Tag: science

Balance

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

One of the things I struggle with most is finding a balance in my life.  I’m either too focused on work, school, or whatever and forget to take time for me. 
This week I had a long to-do list for homework I wanted to get through.  It involved three chapters, videos, and labs for science, three books, excerpts and comments, paper, and final project for Prose Stylistics.  In addition to that I had a long list of crocheting I wanted to get done including three graduation gifts which are time consuming. 
For a change, I think I’ve found a balance (temporarily I’m sure).  Yesterday is a perfect example.  I spent four hours working on homework.  I finished (well all except a final read through) of my paper, read the last nine excerpts and wrote comments, and I worked on some comments for science.  This four-hour session was spent at my computer and by the time I was done my legs were bothering me. 
After I was done at the computer I took my science book with the intention of sitting in the recliner and reading.  Instead I watched some TV with Vicki and then took a nap.  After the nap I worked on crocheting a grad gift.  The rest of my day was spent either crocheting or enjoying my down time. 
This morning I am working on homework until Vicki comes back with our friend.  Then I will work on crocheting because they will be playing on the Wii and it is too distracting for me to do homework.  However, I can enjoy their company while I work on grad gifts.  I won’t have to feel guilty for the down time because I will be putting in some study time before they get here.  I may finish another chapter of science or just make progress on it.  I don’t know how far I’ll get but I know I will feel like I balanced out my day by working this way. 
Without a doubt, I will struggle with having balance, but for this past week, I can at least feel like I found some semblance of it during my vacation time.  My to-do list didn’t get done – either one of them – but I did make progress on both.  Maybe that is the point, especially for someone like me who always has too long of a to-do list, I got something done on both lists and made progress.

Progress?

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

It seems a bit ridiculous to think that in the same two hours two days in a row I didn’t accomplish the same amount of work but I didn’t.  Yesterday I got up in pain.  I made such little progress I was frustrated with myself.  Today I got up not in pain.  Here it is 9:00 am and I’ve accomplished a lot. 
In my head, I’ve had this to-do list which I know is too long for the amount of time I have but still I want to accomplish all the things on my to-do list.  Today I’ve checked off a number of things in just a short period of time.
Yesterday I tried to write my paper for Prose Stylistics.  I sat at the computer and bumbled my way through it.  Now I had a strong outline and all I really had to do was organize and fill it out.  I tried doing that and it was a poor attempt. 
Today I got up, showered, dressed, and while I was going to the bathroom (I know too much information) I realized exactly what I needed to do for my intro and how to reorganize.  After my shower, I sat down and whipped it out.  I now have nearly four pages for my paper and I think it is done.  I’ll leave it until tomorrow and read through it.  I’m sure I’ll find things I want to change but mostly I’m done with it. 
Last night I read two chapters in a book for Prose Stylistics.  It is the most blathering type writing.  He goes on and on and is ridiculous.  But I managed to skim my way through the two chapters.  I have one more to read and then I’m done. 
Today I have been reading some of the nine excerpts I need to read in order to finish off the best sellers vs classics for Prose Stylistics.  I’m through with three of them and will be done with the fourth shortly.  I will try to get through all of them before I wander back to the couch. 
Last night I got my grade for my science exam – 27 out of 30!  I was thrilled as this is the best I’ve done.  I finished chapter 10 earlier this week and today I am hoping to finish chapter 11.  I was hoping to finish all three chapters but it doesn’t look like that will happen so I will just keep plugging away at them.  I literally have four chapters left after I finish chapter 11 and I will be glad to be done with my science class.

Hopefully the rest of today will be as productive as the first two hours.  It is amazing how much I can accomplish if I’m not in pain and I put my mind to it.

Long Weekend

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

I’m taking a four day weekend.  Yesterday, I took off and even skipped my class.  I stayed home and spent the morning studying for my science exam and taking it.  I think I flopped it.  I knew the material would get progressively harder and I have a tough time with science. 
The rest of the day yesterday was spent doing nothing.  Well okay I worked on a few little things like crocheting and – nope really did nothing.  I took a shower in the afternoon and tried a new shaving cream Vicki made and we watched top chef. 
Three more days to enjoy on this long weekend, I’m trying to plot out my time.  Saturday, we are doing batch cooking.  While Vicki is making cookies this morning, I’m going to create a cut list for the batch cooking.  This will give me a starting point for all the dishes we are going to make.  Then tomorrow when we get started I’ll know what needs to be done first and can start before Vicki has to be in the kitchen.
Aside from that I have to start the next unit for science and finish writing / editing my paper for my Prose class.  If I manage to get all that done, I will work on crocheting.  I have a number of projects I want to work on.  I may have to put up the card table and look over my yarn to determine what yarn I want for which projects. 

For all the wonderful people who wished my happy birthday – you made my day yesterday – thank you.  It is very affirming to have such an outpouring of well wishes.  I’ve turned 49 and I know a lot of women would be freaking out about it.  I just feel like I keep getting better.  This year I’ll finish my second bachelor’s degree and will hopefully move forward with my writing and a few of my other goals.  I don’t feel like I’m getting older, but that I’m getting better and better.

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.