I kicked someone out of my office today.
Betcha didn't think I had that in me, eh?
Yeah well... I'm Italian and a Scorpio.
It's not an easy thing to do, but when you succeed in angering me... watch out.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Up, Down, All Around
Let's see...
That title just about covers the last week or so.
I've been having problems at work.
That's kind of an understatement. Some people have really disappointed me.
I had bowling withdrawal yesterday, but hung out with Jer for a while.
I don't think I'll be able to defend my paper this semester because everything is taking longer than I thought (story of my life).
There's been some good stuff too.
I think.
It just seems to get lost in all the bad stuff.
I dunno. Now isn't a good time for me to be blogging because I'm not in the best of moods.
I'll try again tomorrow.
That title just about covers the last week or so.
I've been having problems at work.
That's kind of an understatement. Some people have really disappointed me.
I had bowling withdrawal yesterday, but hung out with Jer for a while.
I don't think I'll be able to defend my paper this semester because everything is taking longer than I thought (story of my life).
There's been some good stuff too.
I think.
It just seems to get lost in all the bad stuff.
I dunno. Now isn't a good time for me to be blogging because I'm not in the best of moods.
I'll try again tomorrow.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday dear Mom and Jeremy.
Happy Birthday to you!
In other news... had a very busy weekend (well... busy for me).
Saturday morning I got news that a certain somebody had landed himself in the hospital due to complications with his blood pressure medication. Not good. Not good at all. He's safe and sound now, but that's so not cool. *sigh*
Saturday afternoon was the Festival of Nations - put on by the international students on campus. Food, games, music, dancing, etc. Always fun. Afterwards, I went to see Forbidden Kingdom, which is funny, cheesy, weird... but in a way kind of good.
Sunday afternoon I went to a Leadership Awards thingy for all the students who've been accepted to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities. They gave us certificates and these really nice, leather folder/portfolio things with the campus name and logo.
Sunday night I went with Matt & Eric to our old Dept. Chair's house. He and his wife cooked us dinner and we chatted, went down to the lake, played ping pong and darts, and laughed until we wore ourselves out. Basically, we had a blast. And his wife gave us each a bag of homemade cookies to take home. Nummy.
Oh, and if you're worried about the end of the world, just check out THIS Yahoo! End-of-the-Earth day tid-bit. I think I'll be ok... at least until the bunny-pocalypse comes.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday dear Mom and Jeremy.
Happy Birthday to you!
In other news... had a very busy weekend (well... busy for me).
Saturday morning I got news that a certain somebody had landed himself in the hospital due to complications with his blood pressure medication. Not good. Not good at all. He's safe and sound now, but that's so not cool. *sigh*
Saturday afternoon was the Festival of Nations - put on by the international students on campus. Food, games, music, dancing, etc. Always fun. Afterwards, I went to see Forbidden Kingdom, which is funny, cheesy, weird... but in a way kind of good.
Sunday afternoon I went to a Leadership Awards thingy for all the students who've been accepted to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities. They gave us certificates and these really nice, leather folder/portfolio things with the campus name and logo.
Sunday night I went with Matt & Eric to our old Dept. Chair's house. He and his wife cooked us dinner and we chatted, went down to the lake, played ping pong and darts, and laughed until we wore ourselves out. Basically, we had a blast. And his wife gave us each a bag of homemade cookies to take home. Nummy.
Oh, and if you're worried about the end of the world, just check out THIS Yahoo! End-of-the-Earth day tid-bit. I think I'll be ok... at least until the bunny-pocalypse comes.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Interpretation
Last night I made a (rather long) list of things to do today. I had just started on it when I received a phone call from the University's Admissions Office. Today was the student orientation for incoming freshmen and there was a family with a deaf daughter. They needed an interpreter and someone gave them my name.
Now let me just clarify – I am not an interpreter. I don't know enough sign language and I've never been trained. I do know "conversational" ASL and can hold my own, but there's so much I don't know.
They were in a fix and needed someone "right now," so I told them I'd help. I did my best. The family was really nice and they kind of got a two-for-one, interpreter and guide. This took up my afternoon, but I really enjoyed helping and actually being able to use sign language again.
The lady from the Admissions Office had me come see her afterwards. She apologized that she couldn't pay me, because I'm a Graduate Assistant and I technically can't have another job on campus. I did get a free lunch and she gave me a free hat, t-shirt, Bucky the Beaver Bobblehead (adorable) and she paid my parking ticket. *cough* I thought she wanted me for a few minutes, not realizing I'd be there for the entire day and uhm yeah... meters run out.
In any case...
Yay!
Fun.
Educational.
ASL.
Nice people.
Bobblehead!
Now let me just clarify – I am not an interpreter. I don't know enough sign language and I've never been trained. I do know "conversational" ASL and can hold my own, but there's so much I don't know.
They were in a fix and needed someone "right now," so I told them I'd help. I did my best. The family was really nice and they kind of got a two-for-one, interpreter and guide. This took up my afternoon, but I really enjoyed helping and actually being able to use sign language again.
The lady from the Admissions Office had me come see her afterwards. She apologized that she couldn't pay me, because I'm a Graduate Assistant and I technically can't have another job on campus. I did get a free lunch and she gave me a free hat, t-shirt, Bucky the Beaver Bobblehead (adorable) and she paid my parking ticket. *cough* I thought she wanted me for a few minutes, not realizing I'd be there for the entire day and uhm yeah... meters run out.
In any case...
Yay!
Fun.
Educational.
ASL.
Nice people.
Bobblehead!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Farewell Bowling for Beavers
Last night was our last night of league bowling.
So sad.
We went out to Applebee's afterwards for our end-of-the-year party. It seemed like everyone had a good time and we won three out of four games. I bowled my third highest score ever (158) and overall I bowled 17 points above my average for the series.
Yay!
A good way to close out the year, but I will REALLY miss bowling with my team.
So sad.
We went out to Applebee's afterwards for our end-of-the-year party. It seemed like everyone had a good time and we won three out of four games. I bowled my third highest score ever (158) and overall I bowled 17 points above my average for the series.
Yay!
A good way to close out the year, but I will REALLY miss bowling with my team.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Celebration...
I just finished my first complete draft of my paper.
Yay! is a major understatement.
I'll turn it in to my adviser on Monday and see what edits she has for me, but wow.
Wow!
*deep breath*
Tomorrow morning Aya and I are going to brunch and then tomorrow night is the (rescheduled) last night of bowling and our end-of-the-year bowling party. Now I REALLY have something to celebrate.
Yay! is a major understatement.
I'll turn it in to my adviser on Monday and see what edits she has for me, but wow.
Wow!
*deep breath*
Tomorrow morning Aya and I are going to brunch and then tomorrow night is the (rescheduled) last night of bowling and our end-of-the-year bowling party. Now I REALLY have something to celebrate.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
To do:
*Syllabi for UB classes
*Edit Master's Research Paper
*Defend paper
*Written Exam
*Send final copy of paper to participants
*Graduation
*Make reservation for Sheba
*Visit new school
*Find an apartment
*Move to Colorado
*Lesson plans for next school year
*Remember to breath
*Remind self that everything will work out fine
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
It's a small world afterall
So last week I talked to a lady at my new job whose husband is from this town and she went to school at this university for one year.
Today I was speaking with a professor here and his wife taught in my new job's school district. He called her up and she gave me some pointers about that area.
Today I was speaking with a professor here and his wife taught in my new job's school district. He called her up and she gave me some pointers about that area.
Indiana Jones
Ooooo I'm trying something new. Adding a "widget" to my blog - by using a completely different website.
FYI: I am SOOOO excited for the new Indiana Jones movie. Not that I expect it to be the best movie ever made, I've just been hearing about it since... oh... well I was still in Texas. And I mean really, Harrison Ford. Nuff said.
Plus I've been pretty impressed with Shia's stuff lately and they've brought back Karen Allen (from the first movie).
Let the countdown begin.
FYI: I am SOOOO excited for the new Indiana Jones movie. Not that I expect it to be the best movie ever made, I've just been hearing about it since... oh... well I was still in Texas. And I mean really, Harrison Ford. Nuff said.
Plus I've been pretty impressed with Shia's stuff lately and they've brought back Karen Allen (from the first movie).
Let the countdown begin.
And I'm really excited about the new LEGO Indiana Jones game.
I LOVE the LEGO Star Wars games.
Foggy
Last night we tied for 6th place at trivia.
Ouch.
They had an entire round devoted to fashion.
/sigh
Not our night.
And there was a MAJOR fog over the lake this morning. Couldn't see the other shore.
I love that. It's so mysterious and a little creepy...
Wish I'd had my camera.
Ouch.
They had an entire round devoted to fashion.
/sigh
Not our night.
And there was a MAJOR fog over the lake this morning. Couldn't see the other shore.
I love that. It's so mysterious and a little creepy...
Wish I'd had my camera.
Monday, April 07, 2008
The Mohawk
What do you do when it snows and snows and snows?
How do you keep your sense of humor when you have to remove this much snow from your car?
Well...
How do you keep your sense of humor when you have to remove this much snow from your car?
Well...
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Bowling is... canceled?
Seriously?
Seriously.
Tonight was supposed to be the last night of league, instead they canceled tonight and we'll bowl next Sunday instead. There's a LOT of snow. A lot - a lot. I've been in league for 3 years and this is the first time they've canceled.
Ah well. I'll have one more night of bowling and our end-of-the-year party to look forward to next week.
Yay snow!
Seriously.
Tonight was supposed to be the last night of league, instead they canceled tonight and we'll bowl next Sunday instead. There's a LOT of snow. A lot - a lot. I've been in league for 3 years and this is the first time they've canceled.
Ah well. I'll have one more night of bowling and our end-of-the-year party to look forward to next week.
Yay snow!
April 6, 2008
It started snowing last night and it hasn't stopped.
I love it!
And I made my first snowman... all on my own. He's kinda short and stuff... It's cold out there!
I love it!
And I made my first snowman... all on my own. He's kinda short and stuff... It's cold out there!
Question
If you live in northern Minnesota (like an hour from Canada), why do you complain when it snows?
I mean it's not like it doesn't snow in April and May EVERY year.
Seriously. Find the beauty people. Even when I'm sweating my socks off in July/August I can appreciate a beautiful day - the big blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and the wind blowing through the poplars. And the snow is just as beautiful. It gives everything a clean, crisp look and there's a stillness that happens when it's snowing heavily. I love it.
I've lived here for 7 years and people ALWAYS complain when we get another April/May snow - like they don't see it coming. The lake's still frozen people. You live in northern MN. It snows here.
*sigh*
I mean it's not like it doesn't snow in April and May EVERY year.
Seriously. Find the beauty people. Even when I'm sweating my socks off in July/August I can appreciate a beautiful day - the big blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and the wind blowing through the poplars. And the snow is just as beautiful. It gives everything a clean, crisp look and there's a stillness that happens when it's snowing heavily. I love it.
I've lived here for 7 years and people ALWAYS complain when we get another April/May snow - like they don't see it coming. The lake's still frozen people. You live in northern MN. It snows here.
*sigh*
Friday, April 04, 2008
The Future
So... I made my decision.
She gave me two weeks to decide, but it only took one.
I called the lady yesterday and told her I would love to work at her school. She said I just made her day!
Sweet!
So. That's it. The school board meets on the 15th to vote and make it official, but she says they won't turn me down. A couple of weeks after that I'll get a contract and Bob's your uncle!
Here are some pictures from my trip. Keep in mind I only had a day and a half of sunshine the entire week.
The town:
The school:
A nearby lake:
Aspen, CO:
Driving along I-70:
She gave me two weeks to decide, but it only took one.
I called the lady yesterday and told her I would love to work at her school. She said I just made her day!
Sweet!
So. That's it. The school board meets on the 15th to vote and make it official, but she says they won't turn me down. A couple of weeks after that I'll get a contract and Bob's your uncle!
Here are some pictures from my trip. Keep in mind I only had a day and a half of sunshine the entire week.
The town:
The school:
A nearby lake:
Aspen, CO:
Driving along I-70:
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The Wall & The Fair
So I went downtown to deposit my tax return (yay money) and I saw this big truck down by the lake and a bunch of guys setting up a wall. Apparently the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is in town for a few days. I'll definitely go down and check that out.
Also, the university is having a mini-career fair this afternoon. I stopped by at lunch to see what was what. Only the local school district is there, but there are lots of other businesses and law enforcement, etc. I talked to Career Services and thanked them for their help (they helped me find out about job fairs in other states). I also talked to the Alumni Office and found out what I need to do to keep receiving information about the university. Of course this also means frequent requests for money. LOL. Yeah like I've got any of that to spare.
Ah well.
Our first meeting for Upward Bound is this afternoon at 4pm. Excited to see some returning faces and about the new classes I'll be teaching for them. I'm still hunting for some Sci-fi and Fantasy short stories. If anyone has suggestions pleeeeease let me know?
I'm also working on my paper again. Gah. I feel like for large chunks of time that's ALL I've done. But then there's the two weeks when I couldn't even sit up, much less work on my paper. And of course the last week and a half I've been so focused on preparing for the job fair - and a good thing too! And the last couple of days was me freaking out about actually having a job offer so soon - and such an amazing offer at that.
So... back to working on my paper. I gave my advisor my 2nd chapter and she "loves it." That made me happy, to say the least. A big sigh of relief. I've finished the second chapter and now I'm working on the 3rd. I still need to go back and add to Ch. 1 and of course lots of editing. But I definitely have to get that sucker done! I need to hit the road Jack!
Oh and last night of bowling league this Sunday. We're having a little get-together afterwards to celebrate a fun-filled year of bowling. I'm SOOOO going to miss it. Though they do have a bowling alley just 15 minutes from my job offer... and they have league bowling... and one of the ladies at the school is on a league.
Did I mention the school has a 4-day school week? That definitely goes on the positives list.
Man.
For the past week or so my mind has been ALL OVER THE PLACE. In case you couldn't tell.
Also, the university is having a mini-career fair this afternoon. I stopped by at lunch to see what was what. Only the local school district is there, but there are lots of other businesses and law enforcement, etc. I talked to Career Services and thanked them for their help (they helped me find out about job fairs in other states). I also talked to the Alumni Office and found out what I need to do to keep receiving information about the university. Of course this also means frequent requests for money. LOL. Yeah like I've got any of that to spare.
Ah well.
Our first meeting for Upward Bound is this afternoon at 4pm. Excited to see some returning faces and about the new classes I'll be teaching for them. I'm still hunting for some Sci-fi and Fantasy short stories. If anyone has suggestions pleeeeease let me know?
I'm also working on my paper again. Gah. I feel like for large chunks of time that's ALL I've done. But then there's the two weeks when I couldn't even sit up, much less work on my paper. And of course the last week and a half I've been so focused on preparing for the job fair - and a good thing too! And the last couple of days was me freaking out about actually having a job offer so soon - and such an amazing offer at that.
So... back to working on my paper. I gave my advisor my 2nd chapter and she "loves it." That made me happy, to say the least. A big sigh of relief. I've finished the second chapter and now I'm working on the 3rd. I still need to go back and add to Ch. 1 and of course lots of editing. But I definitely have to get that sucker done! I need to hit the road Jack!
Oh and last night of bowling league this Sunday. We're having a little get-together afterwards to celebrate a fun-filled year of bowling. I'm SOOOO going to miss it. Though they do have a bowling alley just 15 minutes from my job offer... and they have league bowling... and one of the ladies at the school is on a league.
Did I mention the school has a 4-day school week? That definitely goes on the positives list.
Man.
For the past week or so my mind has been ALL OVER THE PLACE. In case you couldn't tell.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Talking
I've been talking to people. Lots of people.
Mostly faculty and staff in the Education Dept.
What they've had to say has been all support, good advice and lots of faith that I'll make the right decision.
I ran the numbers for the cost of living vs my income and included my student loans. I'll be able to pay all my bills, but won't have any extra money. Hey, it beats now where I don't even make enough to pay my basic bills. The only reason I've survived is because Mom and Dad have been helping me out.
So... I'm feeling pretty good about the offer and I've found out there's actually a lot to do in that area: horseback riding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, bowling, book club, summer job opportunities, three lakes, Rocky Mountain National Park, skiing (if I get over my fear), walking trails, and more.
I'm not stressing anymore. I'm taking some excellent advice and taking the time to enjoy the offer. It really is an amazing offer and I'm unbelievably luck to have it.
Yay me!
In other news... Last night I went to trivia and we got 2nd place! That was SO exciting. We missed out on first place by 1 point. My Texas History (and genealogy) actually came in handy last night when they asked who was elected governor of TN in 1827 and governor of Texas in 1859. That would by my 7th cousin, Mr. Sam Houston.
And my job offer has led to another offer... We have some family friends who own an alpaca ranch - the one we went to over Christmas break. Victory Ranch is in Mora, New Mexico. That's about a 6 or 7 hour drive from where my job offer is and the people at the ranch have given me an open invitation to come and stay with them anytime I'd like. I can't think of a more relaxing place to go. The people are wonderful, Victory Ranch is up in the mountains, and their alpacas are the sweetest animals. I think I'll have to take them up on that offer!
Mostly faculty and staff in the Education Dept.
What they've had to say has been all support, good advice and lots of faith that I'll make the right decision.
I ran the numbers for the cost of living vs my income and included my student loans. I'll be able to pay all my bills, but won't have any extra money. Hey, it beats now where I don't even make enough to pay my basic bills. The only reason I've survived is because Mom and Dad have been helping me out.
So... I'm feeling pretty good about the offer and I've found out there's actually a lot to do in that area: horseback riding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, bowling, book club, summer job opportunities, three lakes, Rocky Mountain National Park, skiing (if I get over my fear), walking trails, and more.
I'm not stressing anymore. I'm taking some excellent advice and taking the time to enjoy the offer. It really is an amazing offer and I'm unbelievably luck to have it.
Yay me!
In other news... Last night I went to trivia and we got 2nd place! That was SO exciting. We missed out on first place by 1 point. My Texas History (and genealogy) actually came in handy last night when they asked who was elected governor of TN in 1827 and governor of Texas in 1859. That would by my 7th cousin, Mr. Sam Houston.
And my job offer has led to another offer... We have some family friends who own an alpaca ranch - the one we went to over Christmas break. Victory Ranch is in Mora, New Mexico. That's about a 6 or 7 hour drive from where my job offer is and the people at the ranch have given me an open invitation to come and stay with them anytime I'd like. I can't think of a more relaxing place to go. The people are wonderful, Victory Ranch is up in the mountains, and their alpacas are the sweetest animals. I think I'll have to take them up on that offer!
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