First Week Blues

Well, first week of classes is almost over.  I'm tired, cold, and have spent almost all day with wet socks.  I carefully wore my "black" sneakers (they're mostly white, but have black trim, rather than my Asics, which I call my "green" sneakers - once again, white with trim) because they've always been waterproof.  I've even accidentally stepped in puddles in them and came out fine and dry.  Today, they leaked and leaked and leaked!

I only just made it into my first class on time.  Class wasn't bad, although I volunteered myself to do my first presentation next week so I  have to kick my ass into gear this weekend.  We each have to do four presentations and I got three I REALLY wanted so I really ought not be sad I didn't get the VOC one, but I am a little cross about it.  I'm all the more cross because the girl who took is has never studied the VOC and doesn't know anything about it, whereas I've written papers and done a project on VOC ships - and she knows!  It's a very small department and we all know each others specialties.  But whatever.  That's life.

Then I worked for a bit, had lunch, and drove myself out to to Riverside for conservation class.  We got to take x-rays!  It was so much fun!  I could even take more myself, but I don't know whether I will or not.  Don't want to waste precious time and resources.  My prof approved one of the two objects I bought to cast, and showed me how to fix the second one so it'd cast better.  He even said next week I can bring in my Holy Grail and get the sticker on the bottom (it says "You chose wisely") fixed so I can wash it and use it - only for water, of course!

After class I stopped by World Market (quite the mistake from my wallet's point of view) and got some hurricane glass jars for my upstairs ledge, then the dollar store for some candles, and Target, with some idea of finding a throw to keep myself warm without turning on the heat.

What I actually got (after being IMMENSELY strong and putting back the $7.50 DVD of X-Men: First Class that I wanted so much) was a $0.75 pair of flip flops and this pair of boots:

They were originally $35, but I got them for $10.50!!  Isn't that so exciting?  I needed something to be comfortable, warm, and waterproof, and $11 is a steal.

When I finally got home, some jerk had parked in my usual spot, but I finally got to take off my soaked jeans, socks, and shoes and change into my fuzzy-lined sweatpants, wrap myself in my dressing gown, and make a nice warm dinner.  Now I'm lying here, watching Death in Paradise, taking a mental break from reading/writing thesis stuff.  Have to go in to work for 4 hours tomorrow, but I'm taking the rest of the day for myself after that.

First day back

In point of fact, I didn't need to go in to work today, since it's technically a national holiday, but I wanted to go ahead and get some damn work done.  It was difficult, getting back into the groove of going through deeds, and I swear the handwriting is even harder to read now, but I at least got a little done.

I had an interesting last week of "vacation" - spent most of the time on the couch, trying to write, coughing occasionally, and battling a nasty bout of insomnia.  I'm pretty tired right now, after having trouble sleeping last night.  It would be so glorious to sleep through the night, no nightmares, no waking up sweating, no tossing, turning, and aches. 

My ears have been bugging me again too.  I wonder if I should bother with a doctor or not.  Sometimes I just feel like giving up on trying to be and feel better - been complaining to every doctor I've ever had for my entire life about my ears, and here we are, 27 years later and I still have sore ears that pop and crackle and iffy hearing.

Attempting to eat healthier, and reduce my impact on the environment (read: more local, less meat, less dairy) also sucks.  I haven't noticed the slightest bit of improvement over the past week, and people say you can lose a pound or two a week if you're really trying.

Oh well.  A grad student can't sit around blogging all day...no matter how much she would enjoy it!

Well well, what are you doing here?

I hadn't realized I haven't updated this blog in so long...going insane between the end of the semester, a totally overwhelming Christmas "vacation", and collapsing on my couch in an attempt to stave off death upon my return to Texas.

I've spent the past couple days on the couch - I can feel my Eustachian tubes - and have been going stretches of eating nothing for 12 hours or 16 hours at a time and then eating a lot in one burst.  I don't know how good or bad it is for me, but I need to get myself into a good routine.  I'm my heaviest that I've been in years and it needs to stop.  The idea of developing diabetes like certain elder members of my family and having to stick myself daily with needles is a MASSIVE hell no.

I also got my energy bill in the mail today.  I was confidently expecting it to be low (I empty and unplug my fridge, and all my appliances, TV, everything, when I leave) and somehow it was nearly $100!!!  I thought keeping my thermostat set at 63F would keep the air going (every time I turn the AC/Heat off the apartment complex people come in and turn it back on...grrr) but not cost me.  SERIOUSLY pissed off.  You have to be kidding me - I wasn't here for three weeks, everything was unplugged and my bill is the highest it's ever been???  I guess that's life.

Anyway, despite my tubes and ears and most of me hurting and being cold, last night was a pretty cool night - got to talk to a friend for a really good conversation - and it reminded me that no matter how annoying and painful and blah life can be, there's always good, if you only look for it in the right place.