So it's only the 4th week of school and I'm already bored with my classes, and school in general. Maybe I'm just having an apathetic week but it just all seems so blah. I'm only taking 4 classes, so while it's manageable, it's not nearly enough to keep me all that busy. I only have to do homework 3 nights a week to keep up, and that's with multitasking. If I were doing homework and nothing else, I would probably only need 2 nights. My classes are all easy, and the homework is essentially busy work. Thus the issue.
I'm the type of person where if I'm not being challenged, I get bored...really quickly. If something doesn't challenge me, and doesn't keep my interest, I have little to no motivation to actually do it. Example: my spanish class. It's a retake, becuase I got so bored with the busy work last semester that I didn't do half of it. The problem was that said busy work was 35% of our grade and not doing it led to a bad grade, despite getting A's on my tests.
I like my classes, it's just a matter of them being able to challenge me enough. Breakdown:
>>Poli 360: Comparative Political Thought/Theory. The material we read outside of class is interesting, and I enjoy reading it. The professor simply restates the reading in class in simpler terms and his lecture style leaves me fighting to stay awake....at 130 in the afternoon. His tangents about his life are more interesting than his lectures. We have to write a 2 page paper every week based on the readings, then later in the week we're given a classmate's paper to critique. BORING! 2 pages?! I thought this was a 300 level class! This reminds me of high school...and considering my high school wasn't exactly the epitome of academic challenge that's pretty bad.
>>Span 301: Advanced Intermediate Spanish. Again, ridiculously easy for a 300 level class. Maybe it's just me and the ability God's given me to be stupidly good at Spanish, but as previously stated, all the homework is busy work. Answer a few BS questions based on some simple readings. Do some grammar exercises practicing stuff we learned in Spanish 1. The one good point is that the prof only speaks Spanish in class, and makes us do the same. Not that this is hard for me, but it's something that should start being enforced at the 201 level. If we're taking a language beyond the level required for university credit, we obviously want to use it somehow in our future, and we have to learn how to speak it, not just understand it.
>>Econ 102: Introduction to Macroeconomics. Your standard lecture class with the occasional online quiz and problem set thrown in. Reeeealllly simple, and most of it's common sense. Granted that's to be expected since it's a 100 level class. The prof isn't horribly interesting, but not boring either. He likes to relate everything back to Milky Way bars. Take notes, plan my week, make occasional sarcastic comments to my friends Cynthia and Stan who are in the class with me.
>>History 303: The Second World War. My favourite class by far. Dr. Laurie is god of the History department. Definitely one of the best, if not the best prof I've taken here. His lectures are entertaining and educational at the same time. His exams are challenging but not overly difficult if you've payed attention in class. Doing the readings isn't necessary but it's helpful. His papers are not overly long, generally 3-5 pages, but you have to write well for them and you have to actually do the work behind them, which is usually reading a whole bunch of stuff on a topic of your choice related to the class. My only issue with this class is that we don't have much to do outside of it reguarly. I look forward to the class; it's the highlight of my tuesdays and thursdays.
So there's my little rant for the week. Not to worry, I'm still doing my hw and keeping up with my classes, they're just annoying. It's troublesome to me when I have to actually try to find motivation to do school. Well seeing as it's going on 4am I should probably do that thing they call sleeping. Not that it matters since I don't have to wake up before 11 any day of the week. Gotta love that! I'm looking forward to the weekend (which essentially starts tomorrow at 7pm). Hopefully it'll snap me out of the apathetic fog I've been in this week.
Peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson: Always have a couple rolls of toilet paper stocked in your room, so when your dorm (or campus in general as it would appear) FAILS AT LIFE BY RUNNING OUT OF TOILET PAPER you're not stuck using tissues. Reasons we love UMBC...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Busy Busy
For only having four classes, I've been decently busy over these first few weeks of school. Thankfully it's manageable and nothing terribly difficult. I'm supposed to be writing up my critique of a classmate's paper from Poli 360, and Billy would scold me if he knew I was getting distracted yet again but I finished all the grammar stuff and muddling my way through the horrific phraseology of the paper. I don't understand how whoever wrote it (we all have numbers instead of names, I guess to promote more objective critiques?) can butcher their phrasing and grammar so much. The only excuse is if they are one of the students who doesn't speak English as a first language. Otherwise, I have to wonder how in the world they passed 8th grade English. Not trying to sound overly judgemental here, but these people seriously need to learn how to write academically. Starting sentences with "But" or "And"...not cool. Using two "but" clauses in the same sentence...really folks? It's not that difficult. You don't have to be an amazing writer, just write with some sense and clarity! Also, when the prof says 2 pages, he means TWO PAGES! Not 3, not 2.5, but 2. ugh. at least it gets me something to rant on in the critique.
On a related note, I got a text book at the UMBC bookstore for a reasonable price...shocking! $26 for my Poli text book, which was the only reason I actually bought it from here versus online or sharing Alethea's. Spanish book was close around $100...yeah not buying that one. Hooray for the library, same with History, cuz Heaven knows we don't actually read all 14 books. Since we can't do the papers on any of them it makes more sense to just get them from the library as theyre needed.
Speaking of the library, I'm still kinda ticked they turned the 7th floor study lounge into a computer lab, but in all fairness, it has been helpful. I went over to the library to print out a paper today, and I was amazed at technology. The paper was saved to my flash drive, and as I look at it, I'm amazed at how I can type something up on my computer, put a little stick in the side of my computer, and with a few clicks, my 2 page paper is now on this little tiny rectangular thingydo. It's pretty nifty, and extremely convenient. What's not convenient is that I had to walk to the library to print said paper, because of course my printer is STILL on the fritz...gotta get that checked out this weekend. I don't go to a nerd school for nothing, so time to find one of my tech savvy friends and get them to fix it. Also need to make a trip to walmart this weekend and buy ink, seeing as the ink I need is of course the ONE KIND THE BOOKSTORE DOESN'T SELL. gaaaahhhh.
So now that I've sorted out some thoughts, time to get back to that critique so I can sleep.
peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the Week: Don't wear heels to a basketball game when you know you're gonna be on your feet cheering the whole time. I am so smart sometimes...(/sarcasm)
On a related note, I got a text book at the UMBC bookstore for a reasonable price...shocking! $26 for my Poli text book, which was the only reason I actually bought it from here versus online or sharing Alethea's. Spanish book was close around $100...yeah not buying that one. Hooray for the library, same with History, cuz Heaven knows we don't actually read all 14 books. Since we can't do the papers on any of them it makes more sense to just get them from the library as theyre needed.
Speaking of the library, I'm still kinda ticked they turned the 7th floor study lounge into a computer lab, but in all fairness, it has been helpful. I went over to the library to print out a paper today, and I was amazed at technology. The paper was saved to my flash drive, and as I look at it, I'm amazed at how I can type something up on my computer, put a little stick in the side of my computer, and with a few clicks, my 2 page paper is now on this little tiny rectangular thingydo. It's pretty nifty, and extremely convenient. What's not convenient is that I had to walk to the library to print said paper, because of course my printer is STILL on the fritz...gotta get that checked out this weekend. I don't go to a nerd school for nothing, so time to find one of my tech savvy friends and get them to fix it. Also need to make a trip to walmart this weekend and buy ink, seeing as the ink I need is of course the ONE KIND THE BOOKSTORE DOESN'T SELL. gaaaahhhh.
So now that I've sorted out some thoughts, time to get back to that critique so I can sleep.
peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the Week: Don't wear heels to a basketball game when you know you're gonna be on your feet cheering the whole time. I am so smart sometimes...(/sarcasm)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
2.5.09 <3
Thrilled to pieces doesn't even begin to cover how happy I am :)
I'm fluctuating between amused and slightly disturbed that all our friends predicted it, or at the very least are not surprised. So everyone except me is getting really good at predicting my life. WTF?!
No matter, I'm way too happy to let it stress me out. The sunshine is perfect for this amazing day, and an optimistic sign for what's to come in the months ahead.
peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: When your printer is generally unreliable, print your assignments the night before the class, to give you flexibility when it acts up. Actually, it's probably a good idea to do the assignment the night before it's due instead of the morning of...yeahhhh.
I'm fluctuating between amused and slightly disturbed that all our friends predicted it, or at the very least are not surprised. So everyone except me is getting really good at predicting my life. WTF?!
No matter, I'm way too happy to let it stress me out. The sunshine is perfect for this amazing day, and an optimistic sign for what's to come in the months ahead.
peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: When your printer is generally unreliable, print your assignments the night before the class, to give you flexibility when it acts up. Actually, it's probably a good idea to do the assignment the night before it's due instead of the morning of...yeahhhh.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Just a quick note...
So my life has a way of turning itself upside down and inside out when I least expect it. There's a pattern I've noticed--when school is going nuts, my social life is all good. Once I get school figured out, my social life kicks into high gear and tends to do all in its power to throw me for a loop. This pattern has continued over the past week. I've only been back to school a week but it feels like it's been at least two weeks because so much has been happening.
The week started out with scheduling and classes doing all in their power to frustrate me and then some. Monday and Tuesday were very very long. By the end of the day Wednesday I had most of that figured out, so it would figure that
my social life would choose then to start flipping itself all over every which way. For once I'm not unhappy about it. There's alot to still be decided and discussed but I'm becoming more sure every day, that no matter what comes of this, everything will work out for the best. :)
Also: umbc fails at snow and ice removal.
Peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson: Heels and ice are not a good combination. Then again, since when am I the one to choose practicality over style?
The week started out with scheduling and classes doing all in their power to frustrate me and then some. Monday and Tuesday were very very long. By the end of the day Wednesday I had most of that figured out, so it would figure that
my social life would choose then to start flipping itself all over every which way. For once I'm not unhappy about it. There's alot to still be decided and discussed but I'm becoming more sure every day, that no matter what comes of this, everything will work out for the best. :)
Also: umbc fails at snow and ice removal.
Peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson: Heels and ice are not a good combination. Then again, since when am I the one to choose practicality over style?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Back 2 Skool
So spring semester has begun. After much hassling and stressing I got my schedule figured out. I'm taking 12 credits so that shouldn't be too bad. Only one Political Science class, which is kinda meh, but oh well. I'm fairly sure I'll like all my classes, hopefully this proves true. I have a friend or two or more in every class which makes it all the more entertaining. This semester is going to be very important grades-wise. I'm making some changes to help improve my grades and get my @$$ in gear.
I applied for a job at a nursing home down the street as a receptionist but haven't heard back from them so I'm assuming that means I need to keep looking. I'm going to post my resume on UMBCworks and see if I get any hits from there, and if not, I'll start applying around Catonsville. I have absolutely no money whatsoever so the job thing is kinda crucial if I want to do anything besides eat this semester. Lord knows the food around here is so freakin expensive i'll need money to help cover it by the end of the semester.
I'm excited that it snowed and stuck! I want to go skiing again...but no money. ugh I need to find a way to make money. all i need is 30bucks for skiing. i currently have 11 dollars to my name which i'm saving for...something. maybe skiing.
Ummmm I think that's about it. Oh! New phoneeeeee :D not going to be flushed this time!
Peace y'all
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: trim the wick when lighting a candle...else you get weird flame with black smoke coming off it.
I applied for a job at a nursing home down the street as a receptionist but haven't heard back from them so I'm assuming that means I need to keep looking. I'm going to post my resume on UMBCworks and see if I get any hits from there, and if not, I'll start applying around Catonsville. I have absolutely no money whatsoever so the job thing is kinda crucial if I want to do anything besides eat this semester. Lord knows the food around here is so freakin expensive i'll need money to help cover it by the end of the semester.
I'm excited that it snowed and stuck! I want to go skiing again...but no money. ugh I need to find a way to make money. all i need is 30bucks for skiing. i currently have 11 dollars to my name which i'm saving for...something. maybe skiing.
Ummmm I think that's about it. Oh! New phoneeeeee :D not going to be flushed this time!
Peace y'all
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: trim the wick when lighting a candle...else you get weird flame with black smoke coming off it.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
so close, so far
One exam left!! Almost doneeeee :) So So close to being done, but still so far from being home...I wanted to go home after my exam tomorrow but I haven't even begun to pack yet soooo thus I have to stay one more night. It won't kill me, but I'm really looking forward to being home. This is where having a car would come in handy...O well. Next semester hopefully.
I can't believe how fast this semester went by. This year even. I heard a song on the radio yesterday that I recall listening to while packing for winter break this time last year...this winter looks to be quite different, which is good. I have a license and a car so I have more freedom to come and go. I'll be returning the favors to friends who drove me around I'm sure, as well as taking munchkin here there and everywhere. I also don't plan to be injuring myself, but then again, those types of things are never really planned. I'm thinking I'll avoid the ice rink...sigh. That reminds me of the one bad thing different about this winter. Jennifer won't be here :(. Boo. I'm going to see her tho! yay!!! supposed to be flying, but Steph is saying she wants to take a road trip. I told her about my plans, and she said she's free around that time soooo a road trip would most def be cheaper then flying. I wonder if I cancel my flight if I can get it refunded? It would be a nice bandage for my bank account that's for sure. Which reminds me, I need to call tomorrow and see if I can grab some hours at Blue Mash over break. ARgggghh that was one aspect of this winter I wasn't planning on, but alas I am in desperate need of moneys. This winter will also be free from the emotional drama that plagued me last winter, thank you God. I'll also hopefully be going skiing and taking a winter class here at UMBC.
I should really be sleeping now, seeing as I only slept from 530-730 yesterday and then from 1030--1330. not really that good for me, though im sure sleeping for 8-12 hours all the 5 nights before that is why I'm not totally exhausted. Alas there are so many other things I am doing, eg writing here, talking to people on aim, and i'm sure I'll end up on some sort of game site eventually.
Rant time...why is it that I am so unable to find a decent guy? My standards aren't really that high. It seems like my ideal guy is a combination of all my guy friends. While it's definitely easier being single and free, and having guys as friends, at the same time there is always that desire for someone who is something more. That special someone. I know I'll eventually find the right one, or at least someone to get me started in the relationship world. My luck with guys has been almost nil since college. Oh well. I'm thinking it's time to be Miss Independent again like I was in high school, and then someone will come along and care enough to work through all my issues when I least expect it.
Okay brain is shutting down...9 days till Christmas including today weeee!!
peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: don't wait until 10pm the night before an 8am exam to start studying (something I re-learn every semester)
I can't believe how fast this semester went by. This year even. I heard a song on the radio yesterday that I recall listening to while packing for winter break this time last year...this winter looks to be quite different, which is good. I have a license and a car so I have more freedom to come and go. I'll be returning the favors to friends who drove me around I'm sure, as well as taking munchkin here there and everywhere. I also don't plan to be injuring myself, but then again, those types of things are never really planned. I'm thinking I'll avoid the ice rink...sigh. That reminds me of the one bad thing different about this winter. Jennifer won't be here :(. Boo. I'm going to see her tho! yay!!! supposed to be flying, but Steph is saying she wants to take a road trip. I told her about my plans, and she said she's free around that time soooo a road trip would most def be cheaper then flying. I wonder if I cancel my flight if I can get it refunded? It would be a nice bandage for my bank account that's for sure. Which reminds me, I need to call tomorrow and see if I can grab some hours at Blue Mash over break. ARgggghh that was one aspect of this winter I wasn't planning on, but alas I am in desperate need of moneys. This winter will also be free from the emotional drama that plagued me last winter, thank you God. I'll also hopefully be going skiing and taking a winter class here at UMBC.
I should really be sleeping now, seeing as I only slept from 530-730 yesterday and then from 1030--1330. not really that good for me, though im sure sleeping for 8-12 hours all the 5 nights before that is why I'm not totally exhausted. Alas there are so many other things I am doing, eg writing here, talking to people on aim, and i'm sure I'll end up on some sort of game site eventually.
Rant time...why is it that I am so unable to find a decent guy? My standards aren't really that high. It seems like my ideal guy is a combination of all my guy friends. While it's definitely easier being single and free, and having guys as friends, at the same time there is always that desire for someone who is something more. That special someone. I know I'll eventually find the right one, or at least someone to get me started in the relationship world. My luck with guys has been almost nil since college. Oh well. I'm thinking it's time to be Miss Independent again like I was in high school, and then someone will come along and care enough to work through all my issues when I least expect it.
Okay brain is shutting down...9 days till Christmas including today weeee!!
peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: don't wait until 10pm the night before an 8am exam to start studying (something I re-learn every semester)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
It's the holiday season...
I love Thanksgiving. I really do. It means a break from school, time with the family, lots and lots of food, and many memories. It also kicks off the "Holiday season" which, being the Christmas commercialism sucker that I am, makes me very happy. For example, I'm now laying on my bed listening to Christmas music, pondering when it's going to snow again. It actually has already snowed TWICE this month...both times last week. It made me very happy, despite being sick as crap on Friday, to look out my window and see white fluffy stuff falling from the sky. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, my friend Maya and I went outside when it was snowing and danced around like idiots. Fun times :)
So as previously mentioned, I was sick last week. It set in on wednesday/thursday and is still going. I'm getting better though. Friday through Sunday sucked majorly. That was the worst of the sick period, and I spent most of the weekend just trying to sleep and drink fluids. Today and yesterday have been better. Just abusing my nose with tissues and controlling a cough with oh so yummy Robitussin. ::sniffles:: The weekend did have it's good points. Saturday night was the highlight, being as it was my friend Dan's 21st birthday party. Lukie came up to chill with me and hang out at the party. That was tons of fun on so many levels. I can't wait to see all the crazy pictures we took. Fuuuun times :D
Currently waiting on the laundry to finish drying so I can finish packing for a trip to see my cousins and my uncle down in North Carolina. Sadly, we haven't seen them since this time last year, and they only live 5ish hours away. When I'm allowed to have the car for long distance driving (i.e. this summer) I'm really going to try and make it a point to visit my extended family more often. After all, who doesn't like road trips? I know I like them much.
Not a whole lot else going on right now, but when I get back to school, I will commence studying my friggin butt off for finals...joy. Library lockdown! Not to mention catching up on all my backwork for Spanish.
That's all for now folks. Yay for Christmas music!
Peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: When your phone is in your pants pocket, and said pants are on the floor, be careful when picking them up to point the pocket away from the toilet. Otherwise, said phone ends up in said toilet. Or in my case, landing in the toilet just as it's flushing. Gotta love life.
So as previously mentioned, I was sick last week. It set in on wednesday/thursday and is still going. I'm getting better though. Friday through Sunday sucked majorly. That was the worst of the sick period, and I spent most of the weekend just trying to sleep and drink fluids. Today and yesterday have been better. Just abusing my nose with tissues and controlling a cough with oh so yummy Robitussin. ::sniffles:: The weekend did have it's good points. Saturday night was the highlight, being as it was my friend Dan's 21st birthday party. Lukie came up to chill with me and hang out at the party. That was tons of fun on so many levels. I can't wait to see all the crazy pictures we took. Fuuuun times :D
Currently waiting on the laundry to finish drying so I can finish packing for a trip to see my cousins and my uncle down in North Carolina. Sadly, we haven't seen them since this time last year, and they only live 5ish hours away. When I'm allowed to have the car for long distance driving (i.e. this summer) I'm really going to try and make it a point to visit my extended family more often. After all, who doesn't like road trips? I know I like them much.
Not a whole lot else going on right now, but when I get back to school, I will commence studying my friggin butt off for finals...joy. Library lockdown! Not to mention catching up on all my backwork for Spanish.
That's all for now folks. Yay for Christmas music!
Peace y'all.
P.S. Common Sense Life Lesson for the week: When your phone is in your pants pocket, and said pants are on the floor, be careful when picking them up to point the pocket away from the toilet. Otherwise, said phone ends up in said toilet. Or in my case, landing in the toilet just as it's flushing. Gotta love life.
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