So this will probably be the last time I post this year, because I just have not been that attached to the computer. Whenever I'm not in school, I tend to go nowhere near the computer for periods of time due to burnout.
Anyways, it's kind of hard to believe that 2007 is almost over. I mean, I look at 2008 coming and think about all kinds of things. Like, in less than a year, I'll be graduating from college.
Since I've been doing very little in the last few days, I thought I would do one of those 2007 in review things. With none other than the same survey I took abotu this time last year, just changing the years from 2006 to 2007
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? I actually finished a cross-stitch, I took 28 hours in college, I went to the South, I became a moderate, I decided to become an immunologist.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yes, I made last year's resolutions-to get straight A's. This year's will be challenging, but I am sure that with much effort, I will be successful, as I am in most things.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No-however, one of the ladies I work with may have given birth or at least before Tuesday
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? No countries, however I did leave Colorado for once, and went to Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Most of theose states I had been to-except Tennessee and Kentucky.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Comfort-the feeling that I've finally finished something with school, research, money.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I don't have one day etched in my memory from this year. I think it was very passive year.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Obviously, straight A's. But on top of that, being offered a position in Dr. Newell's lab this next year. Amazing.
9. What was your biggest failure? I actually really haven't failed on anythign this year--excpet maybe balancing my finances better.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? II got one cold-liek thing that I'm still fighting off.
11. What was the best thing you bought? vanilla lattes saved my life this year
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Erin does for doing very well her first semester of college in a tough environment in a place far far away.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Not really anyone.
14. Where did most of your money go? UCCS and Starbucks
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My grades, getting into a research lab.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? There's no song that really makes me think of a year, unless the song actually has the year in it.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:happier or sadder? I am much happier than last-I feel like I'm going somewhere in my life for probably hte first time.
thinner or fatter? a little thinner, not much though
richer or poorer? POORER
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Working, classes
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? That which I don't discuss
20. How will you be spending Christmas? It'll be pretty much my last one, I won't be celebrating it after I move out.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? No, I really have no interest in that
22. How many one-night stands? 0
23. What was your favorite TV program? Desperate Housewives won this year
24. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year? Actually, no.
25. What was the best book you read? I REALLY liked the book about Reconstruction that I read, Two Lives of Charlemagne, and The Armada.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? THE VIRGIN QUEEN SOUNDTRACK
27. What did you want and get? Direction
28. What did you want and not get? Money?
29. What was your favorite film of this year? I didn't see any of this year's films.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I think I did homework yet again on my birthday, and I finally turned the big 20
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I don't know-probably having financial security
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Long sleeves, long pants
33. What kept you sane? The constant pressure of school.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Well, even though she's dead, I absolutely love Audrey Hepburn-same as in 2006.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Probably Huckabee running for president-I absolutely despise the idea of a minister running for president religious figures belong in churches, not in the White House
36. Who did you miss? Not really anyone
37. Who was the best new person you met? Probably Carol, absolutely the most intelligent person I've ever met.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007? That with great effort and my constant drive to be successful, I can literally do anything--except give birth. I actually can lactate, but such a stimulation would have to be drug induced, and I really am not in the mood to lactate.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I'm Going Where My Heart Will Take Me....
Same as last year
I'm really hoping 2008 is just as good as 2007.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
So these last few days have come with very few updates, again for many reasons.
Earlier this week I pulled two all-nighters in a row attempting to finish everything for Christmas.
I actually got quite a lot this year, which I somewhat wonder why. I feel terrible that I can only spend maybe $40 on each of my family members, whereas my parents get me hundreds of dollars worth of stuff. It makes me quite sad that I cannot repay them in kind.
They're going to go to Ireland for their 25th wedding anniversary. Perhaps I can chip in for that. There are over 1000 dollars of theirs sitting aside in one of my accounts. I think I mentioned when I had like 100 dollars left in my name at the beginning of the semester, they put that money in my account without my permission. I opened a separate savings account and put their money in that, and right now it's at 1200 dollars, because I put about 190 in it.
My other accounts are not that great though- 14 dollars in checking, and 420 in savings. That will pretty much stay the same on Friday when I get paid, because I want to pay off my entire credit card bill, which right now, is about 200 dollars...probably more.
There is, however, amazing news. I only have to buy books for THREE classes this semester, one of which I am buying off a friend, one I just bought for 30 bucks (it would have been 65 at school), and another class which has not released the book list yet.
I started reading "The Armada" by Mattingly--it's no surprise to me why his work is one of the forefront books in study about the events leading up to and durign the war between England and Spain. I'm five chapters through it and I'm in awe at the information in it.
Earlier this week I pulled two all-nighters in a row attempting to finish everything for Christmas.
I actually got quite a lot this year, which I somewhat wonder why. I feel terrible that I can only spend maybe $40 on each of my family members, whereas my parents get me hundreds of dollars worth of stuff. It makes me quite sad that I cannot repay them in kind.
They're going to go to Ireland for their 25th wedding anniversary. Perhaps I can chip in for that. There are over 1000 dollars of theirs sitting aside in one of my accounts. I think I mentioned when I had like 100 dollars left in my name at the beginning of the semester, they put that money in my account without my permission. I opened a separate savings account and put their money in that, and right now it's at 1200 dollars, because I put about 190 in it.
My other accounts are not that great though- 14 dollars in checking, and 420 in savings. That will pretty much stay the same on Friday when I get paid, because I want to pay off my entire credit card bill, which right now, is about 200 dollars...probably more.
There is, however, amazing news. I only have to buy books for THREE classes this semester, one of which I am buying off a friend, one I just bought for 30 bucks (it would have been 65 at school), and another class which has not released the book list yet.
I started reading "The Armada" by Mattingly--it's no surprise to me why his work is one of the forefront books in study about the events leading up to and durign the war between England and Spain. I'm five chapters through it and I'm in awe at the information in it.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
So, I have not written in a week. For a whole lot of reasons really. Mostly valid ones.
1) Exhaustion. I was so worn out after the whole end of the semester thing that I've barely been on a computer in the last week.
2) Illness. I started to get sick on Friday, and then on Saturday, I totally and completely crashed. All day Sunday and most of Saturday I was in bed.
3) Sewing. At this point, I'm about 15% of the way done with my sister's tote bag and about 60% done with the cross stitch that I am working on.
4) Some combination of the previous three.
I did get some amazing news this week though. I got all A's again. This makes it 25 semesters in a row-almost 13 years. This is only semester grades-not quarter ones. Mainly because college's don't work that way.
I also finally got my GRE scores-I got an 800 (high is 990), which is pretty damn good for not studying a lot. I got the 96th percentile in Cellular and Molecular biology, 86th in ecology and evolution, and something like 69th in organismic. So I'm not very good in organismic, but my overall and cellular scores should make me pretty attractive to an immunology program somewhere. It's almost 12:30 AM, I should be going to bed.
I have a new years resolution ready. I hope that i can take it seriously.
1) Exhaustion. I was so worn out after the whole end of the semester thing that I've barely been on a computer in the last week.
2) Illness. I started to get sick on Friday, and then on Saturday, I totally and completely crashed. All day Sunday and most of Saturday I was in bed.
3) Sewing. At this point, I'm about 15% of the way done with my sister's tote bag and about 60% done with the cross stitch that I am working on.
4) Some combination of the previous three.
I did get some amazing news this week though. I got all A's again. This makes it 25 semesters in a row-almost 13 years. This is only semester grades-not quarter ones. Mainly because college's don't work that way.
I also finally got my GRE scores-I got an 800 (high is 990), which is pretty damn good for not studying a lot. I got the 96th percentile in Cellular and Molecular biology, 86th in ecology and evolution, and something like 69th in organismic. So I'm not very good in organismic, but my overall and cellular scores should make me pretty attractive to an immunology program somewhere. It's almost 12:30 AM, I should be going to bed.
I have a new years resolution ready. I hope that i can take it seriously.
Friday, December 14, 2007
La vie est belle
So my grades are actually starting to officially come in on my UCCS student information page, and combining these grades with the ones that I have on things like E-companion and WebCT, this is what I know I have: French, History, Spanish, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Physical Chemistry were all A's. I only need conformation from my two immunology classes before I know for sure what the heck my GPA is.
I'm in a Dreamgirls mode right now. Absolutely amazing movie and soundtrack. There are certain things about watching that movie, in combination with my Spanish class this semester, that make me partially ashamed of my history as a white person, and partially proud that I can be different from that legacy. Sure, pretty much everyone practices brutality, but white people for a hell of a long time in the new world were horrid racists and against poor people. When I went to the South last summer, the sting of racism is present everywhere. There's still very little racial mixing among blacks, whites, and hispanics, and while all three groups are now equally culpable for continuing the racial attitudes--I can't help but recall that it was white people that started this.
The only thing that I can do is resolve myself to never allow such attitudes to appear in my life. I know that I seem very reserved and anti-people in general, but there are a lot of things that I don't tolerate. Intolerance is something that is against my very basic morality. Discrimination in any form is this absolutely disgusting thing that needs to be quashed. That's how the West is different from the rest of the country. Our history is one of racial and gender inclusiveness, generally. We needed men and women to build the west-and our states were the first to allow women to vote and to have fundamental rights too. I think different racial backgrounds too have helped build this part of the country, especially hispanics (one of the reasons why I think that there has to be a better solution than throwing out all illegals and refusing their children-citizens in their own right-their rights) and asians. African-Americans are far less common here historically than the other two groups, but their contribution is no less significant.
Unfortunately, the West, especially Colorado, is intolerant of certain groups like homosexuals. Discrimination against them is just as bad as discrimination against races or sexes. Such is a reason why I am not opposed to homosexual marriage (Unlike pedophilia or bestiality, which has no element of mutual participation). I don't care about some religion's position on the issue. They can elect not to perform such ceremonies, but I don't think that homosexuals don't deserve to demonstrate their commitment to each other publicly (so long as it's not like public sex or some crap like that--goes for heteros too) or to adopt children. I'm sure that those kiddos in orphanages would far rather have someone in their lives who loves them-gay or straight-and cares for them than no one. Things like tax exemptions I don't think anyone should have, so that's not an issue for me.
But such principles are what our country was founded upon- on inclusiveness and rights. Sure, it's taken over 200 years for us to figure out that we actually need to practice inclusiveness, but we're going to get there. As the generations before us die out, so too I hope die things like discrimination. I hope that I can live to see the day when such things don't exist--but I know that will be long after my life is over.
Anyways, that was one rant for today.
I have been working on my cross-stitching over the last two days and I've gotten pretty far. I should be able to finish by Navidad. I think I'm going to get my sister a little giraffe book or video or something like that too. If there was some way I could get her backstage so to speak at the zoo and see what they do with the giraffes, that would be totally awesome. Maybe for her next birthday. That would be really nice.
So my savings account is going to be more than $400 for the first time since August. That's amazing. Plus, I'm down to $20 on my credit card. w00t.
SURVEY!!!!!
1] Who has your heart?? I have to admit it--immunology, history, and languages
2] How did you wake up this morning? Five times by an alarm, the six from sheer panic at being late.
3] Which is more romantic: sunrise or sunset? Sunsets. We all know what happens afterwards.
4] Are you wearing any non clothing items? Glasses...
5] What did you do last night? I sewed and did a little bit of video gaming
6] Who was the last person you hugged? I can't remember-I'm not a hugging person
9] Have you ever been on the radio? Back in like 5th grade. It was a snow day, and there was a radio show about World War II and the most important part about WWII, and everyone was saying Pearl Harbor and D-Day, and I called in and said that actually Midway was the most important battle because we desperately needed a victory and we basically destroyed the basis of the Japanese navy, all 4 of their biggest carriers.
10] What did you drink today? I've had some fizzy water and three cups of coffee
11] Do you like honey? Not in large amounts-I get a nasty sore throat when I have too much. Interesting fact about honey-it does not naturally decay. Any jar of honey that you have that is non contaminated will last FOREVER. Literally.
12] What's the last thing you broke? Records? For being amazing?
13] Do you know the date? Today
14] Where's the last place you went shopping, and with who,and When? Yesterday,at Michaels, alone.
15] Did you sing at all today? Yeah, I sang Listen off of Dreamgirls and Burnin' for You on the radio.
16] When was the last time you cried? Probably 5 years ago now.
17] How many letters are there in your last name? 7-6 consonants and 1 vowel. That's Germans for you.
18] When did you go swimming last? 7th grade?
19] Do you love anyone other than family? Not amorously. Friendship wise-yeah
21] How was your day? It's 8 AM, I'll tell you tomorrow.
22] Is your shirt dirty?I thought this said "is your shit dirty" I was going to be all-duh. But now, it says shirt. Which it's clean.
23] Do you live near your best friend? I don't really have one
24] Are you a Bon Jovi fan? Yes and no. They have some good songs, but I'm not going to buy anything of theirs. Nor am I going to change the radio station when they come on.
25] Are you scared of snakes? Not really. I respect the poisonous and deadly ones, but little guys like grass snakes are cool.
26] How do you like your meat cooked? I don't eat MEAT meat. I eat turkey, chicken, and fish-which I all like generally cleansed of food poisoning agents.
27] Can you play guitar? Air guitar
28] How do you walk? Like a biped?
29] What do you think of Fergie? I hate her version of Barracuda. She mutiliated Heart.
30] Do you read Kerrang? What is that?
31] Do you believe in love? Not really, actually. I don't think it's possible to completely trust anyone.
32] Have you seen Titanic? Maybe twice
33] Did it make you cry? No, I thought it was stupid.
34] What's the last TV show you watched? I watched the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special, mainly because I think the Schweti balls thing is jsut hilarious. I know its seriously dirty humor, but just cracks me up all to hell.
35] Do you like football? I have a love-hate relationship with it. It can be incredibly exciting, but I don't care to see 2/3 of the games, plus it's terribly distracting when I'm trying to work.
36] What eye color do you like? Blue and green.
37] Last place you went on a holiday? Ohio, Tennessee, and Missouri. Lots of fun, let me tell you.
38] What are you doing tomorrow? Seeing my sister, sewing, and sewing.
39] Where were you 5 hours ago? IN BED
40] What do you think of abortion? I think it's tragic that there are women who think so low of humanity that they would kill it. If you don't want to get pregnant, either don't have sex or use some goddamn birthcontrol.
41] Are you wearing socks right now? I always have socks on-feet are nasty-ass.
42] What are you wearing right now? thermal shirt, khakis, tennis shoes, socks, and boxers.
43] Who was the last person you talked on the phone with? I NEVER use a phone.
44] Have you bought any clothing items in the last week? I bought more socks and another thermal shirt yesterday for a total of $12 for both. Hot.
45] What is the last thing you purchased online? Probably my school books
Back to sewing and listening to AMAZING music.
I'm in a Dreamgirls mode right now. Absolutely amazing movie and soundtrack. There are certain things about watching that movie, in combination with my Spanish class this semester, that make me partially ashamed of my history as a white person, and partially proud that I can be different from that legacy. Sure, pretty much everyone practices brutality, but white people for a hell of a long time in the new world were horrid racists and against poor people. When I went to the South last summer, the sting of racism is present everywhere. There's still very little racial mixing among blacks, whites, and hispanics, and while all three groups are now equally culpable for continuing the racial attitudes--I can't help but recall that it was white people that started this.
The only thing that I can do is resolve myself to never allow such attitudes to appear in my life. I know that I seem very reserved and anti-people in general, but there are a lot of things that I don't tolerate. Intolerance is something that is against my very basic morality. Discrimination in any form is this absolutely disgusting thing that needs to be quashed. That's how the West is different from the rest of the country. Our history is one of racial and gender inclusiveness, generally. We needed men and women to build the west-and our states were the first to allow women to vote and to have fundamental rights too. I think different racial backgrounds too have helped build this part of the country, especially hispanics (one of the reasons why I think that there has to be a better solution than throwing out all illegals and refusing their children-citizens in their own right-their rights) and asians. African-Americans are far less common here historically than the other two groups, but their contribution is no less significant.
Unfortunately, the West, especially Colorado, is intolerant of certain groups like homosexuals. Discrimination against them is just as bad as discrimination against races or sexes. Such is a reason why I am not opposed to homosexual marriage (Unlike pedophilia or bestiality, which has no element of mutual participation). I don't care about some religion's position on the issue. They can elect not to perform such ceremonies, but I don't think that homosexuals don't deserve to demonstrate their commitment to each other publicly (so long as it's not like public sex or some crap like that--goes for heteros too) or to adopt children. I'm sure that those kiddos in orphanages would far rather have someone in their lives who loves them-gay or straight-and cares for them than no one. Things like tax exemptions I don't think anyone should have, so that's not an issue for me.
But such principles are what our country was founded upon- on inclusiveness and rights. Sure, it's taken over 200 years for us to figure out that we actually need to practice inclusiveness, but we're going to get there. As the generations before us die out, so too I hope die things like discrimination. I hope that I can live to see the day when such things don't exist--but I know that will be long after my life is over.
Anyways, that was one rant for today.
I have been working on my cross-stitching over the last two days and I've gotten pretty far. I should be able to finish by Navidad. I think I'm going to get my sister a little giraffe book or video or something like that too. If there was some way I could get her backstage so to speak at the zoo and see what they do with the giraffes, that would be totally awesome. Maybe for her next birthday. That would be really nice.
So my savings account is going to be more than $400 for the first time since August. That's amazing. Plus, I'm down to $20 on my credit card. w00t.
SURVEY!!!!!
1] Who has your heart?? I have to admit it--immunology, history, and languages
2] How did you wake up this morning? Five times by an alarm, the six from sheer panic at being late.
3] Which is more romantic: sunrise or sunset? Sunsets. We all know what happens afterwards.
4] Are you wearing any non clothing items? Glasses...
5] What did you do last night? I sewed and did a little bit of video gaming
6] Who was the last person you hugged? I can't remember-I'm not a hugging person
9] Have you ever been on the radio? Back in like 5th grade. It was a snow day, and there was a radio show about World War II and the most important part about WWII, and everyone was saying Pearl Harbor and D-Day, and I called in and said that actually Midway was the most important battle because we desperately needed a victory and we basically destroyed the basis of the Japanese navy, all 4 of their biggest carriers.
10] What did you drink today? I've had some fizzy water and three cups of coffee
11] Do you like honey? Not in large amounts-I get a nasty sore throat when I have too much. Interesting fact about honey-it does not naturally decay. Any jar of honey that you have that is non contaminated will last FOREVER. Literally.
12] What's the last thing you broke? Records? For being amazing?
13] Do you know the date? Today
14] Where's the last place you went shopping, and with who,and When? Yesterday,at Michaels, alone.
15] Did you sing at all today? Yeah, I sang Listen off of Dreamgirls and Burnin' for You on the radio.
16] When was the last time you cried? Probably 5 years ago now.
17] How many letters are there in your last name? 7-6 consonants and 1 vowel. That's Germans for you.
18] When did you go swimming last? 7th grade?
19] Do you love anyone other than family? Not amorously. Friendship wise-yeah
21] How was your day? It's 8 AM, I'll tell you tomorrow.
22] Is your shirt dirty?I thought this said "is your shit dirty" I was going to be all-duh. But now, it says shirt. Which it's clean.
23] Do you live near your best friend? I don't really have one
24] Are you a Bon Jovi fan? Yes and no. They have some good songs, but I'm not going to buy anything of theirs. Nor am I going to change the radio station when they come on.
25] Are you scared of snakes? Not really. I respect the poisonous and deadly ones, but little guys like grass snakes are cool.
26] How do you like your meat cooked? I don't eat MEAT meat. I eat turkey, chicken, and fish-which I all like generally cleansed of food poisoning agents.
27] Can you play guitar? Air guitar
28] How do you walk? Like a biped?
29] What do you think of Fergie? I hate her version of Barracuda. She mutiliated Heart.
30] Do you read Kerrang? What is that?
31] Do you believe in love? Not really, actually. I don't think it's possible to completely trust anyone.
32] Have you seen Titanic? Maybe twice
33] Did it make you cry? No, I thought it was stupid.
34] What's the last TV show you watched? I watched the Saturday Night Live Christmas Special, mainly because I think the Schweti balls thing is jsut hilarious. I know its seriously dirty humor, but just cracks me up all to hell.
35] Do you like football? I have a love-hate relationship with it. It can be incredibly exciting, but I don't care to see 2/3 of the games, plus it's terribly distracting when I'm trying to work.
36] What eye color do you like? Blue and green.
37] Last place you went on a holiday? Ohio, Tennessee, and Missouri. Lots of fun, let me tell you.
38] What are you doing tomorrow? Seeing my sister, sewing, and sewing.
39] Where were you 5 hours ago? IN BED
40] What do you think of abortion? I think it's tragic that there are women who think so low of humanity that they would kill it. If you don't want to get pregnant, either don't have sex or use some goddamn birthcontrol.
41] Are you wearing socks right now? I always have socks on-feet are nasty-ass.
42] What are you wearing right now? thermal shirt, khakis, tennis shoes, socks, and boxers.
43] Who was the last person you talked on the phone with? I NEVER use a phone.
44] Have you bought any clothing items in the last week? I bought more socks and another thermal shirt yesterday for a total of $12 for both. Hot.
45] What is the last thing you purchased online? Probably my school books
Back to sewing and listening to AMAZING music.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
So long
That's how long it has been since I've made any kind of meaningful post that wasn't ten seconds of panic about finals, grades, etc.
So far, I have four grades that I know: biochem, history, genetics, and French were all A's, so that's great. I still have four more to find out about.
I'm pretty psyched up for these next five weeks. Five weeks of no school. That's freaking amazing. I have so many things that I am hoping to do, like the GRE, research on my philosophy thesis, cross-stitching, etc. etc. etc. that these weeks are going to be filled up.
I wish though that I could afford a break where I sit on my ass like someone lost in space or something like that, but unfortunately, such is not the case until at least this summer.
There are something like 4 hours left in this semester, which means I should have some kind of outstanding end planned, like going out to eat or something like that, but I am just so exhausted and broke that I really cannot afford such indulgences.
What I really could use right now, is a fat paycheck. Well, at least I get one on Friday.
SO CLOSE TO BEING DONE!!!
My sister comes home on Saturday. I've heard from her on the phone and on email and such, but I am kind of excited to actually see how her first semester of college is treating her. Something tells me that she's going to come home a different person than she came.
So far, I have four grades that I know: biochem, history, genetics, and French were all A's, so that's great. I still have four more to find out about.
I'm pretty psyched up for these next five weeks. Five weeks of no school. That's freaking amazing. I have so many things that I am hoping to do, like the GRE, research on my philosophy thesis, cross-stitching, etc. etc. etc. that these weeks are going to be filled up.
I wish though that I could afford a break where I sit on my ass like someone lost in space or something like that, but unfortunately, such is not the case until at least this summer.
There are something like 4 hours left in this semester, which means I should have some kind of outstanding end planned, like going out to eat or something like that, but I am just so exhausted and broke that I really cannot afford such indulgences.
What I really could use right now, is a fat paycheck. Well, at least I get one on Friday.
SO CLOSE TO BEING DONE!!!
My sister comes home on Saturday. I've heard from her on the phone and on email and such, but I am kind of excited to actually see how her first semester of college is treating her. Something tells me that she's going to come home a different person than she came.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Four days left.........
I am so close to being done-6 finals in three days, today being the one exception, of course, because it's Sunday. However, things don't seem to be too terrible, as I have been reviewing stuff for my finals tomorrow, and everything looks pretty good, surprisingly.
Heart is like one of those absolutely amazing, beyond compare groups. If they ever get back together and go on tour, you had better believe that I'm going to be buying a ticket for that concert. DAMN. They're hot.
So I got a 101% on my genetics test, so definite A.
I also got a 100% on my physical chemistry quiz, so that means I only need to get a 67% on this test to get an A.
This is what needs to be done this week on my finals for my basic success:
BIOL 481: 69.25%
CHEM 451: 67.25%
BIOL 409: 75.24%
HIST 411: 81.00%
BIOL 391: 86.57%
SPAN 425: 82.00%
I think I can do it, with just a little bit of effort, I can.
I do have to revel in the fact right now that I have 2 A's down pat.
Heart is like one of those absolutely amazing, beyond compare groups. If they ever get back together and go on tour, you had better believe that I'm going to be buying a ticket for that concert. DAMN. They're hot.
So I got a 101% on my genetics test, so definite A.
I also got a 100% on my physical chemistry quiz, so that means I only need to get a 67% on this test to get an A.
This is what needs to be done this week on my finals for my basic success:
BIOL 481: 69.25%
CHEM 451: 67.25%
BIOL 409: 75.24%
HIST 411: 81.00%
BIOL 391: 86.57%
SPAN 425: 82.00%
I think I can do it, with just a little bit of effort, I can.
I do have to revel in the fact right now that I have 2 A's down pat.
Friday, December 7, 2007
I hate physical chemistry right now. Fortunately in 72 hours...correction, like 80 hours, I'll be totally and completely done with P-Chem. For all of my life.
I have this quiz today that I think is going to chingarme.
I really don't want to use my drop on this quiz, because I really could use an A, by which I mean a 100%.
Within a week, I'll be completely and totally done with everything in my entire semester, looking forward to next.
My schedule for this winter break is jam packed already. I'm going to have to carefully orient myself towards ensuring that everything I need to get done gets done. For example, between Wednesday at 4:20 and Christmas, I have two sewing oriented things to finish, plus I have to figure out what I'm going to get my parents...I have no clue, really.
Then, once the festivites, which I frankly hate, are over, then it's time to study my ass off for the GRE, which I take on January 5. Once that's over, I have 17 days before school starts, and trust me, I'll be spending them working on my thesis for philosophy, getting a lot of research in, and hopefully starting to go through it.
I hate my philsoophy degree to be honest, but the fact that I'm so close to being done with it drives me towards finishing it. I have to get it done, mainly because I've told everyone in the universe that I am doing it.
I added another class onto my schedule, one with which I now get to finish my biology degree. So I'll have two of my majors done as well as my Spanish minor. Hot.
Il y a beaucoup de persones que me parlent, et je ne sais pas pourquoi. Ma vie n'est pas tres interestante.
I feel the need to escape. To be free of school and work and life and all of that stuff. I wish I could get away into the mountains for weeks, never to come down.
So, like I said, the stars are aligning for the research too. Well, I won't really be doing my own research, I'll be helping other peopel with their research, for part of my job, and the other part is to develop the skills necessary to teach lab technique, because next fall, I'm going to be heping out the Methods class that I'm in now, doing lab prep, helping them through it, etc. I don't know if I'll be an actual teacher, or just an assistant at that point, but basically, if the main prof. doesn't make it, I would be teaching the class.
They also said that this summer, I can work on independent research in their lab, so that would be amazing. I don't have to apply for internships or anything like that.
I really am going to need to get a head start on this upcoming semester as soon as this one is over. After I finish this quiz, there are only 6 things left to do: 5 finals and one oral.
I can handle it. I always have.
I have this quiz today that I think is going to chingarme.
I really don't want to use my drop on this quiz, because I really could use an A, by which I mean a 100%.
Within a week, I'll be completely and totally done with everything in my entire semester, looking forward to next.
My schedule for this winter break is jam packed already. I'm going to have to carefully orient myself towards ensuring that everything I need to get done gets done. For example, between Wednesday at 4:20 and Christmas, I have two sewing oriented things to finish, plus I have to figure out what I'm going to get my parents...I have no clue, really.
Then, once the festivites, which I frankly hate, are over, then it's time to study my ass off for the GRE, which I take on January 5. Once that's over, I have 17 days before school starts, and trust me, I'll be spending them working on my thesis for philosophy, getting a lot of research in, and hopefully starting to go through it.
I hate my philsoophy degree to be honest, but the fact that I'm so close to being done with it drives me towards finishing it. I have to get it done, mainly because I've told everyone in the universe that I am doing it.
I added another class onto my schedule, one with which I now get to finish my biology degree. So I'll have two of my majors done as well as my Spanish minor. Hot.
Il y a beaucoup de persones que me parlent, et je ne sais pas pourquoi. Ma vie n'est pas tres interestante.
I feel the need to escape. To be free of school and work and life and all of that stuff. I wish I could get away into the mountains for weeks, never to come down.
So, like I said, the stars are aligning for the research too. Well, I won't really be doing my own research, I'll be helping other peopel with their research, for part of my job, and the other part is to develop the skills necessary to teach lab technique, because next fall, I'm going to be heping out the Methods class that I'm in now, doing lab prep, helping them through it, etc. I don't know if I'll be an actual teacher, or just an assistant at that point, but basically, if the main prof. doesn't make it, I would be teaching the class.
They also said that this summer, I can work on independent research in their lab, so that would be amazing. I don't have to apply for internships or anything like that.
I really am going to need to get a head start on this upcoming semester as soon as this one is over. After I finish this quiz, there are only 6 things left to do: 5 finals and one oral.
I can handle it. I always have.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Finishing
I'm now done with yet another class...woot. So I'm basically down to 18ish hours. Tomorrow looks good for getting yet more work done-P-Chem quiz and probably everything for my Spanish oral for next Wednesday.
This weekend=STUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDY
Estoy en un cuarto donde el hombre trata de traerla a la cama. Bien comico.
By the way, BIOL 383=A
AND the most amazing fantastical news of the semester just came today: Ray's getting into a research lab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This weekend=STUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDYSTUDY
Estoy en un cuarto donde el hombre trata de traerla a la cama. Bien comico.
By the way, BIOL 383=A
AND the most amazing fantastical news of the semester just came today: Ray's getting into a research lab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
250 in 1 year
Yep folks, today is my 250th post, the 250th that I have made since starting this blog on the 5th of December one year ago. Which happens to be one year ago today.
So, I got my French final back last night: 85/80. WOOT! That means there's not a shred of doubt in the universe: FR 101=A.
Also, today's massive accomplishment involved turning in my Spanish final. That makes me massively happy, just to know that the paper's done. I still have to give a presentation next Wendesday about what I researched, but it's low key, so that's good.
I don't think I mentioned my history final prompt that I got on Tuesday. Basically, we have to write two 500 word essays. For a total of 1000 words that make up 100 points. That's 10 words/1 point.
Anyways, my massively awesome success on my last paper meant that I now only have to get an 81% on the final to get an A in the class. Since my lowest history grade so far has been a 97, I think this is easily attainable.
Things tend to be looking good right now for a massive A breakthrough. Tomorrow night should start things off in the science departments, as I have my genetics final, on which I only need a 30% to get an A in the class. Basically, I am not too worried. I've studied for the test, but I'm not putting too much effort into it. Friday is a P-chem quiz, one on which I would like to do REALLY well, so that the final doesn't have to be so life and death. If I get a 100% on this quiz on Friday, I only will need a 66% on the final to get an A in P-Chem.
Speaking of which, today was my last lecture for the rest of the semester in biochem, for the rest of my life in p-chem and latin american civ.
This break is already packed, I should mention. Aside from squeezing in time to meet with peoples, I also ahve a TON of sewing to do, and a massive amount of studying for the general GRE, then I need to seriously start doing research for my THESIS in philosophy.
I've kind of decided that I'm going to take a three pronged approach as to why the whole "scientific approach" that chemistry and physics have based in laws cannot possibly apply to biology. I'll be looking most specifically to ecology (which includes behavior and for some species a degree of consciousness potentially outside of material laws), immunology, of course, and some other unrelated branch not involving the two. Perhaps even evolution/genetics? Basically, what I'm going to say is that biology is really Hume's sort of dream science because there is no guarantee of causation. Biology is a very odd thing in that there's the whole random element. About 99% of the time in biology, you can explain how a mechanism is supposed to work, but in the end there is so much diversity that it's impossible to encompass everything. I think when I do some research, I should be getting better at this.
So I learned that next fall, Forensic Chemistry is being offered, which sounds really cool. Considering that I only have to take 10 hours next fall (I'll end up doing at least 14), my fall looks something like this:
FR 211: Intermediate French I
HIST 499: Senior Thesis
BIOL 401: Senior Seminar
CHEM 405: Environmental Analytical Chemistry (???)
CHEM 484: Molecular Biology (one of these two)
CHEM 388: Forensic Chemistry
That's all that I have to take. I may start my 5th language? I dunno. I would like to do some research though. That would be awesome. Maybe I can toss in some biol or hist electives.
I registered today. Woot.
In this moment, I must say that I think that fate is looking out for me.
So, I got my French final back last night: 85/80. WOOT! That means there's not a shred of doubt in the universe: FR 101=A.
Also, today's massive accomplishment involved turning in my Spanish final. That makes me massively happy, just to know that the paper's done. I still have to give a presentation next Wendesday about what I researched, but it's low key, so that's good.
I don't think I mentioned my history final prompt that I got on Tuesday. Basically, we have to write two 500 word essays. For a total of 1000 words that make up 100 points. That's 10 words/1 point.
Anyways, my massively awesome success on my last paper meant that I now only have to get an 81% on the final to get an A in the class. Since my lowest history grade so far has been a 97, I think this is easily attainable.
Things tend to be looking good right now for a massive A breakthrough. Tomorrow night should start things off in the science departments, as I have my genetics final, on which I only need a 30% to get an A in the class. Basically, I am not too worried. I've studied for the test, but I'm not putting too much effort into it. Friday is a P-chem quiz, one on which I would like to do REALLY well, so that the final doesn't have to be so life and death. If I get a 100% on this quiz on Friday, I only will need a 66% on the final to get an A in P-Chem.
Speaking of which, today was my last lecture for the rest of the semester in biochem, for the rest of my life in p-chem and latin american civ.
This break is already packed, I should mention. Aside from squeezing in time to meet with peoples, I also ahve a TON of sewing to do, and a massive amount of studying for the general GRE, then I need to seriously start doing research for my THESIS in philosophy.
I've kind of decided that I'm going to take a three pronged approach as to why the whole "scientific approach" that chemistry and physics have based in laws cannot possibly apply to biology. I'll be looking most specifically to ecology (which includes behavior and for some species a degree of consciousness potentially outside of material laws), immunology, of course, and some other unrelated branch not involving the two. Perhaps even evolution/genetics? Basically, what I'm going to say is that biology is really Hume's sort of dream science because there is no guarantee of causation. Biology is a very odd thing in that there's the whole random element. About 99% of the time in biology, you can explain how a mechanism is supposed to work, but in the end there is so much diversity that it's impossible to encompass everything. I think when I do some research, I should be getting better at this.
So I learned that next fall, Forensic Chemistry is being offered, which sounds really cool. Considering that I only have to take 10 hours next fall (I'll end up doing at least 14), my fall looks something like this:
FR 211: Intermediate French I
HIST 499: Senior Thesis
BIOL 401: Senior Seminar
CHEM 405: Environmental Analytical Chemistry (???)
CHEM 484: Molecular Biology (one of these two)
CHEM 388: Forensic Chemistry
That's all that I have to take. I may start my 5th language? I dunno. I would like to do some research though. That would be awesome. Maybe I can toss in some biol or hist electives.
I registered today. Woot.
In this moment, I must say that I think that fate is looking out for me.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Oh, how tired I am
of everything right now.
Of this week, this month, this semester.
Of caring about my grades, and school, and my future.
Of having long nights with little sleep.
Of having finals, assignments, and the like.
Of just everything.
Right now, in this moment, I have still a ton of crap to do for Spanish. I'm only about 7 pages through my first draft. Tonight, I suppose I'll finish editing my draft, put in my sources, and call it a night. Then, since I have no classes in the morning, I'll go once more through the paper. I won't print it, but rather edit at school for my last draft since the comps here have a Spanish spell checker. Then, it's print and turn in at 3:05.
Tomorrow is my last day of lecture for BIOL 481, CHEM 451, and SPAN 425. Today it was that way for HIST 411.
Speaking of which, guess what I got on my last paper? A 100. boo yah.
And on my poster project this morning, I got rave reviews from my profs. Frankly, my board was the hottest. My work was probably the best too, of what I've seen so far. Which was 2 of us. But still.
All in all, the stars are aligning for the rest of this semester.
Of this week, this month, this semester.
Of caring about my grades, and school, and my future.
Of having long nights with little sleep.
Of having finals, assignments, and the like.
Of just everything.
Right now, in this moment, I have still a ton of crap to do for Spanish. I'm only about 7 pages through my first draft. Tonight, I suppose I'll finish editing my draft, put in my sources, and call it a night. Then, since I have no classes in the morning, I'll go once more through the paper. I won't print it, but rather edit at school for my last draft since the comps here have a Spanish spell checker. Then, it's print and turn in at 3:05.
Tomorrow is my last day of lecture for BIOL 481, CHEM 451, and SPAN 425. Today it was that way for HIST 411.
Speaking of which, guess what I got on my last paper? A 100. boo yah.
And on my poster project this morning, I got rave reviews from my profs. Frankly, my board was the hottest. My work was probably the best too, of what I've seen so far. Which was 2 of us. But still.
All in all, the stars are aligning for the rest of this semester.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Mi vida ahora es bien chingada
Yep, that title definitely has about everything going on in my life right now.
I just finished all of everything for my HIV paper, and it's about 9 pages, double spaced. Which is hot, because it was supposed to be between 4 and 6, but no more than 10. So I was just shy of the absolute peak. It's definitely given me a lot to think about in these last twenty years plus of a world with HIV/AIDS. When I was writing about the virus, all I could think about is how it's like this almost sentient thing, it knows exactly which cells to attack. The first cells it hits are the CD4+ T cells that have specificity to recognize HIV. It can lay dormant in T cells for years (that's why the average progression from HIV to AIDS can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years!), pretty much escaping infection. Our immune system is capable of making millions upon millions of antibodies to destroy pretty much anything, but interestingly, only one out of those billions of antibodies has an effect on HIV. ONE. It makes me realize that HIV is this real threat, a potential killer of almost anyone. About 2% of the population is impervious to the virus because their T cells lack the receptor necessary for HIV to get in, and on top of that 2%, about 0.01% can mount an effective immune response against HIV easily. That means of over six billion people on the planet, if we were all infected tomorrow, only 120 million would survive.
I then look at all of these people who have HIV and I can't imagine how the means they got it-whether via drugs or sex, can be worth getting HIV. In studying this, I see a certain evolutionary advantage to monogamy in mammals like wolves: maybe the canines were subject to this kind of virus once upon a time and evolved monogamy to basically kill the virus off. It makes me think that maybe it's a primitive form of HIV that caused early societies to have such strict sexual rules. Maybe it's the real foundational reason why religions like Christianity advocated monogamy.
So yeah, HIV paper done.
Spanish paper is almost done. I have a little more than 9 pages out of 11. I hope after having a little bit of time to relax from all of this work, I can get back to pounding out that paper, and edit it at least twice before turning it in on Wednesday. I'll of course have to go in and add all of my citations too, which I sincerely hate. I think out of everything involving writing, I hate citations the most. If you add them while you're writing, you end up screwing your train of thought, and then if you add them afterwards, you end up spending hours trying to find all the sources you used, and such. UGH.
I got my last p-chem quiz yesterday. I got a 93%, which I suppose was ok, but it was actually below average, which is like the first time in my college life where I can say that I did below average on something. That's kinda sad.
Ok, I'm seriously starting to freak out about the rest of this semester. In the last 24 hours, I have had at least 15 panic attacks where I get all sweaty, my heart rate starts pounding through the roof, I turn all flushed and red, and I have this overwhelming feeling of failure creeping into me.
I'm starting to get kind of sick of it. Everything's all messed up on the inside and now more than ever, I need focus. I need success to come on the wings of effort.
Damn. Once I finish this spanish paper, there's so little left to do, 6 exams, 1 quiz, 1 lab, and that's basically it.
I can do it, I just need the confidence to follow through on the rest of my semester.
I just finished all of everything for my HIV paper, and it's about 9 pages, double spaced. Which is hot, because it was supposed to be between 4 and 6, but no more than 10. So I was just shy of the absolute peak. It's definitely given me a lot to think about in these last twenty years plus of a world with HIV/AIDS. When I was writing about the virus, all I could think about is how it's like this almost sentient thing, it knows exactly which cells to attack. The first cells it hits are the CD4+ T cells that have specificity to recognize HIV. It can lay dormant in T cells for years (that's why the average progression from HIV to AIDS can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years!), pretty much escaping infection. Our immune system is capable of making millions upon millions of antibodies to destroy pretty much anything, but interestingly, only one out of those billions of antibodies has an effect on HIV. ONE. It makes me realize that HIV is this real threat, a potential killer of almost anyone. About 2% of the population is impervious to the virus because their T cells lack the receptor necessary for HIV to get in, and on top of that 2%, about 0.01% can mount an effective immune response against HIV easily. That means of over six billion people on the planet, if we were all infected tomorrow, only 120 million would survive.
I then look at all of these people who have HIV and I can't imagine how the means they got it-whether via drugs or sex, can be worth getting HIV. In studying this, I see a certain evolutionary advantage to monogamy in mammals like wolves: maybe the canines were subject to this kind of virus once upon a time and evolved monogamy to basically kill the virus off. It makes me think that maybe it's a primitive form of HIV that caused early societies to have such strict sexual rules. Maybe it's the real foundational reason why religions like Christianity advocated monogamy.
So yeah, HIV paper done.
Spanish paper is almost done. I have a little more than 9 pages out of 11. I hope after having a little bit of time to relax from all of this work, I can get back to pounding out that paper, and edit it at least twice before turning it in on Wednesday. I'll of course have to go in and add all of my citations too, which I sincerely hate. I think out of everything involving writing, I hate citations the most. If you add them while you're writing, you end up screwing your train of thought, and then if you add them afterwards, you end up spending hours trying to find all the sources you used, and such. UGH.
I got my last p-chem quiz yesterday. I got a 93%, which I suppose was ok, but it was actually below average, which is like the first time in my college life where I can say that I did below average on something. That's kinda sad.
Ok, I'm seriously starting to freak out about the rest of this semester. In the last 24 hours, I have had at least 15 panic attacks where I get all sweaty, my heart rate starts pounding through the roof, I turn all flushed and red, and I have this overwhelming feeling of failure creeping into me.
I'm starting to get kind of sick of it. Everything's all messed up on the inside and now more than ever, I need focus. I need success to come on the wings of effort.
Damn. Once I finish this spanish paper, there's so little left to do, 6 exams, 1 quiz, 1 lab, and that's basically it.
I can do it, I just need the confidence to follow through on the rest of my semester.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
So, my life is coming to its naturally chaotic end-of-semester scream-fest. I think I may shoot myself by the time these next two weeks are over.
My p-chem test on Friday=not so good. However, I still have two drops in my back pocket that I could technically use and if I got less than an 83%, if would be a fill in for one of those spots. I made a stupid ass mistake (flipping a division, I did Pexp/Prl instead of Prl/Pexp or something like that).
Whatever.
I spent all day yesterday writing my paper for HIV. I've been reading hte literature, and we are surprisingly close to a vaccine. There are lots of promising things out there to prevent HIV. The ARTs that we have now do a pretty good job at knocking out a lot of the viral machinery, but not all of it, so that it's impossible to actually cure HIV. I made an argument in my paper that we should investigate involving other systems in immunity, such as maybe the endocrine system.
Just knowing that HIV is lurking around out there makes me ever more determined to stay virginal. Trust me, I don't choose virginity because of some religious obligation, I do it because it's damn hazardous to have sex with anybody. Who knows what kind of diseases are waiting in someone's groin? I'm not going to find out.
So as of today, I am down to 9 things left to do this semester. I have the following:
SPAN 425: Final Paper (Due Wednesday)
BIOL 383: Final Exam (Thursday)
CHEM 451: Quiz 6 (Friday)
Final Exam (Next Monday)
BIOL 481: Final Exam (Next Monday)
BIOL 409: PCR lab write up (Next Tuesday)
Final Exam (Next Tuesday)
HIST 411: Final Exam (Next Tuesday)
BIOL 391: Final Exam (Next Thursday--will try to move it to Wednesday)
Today essentially=Spanish paper. I have 1 page.....out of 10.
I definitely need to avoid televisions today, no watching anything that will distract me, like last night. I need to avoid bad distracting things.
My p-chem test on Friday=not so good. However, I still have two drops in my back pocket that I could technically use and if I got less than an 83%, if would be a fill in for one of those spots. I made a stupid ass mistake (flipping a division, I did Pexp/Prl instead of Prl/Pexp or something like that).
Whatever.
I spent all day yesterday writing my paper for HIV. I've been reading hte literature, and we are surprisingly close to a vaccine. There are lots of promising things out there to prevent HIV. The ARTs that we have now do a pretty good job at knocking out a lot of the viral machinery, but not all of it, so that it's impossible to actually cure HIV. I made an argument in my paper that we should investigate involving other systems in immunity, such as maybe the endocrine system.
Just knowing that HIV is lurking around out there makes me ever more determined to stay virginal. Trust me, I don't choose virginity because of some religious obligation, I do it because it's damn hazardous to have sex with anybody. Who knows what kind of diseases are waiting in someone's groin? I'm not going to find out.
So as of today, I am down to 9 things left to do this semester. I have the following:
SPAN 425: Final Paper (Due Wednesday)
BIOL 383: Final Exam (Thursday)
CHEM 451: Quiz 6 (Friday)
Final Exam (Next Monday)
BIOL 481: Final Exam (Next Monday)
BIOL 409: PCR lab write up (Next Tuesday)
Final Exam (Next Tuesday)
HIST 411: Final Exam (Next Tuesday)
BIOL 391: Final Exam (Next Thursday--will try to move it to Wednesday)
Today essentially=Spanish paper. I have 1 page.....out of 10.
I definitely need to avoid televisions today, no watching anything that will distract me, like last night. I need to avoid bad distracting things.
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