Last blog entry on college.

So, college days are officially over for me, for now anyway. I need time off. Still not sure if I'll end up going to the University to get that Bachelor's degree or not. That's a decision I won't contemplate for at least a year. Like I said, I need time off to rest the ol' brain.

Commencements were at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Nice place - if you're in the stands. The back hallways where we had to get in alphabetic order were nice, LOL, but the standing for over an hour on concrete floors in dress shoes really played hell on my feet and legs (four days later I'm still feeling it). I'm glad I wore flats, all those women in high heels had to have really been feeling it worse than me! But once we finally got moving things went smoothly.

The only two professors that I saw there that I knew and had classes with just happened to be my favorite and my worst profs. And of course, the worst prof was all friendly ... shoulder bumping me every time he passed me in the crowded hallway. I so felt like saying "look, I didn't like you when I was in your class. What makes you think I want to be all buddy buddy now? Jerk". But I didn't' say it. I did however, position myself between two students so that he couldn't shoulder bump me further. What a moron. And Coach was there - my fave prof. I've blogged about her in the past, the stress management prof. Great lady. The things I learned in her class will definitely be with me for the rest of my life. Unlike the Jerky Prof, I can't say I even remember much more than his bad teaching (certainly not what the lessons were).

So ... the ceremony was nice. A little long, but what ceremony isn't a bit on the longish side? The keynote speaker especially. Half an hour (so I'm told by Single Son) of whatever it was he was saying. He did "bird hop" a lot - what my family calls when someone jumps quickly from one subject to another, then back to a prior topic again. It made it hard for me to try to keep up with his speech.

I did notice there was a huge percentage of women graduating. Much more than men. I'd love to see the stats on exactly what the ratio was. I'd also love to know the attendance figures. The Palace was absolutely packed!

Single Son and DIL were both there with their cameras. Single Son had his hands full with Dad in his wheelchair, and Mom and Aunt Silly both walking with canes. So he wasn't really able to get many photos during the ceremony. And the handicapped seating was so far up in "nosebleed city" that they were literally in the shadows. Thankfully DIL had a little better seating and was able to photograph the ceremony for me. She has yet to send them to me, but I will post as soon as I receive them. Single Son was able to get photos after the ceremony at least. Which is good, I really wanted photos with my folks and favorite aunt.

Me, Mom, Aunt Silly and Dad

Graduation 2010

Me, Mom, Aunt Silly and Dad.

OCC Graduation Ceremony at Palace of Auburn Hills. More photos to follow soon.

Grades have been posted ...

Yeah, sign of relief. Grades posted today at noon. You know I was watching the clock.

So ... I got an A in both Principles of Management and Human Resource Management. I got a B+ in Advertising and a B- in Principles of Retail Management.

I'd been teetering between Dean's List and "Student in Good Standing" for the last few semesters. That D I got in that freaking Earth Science class last term really had me in a panic as if I'd end up with even a B GPA. Obviously I worried for nothing. Or ... worry made me study twice as hard to make up the difference. Whatever it is, I'm so relieved with my GPA  of 3.14.

Yay me!! I was one of those kids in High School that could have done well, but I just didn't care. I think my gpa in high school was 1.89. Yeah, I passed, barely. And that was having to take a night school class to make up for a flunked course or two. One teacher wrote of my performance "smart girl, if only she would apply herself".

Thirty two years later, my butt is on the Dean's List! And not the shit list (like I was in high school). How'd that happen? LOL.

I finally was able to sell two of my books back to the school. I should have waited, I could have sold it for more on Amazon.com, but I was a little cash short that day and needed a quick sale. A $177 book I got $55 for. Can we say ouch? The other book wasn't too bad. I paid $45 for it, and sold it for $23. Man, I tell ya, I'm looking to get in the wrong business, I swear! They sure make a hell of a profit on text books!

I just realized that this will probably be my last college related entry, well, minus Commencements anyway. And pics ... plenty of pics!! I haven't told him yet, but Single Son is in charge of the camera that day. And if he knows what's good for him, he'll take plenty of pictures of Dear Ol' Mum.

Last Day of School ...

So, this is the day I've been counting down to for like forever. It's here, it's finally here... and why am I suddenly somewhat sad over it?

It's not the people I'll miss. Well maybe it is ... some awesome teachers that I really enjoyed their lectures or bumping into them in the hallways long after their class ended. A few friendships made that will be part of the rest of my life ... a few acquaintances that I'd just as soon forget.

It's not that heavy-assed book-bag I had to lug around. I won't miss that a bit, neither will my shoulder or back for that matter. Hell, maybe now the lack of feeling (and usage) of half of my right hand may return soon. And I sure won't miss the sticker shock of book buying at the beginning of each new semester or wondering if they'll buy back that $150 textbook I'll never open again. And of course I learned about some of these textbook buying sites way too late in the college game. At least I can use them to sell those unwanted textbooks.

I can't say I'm going to miss homework. I'm not! I got so burned out towards the end that it'll be a long time before I think fondly of those end of chapter questions, the weekly papers (four pages, double spaced) - or the overused power point presentations. Gawd, those I'll never miss!

Maybe it's because as long as I was a student, I felt in touch with my long-lost youth? Although, I have to admit, I am proud to have been a teen in the 70s, I'd never survive being a kid today. The much younger than me teachers would often ask me about how I perceived changes in such things as the job market, advertising, marketing, retail stores and just life in general. The kids seemed to enjoy those "back in my day" discussions. This is "living history" as one of the kids once said.

Maybe it's just because I love to learn?? I'm even contemplating returning to the University to get my bachelors in Business Management. It won't be for a while (I need time off!!) and it sure won't be at the four or five class per semester that I have done for the last four years. Dummy me for changing my major THREE times! A two year degree turned into four years! But it was fun. And I got to learn things that I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to learn.

Okay, so I admit, life is a learning experience. I don't need a college classroom to learn something new every day. And Life sure doesn't expect those four page (double spaced) papers once a week!

Maybe it's now I have to take this new knowledge, this new education and hopefully apply it to the rest of my life? College afforded me some structure, some certainty. I know first hand how uncertain it is out there in the big bad world - after fifty years it's a lesson I've learned well ... could it be that losing my security blanket called College just reconfirms insecurities I've long had?

I do have job prospects. One I think I can rule out, there's complications involved in a civilian performing this particular job. And NO! I am not going to go to the police academy so I can get the proper training. Can you see ME in the academy? I wouldn't last a day - not in the physical shape I'm in. It'd be worth a few laughs maybe, until the paramedics had to be called (it's only fun until someone gets hurt, right?). Not to mention, would you like to run into a pre-menopausal woman packing heat? I didn't think so!

The other job prospect that opened up to me in just the last day or two is more up my alley. Dispatch Supervisor. Perfect for me. And as a supervisor, I'd actually be able to put the education behind my new degree to good use!

Good Grief!!

Geesh, it's been almost a month since I last posted? So much for "I'll try to post more". Sad thing is there's not really a lot going on besides classes and a ton of homework.

The bleeder from jewelry class is still in class, but now sits at another table (yay). She's managed to get interested in the jewelry making process and is turning out to be not so much of a PITA. However, she needs to fill her toolbox with the tools she'll need - including the scissors and sharpie pen she always borrows from me yet never returns. Protests of "return it as soon as you're done" seem to fall on deaf ears!! I've settled well in the class. Even decided on two of my projects. I can't say what they are, as one of you will be the recipient of said projects eventually.

Science class is proving harder than I thought. We just got test one back today. Our class has set the new record of having the worst scores of the Prof's entire 20 years of teaching. Not a record we're proud of. Our study group has now grown by three people (from four to seven). We're trying to organize an extra credit project of a trip to the local science museum. Or should I say ... I'm trying to organize it.

Accounting isn't going much better. The tutoring is helping some. We'll see on the next test just how well all this tutoring and online workshops are working.

At least jewelry and principles of supervision are going good!!

I'm still without a tv set. I'm finding I really don't miss it. I get the current weeks episode of COPS on hulu.com - so I'm not going through COPS withdrawl. Oh, and they even have that new comedy "Community" on hulu.com ... so I'm able to watch that. Funny how it reminds me of my life right now. If you haven't watched it, hop on over to hulu.com, especially if you've ever attending community college ... it's an absolute hoot!

Not really a lot else going on here right now. Haven't heard from Alien in a while. We're on much better terms now. She still has plans to marry that fool, at least that's what I'm still hearing. We can always continue to pray she wises up and soon. But with her 18th birthday literally a few days away, I'm not seeing that's likely to happen.

As always, I do keep up with ya'll through email updates. Hope all is well in your lives.

TGIF

I had hoped to write a blog the other day, but that didn't happen. Way too much homework to keep me from doing so.

I really need to change my background. I love this background, but sadly summer is over. Time to think about fall. Yay fall!! I'm so ready for the cooler temps anyway!!

School is going good. Monday was the first day of my jewelry making class. Gonna be a fun class! We have three projects to make. It could be anything, so long as it meets the instructor's approval. I had some stones I wanted to set in a ring, no such luck. Stone setting doesn't happen until advanced jewelry class. Poop!!! I won't be taking it since it's not a requirement for my degree (or maybe I will after I get the degree ... who knows).

So ... I'm all into the lecture by the art teacher. The gal next to me isn't and is rather distracting to those of us who want to be in class. She's there for the same reason most of us are ... to fill the art credit. Only ... most of us want to be there!! She kept saying she should have taken Piano lessons instead. I agree!! We had to cut a piece of brass into some shape ... I chose a heart ... she chose something abstract. Next thing I know she's bleeding on MY brass plate when she sawed right through her freaking finger!! I ended up having to patch her up (so much practice with my sons I'm pretty good in a bloody situation). That'll teach her to listen during the safety lecture!!

I still haven't decided what my three projects are going to be. One has to be a chain of some sort, I haven't even really decided on which type of chain I'm going to do, the other two projects we're pretty much free to choose between rings, bracelets, charms, brooches, earrings ... whatever our little hearts desire (so long as it doesn't require stone setting). I better decide and quick, teacher wants designs on his desk by the beginning of class on Monday.

Other than school we're back to "not much going on around here". Who has time for excitement, chaos, confusion or Gremlin visits with a full course load?

Hope ya'll are doing well ... have a great weekend!

Thursday Thoughts ...

Ya, I know ... a blog a week now. I'm on a roll! LOL.

School is going good.

Tuesday was accounting. It's pretty much a repeat from the accounting class I took last semester. That's okay ... the last teacher wasn't that good .. maybe now I'll get more of an understanding of the lingo and techniques involved. Things that I didn't learn last time around. It's a different class, though, so I'm expecting to learn more. And this teacher has a great way of explaining things. A few of those lightbulbs already went off  "OH ... so that's what that last teacher was trying to teach". I get it now.

Parking on Tuesday was nuts. I got there about an hour early because I knew there'd be problems with parking. Well ... three of the six parking lots were already full and closed off by the campus cops. The closest parking I could find was all the way across the campus. Ten minutes it took me to walk to the room. And wouldn't you know, the classroom was just a stone's throw from the parking lot I SHOULD have been able to park in. LOL.

Wednesday I had Principles of Supervision (or whatever it's called). I left way early, once again anticipating parking problems. I even stopped for dinner to eat in my car while I killed time waiting. I didn't need to rush!! I got front row parking on my non-home campus. I hate that parking lot, though. It's not designed for convenience. You have to walk uphill about a quarter of a mile (and not that well lit at night I should mention) through a really pretty park-like area. So ... I get to the top of the hill, sit a bit and recover my breath ... and of course smoke a ciggie before heading to "F" building for class. I get to the room only to see that we've been moved over to "A" building ... on the opposite end of the campus!! I figure out how to get to "A" building ... find the class room, look out the window to see there's a parking lot that's practically empty. Great. I know where I park next week!! At least the half mile walk was downhill to the car after class ... well for the most part. This campus makes me nervous ... the lack of good lighting and I read a few blurbs in the local paper about women being attacked (robbed at gun point, too) coming out of night classes. I tried to get another student to walk with me, but he was in some gawd-awful hurry to get to his car for some reason. Gee, thanks buddy ... I'll remember that should he ever need anything from me (like a pencil or scantron).

Supervision is an okay class. It's bad when the teacher admits right off the bat he's absent-minded. He assigns homework, but doesn't collect it. Instead you line up before class, flash your homework at him .. he marks it down - and thus doesn't need to take attendance either. I have to admit, though, he gets us into some lively discussions on supervision ... or more precisely being a supervisor or manager. Could prove to be more than an okay class. LOL.

Tomorrow is science class. That homework is killing me. It's a dimensional analysis exercise. I asked Single Son if he could help me ... he's not familiar with it. So I'm on my own. I *think* I have it, but I'm not sure. Tomorrow will tell when we correct homework in class. I'm thinking I'm going to need a little bit of tutoring this week to understand it to where I'm at least partially comfy with it.

Then it's off for a few days. A few days to do all this homework in my other classses. And farm ... and clean ... and ... who knows what else I'll end up doing.

Next Monday will be my first Jewelry class. Talk about geeked!! I can't wait!!

As usual I've been keeping up with ya'll when I can through email updates.

Gonna scoot. One more story problem to figure out with this dimensional analysis stuff ... hope it doesn't take the rest of the night ...

Hugs!!

Thursday's Thoughts ...

Actually I think I have figured out the solution to the *taxi* problem ... I had thought about telling her what Helen suggested but since she lives pretty much on my way home (and she knows it), it won't work. Instead, I'll be parking in a different lot, across campus so she can't see the car, LOL! Really not convenient, but hell, I could use the exercise - besides, since my trip to Chicago I've rediscovered I actually enjoy walking - good excuse to get moving, eh? Anyway ... I'll park across campus and tell her that I'm sorry, I won't be able to give her a ride home since I'm waiting on my son to come get me. By the time I walk to the other end of campus she won't be able to see that I'm getting into my own car. LOL! I know, it's not truthful, but I hate confrontation and telling someone I feel they're nothing but a leech is confrontational in my book. So ... the lesser of two evils is the little white lie. And technically I'm not lying anyway ... it's not my car, my mom owns it! LOL! Yeah, a stretch to justify lying but hell ... works for me.

Stress management went real well today. Lots of notes. First test is next week. No stress there, the test is open book because of all the technical questions (theories, health, etc). I'll read the chapters again to be sure I know where to find the answers. No sense going into it blind and having to hunt down the answers. This way, too, maybe I won't need the book to answer most (if not all) of the questions.

Ran into another potential PITA today in stress class, too. She wasn't in class last week. Sat next to me this week. Before she's even got her note paper or pen out she's handing me a religious book ... one of those Little Words for Mom type books (the name escapes me at the moment). Okay now, those who know me well know I'm not religious but I am spiritual - I follow more of the Wiccan ways than anything else (respect Mother Earth ... do no harm ... healing herbs and stones ... Celtic talisman, etc.) ... and here is this gal who is pushing her beliefs at me in book form. After class she hands me the book again telling me "Pick a passage, it's your theme for today". Alrighty, I do respect others beliefs and I'm sure not going to offend her by pushing the book back at her, so I open a page ... read the text and had to smile ... the passage went something like "Be firm, but not forceful, in your beliefs". Other than that ... she was a very active participant in class ... some of her comments really made the other students think and get a little more involved in class discussions.

Had a strange compliment from *Coach* (the Prof) today ... I guess she felt that The Book Lady, the above mentioned gal, and I both have strong pubic speaking voices and can be heard and understood by the entire class when we're talking ... Coach said she wished she had either of our voices. Little does she know that if I had to stand up in front of a class as long as she does, and talk that long, I wouldn't have a voice left by the end of the day!!

Coach also assigned "buddies" today. Exchange email addresses and phone numbers In case one misses class so they can get the notes or whatever. Guess who I got as a buddy? Yuppers ... The Book Lady. LOL! I'm fine with it, just so long as she doesn't start calling me and preaching anyway ...

K ... off to watch some television. I have to pick a commercial for Marketing class and write a paper about it. Should be fun ...

Ten Thoughts ... Wednesday?

I so forgot yesterday was Tuesday! So I'm really not gonna even try to collect ten thoughts.

Had class last night at 6 PM. Never made it to class. Not that I didn't try, I did!! Got all my homework done and left about 5 PM for school. Got there at 5:30, drove around FOUR different parking lots until ten minutes until 7. Finally said screw it and left. An hour and a half, can you believe it? And still didn't find a parking spot!! Thought I had one once or twice, but as I'm sitting there with my turn signal on waiting for the other vehicle to back out, some arse-hole pulls in ahead of me - forget the fact I had waited and waited for those spots. So ... next week I leave the house at 4 and get a damned spot.

Got home real early, needless to say, LOL ... did some more homework between Grandson's invasions and Single Son coming in to bother me (he was bored yesterday, grrrrr). Totally forgot about blogging!

I think I've found this semesters PITA (pain in the arse). You know how I seem to collect one each semester ... yup ... barely week two of the term and here we go.

She's in my marketing class. She's nice enough (in small doses) ... but she's got those pest-like qualities. Last week we went a little long for class and she missed the public transportation bus because of it. She asked me if I could give her a ride home. Because it's on my way home (sort of), I said yes. That drive of four miles I found out the story of how she came to live in the area and how she lost custody of her two kids and what she's got to do in order to see them on visitation days. At least she was polite and said thank you when I pulled into her driveway. Today I was asked again if I could drive her home. I found out all about her health issues today. Geesh. I had noticed she pulled out a few dollars from her purse, thinking to myself "good, she'll offer to pay a buck or two for gas". Nope. "Stop at the gas station so I can buy a pack of smokes". No "can you" or "please" ... and certainly no offer to help out with my gas. Funny thing is, if she said something like "can I give you a dollar or two towards gas", I'd probably have said no. Well, if she'd have at least remembered her manners, that is. So we'll see how this goes and if I'll actually need to remind her that I'm in class for my education and not to be her own personal *free* taxi.

Just one question. How the hell do I attract these people?

After I dropped her off at her house I had to go to the other campus and pay for my text book for my government class. Books still aren't in, but today is the cut off date for financial aid. It's either pre-pay on the book or don't get the book until the rebate check comes in sometime next month. I don't see a choice. I need the book as soon as I can get it ... not when the class is almost half over. I hear from the manager of the bookstore that they should be in tomorrow. Great, that means another 15 mile drive from campus to campus to pick up the book. Oh well, when ya need it, ya need it.

Tonight it's finishing reading the text for tomorrow's class - Stress Management. Married Son, DIL and Grandson will be gone this evening. Woo Hoo!! That means I can study uninterrupted! That is, unless Single Son gets bored again tonight and wants to hang out with Mommy. And here I thought adult children could keep themselves entertained. I guess not. LOL!

Hoping ya'll are having a great day ...

What a beautiful day ...

IF you're a penguin, that is. Woke up to -3 degree temperatures. Highs today around 8 degrees. Windchill factor of -25. Yup ... perfect day if you're an ice cube! Even I, who loves the colder temps, is chilled to the bone! My best friend today is my long johns!

Deer on Campus

Little of this and a little of that today ... Married Son will not be bringing the dog with him when they move (yeah!!). They left him alone overnight the other night (the dog not the son). He practically destroyed their kitchen. What he didn't destroy he pooped on. DIL has posted an ad on Freecycle hoping someone will take him. I feel for Grandson, though ... a little boy and his puppy are being separated. Married Son has moved the cat over here, though. Looks like the big move will happen within the next week or two. Then the chaos begins. LOL ...

School ... I blogged about my Monday classes. Need to catch up on the other three. LOL. Tuesday was Business Law. Not a bad class. Teacher is a retired lawyer. I'll call him Mr. Law from here on out. He's another rambler, but had some really neat stories about some of the cases he had represented in court. But, it really was a blow-off day, as most first days are. And he's really enthusiastic about law ... so I guess it's all good. Lots of bookwork in the class. But tests sound rather easy ... scantron test (multiple choice). We didn't do the introduce yourself thing, guess he doesn't want to know who his students are or what they are interested in. LOL!

Wednesday was Marketing Theory. Talk about an interesting class. Mr. Marketing (instructor, not his real name, btw) is a wanna-be comedian and a major sports fan. Lots of assignments, mostly in-class work, including the dreaded group presentations. Grrrrrr. Mr. Marketing had the most interesting "introduce yourself" session. Questions were typical at first ... name, degree, why are you in this class, what job you work, special talents and hobbies you have, tell us something personal about yourself, etc. He had a *fun* question ... "if you could live the rest of your life in a movie, what movie would you live in and why". After you introduced yourself, classmates were free to ask you any question they wanted. My intro started typical, name and all that stuff. Then I went on to say, "My special talents include surviving raising my three children, and being grandma to a 3 year old grandson (he interrupts here with "we'll talk later, I have two young sons that confuse me and would love the input of an experienced parent". I don't know if I'm best qualified, after all, look at my weird kids. Anyway, back to my confessions, LOL ... ). I'm also a certified Trekkie, belonging to Starfleet" - blah blah blah as I further explained what Starfleet is. (Insert giggles from classmates here). "If I could live in a movie, I'd live in any of the Star Trek movies". Questions? LOL! I had a bunch of them, more than most of the others in class, too funny. Mr Marketing is also the only teacher so far that's actually gone on to lecture, deciding not to blow off the first day. Another fun class I suspect. He kept his first lecture lively.

Today was Stress Management. Started off rather well. I had pulled into the parking lot with time to spare. Figuring I'd have a quick smoke before heading into class so I stayed in the car for a bit to keep warm while I smoked. Off to my left I see some movement in the distance. I look over to see what it is. It's a deer! Now, remember, I live in what is pretty much a city ... I don't see a lot of wildlife outside of the rodent population (squirrels, field mice, raccoons, and an occasional chipmunk). So of course I was excited!! I grabbed my camera and just started taking pictures. Walked into class this morning totally relaxed. Teacher prefers being called *Coach* as she's been a long time basketball coach. We did the usual intro exercises. Name, major, and something unique about yourself. Care to fathom a guess as to what I said? Yup ... Star Trek. Stress Management, nope this class won't be too difficult either. A textbook, some relaxation techniques, some physical activity. We're to keep a journal for two weeks and 10 hours community service (with presentation afterwards). She said we can get creative with our journals (goodie)! I stopped at the dollar store after class and bought a dark blue scrapbook. I'm gonna keep me a sort of "Captain's Log" (star trek naturally - but mine will have to be a chief warrant officers log, LOL). Even bought some spacey stickers to liven it up a bit. LOL! We did a really neat puzzle type exercise that I'll blog later. I have to type it out first.

Got home to Single Son telling me to call my mother. Guess Daddy fell getting into bed at about 1 AM and Mom had to call 911 to get him off the floor. Heaven knows she's unable to do it. I just got off the phone with him. He's fine. Bruised his pride more than anything else.

Wow, I haven't said this in a while ... off to do homework.

Class, Fender Benders and a few Photos ...

K, we'll start with the over-due picture of me and the new do ...

Not the best picture, but here ya go ... this was just minutes after I walked out of the hair cut place a few days ago. I've had a chance to wash and play with it ... looks similar, but more *messy*. I like it!!

Today ... decided to leave a few hours early to get my book for my one and only class at the one campus. Pulled into the parking lot. It was crowded!! I passed a parking spot so I backed up ... right into the trailer hitch of a huge pick-up truck! Didn't do jackschitt to his truck, didn't even disturb the dirt on his hitch. Pulled the bumper off my car, though.

Nice job, eh? Spent about 45 minutes farting around with Campus Police. Most of that time spent waiting on them. Since I didn't have a cell phone with me, I had to go search out a phone so I could call them. Found one about in the middle of campus. That added another fifteen minutes to my day. We met up in that part of campus, they drove me to my car. First time I've ever been in the back seat of a cop car!! Better be my last, too! Mad dash to the bookstore afterward. They were sold out of the textbook for class. I'm on a waiting list, as is most of my class I was to find out later.

So ... classes ... they went well. My Monday Day class, American Government, went good. Teacher is a hoot, but rambles on and on. Grades are easy ... three tests each worth 30% of the final grade. An in-class writing assignment worth 10% rounds out the graded assignments. Three extra credit points available at 3 points each. First extra credit assignment already done - prove you're a registered voter. Easy enough. LOL! He dismissed us early. Great ... head up for a quick drive-thru sandwich and on to the other campus for books.

Riiiiiight. Ten minutes to grab the text books I need. An hour and a half wait in the financial aid line to pay for them. But dammit, I have all the books I need for my home campus. Four textbooks. $485 worth of books! Talked to some idiot in line most of the time. She's bragging about how she bought a laptop at the school bookstore with her financial aid. Only, it comes time for her to pay for her books, she's got less than 50 cents left on her financial aid account. Doih!! Spent about ten minutes bitching up a storm because they wouldn't offer her more aid to get her textbooks. Dope!! By the time I got out of the bookstore I had fifteen minutes to get the car and move it to the other side of the campus before class started. Didn't really need to bust my arse, the instructor was fifteen minutes late for class, Intro to Business Accounting. Geesh. But it's understandable, I guess. He is a last minute replacement for the teacher that called only this morning to say he couldn't teach this semester.

Not sure what to think of this replacement teacher. He did good at winging it. I mean, the guy had no idea he'd be teaching this class when he woke up this morning and there he stood in front of 25 students this evening. He's definitely taught Accounting in the past. Just never an intro class. He seems to have a good sense of humor ... and the attitude that he's not going to teach us everything the text covers, but we'll leave class in 15 weeks with a basic knowledge of business accounting. I did have to let out a moan, though, when he said those dreaded words "group assignment". Damn. I hate group projects!

Tomorrow evening is Business Law I. Wednesday morning is Marketing Theory. Thursday morning is Stress Management.

Boy, I coulda used stress management today!! My poor car!

End of the Semester

Yay me!! I survived another semester. It's officially over now. My last final started at 9:45 this morning. I was out by 11 AM.

Had a neat experience ... last week we had to do presentations ... a pretend company, complete with detailed executive summary, business plan, marketing strategies, and opportunities and problems associated with our business. We chose to own a trendy teenaged clothing boutique. This is also the group where the other two members rarely showed up for class! But we pulled it off!! The presentation was to get up in front of the class and discuss the business plans for our fake business. Our overall grade was a B.

During presentations we had to write down NICE comments about each and every person in the class. We handed those papers in last week so Mr P could organize each of our comments and give them back to us this week. It was very hard to come up with positive comments for some of the students.

So this week we got the list back from the teacher.

The comments other students made about me were:

• Seemed comfortable speaking in front of the class
• Came up with good marketing strategies
• Covered a lot of material
• Very knowledgeable about the business
• Excellent expertise in retail
• A very down-to-earth lady that could make anyone feel right at home
• Seems to be a leader
• Was blunt and to the point - a good thing

There were the normal comments, like "good leader", "well done", "natural speaker".

The one I loved was the "down-to-earth lady" comment.

Comments like these will help me to be a better speaker in the future. And I'm sure that I'll have plenty of speaking and presentation opportunities in the upcoming semesters.

Right now, I'm just glad I get a break!! I NEED IT!

Off for a much deserved nap for me.

Friday ...

I just realized it's been ages since I've done a Friday Five. Add another day of not doing 'em. Just too much on my plate to list my five fave songs and why I like 'em. Great topic, though.

Another weekend of doing nothing but homework. And tons of it.

Alien is still at her father's house. She was supposed to come over this weekend, but decided to stay at his house since I have so much homework to do. Better to hang out there than just see the back of Mom's head bend over some project or the other.

Classes are going good. Well, three of them anyway. I still hate that one class with a passion and can't wait for it to end. I'm still pulling a B in it, a low B, but imagine what my grade would be if I actually *liked* the damned class or that idiot prof. And once the class ends I've got a *nice* (insert sarcasm here) little entry for ratemyprofessor.com ... that's for sure.

My other classes are all high B's or A's. So I guess my GPA of 3.42 will be safe for another term, LOL!

Not a whole lot else going on around here, I'm afraid. But then, boring is good!! Very good!!

Hey ... ya'll stop by Penguin Girl's page today, please, and wish her a *Happy Birthday*.

Got my piece of birthday cake ... now back to homework!

Happy Birthday Pengy!!
Love ya!!

Ummm, It's Sunday today, riiiight?

Still on the *I don't know what day it is* thing.

Had a meeting with my Pro Comm group today. Pro Comm, that class I'm having so much trouble in. Not because I don't know how to communicate - I do. It's the teacher that's the problem. Anyway, meeting went well, we have a better idea what our final project is about, and our parts in it now. LOL.

Have I said how much I hate group projects??

And all four of my classes have group things going on. Figures, eh? LOL.

I have five classes next term. I wonder how many of those will feature group activities. ::groan::

Let's see ... what else?

Things have gotten pretty desperate around here lately. Financially that is. I've cut expenses down past the bare bones, I can't cut anything else out. Yeah, internet I suppose ... no not really. It's my only luxury. Besides ... Single Son needs it for his work (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). Soooooo ... I decided to push ahead MY business by about a year and open it in February 2009 instead of Summer of 2010 after I have my degree in Business Management. My one Prof, the one who teaches Small Business and Entrepreneurship class has been a godsend to me. Consulting with me, guiding me and generally helping me with the things that I've not yet had classes for (business accounting, retail theory, marketing, web design, web security, etc). Now you see why I wanted to wait until I had my degree to even "announce" my business venture. Let alone actually persue it. Mr. P, like I said, has been a godsend to me lately. The only thing he wants in return is that after I get my degree and have the business up and running I come and give a 30 minute guest speech on starting and owning a small business to his class. Hell ya!! It's a deal!

So, why wait until February to start this? I need start up money. My anticipated tuition refund will cover what I still need for my start up costs, but that's not in my hands until February. So ... that's my plan.

And what will the business be? I've spoken of *Elsie's Attic* before ... I will be offering gifts and decor for the home and office. Included will be a gift line for men and children, and possibly for the pampered pet, too. This will be an e-commerce business.

There will also be special sales and discounts for my Multiply friends. I've even set up a Multiply blog under the name *Elsies Attic* where I'll offer those discounts, special sales, highlighted merchandise and more. I'll be joining Multiply's "Market" as soon as Elsie's Attic is officially open for business.

Stay tuned for information about the store and webpage.

I'm actually getting very excited about this!!

I'm not sure how it'll effect working with Married Son and his pilot driving company yet. I'm trying to work out those details. He seems okay with the fact that Mom may not be able to help him on the road as a driver - but I will still do the managerial work for him.

And Single Son has asked that I help him with his business dreams of opening an e-commerce business that sells security and self defense products.

My degree in Business Management/Entrepreneurship is gonna go a long way, eh?

So that's been my week. Working hard at homework and working overtime at getting Elsie's Attic all nice and legal to open in February. And of course, helping my sons with their business dreams.

What day is it?

It's so I've forgotten what day it is anymore! If it's Professional Communications class tonight than it must be ... ummmmmm ... Thursday!! That's it, it's Thursday.

Haven't had a ten thoughts tuesday in a while. Don't have ten thoughts left in me. And the gross grub, well, I ended that on Halloween weekend. Not for lack of recipes, but honestly, I got tired of it. I needed a break.

And I need a break from homework, too. Riiiiight, that won't happen. Not for a while. Five or six weeks. I lost track.

I registered for next semester yesterday. Grrrrrrr. FIVE classes. I had to take that many to get the minimum credits that I need per semester to keep my full Pell Grant. Not even a nice mixture of hard and easy classes. They're all hard classes. Lots of homework, I'm betting. Well, besides my PE class - stress management. It was either that or "bowling". I'm not getting into the more conventional PE classes. I just can't see my arse doing them, can you? Helen, stop laughing ... I know, I should have seen if they had some sort of walking class. Gawd knows I could stand to build up those leg muscles again. And Chicago just proved to me how out of shape I really am!! But I'm proud to say (with a few breaks along the way to rest) I did it!! I walked all over Chicago! Hehe ...

Not a while lot else going on. I hear Grandson downstairs, they must have come back. They've been hanging around here a lot lately. Not sure why, other than I have internet and Married Son doesn't have internet at his house right now. Don't get me wrong, I love when they come over, but not when it gets in the way of the mounds of homework I need to get done!! And it's suffered this week terribly. Rough draft due today, and I'm not done with it. I'll just have to see if the prof. will let me email it to him by the end of the weekend. Depends on his mood - he's the one I've blogged about. The rude jerk. Disorganized. His mood will decide whether he marks me half off points or allows me to email it back to him. I'm figuring if I *forget* my USB drive (with the assignment on it) then he'll hopefully be nice. Shhhhhh ... don't tell him I intentionally forgot the drive. LOL!

Well, guess I need to head on outta here.

Buried under a pile of books ...

Yup, school's back in session! I'm buried under a pile of books once again. And loving it.

Yesterday was my first day of my interpersonal communications class. Gonna be a fun class, that's for sure. This teacher had a new twist on the introduce yourself *game*. We moved our desks into a huge circle and played a party game ... "We're having an imaginary picnic and you're invited" ... Give your first name and the name of something starting with the first letter of your first name that you're going to bring to our party ... BUT before you do, you have to go down the line, starting with the first person, what they're bringing, and then add your item. There are about thirty in the class ... I sat half way from the starting point. That's a lot of names I'd have to remember, LOL!

I looked at the teacher who was seated next to me and said, "you've got to be kidding. I'm lucky if I remember my own kids names ... and I'm gonna remember 18 names before mine?" He laughed. "Yup, I bet you can do it, but I'll allow notes. You just have to try first without looking at them". Funny thing is, I DID IT!! I didn't have to refer to my notes at all. Of course, there was a room full of *coaches* willing to help everyone that got stuck on names.

After our break it was right down to business. We did a few exercises in communication ... and listened to a power point presentation. Assigned homework. He let the class out early. It's funny, we all sort of lingered in the courtyard and got to know each other better after class. Like I said, this is gonna be a fun class. Close-knit ...

On the Alien front ... Day three of school and all is well on the transportation front. There was no discussion about how she'd get to school. The girls had agreed to meet 45 minutes early at the gas station on the corner for a cup of coffee, then they'd walk to the shuttle bus together.

And yes, I allow  my daughter to have caffeine. She seems to do better in school when her brain is bouncing all over the place. Go figure. Her teachers love her already, she's got a quick mind - and a quick wit. Her history teacher is a comedian wanna-be and just loves that someone catches on to even the subtlest of his jokes. She even correctly answered his questions during discussion time. So far so good ... I just hope her enthusiasm for school (and the shuttle bus) continue.

Me ... well, it's back to homework. I have class from six to ten tonight and still need to finish homework for tomorrow's 9 AM class. I'm sure not coming home late and finishing homework before I try to sleep.

I'll be catching up with everyone's blogs hopefully tomorrow after class.

Intro To Business - Day Two of the New Semester ...

Two classes in a row that I *like* the teachers!! Somebody pinch me!! And once again, an early day today. Did the intro thing again, and went over the syllabus. Then home. Two hours early. But with a homework assignment. That's cool. I can deal with that.

I'm not sure if I like her cell phone policy, though. She's a parent to three younger kids, so she more than understands emergencies from home. She allows phones to be on *ring* during class. Take the call outside the room, but you can leave the ringer on. I don't know if I really like that - one kid already had four or five calls - with an annoying and loud ring, to boot. A total distraction if you ask me!! Put the damned thing on vibrate for Pete's sake. We all don't need to know when you get yet another call!

Another study buddy. This one a young gal. A little more outspoken than my Thursday Study buddy, but not much. And Heaven help me, she's a note passer!! Oy!! Instead of whispering a comment to me or just keeping her comments to herself, she's got to write a note and slide it across the table. Oh well, I guess it could be worse, right?

OMG!! I got lost on my home campus!! After class I needed to go to the bookstore. Talk about designed by a man! The signs pointing to the bookstore were for the OLD bookstore location! Not the new bookstore location!! When I notified a campus cop about the wrong signage he only said "huh, guess they forgot to change some." Doih, ya think?

Helen, it looks like I'll have to spend some time on the return train trip studying!! There's an important exam in her class the day after our get together ... and she doesn't allow for make up exams!! So much for just chilling on the ride back, eh? And here I was hoping I could leave the textbooks at home. Crap!

Off to read Chapter One ... look for my Friday Five later.

Professional Communication - First day of class ...

Got there early. Too early!! Sat in the car for a while, eating a sandwich and just watching people pass by.

I found the room with no problem. I've got to say they have the rooms well marked. Good directional signage, too. Never got lost, never had to stop and ask for directions. So ... I get there way early. Have about a half of an hour to kill before the Prof even shows up to unlock the door!

Now the confusion begins, LOL. This is supposed to be an English class. We're in a computer lab. Ah ... that's why ... half the class is COMPUTER TIME! Oy!

The first half hour is spent talking about the Prof. I'm not sure what I think of him yet ... he can't be all bad, though. He admitted to being a Trekkie. Not as die-hard as yours truly, but hey ... gotta respect a man who can admit publicly to being addicted.

And yes, when it came to student introductions I admitted to being a Trekkie too. I knew no one would laugh, not if they wanted to stay in the Prof's favor anyway. Got a bunch of questions from everyone about what Trekkies do.

This prof likes to get out of class early. Yay!! As long as lecture and in class assignments are done we can leave early. He's a smoker, too ... so you know he won't skimp out on breaks, LOL. Oh, and best of all, NO homework!! Double Yay!!

Now I just hope it works out as well with my study buddy for this class. Young kid, seems nice enough but he's really shy. I get the feeling I'll be doing most of the talking during our class presentations, LOL!

Off to bed ... classes tomorrow bright and early.

Just a quickie ...

Yup, a quickie ... not a lot of time to myself today ... or in the days to come, I suspect.

School starts tonight. Professional Communication. My only night class.

It's a beautiful day for starting classes. It's rainy, and on the chilly side at only 67 degrees. Do I finally feel fall in the air? It'd be nice ... summer just needs to end!

Since I don't know this campus well, I'm going to leave early tonight. Find the classroom. Hopefully I'll have enough time to wander around a bit, get the feel for the campus.

Tomorrow morning I'll be at my home campus for class. No need to wander 'round there, I know where things are on that campus, LOL. Or I hope I do - there's been a lot of construction over the summer break!

Skool Dayz ... Um ... School Days ...

OMG!! My class schedule is so screwy this semester! Normally I try to schedule my classes with some semblance of sanity or at least with some sort of pattern I can easily remember. Yes, us older folk need to plan things well.

But, noooooooooooooooo, not this semester! Four classes; two morning classes, one afternoon class and one evening class. Four different days. Two campuses. NO pattern! By the time I figure out where I'm supposed to be and when the semester will be over! That's what I get for waiting until almost the last possible moment to register. I so won't do that again!

So ... my classes this term are Professional Communications, Interpersonal Communications, Introduction to Business, and Starting/Operating a Small Business.

The other day I changed my major yet again. I know, I know ... I have to stop doing that IF I want to get a darned degree! BUT, I changed it again. What's funny is that going from Web Design to Business Management/Entrepreneurship (which I should have chosen in the beginning, LOL) I now need less credits for my degree! Yippee! With all my previous credits that can now be applied to a Business Management/Entrepreneurship degree that couldn't be applied to Web Design I have pretty much eliminated three terms worth of needed credits. I'll be getting my degree in 5 terms now instead of 8!! And if I take more than 12 credit hours per term, it'll happen sooner.