Tag: school

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!

In My Head

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

In my head I’ve written a dozen blog entries but every time I’ve sat down to write one I either get interrupted or can’t think of what I want to write.  So I’ve been stuck in my head for a couple of weeks.  Now my daughter can tell you that my head is a scary place to be. 

We’ve been busy around the house with trying to make meals ahead so we have left overs for lunches.  Also we bought some sweet corn from the stand at our butcher shop and cooked it up, cut it up, and put it in the freezer.  Vicki made chicken carbonara that I had for lunch all week.  It was delicious.    

I’ve also been crocheting, watching movies/DVR stuff, and reading.  I finally finished Secret Lives, the 650 page book I was reading.  Next I have to write the review for this book.  Now I get to move on to other books that are on my list.  I’ve been working on holiday gifts.  I’ve gotten a number of smaller projects done. 

In the next two weeks I need to get my office cleaned up and my bag ready for school.  I’m taking three classes in the fall unless I decide to drop one of them.  This means I have to be organized and on top of everything.  I’m definitely not there yet.

This summer has flown by and I’ve not gotten as much done as I wanted to.  However, I’m trying to not stress out about that as I have gotten some of the things done and made progress on the things I didn’t complete.  It is nearly time to switch gears from summer down time mode to school year mode. 

Hiding Out

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

I’ve been hiding out for the last month.  School ended and I got two A’s in my classes. Yeah!!  But after I was so stressed out I retreated into escapism.  I’ve been watching tv, playing facebook games, reading and crocheting.  I just needed some down time from everything. 

In the last week I’ve started to do other things as well.  I’m back to writing and working on projects that I would LOVE to finish over the summer.  I went back into one project and realized it was 580 pages (double spaced) total of about 170,000 words.  I recently read that the average novel is about 64,000 words.  This means I have nearly three novels in this one project.  I’ve been rereading the first part and falling in love with the project all over again.  I’m trying to find a good cut off point so I can start working on completing the first novel and send it out to the world of publishers.  At the same time I want to keep working on the end of the story.  Rereading it helps refresh my memory of where I started and where I’m going.  I was thinking I would work on a couple of projects like this over the summer but it might be too much to do all of that. 
On the creative side of this though is that I may find myself drawn to a different story (there are currently three or four bouncing around in my head) and may want to work on something else.  The one thing I need to stop doing is staying up till one or two in the morning writing or playing on the computer. 
I have a week off coming up.  I’m looking forward to that.  I’d like to get my books cataloged and organized.  I’d also like to get my craft room organized so it is less junk room and more craft room.  Vicki will be gone volunteering for two days so I’ll have the house to myself on those days.  I am hoping to make those writing days.  I also want to see if I can get Stephanie’s afghan finished.  I’m down to like four and a half rows.  I think this will mean that I watch DVDs for a day (or more) to try to get it done.  I’m finishing up a smaller project right now and then I’ll go back to the afghan. 
We got new living room furniture.  Our old furniture was falling apart and so we got new.  I’m enjoying it so far.  We got a sofa and loveseat with recliners.  This meant that we cleared out and rearranged the living room.  It looks so much better now.  The craft stuff for Vicki and I are in one corner tucked out of the way.  It will get messy again I’m sure as we craft regularly – Vicki crafts daily. 

Jammy Day?

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
My window shows that there are specks of white fluttering down to the snow covered ground.  More snow this morning and my first reaction is to grumble.  I think that is standard when we see the snow.  It is pretty though.  The white against the dark browns and grays of the tree right outside the window.  The white against the dark green of the evergreen tree across the road.  It is pretty and I don’t have to go anywhere today.  Perhaps I’ll even get time by the fireplace. 
At some point Ken will go out and shovel / snow blow the driveway.  So tomorrow when I get ready to leave the way will be clear – at least until the end of the drive.  I know we won’t have months of looking at the white snow turning dirty and grimy because this next week we are supposed to warm up enough for it to all melt. 
I guess I’ll have to stop grumbling over it and move on to my day.  The last two days I’ve gotten a bunch of stuff off my list done.  I’ve turned in my vision statement and read my chapters.  I’ve read the short stories we will critique in class, marked my critique on them and written the letters to go with.  I’ve transcribed half of what I needed to get done.  I still have stuff on my list of course.  I’m going to tackle those this morning but I am hoping that by the afternoon I’ll be able to sit by the fireplace and read a book – a fun book. 

Is it a jammy all day day?  I don’t know but I’m thinking it might be.  I don’t want to go out at all.  I just want to get done what needs doing and hope that I get a bit of down time.  This coming week I have two long days that I have to contend with being gone early and not getting back until late.  It would be good to have a quiet and restful day before that insanity starts.

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.

Midweek…

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
Are you sure today can’t be Friday?  I’m wiped out.  Part of it is my fault and part of it is my schedule.  I’ve got a lot on my plate this week with school, homework, work, and a side job.  Tonight is clean up night for the work week.  I’m hoping to get the paper due on Friday turned in and the side job done so I can move on to my weekend homework. 
My new blog is out there so go check it out.  Silk flowers – Vicki’s idea totally – are pretty fun and creative.  http://www.naturalhomeandgarden.com/green-gardening/gardening-with-a-black-thumb-silk-flower-arrangements.aspx
At work I accomplished a lot.  Many tasks flew off my desk.  This is good because I have two or three big projects I want to move forward with.  I actually made it to working on one today.  I’m working on revamping the web page for our department.  I gather the information and then present it to the department.  Then the department makes decisions on what goes in.  I have to just put it in terms they understand.  I hope I’m getting it there for them. 
To me the web site is a window for the world to see what our department has to offer.  I want everyone to know how good it is and what great people are in the department.  The challenge will be in presenting the complex material in such a way that it is user friendly while still conveying the complex issues and information that has to be conveyed.  I’m excited to move forward with it.  I can’t wait to help write, edit, and design the pages.  (Yup there is that word geek again… LOL).
Tomorrow I tackle a summary on the copier options we have.  Another situation with lots of information, and I have boil it down to advantages and disadvantages.  I’ve been stewing on it.  That sounds like I’m grumpy about it but I’m not.  I have to take in the information and let it rattle around for a bit before I can gather it all into one place.  My goal is to have a summary I can present for the meeting on Monday – I’ll probably write something tomorrow and then re-write it on Friday. 
On Monday, I had a wonderful meeting with my professor.  We talked about the project we have to work on all semester.  I’ve done a bunch of research – some is new and some has been done for Moon Affirmations (the manuscript I just keep trying to get published).  We talked about marketing strategies, targeted audiences, and so much more.  I felt like I was taking a step back from the love I have for this project into a very practical and helpful review of what I need to think about as I try to get a publisher to actually accept the project and see it through.  Now all I need is TIME so I can put the package together that I see in my head and send that off to a publisher (or 10) to see if they will bite.
We also talked about other things like the classes I have to take and the degree.  I really enjoyed this because I’ve not been thrilled with my advisor as I felt like she didn’t understand what I was looking for.  I requested that my professor be my advisor and that request was granted!!!
After our conversation I got to thinking about a couple of the classes and how I’ve already done what will be taught in them.  I’m totally not a traditional student.  I have a ton of life experience (and am looking forward to more)  So I put in a request to the chair to see if I could get a couple classes waived and take different ones.  I’d rather take classes that are actually going to benefit my writing skills and advance my knowledge in this field rather than taking classes that would just be refresher courses in areas I’m already strong in.  I’ll see what she says…

First Full Week

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
I’ve had my first full week of classes.  I’m exhausted (and feel somewhat old), overwhelmed, and a bit excited. 
My fiction writing class seems like it will be a lot of fun.  I am looking forward to the critiques of my fellow students.  We will be turning in two short stories for the class and she wants literary rather than genre driven so that will be interesting.  I’m not sure what type of story that entails.  I’ve got tons of ideas for what I want to do so I have to narrow it down.
My book editing class I feel very overwhelmed in and yet at the same time I feel very intellectually stimulated by it.  I think that I’m going to learn a lot about the business end of the publishing field.  While I may not want to enter that field, I believe it will help me develop a better package if I opt to go with traditional publishing for my books. It will be a good reminder that publishing is a business and that means authors have to approach it as such.  Most authors I know are more artsy about this so it is the balance I’m going to have to work to maintain.

I’ve got a bunch of homework to do this weekend.  I’ve got 14 short stories to read (not all this weekend) and I need to decide on what I will submit for my first one or start writing a new one.  I’ve got a research project to get done, two page paper, and a bunch of articles to read.  Plus it is a pay week so there is a lot to do.  It will be jam packed and busy I’m sure.

New Semester

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
Classes started this week.  I have one assignment of reading which I’ll tackle this weekend I think.  I also have a few other things I want to get done before the semester gets into full swing.  My to do list include finishing a few sewing projects, making fake blood to redo my cover shot for my book, and a few other things.  Well in reality there are about two dozen other things but I know I won’t get it all done.  I did spend some time organizing my desk.  I have things in piles.  I might have to actually write up a to-do list and see how it comes out. 
I enjoyed my Book Editing class.  My instructor is sarcastic and ironic.  I like that.  First impressions are good.  Now I’ll just have to see how the semester plays out.  I didn’t have my Monday night class yet because of course this last Monday was a holiday.  I’m looking forward to finding out about that class. 

The Fiction Writing class I hope will be a challenge so I end up with expanding my writing muscles.  I also hope I come out with product I can submit for publication.  I am most apprehensive about this class as my last writing class was such a debacle.  Time will tell I guess…

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.

Four More Days

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

I have four work days, one final exam, and a lot to get done this week.  Then I’m on vacation.  I cannot wait. 

It has been a busy hectic weekend.  Our friend came over and we celebrated Christmas with the girls in Georgia via video chat.  It was fun if a bit awkward.  I need to figure out how to put the computer on the tv so we can all see.  It was amazing to be able to share our holiday gift giving with each other even though they are nearly a thousand miles away. 

I spent my weekend working on different things.  Mostly it was busy work.  I did, however, get some submissions done.  I also got my stuff organized for my final exam.  I’m still waiting to see if I get feedback on the journal for the one class.  I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting an A in that class.  I also think I’ll be getting max a B in the other class. 

I have once again been proven wrong about people.  I made a deal with the professor that he would give points back to the class if I proved my point in my formal project.  I worked my ass off and did a great job on it.  I proved my argument and still he isn’t giving any points back.  I am disgusted with him.  I am disappointed in people.  I trusted that he would have integrity and stand by what he said.  Instead, he didn’t.  If I think about it too much – I get exceedingly angry.  The cynic inside of me is saying of course this is just how people are. 

The girls gave me a gift certificate for Amazon.  I bought As Time Goes By – it is my favorite BBC comedy.  It is HILARIOUS.  I don’t care how many times I’ve seen the episodes they always make me laugh.  It was on sale for about half off.  So I snapped it up and am excited that I was able to get it.  There is one movie to go with it and I can’t wait to be able to afford that too.  I’ll keep my eye on it.

It was a good exchange of gifts with everyone.  Our friend was very surprised by the AMAZING quilt Stephanie made her.  It was beautiful and detailed.  It was definitely gorgeous and everyone wanted it.  Virginia also made her matching pillow cases which were incredibly beautiful too.  We tried to steal both from our friend but she wasn’t letting them out of her sight. 

I’m looking forward to my vacation and hope I’ll be able to get a book prepped for publishing on the kindle.  The book is done.  I am very happy with the result.  Initial response from a couple of readers seems to indicate that it should go over well.  I just need to walk through the steps of getting it prepped and published on the kindle.  As usual I have a long list of things to do during my vacation but this is my top priority.  I hope the next four days goes by quickly