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July 30, 2006
School - OVER
Got my essays back, A+
Got my course grade (Women in Literature): A
Next up on August 23:
Spanish
Women in US History
Writing Skills
The Short Story
Posted by Pischina at 8:38 PM
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July 29, 2006
12 hours into summer vacation...
...and I'm bored again.
I finished my essay in 90 minutes, turned both of them in an hour early, and now school is over. My AA diploma should now be on its way.
I have until August 23 to enjoy summer vacation... and I'm bored silly already.
I do have books coming from Amazon that are taking freakin forever to arrived. No movies to watch, no good TV on, my books are pretty much all read... We may just have to go somewhere today.
OH, also, it looks like one tuition payment finally came out of my account sometime after 1:30am (when I went to bed). And my paycheck arrived also. So we're all okay with that now, and I supposed that second tuition payment will come out eventually - but at least there's money in there now! I only owe $1000 more for tuition, paid over 3 months. Then I have $450 in books to buy. And $192 for a parking pass. Heh.
College is expensive.
Posted by Pischina at 12:13 PM
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LOTS of prayers needed
Oh poor Uncle Bob. My heart breaks again.
Posted by Pischina at 10:16 AM
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July 28, 2006
Maybe someone else is paying my tuition, heh
So... the school website where all our information is given to us says both my tuition payments have been posted.
Except... No money has come out of my account.
One payment supposedly got paid Wednesday, the second one today. It would definitely be showing on my online banking.
Um... well, at least it's "paid".
???
Posted by Pischina at 9:25 PM
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Last day of school. Finals due.
I've got some sort of... not a death wish, but a wish to fail? (oh hardly!) A challenge to fail? A challenge to get an A without starting an essay until the last minute?
I finished one essay yesterday, well it's 99% finished. And now I have 2 hours 45 minutes to knock out the second one.... haven't quite started it yet.
Okay.... I'll start it now. After I check the Big Brother recaps one more time.
Posted by Pischina at 9:11 PM
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July 27, 2006
Megs!!
Omigod, I got to meet Megs!!!!
The only bad part was that I could only have an hour with her. That's just too little time.
My first impression: She's so LITTLE. I was wearing heels, but still.... she's tiny.
And her hair is not red (Scandalous!) It's light brown with blonde streaks.
You know what? She wasn't wearing red lipstick like she does in so many pictures, I bet that's what made her look so different to me.
But she's definitely tiny.
And sweet. And cute. And so very nice and friendly and... I wish I could have had more time. It always takes a while to get used to the thought that the two dimensional person you've known over the internet - for over six years we've known every move, life decision and secret thought - and suddenly that person is three dimensional and moving right in front of you with sound even. It takes a while to get that two dimensional person into your three dimensional reality. And then it was all over, time was up.
I loved her. She's sweet and adorable and so pretty and so tiny. I hope she comes back soon so we can actually DO something together. I'm sad that we only had an hour.
Posted by Pischina at 9:37 PM
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Also...
Speaking of school, tuition was supposed to come out of my account yesterday, and though I got an email that said it was done, nothing has come out of the account. There's supposed to be two different payments, and I have EXACTLY the amount of the first one, the second one is supposed to come out today (but of course, not yet).
So, the first one will go through, the second one I'm stressing hard enough about to NEED a drink at the bar today, hoping our paychecks actually go through tonight OR that the second payment will get delayed like the first.
Of course, with Wells Fargo, I can count on them to put the checks through 5 minutes before my paycheck arrives, decline the checks and send back, and then post my paychecks. I can always rely on them to screw things up as much as possible. So I really should just stop stressing and figure I'll be re-registering for classes on Monday.
Heh.
Crossing my fingers that they'll just delay one single day so my paycheck can get in first.
Posted by Pischina at 3:34 PM
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*yawwwwwn*
It's been a slow couple weeks at work, and it felt really good today to come in and get some things done and accomplished, after being given some goals to work on. But then I did most of them and there's no work coming in and I'm tired of thinking about essays and zzzzzzzzzzz....
A lot of my goals involve contacting people who all seem to be on vacation this week, so I suppose next week will be better. And of course tomorrow I have the day off to pick Buffy up from camp and go to the beach. A good day to have off since there's probably going to be zero work to do.
But today after work I get to go meet... Megs! Yeppers, at 5pm we'll be at the bar at the Hyatt. Of course, I'll be drinking water cuz I still have to write that essay, but it will be nice to finally meet one of my webmasters, designer and caretaker of this blog. (I've already met Shanni who did the journal and who I adore). It will be really, really nice to meet Megs, one of my first friends here. We've both come a long way since we first met online.
And with that I look for more work to do.
Posted by Pischina at 3:26 PM
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Vacation coming up!
Right on time, just as promised, Scott is taking me to a bed & breakfast next month in Monterey.
The Pacific Grove Inn
If you scroll down on this page, we're in the Floyd L. Tuttle Room.
We'll be gone August 20-22, and then I start school the next day. It's right near Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf and all that fun stuff. Yayyyy, I like these vacations!
Posted by Pischina at 9:46 AM
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July 26, 2006
Rockstar: Supernova! ...and... Big Brother!
It's FINALLY cooled down here, I'm feeling better, and I have not one but TWO final essays due by Friday so you know what that means...
It's time to talk Television! (If you thought I would be typing up an essay, you don't read this blog much)
Before I talk Rockstar though, let me clarify that I do not listen to this kind of music. I have never ever owned a CD by Motley Crue or Guns & Roses, I hate Metallica, and I didn't know enough about Dave Navarro to even know that he played an instrument. But I still love the show.
What sells it for me IS Dave, Gilby, Tommy and Jason. I really love those guys, and I especially love Dave Navarro (Dave, call me, Honey). Yes, Tommy is an immature "douchebag" (per Murphy) but he reminds me of someone I used to love very much. And yes, my love was an immature douchebag too, but I loved him just the same. So anyway, I love those guys, and they love music and it shows. They can also speak in full sentences (well, Tommy has trouble sometimes, but he's HOT so he's excused) and complete, intelligent thoughts. Brooke Burke doesn't even bother me in the slightest.
That said, after clarifying that I don't listen to metal, hard rock, much classic rock, or much of anything with the word "rock" in it unless it's preceded by "pop", let me also say that I do know when people are singing off key. I do know when people are lame (Dana) or frickin DORKs (PHIL). And I do not understand why some of these guys think that arguing with their prospective employers is a good idea.
My favorite? Dilana by far. I think she is head and tails and piercings and razor blades above anyone else there and delivers a complete, professional performance every single time. Would I buy her album? No. But I think she's the best.
The worst?
WHAT THE HELL IS ZAYRA STILL DOING THERE??? I don't even know what to say after that blue plastic performance the other day. Did Supernova say they were looking for an epileptic? She can't get through one song without getting out of breath, she CAN'T SING, she definitely can't dance and she's CLUELESS.
Girl, if Supernova tell you you suck every week, and you end up in the bottom three every week, you CANNOT ARGUE THAT YOU WERE GOOD AND WE ARE ALL WRONG.
*****
Big Brother!
Okay, my biggest complaint is every time there is any All Star show the entire thing becomes only about the scheming. There is no time to get to know anyone, there is just scheming. And since I didn't see Season 5 or 6 I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know half the cast.
That said, Janelle is growing on me, but I still don't think she's as smart as she's given credit for. I think she is smart enough to use what she's got, and there's nothing wrong with that, but superintelligent she's not. Most beloved player? Whatever with a capital W.
James is a weenie and Kaysar is hot but not bright. Chicken George is no longer getting on my nerves and I'm glad he won Veto. I didn't know what to think about Jase, but he's becoming more clear and I hope he goes home this week.
I find Howie the most interesting. I have waivered between hating him and loving him. In real life I could like him from a distance but wouldn't be able to spend much time with him close up, heh.
Will / Boogie. Will is growing on me like a fungus, just like he did in Season 2. Boogie needs to go back to the swamp he crawled out of. And if you think he's cool or sweet or anything but scummy you haven't been watching the live feeds or reading the live feed recaps. He's disgusting.
My vote to win: Will. Yes. Again.
*****
And now maybe I'll write my essays.
Posted by Pischina at 8:46 PM
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Buffy at Camp
So Buffy went to church camp on Sunday and invited her friend (a male) along. He's a sweet boy and was concerned that he wouldn't make friends, even though I assured him I thought he would fit right in with that crowd.
Today was their beach trip and Mark was able to get reception on his cell phone, so he let Buffy call me. She said Mark is having so much fun he doesn't even hang out with her. And she's having a ton of fun too. That makes me happy.
She comes back on Friday. I have the day off and we're all going to the beach. Sunday Spike and his friend go to camp for a week. Ahhhh... more peace and quiet in the house.
Posted by Pischina at 12:49 PM
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July 25, 2006
Next on my list: The Eyre Affair
I have read 13 books and 4 plays since summer started. I think that's pretty good, eh?
Posted by Pischina at 12:57 PM
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July 22, 2006
Lady in the Water
Saw Lady in the Water today and we LOVED it. Clerks it's not, but that's comparing apples and ....Twinkies. Anyway, I loved it - it's not the horror movie the previews want you to believe, but instead it's a huge mythological mystery. Really awesome.
And it's fucking hot here in Aptos. As hot as San Jose. I told Scott I want my money back, I come here for peace and quiet and coolness, and I got gypped. Weather.com says it's 85 degrees here, I call foul, it's in the 90's at least.
Also, I've lost so much weight my shorts are hanging below my hips. In theory that's great, but it leaves me with nothing to wear this weekend except a) pants (NOT!) or b) shorts that I have to hang on to as I walk.
Such problems, eh? Summer class ends Friday. Then I get a month off before University starts. Yayyyy!
Posted by Pischina at 4:50 PM
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July 21, 2006
Clerks II = Awesome
Well.
It's not for the masses, that's for sure.
It's very Clerks-like, lots of monologue-y scenes.
It has very, very inappropriate discussions -
--- that will have you rolling on the floor.
It begins awesomely, it ends super-awesomely.
I loved it, the kids loved it, Spike saw it three times today, I'll be seeing it again.
If you like Kevin Smith, DEFINITELY go see it.
If you don't like Kevin Smith, DEFINITELY do NOT go see it.
If you've never seen a Kevin Smith movie, you just won't enjoy it as much.
I super loved it. It won't be a hit, because it's just too Clerks-like, and Clerks is not a movie for the masses. But Kevin had to have known this when he made the sequel, and chose to make a satisfying movie aimed at his fans.
Bravo, Kevin Smith.
Posted by Pischina at 9:54 PM
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It's Kevin Smith Day
Nothing going on today, working working, school school, blah blah blah...
But I'm getting off early to take the kids to.... CLERKS II!
Snootchie Bootchiessssss!
Posted by Pischina at 10:24 AM
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July 18, 2006
Update:
Just say yes to drugs.
Found the pain killers and they worked WONDERS.
So now I feel ALL better and am happily working away.
I just hope I don't have to keep taking them for very long.
Posted by Pischina at 8:53 AM
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Make it STOPPPPP.
I'm at work, I feel good, no more sick, but MY BACK IS KILLING ME, it's just relentless, and I'm kind of beyond crying about it now, if it doesn't stop hurting soon I'm going to start yelling instead.
I gotta go find some pain killers in the First Aid thing. I'll be back.
Posted by Pischina at 7:37 AM
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July 17, 2006
better?
Okay, as of right now, I am actually feeling a little better, and things are not throbbing so much. So that's good.
Posted by Pischina at 1:28 PM
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Father of the year he's not
oh yeah, in case I forget, or in case anyone thinks the EX is some fantastic sort of father...
Buffy told me that at swim finals, he told her there was no heaven and no hell and when people died they just winked out and were gone forever.
Buffy's friend confirmed to me that he made Buffy cry, and the friend started crying too because she was so sad for Buffy. And of course, the EX had no idea what he had done.
WHAT kind of monster would do that to their children??? The kind that has no brain, and no feelings, and no soul, and this is an example of the stuff he put me through when we were married. I see him fooling so many people at the pool, but when i comes down to it, he's just a stupid monster pretending to be human.
Posted by Pischina at 10:52 AM
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.
I'm better, i'm here at wrok, my hips and right knee and lower back are KILLING me but I'm here. I want to go home but I'm sick of being in bed and the house is hot and I just thought it would be better here but it's not.
Posted by Pischina at 8:19 AM
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July 15, 2006
still sick
missed swim finsls
our team won
its char's birthday today,happy birthdya charleen!!!!1
still sick, head is clearer but I cant stay awak and everything really hurts.
since thursday at lunch i have onlyu had one jamba juice
everything i try to eat tastes so bad
its the weight loss sickness, woooo.
okay me go sleep now.
Posted by Pischina at 10:45 PM
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July 14, 2006
Blah.
I have been very very sick for two complete days now and I have a midterm essay due at midnight and I just can't do it. I don't remember ever being this sick since I had that eColi poisoning. Tomorrow I go to the hospital if I'm not better. I'm going to miss swim finals. :-(
I don't know what's wrong, I've never been SO sick for so long. Last night I came home and fell on the bed and sweated off the fever. This morning I thought I was getting better but couldn't eat anything and then got worse and worse the rest of the day. Finally I made myself go to jamba juice (even though I couldn't barely see and was dizzy) and after a few drinks I feel at least awake. So I'm going to try to write my essay (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA) and then turn it in and go back to bed. I'm going to be really really sad if I miss swim finals tomorrow.
Posted by Pischina at 7:00 PM
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July 12, 2006
Rockstar: SuperNova
I haven't had time to write here because I have a midterm essay due on Friday, but I gotta say that I fucking hate Zayra. And Chris had no chance of winning this, but ya gotta love him anyway. Zayra and Jill have got to go soon.
Especially Zayra, please, cuz I can't take much more of her singing.
Posted by Pischina at 8:53 PM
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Dork.
Omigod, I just realized I have my shirt on backwards. At work.
Posted by Pischina at 9:44 AM
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July 9, 2006
Getting through school
So this week's assignments are to read "Story of an Hour", "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "Shakespeare's Sister" and answer discussion questions. Also, turn in another essay on Friday.
This morning I read "Story of an Hour" and "The Yellow Wallpaper", and answered the questions already. I also submitted my thesis for my essay, AND am almost done with the book for the following week, "The Bluest Eye".
This leaves me plenty of time to play The Sims! WOOOO!
And Buffy comes home from Arizona tonight!
And that is all that is going on right now.
Posted by Pischina at 11:26 AM
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July 7, 2006
Good surprise
It looks like my books for the semester will cost $327, which isn't bad for 14 units. I've paid more at community college for less units. Well, one class didn't have any books listed, so I'm not sure what that means. So it may be more. The great thing about english majors is most of your books are actual books, not textbooks, which saves at least 60% in my experience. Half of my book cost was for Spanish - the textbook, workbook, audiotapes, and a lab book or somethng. The rest are stories, and it looks like a good semester: Gogol, Poe, Chekov, Hemingway, Chopin, etc. I love short stories!!!
Posted by Pischina at 3:43 PM
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Nobody die of surprise now...
I got my essay back.
I got an A...
MINUS.
Hahahahaha, what a slacker I am this summer!
Posted by Pischina at 3:06 PM
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Rockstar: Supernova
Okay, this post is for Murphy.
:-D
I really love this show, it's so REFRESHING to see this show after the mind-numbing boringness of American Idol, which I refused to watch this season. Rockstar has some truly great singers - and some not so great, but nothing as bad as American Idol. I'm not even that big on this kind of music (I know, Blasphemy!) but I am truly enjoying the show. I love the guys from Guns & Roses and Metallica, and Tommy Lee is HOT, and he's always been HOT. I have never ever heard Dave Navarro speak before, and I was really impressed with him. I like him a lot.
My very very favorite singer is Dilana (?) so far, she is awesome.
As for the bottom three last night.... Duran Duran? After f-ing Tommy Lee TELLS you to BRING the ROCK? You bring Duran Duran? Idiot.
Posted by Pischina at 8:01 AM
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Janelle from Big Brother
Okay so I've been hearing a lot of reviews stating that Janelle HAD to be in the All-Star Big Brother because she's so cool, and so smart, and so conniving.
I didn't see that last night. I thought she was incredibly... ...GROSS. But I only saw a few minutes of her. So if anyone else saw her in her season, could you please explain her appeal? I mean, if she truly is smart, then hats off to her, I would love to see a smart, evil, conniving fake blonde on the show, that would be great. But that's not what I saw last night.
Anyone?
Also: I still want to see Allison and Will get together. I want to see Allison play Will. That would be SO great.
Posted by Pischina at 7:57 AM
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July 6, 2006
Oh Allison how I love thee!
Oh How I love Allison! Please let her stay in the house!
And yes Allison, Yes, take Janelle by her fake hair and her fake boobs and drown her in the pool!
Ah yes, this is the quality entertainment I have been missing the last two years!
Posted by Pischina at 8:57 PM
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Many years ago...
Do ya'll realize that when the first Big Brother was on, I had just started writing my journal? I used to write about it all the time. I think I deleted most of those entries - cuz they were stupid, haha - but it is funny to look back on it. It's about that time of year when I gotta write my anniversary entry.
Wow, a lot has changed since then, eh?
Posted by Pischina at 8:32 PM
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Big Brother
Okay, I missed Season 5 and 6 so I don't know who a lot of these people are...
The stupid blonde with the big boobs is... stupid.
Chicken George got on my last damn nerve the moment he opened his mouth.
Mike Boogie is a bigger dork than he was before.
And what happened to my beautiful, lovely, evil Dr. Will? His face has changed... he's WAXED HIS CHEST (*BARF*), he needs some SUN... and please oh please... put your shirt back on.
Marcellas... okay.
Danielle... whatever.
Erika I barely remember.
Allison I love. If she and Dr.Will got together this would be the best show ever.
Posted by Pischina at 8:22 PM
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bored bored bored
I'm so fricken bored. Essay is done and turned in, nothing due for ten days, The Sims won't load on the home computer and I don't have my laptop at home, nothing on TV, no assignments to read, blah blah blah.
The good thing is, it's summer time AND we have TV. And at 8pm Big Brother starts. And I haven't watched it in two years. I know, I know, no big loss, haha, but it's better than nothing.
And then Rockstar: Supernova comes on, and it was pretty good yesterday, I thought.
I guess I'll go watch People's Court and wait for Big Brother.
Blah blah blah.
Posted by Pischina at 7:29 PM
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$300 for Glasses
Response to Comments:
Yeah, in theory, $300 for an exam, glasses and contacts is not bad.
But:
My $300 was for 2 exams, glasses, NO contacts, and I already had glasses but just can't find them. So really it was a stupid $300 to spend because if I hadn't lost my glasses I wouldn't have had to pay anything.
In reality, I know this isn't a bad price, but it's always easier if everything you have to pay for is spread out a bit more and not all lumped into one month of bill paying. The good news is I get paid next week and we'll be back on top. So no worries! ...well, only for a few days anyway, haha.
Posted by Pischina at 7:31 AM
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July 5, 2006
"Much Ado About Dating" it's called
I just finished my essay for Women's Lit, and I just have to say, I really like it, haha.
Hope my teacher likes it too!
Oh, and I went back to the eye doctor today and got my contact lense exam done, and it so happened that my glasses were in too. Yayyy! Except Booooo for having to pay another $81. This whole insurance-covered thing has cost me $300 out of pocket. Again, Boooooo. I took my contact prescription and left, because I think it was Charleen who told me I can just go to Cosco to get it filled, or 1-800-Contacts, or whatever. But not until the 15th, because I am just about at negative money right now. Darn kids and their camps. And my glasses. And the maids. And water polo. Glad my tuition isn't due until after payday!
Oh yeah, SCHOOL! WHOOPEEEEE!
Posted by Pischina at 6:23 PM
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July 4, 2006
#%@$ !!!!
I fucking HATE the fourth of July.
Posted by Pischina at 9:36 PM
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More Jane Austen!
Just finished Pride and Prejudice today, and I absolutely LOVED it. It was just okay the first half, but then the second half I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Definitely a girl book though.
Posted by Pischina at 9:12 PM
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July 3, 2006
Where IS SHE!!!!
Anenigma profile - diary (new) - updated 21 days ago.
What the heck? And then I clicked to see if I missed an entry where she says she'll be back in a couple weeks and... IT'S PASSWORD PROTECTED????
WHAT THE F*** is up with that??
These things only happen for a reason, and I hope this reason isn't a bad one.
Posted by Pischina at 8:45 PM
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Payment - Check!
I just signed up for the automatic payment plan, so my tuition will come directly from my bank account in four monthly payments starting July 26. So no more worrying about that either.
WOOOO! One month and 20 days until school starts!
Posted by Pischina at 1:48 PM
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ON MY WAY!!!
Checking for my enrollment time every five minutes finally paid off as magically my enrollment opened up this morning and I just now registered for all my classes. I did have to take the 7:30am Spanish class, but I am much more awake in the morning than the afternoon, so I think this will be best. So my classes for next semester will be:
Spanish 1A Requirement for graduation
English 100W Major core class requirement
History of Women in the US Fills an Upper GE requirement
The Short Story Major Elective Requirement
So now my potential stroke has been replaced by an excitement induced heart attack I AM SO EXCITED. And relieved. The next step: Pay my fees by July 26, and I'll do that at next payday (July 15).
SOOOOOO excited, and SOOOOOO happy.
Posted by Pischina at 10:54 AM
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July 1, 2006
From a MySpace page...
"HoLa! mY NaMe iS aNdrEa. iYeA iM So ExCiTeD cAuSe I jUsT GrAdUaTeD FrOm HiGhScHoOl!! I'm NoW GoInG tO gO tO sAn JoSe StAtE. yEa SpArTaNs!!!!!"
NO. NO! Not at my school! You cannot go to my school if yOu tYpE LiKe tHiS.
I swear, when I get my Ph.D. and am Dean or President of the University or Queen or whatever, I'm banning anyone who types in their MySpace like that. BANNING.
Will it surprise you that under Favorite Books she says: "I DeFfInAtlY dOnT rEaD!!"
Well duh. I'm sure you'll go far in school.
Posted by Pischina at 11:43 PM
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That frappucchino wasn't enough I guess
I'm hungry. I just realized. Yeah, it's 10:43pm right now. But I gotta find something. Be right back.
Go read a book why don't you?
Posted by Pischina at 10:43 PM
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What I mean to say is, I Love You Scott!!
You know Carter from Trading Spaces? I have noticed that he often flirts with the girls on the show, and all I have to say is if he was in my house pulling that shit with me he'd find himself naked on the floor in about two minutes. I'm just saying.
Posted by Pischina at 10:39 PM
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Unconscious Mutterings
Unconscious Mutterings
- That ::
this?
- Fishbowl ::
goldfish
- Church ::
pastor retired, wah!
- All about ::
Eve
- Fist ::
nose
- Tagline ::
whatever.
- Agree ::
disagree
- Leak ::
drip
- Jessica ::
Alba
- Superman ::
Lois Lane
Okay, that was dumb. No wonder I stopped doing these things.
Posted by Pischina at 10:10 PM
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The Maids will be Happy
So remember those stacks and stacks of books I have all over the house? And remember those bookbcases from IKEA that I bought back in... oh I don't know, March or April? that have been sitting in their boxes in the living room ever since because I didn't have screws to anchor them to the wall?
Heh.
Anyway, I got the screws finally, and I actually used a power tool to screw one of the bookcases to the wall, and then I put together the other bookcase and anchored it to the wall, and then I PUT ALL THE BOOKS INTO THEM.
And do you know, even though I have a big bookcase jam-crammed with books already, these TWO new big bookcases are already jam-crammed with books too. And the living room is all picked up now! No more stacks of books all over the floor and on every flat surface!
Now the maids can vaccuum. And dust. And I don't want to hear anymore crap from them.
Hee.
Posted by Pischina at 9:04 PM
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Comments back:
Question from commenters:
How old would I be if I didn't get my Ph.D?
Which means I would have my Masters and be able to teach community college:
43-44, 45 tops allowing for unseen problems. Which is different from 50. BUT. I wouldn't necessarily be 50 either. If it took 8 years, I would be fifty. But if I can get through my BA in 2 years (probable), and get into UCSC, I think I can have my Ph.D. by 47. And I would get to teach my third year into the doctoral studies - at UCSC, required, so you can't really beat that.
I think I am really comfortable with this decision, it feels as right as the day I decided to go back to school. And it isn't like me to settle for less than what someone else can do, hence the old "Fear of Failing" title I used to have. And all I ever do, when I'm not stressing out about probate stuff, is think about school. I LOVE SCHOOL. To the point of ignoring everything else in my life - which is probably the definition of a doctoral student.
*****
ALSO, it seems that my example is FINALLY paying off with the kids. Buffy is suddenly intent on getting great grades through high school and going straight to SJSU (she refuses to go to community college- remember? it's "not a real college") and even Spike (who only failed two classes this semester) now thinks it would be pretty fantastic to be called Doctor Spike. And let me tell you, if wanting to be Doctor Spike only gets him through Community College or even graduated from high school, this will all be worth it.
:-D
Posted by Pischina at 8:53 PM
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Looking for the correct path
I began researching graduate studies for a Ph.D. last night, and was disheartened to see many sites doing all they could to discourage a student from going that path. The general consensus was a 5-8 year plan to finish, thereby leaving me around 50 years old before I finished. Is that an appropriate age to begin a new career?
But they also gave you a lot of other things to think about: Why do you want a Ph.D? Do you have a purpose for it or do you want it "just because"? Questions such as that. And my answers were always: Because I want to teach at a University, and I need the Ph.D. to do that. Which is the correct answer to continue.
I try to imagine myself teaching community college and always knowing in my head that I didn't go that extra step to do what I really wanted. I think it would haunt me forever. If you're going to go to school to do what you want, you should finish school to do what you want. Why do any of the work if you're going to settle?
So even though I was less enthusiastic than I was previously, I continued my research today. I narrowed my choices of schools to Berkeley, Stanford and UC Santa Cruz. I don't really want to go to Stanford even though it's the closest at 30 miles away. I was really leaning towards Berkeley. But at 50 miles away, it would make life a bit more difficult and probably put an end to my relationship with Scott. That relationship has suffered enough, and I need to decide if it will survive a doctoral candidacy.
Of course, with the kids gone, I could move in with Scott or at least in town - my plan anyway - and attend UCSC. So I looked closer at their program. And actually, it sounds like exactly what I would like. True to UCSC reputation, it gives you a lot of freedom, and pushes you to study in related fields also. There is a great deal of freedom in choosing your exact field of study, and with focuses such as "queer studies", "feminism", "race in America" etc., this is probably my dream school over any Yale or Harvard.
They only accept about 15 students a year for candidacy, so I will have to work hard, and getting all A's through my Bachelors will probably be necessary. Necessary and perfectly possible. Knowing ahead of time what I want will make it easier, as the Professors at SJSU are anxious to help students through to that path.
So now I am really happy and excited, and even more looking forward to my studies at SJSU. I know I just got out of community college last month, and haven't taken my first class at SJSU yet, but it's my way to look 15 steps ahead of the game. But it seems to me that that's the path to success, knowing what you want and having that goal in mind.
And who knows, maybe I'll be the first to write a doctoral thesis on online journal writing, haha. Who knows?
Posted by Pischina at 5:59 PM
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