Crummy Tuesday

Today hasn't been the greatest, but thankfully it's almost over.

I went to work this morning, only to go back to my room after a half an hour. I felt so sick to my stomach that there was no way I would have been able to last the whole shift. It's annoying, but at least they were staffed to the point that it wasn't a big deal. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be feeling better and will be able to last through my whole shift.

I took my Macroeconomics final this afternoon, once I woke back up. That could have went a lot better than it did. It was online so I had the opportunity to use my book and notes, and even though I did I still only managed a forty percent. It's disappointing, but I have a feeling that I'm going to have to retake the class regardless. I'm fairly certain that I didn't manage the 2.0 minimum that I needed in order to get into my major.

It was snowing earlier but that has since tapered off. I'm hoping that we don't get too much snow in the days to come. I want to be back home before the major snow starts, and would be nice if we didn't have to drive through heavy snow to make it to my cousins wedding on Saturday.

That would be fantastic!

Final Number One

I drove back up to State this morning. It was interesting to watch as the further north I went the more snow there was on the ground. There wasn't any whatsoever in Adrian. Although even up here some of it has melted away.

Dad fell asleep early into the drive, and then mom did to. I think Shawn dozed off for a little bit during the last leg of the trip, but at least I had the radio going for company. I think it's more difficult to drive with everyone sleeping if you are trying to drive at night. It's not as distracting when it's light outside for whatever reason.

My first final is this afternoon. It's probably going to take me the longest to complete of all the exams that I've got this week, but I'm not extremely worried about it. I've done well enough in the class that I can't screw it up too badly with this one test. It's not even worth that much of the final grade which is good because it's my Lit/Cultures final and from his description of it it's going to be a bit complicated.

But really, that's not all that surprising.

Time For Sleep

I have finished my note cards for my Macroeconomics class. It took me a few hours to do, and my concentration didn't always stick with the task at hand, but I've managed to get them done at a decent hour so I think it is safe to call the mission a success.

Now hopefully having actually studied somewhat for the final won't prove to have been a futile attempt. I really, really want to manage to pass that class with a grade that will at least allow me into my major.

Darcy seems to be transfixed by the sound of my trying. She is crouching behind my computer, and frequently peeks around the corner and stares at my hands as they punch the keys. A moment ago she actually lunged around the corner, seemed to examine my hands for a moment, and then thought better about actually attempting to remove them from the keys. I appreciate her ability to abstain from tormenting me.

I think what she actually wants is for me to head to bed, because I've got my heating blanket going and she likes to lay on the bed when the heating blanket has been turned on. Darcy, much like me, does not enjoy the cold weather.

Tomorrow morning I have to head back to school so that I can take my first final of the week. It's around noon, so I don't have to leave super early. I just really wish this week was over. I'm ready to get the tests out of the way and move on.

Lame

I have been awful about updating this lately. It was plenty early when I remembered it last night, but I was already in bed and honestly I needed the sleep more than I needed to blog. This coming weekend should go much more smoothly than this past weekend though so I'm not too worried about.

I'm finally feeling better, though I'm still left with some congestion. That I can deal with however. The presentation yesterday went really well. Unless you were a part of our group, I really doubt that it was obvious that we went into it without having all previously met.

Ultimately the project appeared more planned out than it actually ever was, and that is awesome. I would have preferred it if we had had better communication through-out the planning stages, but it ended up working out okay. The whole group seemed to be glad to finally have the project out of the way. It's a liberating feeling.

Flyleaf's new CD came out today, which is really cool, but then it's not because I definitely can't afford it right now. We'll see how things go next pay day as far as that is concerned, though I'm really excited about the new CD. From what I've heard of it it's really good!

I have a newspaper to read, and then I'm getting some sleep. I'm hoping to lose the congestion within the next few days. That would be amazing!

NANOWRIMO Fail

NANOWRIMO started last week, and I definitely haven't managed it very well so far. In my defense the last week or so have been rather busy.

Sarah came up to visit for a few days, and between the concert we went to, my classes and work schedule, fellowship and just hanging out I didn't get a lot of writing done. Then of course there was homework to do. I don't think I even really thought about writing.

Then of course I came home on Friday and have been sick since I walked through the door. Saturday is a blur quite honestly. I slept most of the day away. I feel better now, although I'm still not feeling great.

Soon I'm going to have to head towards school so that I can be ready to go to a group meeting at the library, and of course get back to my dorm at a decent time. I'm not a big fan of the time change. It gets dark entirely too early now.

Maybe this week I'll be better about budgeting my time. Hopefully. I'm going to make that my goal this week, better time management.

To Study

It is really warm in the study lounge. Super warm. If I do not fall asleep first, I will finish reviewing for my econ. quiz at least. The last in class quiz didn't go very well, so lets hope that actually preparing for this one will prove to be beneficial. Overall though, I don't feel like I'm doing too badly in the class. As long as I keep up with the homework all should go smoothly.

After class today, I went to work and after work I did two loads of laundry. I actually really like doing laundry. There is something that is relaxing about the whole process. Plus it's a good excuse to spend some time lost in a book.

Right now I'm reading Libba Bray's new book, "Going Bovine". I'm really enjoying it so far, and hopefully once I finish it I can muster up the attention span to write a review. It's really amazing though, I definitely recommend picking up a copy. I mean, come on, it's Libba Bray, how could it not be amazing? Exactly.

Alright, back to the business of studying...

Michigan Weather and Accomplishments

Time got away from me today. The weather has been atrocious all day. It was threatening rain when I walked to my first class, began to sprinkle as I hurried to my second class, and took up a steady stream once I left my final class.

The rain in and of itself wouldn't be quite so bad if it weren't a cold rain, accompanied by a rather chilly temperature and some wicked wind. I did manage to speak with someone regarding my 'no call, no show' though, so hopefully that madness will be worked out because I've definitely shown up for every one of my shifts.

I managed to get my shift covered for the seventeenth, so now I am all clear to go to Fall Retreat which is exciting. Now I just have one more shift to get covered, and if the powers that be approve of the solution that I've found then everything is set. It's nice when things seem to be falling into place.

I should have read the chapter that I need to have read for tomorrow earlier, but procrastination seemed to be a better idea at the time. Although, I guess I was productive. I found two scholarships that I'm going to make a concerted effort to apply for. I need to get serious about scholarships... Alright, I'm going to read my chapter and then I'm off to the land of sleep.

Rainy Day

Being home for the weekend was nice, although I didn't manage to get as much of my homework done as I should have. I have just now finally managed to get all of my reading done for the class that I have at nine tomorrow. I'm supposed to read sections A through C of the AP stylebook, however it's like reading the dictionary and I just don't think I'm up for doing that at the moment.

I got back to campus around five or so, but by the time I had unloaded my car, and then parked my car and walked back from where I had to park it... it was a little after six o'clock.

My parents tried to call me earlier, but for some reason despite the fact that I answer the phone and can hear them talking they can't hear me. I have no idea what the deal is so at some point tomorrow I get to try and sort that ridiculousness out. Hopefully it will be a simple enough thing to get sorted out.

It was a pretty cruddy day to be driving. When I left home it was pouring rain. Thankfully the closer I got to campus the less rain there was. Rain is so depressing. Anyway, I need to get organized and then I need to start considering sleep.

Story of Success

The drive home went really well. I didn't get all turned around in Jackson like when I was coming home from orientation, and I didn't pass by my last exit like the last time that I came home. Not to mention it was a lovely day outside. I really enjoy driving when the sun is out and the sky is a gorgeous blue. It was the perfect day to be on the road.

It wasn't until I started home that I realized how much I've missed driving. I mean on campus there is no doubt about it, walking is practical, but I used to spend a great deal of time in my car. When I commuted to WCC it was about an hours drive each way, and to go to work it was a forty minute drive each way... I mean, and that's only the obligations I had. I spent a lot more time driving if you count the occasional doctors appointment and general recreational driving.

It felt really good to drive my car today, I'm just saying...

My parents went to the flea market up in Hillsdale this morning, so they weren't around when I got home but Yoda, Coach and Darcy were happy to see me. Yoda especially has been hanging out with me since I've been home. Every once and a while Darcy will wander in the room and look at me with wide eyes. I think she's trying to figure out who I think I am, coming and going as I please. Coach just generally accepts that sometimes I seem to be around, and other times I'm not. To him it is just the way the world works.

This evening was fun. We walked down to my cousin's house and had a cook-out and watched some movie. I know that's real descriptive, but I honestly have no idea what the movie was called. It had already started when we flipped to the channel and we didn't stay to watch it because Dad was having issues staying awake. The house is quiet now, and the quiet is strange because it's never really quiet back at MSU. Not that the quiet is unwelcome mind you!

At any rate, since I have managed to blog on schedule I think today can be labeled a success. I am now off to tackle at least some portion of the mound of homework that I've dragged along with me, an perhaps find sleep. You've heard of sleep right? It's that state of viewing the inside of ones eyelids. It sounds kind of appealing.

Training Day One

It was an early morning. I woke up at 6:30 to my alarm clock, and then proceeded to climb down from bed (which really is no small feat), to make it stop blaring through the room. Of course, then I decided it was too early to be awake and climbed back into bed to catch another half an hour of sleep.

Training officially was supposed to start at eight, but it was a little later than that when they came to the designated room and let us know that they had changed the meeting place to one of the larger auditoriums. Mainly it was a day spent sitting in the auditorium and watching instructional videos. They were really strange too, because the only one that really seemed to honestly pertain to the job was the last one.

They had a fashion show, where we were shown examples of what is proper work attire and what isn't. That was fairly entertaining. Then we played Jeopardy, which was interesting considering we were a group of at least two-hundred. We were split into three groups, and each group elected a spokesperson. My group very nearly won, but then ended up losing in Final Jeopardy. The third group had 900 points and wagered everything, while we had 1700 points and only wagered 101 points. We would have won by one point had we not missed the last question.

Anyway training ended an hour early, and we were told that tomorrow training would start at nine instead of eight. An extra hour of sleep, AWESOME! I'm thinking about going home tomorrow so that I can be there for my Cousin's wedding on Saturday since I don't have to work until Sunday. It'll mean an early drive back Sunday though in order to make it here for work. I don't know, the plans are still kind of up in the air.

Assigned Tasks

Today was another busy day at work, which is good because it meant that it went by rather quickly. I narrowly avoided being summoned to the registers, because I was standing in so that someone else could go to lunch in one of the other departments. I got a good share of what needed to be done in my department completed, but since I open the same department in the morning it really doesn't matter because I can pick up right where I left off.

Once I got home I had to make a quick stop at my cousins house, where I was assigned to write a letter. I am the go to person in the family when in comes to writing formal letters and the like.

Once I finish the letter I can attempt to get in some sleep before I have to turn around and go to work bright and early in the morning.

No Pants Required

I stayed up until two o'clock this morning, and honestly it was by accident. I was finishing the forth book in Patricia Briggs "Mercy Thompson Series". Really that series is utterly fantastic. At any rate, I was so caught up in reading, that I didn't pay any attention to the clock. I was shocked to see that it was two o'clock, because I was quite literally lost in a book.

Of course, I didn't see it as being a problem since I didn't have to be to work until two in the afternoon. I assumed that I would be able to sleep in, but then I shouldn't have made such an assumption. I woke up at nine all on my own.

It was however a productive morning. I finally stopped debating about it and committed to buying a Acer netbook. I wanted to go ahead and get a Mac, but of course I couldn't afford it outright and they wouldn't accept my application for financing on it. Oh well, if I get a refund through school or whatever maybe I'll go ahead and get one anyway. At any rate, in just a couple days I will once more have a computer all my own. God, I miss having my own computer.

Once I got to work today, Joan and I spent about two hours moving most the furniture around the department in order to make room for merchandise to come up from one of our "sister departments" in the store. It was a rather large move but the end results weren't too bad. In fact it really opened up the space and gave it a fresh look.

The rest of the evening was devoted to giving breaks and lunches and general clean-up in the department on my part. While I wouldn't say that the store was necessarily busy tonight, I kept busy and so it was a productive day.

Once I got home mom announced that she needed to go to the store and pick up a gallon of milk, so the the two of us plus my two nieces headed to Meijer. The whole of that excursion was unremarkable, until we were on the way home. We stopped at Speedway to pick up a pop, and my two nieces headed in while mom and I stayed in the car. This guy walked in just after they did, and in typical young guy fashion his pant were practically falling off. My response to this, was to turn to my mom and ask, "Why exactly did he bother with pants if he doesn't plan on wearing them."

Shortly thereafter my nieces returned to the car giggling, and the younger one says, "You know that sign on the door... it says you have to have a shirt and shoes, but it doesn't say anything about pants!" We all burst out laughing at that point.

Once we had marginally calmed down the oldest of the two explained that Kristi made this observation to her while they were inside, and her first response was to ask where she had gotten that idea from because it "sounded like something Sandy would say".

See, my nieces know me. ;)

Sleepless

While it may be incredibly early it is in fact Monday morning, and since sleep seems to be illusive at the moment there is no reason for my not to blog. It's annoying when you are tired enough that you cannot bring yourself to focus on any one thing and yet you cannot find sleep either. I would love to sleep, but it seems impossible for the moment.

My mind is abuzz with chatter, and I wish there were some switch that I could flip so that it might stop. The house is silent aside from the gentle murmur of my ceiling fan. (Why this is relevant, I'm not sure.)

This weekend was inconsequential as weekends go. Today I narrowly avoided the monotony that work has become. Thankfully I managed to retain my day off. Therefore I spent much of the day taking a look at a 'novel' that I began writing several years ago now. It definitely needs some polishing up and plot revision in general. I gave the first chapter a well deserved make over today. Perhaps as I get it cleaned up further I'll post some excerpts of it here.

I find that as time passes I long for and dread the coming of August in equal measure. There are so many pros and cons to the passage of time. While on the one hand it promises to relieve from me the burden of my present stress, it presents a whole new realm of stress to delve into. Why can nothing ever be simple? Why is it so impossible for us each to understand the pressure that we inflict upon others with our expectations and actions?

Much later today I will go to work. I am merely stating a fact here, as I cannot yet ascertain whether or not this is a good or a bad thing. There are only so many things which I am certain of. The first is that I am ready for change, and the second is that despite how much I seek change it is tempting for so many things to remain the same.

Declawed Darcy

Darcy got her bandages off yesterday. Well I guess I should say bandage, because she took the other one off the day before. We got her fixed and declawed last week. She was mad as hell the other day after Scott finally managed to get the bandage off. She spent a good deal of the day hiding in the corner and hissing at those of us who were trying to make friends with her.

She was better by last night, and today she’s doing well. As long as she doesn’t see Scott she’s fine, then she kind of wigs out. We haven’t managed to coax her into coming out of my room though. The few times we’ve gotten her out to the living room, she’s darted back again.

She probably feels more secure in there, but hopefully she’ll be ready to venture out into the rest of the house in the next few days.

We’ve got my nieces cat over at the moment. Last night, or I guess technically this morning, I woke up to Darcy hissing. She was lying next to me, and Popcorn had gotten up onto the end of my bed and was staring at her. She isn't always a sociable cat, especially when it comes to other cats.

The Anonymous Moron

It’s been an eventful weekend. I feel like I haven’t slept in days at this point. It didn’t help that I closed on Saturday and then had to be back to work at nine on Sunday morning for a meeting. Sleep sounds amazing at this point.

Anyway, at some point Saturday night some moron decided it would be a good idea to rifle through my car. Thank God I brought anything of value in the house the night before, and as it turns out they didn’t take anything. Though they left an obvious mess in the form of an open glove box and papers sprawled across the seats. They went through my car and both my parents cars, leaving a mess behind and all the doors ajar.

First of all, what kind of idiot leaves things in such a state that it is obvious they have messed with property that is quite obviously not theirs? Second of all, what is the point if you aren’t after something in the first place? Congratulations, you can break into a parked, unlocked car. Moron.

I imagine it’s the same anonymous moron that walked through our yard a couple days ago and apparently left their shoes behind because they got stuck in the mud. Why the hell would you, upon getting stuck in the mud, think that the solution to such a problem would be to then take off your shoes and walk through the said mud in bare feet.

Again, moron.

Past, Present, Future

I love the sound of spring. It is wonderful wake up in the morning to sunlight streaming through the window and birds singing in the cool morning air. Spring is fantastic because it is the end of freezing to death every time you step out the front door.

Spring is a time of new beginnings, a chance to start over after the hellish ordeal that is a long and grueling Michigan winter. As majestic as a first snow may appear when view from inside a cozy house, I’m not sad to see it go.

The other lovely thing about spring, is that it is the prelude to summer which means that school is almost out. It’s not that I don’t enjoy school, but I’m ready for a break. I want some time to myself. I don’t want to worry anymore about squeezing in time for homework in-between work and actually attending classes.

What I really want is to sleep again. It’s easy to forget what it is like to really, and truly sleep. Worry tends to erode away any chance of sleep, which conversely leads to sleep deprivation, leading to further worry. It is an endless cycle perpetuated by the inability to take a step back, to forget the past, let the future be and take the present one moment at a time.

To Study... or not

I’m supposed to be studying for my Psych test. I told myself as I was grumbling about going to work this morning that I would come right home and study. I’ve been home for two hours and have yet to seek out my book. Truthfully I’m not too worried about it. It’s not physics or anything.

God, I wasted so much time studying for those physics tests… I’ll get over it, someday. :D

I might get some study time in yet tonight, but probably not. Of course, studying would be a more effective use of time than attempting to sleep. Lately the moment the lights are off and the house is quiet the ceiling becomes increasingly interesting. Sleep deprivation ftw!

I promise to try and be more interesting tomorrow. However, based on the current trend I would suggest not holding your breath on that count.

Inadvertent Sleep Deprivation

Despite attempting to go to sleep around eleven last night, I ended up reading until two-thirty this morning. Sleep has been illusive lately, which is annoying, but last night it’s absence allowed me to read a book from cover to cover.

That’s something I haven’t done lately. It was refreshing.

I still haven’t remedied the watch situation. I considered buying a new band, but that’s equitable to buying a new watch. I could buy a new watch, but I don’t really want to. So at this point I’m thinking of making or at least rigging up a new band. That of course is going to take some ingenuity.

Although, I must say it’s interesting to have gone without a watch for the last week. You begin to realize just how reliant you are upon being able to know exactly what time it is. In many ways not having a watch seems to make time more important, because you think over it more. Yet, at the same time it becomes less important because it is less accessible.

Do you think we over exaggerate the importance of time in our everyday lives?