2 months and counting!!

So the end of February doth approach and I am feeling nervous, excited, concerned, stressed, relieved, terrified, thrilled and nauseated all at the same time!  It's a very complicated range of emotions but considering I'll be finished my undergraduate academic career in just over 2 months I suppose it's only normal- or so the voices in my head tell me (hehe).

I just booked an appointment with an academic advisor for this upcoming Tuesday because my "unofficial" degree audit tells me that two of the classes in which I am currently enrolled have been assigned to the "unassigned" courses area.  Which, I though I needed them to graduate... if I don't than I would love to drop them now before any further harm is done to my grade point average.  Although I'd also like to see them through to the end so if I have to stay in them than that will be alright as well.

I can't believe how much I've neglected posting but I've decided not to apologize but rather to move forward and bring it up to date with the events of my life since 2012 started.

I went to the orthodontist and got the biggest shock of my life! My treatment is coming along nicely but apparently my my orthodontist thought we were going to be surgically expanding my lower jaw to fix my under bite- apparently within her own mind considering that It was not mentioned once to me though allegedly we had "talked" about it.  Well, I am definitely NOT going through that again! As a result I get to wear these elastics which constrict my jaw throughout the day and night and give me headaches and nightmares but hey! It certainly beats going through another grueling surgery and recovery session so I'm going to be a good little metal mouth and wear my elastics diligently- I have them on right now in fact!  *High Five for me!*

This week of the month is what the university's call "reading week" and as the fantastic student that I am, I have actually been reading! I know! I can't believe it either! Although certain familial distractions have prevented me from achieving my goal amount of reading, I have decided not to waste the next 36 hours and get as much done as physically possible.

What Familial distractions you might ask? well, besides my grandmother having her hip replaced and coming home tomorrow from a month long stay in hospital, we ( my sisters and I) have made it our goal to create and complete the 100 guest invitations for one of my sisters wedding that will be held in July- we have to have them done now so they can be send out post-haste by April.  Why do them so early you ask? well, my oldest sister and my only niece (i.e Mrs. Dr Smarty-pants and the Fifster) are coming for a 3 week visit which will take place this March and in which there will be little to no time to sit around fussing over purple bows and hot gluing rhinestones.

 So with visits to grandma increasing soon plus the added distracting fun of out of town family I've got to contend with the usual home/school/church stuff as well.  There is going to be a lot going on in March for academically alone, it's going to be tons of fun trying to make my brain work while people around me are partying.. oh well, I guess this is what the first 4 years prepares you for, right?

Did i mention that I broke the damper pedal on the family piano Monday night? Yep, I did!  The piano tuner guy we've had for ages had come and fixed it about 2 years of so ago- he concocted a temporary solution with a wire and some string and perhaps an elastic band or two but the temporary sort of became permanent until now that it's finally in it's "broken-needs-to-be-fixed" state once more.  *sigh* I hate trying to sustain the sounds with my hands... I regret the damage to my piano and I am hoping we can have it fixed soon...* crosses-fingers*

Here are some pictures detailing my current chaotic schedule for homework and some randoms about the weather and the state of chaos in my life. Enjoy!

February Cat Frolicking in Foliage

Honestly, I just Don't Get It!

If you're reading this and wondering what the "It" is.. just keep reading 

In all seriousness though, I'm supposed to be writing up my presentation for a seminar I have tomorrow.. but it's no use! I'm stumped and frustrated. Thankfully it's only worth 20% of my final grade in the course but it's giving me more stress than necessary.

I'm supposed to be presenting on an article written by a number of smart people for 8-10 minutes without giving any kind of summary but simply looking at a few sections of it and commenting on it in relation to the major themes of the course... easier said than done.  The course is entitled "The History of Cultural Studies" not likely an easy topic.  And to be quite frank, I'm more a fiction, not a theory buff.. which means I'm going to get hammered tomorrow.  My only saving grace is that the guy who went last week managed to survive merely talking for a few minutes and asking 2 overly stuffed, incomprehensible questions to a dumb founded group of 20 supposedly intelligent upper year English majors and standing in silence for a good 5 minutes waiting for the professor to intercede and break the humiliating silence. 

Talk about stress.  I'm following that guy and probably to the grave.. 

I also have no drive, since this weekend I made a terrible mistake in judgement and stayed up late Friday night watching the newer Phantom of the Opera movie with Gerard Butler ( you know you love him!) until 3 am and then sleeping 2 hours to wake up and turn off my insanely set alarm clocks to then turn them off and roll around half an hour before catching another 3 hours of useless sleep.  By the end of last night (sat) I felt terribly light headed and nearly passed out twice.  Furthermore, the 9 hours I received last night didn't help and I woke up groggier and a terrible boomerang headache.  My eye balls have been burning since..

Well here I go plunging into an article that I am certain will have me constantly referring to my Oxford E.D a couple thousand times throughout it's 15 pages..

Wish me luck.  Gah! *sighs loudly and endures knowing glance from sister next to me while the little person in my head begins running around with arms flailing and a head in flames*

It's a Weird Day for January..

There is nothing like having high winds and rain in the middle of January... honestly I'm beginning to think we'll have snow in July- not that a cool summer is a bad thing (hehe) but then I'll have to make my sister a cape to go with her wedding dress.  which would just be a shame.

So what am I up to tonight?  Well instead of reading or working on some necessary stuff for any of my 6 courses I've decided to take some time to myself while being constructive.  I'm currently watching a very entertaining movie, one that allows laughter and smiles along with critical thinking and cinematic observation to be had.  I speak of no other than Mel Brooks' "Robin Hood Men in Tights".  IF you don't believe me watch it for yourself.

Did you know that Mel Brooks is one of few movie making giants who aims to keep the audience in check with reality and the falsities of the cinematic experience?  Certain objects, moments, incidents and acting motives are  strategically implemented to keep the viewer interested, entertained and in touch with the fact that they are watching a movie which is simply a portrayal of real instances, objects, incidents etc.  One might consider the work of Plato and the concept of mimesis to explain the purpose of movies such as the ones Mel Brooks creates.

Well that's all for now.. the movie doth await me.

And It begins...

I've been struggling all week to get work done on the first seminar presentation for one of my new seminars and   I am finding the hardest challenges I have ever had to face.

The presentation for seminar is the shortest one's I will ever have this year- my final year.  The professor- whom I am absolutely stoked to work alongside of- made the seminar presentations in the format of 500 word responses which is slightly out of step with the usual 8-15 minute presentation requirements of other seminars I have encountered and am currently enrolled in.

Now you might be saying to yourself... "500 words is nothing!" and in comparison to the 2500 words that was the average for seminar presentations as of last semester, you would be correct.  But do not let such an "easy" word count fool you.  It is definitely proven- in the case that I've done it before- that writing anything in 500 words, getting all our your points across and having to do it as succinctly as possible is no easy feat.  In fact it requires a lot of work, stress, concentration, screaming, yelling, pain and overall discomfort.

Luckily i decided to present my first of two seminars the first week (ie tomorrow) and I say "luckily" because the readings for this week are simply poetry selections and not an entire novel.  But considering I was not really given much instruction and when asking for some guidance was not provided with much help from my fantastic professor, I am facing a great issue... the question that has been my brick wall the past 36 hours has been thus: "do I respond to simply one text of poetry? Or do I choose two and respond to them simultaneously?"  *sigh* the answer to which I am still unsure.  And yes, I present in approximately 10 hours.

Anywho, I just hope I can survive the next couple of hours and get myself in bed in time to catch atleast 6 hours of sleep.

Sherman Alexie why do you conflict me so??? *sigh*

XOXO

This Minute...Some 2012 Motivation

I received the following motivational message in an e-mail on Dec 31st from a very wise friend who understands that importance of not sweating the little things... So take "a minute" to read as it is Definitely worth thinking about when wondering what to do with your time during this brand new year.

This minute is the most important one, because this minute is the one you
can use. There is so much you can do in this minute if you'll simply allow
the best possibilities to unfold.

Let go of the regrets and guilt and resentment you've carried with you from
other times. See how foolish it is to be held back by fears about days that
have not yet even arrived.

Think of all the good things that truly mean so much to you. 
Give your focus to those things, and make use of this minute, right now and
right here, to expand on that goodness in your world.

Don't be concerned about what might or might not be, or what others might or
might not think of you. Live instead from your authentic center, and make
this minute one that adds value to your experience.
 
Though you may have good excuses for holding back, use this minute to move
forward. Though the effort will not be easy, your life is worth the trouble.

This minute is filled with promise and possibility. Right now is when you
can transform it into real and lasting value, so do.
 
- R. Marston
_________________________________________________________________________________

"We make choices to survive but we still have to survive our choices. Choose wisely." ~Ky-Mani 

Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.  With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Don't waste time on a dead-end (M.C)

I hope you all have a wonderful 2012 year and it brings you fantastical challenges, trials, fears, joy, peace, successes, happiness, sadness, pain, pleasures, excitement and wonder!  Take the time to appreciate the life you have and the world you live in.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!!!!!!

Goodbye First Term, HELLO Winter Break!!

I am finally finished exams for first semester and it feels really great! And a little sad.
...

I know... I'm a nerd what can I say? I had a really great term, and I managed to survive hell month and maintain a B- average, even on the silly classes.  I think that deserves a pat on the back. *pats self on back*
*sigh*
Wow am I ever tired!  I was at school for about 7 hours, 5 of which were spent studying fiercely, and two of which spent writing with furious insanity. Gotta love hand cramps! At least I survived.  we'll see how my grades work out in the end though.

I discovered something about myself tonight that really made me happy... I actually know what I'm doing!  I'm not a screw up anymore!  It's crazy but In my insanity, I think I've actually done something right this semester.  I knew it!!!  I'm super proud of myself for actually pulling the grades I'm meant to get.  Doing work really does pay off :P *jokes* I'm just thrilled that I did the right thing this term, and that switching programs 3 years back was really the best decision I could have ever made. I just hope I can keep this outlook on life for next semester.  Unfortunately I'm overloading one course which means I'll not only have 2 seminars BUT i'll also be dealing with 4 2nd and 3rd level classes.  And that means 4 final exams next Spring.  Ugh!  Forget about it, for now lets celebrate the success of this term! Cheers!

I`ve got tons of sewing to get working on ASAP! I`m hoping  to have a quarter of it done by this upcoming Monday... It's already Dec 14th.. oh my gosh! I've got to get working.. too bad Santa's elves are busy, I could use the extra hands.  *sigh* Just need to button up my cardigan and get a sewing!

I'd also long to get some writing done during the break... and maybe get a head start on the readings for next semester.... I don't get it, this year Christmas is on a weekend, final exams don't finish until the 21st but we still return to school January 4th! It's outrageous! Thats so not enough time!!  Oh well...

There's just no rest for the wicked I suppose.  

Daddy and I are going to pick out our family Christmas tree tomorrow.. yay! and hopefully it will be decorated by the end of week *fingers crossed*

Gonna get some much needed sleep now... Why is Sleep the only thing you can't catch up on?  I don'[t know whats harder really, catching up on sleep or making the money tree grow... hmm

XOXO
C

End of November Already? 0_0

I managed to surive Hell Month somehow but I'm still not finished.  Though i've entered the final stretch of my ridiculous essay word count goal i'm still 2500 words away from the finish line :(


I managed to get an extension from my prof and did not have to turn in an unfinished, unedited piece of literary garbage.. yay!  But now i've still got to get this paper done between now and Sunday- which if you know me, you know how much my weekends are write offs. *sigh*


Gonna push myself to do at least a page and a half single spaced today, if not more.. 2500 words is approximately 7 pages double spaced, which when single spaced equals to only about 3 pages and some leftovers.. I love typing in single space, its much more gratifying to double space your work and have it hit 7 pages rather than trying to write 7 spaces straight through.  Perhaps I'm just insane and it's my subconscious brain trying to pacify my stress..  Either way it works, I can (as they say) "get'er done"


Speaking of "get'er done".. Is anyone else happy about today being the last day of November? or is it just me?  I can't wait to see the clean shaven men around campus again!  If I have to see one more cheesy 70's caterpillar, hitler stash, dirty sanchez, captain hook, handlebar or teenage mustache I will bring clippers to school.. honestly, i'm surprised none of the women have gone "Sweeney Todd" on their men yet! Thank you for the support of men's cancers but that furry thing has to go!  Only Johnny Depp and Hulk Hogan look good in a mustache okay?


ooo Randomness! I ran into my old choir conductor yesterday.. third time this month! Back in October we met in the hallway and he had asked me if I wanted to join the women's ensemble he was conducting, starting January and I said yes. Yesterday he came round again while i was in the Aristotle's Republic headquarters (yes I know it was Plato's republic, you had to be there) and we picked a day for me to sing for him... he wants to place me properly which is great since he hasn't heard me sing since I was probably 12 years old.  Fingers crossed!  I'm hoping to sing a nostalgic piece from my childhood days in the CCCC that I'm certain will bring back fond memories for him and I really hope I can sell it to the back of the house- if u will.


Enough of that now, i've got to write my head off.  Drop me a comment or e-mail me if you're still reading me.. i know i've abandoned my blog for a while, but i feel more alone in the giant internet sea than ever before!


XOXO
Cris


p.s if you're wondering what happened with my NaNoWriMo story this November... well, it didn't.  I made 1000 words and then face the hardest month of reading and writing academically that I have ever faced. here's hoping for next year!