Yet again, I must just say, wow. I'm exhausted, but I'm very happy.
I've been spending every moment that I haven't been sleeping, showering, or teaching since Sunday working on a presentation that I gave today with a classmate. We were very, very nervous. But it went wonderfully, and I am really pleased with the interaction we had with the rest of the class, and the professor's response. It is sort of amusing, because I feel like I transferred all the stress I have been feeling about my exams to this presentation. I was even up late last night putting the finishing touches on my outline! We were supposed to present for an hour between the two of us, yet we managed to keep going through themes and discussing things for the entire 2.5 hour class, and we still have a lot of themes to talk about next class, which, unfortunately, I'll miss because I will be... wait for it... taking one of my exams. I'd much rather be present for the discussion of this particular novel, which is so very, very interesting.
S told me that I shouldn't do any more studying tonight. I sort of want to, which makes me a big dork. But I also have the pile of compositions that have been sitting on my floor since they were turned in... 2 weeks ago. I need to hand them back before Spring Break. Really. So I'd better get to it.
27.2.07
24.2.07
Gustavo Cerati! At the Festival de Viña!
Wow, let me just tell you all I didn't stay up late studying, oh no. I was up late watching the Festival de Viña (which you can watch live on Canal13's webcast). I'll be honest that I usually don't pay too much attention to the Festival - I don't care who is "queen," or the stupid things the hosts say. All I remember from watching bits and pieces last year was Franz Ferdinand and Ruperto. But last night was just great. I admit the line-up was sort of odd: Gustavo Cerati, Ana Torroja, and Kudai. For those not as in love with Soda Stereo as I am, Gustavo Cerati was the main songwriter and singer of the band. So obviously, I was looking forward to that. And he was awesome. It made me forget about studying for a bit! He only played 3 songs from Soda, but he was great, period. You can watch clips from his performance here. It also made me happy to see the public, most of whom were pre-adolescents there to see Kudai, awarded him with 2 antorchas and a gaviota. So basically it was all super cool. I would totally go see him in concert. And there aren't a lot of people/bands I would say that about. So yeah. Wow. :-D
23.2.07
I fear no more. I wish...
S appears to have broken his toe. One of his little toes, to be precise. He appears to have kicked the door frame. I'll admit I'm not quite sure how that happened, but I think he was imitating a comedian from TV. He hurts. That's not fun. But the good news is that this morning, it didn't hurt as much as last night. That is very good news.
A friend and I tried the polenta recipe that was in the Times last week (or was it the week before?) There were moments of doubt as to the success of our meal as the polenta was cooking, but in the end it turned out quite nicely. Very enjoyable. Though it's very heavy. But it was delicious, yes it was.
At our review session yesterday, the professor made a joke about the person in sackcloth and wearing ashes would have been more appropriate to the Wednesday. I chuckled. I'm suck a dork. But in that Lenten spirit, here's a poem (that is also a hymn text) by one of my favorite poets in the English language, John Donne.
A Hymn to God the Father
Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sins their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow'd in a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
I have a sin of fear, that when I've spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore:
And having done that, Thou hast done;
I fear no more.
A friend and I tried the polenta recipe that was in the Times last week (or was it the week before?) There were moments of doubt as to the success of our meal as the polenta was cooking, but in the end it turned out quite nicely. Very enjoyable. Though it's very heavy. But it was delicious, yes it was.
At our review session yesterday, the professor made a joke about the person in sackcloth and wearing ashes would have been more appropriate to the Wednesday. I chuckled. I'm suck a dork. But in that Lenten spirit, here's a poem (that is also a hymn text) by one of my favorite poets in the English language, John Donne.
A Hymn to God the Father
Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sins their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow'd in a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
I have a sin of fear, that when I've spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore:
And having done that, Thou hast done;
I fear no more.
20.2.07
What a wretched incident
So here I am, worrying that S isn't home from work yet. My mother tells me that I shouldn't worry, because it doesn't help at all. But I still do.
We started having group reviews with professors today. I found it quite useful, though it was in my specific adored time period so that might have something to do with it. Among other digressions, the prof said that "You can never say no until you have tenure." Thoughts? I might have more of those once I finish the exams. I will be so happy when I finish them... even though when I got home (late) from the review, I said to myself, OK no more work tonight because you have been working all day and I spoke on the phone with my mother for hours (literally), I feel guilty about not studying. Though most of the conversation was me telling Mom about my studying... which, as she said, is like I'm still reviewing. But still.
On the freak out side of things, last night I was sitting here in front of my computer, thinking about going to bed and chatting with the husband when I heard a giant whooshing sound followed by what sounded like a waterfall. In my PJs I jumped out of my chair and looked at my kitchen (nothing) and then went to the bathroom to find that a waterfall had sprouted itself from the ceiling. So, I throw on some flip flops and run up the stairs to ask the guy who lives above me what is going on. He answers somewhat harriedly and tells me that they already called maintenance and that the bathroom is flooded. Later the maintenance guy comes and checks out my bathroom and tells me that it was the toilet of this guy that was having problems. Let me just tell you, the water that collected in the bucket I put under the waterfall is FOUL. It's yellow. And the smell makes me want to wretch. Basically, I can't use my bathroom without holding my breath. As soon as I get rubber or plastic or whatever kind of gloves tomorrow I'm bleaching it all. And I'm considering throwing out the rug, because it is just disgusting. Disgusting. The maintenance guy came back today but left a note saying the ceiling isn't dry yet (maybe that's the smell and not the water?) and that they wouldn't be able to fix the ceiling until Friday or Monday. EW EW EW. I really just want that problem to disappear.
And to steal an amusing anecdote from my sister: it was 5 degrees, and people were wearing flip flops. And not like me, because they grabbed the first thing they could find, either. That's just darn amusing.
We started having group reviews with professors today. I found it quite useful, though it was in my specific adored time period so that might have something to do with it. Among other digressions, the prof said that "You can never say no until you have tenure." Thoughts? I might have more of those once I finish the exams. I will be so happy when I finish them... even though when I got home (late) from the review, I said to myself, OK no more work tonight because you have been working all day and I spoke on the phone with my mother for hours (literally), I feel guilty about not studying. Though most of the conversation was me telling Mom about my studying... which, as she said, is like I'm still reviewing. But still.
On the freak out side of things, last night I was sitting here in front of my computer, thinking about going to bed and chatting with the husband when I heard a giant whooshing sound followed by what sounded like a waterfall. In my PJs I jumped out of my chair and looked at my kitchen (nothing) and then went to the bathroom to find that a waterfall had sprouted itself from the ceiling. So, I throw on some flip flops and run up the stairs to ask the guy who lives above me what is going on. He answers somewhat harriedly and tells me that they already called maintenance and that the bathroom is flooded. Later the maintenance guy comes and checks out my bathroom and tells me that it was the toilet of this guy that was having problems. Let me just tell you, the water that collected in the bucket I put under the waterfall is FOUL. It's yellow. And the smell makes me want to wretch. Basically, I can't use my bathroom without holding my breath. As soon as I get rubber or plastic or whatever kind of gloves tomorrow I'm bleaching it all. And I'm considering throwing out the rug, because it is just disgusting. Disgusting. The maintenance guy came back today but left a note saying the ceiling isn't dry yet (maybe that's the smell and not the water?) and that they wouldn't be able to fix the ceiling until Friday or Monday. EW EW EW. I really just want that problem to disappear.
And to steal an amusing anecdote from my sister: it was 5 degrees, and people were wearing flip flops. And not like me, because they grabbed the first thing they could find, either. That's just darn amusing.
17.2.07
oh, the things I'll do
Wow it's still cold. I'm not a fan of it. In other weather news (and my father will be shocked by this one): it rained in Santiago in February. Let me remind my readers that the average rainfall for February (and December, and January) is 0. None. The weather is so weird.
I had a meeting with an advisor yesterday for my thesis. It was a really good meeting, though I have decided I am a much better academic writer in English - which makes sense, because it is my native language. But this thesis is not in English, so I have a bunch of polishing to do. Which will happen after I finish my exams, thank you very much. Just like I'm going to look up the etymology of the term flaite, and re-read all the Harry Potter books. Among other fun things.
Speaking of fun, I went to a coffee date this morning with women who are also alumns of my sorority. Unfortunately, no alumns in my age range were there (sad panda!) but they were very nice women and one of them, the local chapter advisor, took me by the house afterwards so I could see it and meet some of the collegians. It's so weird to refer to collegians... but I guess that is because I was one, up until 2 years ago. The concept of a house is also odd to me. But I think I'll go to Founder's Day in March (yay for lunch) and maybe get my feet wet with some small advising responsibility. I am actually super excited about it - I would much rather concentrate on that than the book I'm working on for class, which, though fascinating and well written, is taking me a long time to get through. It's dense. And I get to present on it! (well, not just me, I'm doing it with a friend). So I should get back to that book... maybe I can read a few pages before calling Mr. Hubby at work... the dear has a cold and is cold, but he loves me all the same. :-) And, well, I love him too. Imagine that! Oh, that reminds me of my candle pass when we got engaged...
I had a meeting with an advisor yesterday for my thesis. It was a really good meeting, though I have decided I am a much better academic writer in English - which makes sense, because it is my native language. But this thesis is not in English, so I have a bunch of polishing to do. Which will happen after I finish my exams, thank you very much. Just like I'm going to look up the etymology of the term flaite, and re-read all the Harry Potter books. Among other fun things.Speaking of fun, I went to a coffee date this morning with women who are also alumns of my sorority. Unfortunately, no alumns in my age range were there (sad panda!) but they were very nice women and one of them, the local chapter advisor, took me by the house afterwards so I could see it and meet some of the collegians. It's so weird to refer to collegians... but I guess that is because I was one, up until 2 years ago. The concept of a house is also odd to me. But I think I'll go to Founder's Day in March (yay for lunch) and maybe get my feet wet with some small advising responsibility. I am actually super excited about it - I would much rather concentrate on that than the book I'm working on for class, which, though fascinating and well written, is taking me a long time to get through. It's dense. And I get to present on it! (well, not just me, I'm doing it with a friend). So I should get back to that book... maybe I can read a few pages before calling Mr. Hubby at work... the dear has a cold and is cold, but he loves me all the same. :-) And, well, I love him too. Imagine that! Oh, that reminds me of my candle pass when we got engaged...
15.2.07
wow i wish i were there
I'm feeling lonely again. I miss my husband a lot. I was looking at all the wedding pictures again and the only thing I really want right now is to be there with him. He told me yesterday that he was looking at the pictures too, so at least I am in good company. I just miss him a lot, and if I stop studying too long to think about anything else, I get upset and sad. So I suppose my way of dealing with this would be to... keep studying. But I miss him!
I am ready for it to not be cold anymore. We finally got a dusting where I live, which is fine and all but I'm cold, my tan is almost gone and I want it to be May so I can go back to Chile and see my husband! It's funny because today I just want to be there. Most days I want him to be here. But today, for whatever reason, I really wish I were in Chile.
In more Chile news, people still complain about Transantiago. I was describing it to some friends today and they were like, hey that is like a developed country public transportation system! I think that is part of the point, which is funny, because the way people react is, um, stubborn and close minded. Also in Chile news, on the reality show Fama, some people I like got to go back into the academia to keep competing, which I think is really fun. Maybe I just watch too much Chilean TV. Just you all wait until Casado con hijos 3 starts in March... muwahahaha.
I am ready for it to not be cold anymore. We finally got a dusting where I live, which is fine and all but I'm cold, my tan is almost gone and I want it to be May so I can go back to Chile and see my husband! It's funny because today I just want to be there. Most days I want him to be here. But today, for whatever reason, I really wish I were in Chile.
In more Chile news, people still complain about Transantiago. I was describing it to some friends today and they were like, hey that is like a developed country public transportation system! I think that is part of the point, which is funny, because the way people react is, um, stubborn and close minded. Also in Chile news, on the reality show Fama, some people I like got to go back into the academia to keep competing, which I think is really fun. Maybe I just watch too much Chilean TV. Just you all wait until Casado con hijos 3 starts in March... muwahahaha.
13.2.07
the sky spitting ice sucks
Wow I'm studytastic. It's kind of crazy.
Part of me really just wants to sit down and read all the Harry Potter books again, and when I finish book 6 magically have the new one appear. But I, like the rest of humankind, have to wait. Alas.
My husband went back to the beach this morning. I'm jealous of course, because I'd like to go to the beach. Especially because it is spitting ice outside - too cold for rain, too warm for snow. It sucks. But I enjoyed my class today and teaching (though it was kinda sorta really hectic but no one broke a chair today) and I'm looking forward to my study meeting tomorrow, because I own the material Yay me.
I just need to keep this positive attitude :-) and share it with the world!
Part of me really just wants to sit down and read all the Harry Potter books again, and when I finish book 6 magically have the new one appear. But I, like the rest of humankind, have to wait. Alas.
My husband went back to the beach this morning. I'm jealous of course, because I'd like to go to the beach. Especially because it is spitting ice outside - too cold for rain, too warm for snow. It sucks. But I enjoyed my class today and teaching (though it was kinda sorta really hectic but no one broke a chair today) and I'm looking forward to my study meeting tomorrow, because I own the material Yay me.
I just need to keep this positive attitude :-) and share it with the world!
11.2.07
Who doesn't love Sor Juana?
In the spirit of my studies... and this is not at all a reflection on my husband, who is wonderful. But it's a pretty great poem. Especially when you consider it was written by a Mexican nun in the seventeenth century. I can't find an English translation online, so I apologize to my readers who cannot read Spanish. For your benefit, the first verse goes something like, "Stubborn men who accuse / women without reason / without seeing that they are the motivation / of that which they blame."
"Hombres necios"
Hombres necios que acusáis
a la mujer sin razón,
sin ver que sois la ocasión
de lo mismo que culpáis:
si con ansia sin igual
solicitáis su desdén,
¿por qué queréis que obren bien
si las incitáis al mal?
Combatís su resistencia,
y luego con gravedad
decís que fue liviandad
lo que hizo la diligencia.
Queréis con presunción necia
hallar a la que buscáis,
para pretendida, Tais,
y en la posesión, Lucrecia.
¿Qué humor puede ser más raro
que el que falta de consejo,
él mismo empaña el espejo
y siente que no esté claro?
Con el favor y el desdén
tenéis condición igual,
quejándoos, si os tratan mal,
burlándoos, si os quieren bien.
Opinión ninguna gana,
pues la que más se recata,
si no os admite, es ingrata
y si os admite, es liviana.
Siempre tan necios andáis
que con desigual nivel
a una culpáis por cruel
y a otra por fácil culpáis.
¿Pues cómo ha de estar templada
la que vuestro amor pretende,
si la que es ingrata ofende
y la que es fácil enfada?
Mas entre el enfado y pena
que vuestro gusto refiere,
bien haya la que no os quiere
y quejaos enhorabuena.
Dan vuestras amantes penas
a sus libertades alas,
y después de hacerlas malas
las queréis hallar muy buenas.
¿Cuál mayor culpa ha tenido
en una pasión errada,
la que cae de rogada
o el que ruega de caído?
¿O cuál es más de culpar,
aunque cualquiera mal haga:
la que peca por la paga
o el que paga por pecar?
Pues ¿para qué os espantáis
de la culpa que tenéis?
Queredlas cual las hacéis
o hacedlas cual las buscáis.
Dejad de solicitar
y después con más razón
acusaréis la afición
de la que os fuere a rogar.
Bien con muchas armas fundo
que lidia vuestra arrogancia,
pues en promesa e instancia
juntáis diablo, carne y mundo.
"Hombres necios"
Hombres necios que acusáis
a la mujer sin razón,
sin ver que sois la ocasión
de lo mismo que culpáis:
si con ansia sin igual
solicitáis su desdén,
¿por qué queréis que obren bien
si las incitáis al mal?
Combatís su resistencia,
y luego con gravedad
decís que fue liviandad
lo que hizo la diligencia.
Queréis con presunción necia
hallar a la que buscáis,
para pretendida, Tais,
y en la posesión, Lucrecia.
¿Qué humor puede ser más raro
que el que falta de consejo,
él mismo empaña el espejo
y siente que no esté claro?
Con el favor y el desdén
tenéis condición igual,
quejándoos, si os tratan mal,
burlándoos, si os quieren bien.
Opinión ninguna gana,
pues la que más se recata,
si no os admite, es ingrata
y si os admite, es liviana.
Siempre tan necios andáis
que con desigual nivel
a una culpáis por cruel
y a otra por fácil culpáis.
¿Pues cómo ha de estar templada
la que vuestro amor pretende,
si la que es ingrata ofende
y la que es fácil enfada?
Mas entre el enfado y pena
que vuestro gusto refiere,
bien haya la que no os quiere
y quejaos enhorabuena.
Dan vuestras amantes penas
a sus libertades alas,
y después de hacerlas malas
las queréis hallar muy buenas.
¿Cuál mayor culpa ha tenido
en una pasión errada,
la que cae de rogada
o el que ruega de caído?
¿O cuál es más de culpar,
aunque cualquiera mal haga:
la que peca por la paga
o el que paga por pecar?
Pues ¿para qué os espantáis
de la culpa que tenéis?
Queredlas cual las hacéis
o hacedlas cual las buscáis.
Dejad de solicitar
y después con más razón
acusaréis la afición
de la que os fuere a rogar.
Bien con muchas armas fundo
que lidia vuestra arrogancia,
pues en promesa e instancia
juntáis diablo, carne y mundo.
-- Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, 1651-1695
Sunday morning in February = cold fingers
My brain feels fuzzy this afternoon. It's not a pleasant feeling. I think it has to do with the coffee I drank this morning.
I taught Sunday School today :-) It went quite well. We had a good discussion, and I think the kids appreciated it. Plus I like being at church, once I walk all the way there. It's a bit chilly on Sunday mornings in February, though.
S just left to go to work tonight. It's kind of silly, but I miss him more when he just leaves. I actually sort of want to try. That might be somewhat associated with the brain fuzziness. May can't come soon enough. I've actually been fantasizing about when he gets his green card and moves up here permanently. I can't wait for that moment. That makes me want to cry, too. Marriage is much cooler when you actually live in the same hemisphere as your spouse. I imagine that the same state, nay the same city, would be heavenly.
I taught Sunday School today :-) It went quite well. We had a good discussion, and I think the kids appreciated it. Plus I like being at church, once I walk all the way there. It's a bit chilly on Sunday mornings in February, though.
S just left to go to work tonight. It's kind of silly, but I miss him more when he just leaves. I actually sort of want to try. That might be somewhat associated with the brain fuzziness. May can't come soon enough. I've actually been fantasizing about when he gets his green card and moves up here permanently. I can't wait for that moment. That makes me want to cry, too. Marriage is much cooler when you actually live in the same hemisphere as your spouse. I imagine that the same state, nay the same city, would be heavenly.
10.2.07
ABCs of random information
A- Available or Single? happily married, thank you.
B- Best Friend? besides my husband, i have an awesome best buddy. and a great sister, too.
C- Cake or Pie? Cake, duh.
D- Drink of Choice? Right now? Diet Coke
E- Essential Item? Dunno. Cell phone?
F- Favorite Color? All shades of blue!
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? gummy worms, though I can't explain why.
H- Hometown? Of all the places I've lived? Somewhere cold.
I- Indulgence? It changes from week to week, but this week it's lots of ice cream.
J- January or February? I kinda like January. Don't ask why, I can't explain this one either.
K- Kids and names? Not anytime soon... but S and I have discussed it a bit... and we had better have a girl when the time comes, because we can't agree on a boy's name.
L- Life is incomplete without...? The people I love
M- Marriage Date? December 30
N- Number of Siblings? 2
O- Oranges or Apples? Fresh sweet juicy navel oranges
P- Phobias/Fears? Falling from heights, I sometimes get really nervous in crowds, people I love dying... wait, see the worry wart post
Q- Favorite Quote? "Pray as though everything depended on God, work as though everything depended on you." As well as good ole Feijoo: "The ignorant, though they may be many, do not stop being ignorant."
R- Reasons to smile? Life is generally good.
S- Season? Autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, at least.
T- Tag 3 people? Silly question.
U- Unknown Fact About Me? I went to church choir camp as a kid?
V- Vegetable You Hate? There are actually quite a few... squash, eggplant, mushrooms, radishes... there are more...
W-Worst Habit? Being stubborn and worrying too much. I dwell on things. It's not good.
X- Xrays You've Had? I think just at the dentist
Y- Your Favorite Foods? Generally, pancakes and potstickers. Though not together.
Z- Zodiac? Libra, but I think the whole Zodiac thing is pretty silly and useless.
B- Best Friend? besides my husband, i have an awesome best buddy. and a great sister, too.
C- Cake or Pie? Cake, duh.
D- Drink of Choice? Right now? Diet Coke
E- Essential Item? Dunno. Cell phone?
F- Favorite Color? All shades of blue!
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? gummy worms, though I can't explain why.
H- Hometown? Of all the places I've lived? Somewhere cold.
I- Indulgence? It changes from week to week, but this week it's lots of ice cream.
J- January or February? I kinda like January. Don't ask why, I can't explain this one either.
K- Kids and names? Not anytime soon... but S and I have discussed it a bit... and we had better have a girl when the time comes, because we can't agree on a boy's name.
L- Life is incomplete without...? The people I love
M- Marriage Date? December 30
N- Number of Siblings? 2
O- Oranges or Apples? Fresh sweet juicy navel oranges
P- Phobias/Fears? Falling from heights, I sometimes get really nervous in crowds, people I love dying... wait, see the worry wart post
Q- Favorite Quote? "Pray as though everything depended on God, work as though everything depended on you." As well as good ole Feijoo: "The ignorant, though they may be many, do not stop being ignorant."
R- Reasons to smile? Life is generally good.
S- Season? Autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, at least.
T- Tag 3 people? Silly question.
U- Unknown Fact About Me? I went to church choir camp as a kid?
V- Vegetable You Hate? There are actually quite a few... squash, eggplant, mushrooms, radishes... there are more...
W-Worst Habit? Being stubborn and worrying too much. I dwell on things. It's not good.
X- Xrays You've Had? I think just at the dentist
Y- Your Favorite Foods? Generally, pancakes and potstickers. Though not together.
Z- Zodiac? Libra, but I think the whole Zodiac thing is pretty silly and useless.
Transantiago
All of my vaunted ability to get around Santiago easily is now... um... obsolete knowledge. Today is the first day of the new transportation system and I admit, I find it a bit confusing. Not in terms of the concepts, but their maps are horrible and don't give much information.
Not that I'll miss the micros amarillas. Not at all. They scared the crap out of me sometimes, and more often than not I would get motion sick. Which wasn't a good experience at all.That said, S and I are still trying to figure out the best way for him to get to work tonight. Fun, fun. It's going to be weird in May - all Transantiago routes, you usually have to change buses a lot but at least until August they aren't charging you extra to change, there will be a lot more people in the Metro so we will see how that goes. And you get to pay with the Bip card - if the machines are working. I like the idea of not having to have change, because that was always a pain in the behind. If it all works out the way it is supposed to, it shouldn't be too bad. If it all works. And if everyone can figure out how to get everywhere.
**EVENING UPDATE**: It's actually not that complicated now that I sat down and looked at the recorridos. S's house actually has a lot of transportation options - but there is only one bus that goes near his work, which isn't so cool.
The news is waaaaaay too negative about the whole thing. Basically, people say: we had to wait! We don't know what to take! People, if I, who am not even in the country, can look it up and figure it out, what rock have you been living under, what with information sent to every residence, TV ads, billboards, internet sites with information, a free hotline to call with questions... I think people just don't like change. Secret message to all the annoyed santiaguinos: for a first day, it's not that bad. Nothing starts off without a hitch, especially if it's a redesign of a public transportations system for a city of six million. Really.
9.2.07
worry worry worry wart
I am such a worry wart. And that really needs to stop. So here are some of my worries, so I can look back at them in a few months and (with any luck) chuckle at myself:
On the positive side, I haven't had any stress stomachaches, and I have been sleeping well. So this is possibly the least typical way of me manifesting stress. It's a lot less hard on my poor body, but it does make it hard to concentrate sometimes.
I can't wait until April. and May.
- Something about my exams that should help me feel more relaxed and less worried actually had the opposite effect, which is freaking me out now that I realize I am worrying about it.
- S's dog bite from a few days ago is still freaking me out. What if he gets rabies and dies? The only person who is really helping me be reasonable about this is my sister, which is excellent, because S isn't listening to me about it. See a doctor, please, just in case???
- My students worry me, in oh so many ways.
- I have to teach Sunday School this week and I feel like a chanta, I don't know what wisdom I could possibly impart to them or how I can help them grow as young adults.
- what if something happens to my family? what would I do?
- I still can't call S because of the whole being at the beach my calling thing not making a connection bit. I hate that. But he'll be back in the city this weekend. Phew!
On the positive side, I haven't had any stress stomachaches, and I have been sleeping well. So this is possibly the least typical way of me manifesting stress. It's a lot less hard on my poor body, but it does make it hard to concentrate sometimes.
I can't wait until April. and May.
8.2.07
surprise!
You know the Bible 93%!
Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!
Ultimate Bible Quiz
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Wow. I admit I surprised myself. Evidentally I have paid some attention all these years. Go me. :-)
5.2.07
Colder than Antarctica!
I like to revel in the fact that it is indeed colder at my parent's house than it is in Antarctica. And it's not that cold here, relatively.
S went to the beach with his family today, his cell phone doesn't really get reception there and there isn't a land line in the beach house. I am SO not used to not being able to call him up whenever I feel like it. I'm actually still waiting for him to call to let me know they got there OK - but there were no traffic accidents on the news tonight so I'll assume they got there OK. But I'm still worrying.
Just like I worry about the rest of my family out in the cold. I don't know what I would do if something happened to them.
In cheerier news, I am feeling much more confident about two areas that I was very nervous about a few days ago. I had some sort of breakthrough today, which was excellent. I also took a nap - which I think was unrelated to the breakthrough, rather it was a symptom of my eyes being tired.
I'm going to go back to worrying now. Or trying not to. Or both.
S went to the beach with his family today, his cell phone doesn't really get reception there and there isn't a land line in the beach house. I am SO not used to not being able to call him up whenever I feel like it. I'm actually still waiting for him to call to let me know they got there OK - but there were no traffic accidents on the news tonight so I'll assume they got there OK. But I'm still worrying.
Just like I worry about the rest of my family out in the cold. I don't know what I would do if something happened to them.
In cheerier news, I am feeling much more confident about two areas that I was very nervous about a few days ago. I had some sort of breakthrough today, which was excellent. I also took a nap - which I think was unrelated to the breakthrough, rather it was a symptom of my eyes being tired.
I'm going to go back to worrying now. Or trying not to. Or both.
4.2.07
who am i
I needed a break from studying...
 | I am:Ursula K. LeGuinPerhaps the most admired writing talent in the science fiction field. |
PS switching over to new blogger was a pain in the behind. they say it's easy. no it's not.
3.2.07
How much do we owe?
Ugh.
Just as soon as we finally start getting everything in motion, this. I especially enjoy that I actually cannot find how much we have to pay in fees for the immigration process. They really just say when they ask for money, but not how much. So to be honest I have no idea of knowing which fees we get charged when or really beforehand how much it will cost. Which is quite frustrating.
I admit I have yet to deal with the people here in the US with regards to immigration stuff, but if the way the people in Chile treated me is anything to go by, this will not be pleasant. Let's just focus on the positive outcome of all of this - S and I will finally be living together in the same country! So exciting!
Just as soon as we finally start getting everything in motion, this. I especially enjoy that I actually cannot find how much we have to pay in fees for the immigration process. They really just say when they ask for money, but not how much. So to be honest I have no idea of knowing which fees we get charged when or really beforehand how much it will cost. Which is quite frustrating.
What this means for aspiring immigrants is simple: more cash upfront. The application fee for citizenship would rise to $595 from $330. The fee for permanent residency would increase to $905 from $325, and charges for bringing in a foreign spouse or employee would more than double. Refugees and victims of human trafficking or sex crimes would still have their fees waived, and other applicants could request hardship waivers. (Emphasis mine)
I admit I have yet to deal with the people here in the US with regards to immigration stuff, but if the way the people in Chile treated me is anything to go by, this will not be pleasant. Let's just focus on the positive outcome of all of this - S and I will finally be living together in the same country! So exciting!
non-confrontational
After what feels like weeks of not getting anything real done... I finally feel a little accomplished.
My studying is finally organized and sort of going somewhere. Which is good. Because mid-March is fast approaching.
S and I have the forms printed out to start the immigration dance, there are just a few bits and pieces to get together and then off it goes to the government.
I was very stressed the end of last week and the beginning of this one with regards to what S and I are going to do about this summer, and while it's not the ideal situation, I actually sort of negotiated my way into a better job. Considering how non-confrontational I am, I'm still in shock. But this better job means we want to get right on the immigration stuff.
I should get back to making my notecards - yes, notecards - so that when I go places, when I wait for the bus, etc, I don't feel guilty about not having anything to study. Yes, I h ave a giant feel like I should be doing more complex. And the notecards are probably feeding it. But if it helps me do better, then it is worthwhile.
My studying is finally organized and sort of going somewhere. Which is good. Because mid-March is fast approaching.
S and I have the forms printed out to start the immigration dance, there are just a few bits and pieces to get together and then off it goes to the government.
I was very stressed the end of last week and the beginning of this one with regards to what S and I are going to do about this summer, and while it's not the ideal situation, I actually sort of negotiated my way into a better job. Considering how non-confrontational I am, I'm still in shock. But this better job means we want to get right on the immigration stuff.
I should get back to making my notecards - yes, notecards - so that when I go places, when I wait for the bus, etc, I don't feel guilty about not having anything to study. Yes, I h ave a giant feel like I should be doing more complex. And the notecards are probably feeding it. But if it helps me do better, then it is worthwhile.
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