Let me explain. College started back up this week. One of my classes has a writing lab. When I walked into the lab I saw something that made me nervous and a little queasy. College is the time for experimentation though right?
It was a MAC...and I am a PC person. My preference stems from when I worked for a company I will not name, building and repairing computers. PCs were just easier to deal with overall.
I was terrified. I sat in front of the alien machine and gently touched the keyboard. It was flat and stranger than I am used to but the screen was vibrant and colorful. The lab is required for my class so whether I like it or not I was going to have to learn to make it work for the next 10 weeks. Hesitant at first, I opened a browser window, it was a little strange to see things placed differently but overall it functioned very similar.
When the TA came in and had us use EXCEL for our lab work (combining statistics and psychology) I began to get a little bit more comfortable with it. EXCEL is a program I am familiar with and to see that it pretty much ran the same on a MAC made me relax. Maybe I would make it through this experience after all!
So I guess the first week back at college after winter break changed me a little bit. I learned that I am no longer strictly a PC person. I can use MACS too - I am Bi-technical.
Which do you prefer MACS or PCs? Apple or ANYTHING ELSE PLEASE? LOL
This quarter is looking like it is going to be a busy one. If you are a regular reader hang in there. I will try to post as often as I can but I am juggling 17 credit hours with tons of homework and lab work too. I am taking a chemistry class and three 300 level Psych classes one of which is considered writing intensive. My chemistry class is also considered writing intensive because of the labs and lab reports required.
We are learning some pretty neat stuff in lectures though. My first class of the day is Behavioral Neuroscience II. That is my concentration in psychology and I love it. Right now in there we are studying psychopharmacology and the effects of drugs on the body as well as the effects of placebos.
After Behavioral Neuroscience I run across campus for my Research Methods in Psychology lab which is about learning to read, write and incorporate statistics into your research writing and how to use the APA style correctly. Then after that lab I run all the way back across campus for the Research Methods Class that goes with the lab where we learn different ways to conduct research and how to think like more like a scientist.
After that I have to run back across campus again for my Chemistry class (literally I am going from one far end of campus to the other in a very short span of time - running and pulling 60 pounds of books behind me. I should lose weight this quarter.) The Chemistry is the first of a series of three Chemistry classes I need to take if I want to be able to have the additional science distinction on my degree. (I previously had a college level Chemistry class but this particular series of three are specifically needed as part of my requirements.) The class is on Tuesdays and Thursdays and so far I am doing okay with it. The math parts of it may get a little difficult as we progress but so far it isn't too bad and I am really intelligent so I am confident I will do okay. I got an A in Statistics last quarter so I should be okay with the math. I am finding it easier to pay attention in class now that I am older and actually there to learn instead of worrying about a social life, boyfriend, or who is having a party. The labs for the class are on Mondays and Wednesdays and they start next week.
After Chemistry I have I/O psychology in the same building (no running this time yay). It is a pretty interesting class too. It is about psychology in the workplace. Psychology in industry and organizations. It focuses on all kinds of issues like job stress, occupational therapy, employee turnover, HR issues, and that kind of thing. We have a group project in there that counts for 40% of our grade. That scares me a little but I think we will do okay.
So - wish me luck - here is to hoping I can keep my 4.0 and my sanity as I move one quarter closer to my goals.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Life is Good
I received the Life is Good blog award from Ruthi. I had to smile about this when I saw it because ironically I have spent the last few days fighting a sinus infection! I have barely been online at all. I am sure Ruthi was wondering if I was even going to accept the award! LOL
Anyways today I am back up and around. It was the first day of college winter quarter. I headed over for my Monday chemistry lab. Still coughing a little and not in top form I left an hour early hoping to get a close parking space. NOPE - had to park a 12 minute walk from class. We got there and sat for 20 minutes to find out the labs are all cancelled the first week of class and that was the only class I had today so I walked the 12 minutes back to my car and headed home. Hey at least I remembered where I parked right?
Here are the things you have to do when you receive this award:
1. First, thank and link back to the person that gave the award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions.
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you have chosen to let them know about the award.
Thank you Ruthi - Even though I whine a lot life really is good. I have a sense of humor about it and really do enjoy some of the smaller things about it. I feel I am blessed. Now to answer the survey questions:
1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish you started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now?
I might have an anonymous blog too but if I told you about it than it wouldn't be anonymous anymore would it? LOL I do like blogging as myself though. Sometimes I do censor things to protect the guilty.
2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.
Once when I was little my Mom grounded me for a week. I kept saying "I don't care" and the week ended up going over a month. I missed out on a lot of really fun things because of my big mouth and my refusal to shut up.
3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
Pretty eyes, a nice smile and a woman who is getting older and has a weird haircut but is still attractive for her age and her weight.
4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Ice water preferrably Propel
5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
I love to take a bubble bath with a nice long book to read while I am in there.
6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life?
I want to achieve my doctorate degree in psychology and help children with ADHD and their families. I also want to have my book published.
7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?
I was the band geek. And one time at band camp....
8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?
When my daughter was born and I held her in my arms and saw her for the very first time and told her how much I love her and how beautiful she is.
9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog, or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people and events?
I am comfortable sharing anything. Nothing is offlimits for me. I do edit sometimes to be tactful but not always. Depends on my mood. Sometimes I lay it all out there and let the cards fall where they may. I don't try to hurt people though. I mainly try to make people laugh. If baring my soul and past stupidities achieves that - well - all the better.
10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I love to read - reading would be my choice. Getting lost in the pages of a good book with great characters is the best.
Now I am passing this on to :
Loadnabox for his heartfelt blog about the birth of his child and his playful and intelligently thought out birth announcement. He is going to be an awesome dad.
Midlife Mommy for the journey she is on in her life right now figuring things out as a single parent raising a daughter. I have been there.
and
Opto-Mom because I love to make people laugh and of course I also love people who make me laugh and this lady does it every time. Her post about the shoplifting ladies had me in tears and she is consistently funny with her point of view on things. Check her out.
Happy new year to everyone - hope everyone else had a better start to theirs. I am happy mine started off low - sick, and awful though - nowhere to go but up right?
Life really is good. :)
Anyways today I am back up and around. It was the first day of college winter quarter. I headed over for my Monday chemistry lab. Still coughing a little and not in top form I left an hour early hoping to get a close parking space. NOPE - had to park a 12 minute walk from class. We got there and sat for 20 minutes to find out the labs are all cancelled the first week of class and that was the only class I had today so I walked the 12 minutes back to my car and headed home. Hey at least I remembered where I parked right?
Here are the things you have to do when you receive this award:
1. First, thank and link back to the person that gave the award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions.
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you have chosen to let them know about the award.
Thank you Ruthi - Even though I whine a lot life really is good. I have a sense of humor about it and really do enjoy some of the smaller things about it. I feel I am blessed. Now to answer the survey questions:
1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish you started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now?
I might have an anonymous blog too but if I told you about it than it wouldn't be anonymous anymore would it? LOL I do like blogging as myself though. Sometimes I do censor things to protect the guilty.
2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.
Once when I was little my Mom grounded me for a week. I kept saying "I don't care" and the week ended up going over a month. I missed out on a lot of really fun things because of my big mouth and my refusal to shut up.
3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?
Pretty eyes, a nice smile and a woman who is getting older and has a weird haircut but is still attractive for her age and her weight.
4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?
Ice water preferrably Propel
5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
I love to take a bubble bath with a nice long book to read while I am in there.
6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life?
I want to achieve my doctorate degree in psychology and help children with ADHD and their families. I also want to have my book published.
7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?
I was the band geek. And one time at band camp....
8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?
When my daughter was born and I held her in my arms and saw her for the very first time and told her how much I love her and how beautiful she is.
9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog, or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people and events?
I am comfortable sharing anything. Nothing is offlimits for me. I do edit sometimes to be tactful but not always. Depends on my mood. Sometimes I lay it all out there and let the cards fall where they may. I don't try to hurt people though. I mainly try to make people laugh. If baring my soul and past stupidities achieves that - well - all the better.
10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?
I love to read - reading would be my choice. Getting lost in the pages of a good book with great characters is the best.
Now I am passing this on to :
Loadnabox for his heartfelt blog about the birth of his child and his playful and intelligently thought out birth announcement. He is going to be an awesome dad.
Midlife Mommy for the journey she is on in her life right now figuring things out as a single parent raising a daughter. I have been there.
and
Opto-Mom because I love to make people laugh and of course I also love people who make me laugh and this lady does it every time. Her post about the shoplifting ladies had me in tears and she is consistently funny with her point of view on things. Check her out.
Happy new year to everyone - hope everyone else had a better start to theirs. I am happy mine started off low - sick, and awful though - nowhere to go but up right?
Life really is good. :)
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