Tag: classes

End of Vacation and Return to Work

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing
While I’ve been off, I worked on cleaning my office and crocheting.  I have a box of stuff ready to ship to the girls in Georgia, a small pile for a friend, and a scarf to go to Vicki.  Here are some of the pictures from these projects:


 

My office is a multi-layered job.  I’ve taken the piles of paperwork on my desk and sorted them into piles of organized paperwork on the card table.  Next is to work within each of those piles to get them into organized chaos instead of just chaos. 
During my time off, I have enjoyed quiet and calm days with little to stress me.  I think my toughest decision has been what to watch while I crochet.  I’m now working on season two of Charmed.  Today I will work on a few writing tasks and crocheting. 
A wonderfully talented and generous friend has taken pictures for me to use for my cover of my romance novel.  I’m going to have a difficult time choosing just one from the group of pictures she sent me.  Somehow with just a brief description she has managed to capture what I wanted in several photos.  I’ll have to figure out which ones to try and which one to finally use. 
After I’ve made up a few samples to ponder over, I will probably go back to crocheting and watching tv.  It is cold – only about 8 degrees with wind chill taking it down to about -5 outside.  I’m not likely to go out if I can avoid it today.  Tomorrow I will deal with what I have to.
Next on my list for crocheting is starting the kitchen sets for those who have asked for them.  I have a list (of course) and the colors for the first person.  I will use this to determine how much I need to buy of the other colors. 
Tomorrow I return to work.  I am sure once I’m there I’ll get easily back into the groove but right now it feels very foreign.  I think that is because I was so worn out at the end of the semester from school and work.  However, I will only be dealing with work when I go back so that means less stress.  I won’t be rushing off to class and then trying to get back into work mode in between classes.  I will go to work and focus on work.  When I come home I can focus on my writing or crocheting or nothing at all if that is what I choose to do. 
I know some of you who know me well are laughing at the idea that I will do nothing but I took a whole day where I did nothing.  I played on the computer and was completely unproductive.  It happens – just not very often.  

New Semester

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Tuesday classes start for my new semester of school.  I’m feeling ambivalent about both of my classes.  I am taking Geography 120 – Weather and Climate and English 378 Prose Stylistics. 

Science is not my favorite topic.  I enjoy the ideas in science and the possibilities.  I’m not very good at the whole scientific learning.  As for the English class – I’m not really sure what it is about so I’m reserving my opinion on it.  I’m hoping it is a good class.

The nice thing about this semester is the science class is online so I can do it from home.  The English class is held in my building so I will be able to just take the elevator to the floor and go to class.  This makes getting to class much easier especially with the ambulatory issues I’ve been having.  Also it means Vicki doesn’t need to worry about coming back early from her volunteering to make sure I can get to class. 

Hopefully I will enjoy both classes.  It would be nice if I didn’t have a horribly stressful semester but you never know with classes.  The work may be extensive or there could be a variety of other issues to contend with.  I’m certainly not above whining about it either.  I’m just trying to go into this semester with a cautiously optimistic view point that I will do okay. 

Up until last semester I had a 4.0 in my classes for this degree.  Unfortunately I got an A- in my manuscript editing class which means my 4.0 is gone.  However, I’m hoping the science class won’t drag me down.  I’m still going to shoot for an A but I know this is a difficult subject for me. 

This semester I have six books.  One I was able to get one at the book rental.  I got four through Amazon because they were less expensive there.  I was going to get the last one through there as well but one of the comments made me nervous about buying it online.  The comment talked about getting the wrong version and it causing problems.  So I opted to get it from the university bookstore.  Vicki went yesterday to pick it up for me.  She couldn’t find it on the shelves and ended up asking.  They directed her to someone who asked her a ton of questions.  After she answered all the questions, the woman gave her the workbook for free.  I was very surprised as this book would have been $115.  By getting it free, it saves me lots of money.

August?

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Well August is about to leave us and September will begin.  I want to know how the time thief has managed to take a whole month and really most of summer away from me.  I feel like the summer just whipped by with no time for anything.

I’m having a four day weekend which is wonderful.  Believe it or not, I still have to clean my office and prep for my new classes.  I was going to take three classes but with all the changes to my department I decided to drop one class and just take two.  I’m taking the Grant Writing class and Manuscript Editing.  The books have arrived and I plan to scope them out this weekend. 

I’m not sure I’m ready for classes to start but I don’t really think that matters because they start Tuesday.  My Grant Writing class sounds interesting and I’m hoping to work on a real life grant that will help someone get money for a project.  I’ve connected up my instructor with some “clients” at the university, library, and my sister. 

My Manuscript Editing class I’m feeling ambivalent about.  I’ve done manuscript editing so it will be interesting to see if I will be able to build on the knowledge I already have. 

That all starts next week which is SEPTEMBER!!  Damn time thief!

Schedule

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
This semester has been kicking my butt.  I’ve whined here on my blog and in real life about how tired I am.  My classes are good.  I’m enjoying the challenge of them.  The schedule is just beating me up.  Monday I am at work by 7:45 am and I am in class until 8:45 pm.  This means my day typically lasts from 6:00 am to about 12:00 am. 
Every week I’ve struggled going to work on Tuesday and feeling like I’m the walking dead.  By Wednesday evening I’m ready for the week to be done.  It has been exhausting.  This is the first week I’ve not felt completely wiped out.  It’s only taken six weeks and it might just be a fluke.  I’ll have to see how next week goes.
My classes are better this semester.  I’m not doing as much writing as I would like but I think I could have a writing assignment every day and still want more.  My Book Editing class is great.  I’m learning a lot about the publishing process.  I did an interview with Barbara Ardinger (great author and editor) to discuss why she switched from traditional publishers to self-publishing.  I’ll be turning that assignment in soon.  You should check out Barbara’s books – they are wonderful!
With the work from my editing business I’m starting to get and all the other things in my life, I’m lucky to get to bed before midnight.  How sad is it that I consider 11 pm an early night?  I am excited to have five hours of sleep a night.
While my schedule is kicking my butt, I’m still loving what I’m doing.  I am enjoying the challenge of my classes.  I’m content at my day job.  I’m thrilled to be making money with my new business.  I just have to find time to write.  I still manage to do some submissions but at some point I need to finish some projects.  If only I could figure out a way to not sleep I could do more.

End of the Work Week

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Today is my last day of work for the week.  I’m going to have a four day weekend.  It promises to be a very full weekend.  Then next week starts the new semester.  I’m very excited to start classes.  This time around I’m taking Fiction Writing and Book Editing.  I can’t wait to see how they turn out – hopefully better than last semester.

While I got my books (thanks Alicia) for school, I need to get my bag ready as everything is scattered in my office.  My netbook which I love has been used all over the place but now it needs to go in my bag so I can have it for school.  I have to get binders ready for each class.  I cleared out last semesters stuff.  I didn’t keep any of the work. 

I may or may not try to get some of the work printed from the Creative writing class.  I was so disappointed with the class I have a hard time adding any of the work to my works list and marketing it.  I need a bit of distance before I decide.

Done… Finally

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
I took my final.  I am officially done with my two classes.  I believe I’m getting an A in both classes which is thoroughly shocking.  I thought for sure I would only squeak out a B in my linguistics class. 
Now it is on to writing.  I have one more full day of work and then I’m done for eleven days.  I cannot wait until I am done tomorrow.  Friday through Sunday will be family time.  After that I’ll be working on writing, submission packages, figuring out self-publishing on the kindle for writing.  I have three books I want to read while I’m off. Then, of course, I have a few crafting things to do as well.  I am going to have to be very focused and diligent to keep on task. 
Vicki got a Wii for Christmas.  I’ll have to take some down time to play with her.  However, I’ll have to make sure it isn’t too big of a distraction, even though it is quite fun. 
I got my new netbook.  My faculty gave me a wonderful Amazon card for the holidays towards this purchase.  I have it so I have to figure it out before I come back to school.  I have to check out how my documents on my flash drive will work on it.  I also want to see how all the features work out.  Cool electronics to play with!!! 

Spring Classes

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
I was a bit bummed today when one of my classes was cancelled.  I was looking forward to it and they didn’t get enough students enrolled in it.  No playwriting class for me next semester.  I figured I’d end up with some weird class. 
Instead I got (drum roll please) the book editing class I originally wanted.  I don’t have the pre-reqs for the class but it would be great timing for me to have the class as I’m neck deep in editing my poetry book (and romance novel and on the horizon is my magic book).  If I could get some in depth knowledge on the editing process for books that would refine my skills and help me produce a better book. 
I emailed the professor today and she immediately came back with – yes you can be in the class.  I was enrolled by the end of the day.  Next semester looks like an interesting semester as I’m taking Fiction Writing in a night course and then the book editing in a late afternoon class. 
Another bonus for my schedule, I’ll actually have time to go to the pool on Monday and Wednesday.  I’ll have time between the two classes on Monday to go to the aquatic center for an hour and still make it back for my night class.  Wednesday I’ll be out of class early enough that I’ll be able to go and get not quite an hour for a work out. 

School…

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
It is official – to a point.  I am definitely going to school in the fall.  I’ve had my advising session.  It was okay.  I thought I’d get more direction and more input on the classes I need to take but I didn’t.  I was told to email professors to see if they’ll allow me into classes that have closed. 
I’ve emailed two professors already and am waiting to hear.  One already said no.  The other I’m still waiting on.  Of course I want an answer NOW but I’ll be patient.  The web based section turned me down.  I’m waiting to hear from the night class teacher to see if he will let me in to the writing class I really want to take.  If that doesn’t work out I’ll see what other classes I can get in to.     
If I can get into two night classes then I don’t need to adjust my schedule at all.  If not – I’ll try for classes I can get into and just adjust my work schedule.  Mostly it will mean I’ll be working longer on Fridays. 
Next semester should be easier as I’ll be able to register early and not have to stress over what classes are open. 
Next hurdle to clear will be the financial aid stuff.  I’ve asked my advisor to send off an email to the person in financial aid who needs it and to CC me on it.  I’ll wait a day or two to see if she does it.  If not, then I’ll zip her off an email. 
Once all of that is in place, I’ll be set for going to school in the fall.  It will be a bit odd I think but I’m also looking forward to the writing classes.  It will be fun to take classes and fine tune my skills.  With any luck it will help me get a book or two published and/or pick up a part time job for editing.
Come September, I’m going to be a college student again… how weird is that?