At least all that's over.

So much has happened since my last post, but I don't really have time to catch you up at the moment. I finished the semester with a B in both classes. I was happy about that, believe it or not. I'm still working on watching the observation videos to officially be admitted to the ACP program. The month of May has really flown past. I planned to finish the videos and answer the questions before I took the TExES 4-8 Generalist. That didn't happen. I also didn't get to study for the blasted exam like I had planned. I took it yesterday. I studied and prayed all week. I prayed before the test and during the test. I actually feel pretty good about it; I know God didn't bring me this far, only to fail now. My mom always taught me to study like my grade depended on me and pray like it depended on God. If I don't get the required 240 on this test, it would be the first big standardized test on which I didn't score well enough the first time. I should have my results by 5 pm Friday. That means I'll be checking my account all week to see when my score is posted.

Last week, I took a course and am now a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor. (Paid for by my employer, thankfully!) After I updated my resume last night, I uploaded it to my profiles and decided to check out the latest job postings. I'm glad I did! I applied for a few new jobs. I already know I didn't get one job; thankfully, it was one I didn't really want.

Summer classes start Monday. I'm not positive that I'm ready, but at least the semester will be complete by the 4th of July.

I'm taking a little fun time tonight to watch a movie or two with Paul.

Being sick is making me sick.

Before this week, I was sick for pretty much two straight weeks. I started feeling better this week, but still lacked energy and work gets in the way of me doing much homework some days. Needless to say, I got behind. When I started to work on everything today, I realized that I had not only missed deadlines and was submitting some things late, but there were a few things I no longer had access to, including a test. I knew the test had to be taken by end of day on February 22, but I got my dates mixed up; I thought today was the 22nd. It's not the end of the world, but definitely not how I want to operate in my classes.

I hope to get everything caught up and get ahead this week. Hopefully before Friday. Even though I missed almost an entire week of work, I'm taking off some much-needed time, starting Friday. I have to work next Wednesday and Thursday, then I'm taking off Friday again. That weekend, we're going to D/FW with Nancy and Alex; little man wants to see a hockey game. It took me a few hours to find something, but there's actually a minor league hockey team in North Richland Hills, the Lone Star Brahmas. On Sunday, we're going to Grapevine for a bit of fun at Legoland Discovery Center. If Alex knew, he'd be just as excited as Paul and I are. Maybe I'll post a few pictures of the weekend.

But next weekend, I have my last face to face class session this semester.

No matter what, I just have to trust God. He made me well and, because of Him, we're able to take a little vacation. Without His guidance, I wouldn't even be a student right now. He is in control and will help me with the rest of my work this semester. All I have to do is let Him help. Give it to God and don't take it back. He's got this.

Two words for the week . . .

Test and research. Other than work, that's what my week has been all about. Monday night was the test over the methodology presentations in my research class, followed Tuesday night by the usual chapter test in Human Growth and Development. Wednesday morning was my makeup test for last week's chapter test in HG&D. Since all that's over, I've been working on research.

Last night, I was looking up articles for my research proposal in the research class. I found some articles that I think may work, but I was having a lot of trouble finding the right search criteria for my topic. My question is "How does moving from a small elementary school to a large middle school effect student behavior?" I found lots of info on small schools vs. big schools and whether middle school/junior high should even exist. Today, I finally messaged Dr. L for suggestions. I don't know why I never thought last night to use the term "transitioning", but I'll check it tomorrow.

Tonight it was time for some research on my topic for my HG&D research paper, causes of the downward aging of menarche (a girl's first period) in America. I was able to print eight articles before my black ink cartridge went out. I'm on hold until tomorrow. I guess that's a good thing. I just realized it's a little after midnight. I have to be at work at 8:30 am. At least it's finally Friday.

One down, two to go!

The final for my web class was due Monday night. I was happy to turn it in with almost an hour left. I was even happier yesterday when I realized that I have an A for the class. {Happy dance, happy dance, happy dance!} Now, if I could only do so well in my other two classes. I felt sick all day Monday and had a migraine Tuesday and Wednesday. I even missed my Human Growth & Development class Tuesday night. I emailed Dr. R to see if I can take the test I missed after Tuesday's test. I guess I'll see how that goes. When Dr. L posted our grades for Tests 2 and 3, I asked if she had seen my Test 1. Of course, she hadn't. She said she would check at the Testing Center. I hope they find it; I can't stand to lose 100 points. Otherwise, I seem to be doing pretty well. I think I have a strong B in HG&D. I'm not too sure about the research class yet.

On a much more positive note, my migraine appears to be gone and is now just an annoying headache. I'm hoping it's gone soon.

It just strikes me that I seem to be doubting. God's already got this semester taken care of. Why should I doubt? If I do my part, why wouldn't God take care of me? Thanks for the eye opener, God!

It's about dang time!

So, tonight in Human Growth & Development, as usual, we got last week's tests back. I finally made an A!!! Until tonight, all I've seen was B. Here's the real shocker:  I didn't even have time to finish reading last week's chapter. I guess I already knew more about the prenatal period than I thought. I'm hoping for an A on tonight's test; I read the chapter, participated more in the discussion, and actually felt pretty confident during the test. I guess I'll see how I did next week. And Dr. R has finally learned my name. I'm not sure if that's good or not.

And here's an update on my tech class:  Instead of waiting for someone else to start our group blog, I just went ahead and started it. Now I'm just waiting for everyone else to post their email addresses so I can add them as administrators. We're each required to write five posts. I wrote my first one before I left work. And when I checked a little bit ago, no one has posted an email address yet.

All in all, today has been a good day. Of course, I haven't done what I intended since I got home from class. Instead, Paul and I have caught up on the first two episodes of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Sunday's episode of The Simpsons. I guess I'll have to kick my butt into gear the rest of the week.

Of Birthdays and Chuck Taylors

This week has been much better than last week started. My meds kicked in and my UTI is improving. (I'm sure it would be even better if I could remember to take my meds like I'm supposed to. Since I had to move the box I keep my meds in to the kitchen instead of the bedroom, I keep forgetting them.) Friday the 13th was my 42nd birthday. Paul and I spent the day Saturday celebrating in Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana. (Did I mention that my student loan finally came in?!) I got a coupon in the mail from DSW when they sent me my rewards card, so I was dying to get some new shoes. The stores there, even Target, have different stuff than the ones here in Texarkana and I wanted to go clothes shopping. We bought all our fur babies some goodies at Petco (since we don't have one here) and I got a few new books at Barnes & Noble. I ended up only getting one pair of pants at Target. My plan at DSW was to get a new pair of New Balance shoes; the ones I have are getting pretty old and worn down. Since they didn't have any in my size, I looked at the clearance section, where I found my new favorite pair of shoes:  pink Converse All Stars.

The last time I had an actual pair of Chuck Taylors was for PE in fifth or sixth grade. I was devastated because nobody else had shoes like that and I thought they were dorky. Since the '90s, I've loved them!

My classes have gone pretty well this week. I take my makeup exam for my research class this Friday after I get off work. (Friday is the only day I'm off work early enough to make it to the Testing Center.) Mr./Dr. G commented on the paper I wrote Sunday:  "Extremely good discussion with both sides presented!" It was only worth 10 points, but I'm about as happy as if it were worth all 50 points. I got 22 out of 25 on my Chapter 2 test in Human Growth and Development last week. I'm pretty sure I'm getting a B in that class, but I'll take it.

I had planned to go to the university Sunday to work on my reading and my homework. But I procrastinated. I didn't get up and start moving around until after 12:00. We had a few errands to run and a little shopping to do, so it was about 4:00 when we left Target. The library closes at 6, so there wasn't much point in going to the university. Fortunately, Starbucks was empty enough that we got seats where I could plug in the laptop. We spent a few hours there while I finished reading and wrote my paper. I'm thinking we may go back there this Sunday instead of going to the university.

I'm actually trying to get ahead this week in my web class, which will leave me more time for research for that class and Human Growth and Development. Anyway, we're learning about Excel this week. I answered the questions for the first part pretty easily. My problem came when I had to start actually working on a spreadsheet. I must've done something wrong, because I got stuck. It wasn't giving me the option to perform one of the actions we're supposed to perform. I tried to figure it out on my own, but that wasn't working. I had to message Mr./Dr. G, so I'm done with it for tonight. Since I have group the next two nights, I may not be back on it until Friday. After I take my test, of course. Now to read the five chapters for the test in my research class Monday night!

It's not been my week . . .

Before I can tell you about this week, though, I need to rewind to last week. I knew last weekend that I had developed a urinary tract infection. Since Monday was Labor Day, I couldn't call my doctor's office. One of the first things I did when I got to work Tuesday morning was call the office and leave a message on the nurse's voice mail. Before class, I called to see if they had called in a prescription. I called again Wednesday. Still no meds. I'm almost positive I called and left the nurse another voice mail Thursday. I never got a call. 

This weekend, I knew the UTI was getting worse because my back was starting to hurt. I called again Monday morning and left yet another message for the nurse. By 10:30, I was hurting so bad I could hardly even sit still. A little after noon, I asked my supervisor if it was okay for me to leave to go to the doctor. I had Paul come get me and take me to an urgent care clinic. Then it was off to Target to get my prescriptions. We still had plenty of time to stop for lunch and I made it back to work half an hour early. Let's just say that the side effects of the meds started pretty quickly. I considered contacting Dr. L to see if I could miss class and take my exam later. But, we were learning about the library before the test, so I really wanted to try to make it. That was not my best decision of the day. I made it almost an hour before I had to ask to leave. (Now I just need to figure out when I'll have time to take the test.)

Today didn't start out much better. I got up for work and quickly realized that I wasn't going to make it. I went back to bed. I knew I couldn't miss my class tonight. Dr. R made it pretty clear the first night that missing classes is not acceptable. Fortunately, I started feeling a little better this afternoon. One side effect went away, another started. At least this one isn't as disruptive. I almost had the chapter read by the time we needed to get ready to leave. Then my day started to get worse again.

The porch by our back door only has like three steps. When I was stepping off the bottom step, I fell. I don't know how it happened. I just know I ended up laying in the dirt on my right side with my books and purse laying right there next to me. My faded black jeans looked like I'd been rolling in the dirt; I couldn't brush all the dirt off. On the positive side, I didn't really seem to hurt anything and I didn't get my shirt dirty. And it was the first time I've worn my TobyMac shirt from Winter Jam. This was definitely another instance of God watching out for me. I've hurt myself with what seemed to be a less dangerous fall. I'm sure I'll be sore and bruised tomorrow, but I'm thankful that's it. 

And, best of all, my student loan for this year has finally been awarded. I checked after I got home from class tonight. To my surprise, there it was. I accepted the whole amount and signed my master promissory note, so, hopefully, I'll be getting my refund soon. Maybe I'll be able to find out by the end of the week when it will be disbursed. That's one stressor gone, another prayer answered. 

In the morning I'll go back to work and I have group tomorrow night. I hope my week continues to improve.

Grad School Lesson

Here's a lesson for anyone entering graduate school. If you are in an actual physical, face to face class and the professor tells you that you will be having a test, make sure you take a pencil with you. Otherwise, you may be like me and two of my classmates Tuesday night - hurrying to the bookstore before it closes so you can pay $5 for a pencil when you could have bought one for $1 at Dollar Tree. (Granted, this mechanical pencil is nicer than one I would have bought at Dollar Tree, but they would both work about the same. Click it, somewhere, to advance the lead, then fill in the bubbles. Did I really need to spend an extra four bucks? It doesn't even have a university logo or anything; it's just a blue mechanical pencil with a cushioned grip. Okay, maybe the one I could've gotten at Dollar Tree wouldn't have had the cushioned grip, but the test is only 25 questions. I can use a writing utensil without a cushioned grip.) When Dr. L told us during our first class meeting that we'll be having a test the next time we meet, she told us that we would be using Scantrons, so I immediately knew I'll need a pencil when we meet Monday night. (That class is "web-enhanced", so we only meet every other week.) Dr. R apparently forgot to tell us. Or maybe he thought we should know that already, since we are, as he told us last week, "elite". He just said the test would be 25 multiple choice questions. Anyway, always be prepared, with a pencil in hand, for a test in grad school.

Notice that I said I could have bought my pencil at Dollar Tree? There's a reason for that. Dollar Tree is one of my favorite stores. I usually go in there at least once a week. And I never spend just $1. I go in there for one or two things. The next thing I know, I've found two or three $20+ hardcover books, something for Alex (my nephew), some cute little basket or container, pens, earbuds, a wind chime, a flying pig, a waving flower with ladybugs, a pack of dividers, a stapler, a pair of scissors, and who knows what else. You can bet I was happy when they built a new one only about five miles or so from our house. Not only do we no longer have to drive all the way across town, but this one is bigger and better. Yep, I'm happy, happy, happy!