I spent a rather disappointing day today, and decided to start anew by taking a nap. I woke up at 7 pm and felt a bit better, although getting out of my very warm, cozy bed into a 63F apartment (I'm cheap/broke) was very difficult.
I spent half an hour deciding on what to watch - settled on one of the Vicar of Dibley Christmas specials - and then got to work on dinner. Made Portuguese spicy shrimp (my grandmother's recipe) and white jasmine rice and a green salad. Nobly resisted going to the store to buy feta cheese (a staple of my "luxury" purchases), and after my dinner was made and consumed I was putting the leftovers (very happy with the fact I have rice and shrimp in one tupperware and another tupperware with plain rice I get to make egg fried rice with - screw my diet, it's bloody cold outside) I found that I still HAD some in the fridge! I'm very cross about this. Tonight was all about the perfect dinner and I had the feta I wanted and didn't know it was in there! Oh well. I'll have it for lunch tomorrow with my leftovers.
So, anyway, my Friday night is me chilling on the couch (literally chilling...brrr) watching As Time Goes By on Amazon Prime, drinking aspartame-laced Cuba Libres, and writing a novel. And I'm strangely okay with that.
(Not that I wouldn't like a tall, dark, handsome boyfriend snuggling up on the couch with me, him reading and drinking with me writing and drinking. But I haven't got one, nor am I likely to find one, so making the best of things it is.)
Friday, November 14, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
Quickie thought of the day
Why am I always so tired?
And, more importantly, why do my friends post articles on Facebook about how lung cancer affects 1 in 13 women and kills more women than breast, colon, and brain cancer combined every year? And worst of all, how the symptoms are "a cough that doesn't go away," "fatigue," and "aches and pains"??????
I mean, I KNOW every internet diagnosis is death. But still. My chest has been bugging me, and that article was not something I wanted to see!!
And, more importantly, why do my friends post articles on Facebook about how lung cancer affects 1 in 13 women and kills more women than breast, colon, and brain cancer combined every year? And worst of all, how the symptoms are "a cough that doesn't go away," "fatigue," and "aches and pains"??????
I mean, I KNOW every internet diagnosis is death. But still. My chest has been bugging me, and that article was not something I wanted to see!!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
An artist's quandary
I have no idea whether it's finished or not. I love it, and yet I look at it and wonder...oh well. It's mine, and I can take all the time I need to finish it.
I was at Michael's weeks and weeks ago, buying some paint, canvases, and craft variety items for the Halloween costume I was making, and some girl behind me in line was talking about how she had been offered gallery space in a real museum, and people bought her art off Etsy and tried to buy it when they saw it in her apartment, and how she had dozens and dozens of finished canvases, but she 'didn't want to give them up' and 'let them go' and I just stood there in line and gripped my items and managed not to smack her silly for being so foolish and frankly, downright evil, as to brag about her success and about her inability to capitalize on her talent because she was too emotionally attached to her pieces to share them with the world.
I'm sure it's hard to part with your pieces. But to refuse to give/loan them to a real museum that wants your artwork!! Forget not selling on Etsy (although she claimed to be broke, and still buying loads of art supplies to create more art), a real museum!
Oy.
Just oy.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Sheer Exhaustion
What a week! I don't know which way is up right now.
Had an exam this morning, and was horribly frustrated that the professor accidentally put 7 more questions than he meant to, so told us to not answer the last 7 (I'd already done the whole test and was in the process of filling in my scantron), and those last 7 questions I knew all the answers to, but three or four in the middle I wasn't at all sure about, so I've probably lost some points! So frustrating.
Then I worked for a couple hours, and by noon I was so cold and miserable and hungry I nearly cried, despite my jersey and the throw I keep at my desk, but then I remembered my old office-mate left a space heater in there, so I turned it on, put it under my desk, and in about 10 minutes I was actually warm (my office is notorious for being the coldest room in the building), felt significantly less hungry, and didn't want to cry anymore! I must remember this for the future because I know it's just going to get colder in that damn icebox of an office. Even my current office-mate, a northerner who is gloating over the fact it's supposed to get down to 39F this weekend as an overnight low, thinks our office is way too cold and keeps a sweater in there.
I was relieved when it was lunchtime, but a blonde girl has suddenly developed the habit of being in the grad student lounge when I come up for lunch, which drives me INSANE. I've decided I must have both introvert and extrovert qualities, because spending 10 hours or so on campus (which I do a lot of days) is really hard on me and I need a half hour entirely to myself to recharge and get through the end of my day in one piece. Then when she left, and I was just rising to lie down on the couch for the five minutes I had left, another girl came in and asked, "Oh, are you studying?" - despite the macaroni and cheese cup in my hand - and I politely said no, she came in and dropped her belongings on the couch and I gave up my dreams of five minutes of calm and repose, and left.
Needless to say, I was in a seriously unpleasant mood by the time I got to Conservation class. Class was okay. Spot-cleaning rusty nails with 10% solutions of various acids is neither soothing nor fun, and I was very relieved I only had to do 45 minutes of work after class to complete my hours for the week.
Unfortunately, I have to go in tomorrow (I purposely work 10-12 hour days so that I DON'T have to go in Fridays!) but it shouldn't take long. I'll take my car and run errands on the way home. Need to get laundry quarters, supplies for a photography portfolio, my tires checked, things like that. Then I need to work on my thesis and I SHOULD go to the opera night, but I'm not sure. I usually enjoy myself when I'm there, but I'm so horridly tired right now, and have so much work to do this weekend, I don't know if I would.
I loathe being grown-up. I never know what's the good thing for me, or the right thing for me to do! That and I just put a percentage of my paycheck into my savings, and paid off my credit card and have so little money left for the month I'm practically frightened about it. I still need stuff for Thanksgiving - cutlery, food, some little bowls and things. Hopefully I'll be able to swing it, but I'm going to pray my hardest that I don't have to dip into my retirement savings. It's all because I bought $200+ of furniture last month, and a bunch of very necessary cooking stuff that turned out to be more expensive than I thought. Still, once I have everything then I won't have to spend money on it again, will I?
Had an exam this morning, and was horribly frustrated that the professor accidentally put 7 more questions than he meant to, so told us to not answer the last 7 (I'd already done the whole test and was in the process of filling in my scantron), and those last 7 questions I knew all the answers to, but three or four in the middle I wasn't at all sure about, so I've probably lost some points! So frustrating.
Then I worked for a couple hours, and by noon I was so cold and miserable and hungry I nearly cried, despite my jersey and the throw I keep at my desk, but then I remembered my old office-mate left a space heater in there, so I turned it on, put it under my desk, and in about 10 minutes I was actually warm (my office is notorious for being the coldest room in the building), felt significantly less hungry, and didn't want to cry anymore! I must remember this for the future because I know it's just going to get colder in that damn icebox of an office. Even my current office-mate, a northerner who is gloating over the fact it's supposed to get down to 39F this weekend as an overnight low, thinks our office is way too cold and keeps a sweater in there.
I was relieved when it was lunchtime, but a blonde girl has suddenly developed the habit of being in the grad student lounge when I come up for lunch, which drives me INSANE. I've decided I must have both introvert and extrovert qualities, because spending 10 hours or so on campus (which I do a lot of days) is really hard on me and I need a half hour entirely to myself to recharge and get through the end of my day in one piece. Then when she left, and I was just rising to lie down on the couch for the five minutes I had left, another girl came in and asked, "Oh, are you studying?" - despite the macaroni and cheese cup in my hand - and I politely said no, she came in and dropped her belongings on the couch and I gave up my dreams of five minutes of calm and repose, and left.
Needless to say, I was in a seriously unpleasant mood by the time I got to Conservation class. Class was okay. Spot-cleaning rusty nails with 10% solutions of various acids is neither soothing nor fun, and I was very relieved I only had to do 45 minutes of work after class to complete my hours for the week.
Unfortunately, I have to go in tomorrow (I purposely work 10-12 hour days so that I DON'T have to go in Fridays!) but it shouldn't take long. I'll take my car and run errands on the way home. Need to get laundry quarters, supplies for a photography portfolio, my tires checked, things like that. Then I need to work on my thesis and I SHOULD go to the opera night, but I'm not sure. I usually enjoy myself when I'm there, but I'm so horridly tired right now, and have so much work to do this weekend, I don't know if I would.
I loathe being grown-up. I never know what's the good thing for me, or the right thing for me to do! That and I just put a percentage of my paycheck into my savings, and paid off my credit card and have so little money left for the month I'm practically frightened about it. I still need stuff for Thanksgiving - cutlery, food, some little bowls and things. Hopefully I'll be able to swing it, but I'm going to pray my hardest that I don't have to dip into my retirement savings. It's all because I bought $200+ of furniture last month, and a bunch of very necessary cooking stuff that turned out to be more expensive than I thought. Still, once I have everything then I won't have to spend money on it again, will I?
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Lifestyle Changes
I don't know what lifestyle changes to make, but I need to make some. I'm sick AGAIN. And I had to turn down not only a date tonight, but also an invitation from an old friend who's in town because I'm too sick to go out. I went to Big Lots earlier (they're having a 20% off everything in the store sale) to get a roasting pan, a turkey baster, a 4 pack of tape, and two cooling racks for a total of $25.46, which I'm very pleased with, but that's as much energy as I had to expend today.
Maybe I need some more tea. I sure need something!
Maybe I need some more tea. I sure need something!
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Too busy!!
I've been so insanely busy lately, I don't know which way is up. Classes, homework, work, photography, (re)learning a new language, nightmares, Halloween costumes, painting, and trying to get myself enough downtime to stay sane, not to mention cooking, cleaning and all the chores that are necessary to keep oneself alive and presentable!!
Today, for instance, I got up at 9 am, showered, went grocery shopping, came home, and immediately started cooking! To be sure, I have the game on, and I'm making meals for the week (more about that later), but still, not a lot of chill time. Especially when later today I have Mediterranean homework, MUST work on my mask if I plan on wearing my costume to the local Renaissance fair, I want to get some painting done (trying to create a decent painting to use as a Christmas present...if I could only paint as well as my sister!!! I need to find some drawing classes out here but I haven't yet), German homework, and I was hoping to find a few minutes for my thesis. It's less objectionable when I just dedicate 20 minutes to it at a time, and I feel good for having worked on it, and feel better for not spending a whole day screaming at it.
Grocery shopping was gorgeous today - I found a 20 pound turkey for $11.50!! Frankly, all I wanted to do after that was this:
But I continued shopping, and got enough food for the week (helped out by the $3.70 chicken I already had reposing in my freezer) for a grand total of $39.46, a whole $0.54 under my weekly grocery budget!! I love it when I can do that. That turkey, by the way, is destined for Thanksgiving. I'm having people over, and trying to assemble what I can now (I need a roasting pan, gravy tureen, etc etc) to defray expenses so I won't have to pay out seven zillion dollars all at once come late November.
Right now my chicken is defrosting (if I had the brains of a lizard I would have put it to defrost last night, but I didn't) in a bowl of cold water, and I have butternut soup simmering away on the stove. I'm making evil plans to make a good deal of butternut soup this autumn (so healthy, and so yummy!) but perfecting my own recipe. One day, perhaps I can have my very own recipe book! I'd love to make a few pennies that way. I've been feeling pretty broke lately, but I haven't been paid since June 1st and I don't get paid til October 1st, so I've been living off my savings and praying I can swing it!
I'm going to be good and save the chicken bones for stock (which I will probably make tomorrow after work). That way, next week I can make pork and saffron rice, which I have been CRAVING ever since we had that freak cool spell two weeks ago. Mom says she's made it with brown rice and nobody noticed the difference which is so huge, because I'm trying so hard to be healthy, but I need yummy in my life. Life without yummy is life not worth living!
I also opened a bottle of white wine which turned out to be ghastly (I need to remember some things are on super-sale for a reason) and will turn at least some of it into a white wine sauce tonight, with whole-wheat pasta, ham and green peas. I think I have enough ham for two meals, so I might make a big fat batch (and use all the wine) and get a dinner and two lunches out of it. That way I can save all the roast chicken for this week's dinners, and use the butternut soup as lunch and/or dinner starters, or even a midnight snack.
I also want to start eating more vegetarian, as I grudgingly admit that the way meat is currently farmed is one of the major contributors to global warming (grumble grumble don't want to be a hypocrite grumble grumble) so butternut soup is hitting that trigger too. I will never give up all meat, (or even most, I'm sure) so don't even try!! I am interested in trying my hand at black bean and quinoa meatballs, but that'll be next week at earliest, I think. I need to think of some kind of sauce to use with them. Tomato based, I'm sure, but I don't want to cop out and just do something too simple. I'm kind of thinking I should use the excuse to go to the local farmer's market and get pumpkin and try some sort of pumpkin puree or something...
Seriously want to make mashed potatoes tonight, but I am going to be good and resist so that I don't turn into a hippopotamus. Will make them one night this week when I sautee some of the roast chicken with onions, peas and barbecue sauce. Sounds a little crazy, but it's yummy enough for a tired graduate student.
Okay, going to go make some cornbread now, partially to eat with my soup, partially to practice for Thanksgiving. I've never made it before, and I have real Americans coming over, so I need to get it right!
Today, for instance, I got up at 9 am, showered, went grocery shopping, came home, and immediately started cooking! To be sure, I have the game on, and I'm making meals for the week (more about that later), but still, not a lot of chill time. Especially when later today I have Mediterranean homework, MUST work on my mask if I plan on wearing my costume to the local Renaissance fair, I want to get some painting done (trying to create a decent painting to use as a Christmas present...if I could only paint as well as my sister!!! I need to find some drawing classes out here but I haven't yet), German homework, and I was hoping to find a few minutes for my thesis. It's less objectionable when I just dedicate 20 minutes to it at a time, and I feel good for having worked on it, and feel better for not spending a whole day screaming at it.
Grocery shopping was gorgeous today - I found a 20 pound turkey for $11.50!! Frankly, all I wanted to do after that was this:
But I continued shopping, and got enough food for the week (helped out by the $3.70 chicken I already had reposing in my freezer) for a grand total of $39.46, a whole $0.54 under my weekly grocery budget!! I love it when I can do that. That turkey, by the way, is destined for Thanksgiving. I'm having people over, and trying to assemble what I can now (I need a roasting pan, gravy tureen, etc etc) to defray expenses so I won't have to pay out seven zillion dollars all at once come late November.
Right now my chicken is defrosting (if I had the brains of a lizard I would have put it to defrost last night, but I didn't) in a bowl of cold water, and I have butternut soup simmering away on the stove. I'm making evil plans to make a good deal of butternut soup this autumn (so healthy, and so yummy!) but perfecting my own recipe. One day, perhaps I can have my very own recipe book! I'd love to make a few pennies that way. I've been feeling pretty broke lately, but I haven't been paid since June 1st and I don't get paid til October 1st, so I've been living off my savings and praying I can swing it!
I'm going to be good and save the chicken bones for stock (which I will probably make tomorrow after work). That way, next week I can make pork and saffron rice, which I have been CRAVING ever since we had that freak cool spell two weeks ago. Mom says she's made it with brown rice and nobody noticed the difference which is so huge, because I'm trying so hard to be healthy, but I need yummy in my life. Life without yummy is life not worth living!
I also opened a bottle of white wine which turned out to be ghastly (I need to remember some things are on super-sale for a reason) and will turn at least some of it into a white wine sauce tonight, with whole-wheat pasta, ham and green peas. I think I have enough ham for two meals, so I might make a big fat batch (and use all the wine) and get a dinner and two lunches out of it. That way I can save all the roast chicken for this week's dinners, and use the butternut soup as lunch and/or dinner starters, or even a midnight snack.
I also want to start eating more vegetarian, as I grudgingly admit that the way meat is currently farmed is one of the major contributors to global warming (grumble grumble don't want to be a hypocrite grumble grumble) so butternut soup is hitting that trigger too. I will never give up all meat, (or even most, I'm sure) so don't even try!! I am interested in trying my hand at black bean and quinoa meatballs, but that'll be next week at earliest, I think. I need to think of some kind of sauce to use with them. Tomato based, I'm sure, but I don't want to cop out and just do something too simple. I'm kind of thinking I should use the excuse to go to the local farmer's market and get pumpkin and try some sort of pumpkin puree or something...
Seriously want to make mashed potatoes tonight, but I am going to be good and resist so that I don't turn into a hippopotamus. Will make them one night this week when I sautee some of the roast chicken with onions, peas and barbecue sauce. Sounds a little crazy, but it's yummy enough for a tired graduate student.
Okay, going to go make some cornbread now, partially to eat with my soup, partially to practice for Thanksgiving. I've never made it before, and I have real Americans coming over, so I need to get it right!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Exhausted
So much work to do and somehow it's just not getting done. Wandering in and out losing pens by putting them down and picking them up and misplacing books similarly, losing my notes, losing my place in my notes, etc etc.
Not even working on my costume today. Too tired. Too much work. Wish I could though, it's going to be so great when it's all finished! I'm making two different masks, both by hand, slightly differently. May make a third if they don't both turn out.
Oh well. Maybe doing the dishes will get me inspired to write something that resembles anything.
Not even working on my costume today. Too tired. Too much work. Wish I could though, it's going to be so great when it's all finished! I'm making two different masks, both by hand, slightly differently. May make a third if they don't both turn out.
Oh well. Maybe doing the dishes will get me inspired to write something that resembles anything.
Monday, September 8, 2014
"Supporting" the NFL as a Woman
http://jezebel.com/if-you-care-about-women-and-still-support-the-nfl-you-1631903485/+tcraggs22
So, being not only a giant football fan, but also a follower of Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) on twitter, I found the above-posted Jezebel article this morning and read it.
The crux of the article is, given the NFL's abominably weak stance on womens' rights, if you're a supporter of women or feminism, you should hit 'em where it hurts and stop watching, supporting, and buying merchandise. Also, if you boycott other products because of cruelty or some similar social injustice, you're a hypocrite for not giving up the NFL also.
And I completely respect that argument. But I'm not going to agree with it.
I already do not shop at Chik Fil A (partially because I'm vehemently against the glorification of bad grammar/poor spelling), Hobby Lobby, and Carl's Jr, I change the radio whenever I hear Chris Brown or Robin Thicke, I buy cage-free vegetarian eggs, I buy as much fair trade clothing from H&M as possible etc etc.
However, I am a graduate student carrying literally tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and earning a mere $12,000 for nine months' work at my graduate assistantship (causing me to have to borrow money every month from my parents to make both ends meet, and again in the summer so I can pay to attend field schools to get experience), which severely limits my spending power. I do not have a great deal of money for myself, and even less for entertainment. Football - the NFL - is one of my favorite diversions from the backbreaking grind of graduate study.
Which brings me to my main point - how much is too much? Having given up what I have, limiting my clothing purchases whenever possible to garments I believe have not been made by bloody-fingered seven year olds in Bangledesh, changing my food purchases to obtain fresh and local as often as possible, boycotting fast food restaurants and craft chains I enjoyed, when can I draw my line and say, "I've had enough"?
If I dressed myself in sackcloth and ashes, if I limited my diet to a few hundred calories a day of local organic produce, if I lived without electricity and halved my monthly use of water, rejected anything plastic and all televison, I could not begin to set right all the wrongs in the world. Each individual certainly has a responsibility to the world, and to the societies that "raised" us, but how much responsibility can any one individual take on?
I concede that supporting the NFL - that is, watching it, and sighing over over-priced jerseys I cannot afford - while it continues to flout the women from whence flow at least 50% of their security, is both foolish and encourages real change to happen about as quickly as glacial landscaping.
Jezebel's article has one crucial failure - it doesn't state what must happen before we can enjoy football from a stand of moral equality again. Must Goodell be fired? (I would love that - heck, I'd take on his job for a fraction of whatever he gets paid.) Must Ray Rice be banned for life? (Not having seen the video, I can't say.) Must whoever tweeted for the Ravens that "Janay Rice deeply regrets" be sent to have their head examined? (Magic 8 Ball says: "Yes")
But I am drawing my line in the turf. I have before tweeted, emailed, and blogged about how I feel about how the NFL treats women, and I will continue to do so in the hopes that one day they will realize that women buy half their stuff, and pay half the household's cable bills, and from a sense of fiscal responsibility alone (let's ignore morals here for a moment, because television almost always does anyway) it's about time to start punishing their players for violence against women. However, football provides me with so much relief from what I endure on a weekly basis, I refuse to make my life - a woman's life - harder because Ray Rice is a colossal douche, and Roger Goodell is a bigger one.
P.S. Has anyone ever wondered why so many football players love their mothers - say that they're doing this for their mother (or their grandmother) and once they "make it" buy them houses and cars...and yet, still treat women in general like shit?
So, being not only a giant football fan, but also a follower of Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft) on twitter, I found the above-posted Jezebel article this morning and read it.
The crux of the article is, given the NFL's abominably weak stance on womens' rights, if you're a supporter of women or feminism, you should hit 'em where it hurts and stop watching, supporting, and buying merchandise. Also, if you boycott other products because of cruelty or some similar social injustice, you're a hypocrite for not giving up the NFL also.
And I completely respect that argument. But I'm not going to agree with it.
I already do not shop at Chik Fil A (partially because I'm vehemently against the glorification of bad grammar/poor spelling), Hobby Lobby, and Carl's Jr, I change the radio whenever I hear Chris Brown or Robin Thicke, I buy cage-free vegetarian eggs, I buy as much fair trade clothing from H&M as possible etc etc.
However, I am a graduate student carrying literally tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and earning a mere $12,000 for nine months' work at my graduate assistantship (causing me to have to borrow money every month from my parents to make both ends meet, and again in the summer so I can pay to attend field schools to get experience), which severely limits my spending power. I do not have a great deal of money for myself, and even less for entertainment. Football - the NFL - is one of my favorite diversions from the backbreaking grind of graduate study.
Which brings me to my main point - how much is too much? Having given up what I have, limiting my clothing purchases whenever possible to garments I believe have not been made by bloody-fingered seven year olds in Bangledesh, changing my food purchases to obtain fresh and local as often as possible, boycotting fast food restaurants and craft chains I enjoyed, when can I draw my line and say, "I've had enough"?
If I dressed myself in sackcloth and ashes, if I limited my diet to a few hundred calories a day of local organic produce, if I lived without electricity and halved my monthly use of water, rejected anything plastic and all televison, I could not begin to set right all the wrongs in the world. Each individual certainly has a responsibility to the world, and to the societies that "raised" us, but how much responsibility can any one individual take on?
I concede that supporting the NFL - that is, watching it, and sighing over over-priced jerseys I cannot afford - while it continues to flout the women from whence flow at least 50% of their security, is both foolish and encourages real change to happen about as quickly as glacial landscaping.
Jezebel's article has one crucial failure - it doesn't state what must happen before we can enjoy football from a stand of moral equality again. Must Goodell be fired? (I would love that - heck, I'd take on his job for a fraction of whatever he gets paid.) Must Ray Rice be banned for life? (Not having seen the video, I can't say.) Must whoever tweeted for the Ravens that "Janay Rice deeply regrets" be sent to have their head examined? (Magic 8 Ball says: "Yes")
But I am drawing my line in the turf. I have before tweeted, emailed, and blogged about how I feel about how the NFL treats women, and I will continue to do so in the hopes that one day they will realize that women buy half their stuff, and pay half the household's cable bills, and from a sense of fiscal responsibility alone (let's ignore morals here for a moment, because television almost always does anyway) it's about time to start punishing their players for violence against women. However, football provides me with so much relief from what I endure on a weekly basis, I refuse to make my life - a woman's life - harder because Ray Rice is a colossal douche, and Roger Goodell is a bigger one.
P.S. Has anyone ever wondered why so many football players love their mothers - say that they're doing this for their mother (or their grandmother) and once they "make it" buy them houses and cars...and yet, still treat women in general like shit?
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
First Day Fall 2014: Complete
Well, sort of. I have a lot of homework I can't do right now (backing up all my files) although it's not due til Thursday I would still prefer to at least START it tonight.
I had nightmares all last night, that is, after I drifted off around 2:30 am and only fell asleep properly, REM sleep style around 5 am. Naturally, I skipped the gym and slept in until 7:30 am. I'm so tired right now I'm hoping I pass out when I go to bed at tonight so that I will actually be able to go to the gym tomorrow and start removing some of this unwelcome belly and thigh fat.
First class was Mediterranean History of Seafaring 1400-1700. I think I'll like it. If I study carefully (that is, a little every day) I should do well, I think. Then I went down to the lab and worked for 2.5 hours - doing the chemical inventory today, which left stains all over my clothes - before taking half an hour for lunch. Then came Conservation, which ended about an hour early, so I worked another 1.5 hours before heading home.
Made dinner, did the dishes, and got to work on homework and backing up my files. Once I'm done backing up my files then I can do some readings, set out everything for tomorrow, and go up to bed. Let's hope I can sleep tonight!!
I had nightmares all last night, that is, after I drifted off around 2:30 am and only fell asleep properly, REM sleep style around 5 am. Naturally, I skipped the gym and slept in until 7:30 am. I'm so tired right now I'm hoping I pass out when I go to bed at tonight so that I will actually be able to go to the gym tomorrow and start removing some of this unwelcome belly and thigh fat.
First class was Mediterranean History of Seafaring 1400-1700. I think I'll like it. If I study carefully (that is, a little every day) I should do well, I think. Then I went down to the lab and worked for 2.5 hours - doing the chemical inventory today, which left stains all over my clothes - before taking half an hour for lunch. Then came Conservation, which ended about an hour early, so I worked another 1.5 hours before heading home.
Made dinner, did the dishes, and got to work on homework and backing up my files. Once I'm done backing up my files then I can do some readings, set out everything for tomorrow, and go up to bed. Let's hope I can sleep tonight!!
Monday, September 1, 2014
Last Night of Freedom
It's not really, but classes start tomorrow and I'm attempting to cool myself from a long, difficult day by watching one of the new episodes of Midsomer Murders.
I hope this will be a good semester. I'm so tired already, tired but unable to sleep. My book got rejected again. It's exhausting. One day it'll get published, if I have to self-publish it and flog it on street corners.
Courage!
I hope this will be a good semester. I'm so tired already, tired but unable to sleep. My book got rejected again. It's exhausting. One day it'll get published, if I have to self-publish it and flog it on street corners.
Courage!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Sick AGAIN
I'm really sick of being sick! I was really feeling much better yesterday and hardly coughed at all last night, and then when I woke up this morning my immediate thought was "NOPE" and I stayed in bed until 1 pm.
I finally moved down to the couch, but I have aches and pains all over, and I've definitely busted my diet by having a whole box of box mac n cheese for brunch.
The only good thing about today is that the girl who seems to be moving away deposited a cabinet and two DVD storage units by the dumpster (as well as TONS of other stuff that I didn't want or need) and I rescued them, cleaned them and put them in place:
Doesn't it look nice?
Having more storage is such a pleasure! And although they don't exactly match my bookshelf they come close enough, really. I need to remember to bring the rest of my DVDs from home when I come back for the Spring semester. I've been leaving them behind because I really didn't have a lot of storage and hated just leaving them in stacks on tables, but there's plenty of room left in these units now.
Now I just need to find all the candle holders I got from California and South Africa and put them out. I do so love candles and now I finally have somewhere to put them! Maybe I'll even bring my Galilean thermometer from Florida and set it out here.
I'm feeling quite rotten again, so I think I'll lie back, chug water, and watch Rugrats the rest of the afternoon. Perhaps by evening I'll be well enough to get some work done!
I finally moved down to the couch, but I have aches and pains all over, and I've definitely busted my diet by having a whole box of box mac n cheese for brunch.
The only good thing about today is that the girl who seems to be moving away deposited a cabinet and two DVD storage units by the dumpster (as well as TONS of other stuff that I didn't want or need) and I rescued them, cleaned them and put them in place:
Doesn't it look nice?
Having more storage is such a pleasure! And although they don't exactly match my bookshelf they come close enough, really. I need to remember to bring the rest of my DVDs from home when I come back for the Spring semester. I've been leaving them behind because I really didn't have a lot of storage and hated just leaving them in stacks on tables, but there's plenty of room left in these units now.
Now I just need to find all the candle holders I got from California and South Africa and put them out. I do so love candles and now I finally have somewhere to put them! Maybe I'll even bring my Galilean thermometer from Florida and set it out here.
I'm feeling quite rotten again, so I think I'll lie back, chug water, and watch Rugrats the rest of the afternoon. Perhaps by evening I'll be well enough to get some work done!
Monday, August 11, 2014
First day back
Well, I finally made it in to work today.
The first hiccup came when I sat in my car and suddenly noticed on the back of my brand spanking new parking pass that it's valid from August 17, 2014. Epic facepalm.
So I get myself back into the apartment, haul out my bike, and set off. Halfway across the parking lot I realized my back tire was almost entirely flat.
I turned around and went back, pumped up the back tire and filled up a water bottle, and set off again. Managed to get to campus this time without any further issues.
I get into my office, flushed and panting (it was 93 degrees Farenheit without the heat index and it rarely got over 80F when I was in Croatia), flop down in my chair...and my computer won't turn on. Ten frustrating minutes later I finally got the accursed thing working, it booted up normally and then I realize my ethernet has been disconnected! I disconnected the ethernet (which had been strung to the other desk in the office), and reconnected it to my computer. I didn't feel one bit guilty because A) the ethernet port is right next to my desk, and right next to my computer, and B) I'm the only one in the office now and C) I'm pretty sure there's another ethernet port on the other side of the room. Also, it was my office first!
I stayed there for four hours, but I only recorded 3 because I spent an hour talking to my photography professor about the upcoming semester and some of the photography he's been doing. If I do four hours a day (weekdays...) I'll have a nice stock of hours by the time the semester starts so doing the necessary hours for December early won't be a problem. I love having a nice long Christmas!
My plan was to come home and work on my thesis, but after having some chickpea salad and developing a headache I went to lie down for an hour. Didn't get much rest, but it did ease my head a bit. I tried to get some work done after that, but couldn't focus, and finally gave up and went to the dollar store to get some ziploc bags (they're cheaper there than anywhere else), then came home and made barbecue pineapple pork with asparagus and peas.
It was very yummy...but I need to start marinating the pork again. Oh well, now I know.
I've gotten almost all my household chores done, just need to vacuum and wipe down some counters, but between my head and the advanced hour of the night I don't think I should vacuum now. I must make myself do that in the morning. The most frustrating part is that I KNOW there's something I wanted to do, but now I simply can't remember what it was!
Time to go clean. Maybe it'll ease my head some, or even remind me what the heck it is I'm forgetting. Oh the many splendored life of a graduate student!
The first hiccup came when I sat in my car and suddenly noticed on the back of my brand spanking new parking pass that it's valid from August 17, 2014. Epic facepalm.
So I get myself back into the apartment, haul out my bike, and set off. Halfway across the parking lot I realized my back tire was almost entirely flat.
I turned around and went back, pumped up the back tire and filled up a water bottle, and set off again. Managed to get to campus this time without any further issues.
I get into my office, flushed and panting (it was 93 degrees Farenheit without the heat index and it rarely got over 80F when I was in Croatia), flop down in my chair...and my computer won't turn on. Ten frustrating minutes later I finally got the accursed thing working, it booted up normally and then I realize my ethernet has been disconnected! I disconnected the ethernet (which had been strung to the other desk in the office), and reconnected it to my computer. I didn't feel one bit guilty because A) the ethernet port is right next to my desk, and right next to my computer, and B) I'm the only one in the office now and C) I'm pretty sure there's another ethernet port on the other side of the room. Also, it was my office first!
I stayed there for four hours, but I only recorded 3 because I spent an hour talking to my photography professor about the upcoming semester and some of the photography he's been doing. If I do four hours a day (weekdays...) I'll have a nice stock of hours by the time the semester starts so doing the necessary hours for December early won't be a problem. I love having a nice long Christmas!
My plan was to come home and work on my thesis, but after having some chickpea salad and developing a headache I went to lie down for an hour. Didn't get much rest, but it did ease my head a bit. I tried to get some work done after that, but couldn't focus, and finally gave up and went to the dollar store to get some ziploc bags (they're cheaper there than anywhere else), then came home and made barbecue pineapple pork with asparagus and peas.
It was very yummy...but I need to start marinating the pork again. Oh well, now I know.
I've gotten almost all my household chores done, just need to vacuum and wipe down some counters, but between my head and the advanced hour of the night I don't think I should vacuum now. I must make myself do that in the morning. The most frustrating part is that I KNOW there's something I wanted to do, but now I simply can't remember what it was!
Time to go clean. Maybe it'll ease my head some, or even remind me what the heck it is I'm forgetting. Oh the many splendored life of a graduate student!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Setting up for the semester
Safely back in Texas - came back after just a week at home with the intention of getting lots of work done before the semester starts. Got extremely ill my last few days and the drive here was horrible, and I almost collapsed when I got back.
However, I have managed to buy and assemble a desk, rearrange my apartment, and unpack all my belongings. Unfortunately I'm still quite sick and have decided to put off going into work until Monday, in an attempt to let my body throw off this bug.
So that's the new setup. Need a few bookshelves around for books and DVDs and hiding wires and all that sort of thing. But that can wait. My most pressing need right now is a table and some chairs so I can have people over for dinner, but that may have to wait until I get paid come October.
Now my plan is to lie around for the next few days, letting myself heal, and trying to not overdo. Although I really need to vacuum. And lying around doing nothing is really boring. Maybe it'll be okay to work on my novels and try and find an agent for the finished one?
Who knows. I miss my family already. Growing up is such a pain in the bum!
However, I have managed to buy and assemble a desk, rearrange my apartment, and unpack all my belongings. Unfortunately I'm still quite sick and have decided to put off going into work until Monday, in an attempt to let my body throw off this bug.
So that's the new setup. Need a few bookshelves around for books and DVDs and hiding wires and all that sort of thing. But that can wait. My most pressing need right now is a table and some chairs so I can have people over for dinner, but that may have to wait until I get paid come October.
Now my plan is to lie around for the next few days, letting myself heal, and trying to not overdo. Although I really need to vacuum. And lying around doing nothing is really boring. Maybe it'll be okay to work on my novels and try and find an agent for the finished one?
Who knows. I miss my family already. Growing up is such a pain in the bum!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Well, that was interesting
Back from Croatia, jetlagged and exhausted and not quite sure of the relative positions of my head and my rear end.
Should be in Texas sometime next week. Will update properly later, with pictures. Just wanted to remind myself that I have a blog and to attempt to get back into the habit of updating it.
Should be in Texas sometime next week. Will update properly later, with pictures. Just wanted to remind myself that I have a blog and to attempt to get back into the habit of updating it.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Thunderstorms again!
Thunderstorms every day for over a week?! This is driving me nuts! I can't go to the beach, I can't swim (it literally thunders most of the day and I don't dare get in the water when it's thundering), and I barely get to go outside. I leave the back door cracked (with the screen door closed to keep out the bugs of course) to get some air circulating so that's something I guess.
I couldn't sleep until 7 am this morning. I suppose I should've gotten up for the day then and I'd be passed out by now, but I couldn't do it, I was so tired and miserable I had to stay in bed and try to sleep.
Cats have been driving me nuts - they won't go outside in the afternoon because I'm inside eating or writing and then they get all naggy once I close the back door. Narcissus was missing for FIVE HOURS tonight and it turned out he'd been inside the whole time! I've closed my parents' door, my sister's door and the guest room door now. He can only get into my room, my bathroom, and the main part of the house. I'm so sick of these heart attacks!
My parents will be back in a week, which is great, but I leave the country in ten days and I'm flipping out about it. I need to make a packing list - and pack - and I've been carrying around a notebook and pen all day today to write it up but I somehow haven't managed it.
Between my thesis and the ghastly nightmares I've been having I've been stress-eating too, and all the thunderstorms have quite effectively prevented me from exercising. Maybe doing a rush clean of the house - my parents will be FURIOUS if they come back and it's still an ungodly mess because of my sister's move - will balance my equilibrium and I'll get my head on straight. I wish she would get this stuff out of here! I had the house looking so nice! The mess is depressing me.
I really want chocolate. But the stores here all stink and close at 9 pm (how I miss College Station - never thought I'd say that!) so maybe I'll just have a cookie and curl up with a book.
I couldn't sleep until 7 am this morning. I suppose I should've gotten up for the day then and I'd be passed out by now, but I couldn't do it, I was so tired and miserable I had to stay in bed and try to sleep.
Cats have been driving me nuts - they won't go outside in the afternoon because I'm inside eating or writing and then they get all naggy once I close the back door. Narcissus was missing for FIVE HOURS tonight and it turned out he'd been inside the whole time! I've closed my parents' door, my sister's door and the guest room door now. He can only get into my room, my bathroom, and the main part of the house. I'm so sick of these heart attacks!
My parents will be back in a week, which is great, but I leave the country in ten days and I'm flipping out about it. I need to make a packing list - and pack - and I've been carrying around a notebook and pen all day today to write it up but I somehow haven't managed it.
Between my thesis and the ghastly nightmares I've been having I've been stress-eating too, and all the thunderstorms have quite effectively prevented me from exercising. Maybe doing a rush clean of the house - my parents will be FURIOUS if they come back and it's still an ungodly mess because of my sister's move - will balance my equilibrium and I'll get my head on straight. I wish she would get this stuff out of here! I had the house looking so nice! The mess is depressing me.
I really want chocolate. But the stores here all stink and close at 9 pm (how I miss College Station - never thought I'd say that!) so maybe I'll just have a cookie and curl up with a book.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Watching the Guy's Choice Awards
No idea why. It's pretty bad. Best moment so far is when they brought a soldier on stage and he said, "If I could do it all over again, I'd join the Air Force."
Been a rainy, miserable day. Cats are cross the rain chased them inside. I'm cross the rain chased me inside. I'm cross that it's predicted to thunderstorm every day until June 20th. No beach for me then :( Not that I really want to go to the beach at the weight I'm at right now, but you can ignore people if you try hard enough.
I'm depressed. Thesis isn't going well. I've been getting headaches. None of my friends are returning my calls. I don't really know what to do about it. At least I have books.
Been a rainy, miserable day. Cats are cross the rain chased them inside. I'm cross the rain chased me inside. I'm cross that it's predicted to thunderstorm every day until June 20th. No beach for me then :( Not that I really want to go to the beach at the weight I'm at right now, but you can ignore people if you try hard enough.
I'm depressed. Thesis isn't going well. I've been getting headaches. None of my friends are returning my calls. I don't really know what to do about it. At least I have books.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
The good, the bad and the painful
The good is that I went to Beall's today because they had a coupon in the paper for 30% off
all clearance items. I scoured the racks and got two shirts I can wear
to class and an adorable pair of earrings for $14.15 - for a total savings of
$56.70! Not bad, hey?
The bad is that, upon my arrival back home, I thought it might be good to look at the fence my neighbor said he would take down.
To be fair it is now DOWN. I just thought it would also be REMOVED. Dad is going to kill me, but my foot still really hurts and I don't feel able to tackle that fence - also I have no idea where I would put it. I'm pretty sure it costs money to haul stuff like that to the city dump, and I don't have a truck.
As referenced above, the painful is still my foot. I've been looking at it and it sure seems to be healing, but walking around trying not to rest it on the ground has resulted in a muscle in my calf being pulled or something and walking is NOT comfortable. So, once again, I've spent a lot of today on the couch. This HAS to get better before I go to Croatia!
Anyway, it's late. Planning on pjs, gingersnaps, and a storybook. Hopefully that'll nix my headache!
The bad is that, upon my arrival back home, I thought it might be good to look at the fence my neighbor said he would take down.
To be fair it is now DOWN. I just thought it would also be REMOVED. Dad is going to kill me, but my foot still really hurts and I don't feel able to tackle that fence - also I have no idea where I would put it. I'm pretty sure it costs money to haul stuff like that to the city dump, and I don't have a truck.
As referenced above, the painful is still my foot. I've been looking at it and it sure seems to be healing, but walking around trying not to rest it on the ground has resulted in a muscle in my calf being pulled or something and walking is NOT comfortable. So, once again, I've spent a lot of today on the couch. This HAS to get better before I go to Croatia!
Anyway, it's late. Planning on pjs, gingersnaps, and a storybook. Hopefully that'll nix my headache!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Owie zowie
Well, my foot still hurts. It's not bad at all when I'm on the couch, industriously typing away, but when I'm limping around the house or garden after the cats it's definitely uncomfortable. And when I went swimming this morning it REALLY hurt.
It doesn't look infected though, so that's good.
Today has been pretty cloudy off and on and there was a lot of thunder at 4:30 pm so I brought the cats inside, which led to a lot of meowed complaints come 8 pm when they realized they'd had even less time outside than usual, especially since I had a bout of insomnia come last night and only fell asleep at 5 am - which meant I overslept and only woke up and let them out at 9:30 am instead of 7:00 am.
I also have a bit of a headache. Maybe I'll just make some pasta and go to bed with a book. Here's to getting stuff done tomorrow!
It doesn't look infected though, so that's good.
Today has been pretty cloudy off and on and there was a lot of thunder at 4:30 pm so I brought the cats inside, which led to a lot of meowed complaints come 8 pm when they realized they'd had even less time outside than usual, especially since I had a bout of insomnia come last night and only fell asleep at 5 am - which meant I overslept and only woke up and let them out at 9:30 am instead of 7:00 am.
I also have a bit of a headache. Maybe I'll just make some pasta and go to bed with a book. Here's to getting stuff done tomorrow!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Olá a todos!
Wow, I've neglected this blog shamefully! In my defense, not only did I move from one apartment to another mostly by myself (had one friend help on the day I moved my bed and table and couch), but I got sick right before finals and spent a week on the couch dozing fitfully and sneezing frequently. Then came finals, which we won't talk about, and then I came back to my parents' place and slept for a couple days straight. Once I was recovered somewhat, a cousin from out of the country came to visit, and then my parents went on vacation and I've been house/pet setting. I did get two A's and a B this semester so I'm pretty darn happy about that!
Being a "homeowner" is a lot harder than I thought it would be! One of the more irritating parts is that I get up at 7 every morning, but instead of just taking my medicine and going back to sleep, I actually have to drag myself out of bed, go give the cat HIS medicine, let both of them outside, go out front and get the newspaper and bring it inside (don't want any burglars to think the house is empty), and only THEN can I go back to bed.
Today when I was walking back to my bedroom I stubbed my foot, right under my pinky toe on a glass scale that is sitting between my room and my sister's room for some odd reason. I swore, and got back in to bed, but I soon realized it was stinging, and went to the bathroom to look at it and sure enough, I had separated a chunk of flesh! Washed it under the tap but it hurt so much I had to stop and covered it as well as I could with a couple band aids but it still hurts and I don't know if I can mow the lawn today. It's really sore, and really upsetting because today is a perfect day to mow the lawn, and the grass is getting really really long. Hopefully I can do it tomorrow. Also, it hasn't rained much this week so I'll HAVE to do the watering today because we only get to water on Sundays after 4 pm. Foot, please stop hurting!
I also did a major clean of the house after my parents left (I did one the day after I got home too, and also completely emptied my mom's classroom for that matter) and it looked so lovely for about three days until my sister decided she needed to sort her possessions for her upcoming move and now the entire house is blanketed in a layer of her stuff, which is pissing me off. I REALIZE you need space to sort out a move, but if her room weren't a toxic waste dump, she could do most of it in there and not force me to do a third major clean in the space of five weeks. I've also been trying to clear out the kitchen and pantry, and although I've been doing a good job of emptying the fridge and freezer, the kitchen is a harder problem to tackle and I don't know if I'll really get it looking the way I want.
Mom left me a bunch of money for food and I confidently expected I'd have a lot to give back to her, but then I had to spend $30 on the cat's medicine, and I've realized they're almost out of tinned food, so I could easily use all of it. Sigh. Still, both the kitties are too thin as it is, they need to be properly fed.
I stupidly left my backpack in Texas (!!!) so I had to drop $34 on another one from Amazon for Croatia this summer, but when it came I was actually really happy with it. It's got a padded laptop compartment (very reassuring for travel, even though I already bought a water-resistant neoprene case for it), lots of space, lots of pockets, AND an inner pocket for an iPad, if I owned such a thing. It has places for water bottles too, but I can't find mine (MUST find it as it's BPA free and I love that thing) and don't know if it'll fit. I chose one that had a design of roses on some panels as it was one of the cheapest designs (by several dollars) and the rest of the "cheap" designs were absolutely ghastly!
The backpack came in a large, flat box and Echo was delighted with it! She's in it all the time now, only leaving it to eat, order me to do things, and play outside.
I even tweeted a picture of her asleep in the box and tagged Amazon, and they replied!! It was too funny.
My foot hurts so I think I'm going to lie back and watch some tv. Midsomer Murders is back on Netflix!! Hooray!!
Being a "homeowner" is a lot harder than I thought it would be! One of the more irritating parts is that I get up at 7 every morning, but instead of just taking my medicine and going back to sleep, I actually have to drag myself out of bed, go give the cat HIS medicine, let both of them outside, go out front and get the newspaper and bring it inside (don't want any burglars to think the house is empty), and only THEN can I go back to bed.
Today when I was walking back to my bedroom I stubbed my foot, right under my pinky toe on a glass scale that is sitting between my room and my sister's room for some odd reason. I swore, and got back in to bed, but I soon realized it was stinging, and went to the bathroom to look at it and sure enough, I had separated a chunk of flesh! Washed it under the tap but it hurt so much I had to stop and covered it as well as I could with a couple band aids but it still hurts and I don't know if I can mow the lawn today. It's really sore, and really upsetting because today is a perfect day to mow the lawn, and the grass is getting really really long. Hopefully I can do it tomorrow. Also, it hasn't rained much this week so I'll HAVE to do the watering today because we only get to water on Sundays after 4 pm. Foot, please stop hurting!
I also did a major clean of the house after my parents left (I did one the day after I got home too, and also completely emptied my mom's classroom for that matter) and it looked so lovely for about three days until my sister decided she needed to sort her possessions for her upcoming move and now the entire house is blanketed in a layer of her stuff, which is pissing me off. I REALIZE you need space to sort out a move, but if her room weren't a toxic waste dump, she could do most of it in there and not force me to do a third major clean in the space of five weeks. I've also been trying to clear out the kitchen and pantry, and although I've been doing a good job of emptying the fridge and freezer, the kitchen is a harder problem to tackle and I don't know if I'll really get it looking the way I want.
Mom left me a bunch of money for food and I confidently expected I'd have a lot to give back to her, but then I had to spend $30 on the cat's medicine, and I've realized they're almost out of tinned food, so I could easily use all of it. Sigh. Still, both the kitties are too thin as it is, they need to be properly fed.
I stupidly left my backpack in Texas (!!!) so I had to drop $34 on another one from Amazon for Croatia this summer, but when it came I was actually really happy with it. It's got a padded laptop compartment (very reassuring for travel, even though I already bought a water-resistant neoprene case for it), lots of space, lots of pockets, AND an inner pocket for an iPad, if I owned such a thing. It has places for water bottles too, but I can't find mine (MUST find it as it's BPA free and I love that thing) and don't know if it'll fit. I chose one that had a design of roses on some panels as it was one of the cheapest designs (by several dollars) and the rest of the "cheap" designs were absolutely ghastly!
The backpack came in a large, flat box and Echo was delighted with it! She's in it all the time now, only leaving it to eat, order me to do things, and play outside.
This is her "You are disobeying my orders" face!
I even tweeted a picture of her asleep in the box and tagged Amazon, and they replied!! It was too funny.
My foot hurts so I think I'm going to lie back and watch some tv. Midsomer Murders is back on Netflix!! Hooray!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
News for the Day
So-so news for the day: I turned in my keys to my old apartment. Felt strangely nostalgic.
Good news for the day: I got my Texas drivers' license in the mail!!
Bad news for the day: I've moved so I need to go get a new one with the new address.
Even worse news for the day: I have a pile of work about the size of the Eiffel Tower left to do...
Therefore - time to make dinner
Good news for the day: I got my Texas drivers' license in the mail!!
Bad news for the day: I've moved so I need to go get a new one with the new address.
Even worse news for the day: I have a pile of work about the size of the Eiffel Tower left to do...
Therefore - time to make dinner
Monday, March 17, 2014
Awesome news!
So my apartment complex has released me from my lease and I'm moving out later this week!! I can't wait to get to my new place and get settled in! Moving is a serious pain in the rear, but once it's done it'll be such a relief.
One thing really peeving me is the fact that Suddenlink charges $50 for a moving fee! Really?? I'm going to be so broke after this move :( I tried to call the utilities company but they're closed so I'll call this morning. I hope to goodness they don't have a huge fee too!
However, this is fabulous news because now I don't have to rush back to the States after working overseas this summer in time to move at the end of July. I'll leave my car at my parents' place of course, and I miiiiight bring my acoustic guitar back with me.
Spent last week - spring break - eating, sleeping, and writing. Only got 4,000 words written and not nearly as much I wanted done of my paper that's due next Monday. Going to have to bust my rear to get it in order on top of this move! That's what you get for working on two papers and two presentations at once though. Not to mention I have a CPR class this Saturday! Still, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
I need to get back to work. Sigh. Can't wait til this move is over and I've gotten that paper and presentation done!!
One thing really peeving me is the fact that Suddenlink charges $50 for a moving fee! Really?? I'm going to be so broke after this move :( I tried to call the utilities company but they're closed so I'll call this morning. I hope to goodness they don't have a huge fee too!
However, this is fabulous news because now I don't have to rush back to the States after working overseas this summer in time to move at the end of July. I'll leave my car at my parents' place of course, and I miiiiight bring my acoustic guitar back with me.
Spent last week - spring break - eating, sleeping, and writing. Only got 4,000 words written and not nearly as much I wanted done of my paper that's due next Monday. Going to have to bust my rear to get it in order on top of this move! That's what you get for working on two papers and two presentations at once though. Not to mention I have a CPR class this Saturday! Still, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
I need to get back to work. Sigh. Can't wait til this move is over and I've gotten that paper and presentation done!!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Seriously irritating
Just one more week until Spring Break!!
February was a horrible month, and this month isn't looking too much better. In the good news department I managed to spend $15 LESS than what I earned last month despite having a ton of ridiculous expenses. Is that awesome or what? (Until you consider that next school year I'm going to spend $65 more a month on rent than I do now, and probably at least $40 on my phone...sigh.) Still, it was a very difficult, expensive month and hopefully things won't be like that again for a long time...I wish I could say "if ever" but I know better than that.
The weather here sucks. Yesterday it was nearly 80, last night it was 70 and hot enough I kept my window open while I slept, and then the temperature has been plummeting all day, and is now 28F ("feels like" 14!!!) and raining and spitting and the stairs and walkways have iced over in my complex.
In today's news I'm going to find a laundromat, I've had ENOUGH of this complex's laundry room! Two of the four dryers are broken, and, as it turns out, two of the four washing machines are too!!
I was doing three loads of laundry today - darks, lights, and all the towels I own (mistake #1). Put the darks and lights in the two left hand washers that I usually use, and then I was going to put the towels in the rightmost one because it usually works, but today it was half full of stinking water so I used the other middle washer and when I went to put the towels in the dryer, they were SOAKING because it hadn't drained properly (AGAIN).
I wrung them out as best I could, but it was cold and nasty, and it's damn difficult to wring out full-sized bath towels.
So my towels are hanging up all over my apartment with the fans going and they're all damp as can be except for my gym towels which I fortuitously forgot to wash, and which are reasonably clean.
I'm seriously considering showering at the gym tomorrow, only the temperature is going to be freezing then too, so I must weigh the pros of having a warm shower for once (the water heater here STILL hasn't been fixed despite my repeated work orders about it), with the cons of biking home after a hot shower through freezing wind and misery. They do have hair dryers at the gym...seriously feeling like it might be worth it. I so hate cold showers!
Next time I do laundry I'm going to Harvey Washbanger's, where you can do your laundry and eat because it's a laundromat and a restaurant. It'll cost more, but I think it'll be worth it, because I just can't bloody stand my clothes and towels being dirty and/or damp AFTER I wash and dry them! Of course this also means I'll need a new laundry basket (mine is practically disintegrating)...costs just keep mounting up!!
It's so frustrating to not have a dry towel around while you need one. I also washed all of my dish towels, so they're draped everywhere too, drying.
Got a grant due Friday. Hope I can get it done sooner. The sooner I can kick back and enjoy my spring break, the better! Of course, I'm dedicating it to writing my thesis, so I'll work a good few hours a day on it (hoping I can force myself to doing between 6-8 and not die)...and I'll need to work on my New World Seafaring final paper too. No point in leaving it for the last minute...that'll make life suck to an epic degree when the end of the semester arrives. Got a long to-do list too, but I've spent this weekend just doing some reading and letting the rest of my work slide because my body has been giving me some serious warning signs that I've been overdoing it. Got a nasty headache right now too, even though I've been wearing my glasses and not been doing much writing/research.
I bought a pineapple today. It was on sale for $2 and smelt delightfully pineapple-y, so I bought it. Won't be ready for a few days at least though, so it's sitting on one of the sets of drawers I have in my "kitchen" looking beautiful.
Bought a full chicken too - it was $4, and yet four thighs was $5...gotta keep an eye out for the sales! - and with the roasting juices I'm making apples n onions. Bought some new apples for it, the "jonagold" but tasted one and it was so good I used the pink ladies instead and am saving them for my lunches.
Had a horrid day today between the cold and the laundry being wet and I cut my thumb, luckily not badly, but still irritating. And of course now I have a headache.
Going to lie down with my apples n onions and a Midsomer Murders. Hope things start improving from here on out!
February was a horrible month, and this month isn't looking too much better. In the good news department I managed to spend $15 LESS than what I earned last month despite having a ton of ridiculous expenses. Is that awesome or what? (Until you consider that next school year I'm going to spend $65 more a month on rent than I do now, and probably at least $40 on my phone...sigh.) Still, it was a very difficult, expensive month and hopefully things won't be like that again for a long time...I wish I could say "if ever" but I know better than that.
The weather here sucks. Yesterday it was nearly 80, last night it was 70 and hot enough I kept my window open while I slept, and then the temperature has been plummeting all day, and is now 28F ("feels like" 14!!!) and raining and spitting and the stairs and walkways have iced over in my complex.
In today's news I'm going to find a laundromat, I've had ENOUGH of this complex's laundry room! Two of the four dryers are broken, and, as it turns out, two of the four washing machines are too!!
I was doing three loads of laundry today - darks, lights, and all the towels I own (mistake #1). Put the darks and lights in the two left hand washers that I usually use, and then I was going to put the towels in the rightmost one because it usually works, but today it was half full of stinking water so I used the other middle washer and when I went to put the towels in the dryer, they were SOAKING because it hadn't drained properly (AGAIN).
I wrung them out as best I could, but it was cold and nasty, and it's damn difficult to wring out full-sized bath towels.
So my towels are hanging up all over my apartment with the fans going and they're all damp as can be except for my gym towels which I fortuitously forgot to wash, and which are reasonably clean.
I'm seriously considering showering at the gym tomorrow, only the temperature is going to be freezing then too, so I must weigh the pros of having a warm shower for once (the water heater here STILL hasn't been fixed despite my repeated work orders about it), with the cons of biking home after a hot shower through freezing wind and misery. They do have hair dryers at the gym...seriously feeling like it might be worth it. I so hate cold showers!
Next time I do laundry I'm going to Harvey Washbanger's, where you can do your laundry and eat because it's a laundromat and a restaurant. It'll cost more, but I think it'll be worth it, because I just can't bloody stand my clothes and towels being dirty and/or damp AFTER I wash and dry them! Of course this also means I'll need a new laundry basket (mine is practically disintegrating)...costs just keep mounting up!!
It's so frustrating to not have a dry towel around while you need one. I also washed all of my dish towels, so they're draped everywhere too, drying.
Got a grant due Friday. Hope I can get it done sooner. The sooner I can kick back and enjoy my spring break, the better! Of course, I'm dedicating it to writing my thesis, so I'll work a good few hours a day on it (hoping I can force myself to doing between 6-8 and not die)...and I'll need to work on my New World Seafaring final paper too. No point in leaving it for the last minute...that'll make life suck to an epic degree when the end of the semester arrives. Got a long to-do list too, but I've spent this weekend just doing some reading and letting the rest of my work slide because my body has been giving me some serious warning signs that I've been overdoing it. Got a nasty headache right now too, even though I've been wearing my glasses and not been doing much writing/research.
I bought a pineapple today. It was on sale for $2 and smelt delightfully pineapple-y, so I bought it. Won't be ready for a few days at least though, so it's sitting on one of the sets of drawers I have in my "kitchen" looking beautiful.
Bought a full chicken too - it was $4, and yet four thighs was $5...gotta keep an eye out for the sales! - and with the roasting juices I'm making apples n onions. Bought some new apples for it, the "jonagold" but tasted one and it was so good I used the pink ladies instead and am saving them for my lunches.
Had a horrid day today between the cold and the laundry being wet and I cut my thumb, luckily not badly, but still irritating. And of course now I have a headache.
Going to lie down with my apples n onions and a Midsomer Murders. Hope things start improving from here on out!
Monday, February 24, 2014
No excuses
Today has been my "no excuses" day.
I dragged myself out of bed the minute my alarm went off; I left my apartment before 8 am, got to campus and printed off my worksheets before class.
Had 3 hours of class, presented (forgot all the funny bits, of course).
Had lunch (a cup of chickpea salad and a banana).
Worked from 1-5 pm.
Gym from 5-7 pm.
Home.
Shower.
Cook dinner.
I am now sitting on my couch with my feet propped up on my coffee table and about to start my homework. If only I could be this good and productive every single day!!!
I dragged myself out of bed the minute my alarm went off; I left my apartment before 8 am, got to campus and printed off my worksheets before class.
Had 3 hours of class, presented (forgot all the funny bits, of course).
Had lunch (a cup of chickpea salad and a banana).
Worked from 1-5 pm.
Gym from 5-7 pm.
Home.
Shower.
Cook dinner.
I am now sitting on my couch with my feet propped up on my coffee table and about to start my homework. If only I could be this good and productive every single day!!!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Headache render
Spent this afternoon trying to render an octant (and a sextant) in Rhino. All I got was this lousy headache :(
Thursday, February 13, 2014
One of the worst days of my life
I'm not even joking. I had more good moments on the day I found out an ex-boyfriend cheated on me. I had more good moments on the day I was rushed off to hospital with an abcess in my throat. I've had more good moments on the day I had two finals and a paper due!!
So I woke up at 6 am feeling like shit (this is actually happening really regularly, blah), and stayed in bed until 9 am in an attempt to fight it off.
Then I had to scramble, and had a discouraging assortment of things go wrong, not the least of which was pouring the water into my cup noodles before it was actually boiling so the noodles didn't get fully cooked and tasted pretty bad.
Biking to campus was worse than usual, I got to my crosswalk the SECOND my green light went yellow so I had to wait for another cycle. At least no one tried to kill me at the four-way stop today. I swear, TWICE when I've been going through that stop someone (usually on their phone) has started driving forward while I was RIGHT IN FRONT of their car. And people keep trying to go illegally without stopping or waiting, or turn while I'm going straight and try to kill me that way. And the wind was blowing directly in my face which makes it really hard to go at any decent speed.
Then I dumped my stuff in my office and went to the student clinic for my yearly checkup. That was fine - the doc didn't find anything wrong with me (hooray!) although she wants me to start taking Allegra again and start a probiotic and see if that a) helps me get over this cruddy cold that won't leave my lungs and b) reduces the cramping and stomach pains I've had pretty much my entire life. Which I'll do, for sure, but bang goes more money down the drain! My friends have recommended I try "yakult" which is some kind of probiotic yoghurt drink, and is apparently a very filling snack for midmorning/midafternoon, so I'll give that a shot. The doc was pleased when I told her I've cut out all rice and bread, most potatoes, and have increased my veggie and milk intake, said it sounded very sustainable and sensible. This yakult stuff may make it easier to get my dairy (soooo scared of osteoporosis) and stay under my calorie limit.
Got back to campus and started working - Thursday is 6 hours of working for my boss - and was chained to my computer til nearly 1 pm when I took a short lunch break. Once lunch was over, I went to the library and scanned a bunch of archival documents for the Chinese junk models (a junk is a type of boat) I'm working on right now, which was tough since the machine kept splitting documents into two images and I had to keep deleting, rearranging, and rescanning.
I finally got back to the lab and went back to work on the junks - I have to unpack them, measure them, and record all their breaks and cracks and things, and store them on these shelves my boss put up in one of the sections of the lab. I got nearly a dozen done over about three hours because I had to keep stopping what I was doing to look things up in the "catalog" it came with, and searching for damage is actually really, really time-consuming. Then I had to rearrange a bunch of ships on the shelves because we're not allowed to put things on the top shelf because keeping things 18 inches below the ceiling is a fire hazard? I never knew that.
I'm only scheduled to work til 5 on Thursdays but I stayed til 6 because I missed 2 1/2 hours last week and wanted to make it up today and tomorrow, and then my boss wanted me to show him some of my work for the scanned microfilms I was doing when I first worked for him so that it was nearly 6:30 by the time I got to leave. Also, one of the horrible things about today is that as soon as the junks are done I have to get back to the microfilm scanning. I love my boss - he's awesome - but I HATE scanning microfilm!!
I got home a little before 7 and made dinner - barbecue pork loin with veggies - and then kicked back with a beer. My first drink since my sister's 21st birthday on the 1st! It felt SO good to have a drink. Dieting sucks.
I got a LOT done today. Like I said earlier, I should be high-fiving sharks because I got SO much done. But I have so much left to do and have had such a horrible day, I feel awful and just want to curl up and do nothing forever.
But I can't do that. So back to work for me. Have a huge paper due Monday so I don't even get much of a break come the weekend. Whoopee. I would hope it'll get better tomorrow, but considering that tomorrow is the Vicious Day of Causing Pain to Everyone Alive, I seriously doubt that.
So I woke up at 6 am feeling like shit (this is actually happening really regularly, blah), and stayed in bed until 9 am in an attempt to fight it off.
Then I had to scramble, and had a discouraging assortment of things go wrong, not the least of which was pouring the water into my cup noodles before it was actually boiling so the noodles didn't get fully cooked and tasted pretty bad.
Biking to campus was worse than usual, I got to my crosswalk the SECOND my green light went yellow so I had to wait for another cycle. At least no one tried to kill me at the four-way stop today. I swear, TWICE when I've been going through that stop someone (usually on their phone) has started driving forward while I was RIGHT IN FRONT of their car. And people keep trying to go illegally without stopping or waiting, or turn while I'm going straight and try to kill me that way. And the wind was blowing directly in my face which makes it really hard to go at any decent speed.
Then I dumped my stuff in my office and went to the student clinic for my yearly checkup. That was fine - the doc didn't find anything wrong with me (hooray!) although she wants me to start taking Allegra again and start a probiotic and see if that a) helps me get over this cruddy cold that won't leave my lungs and b) reduces the cramping and stomach pains I've had pretty much my entire life. Which I'll do, for sure, but bang goes more money down the drain! My friends have recommended I try "yakult" which is some kind of probiotic yoghurt drink, and is apparently a very filling snack for midmorning/midafternoon, so I'll give that a shot. The doc was pleased when I told her I've cut out all rice and bread, most potatoes, and have increased my veggie and milk intake, said it sounded very sustainable and sensible. This yakult stuff may make it easier to get my dairy (soooo scared of osteoporosis) and stay under my calorie limit.
Got back to campus and started working - Thursday is 6 hours of working for my boss - and was chained to my computer til nearly 1 pm when I took a short lunch break. Once lunch was over, I went to the library and scanned a bunch of archival documents for the Chinese junk models (a junk is a type of boat) I'm working on right now, which was tough since the machine kept splitting documents into two images and I had to keep deleting, rearranging, and rescanning.
I finally got back to the lab and went back to work on the junks - I have to unpack them, measure them, and record all their breaks and cracks and things, and store them on these shelves my boss put up in one of the sections of the lab. I got nearly a dozen done over about three hours because I had to keep stopping what I was doing to look things up in the "catalog" it came with, and searching for damage is actually really, really time-consuming. Then I had to rearrange a bunch of ships on the shelves because we're not allowed to put things on the top shelf because keeping things 18 inches below the ceiling is a fire hazard? I never knew that.
I'm only scheduled to work til 5 on Thursdays but I stayed til 6 because I missed 2 1/2 hours last week and wanted to make it up today and tomorrow, and then my boss wanted me to show him some of my work for the scanned microfilms I was doing when I first worked for him so that it was nearly 6:30 by the time I got to leave. Also, one of the horrible things about today is that as soon as the junks are done I have to get back to the microfilm scanning. I love my boss - he's awesome - but I HATE scanning microfilm!!
I got home a little before 7 and made dinner - barbecue pork loin with veggies - and then kicked back with a beer. My first drink since my sister's 21st birthday on the 1st! It felt SO good to have a drink. Dieting sucks.
I got a LOT done today. Like I said earlier, I should be high-fiving sharks because I got SO much done. But I have so much left to do and have had such a horrible day, I feel awful and just want to curl up and do nothing forever.
But I can't do that. So back to work for me. Have a huge paper due Monday so I don't even get much of a break come the weekend. Whoopee. I would hope it'll get better tomorrow, but considering that tomorrow is the Vicious Day of Causing Pain to Everyone Alive, I seriously doubt that.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
The Infinite Levels of Suck
I don't want to go in today. I'm here at my kitchen table, trying to organize myself before going in today, and I really have to - six hours of work for my boss, and goodness knows how much work for the project I'll be diving for this summer.
My neck hurts less than yesterday (thank goodness!) but my left shoulder, left side, and one band of muscle across my right side are all hurting like hell. I did not sleep well, for obvious reasons, and on top of all that I felt so sick when I woke up at 7 am I decided to not come in today. By 9 am I felt better so I've been limping around trying to get myself in order but still thinking longingly of spending the day in bed. And I NEED to get more of that paper written...it's due Monday, ugh.
Also it's 36 degrees outside, with the "possibility" of freezing rain. My shower last night was freezing cold and I literally cried because it was so awful. If it doesn't get fixed soon I'm going to talk to a lawyer. I've suffered enough. And I'm convinced these cold showers are making me stay sick...I've been sick for a month!!! A MONTH!! Of no gym, no exercise other than (miserable) biking to and from campus, and coughing and crap in my lungs...
I need to get my lunch together and get out of here. I feel awful.
My neck hurts less than yesterday (thank goodness!) but my left shoulder, left side, and one band of muscle across my right side are all hurting like hell. I did not sleep well, for obvious reasons, and on top of all that I felt so sick when I woke up at 7 am I decided to not come in today. By 9 am I felt better so I've been limping around trying to get myself in order but still thinking longingly of spending the day in bed. And I NEED to get more of that paper written...it's due Monday, ugh.
Also it's 36 degrees outside, with the "possibility" of freezing rain. My shower last night was freezing cold and I literally cried because it was so awful. If it doesn't get fixed soon I'm going to talk to a lawyer. I've suffered enough. And I'm convinced these cold showers are making me stay sick...I've been sick for a month!!! A MONTH!! Of no gym, no exercise other than (miserable) biking to and from campus, and coughing and crap in my lungs...
I need to get my lunch together and get out of here. I feel awful.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Roku 2 and a terribly sore back
So I got myself a Roku 2 as a "Valentine's Day" present (I hate Valentine's Day. I think it's cruel, vindictive, and makes everyone, even people in relationships, unhappy. So I violate it by buying myself non-pink presents, boycotting the trappings of it, and stocking up on discounted candy two days after the fact.)
Anyway, it is AWESOME! It came late Saturday afternoon and I got it set up within an hour. It's just too much fun - I have Netflix and Amazon Prime and Pandora and a half-dozen other channels set up. The first thing I watched was Scooby Doo's "The Ghost of the Bad Humor Man" which happens to be my favorite episode of that show ever.
The bad outcome of spending a night on the couch watching Scooby Doo, Vicar of Dibley, Lewis, and Midsomer Murders is that I was lying horizontally on the couch and it resulted in straining my neck and back and shoulders so badly that I had trouble getting dressed this morning. I took a couple pills with breakfast and it's eased a little, but they're still really sore. I have officially permanently changed my couch position and am now sitting up on the couch with my feet propped up on a chair. I've been stretching and trying to massage the back of my neck, which also seems to be helping, but it's really tough and, depending on how I stretch, pretty damn sore.
The good news is that when I was searching through all of the Roku channels last night I found literally DOZENS of (free!) fitness channels that seem to have aerobics as well as yoga. So much more convenient than my laptop! Hopefully I'll be able to get into shape by working out at home where I can stop the minute I start coughing or feeling sick, unlike the gym. Not sure about tonight though, I'm in a lot of pain.
Other than the Roku it's been a very quiet weekend. Got a paper due in a week, and a presentation in two weeks, so I've been struggling with those and my thesis. I did my laundry today, and wasted $1.25 because the dryer I used didn't work and had to use another one. Filed a maintenance report about it, and about the fact my water heater is broken - this morning I ran the water for 20 minutes and it was ice-cold and I had to shower in the freezing water. It was so miserable I didn't even condition my hair.
Anyway, back to work. Whoopee!
Anyway, it is AWESOME! It came late Saturday afternoon and I got it set up within an hour. It's just too much fun - I have Netflix and Amazon Prime and Pandora and a half-dozen other channels set up. The first thing I watched was Scooby Doo's "The Ghost of the Bad Humor Man" which happens to be my favorite episode of that show ever.
The bad outcome of spending a night on the couch watching Scooby Doo, Vicar of Dibley, Lewis, and Midsomer Murders is that I was lying horizontally on the couch and it resulted in straining my neck and back and shoulders so badly that I had trouble getting dressed this morning. I took a couple pills with breakfast and it's eased a little, but they're still really sore. I have officially permanently changed my couch position and am now sitting up on the couch with my feet propped up on a chair. I've been stretching and trying to massage the back of my neck, which also seems to be helping, but it's really tough and, depending on how I stretch, pretty damn sore.
The good news is that when I was searching through all of the Roku channels last night I found literally DOZENS of (free!) fitness channels that seem to have aerobics as well as yoga. So much more convenient than my laptop! Hopefully I'll be able to get into shape by working out at home where I can stop the minute I start coughing or feeling sick, unlike the gym. Not sure about tonight though, I'm in a lot of pain.
Other than the Roku it's been a very quiet weekend. Got a paper due in a week, and a presentation in two weeks, so I've been struggling with those and my thesis. I did my laundry today, and wasted $1.25 because the dryer I used didn't work and had to use another one. Filed a maintenance report about it, and about the fact my water heater is broken - this morning I ran the water for 20 minutes and it was ice-cold and I had to shower in the freezing water. It was so miserable I didn't even condition my hair.
Anyway, back to work. Whoopee!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Opera Night
One of the professors holds get togthers he calls "opera nights" at his place twice a month, where he shows operas on DVD, provides refreshments and basically gets to know the students.
Tonight we watched Aida. I must learn Amneris' part! It's even mezzo-soprano...if that's even still my range. But such a part! I have to learn it, somehow.
Tonight we watched Aida. I must learn Amneris' part! It's even mezzo-soprano...if that's even still my range. But such a part! I have to learn it, somehow.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Yawn
I'm so tired. And hungry. Been a long day - well, 6 hours isn't long anymore, but it FEELS long - and I have a huge essay to start writing.
Woke up this morning to a dusting of snow all over the place, biked to campus in 28F, biked home in 30F. I'm really tired of the cold.
Quite excited for the weekend because it means I get to stay INSIDE (so glorious) even though I have a lot of writing to do. Also, I've ordered a Roku 2 as a Valentine's Day present to myself, and it should arrive in a day or two which is equally exciting. Can't wait to watch Midsomer Murders on my tv! Plus, I can watch all the movies on my Netflix queue that happen to be on Instant Watch, which will vastly reduce the number of movies I need to watch for the first time.
Anyway. Going to lie down for a bit before getting on that writing. Oh grad school.
Woke up this morning to a dusting of snow all over the place, biked to campus in 28F, biked home in 30F. I'm really tired of the cold.
Quite excited for the weekend because it means I get to stay INSIDE (so glorious) even though I have a lot of writing to do. Also, I've ordered a Roku 2 as a Valentine's Day present to myself, and it should arrive in a day or two which is equally exciting. Can't wait to watch Midsomer Murders on my tv! Plus, I can watch all the movies on my Netflix queue that happen to be on Instant Watch, which will vastly reduce the number of movies I need to watch for the first time.
Anyway. Going to lie down for a bit before getting on that writing. Oh grad school.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Gah.
Didn't make cookies, should have.
Worked until 1:30 am.
Got up at 7:30 am.
Made a mess of my presentation. No applause.
Other presentations got applause.
Spent rest of day alone in office, in locked, dark and cold lab.
Home now. Get to eat (they did fix my big burner, finally), and then homework.
Gah.
Worked until 1:30 am.
Got up at 7:30 am.
Made a mess of my presentation. No applause.
Other presentations got applause.
Spent rest of day alone in office, in locked, dark and cold lab.
Home now. Get to eat (they did fix my big burner, finally), and then homework.
Gah.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
It's been awhile
I've been a little busy. Grad school is just as hectic this semester.
Tonight I have to finish my presentation on the Molasses Reef and Highborn Cay shipwrecks. And I'm baking chocolate mint cookies to make everyone love me. Yes, I'm shamelessly bribing my classmates. I don't want to do anything though, I'm so damn tired.
I am also apartment hunting. The big burner - the ONLY big burner - on my stove is out and although I've sent in three maintenance requests about it (the first two were about it not working properly, the last one was about it completely breaking - I can press my hand flat on it, and it'll be stone cold AFTER being turned on high for 5 minutes) and an email about it. I've had enough. This is bull.
My outside light is finally fixed, and I can occasionally coax some warm water out of my shower after running it for 10-15 minutes first, so that is at least helpful.
But being on a diet is cruddy enough without not having a big burner on my stove, rendering me unable to make stir-fry, curry, or pretty much anything. I'm roasting a batch of brats right now and will microwave them over the course of the week, praying the burner will be fixed sometime and I can cook again.
Oven is smoking again. Guess I need to open my front window. There. I have started turning on my fan and placing it directly below my smoke alarm every time I cook, and I have been spared more evil shrieks, thank goodness. It's still irritating as all get out though. The noise from fans drives me nuts, particularly the ungodly loud one over the stove.
The weather is also being irritating. It snowed Thursday night and it's supposed to snow again Tuesday GAH!
It sucks.
Oh well should get back to work. Yay, grad school.
Tonight I have to finish my presentation on the Molasses Reef and Highborn Cay shipwrecks. And I'm baking chocolate mint cookies to make everyone love me. Yes, I'm shamelessly bribing my classmates. I don't want to do anything though, I'm so damn tired.
I am also apartment hunting. The big burner - the ONLY big burner - on my stove is out and although I've sent in three maintenance requests about it (the first two were about it not working properly, the last one was about it completely breaking - I can press my hand flat on it, and it'll be stone cold AFTER being turned on high for 5 minutes) and an email about it. I've had enough. This is bull.
My outside light is finally fixed, and I can occasionally coax some warm water out of my shower after running it for 10-15 minutes first, so that is at least helpful.
But being on a diet is cruddy enough without not having a big burner on my stove, rendering me unable to make stir-fry, curry, or pretty much anything. I'm roasting a batch of brats right now and will microwave them over the course of the week, praying the burner will be fixed sometime and I can cook again.
Oven is smoking again. Guess I need to open my front window. There. I have started turning on my fan and placing it directly below my smoke alarm every time I cook, and I have been spared more evil shrieks, thank goodness. It's still irritating as all get out though. The noise from fans drives me nuts, particularly the ungodly loud one over the stove.
The weather is also being irritating. It snowed Thursday night and it's supposed to snow again Tuesday GAH!
It sucks.
Oh well should get back to work. Yay, grad school.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
From my couch
I am sick AGAIN.
So I had a lovely birthday at home (fantastic dinner at the Ravenous Pig that evening), had a wonderful last Sunday with an afternoon braai and a good book, and left Orlando early Monday morning. Spent nearly 11 hours on the road (for a 9 hour 30 minute drive) and went straight to Cochon (apparently this means pig) and had a LOVELY dinner of rabbit and dumplings.
For the record, my last day in Orlando was 84F. When I parked my car in New Orleans and walked the two blocks to Cochon, it was 28F, plus windchill. (When I got to College Station it was 46F.) Then I went to my motel and curled up in bed and tried to ignore the people thumping and bumping upstairs (I swear it sounded like they were practicing for the circus).
Next morning I woke up at 7 am on the dot, and was on the road at 7:40 am. It took me nearly half an hour to get gasoline and I liberally cursed everyone and their antecedents for parking in front of all the gas pumps AND THEN LEAVING THEIR CARS ALONE. I had to stop for McDonald's for lunch because it was pretty much my only option for where I was (it was attached to a gas station that did indeed turn out to be the last one for miles) and the bloody woman wouldn't give me my water cup for about five minutes after I'd gotten my food. REALLY?
Then my GPS took me through all these backroads, which did save me 70 miles or so, but getting constantly stuck behind horse trailers, having to go from 75 mph to 0 mph for sundry red lights or morons, and having a sheriff tail me for nearly 20 minutes nearly gave me a nervous breakdown and I nearly cried when I finally pulled into my apartment complex at 3 pm Tuesday afternoon.
By 4 pm all my stuff was upstairs and I'd set up my TV (hooray!)
Then I went to Wal Mart (towels and hangers) and Target (just looked at the DVD players) and HEB (got my groceries for the week).
Came home, put everything away, made dinner
(sigh...I am going to miss carbs - although even though I'm giving up bread, rice and potatoes, I'm keeping my pasta dammit!)
and then I settled down to a nice evening watching tv. I looked on Amazon at DVD players and after a phone call home, I went back to Target and bought a Philips DVD player (and my tv is a Philips too lol - I swear that wasn't intentional) and managed to get my tv set up on the cable (I originally hadn't realized I would need to reprogram the cable, the way it scanned originally the first time we turned it on), and use the red/yellow/white cords to attach my DVD player. Then I went on Amazon and ordered an HDMI cable (for a faster, clearer, better picture) for the DVD player and the first season of Allo Allo (this is all thanks to my aunts and uncle who gave me Amazon and Target gift cards...definitely couldn't have done this without their generosity!) which should arrive sometime today.
Wednesday I woke up at 7 but felt pretty cruddy and it was nearly 10:30 by the time I got to campus. I stayed in lab until 4:30 and came home, and spent my evening eating, reading, and watching my awesome new tv.
I went to bed at 11:30 (very early for me) and woke up at 7 am SICK AS A DOG. Snot was bubbling like a witch's cauldron...you don't want to know the details. I stayed in bed for two hours, hoping it would pass off, which it did not. So I got up, brushed my teeth, washed my face, removed my pillow and comforter to the couch and attempted to boil some water for a cup of noodles. 40 minutes later, after some cursing and freaking out, I moved the frying pan to the smaller burner, where it finally heated the water and I could make my noodles and tea.
I have sent in a maintenance request, but considering not only is my water in the shower still cold (even after I run it for 20 minutes) and the light over my front door (outside) still out, when I sent in those requests TWO WEEKS ago, I think I might be screwed. These people don't seem to want me to renew my damn lease. I'm too sick to go apartment hunting right now. Maybe in a few days.
I feel like I should be working from home but I just feel too awful. I need to get better so I can go in tomorrow. So I think I'll take today easy. Hope it works.
Think it might be time for more tea...good thing Mom gave me a box before I left!
So I had a lovely birthday at home (fantastic dinner at the Ravenous Pig that evening), had a wonderful last Sunday with an afternoon braai and a good book, and left Orlando early Monday morning. Spent nearly 11 hours on the road (for a 9 hour 30 minute drive) and went straight to Cochon (apparently this means pig) and had a LOVELY dinner of rabbit and dumplings.
For the record, my last day in Orlando was 84F. When I parked my car in New Orleans and walked the two blocks to Cochon, it was 28F, plus windchill. (When I got to College Station it was 46F.) Then I went to my motel and curled up in bed and tried to ignore the people thumping and bumping upstairs (I swear it sounded like they were practicing for the circus).
Next morning I woke up at 7 am on the dot, and was on the road at 7:40 am. It took me nearly half an hour to get gasoline and I liberally cursed everyone and their antecedents for parking in front of all the gas pumps AND THEN LEAVING THEIR CARS ALONE. I had to stop for McDonald's for lunch because it was pretty much my only option for where I was (it was attached to a gas station that did indeed turn out to be the last one for miles) and the bloody woman wouldn't give me my water cup for about five minutes after I'd gotten my food. REALLY?
Then my GPS took me through all these backroads, which did save me 70 miles or so, but getting constantly stuck behind horse trailers, having to go from 75 mph to 0 mph for sundry red lights or morons, and having a sheriff tail me for nearly 20 minutes nearly gave me a nervous breakdown and I nearly cried when I finally pulled into my apartment complex at 3 pm Tuesday afternoon.
By 4 pm all my stuff was upstairs and I'd set up my TV (hooray!)
Then I went to Wal Mart (towels and hangers) and Target (just looked at the DVD players) and HEB (got my groceries for the week).
Came home, put everything away, made dinner
(sigh...I am going to miss carbs - although even though I'm giving up bread, rice and potatoes, I'm keeping my pasta dammit!)
and then I settled down to a nice evening watching tv. I looked on Amazon at DVD players and after a phone call home, I went back to Target and bought a Philips DVD player (and my tv is a Philips too lol - I swear that wasn't intentional) and managed to get my tv set up on the cable (I originally hadn't realized I would need to reprogram the cable, the way it scanned originally the first time we turned it on), and use the red/yellow/white cords to attach my DVD player. Then I went on Amazon and ordered an HDMI cable (for a faster, clearer, better picture) for the DVD player and the first season of Allo Allo (this is all thanks to my aunts and uncle who gave me Amazon and Target gift cards...definitely couldn't have done this without their generosity!) which should arrive sometime today.
Wednesday I woke up at 7 but felt pretty cruddy and it was nearly 10:30 by the time I got to campus. I stayed in lab until 4:30 and came home, and spent my evening eating, reading, and watching my awesome new tv.
I went to bed at 11:30 (very early for me) and woke up at 7 am SICK AS A DOG. Snot was bubbling like a witch's cauldron...you don't want to know the details. I stayed in bed for two hours, hoping it would pass off, which it did not. So I got up, brushed my teeth, washed my face, removed my pillow and comforter to the couch and attempted to boil some water for a cup of noodles. 40 minutes later, after some cursing and freaking out, I moved the frying pan to the smaller burner, where it finally heated the water and I could make my noodles and tea.
I have sent in a maintenance request, but considering not only is my water in the shower still cold (even after I run it for 20 minutes) and the light over my front door (outside) still out, when I sent in those requests TWO WEEKS ago, I think I might be screwed. These people don't seem to want me to renew my damn lease. I'm too sick to go apartment hunting right now. Maybe in a few days.
I feel like I should be working from home but I just feel too awful. I need to get better so I can go in tomorrow. So I think I'll take today easy. Hope it works.
Think it might be time for more tea...good thing Mom gave me a box before I left!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Yum!
Decided to write down as many positive things as I can each day (this is not a resolution...people break those...lol) to help me see things in a positive light.
So today I got to sleep in (yay!), woke up feeling healthy (this is good because I got carsick on the way home last night. I was NOT driving - it was just because I was in the back seat. I wish I had grown out of carsickness!!), I went for a nice peaceful walk (unmolested by any bears), went grocery shopping with my mom (this might sound strange, but I miss it a lot when I'm not home), and got to spend the afternoon snuggled up with a box of licorice allsorts and a book (if you don't love candy and a book...then I just can't help you).
Right now I'm watching a football game, which is good, but I'm feeling slightly ill after dinner. We had short ribs which are DELICIOUS, but it's so fatty I feel a little sick (I guess I really HAVE reduced fat in my own diet - another good thing?), so I'm letting my stomach relax before calling it a good thing.
Rather feeling like finding another book, but it's difficult for me to read with football on, and I got so little football this season...oh decisions!
So today I got to sleep in (yay!), woke up feeling healthy (this is good because I got carsick on the way home last night. I was NOT driving - it was just because I was in the back seat. I wish I had grown out of carsickness!!), I went for a nice peaceful walk (unmolested by any bears), went grocery shopping with my mom (this might sound strange, but I miss it a lot when I'm not home), and got to spend the afternoon snuggled up with a box of licorice allsorts and a book (if you don't love candy and a book...then I just can't help you).
Right now I'm watching a football game, which is good, but I'm feeling slightly ill after dinner. We had short ribs which are DELICIOUS, but it's so fatty I feel a little sick (I guess I really HAVE reduced fat in my own diet - another good thing?), so I'm letting my stomach relax before calling it a good thing.
Rather feeling like finding another book, but it's difficult for me to read with football on, and I got so little football this season...oh decisions!
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