednesday and the last thing I need is to forget all that cra--I mean stuff I have learned in the first half of the semester. I am so glad the semester is halfway over. The weather is so nice lately I cannot wait until summer!
Okay, so my first blog is done. I have to go switch over laundry now, and ready myself for bed. I was watching the new Futurama episodes air on Comedy Central for the first time tonight, and though I've seen them probably 20 times already I love to watch them over and over and over. I cannot wait until the next installments to the final season come out. I hope hope hope they renew and do more, but I think that's a little too much to ask.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see everyone again soon!
*Jo
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