are rushing through my mind at this point. I think that I may shoot myself in the foot, or the face.
I have so much freaking homework it's not even funny.
Tonight, I need to catch up on my genetics lab stuff that I missed last week, and that's quite a bit. Freaking A.
Then on top of that, I will have all of this that I know of:
PHIL 112: 35 logic problems
FR 102: 15 questions
PHIL 495: 10 pages+at least 4 more sources
BIOL 431: Turn in grant proposal idea
BIOL 401: Article?
BIOL 384: Genetics report/genetics quiz.
BIOL 300: Group Exercise 1, Homework 2
Work: Lab catch-up and Flow-Jo
I know this semester is finally going to kill me. I will be successful in that much.
One thing I'm really concerned about for my thesis is that the advisor recommended that for my defense committee, she decided that the meanest and most intimidating professor in the department should be on my committee. That's scary.
I think the ten pages I will write will outline the problem and start to go into the historical scientific discovery.
I need to pick up books from the library. I think I'll do that tomorrow after genetics.
To work
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
La vie
My life, as usual, is filled with all these complications, many of which I actually am causing myself. This is nothing out of the ordinary, of course.
Tomorrow is Wednesday, which is a day that my thesis class meets. I'm still convinced I'm going to end up blowing it in that class. Convinced. I hope my argument is going to make some kind of sense, but I have this sneaking feeling that it won't.
I do have a defense committee that I want, Dr. Cutter and Dr. Tanner are the philosophy people that I want, and Cutter has agreed to allow someone to come in who doesn't have an impact on my grade, and that will for sure be Dr. Haggren.
I should be finishing my outline for it now, but I will wait until I get home to actually finish all of it.
In other news, I decided to add the genetics lab being offered, because I can see a lot of utility in it towards getting into grad school. I used to think that the classes were what matters, but I see that the labs actually are just as important, if not moreso. This however does mean that I have no Fridays off anymore. I do however have Mondays and Wednesdays off until nearly 11 AM, so it's a fair trade I think.
Plus, I have a sneaking suspicion that the lab might go towards a BS when they publish the classes that will be required.
What else? Hmm, I have a LOT of homework over the next two days. I did some of my French, and after I finish posting, I will finish it. I also have critical thinking for Thursday that I should be able to knock out pretty fast. Same goes for biostats, as I have a slight amount left to finish for that homework. Outline also.
I am starting to feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm just too far away from being able to grasp at it. I think once I start getting more grades coming in, I'll have a better appreciation for just how close I am to graduating...which is 327 days from now. Actually, that's a lot, come to think of it.
Florida is wrapping up its voting now. I am so hoping that McCain wins. If he does, the nomination is totally his to lose. Giuliani will be effectively knocked out and Romney will be momentarily stunned..enough for McCain to step in and just about finish off the nomination come a week from today.
Democrats in Florida don't matter. So eh, no point talking about them.
It's hard to believe that it's been seven years that Bush has been president. It doesn't feel like that many. In some ways, it's felt longer and in others, not. I didn't feel the same about Clinton when he was nearly done, because I think there was so much change that it felt like 8 years. But with Bush, we've been in Afghanistan like 6 years and Iraq 5 or something like that. That's longer than I thought. It feels like maybe 4 in AFG and 2 or 3 in Iraq. Time is going by so fast, it's hard to believe. Then again, I am almost done with college. That's going to be shocking when I finish this semester.
To work. Adieu.
Tomorrow is Wednesday, which is a day that my thesis class meets. I'm still convinced I'm going to end up blowing it in that class. Convinced. I hope my argument is going to make some kind of sense, but I have this sneaking feeling that it won't.
I do have a defense committee that I want, Dr. Cutter and Dr. Tanner are the philosophy people that I want, and Cutter has agreed to allow someone to come in who doesn't have an impact on my grade, and that will for sure be Dr. Haggren.
I should be finishing my outline for it now, but I will wait until I get home to actually finish all of it.
In other news, I decided to add the genetics lab being offered, because I can see a lot of utility in it towards getting into grad school. I used to think that the classes were what matters, but I see that the labs actually are just as important, if not moreso. This however does mean that I have no Fridays off anymore. I do however have Mondays and Wednesdays off until nearly 11 AM, so it's a fair trade I think.
Plus, I have a sneaking suspicion that the lab might go towards a BS when they publish the classes that will be required.
What else? Hmm, I have a LOT of homework over the next two days. I did some of my French, and after I finish posting, I will finish it. I also have critical thinking for Thursday that I should be able to knock out pretty fast. Same goes for biostats, as I have a slight amount left to finish for that homework. Outline also.
I am starting to feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but I'm just too far away from being able to grasp at it. I think once I start getting more grades coming in, I'll have a better appreciation for just how close I am to graduating...which is 327 days from now. Actually, that's a lot, come to think of it.
Florida is wrapping up its voting now. I am so hoping that McCain wins. If he does, the nomination is totally his to lose. Giuliani will be effectively knocked out and Romney will be momentarily stunned..enough for McCain to step in and just about finish off the nomination come a week from today.
Democrats in Florida don't matter. So eh, no point talking about them.
It's hard to believe that it's been seven years that Bush has been president. It doesn't feel like that many. In some ways, it's felt longer and in others, not. I didn't feel the same about Clinton when he was nearly done, because I think there was so much change that it felt like 8 years. But with Bush, we've been in Afghanistan like 6 years and Iraq 5 or something like that. That's longer than I thought. It feels like maybe 4 in AFG and 2 or 3 in Iraq. Time is going by so fast, it's hard to believe. Then again, I am almost done with college. That's going to be shocking when I finish this semester.
To work. Adieu.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Changes
I changed my schedule, mainly because I just don't think I can dedicate the time necessary to all of my classes. So, because of that, I decided to drop my spanish class so that basically I only have one class in which I have considerable papers to write. I do have one to write in my advanced immunology class, but that is something that will be worried about in more detail come spring break.
In good news, UCCS has finally come to its senses and decided to offer a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. When this begins, I dunno, but I hope they can have it in place this fall so I can get my BS instead of just a BA.
I have been thinking about adding the Genetics Laboratory, because I think that would be total coolness. I'm not totally sure on it yet, but it would be a good thought worth having. I don't know how that would work with my work schedule though. I would have to check with my boss on that one.
I am tired, to be honest. I think tonight, I may just do some French homework and then go to bed for lack of energy to keep trying to do more. Tomorrow will require much work, both at my job, and in getting the rest of my outline together for my thesis class. It's so hard to believe that I have to have an entire chapter of it done next week. Egads. This weekend is totally and completely dedicated to that, if nothing else, I fear.
In good news, UCCS has finally come to its senses and decided to offer a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. When this begins, I dunno, but I hope they can have it in place this fall so I can get my BS instead of just a BA.
I have been thinking about adding the Genetics Laboratory, because I think that would be total coolness. I'm not totally sure on it yet, but it would be a good thought worth having. I don't know how that would work with my work schedule though. I would have to check with my boss on that one.
I am tired, to be honest. I think tonight, I may just do some French homework and then go to bed for lack of energy to keep trying to do more. Tomorrow will require much work, both at my job, and in getting the rest of my outline together for my thesis class. It's so hard to believe that I have to have an entire chapter of it done next week. Egads. This weekend is totally and completely dedicated to that, if nothing else, I fear.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Not motivated
At this time, I cannot stir the kinds of motivational feeling necessary for me to do any kind of work whatsoever for school, which I desperately need to do within the next several hours. I still have everything I listed yesterday, with exception for my lab notebook, which is all up to date.
Tonight's agenda includes Spanish and thesis work. Of course, that should have been the agenda five or six hours ago. Maybe even yesterday.
I am really wanting this semester to go by so quickly, because then I can actually get something done with my time, instead of constant worry and fear about school. I intend on taking a few hours over the summer, 3 history, 3-6 chemistry, and 5 japanese, at the least. That would leave fall with 3 history, 0-3 chemistry, 4 french and 5 japanese. Easy, by all standards.
So South Carolina's results were far from what I predicted. I did not see Obama routing all of the democrats so easily. Everyone is chalking it up to the fact that he's black and all the democrats there are black, which is certainly an understatement. I think the democrats have real concern in the south if Obama is nominated, simply because of race. I seriously doubt anyone believes that there is no racism in the south. If Obama gets the presidential nomination, regardless of who the republican is, I see every last old confederate state, with notable exception to Florida and Louisiana, the first which is nothing like the old south and the second which has so many problems, no one pays attention to them, going red for sure. I don't even see the idea of toss-up factoring into the equation if it's Obama vs. Republicans. It's sad, but unfortunately, it's true.
That being said, the bloodbath for the donkeys continues. Super Tuesday may be super only in that Obama, Clinton, and Edwards will have to slaughter each other to get anywhere. The question is whether the three of them will have enough blood left over to fight Republicans. Right now, I think that may be in doubt. The Democrats' refusal to admit Michigan and Florida delegate to their convention this year is an insult to the people there and can lead to disaster in 10 months. If the republicans nominate a moderate, McCain or Giuliani, two men with very few ties to Pres. Bush, the democrats are in serious trouble.
Ugh, stop writing Ray, and freaking do some work!
Tonight's agenda includes Spanish and thesis work. Of course, that should have been the agenda five or six hours ago. Maybe even yesterday.
I am really wanting this semester to go by so quickly, because then I can actually get something done with my time, instead of constant worry and fear about school. I intend on taking a few hours over the summer, 3 history, 3-6 chemistry, and 5 japanese, at the least. That would leave fall with 3 history, 0-3 chemistry, 4 french and 5 japanese. Easy, by all standards.
So South Carolina's results were far from what I predicted. I did not see Obama routing all of the democrats so easily. Everyone is chalking it up to the fact that he's black and all the democrats there are black, which is certainly an understatement. I think the democrats have real concern in the south if Obama is nominated, simply because of race. I seriously doubt anyone believes that there is no racism in the south. If Obama gets the presidential nomination, regardless of who the republican is, I see every last old confederate state, with notable exception to Florida and Louisiana, the first which is nothing like the old south and the second which has so many problems, no one pays attention to them, going red for sure. I don't even see the idea of toss-up factoring into the equation if it's Obama vs. Republicans. It's sad, but unfortunately, it's true.
That being said, the bloodbath for the donkeys continues. Super Tuesday may be super only in that Obama, Clinton, and Edwards will have to slaughter each other to get anywhere. The question is whether the three of them will have enough blood left over to fight Republicans. Right now, I think that may be in doubt. The Democrats' refusal to admit Michigan and Florida delegate to their convention this year is an insult to the people there and can lead to disaster in 10 months. If the republicans nominate a moderate, McCain or Giuliani, two men with very few ties to Pres. Bush, the democrats are in serious trouble.
Ugh, stop writing Ray, and freaking do some work!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Le weekend
At last, the weekend. My first opportunity to digest this first week of the semester and then have the chance to really maybe get something done. Unfortuantely, I have not taken great advantage of the time off of school, as I have only finished a few of my resources for my thesis and a bunch of meh homework. I still have Spanish to do this weekend and I have to get caught up in my lab notebook, at the least. If I can get further ahead on my thesis, I should relish at the opportunity.
Tonight, I absolutely have to get caught up on my lab notebook for work, lest I fall behind and incur the wrath of my superiors. I also, at some point, need to print the Flow-Jo tutorial so I can work with an interpret the Flow Cytometry data that we get in the lab. I've read some of it, but I need to read stuff on paper rather than on a computer for stuff to sink in.
Tomorrow is answering my Spanish homework questions and working on my thesis a little more. I should hope to finish my outline completely. Interestingly, I have a more than 3 page outline for a 50 page paper.
This first half of the semester is going to be absolute hell. With so much coming in, I might just kill myself before I even make it to Spring Break. Really, that's how I'm going to have to treat this semester: as two mini ones. Hopefully, I can do well enough to finish everything, however, I fear that I may have to take an incomplete in my thesis work if I hope to do well.
Democrats are voting in South Carolina right now. I have a sneaking suspicion that Hillary is going to make it a lot closer that we think. I still think Obama will win, but not by a huge margin. I think the Democrats are actually starting to do serious damage to their possibility of getting elected. The Republicans are starting to close ranks around a couple of candidates, and with it ever increasingly likely that Giuliani is going to have to drop out after Tuesday, it looks like it's down to two main horses, Romney and McCain with a lagging couple of horses in the back. I seriously doubt that Huckabee or Paul will quit any time soon, but I just don't think they have enough to stay in the race long after February 5. I think by the 5th McCain is going to pull ahead by quite a bit. He leads in 4 MAJOR winner-take-all states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. If he gets at least those three, and a 2nd place or better in 2/3 of the Super Tuesday states, I think he'll have enough momentum to win the nomination within a few weeks.
The Democrats though are continuing to grow increasingly divisive, and the blatant attacks that Hillary and Obama throw at each other are enough to cause serious concern in the party. At least, I would think so. It could smear each other enough that in comparison, the Republicans look dandy. I think we'll see such results in the short-term starting to occur.
TO WORK. Ugh.
Tonight, I absolutely have to get caught up on my lab notebook for work, lest I fall behind and incur the wrath of my superiors. I also, at some point, need to print the Flow-Jo tutorial so I can work with an interpret the Flow Cytometry data that we get in the lab. I've read some of it, but I need to read stuff on paper rather than on a computer for stuff to sink in.
Tomorrow is answering my Spanish homework questions and working on my thesis a little more. I should hope to finish my outline completely. Interestingly, I have a more than 3 page outline for a 50 page paper.
This first half of the semester is going to be absolute hell. With so much coming in, I might just kill myself before I even make it to Spring Break. Really, that's how I'm going to have to treat this semester: as two mini ones. Hopefully, I can do well enough to finish everything, however, I fear that I may have to take an incomplete in my thesis work if I hope to do well.
Democrats are voting in South Carolina right now. I have a sneaking suspicion that Hillary is going to make it a lot closer that we think. I still think Obama will win, but not by a huge margin. I think the Democrats are actually starting to do serious damage to their possibility of getting elected. The Republicans are starting to close ranks around a couple of candidates, and with it ever increasingly likely that Giuliani is going to have to drop out after Tuesday, it looks like it's down to two main horses, Romney and McCain with a lagging couple of horses in the back. I seriously doubt that Huckabee or Paul will quit any time soon, but I just don't think they have enough to stay in the race long after February 5. I think by the 5th McCain is going to pull ahead by quite a bit. He leads in 4 MAJOR winner-take-all states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. If he gets at least those three, and a 2nd place or better in 2/3 of the Super Tuesday states, I think he'll have enough momentum to win the nomination within a few weeks.
The Democrats though are continuing to grow increasingly divisive, and the blatant attacks that Hillary and Obama throw at each other are enough to cause serious concern in the party. At least, I would think so. It could smear each other enough that in comparison, the Republicans look dandy. I think we'll see such results in the short-term starting to occur.
TO WORK. Ugh.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Finally, the weekend
This has been such a long week, and this is a short week, sadly. I have so much to do this coming weekend, which will be a three day one...sigh, my first three day weekend during a school year. Having no school on Fridays is such a relief because by 1 PM on Thursdays, I'm totally done.
So I have Spanish homework, homework in both philosophy classes, and a lot of lab work to do over the weekend. On top of that, I would like to get a hold of my article for my biology seminar.
Speaking of classes, I should give an indication of how I think I'm going to be doing this semester in my other classes.
Spanish 310: Literary Analysis. I think this is going to be a really tricky one, because I want to do really well in it, but at the same time, I know it's going to be the first one to suffer because of my other classes. It's definitely third on my priority list, mainly because there are too many opportunities for me to flub up in there. However, I have already had a literature class in Spanish and my reading skills are superb. I gauge this should save me from any kind of disaster, plus, our final project is worth 40% of the grade, which should be good. I always do well with final projects. Projected Grade: A (A- does not exist in this class, otherwise, I would say that)
Chemistry 482: Biochemistry II. I got an A in Biochem I and I have every intention of doing the same in Biochem II. Same professor, so I already know her approach to things. I expect the same grade this semester as last. Projected Grade: A
Biology 401: Senior Seminar. Quite possibly the easiest class this year. One presentation and participation=entire grade. Basically, it's impossible to get less than a B in this class, though I intend to give it my all, which will make me a winner in the end. Projected Grade: A.
French 102: Same as biochemistry II. Projected Grade: A
Biology 431: Advanced Immunology: My "YAY" class this semester. I already mentioned the course requirements, plus, there is now an extra credit option to present another research paper. That being said, I still fear that the thesis will disrupt my success in this class and ultimately lower my grade. Projected Grade: A-
Philosophy 495: Senior Thesis: The terror of all terrors. So much to do in such little time, and I fear I am already lost to the ages. They're not going to be mean, but I'm not going to be at the top of my game. Projected grade: B.
So, that's this semester, as you have it.
So I have Spanish homework, homework in both philosophy classes, and a lot of lab work to do over the weekend. On top of that, I would like to get a hold of my article for my biology seminar.
Speaking of classes, I should give an indication of how I think I'm going to be doing this semester in my other classes.
Spanish 310: Literary Analysis. I think this is going to be a really tricky one, because I want to do really well in it, but at the same time, I know it's going to be the first one to suffer because of my other classes. It's definitely third on my priority list, mainly because there are too many opportunities for me to flub up in there. However, I have already had a literature class in Spanish and my reading skills are superb. I gauge this should save me from any kind of disaster, plus, our final project is worth 40% of the grade, which should be good. I always do well with final projects. Projected Grade: A (A- does not exist in this class, otherwise, I would say that)
Chemistry 482: Biochemistry II. I got an A in Biochem I and I have every intention of doing the same in Biochem II. Same professor, so I already know her approach to things. I expect the same grade this semester as last. Projected Grade: A
Biology 401: Senior Seminar. Quite possibly the easiest class this year. One presentation and participation=entire grade. Basically, it's impossible to get less than a B in this class, though I intend to give it my all, which will make me a winner in the end. Projected Grade: A.
French 102: Same as biochemistry II. Projected Grade: A
Biology 431: Advanced Immunology: My "YAY" class this semester. I already mentioned the course requirements, plus, there is now an extra credit option to present another research paper. That being said, I still fear that the thesis will disrupt my success in this class and ultimately lower my grade. Projected Grade: A-
Philosophy 495: Senior Thesis: The terror of all terrors. So much to do in such little time, and I fear I am already lost to the ages. They're not going to be mean, but I'm not going to be at the top of my game. Projected grade: B.
So, that's this semester, as you have it.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
BEGINNING
So, last night was the ending of freedom, and today is the beginning of new things that aim to move towards completing the semester of hell. I thought that all of my previous semesters would be the hardest one of all, but now I know that I will be beyond my means this entire semester. I will be lucky if I can kepp my head above water over these next 16 weeks, and frankly, I have to start tonight on getting ahead. Once I finish posting this, I'll be working on my thesis, trying to get rid of a few of these resources. I aim to have at least 50 or 60 of them, and so far, I've gotten through four of them. WOOOHOO.
So, my first impressions on my courses today. Critical Thinking is not going to be fun, mainly because I'm sitting in there as a senior with basically a bunch of freshmen (aka, worthless folk, people who still think this is high school, and act with a God complex of sorts) who still need someone to beat the shit out of their self opinion. I'll get an A, but it's not going to be fun.
Biostats is another class where I am leery of the other students. I would prefer to just study things like this on my own, but, alas, such is an impossibility in this life. I should get an A in it too, but I think this one is going to be close to an A-, simply because I'll just put studying for it aside.
That's really all I have to say for now, I guess. I hope to finish things in decent order. Au revoir.
So, my first impressions on my courses today. Critical Thinking is not going to be fun, mainly because I'm sitting in there as a senior with basically a bunch of freshmen (aka, worthless folk, people who still think this is high school, and act with a God complex of sorts) who still need someone to beat the shit out of their self opinion. I'll get an A, but it's not going to be fun.
Biostats is another class where I am leery of the other students. I would prefer to just study things like this on my own, but, alas, such is an impossibility in this life. I should get an A in it too, but I think this one is going to be close to an A-, simply because I'll just put studying for it aside.
That's really all I have to say for now, I guess. I hope to finish things in decent order. Au revoir.
Monday, January 21, 2008
END
This is my last post of absolute freedom in these next weeks. These many weeks ahead of me, of torture and of pain, I should think. I find this whole situation a virtual comprise of my comforts, something which I direly need in order to be able to muster everything available to me to adequately crush it. For indeed, I will crush this opposition towards me. It's the only way that I can look at school and work combined--like this massive force designed to oppose the very essence of who I am. To try to crush who I am. And so, in order to embrace success, I must enable the competitive spirit, and crush this foe.
I find it so odd that starting with this semester, everythign starts falling apart-the wheels of the great behemoth I have worked to finish are finally coming off. The road to success is paved with every grade, every paycheck, every moment in which there is but a drop of consideration for these next 17 weeks. I find myself ever more devoted to the idiom "finishing with style", because in reality, I am in the end stretch. I've gotten basically every acceptance necessary for graduate school, with possible exception to my recommendations. I can only venture to think that I will have 2 ready by the end of this semester in biology, and 3 would be great. I should attempt to form an additionally lasting relationship with some faculty member. I have been thinking about Dr. Braun-Sand, my biochemistry professor. If I can somehow get into research in her lab this summer too, and have an adequate exposure to chemistry research, I think I should be able to do well enough for the magic letter of rec to appear.
In my last day, I went through another book for my thesis, which makes my grand total thus far two. Lame, yes. I sewed a lot, played some video games, and watched too much tv. Such is the end of breaks though. I am off to bed now.
I find it so odd that starting with this semester, everythign starts falling apart-the wheels of the great behemoth I have worked to finish are finally coming off. The road to success is paved with every grade, every paycheck, every moment in which there is but a drop of consideration for these next 17 weeks. I find myself ever more devoted to the idiom "finishing with style", because in reality, I am in the end stretch. I've gotten basically every acceptance necessary for graduate school, with possible exception to my recommendations. I can only venture to think that I will have 2 ready by the end of this semester in biology, and 3 would be great. I should attempt to form an additionally lasting relationship with some faculty member. I have been thinking about Dr. Braun-Sand, my biochemistry professor. If I can somehow get into research in her lab this summer too, and have an adequate exposure to chemistry research, I think I should be able to do well enough for the magic letter of rec to appear.
In my last day, I went through another book for my thesis, which makes my grand total thus far two. Lame, yes. I sewed a lot, played some video games, and watched too much tv. Such is the end of breaks though. I am off to bed now.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Last weekend of freedom
Alas, mes amis, this weekend is my last one that I have of carefreeness for the next 18 or so. Maybe 19, depending on when grades for this semester come out.
Although I am lamenting the end of this amazing of breaks, I have, for once, done a bit that has less to do with school, and more with just regular stuff, i.e. my reading and my sewing. Tonight, and the rest of this afternoon, I do intend on getting some work done, hopefully, to be able to go through a few of my books (not library ones) for my thesis, so that I can put them into my box of finished books as well. I think I have about a whole shelf of books left to read this year before I'm allowed to buy any more non-school books. However, among those on my shelf are two big ones byDostoevsky and Don Quixote in Spanish. From what I've heard, the actual reading is not hard, but the kinds of ideas hidden behind the book are quite difficult. I think that I shall read that one last.
As for sewing, by the end of tonight, I will have finished three projects over this break, which is fantastical. I still have five left, though: a geisha, a wolf, a French woman, my dolphin picture, and worst of all, the Gettysburg one. Thsoe five should easily take me the rest of this year, especially during the summer.
So I found out that the languages department is going to offer all of the 101 level courses this summer, which is fantastic. Now I'll definitely be able to start another language thi ssummer, and I'm definitely leaning towards Japanese. Of course there is always the possibility of doing Russian, but I'm not so sure that it would be as useful for me, given the area I am going into. If I were doing something like international affairs, then I think Russian may be more useful, but Japanese is better for science people. German would be a distant fourth, after American Sign Language.
I have been definitely considering voting now. Colorado is one of like 25 states up for grabs on February fifth and if things turn out like I expect, the Republican nomination will be far from over, while Clinton should be wrapping up the Democratic nomination. I know my logic sounds somewhat flawed, given that only four Democratic states ahve voted thus far, but it seems quite clear that Edwards is done for. The dismal vote he got in Nevada (just 4%) demonstrates that the wheels are flying off faster than ever. South Carolina and Florida will turn the contest into a two person race, and Feb. 5 should secure the nomination for Hillary. I don't think Obama has a decent shot of winning many Western states or Northeastern ones. In the southern ones, the votes will be too close to make a difference. The Nevada vote I think show more momentum gathering for Hillary, as she now has won three states in a row.
I think the Republican situation actually could be getting more tense. Romney easily won in Nevada, but everyone was expecting that, so it's not nearly as stunnign as Hillary's win is to Obama in Nevada. South Carolina will determine who drops out next for the Republicans, and it looks like Thompson's campaign to be president is just about over.
Florida is do or die for Giuliani, and a loss by him will mean the end of his campaign. From what I've read, Florida is different than all the other states that have voted thus far, because Florida does a "winner takes all" system. All other states divy up their delgates based on their voting performance, so in New Hampshire, for example, Hillary and Obama took about the smae number of delegates because they got about the same percent.
If I were to vote, it would definitely be for McCain, if he drops out, then I have to support anyone if Condoleeza is chosed for their Veep.
I read an article today in the paper supporting her for Vice-President, which would be fantastic. It said that 41% of Republcians thought she could bring more excitement to the race.
I almost have all teh vocabulary for chapter five of French memorized. That will definitely give me a decent head start on this whole semester thing. That leaves me with three more chapters of vocab to memorize in 18 weeks. Ha ha hah hahahah.
Between thesis and my immunology class, this semester is already full. I have no idea how I am going to accomodate an additional 17 hours. But I will, siempre lo hago.
I am getting excited about being done with things.
Although I am lamenting the end of this amazing of breaks, I have, for once, done a bit that has less to do with school, and more with just regular stuff, i.e. my reading and my sewing. Tonight, and the rest of this afternoon, I do intend on getting some work done, hopefully, to be able to go through a few of my books (not library ones) for my thesis, so that I can put them into my box of finished books as well. I think I have about a whole shelf of books left to read this year before I'm allowed to buy any more non-school books. However, among those on my shelf are two big ones byDostoevsky and Don Quixote in Spanish. From what I've heard, the actual reading is not hard, but the kinds of ideas hidden behind the book are quite difficult. I think that I shall read that one last.
As for sewing, by the end of tonight, I will have finished three projects over this break, which is fantastical. I still have five left, though: a geisha, a wolf, a French woman, my dolphin picture, and worst of all, the Gettysburg one. Thsoe five should easily take me the rest of this year, especially during the summer.
So I found out that the languages department is going to offer all of the 101 level courses this summer, which is fantastic. Now I'll definitely be able to start another language thi ssummer, and I'm definitely leaning towards Japanese. Of course there is always the possibility of doing Russian, but I'm not so sure that it would be as useful for me, given the area I am going into. If I were doing something like international affairs, then I think Russian may be more useful, but Japanese is better for science people. German would be a distant fourth, after American Sign Language.
I have been definitely considering voting now. Colorado is one of like 25 states up for grabs on February fifth and if things turn out like I expect, the Republican nomination will be far from over, while Clinton should be wrapping up the Democratic nomination. I know my logic sounds somewhat flawed, given that only four Democratic states ahve voted thus far, but it seems quite clear that Edwards is done for. The dismal vote he got in Nevada (just 4%) demonstrates that the wheels are flying off faster than ever. South Carolina and Florida will turn the contest into a two person race, and Feb. 5 should secure the nomination for Hillary. I don't think Obama has a decent shot of winning many Western states or Northeastern ones. In the southern ones, the votes will be too close to make a difference. The Nevada vote I think show more momentum gathering for Hillary, as she now has won three states in a row.
I think the Republican situation actually could be getting more tense. Romney easily won in Nevada, but everyone was expecting that, so it's not nearly as stunnign as Hillary's win is to Obama in Nevada. South Carolina will determine who drops out next for the Republicans, and it looks like Thompson's campaign to be president is just about over.
Florida is do or die for Giuliani, and a loss by him will mean the end of his campaign. From what I've read, Florida is different than all the other states that have voted thus far, because Florida does a "winner takes all" system. All other states divy up their delgates based on their voting performance, so in New Hampshire, for example, Hillary and Obama took about the smae number of delegates because they got about the same percent.
If I were to vote, it would definitely be for McCain, if he drops out, then I have to support anyone if Condoleeza is chosed for their Veep.
I read an article today in the paper supporting her for Vice-President, which would be fantastic. It said that 41% of Republcians thought she could bring more excitement to the race.
I almost have all teh vocabulary for chapter five of French memorized. That will definitely give me a decent head start on this whole semester thing. That leaves me with three more chapters of vocab to memorize in 18 weeks. Ha ha hah hahahah.
Between thesis and my immunology class, this semester is already full. I have no idea how I am going to accomodate an additional 17 hours. But I will, siempre lo hago.
I am getting excited about being done with things.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
So for the last few days I've been doing a lot of work. Both in the bioenergetics lab and in the Lang Tech Center. It's so hard to believe that my six weeks of bliss are coming to a slamming end. I hardly believe that these next 4 months bring the end of so many things, majors, minors, etc.
I worked 5 hours today, and four each on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I should have earned about 150 dollars this week, more or less. Probably more on the less side. It will be nice, however, to start getting money rolling in again.
Part of me can't wait to just get the classes started, so that I at least can say that I'm doing something. On the other hand, I kind of jsut want to keep doing what I'm doing, working about 5 hours a day, and then spending hte rest of it sewing and reading.
Speaking of which, I am moving along swimmingly on my New Year's Resolutions. I finished one cross stitch project and am on the verge (as in a good movie) of finishing a second. Unfortunately, this activity goes on hold for a while. My reading is progressing too, and I am just about down to one bookshelf worth of stuff left. Unfortuantely, I do have some books I really don't want to read, i.e., heavily Christian ones, ideas in which I don't associate with anymore. I don't have that ardent conservativism that once drove me, and so when I read, I don't find much in common.
I would say that I have one shelf of books left until I completed my NYR#2.
#3 is a little more tricky. I tried quitting the monkey cold turkey, but that didn't work at all, so I am going to do a step down thing. For most of 2007 I had monkey problems every day, and so what I'm doing now is gradually reducing the levels of monkeys in my life. I've easily gotten the monkey down to once in two days, and I'm working on once every three. Of course, I try to hold out as long as I can without having to deal with the monkey, but my average right now is 3 days. Which is good. I hope by March I can get it down to once a week, then slowly just dump it.
Alright, to bed.
I worked 5 hours today, and four each on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I should have earned about 150 dollars this week, more or less. Probably more on the less side. It will be nice, however, to start getting money rolling in again.
Part of me can't wait to just get the classes started, so that I at least can say that I'm doing something. On the other hand, I kind of jsut want to keep doing what I'm doing, working about 5 hours a day, and then spending hte rest of it sewing and reading.
Speaking of which, I am moving along swimmingly on my New Year's Resolutions. I finished one cross stitch project and am on the verge (as in a good movie) of finishing a second. Unfortunately, this activity goes on hold for a while. My reading is progressing too, and I am just about down to one bookshelf worth of stuff left. Unfortuantely, I do have some books I really don't want to read, i.e., heavily Christian ones, ideas in which I don't associate with anymore. I don't have that ardent conservativism that once drove me, and so when I read, I don't find much in common.
I would say that I have one shelf of books left until I completed my NYR#2.
#3 is a little more tricky. I tried quitting the monkey cold turkey, but that didn't work at all, so I am going to do a step down thing. For most of 2007 I had monkey problems every day, and so what I'm doing now is gradually reducing the levels of monkeys in my life. I've easily gotten the monkey down to once in two days, and I'm working on once every three. Of course, I try to hold out as long as I can without having to deal with the monkey, but my average right now is 3 days. Which is good. I hope by March I can get it down to once a week, then slowly just dump it.
Alright, to bed.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Comparisons
I was reading an old blog and found a survey. I decided to do one tonight, but changing my answers appropriately and see how much I've changed since Summer of 2005. Bolded answers are changed
1. Full Name: Raymond Lewis Schultz
2. Nicknames: Ray
3. Screen name: excelsioreverupward
4. Grade: 5th Year Senior
5. GPA: 4.0
6. Sex: Male (my old one was "no thanks")
7. Birthday August 26, 1987
8. Zodiac Sign: Virgo
9. Height: 6'2"
10. Weight: 155
11. Hair Color: Dirty Dishwater Blonde
12. Eye Color: Blue
13. Siblings: Erin (18) and Katie (8)
14. Parents' Names: Steven and Bernadette
15. Hobbie(s): Learning languages, being a lab rat, and cross stitching
16. Crush: NO
17. Girlfriend/Boyfriend: Thankfully no
18. When and who was your first crush?: Omg, it's really sad, but my 6th grade history teacher
19. What do you notice first about the opposite sex?: nothing anymore
20. How romantic are you?: Romance escapes me
21. Are you more cute or sexy?: Neither
22. Last person you talked to on the phone: Kristina
23. Last thing you said out loud: F^%$#
24. Last song you listened to: "The Queen Lives"
25. College: UCCS
26. Occupation: Spanish Tutor, Lab Assistant, Volunteer, Student
27. Marriage: No
28. Kids: Ditto
30. Future son's name: None
31. Future daughters name: None
32. Where will you live?: I dunno
33. What are you going to do tomorrow?: Sew and go to work
34. Food: Right now, I would love more cheesecake
35. Drink: Red wine (Bordeaux)
36. Juice: White Peach Cranberry
37. TV Show: DH, Star Trek, Amazing Race, Grey's Anatomy
38. Movie: musicals, British styled things, Virgin Queen, anything with actresses with the name Audrey (like Hepburn, Tattou)
39. CD: Virgin Queen, Anuna's Celtic Origins
40. Cartoon/Comic: Calvin and Hobbes
42. Musician: Yo-Yo Ma
43. Stuffed animal: Stitch
44. Singer: I dunno really
45. Website: My UCCS email
46. Salad Dressing: Low-fat Italian
47. Store: Wal-Mart, they have everything
49. Year: Right now, it is 2008
50. Time you have had in High School: I had four years and I would never do it again
51. Class: Immunology
52. PJs: Yes
53. Ice: Vanilla
55. Candy Bar: Meh
56. Teacher: Dr. Newell
57. Channel: Meh
58. Radio Station: FM 105.5, 91.5, 98.1, 103.9
59. Type of Music: A lot! classical, classic rock, new age
60. Shampoo/Conditioner: Head and Shoulders, no conditioner
61. Song: Hmm, right now, Si Do Mhaimeo I
62. Music Video: I really really really like that one with Elvis and his daughter, and Hips Don't Lie
63. Sport: Football
64. Relative: meh
65. Friends: I don't really have any
56. Hangout: LAB
67. Do you believe in angels?: no
68. Aliens?: yes
69. Heaven? meh
70. Hell?: no
72. Yourself?: yeah
HAVE YOU EVER
73. Been on a plane: Yes
74. Cried in public: Ye
s75. Climbed a tree: No
76. Picked a wedgie in public: no comment, hey, I'd rather be embarassed than have a colonoscopy from my underwear!
77. Fell asleep in a movie theater: I always do before the movie
78. Met a celebrity: Laura Ingraham
80. Been scared to get a shot: Actually no, I think that would be an easy way to go
82. Shopped at Abercrombie & Fitch: yay, no
83. Had an online relationship: No
84. Said "I love you" and not meant it: yes
85. Made prank calls: No
86. Gone skinny-dipping: WHAT THE HECK IS IT WITH THESE THINGS AND SKINNY-DIPPING????????
87. Skipped school: Oh yeah
88. Gotten high?: No
89. Smoked?: No
90. Gone to a theme park and checked out all the cute guys/girls: No
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR...
91. Bill Clinton: Meh, average
92. Lollipops: Little kids
93. Dreams: Waste
94. Love: waste
95. Whipped cream: Dinner
96. South Park: F*%$ you!
97. Boy Bands: ick
98. Guys: SRY+
99. Girls: SRY-
100. Death: When, where, how?
WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER BE?
101. Dog or cat: Dog
102. Blue or Red: Blue
103. Chocolate or vanilla: WTH? 1
04. Pen or Pencil: Pen
105. Plumber or Trash man: Trashman, then I don't have a crack problem
106. Ear or eye: both are gross
107. Rich and unhappy, or poor and happy: Rich
108. Tall or Short: Tall
RANDOM QUESTIONS
109. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?: No
110. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?: Midnight oasis
111. One pillow or two, cotton or feather?: idk
112. Last CD you bought?: Celtic Origins
113. How long are you in the shower?: it feels like forever
114. Do you collect anything?: Languages
115. Feelings on abortion: mixed--definitely opposed to most of them, but those "save the life of the woman" ones are tricky. No right to force someone either way then
116. Right, Left, or Ambidextrous: Right
117. What design is your mouse pad?: none 1
18. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?: who cares?
119. What is your desktop background right now?: Aurora Borealis
120. What is your favorite color?: Blue
121. Beach or mountains?: Montanas
122. Soap opera or daytime talk show?: Daytime Talk Show
123. Musicals: Phantom and Oklahoma...and Sound of Music, and Dreamgirls
124. If you could be a cast member on a reality show, what would you be on?: The Amazing Race
125. If you could be a contestant on any game show, what would you be on?: Jeopardy
126. Have you been to camp?: No! Ha ha
127. If you could change something about your appearance, what would it be?: I would have all hair below my ears irradiated
128. If you could change something about your personality, what would you change?: Laziness 129. Would you rather have an Escalade or a Hummer?: Neither, they're so damaging
130. Have you fallen for someone much, much older than you?: How much is much? Ten years? Or twenty? if twenty, then no. My teacher was only 10 years older than me!!!
131. What magazines do you like?: Sciencey or gossipy ones
132. Do you consider yourself a player?: No
133. Do you get drunk on a regular basis?: no
134. Do you like English or Math better?: Neither, they both suck
135. What color is your room?: white
136. Which is more fun...being at the beach with family, or being at the pool with friends?: Neither, water sucks
137. What board games do you like?: chess
138. Do you like pretzels?: no
139. What about pop tarts?: no
140. Pepsi?: no
141. Popcorn: Ditto
142. Pizza?: yes
143. Pineapples?: yes
144. Peanuts?: meh
146. Pop Rocks?: ick
147. Are you tired of filling this out?: meh
148. Are you ready to stop?: meh
149. What are you going to do when you get off?: ditto
1. Full Name: Raymond Lewis Schultz
2. Nicknames: Ray
3. Screen name: excelsioreverupward
4. Grade: 5th Year Senior
5. GPA: 4.0
6. Sex: Male (my old one was "no thanks")
7. Birthday August 26, 1987
8. Zodiac Sign: Virgo
9. Height: 6'2"
10. Weight: 155
11. Hair Color: Dirty Dishwater Blonde
12. Eye Color: Blue
13. Siblings: Erin (18) and Katie (8)
14. Parents' Names: Steven and Bernadette
15. Hobbie(s): Learning languages, being a lab rat, and cross stitching
16. Crush: NO
17. Girlfriend/Boyfriend: Thankfully no
18. When and who was your first crush?: Omg, it's really sad, but my 6th grade history teacher
19. What do you notice first about the opposite sex?: nothing anymore
20. How romantic are you?: Romance escapes me
21. Are you more cute or sexy?: Neither
22. Last person you talked to on the phone: Kristina
23. Last thing you said out loud: F^%$#
24. Last song you listened to: "The Queen Lives"
25. College: UCCS
26. Occupation: Spanish Tutor, Lab Assistant, Volunteer, Student
27. Marriage: No
28. Kids: Ditto
30. Future son's name: None
31. Future daughters name: None
32. Where will you live?: I dunno
33. What are you going to do tomorrow?: Sew and go to work
34. Food: Right now, I would love more cheesecake
35. Drink: Red wine (Bordeaux)
36. Juice: White Peach Cranberry
37. TV Show: DH, Star Trek, Amazing Race, Grey's Anatomy
38. Movie: musicals, British styled things, Virgin Queen, anything with actresses with the name Audrey (like Hepburn, Tattou)
39. CD: Virgin Queen, Anuna's Celtic Origins
40. Cartoon/Comic: Calvin and Hobbes
42. Musician: Yo-Yo Ma
43. Stuffed animal: Stitch
44. Singer: I dunno really
45. Website: My UCCS email
46. Salad Dressing: Low-fat Italian
47. Store: Wal-Mart, they have everything
49. Year: Right now, it is 2008
50. Time you have had in High School: I had four years and I would never do it again
51. Class: Immunology
52. PJs: Yes
53. Ice: Vanilla
55. Candy Bar: Meh
56. Teacher: Dr. Newell
57. Channel: Meh
58. Radio Station: FM 105.5, 91.5, 98.1, 103.9
59. Type of Music: A lot! classical, classic rock, new age
60. Shampoo/Conditioner: Head and Shoulders, no conditioner
61. Song: Hmm, right now, Si Do Mhaimeo I
62. Music Video: I really really really like that one with Elvis and his daughter, and Hips Don't Lie
63. Sport: Football
64. Relative: meh
65. Friends: I don't really have any
56. Hangout: LAB
67. Do you believe in angels?: no
68. Aliens?: yes
69. Heaven? meh
70. Hell?: no
72. Yourself?: yeah
HAVE YOU EVER
73. Been on a plane: Yes
74. Cried in public: Ye
s75. Climbed a tree: No
76. Picked a wedgie in public: no comment, hey, I'd rather be embarassed than have a colonoscopy from my underwear!
77. Fell asleep in a movie theater: I always do before the movie
78. Met a celebrity: Laura Ingraham
80. Been scared to get a shot: Actually no, I think that would be an easy way to go
82. Shopped at Abercrombie & Fitch: yay, no
83. Had an online relationship: No
84. Said "I love you" and not meant it: yes
85. Made prank calls: No
86. Gone skinny-dipping: WHAT THE HECK IS IT WITH THESE THINGS AND SKINNY-DIPPING????????
87. Skipped school: Oh yeah
88. Gotten high?: No
89. Smoked?: No
90. Gone to a theme park and checked out all the cute guys/girls: No
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU HEAR...
91. Bill Clinton: Meh, average
92. Lollipops: Little kids
93. Dreams: Waste
94. Love: waste
95. Whipped cream: Dinner
96. South Park: F*%$ you!
97. Boy Bands: ick
98. Guys: SRY+
99. Girls: SRY-
100. Death: When, where, how?
WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER BE?
101. Dog or cat: Dog
102. Blue or Red: Blue
103. Chocolate or vanilla: WTH? 1
04. Pen or Pencil: Pen
105. Plumber or Trash man: Trashman, then I don't have a crack problem
106. Ear or eye: both are gross
107. Rich and unhappy, or poor and happy: Rich
108. Tall or Short: Tall
RANDOM QUESTIONS
109. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?: No
110. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?: Midnight oasis
111. One pillow or two, cotton or feather?: idk
112. Last CD you bought?: Celtic Origins
113. How long are you in the shower?: it feels like forever
114. Do you collect anything?: Languages
115. Feelings on abortion: mixed--definitely opposed to most of them, but those "save the life of the woman" ones are tricky. No right to force someone either way then
116. Right, Left, or Ambidextrous: Right
117. What design is your mouse pad?: none 1
18. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?: who cares?
119. What is your desktop background right now?: Aurora Borealis
120. What is your favorite color?: Blue
121. Beach or mountains?: Montanas
122. Soap opera or daytime talk show?: Daytime Talk Show
123. Musicals: Phantom and Oklahoma...and Sound of Music, and Dreamgirls
124. If you could be a cast member on a reality show, what would you be on?: The Amazing Race
125. If you could be a contestant on any game show, what would you be on?: Jeopardy
126. Have you been to camp?: No! Ha ha
127. If you could change something about your appearance, what would it be?: I would have all hair below my ears irradiated
128. If you could change something about your personality, what would you change?: Laziness 129. Would you rather have an Escalade or a Hummer?: Neither, they're so damaging
130. Have you fallen for someone much, much older than you?: How much is much? Ten years? Or twenty? if twenty, then no. My teacher was only 10 years older than me!!!
131. What magazines do you like?: Sciencey or gossipy ones
132. Do you consider yourself a player?: No
133. Do you get drunk on a regular basis?: no
134. Do you like English or Math better?: Neither, they both suck
135. What color is your room?: white
136. Which is more fun...being at the beach with family, or being at the pool with friends?: Neither, water sucks
137. What board games do you like?: chess
138. Do you like pretzels?: no
139. What about pop tarts?: no
140. Pepsi?: no
141. Popcorn: Ditto
142. Pizza?: yes
143. Pineapples?: yes
144. Peanuts?: meh
146. Pop Rocks?: ick
147. Are you tired of filling this out?: meh
148. Are you ready to stop?: meh
149. What are you going to do when you get off?: ditto
Meh
My life has very little to discuss. I'm disappointed that Romney won in Michigan (the Democratic race didn't matter at all because the national committee decided to discount their delegates), but life goes on.
I also did very little sewing today, mainly because my hand was hurting. Hopefully, tomorrow morning I'll have more opportunities to sew.
I did start my first day as a hired student in the lab. That was exciting. Beyond compare.
I also copied down all of my vocab for Chapter 5 in French, plus the past tense with avoir. That gets me started in that class for the semester.
Um. Tomorrow=more work in the lab, some sewing, cleaning my room really well, then probably the rest of my sewing.
Other than that, I have little else to say.
I also did very little sewing today, mainly because my hand was hurting. Hopefully, tomorrow morning I'll have more opportunities to sew.
I did start my first day as a hired student in the lab. That was exciting. Beyond compare.
I also copied down all of my vocab for Chapter 5 in French, plus the past tense with avoir. That gets me started in that class for the semester.
Um. Tomorrow=more work in the lab, some sewing, cleaning my room really well, then probably the rest of my sewing.
Other than that, I have little else to say.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Considerations
My sewing is progressing amazingly. I have maybe 6 or 7 hours of cross-stitching on my southwestern themed one that I'm working on and then some backstitching and I have another project done. Then it's time to finish the back stitching on one I started a year ago and never finished. Hmmmm.
So I have some more thoughts about politics, because we're basically being pounded daily with political stuff. The absolutely perfect ticket for the Republicans to run would probably be something like McCain-Lieberman. Why? Because two moderates, an independent Democrat and a sort of renegade Republican make the perfect ticket to attract all of the independent voters. Between something like Obama-Edwards or Clinton-Edwards and McCain-Lieberman, the choices are actually pretty easy for moderates. Even though McCain is not an evangelical Christian and Lieberman a Jew, their support for an improving war in Iraq (best conditions pretty much since the invasion in 2003), their position as an alternative to two strong liberals, and their position in key states could be really important. Plus, they look like two honest and sincere men, which in the end for evangelicals, is probably enough, especially as an alternative to two heavy liberals.
Arizona is going to be one of those really contentious states this year, and McCain would have a natural upper-hand because he's from there. If you look at Clinton and Obama, they're both from pretty solid Democratic states (New York and Illinois), and so they have little persuasiveness in a swing state. Bringing someone like Lieberman or Giuliani onto the ballot would put Democrats on the defensive in states like New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey.
With all this political talk, one might think that I should be a politics major, but I actually don't care that much for it. It's important to me that we don't put a really right of the line person or a really left of the line person in the White House. The Congress I'm even less focused on, because local parties have so much say in the nomination process for a house seat or a senate seat that common folks actually don't have as much of a say as they do in presidential nomination processes.
Take my district for example. I have a terrible representative (Lamborn is actually quite smarmy), who should be voted out. There's going to be a contentious race here in the 5th CO district, between two Republicans on who can be more conservative. Kind of sad.
Anyways, I was thinking today that I'm actually kind of ready for school to start again. To get things going and to finally get some of those things I long for most-grades-to come in. When you only have like 39 hours left until you're graduated, you kind of want things to go more quickly than they are going now, I suppose.
I decided that this summer I'm going to start language #4, for which I'm trending towards Japanese. I really want to learn an East Asian language, andi think it might actually have more use in the sciences than otherwise.
For a scientist, the best languages to learn are probably (in order) English, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish. Mainly because they're the only places interested in science. I would love to know more languages. Arg. I wish I could absorb languages like a sponge.
So Masterpiece Theatre is going on this Jane Austin MARATHON over the next four months, I think, and they did all 5 of her novels and a biopic. I'm excited for it, because it'll basically be my first experience into her work.
Time to go back to sewing.
So I have some more thoughts about politics, because we're basically being pounded daily with political stuff. The absolutely perfect ticket for the Republicans to run would probably be something like McCain-Lieberman. Why? Because two moderates, an independent Democrat and a sort of renegade Republican make the perfect ticket to attract all of the independent voters. Between something like Obama-Edwards or Clinton-Edwards and McCain-Lieberman, the choices are actually pretty easy for moderates. Even though McCain is not an evangelical Christian and Lieberman a Jew, their support for an improving war in Iraq (best conditions pretty much since the invasion in 2003), their position as an alternative to two strong liberals, and their position in key states could be really important. Plus, they look like two honest and sincere men, which in the end for evangelicals, is probably enough, especially as an alternative to two heavy liberals.
Arizona is going to be one of those really contentious states this year, and McCain would have a natural upper-hand because he's from there. If you look at Clinton and Obama, they're both from pretty solid Democratic states (New York and Illinois), and so they have little persuasiveness in a swing state. Bringing someone like Lieberman or Giuliani onto the ballot would put Democrats on the defensive in states like New York, Connecticut, or New Jersey.
With all this political talk, one might think that I should be a politics major, but I actually don't care that much for it. It's important to me that we don't put a really right of the line person or a really left of the line person in the White House. The Congress I'm even less focused on, because local parties have so much say in the nomination process for a house seat or a senate seat that common folks actually don't have as much of a say as they do in presidential nomination processes.
Take my district for example. I have a terrible representative (Lamborn is actually quite smarmy), who should be voted out. There's going to be a contentious race here in the 5th CO district, between two Republicans on who can be more conservative. Kind of sad.
Anyways, I was thinking today that I'm actually kind of ready for school to start again. To get things going and to finally get some of those things I long for most-grades-to come in. When you only have like 39 hours left until you're graduated, you kind of want things to go more quickly than they are going now, I suppose.
I decided that this summer I'm going to start language #4, for which I'm trending towards Japanese. I really want to learn an East Asian language, andi think it might actually have more use in the sciences than otherwise.
For a scientist, the best languages to learn are probably (in order) English, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish. Mainly because they're the only places interested in science. I would love to know more languages. Arg. I wish I could absorb languages like a sponge.
So Masterpiece Theatre is going on this Jane Austin MARATHON over the next four months, I think, and they did all 5 of her novels and a biopic. I'm excited for it, because it'll basically be my first experience into her work.
Time to go back to sewing.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Life and such
So the whole politics thing is really starting to rile me into thinking of finding another country in which to win. If Evangelical Christians start winning too many powerful seats, then the USA is going to be a has-been nation for me. The thought that all these wackos will have control of this country is profoundly disturbing. Four years ago, I saw them as some kind of political ally, but now I see them as one of the most dangerous groups in the country today. These are people who intend to destroy the fundamental separation of church and state that is essential to maintaining freedom in this country. Unlike other countries in Europe where religion is not terribly important (save several), the US is in serious danger of becoming a hive of Evangelical Christians who intend to force their religion on everyone. If they are successful, I see the US becoming something like Italy, where the pope is a part of national politics. Instead, preachers who take the bible literally, creationists, defamers of science, and the whole lot of them will break this country.
That is why I have to ardently oppose the idea of a social conservative. It's not that I am opposed to things like ending most abortions (it's entirely unethical to force a woman not to have an abortion if the baby's killing her. It's one of those things where the woman has to decide if she wants to sacrifice her life or sacrifice the baby's, and she has to stick with it. I'm in no position to force a woman to die), however, I am in favor of permitting gays to have public relationships and the opportunity to equal rights as married heterosexuals, whether in civil unions or marriage, I'm apathetic about the death penalty, and opposed to ideas such as "abstinence-only sex education", creationism, and all the other superstitious notions out there that social conservativism holds.
Socially, I'm generally apathetic, recognizing the value of equal rights. I consider myself an ardent fiscal conservative though. A nine trillion dollar debt is intolerable for this nation and its peopel to bear much longer. It's the most important issue to me: can the economy be maintained and the national budget balanced?
Considering these factors, I have to eliminate the extremes. On the Republican side, I must whole-heartedly oppose the candidacies of Thompson and Huckabee. If one of these two is able to run the country, I have no idea the kind of damage they can do. Huckabee's ignorance on foreign policy is profoundly disturbing too. I don't know if anyone caught this, but after Bhutto's assassination in Pakistan, Huckabee thought that it demonstrates why we need to crack-down on illegal immigration (WHAT????). Pakistani immigrants (especially illegal ones) are at like 50 a year.
On the liberal side, I find myself distrustful of all three. Edwards is FOS, in my opinion. The drivel that spews from his mouth is frankly disgusting to my interests, and I find that he'll likely not last to the convention, as he promises. Although I have no problem with a woman running the country (remember, my ideal candidate has pretty much always been Condoleeza Rice--amazing intelligence and capability, foreign policy that can whoop anyone else's ass), Hillary is not the one to be the first. She has first too many enemies, and secondly, there is this strong distrust I have of her. Like she has this big secret she's hiding.
Obama I think I may liek hte least of the Democrats because he relies on rhetoric and charm before experience. Experience is his weakness, one the Republicans can shred, especially of a veteran like Giuliani or McCain runs against him. One term as a national senator is not enough experience to make a president. I have strong reservations if Obama can control the staff and influence Congress enough to make a difference.
So that leaves moderate Republicans. Mitt Romney I also don't trust. He's spent too much money already, which makes him a clear New Englander. Recall that there's never been a decent preseident from New England, with respectful reservations for Calvin Coolidge. He also looks like one of the husbands off of Desperate Housewives. There's something not right about the man.
I'm basically then torn between McCain and Giuliani. I think Giuliani has been trying to redepict himself too much, so it makes me suspicious that he's too interested in playing the party base. McCain though has had nothing to lie about, nad based on everything I've heard, he's not interested in reinventing his image. Between the two, I would tilt towards McCain.
Worst case scenario Obama or Clinton vs. Huckabee.
By the way, Ron Paul doesn't count. That whole racism issue throws him out immediately. I don't tolerate it.
The rest of my life is strangely normal. I started collecting books for my thesis, which is good. Today I plan on finally getting my hair cut (it's a good 6 inches long now), shaving, buying some school supplies, Chipotle, and ultimately, going to work.
This weekend is crackdown time. Thesis research gets underway.
That is why I have to ardently oppose the idea of a social conservative. It's not that I am opposed to things like ending most abortions (it's entirely unethical to force a woman not to have an abortion if the baby's killing her. It's one of those things where the woman has to decide if she wants to sacrifice her life or sacrifice the baby's, and she has to stick with it. I'm in no position to force a woman to die), however, I am in favor of permitting gays to have public relationships and the opportunity to equal rights as married heterosexuals, whether in civil unions or marriage, I'm apathetic about the death penalty, and opposed to ideas such as "abstinence-only sex education", creationism, and all the other superstitious notions out there that social conservativism holds.
Socially, I'm generally apathetic, recognizing the value of equal rights. I consider myself an ardent fiscal conservative though. A nine trillion dollar debt is intolerable for this nation and its peopel to bear much longer. It's the most important issue to me: can the economy be maintained and the national budget balanced?
Considering these factors, I have to eliminate the extremes. On the Republican side, I must whole-heartedly oppose the candidacies of Thompson and Huckabee. If one of these two is able to run the country, I have no idea the kind of damage they can do. Huckabee's ignorance on foreign policy is profoundly disturbing too. I don't know if anyone caught this, but after Bhutto's assassination in Pakistan, Huckabee thought that it demonstrates why we need to crack-down on illegal immigration (WHAT????). Pakistani immigrants (especially illegal ones) are at like 50 a year.
On the liberal side, I find myself distrustful of all three. Edwards is FOS, in my opinion. The drivel that spews from his mouth is frankly disgusting to my interests, and I find that he'll likely not last to the convention, as he promises. Although I have no problem with a woman running the country (remember, my ideal candidate has pretty much always been Condoleeza Rice--amazing intelligence and capability, foreign policy that can whoop anyone else's ass), Hillary is not the one to be the first. She has first too many enemies, and secondly, there is this strong distrust I have of her. Like she has this big secret she's hiding.
Obama I think I may liek hte least of the Democrats because he relies on rhetoric and charm before experience. Experience is his weakness, one the Republicans can shred, especially of a veteran like Giuliani or McCain runs against him. One term as a national senator is not enough experience to make a president. I have strong reservations if Obama can control the staff and influence Congress enough to make a difference.
So that leaves moderate Republicans. Mitt Romney I also don't trust. He's spent too much money already, which makes him a clear New Englander. Recall that there's never been a decent preseident from New England, with respectful reservations for Calvin Coolidge. He also looks like one of the husbands off of Desperate Housewives. There's something not right about the man.
I'm basically then torn between McCain and Giuliani. I think Giuliani has been trying to redepict himself too much, so it makes me suspicious that he's too interested in playing the party base. McCain though has had nothing to lie about, nad based on everything I've heard, he's not interested in reinventing his image. Between the two, I would tilt towards McCain.
Worst case scenario Obama or Clinton vs. Huckabee.
By the way, Ron Paul doesn't count. That whole racism issue throws him out immediately. I don't tolerate it.
The rest of my life is strangely normal. I started collecting books for my thesis, which is good. Today I plan on finally getting my hair cut (it's a good 6 inches long now), shaving, buying some school supplies, Chipotle, and ultimately, going to work.
This weekend is crackdown time. Thesis research gets underway.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tired, again
Actually, I am incredibly tired right now, but I'm staving off going to sleep until midnight or so, for a couple of reasons. Frist, I have sleep decently maybe one night in the last six. By decently, I mean waking up maybe once or twice. My recent cycle has been that I sleep for maybe ten or twenty minutes and then I wake up and I'm up for more than a half hour, but only when I start REM cycles. I have no problem with non-dreaming sleep. But dream sleep is really difficult to make it through.
My sewing is going ok, I suppose. I have four more projects to finish my the end of htis year, after I finish the one I'm working on right now. Make that six. I have two projects with nothing but back stitching, but I hate back stitching, so I put that off forever. I have three HUGE projects to work on throughout the year, such that I will not be buying any cross stitching (hopefully) throughout this year.
The book front is another story. I have been knocking books off my shelves like crazy. I think I've gone through four in the past two weeks, not to mention scanning my philosophy books for anything I don't need to use for my thesis. I'm down to a shelf and a half worth of books to read, which is good.
My tastes in reading definitely have changed. Two years ago, I was all over C.S. Lewis' stuff, like Chronicles of Narnia, (except The Last Battle, I've always hated that book, absolutely terrible ending to a wonderful series). However I kind of put off reading one book that I got for Christmas in 2005, I think, The Screwtape Letters. I read it over the last two days, and really got nothing out of it, except that C.S. Lewis was kind of a prick. I really didn't care much for the book, the topic, or the diatribe about how anything not agreeing with him is basically going into the demons' hands. Sounds a hell like a lot of priests I hear.
Whenever I read my posts from then and what I think now, I've definitely undergone profound changes. I'm far more self-sufficient on what I consider to be a good idea and what is a bad one. I'm far less theologically or even philosophically inclined. I don't care much for either now, it's just that I'm doing this thesis because it's pretty much the only class I need for the major, and I've done this much work already, so I may as well finish it off.
I think I'm going to have to read The Origin of Species for my thesis, or at least a good portion of it. Not that I mind. I've accepted most of evolution's ideas and theories as consistent with evidence. I think that it can't be a very accurate theory though, since we lack so much archaeology that could be of great benefit to us. DNA is definitely going to change about 50% of what we think about biology soon.
Come to think of it, that's where I should go with my thesis: what have been the great breakthroughs of biology? Evolution, DNA, Cellular theory, and I would have to biasedly say immunology.
That's how I would have to organize my paper, I think.
So, I know where to start. Good.
I am totally in the mood to start something for this semester. Maybe I should start reviewing my French and starting Chapitre Cinq.
My sewing is going ok, I suppose. I have four more projects to finish my the end of htis year, after I finish the one I'm working on right now. Make that six. I have two projects with nothing but back stitching, but I hate back stitching, so I put that off forever. I have three HUGE projects to work on throughout the year, such that I will not be buying any cross stitching (hopefully) throughout this year.
The book front is another story. I have been knocking books off my shelves like crazy. I think I've gone through four in the past two weeks, not to mention scanning my philosophy books for anything I don't need to use for my thesis. I'm down to a shelf and a half worth of books to read, which is good.
My tastes in reading definitely have changed. Two years ago, I was all over C.S. Lewis' stuff, like Chronicles of Narnia, (except The Last Battle, I've always hated that book, absolutely terrible ending to a wonderful series). However I kind of put off reading one book that I got for Christmas in 2005, I think, The Screwtape Letters. I read it over the last two days, and really got nothing out of it, except that C.S. Lewis was kind of a prick. I really didn't care much for the book, the topic, or the diatribe about how anything not agreeing with him is basically going into the demons' hands. Sounds a hell like a lot of priests I hear.
Whenever I read my posts from then and what I think now, I've definitely undergone profound changes. I'm far more self-sufficient on what I consider to be a good idea and what is a bad one. I'm far less theologically or even philosophically inclined. I don't care much for either now, it's just that I'm doing this thesis because it's pretty much the only class I need for the major, and I've done this much work already, so I may as well finish it off.
I think I'm going to have to read The Origin of Species for my thesis, or at least a good portion of it. Not that I mind. I've accepted most of evolution's ideas and theories as consistent with evidence. I think that it can't be a very accurate theory though, since we lack so much archaeology that could be of great benefit to us. DNA is definitely going to change about 50% of what we think about biology soon.
Come to think of it, that's where I should go with my thesis: what have been the great breakthroughs of biology? Evolution, DNA, Cellular theory, and I would have to biasedly say immunology.
That's how I would have to organize my paper, I think.
So, I know where to start. Good.
I am totally in the mood to start something for this semester. Maybe I should start reviewing my French and starting Chapitre Cinq.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Away
So I haven't posted in a few days. Shoot me. Well, actually not, but if you feel that you must, shoot me someplace like my foot, where it won't kill me. In fact, if you shoot me in the foot, it may make me happy because I don't like feet. Feet are gross.
Anyways, away from that strange stream of consciousness.
My last few days have not been too busy--after taking the GRE, I was pretty much totally worn out by the whole thing. I looked on a few websites, and I didn't do as well as I would have thought that I could. For example, the University of Washington is one of hte schools I'm considering for grad work, and their range of acceptable GRE verbal is 550-800. Keep in mind, I got a 570. This means that I don't actually probably look all that good to them in the whole verbal department.
Plus, they only accept 7 people for their immunology program every year. The more I look into grad schools, the less I think I'll be able to get into them. I mean, seriously, look at me. I'm a student at UCCS, probably the fourth or fifth tier school in the state after CU, CSU, UDenver, and maybe CC. That's hwo far down UCCS is looked at. At least in many circles we're higher than all the infernal bible colleges around here.
So I'm competing with all these people from big schools. Then I have to compete with everyone at equal level, so any school like UCCS, so for example, University of Texas at Corpus Christi, I'm competing with all of them too. Then on top of that, there's the out of state bias that exists. People at public universities like Iowa, Washington, Kansas, and Missouri are less likely to take me because I'm from Colorado, and we have our own program at UCHSC. If I were at Wyoming, for example, I could get in most anywhere more easily, simply because Wyoming is more limited, so other public universities are more likely to accept someone for reasons out of their control.
Basically, I've been looking at this grad school thing with glass half-empty eyes.
I think I mentioned that advanced immunology conflicts with ancient Rome, so I dumped that and just went to 23 hours for the semester. Tis good for me.
I don't think I have much else to say. My life right now is pretty boring for the next two weeks.
Anyways, away from that strange stream of consciousness.
My last few days have not been too busy--after taking the GRE, I was pretty much totally worn out by the whole thing. I looked on a few websites, and I didn't do as well as I would have thought that I could. For example, the University of Washington is one of hte schools I'm considering for grad work, and their range of acceptable GRE verbal is 550-800. Keep in mind, I got a 570. This means that I don't actually probably look all that good to them in the whole verbal department.
Plus, they only accept 7 people for their immunology program every year. The more I look into grad schools, the less I think I'll be able to get into them. I mean, seriously, look at me. I'm a student at UCCS, probably the fourth or fifth tier school in the state after CU, CSU, UDenver, and maybe CC. That's hwo far down UCCS is looked at. At least in many circles we're higher than all the infernal bible colleges around here.
So I'm competing with all these people from big schools. Then I have to compete with everyone at equal level, so any school like UCCS, so for example, University of Texas at Corpus Christi, I'm competing with all of them too. Then on top of that, there's the out of state bias that exists. People at public universities like Iowa, Washington, Kansas, and Missouri are less likely to take me because I'm from Colorado, and we have our own program at UCHSC. If I were at Wyoming, for example, I could get in most anywhere more easily, simply because Wyoming is more limited, so other public universities are more likely to accept someone for reasons out of their control.
Basically, I've been looking at this grad school thing with glass half-empty eyes.
I think I mentioned that advanced immunology conflicts with ancient Rome, so I dumped that and just went to 23 hours for the semester. Tis good for me.
I don't think I have much else to say. My life right now is pretty boring for the next two weeks.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
TIRED
I am ridiculously tired right now. Maybe because I've only gotten 4 hours of sleep each of the last two nights. Maybe because I was at work until after 10 PM last night. Maybe because I was sitting in a really hot room taking a test for almost 4 hours today. Something along those lines.
Well, things have been looking pretty decent in recent times. First of all, my GRE scores. I must gloat. See, the average score for a biology major is a 460 in verbal and a 570 in math stuff. That's a 1030 overall. Ray got a 570 in verbal and a 770 in math for a total of 1340. That's actually really close to my old SAT scores. Even though they're not graded the same way (I don't even think that the verbal and quantitative tests are graded the same way), something must be said for consistency.
So, on my tests for graduate school so far, I've gotten:
Verbal: 570
Quantitative: 770
Biology: 800
No complaints there.
So my advanced immunology class now has a time, which is good. It conflicts with my ancient Rome class, so that totally went out the window. I decided not to add another class, because I figure between the rest of my classes, thesis, and my three jobs (1 volunteer and 2 paid), that I ought to focus on what I've got on my plate, not worrying about what I could be doing.
Amazing cost news: my school books for all of 23 hours this semester will cost me less than 100 dollars. I only have 2 classes where I have to get a book, which is hot.
I also decided that I'm going to sell my Analytical Chemistry books online, since I never did the UCCS buyback thing, and I think I can do well for myself on there. I have to figure out how to sell things though. Grr. I'll probably sell it for $60. The cheapest thing on there is like $68, so I figure a good $8 will get rid of the book for me.
I'm done with a HUGE step towards grad school. That makes me REALLY happy.
Well, things have been looking pretty decent in recent times. First of all, my GRE scores. I must gloat. See, the average score for a biology major is a 460 in verbal and a 570 in math stuff. That's a 1030 overall. Ray got a 570 in verbal and a 770 in math for a total of 1340. That's actually really close to my old SAT scores. Even though they're not graded the same way (I don't even think that the verbal and quantitative tests are graded the same way), something must be said for consistency.
So, on my tests for graduate school so far, I've gotten:
Verbal: 570
Quantitative: 770
Biology: 800
No complaints there.
So my advanced immunology class now has a time, which is good. It conflicts with my ancient Rome class, so that totally went out the window. I decided not to add another class, because I figure between the rest of my classes, thesis, and my three jobs (1 volunteer and 2 paid), that I ought to focus on what I've got on my plate, not worrying about what I could be doing.
Amazing cost news: my school books for all of 23 hours this semester will cost me less than 100 dollars. I only have 2 classes where I have to get a book, which is hot.
I also decided that I'm going to sell my Analytical Chemistry books online, since I never did the UCCS buyback thing, and I think I can do well for myself on there. I have to figure out how to sell things though. Grr. I'll probably sell it for $60. The cheapest thing on there is like $68, so I figure a good $8 will get rid of the book for me.
I'm done with a HUGE step towards grad school. That makes me REALLY happy.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Conflicts
It looks like scheduling conflicts are going to arise here soon. My advanced immunology class is either going to conflict with my Ancient Rome class or my Philosophy thesis, so I'm going to have to drop whichever one with which it conflicts. This brings up a massive quandary. If it conflicts with Rome, then that's actually better, because I can just take another history class either in the summer or next fall, and then just take 16 hours instead of 13.
However, if there is conflict with my thesis class, then I may be in serious trouble. I would still have to take a philosophy thesis in the fall, and I would be stuck writing two theses in one semester, which is nightmarrish beyond compare, not to mention whatever I'll be doing in my two chemistry courses that I have to take next fall. I'll be choosing two of among Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry Laboratory, and Molecular Biology.
So this is what I am thinking. If it conflicts with Rome, then I just drop Rome, and go to 23 hours on the semester. Handy dandy. If it conflicts with thesis, then I either do two theses next semester, or I drop philosophy down to a minor and pick up a third one.
My options though for a minor are very limited. These are the minors that it's physically impossible for me to do:
Physics, French, German, Art History, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Science, Communication, any Business minors, Film Studies, English, Economics, Gallery Management, Energy Science, Music, Writing, Statistics, and anything else involving art.
Maybe it should be better to write about what I can take:
Politics, Math, Geography, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology.
I won't do math or sociology for anything. I'm not all that interested in psych.
So then the problem becomes, do I want to do any of politics, anthropology, or psychology?
Not really psych or politics, everyone does those.
So then anthropology? The serious problem there is that I have to take 18 hours. I could only take maybe 6 this semester, leaving me with 12 hours of anthro, 6 in chemisty, and a history thesis. Not looking forward to that.
So then I wonder, maybe I should take up a 4th language? There are intro classes in sign language, Japanese, and German being offered. Japanese would conflict with immunology if I were to go into all of this, and the american sign language classes are all filled, leaving German as the only option. Of course, the times for this class are absolutely terrible, leaving me with three choices:
go down to 23 hours
take nuclear chemistry
take a language class at Pikes Peak Community College.
Ok, so there are no language classes at PPCC I can take that don't conflict with French. There is however an online class I can take-American politics, which when I trnasfer it, would give me 6 hours at UCCS, and I can take a class this spring, bringing me to 9 hours. I would have to squeeze 9 more in somehow-probably one over summer to get me to 6 hours.
I think of all options, if philosophy thesis goes out the window, then I will tkae nuclear chemistry, and get my chemistry down to 3 hours. Then take a 4th language this fall, in all probablility. I would only have to take thesis, another chemistry class, and French III. So in order to meet full time status, I would at least I have to take a class like Japanese I.
Too much to worry about right now, I figure.
My new years' resolutions are looking good. I've gone 3 days and not even thought about hte monkey on my back that much--I can easily dissuade it when it gets on there. So that puts me at about 72 hours right now with me being monkeyless.
Finances are unchanged, but I am not going to buy anyhting else that I don't need--books and cross stitches--until I finish the ones I have. Speaking of which, I have almost finished another book on the French Revolution, which I honestly, don't like. I've also made good progress on my southwestern cross stitch, which I'll probably end up giving to someone. Anyone, probably.
All in all, right now, life is not complaint-worthy.
El fin para hoy.
However, if there is conflict with my thesis class, then I may be in serious trouble. I would still have to take a philosophy thesis in the fall, and I would be stuck writing two theses in one semester, which is nightmarrish beyond compare, not to mention whatever I'll be doing in my two chemistry courses that I have to take next fall. I'll be choosing two of among Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry Laboratory, and Molecular Biology.
So this is what I am thinking. If it conflicts with Rome, then I just drop Rome, and go to 23 hours on the semester. Handy dandy. If it conflicts with thesis, then I either do two theses next semester, or I drop philosophy down to a minor and pick up a third one.
My options though for a minor are very limited. These are the minors that it's physically impossible for me to do:
Physics, French, German, Art History, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Science, Communication, any Business minors, Film Studies, English, Economics, Gallery Management, Energy Science, Music, Writing, Statistics, and anything else involving art.
Maybe it should be better to write about what I can take:
Politics, Math, Geography, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology.
I won't do math or sociology for anything. I'm not all that interested in psych.
So then the problem becomes, do I want to do any of politics, anthropology, or psychology?
Not really psych or politics, everyone does those.
So then anthropology? The serious problem there is that I have to take 18 hours. I could only take maybe 6 this semester, leaving me with 12 hours of anthro, 6 in chemisty, and a history thesis. Not looking forward to that.
So then I wonder, maybe I should take up a 4th language? There are intro classes in sign language, Japanese, and German being offered. Japanese would conflict with immunology if I were to go into all of this, and the american sign language classes are all filled, leaving German as the only option. Of course, the times for this class are absolutely terrible, leaving me with three choices:
go down to 23 hours
take nuclear chemistry
take a language class at Pikes Peak Community College.
Ok, so there are no language classes at PPCC I can take that don't conflict with French. There is however an online class I can take-American politics, which when I trnasfer it, would give me 6 hours at UCCS, and I can take a class this spring, bringing me to 9 hours. I would have to squeeze 9 more in somehow-probably one over summer to get me to 6 hours.
I think of all options, if philosophy thesis goes out the window, then I will tkae nuclear chemistry, and get my chemistry down to 3 hours. Then take a 4th language this fall, in all probablility. I would only have to take thesis, another chemistry class, and French III. So in order to meet full time status, I would at least I have to take a class like Japanese I.
Too much to worry about right now, I figure.
My new years' resolutions are looking good. I've gone 3 days and not even thought about hte monkey on my back that much--I can easily dissuade it when it gets on there. So that puts me at about 72 hours right now with me being monkeyless.
Finances are unchanged, but I am not going to buy anyhting else that I don't need--books and cross stitches--until I finish the ones I have. Speaking of which, I have almost finished another book on the French Revolution, which I honestly, don't like. I've also made good progress on my southwestern cross stitch, which I'll probably end up giving to someone. Anyone, probably.
All in all, right now, life is not complaint-worthy.
El fin para hoy.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2008
It's the beginning of the new year, and I have so much to look forward to over these next twelve months, that I thought that I should make some general hopes, predictions, and anticipations for these next 52 weeks of my life.
1. I intend to break myself of the monkey that's on my back. I'm 21 hours into a new year, and I intend to go all 8784 free of this thing that has been cursing me for the last 6 years.
2. I intend to maintain straight A's this year, without exception. I think there are several classes where this will be quite easy: Ancient Rome, Critical Thinking, French II, Biostatistics, and others where this will be extremely challenging: THESES.
3. I intend to graduate this fall, and this look really good for a fall graduation.
4. I intend on December 21 to have over 3000 dollars in my savings account, if possible. I'll have a better idea of this when summer starts. Right now, I have 500 dollars, but I'm hoping that I can work a lot this summer, and save up everything I make this year that doesn't go towards school.
Those are the 4 BIG goals this year. These are some of my smaller ones:
1. Get good scores on the GRE. I have no doubt that I can do well in the math and writing sections, but verbal reasoning is kind of eh. I've taken a couple of practice tests and gotten ridicuously skewed numbers: 480 in verbal (which sucks) and 720 in math, (which is amazing).
2. Read all of the books that I've got that I haven't yet read, which is a ton. I'm resolved not to buy another new-non school-book until all the ones I have now are read. I think it's a ridiculous number that will take basically all year, but still.
3. I plan on discarding a lot of my things this summer, as I do every summer, books that I've read that I have no intention of ever reading or using again, old clothes that I don't wear, junk papers sitting around, etc.
4. Finish all of my assignments at least a week early, if possible. I successfully did it last year in the spring, but not so much in the fall. This semester I hope will be slightly different.
5. Finish all the cross-stitches I have right now (5 I think) before I buy any more. No buying cross stitches until the ones I have are done!
I'm sure I will think of more later
By the way, I'm going to go cross stitch and movie watch now.
1. I intend to break myself of the monkey that's on my back. I'm 21 hours into a new year, and I intend to go all 8784 free of this thing that has been cursing me for the last 6 years.
2. I intend to maintain straight A's this year, without exception. I think there are several classes where this will be quite easy: Ancient Rome, Critical Thinking, French II, Biostatistics, and others where this will be extremely challenging: THESES.
3. I intend to graduate this fall, and this look really good for a fall graduation.
4. I intend on December 21 to have over 3000 dollars in my savings account, if possible. I'll have a better idea of this when summer starts. Right now, I have 500 dollars, but I'm hoping that I can work a lot this summer, and save up everything I make this year that doesn't go towards school.
Those are the 4 BIG goals this year. These are some of my smaller ones:
1. Get good scores on the GRE. I have no doubt that I can do well in the math and writing sections, but verbal reasoning is kind of eh. I've taken a couple of practice tests and gotten ridicuously skewed numbers: 480 in verbal (which sucks) and 720 in math, (which is amazing).
2. Read all of the books that I've got that I haven't yet read, which is a ton. I'm resolved not to buy another new-non school-book until all the ones I have now are read. I think it's a ridiculous number that will take basically all year, but still.
3. I plan on discarding a lot of my things this summer, as I do every summer, books that I've read that I have no intention of ever reading or using again, old clothes that I don't wear, junk papers sitting around, etc.
4. Finish all of my assignments at least a week early, if possible. I successfully did it last year in the spring, but not so much in the fall. This semester I hope will be slightly different.
5. Finish all the cross-stitches I have right now (5 I think) before I buy any more. No buying cross stitches until the ones I have are done!
I'm sure I will think of more later
By the way, I'm going to go cross stitch and movie watch now.
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