Tuesday, May 8, 2007

try and try again!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Continua
Done with six!Well, week six has come and gone. I'm grateful for it being over. As I write, I have a mild headache. My girlies are off tomorrow, so we can all sleep in just a little late. This week was a mixed bag. I didn't get any grades back (that can be a good thing sometimes!), but I feel so behind. I did manage to get a working rough draft on my government research paper. Hooray for me!! (I think I can, I think I can...)

O.K. so lets have it out:


In government: Class was cancelled on Monday. Instead I worked on a literature paper. On Wednesday, we turned in an elected leaders list. I don't know how I did on that, but I tried my best.

In Western Civilization: We learned about the powerful families that ran the Italian city-states, like Venice, Florence, and the Papal States. Some were the Medicis, Sforzas, etc. I asked my professor if these families were like the mob. I think the question caught him off guard. He thought about it and said, "Yeah, but they were legal." A legal mob? I've never heard of such a thing!

In Writing about Literature: On the in-class essay, I think I got a good grade. We didn't get out papers back, so I don't know what were my mistakes. But, I do know that I want to learn from them. I keep trying to learn about commas; somehow I still don't get them. I watched for the second time the Emily Dickinson film for the English Department. Dickinson is very complex and challenging. I like some of her poetry, I just don't understand her life. What did it stand for? Did it stand for being alone? Isolated? I understand that she liked to write her poetry and was a genius. But, other than that, I don't think we should live and die for ourselves. I think we should live for others (God and family).

History: We studied the "New Deal." And my assessment is that the New Deal was a big deal and still is today. The government stepped in, took control of the situation and never looked back. Was it necessary? Absolutely. Did it make us more dependent on government? Definitely. Can we go back and change it? Never.

What I know:I know that I'm semi-stressed. I say semi because I'm almost done with one research paper. I just need to polish it. The other one? Dear Lord Jesus help me!! The rough draft is due on Wednesday and I haven't even begun to write. Sounds like Patrick Henry, huh? I know I can get it done, but it will take hard work over the weekend. I have online discussions to write and western civilization study sheets to prepare.

I know that I am who I am because of Jesus. Not only did he make me, but he blessed me with what I have today. My struggles are His struggles. I don't struggle alone. I sincerely believe that he has called me according to His purposes. My husband, my girls, my family, and my life are gifts from Him. I don't question God because I think it would be wrong to question Him. I don't question God because I know that He is right. Sometimes I see professors or others trying to fit God into their intellect. As if God could fit in such a tiny space! What I do know is that the peace of God surpasses all understanding. And that my friends is the peace that I need.


Thursday, March 29, 2007

Week in Review

i'm so glad this week is over, but i still have six more to go. i count finals week because i won't be done until after that week. so, unlucky number six. sscarrryy! i'm hoping it will be a good week. even though, my daughter has an appointment this afternoon because her throat is hurting. i'm hoping it is nothing serious.

let's see, what happened this week at del mar?

in government: the whole class pretty much bombed a test! my professor gave everyone a 14 point curve. if you ask me, it's pretty stupid. the test made absolutely no sense to any of us. and there were so many angry students afterwards that some walked out. the problem with the test was that it had a lot of trick questions. so then, it becomes not a test on what you know, but a test on finding out trick questions. for example, the one everyone got wrong: to be president a person must be 35 years old, born in the united states, and reside in the u.s.a. for 14 years. true or false? well, he got us on the technicality, 35 years old. a person must be at least 35 years old. so the answer is false. most people had true. the professor apologized for the test and so hopefully it will be better next time.

in western civilization: we learned about the bubonic plague, the 100 years war, the crusades, and many other things. life was miserable to say the least in that time period. oh, but a funny story i want to write about. we learned that when any thing went drastically wrong, the common theme was to find someone else to blame; usually it fell to a specific people, who were terrorized through pogroms and persecution. well, the whole class thought it unfair to blame others. but, the next thing i know is while i'm walking to the library, i suddenly begin to wonder where my not-so-cheap sunglasses went? i remember wearing them and then sliding them over my hair. but, what did i do with them afterwards? then i start retracing my steps. "hmm, when the young custodian asked me if he could throw away my empty salad tray, he must have taken them at that point," i thought. i was sure he had stolen my sunglasses! well, much to my humble pie suprise, i had left them at the speech office. we have not progressed one iota.

in writing about literature: we are wrapping up our poetry unit. on tuesday, one of the groups presented edgar allan poe. extremely weird and interesting poet. but, upon further inspection of the author, i think he would fit in nicely in present day america. every "artist" has an addiction, personality issues and what they would deem mental anguish.i took an in-class exam today in literature. goodness, me! i get in a high speed wobble and panic. but, other than a complete mess that i made with a soda, all over my papers, my ring, and my lucky watch that my husband gave me. i think i did fine. i stayed after class for about five minutes to finish and was in my second class by 11:01 a.m. my mistake was that if the professor asked for 2-3 elements, i should have gone with 2, and not 3. but, i think that it makes for a stronger paper. i will see how strong next week.

in history II: i took a test on tuesday and did well. i enjoy history, so it pretty much comes, maybe not easy, but with some sense of fulfillment. does that make any sense? i like to learn about u.s. history and most of the novels i read are historical dramas. the semester i took off, i read 1776, John Adams, From Beirut to Jerusalem and several others. sooner or later, i will have to face the fact that maybe, just maybe, i should be a history major and not an english major. but hey, David McCullough is an english major. there must be some relation there between history and english. one of my english professors had a minor in history.we are learning about the "Great Depression." our professor said that it was called great, not because it was good, but because it was so massive and encompassing. my overall feeling or understanding of the depression is that no one was paying attention to the underlying economic factors that had been taking place for years. i know today we get what we think is useless information. the unemployment rate, the housing market slowing, and consumer debt, but very few people (including myself) realize why those figures are tallied and their importance.

what i know:i had a red diamond (not blood diamond), after i spilled my red soda all over my desk.i've bought into the anti-aging propaganda. i bought a little cream that promises to make my "future perfect." doesn't that sound promising?

life comes at you hard and fast. get plenty of rest!


Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Research Papers, Yuk!!

i have two research papers to write and absolutely no desire to write them! desire is definitely lacking, but also the confidence i need to write them. as you can tell from the blog, i don't have a problem with writing (other than with commas!). what i mean is that i'm not afraid to write for literature or history. but "RESEARCH PAPER" sounds deadly to me. i was talking to one of my professors yesterday and he suggested that i look at it as a writing assignment. that sounds easier, right? yes, but i don't have a prompt. i'm crippled without a prompt. the sad truth, my friends, is that i need to be told what to do. Yes, i know that sounds pathetic, but that is the cold hard truth. left to my own devices, i usually don't do anything! weight loss? forget it. housework? just barely. jogging? i can't get started. the funny thing is that when i told my husband that i needed someone to tell me what to do, he replied in a stern voice, "I'll tell you what to do!" which is somehow funny and not funny coming from him.

back to the research papers. i read two women's blogs, one has received her doctoral degree and the other one is just about to receive it. i'm inspired by their achievements. i'm amazed by the sheer enormity of their feat. i would like to get a master's degree. somehow being afraid of research papers doesn't fit into that goal, huh? i will get through this, just like i got through writing my short story and writing my two original poems. i just need to believe in myself. which right about now, i can't seem to. :(i will let you all know...


posted by Patricia

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

what i learned/what i know 3/5-3/17there are so many things that i have learned; i'm excited about all of them. what an absolute nerd, right? i think because i'm in my umm, umm, thirties, i truly appreciate learning all these interesting things. which is sad because i'm the non-traditional college student and i feel like an old woman in my classes. i grieve for the lost time after high school that i didn't take advantage of and i feel overwhelmed with regret sometimes. but, i shake it off and thank God for the opportunity of today. (that is an entirely different post: the opportunity of today!)

o.k, so what i've learned:in government: i learned about how weak our texas governor is compared to other chief executives. i think that it's important to know because i'm a texan, and therefore should know how the government is run. another interesting thing is about all the boards and commissions in the state of texas. some are elected, ex officio and others are appointed by the governor. thus, when i read in the newspaper about all of the governor appointed members of the texas youth commission resigning, i once again felt educated on the article. i guess what i mean is that i'm rising above my previous ignorance. thank you, Jesus, thank you del mar.

in western civilization: i had a test and i did well. i was careful to answer all of the questions. my professor believes in essays and does not believe in multiple choice. i guess that is good because you have to know the material; but it's also harder. i had an essay question on the crisis of rome. i was able to regurgitate all of the main points. what is interesting about the roman crisis is that the all of their problems added up to their downfall. it wasn't one major blow, but a series of things. their borders being under constant attack, their currency devaluated, they had a trade deficit with the far east, their welfare system was a huge cost to the government. hmm, does that sound familiar?

in writing about literature: i have a great group! my professor set us up into groups at the beginning of the semester. at first i thought, "now wait just a minute, i'm not sure about this group thing" i remembered the little girl in ya-ya sisterhood movie, when young vivi takes out a knife so they can become the ya-ya's. i was mistaken, and we have done well. i think we all do our share of the work and work well together. we had a poetry presentation. alberto rios was one of our selections. he is a great writer and poet.

in history: i laughed out loud when my professor was explaining the end of wwi, armistice day. november 11, 1918 at 11:00 a.m. he then said, "you know what that means, nobody won, they just stopped fighting." at which point i let out a big laugh, and he turns to look at me as if saying, "is this funny to you?" so, i thought i should explain why i laughed. i said, "that sounds like my husband and i, we just stop fighting. nobody wins but we are tired of fighting so we just stop." and he says, "oh yeah, marriage is like that." even in war, there comes a time when you just have to stop fighting because it is clear that no one is going to win.

what i know: i'm still here. i'm trying to keep my chin up and get the job done. i enjoy going to school and learning. what is hard is trying to keep two little girls fed, clothed, clean, and entertained when i have two research papers looming. its hard to think of two research papers when i have clothes to wash, dinner to get started, and dishes to wash. so, it is housework versus homework. don't get me started. there is very little time left. after tomorrow it will be six weeks. i can't wait. i can't wait for this low-pitch nervous feeling in my stomach to go away.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Spring Break

well, i have been able to sleep in late, you would think that i'd be happy about that, right? i'm still feeling somewhat depressed and bummed out because i have not done what i've needed to do. the truth is that left to my own devices, i usually don't do anything. that has been the case this week. i have done two government outlines that i needed to do, read my history assignment for tuesday, but other than that, i haven't done much. i have two research papers to write that are due the 23rd and 26th of april. have i even bothered to start on them? NO! are you kidding me? i usually wait to the last minute and give myself about three or four heart attacks. really. i need a college coach. someone that will take me by the hand and say, "now little patricia, you must sit down and write. or else the big bad grade is going to get you." of course, the idea of a college coach is ridiculous! what i need is to grow up and get the job done. but, there are so many other things i want to doooo! nonetheless, i know deep down in my heart that what i really, really want to do is to earn a college degree and expand my intellect. i know that seems so corny, but i want to be well educated. that is one thing that i admire greatly. not so much celebrities, rich or famous people, but a smart and educated person, i think is to be greatly admired. that desire is what keeps me going. i have a very long way to go, but hopefully i will get there someday. so, i'm off to see the wonderful wizard of research papers! say a prayer for me!

Saturday, March 03, 2007

this week

well, i'm not as enthusiastic as i was last week. this week snailed along and its still dragging. i have been so out of focus. i think its because i have spring break on my mind. not that its going to be exciting, but because its not. i get to sleep in late, and clean my house. hooray! plus, i need to work on two of my research papers that are due in April. fun, fun, fun!

lets see, what did i learn this week?

government: the president can fire his cabinet members/directors at will. talk about job security...

western civilization: most civilizations, like the Greeks or the Romans, prospered under good rulers. Duh? i know that sounds stupid, but the problem was always with the successors to these good rulers. if it was by bloodline, well then, junior would be a complete imbecile or just plain insane and murderous. if the ruler did not have an immediate family member, then a struggle for power would ensue and it wasn't pretty. i guess what i mean is that power is intoxicating for some, which are the awful rulers, but others can harness it and do good. what would you do with power?

writing about literature: we are in the middle of a poetry section. (excuse me while i roll my eyes!) i like poetry, i just don't understand most of it. for example, sylvia plath, what was it with those blackberries? i have no idea. the worst part, is that i have to write two original poems. talk about being out of my element. i realize that poetry is a huge part of literature, but its a stretch for me. i'm not poetic at all.

history: my professor recommended the books, "The Guns of August," which i checked out and is very interesting. in the author's notes in the front of the book, she talks about how she had the idea for the book and how a publisher called her with the same idea. she writes that she felt kind of upset that some else had "her idea." i understand because sometimes we think that only we can "own" an idea. i guess that originality is not that original, huh?

what i know:as this semester drags on, i'm beginning to care less and less. which is not a good thing. i'm tired. i find myself leaving later and later to go drop off my daughter before i go to school. hopefully, spring break will help. i need to regroup and gather my wits about me.i need to get jogging! i can jog two miles as of right now. which is actually good, since it have not been jogging for several months. i need to add at least two and a half miles to that, so i can be ready for beach to bay iv. but, i still have march, april and may. i hope i'm o.k.there is only eight weeks of school left! i started a countdown when there was ten weeks. what was the song from Casablanca? As time goes by or something like that? i need to get a copy and start playing it, i'm sure that is just what i need.NOT!!!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

what i learned/what i know

i've been thinking of a sort of weekly post titled, "what i learned/what i know" a la Oprah! of course, i'm learning many different things, but i guess what i mean is what is the most interesting.

so here it goes, what i learned this past week 2/11-2/17

:in gov. i found it interesting that we had studied just this past week about the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas and i read about it in the newspaper on sunday. what it is, "a body that periodically evaluates most government agencies and departments." why do i even blog about it? i guess because for once i actually felt somewhat educated on the "political issue." knowledge is somewhat empowering.

in western civ., this is kind of ridiculous, i learned that the "patricians" were the nobility in Roman times. this is a completely self-serving tidbit because patricia is my middle name. if i remember correctly my first name, martha, means "lady." so if you put it together, "noble lady." stupid, yes, but very gratifying for some dumb reason.and another thing i learned in west. civ. is READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE TEST VERY CAREFULLY!!!! i completely either ignored, or forgot to answer a fifth i.d., and lost an automatic 8 points. completely stupid!!!!

in writing about lit. we read john steinbeck's chrysanthemums, what can i say? the man's a master. i'm trying to finish my short story (the one that is not short enough) and i'm almost done.

in history II: the settlement house movement was started by jane addams (hull house in chicago) when she was 20! some people (like me) say, "i can't do it!" others say, "watch me do it!" amazing!!tuesday's and thursdays are my favorite days because i love history and english. it does my soul good to learn.

so..., i've never thanked my husband in previous posts, but thanks for making it happen.

what i know:if i'm cranky, its because i haven't slept since school started.

if i'm tired, its because i haven't slept since school started.

if i'm getting more wrinkles, its because i haven't slept since school started.

do you see the emerging pattern in my sentence structure?

which by the way, i need serious help with commas, comma splices, etc.

which leads me to my last remark:there is still a lot of things, i don't know!

i can begin with commas.



running away from my worries

i need to run away! i use to run all the time, but now i don't. i have ran beach to bay every year since i moved to corpus christi (a small personal tradition). here we are in february and may is just around the corner. i haven't ran in MONTHS! it's been so long, i can't even remember the last time i ran. but run I MUST!!!i know that it helps my stress and definitely my weight. i just don't have time. these shorten daylight hours make for shorter evenings, which mean that by the time my hubby gets home, its dark. and i refuse to run in the dark. there might not be much to a full time mom, full time student, but i want to keep what i have safe. so, this is what i'm going to do. i'm going to get one of those cute little prospectus bars that olga has on her website to track my running progress. hopefully, that will motivate me.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Count your blessings, twice

a funny thing happened after my last post, my life got harder! hard to imagine, i know. but, my little girl got pink eye and that was the straw that broke this camel's back. i was bawling this morning in front of my four year old. and in truth, she started it. when i told her it was time to take her medicine she starts whining, "i don't want to take that ..." of course, all of my suppressed feelings and mental anguish that i'm under comes gushing out like a garden hose that has been knotted up and i lost it. "i have to go to schooool today," i start sobbing. "i don't have time for this, i have a test in western civilization (like she knows what that means) and i can't miss it. i'm late. i need to run by the post office this morning..." she just stared at me like what is going on? are you still the mommy or am I the mommy all of a sudden? Who is the child? that is how i started off my day!last friday, the nice people at her preschool were kind enough to send a flyer home informing the parents of the first case of pink eye. fortunately for me, it was in the four year old classroom. sunday, my husband keeps telling me that her eyes look glassy. i dismiss it as maybe a minor, maybe even minute cold. well, monday morning i'm trying to get everyone out the door by 7:30, because i have an appointment at the writing center (to beg for help with my short story). the first thing my four year old says, "that light is too bright." which is one of the symptoms of pink-eye according to the nice handout i received. and guess what happened next. I get her to wash her beautiful little round face and ...the corner of her eyes are the prettiest shade of pink i've ever seen! As super duper mom, i spring into action and freak out! what am i suppose to do? i suddenly realize that i can't take her to school, even though that is EXACTLY where she picked it up. i can't miss my western civilization class because i will have a test on wednesday. i try to call my babysitter and she's changed her cellphone number. I run around panicking and praying and hoping against all hope that my husband can come home. i call him, he agrees, and i lived, not only to fight another day, but also to write about it.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

biting off more than i can chew

i've realized that the inherent risk of biting off more than you can chew is CHOKING! Or better yet, DYING! which is what i'm doing right about now. i don't know what i was thinking signing up for four classes. Four classes? sure, I'm super duper mom! or is that super stupor mom? i gathered three of my syllabus and wrote down the test dates in my handy dandy pink planner. pink, i know, cute. and guess what? i have one test after another in those three classes. thankfully, they are one week apart, so I only have to worry about one test a week. Hooray!? should i be happy about that? i don't know. what i do know is that i still have my writing about lit class to worry about. Calgon, or anybody, or anything take me away...please. i keep repeating to myself like a mantra: february, march, april, and just a little bit of May. on the upside, february is a short month. i don't think i've ever cared about that, but now i do. i'm working on a short story for my lit class. unfortunately, it is not short enough. my professor wants ten pages. it should be easy for me to ramble for ten pages, but it's not. especially, if its for a grade. i'll let you know how it goes. Sandra Cisneros or Julia Alvarez, I'm not. all i can really say is that i'm learning. learning how to write, but more importantly how to write with meaning. and i desperately want to learn how to write like that.posted by Patricia 9:04 PM

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Spring has Sprung! (Almost anyways!)

Well, today is Sunday and school starts on Tuesday. Is it me or does it seem odd or rather ominous that it is going to be bone cold on our first day back at school? It is almost like the weather is conspiring against us, and the winds of unfortunate change will begin to blow. Hmmm, perhaps my last sentence was a little dramatic and totally unfounded. Yet, I can't help but feel nervous and apprehensive about what this semester will bring. Four classes is a lot for me to fathom. I know what to expect in my history class because I have had this professor before for my first history. Western Civilization sounds promising because I would like to learn about it. I'm ignorant of pretty much all of it, so its a good thing I signed up, huh? Plus I heard the professor assigns essays, which I feel comfortable writing. In another course I took, the professor would ask for 14 lines of response on the test and I always typed about a page and a half, gabby I know. American Government II is with a different professor, but hopefully fair. I think that is what I would hope for: do the work and get the grade. Not, if I like you, you will do good. However, the big challenge for me will be Writing about Literature. That baby will need a different name, something that will invoke all of my hideous fears, doubts, and terrors. This class is either going to make me or break me as a writer. Therefore, I'm sure I will go to the Writing Center (which by the way I think everyone should go), email the online tutor and most definitely beg Laurie for help!So, what classes are you all taking? Hopefully, I can get some other moms in my classes to blog. That way I can have someone to chat with online about the class. Well, my dear blog reader, good luck with all of your endeavors this semester, whatever classes you take.Stay warm and I'll see you on Tuesday. I'll be the one wearing the Russian style hat, it kinda looks like Davy Crockett's. But, my mother gave it to me and by golly, I'm wearing it! I'm a South Texas girl and water runs through my veins; I'm sure it will be freezing.posted by Patricia 9:40 PM

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

So long Fall 2006!

As you might or might not know, there is only about two weeks left in the Fall 2006 semester. Time sure flies, (even when you are not having fun) and finals seem closer and scarier than I'd like to admit. Are you all ready for finals? I'm nervous about my government final because I'm suppose to remember things from several months ago. I can't remember things from this morning, much less a couple of months ago. My British literature exam will probably be a take home exam. Therefore, I will be in a mad hobble/wobble trying to write the weekend before it is due. I usually ask my husband to take the girls out, so I can work without being asked for juice, something to eat, or be referee in their arguments.

I realize I struggled all semester with my literature papers because I forgot that the writing process is very lengthy for me. I somehow thought that I could sit down and type out an "A" paper on my first run. In my first two English classes, I would have to turn in a rough draft and had peer review days. Well, I guess I'm suppose to be a more responsible and mature writer, but I think I need to be held by the hand. O.K. little Patricia, today you will do this, and tomorrow you will do that. Left to my own devices, I usually run around like a chicken without a head. I write all of this because guess what? I'm taking another literature class in the Spring and probably many, many more since I'm an English major. Therefore, I need to get the process down. I need the rough drafts, the writing center tutors, and definitely time for proofreading! Most of my mistakes were grammar or punctuation, very simple ones I could have caught had I proofread. For example, on one paper I wrote "with out." Huh? Duh? Everyone knows that it is "without." A mistake so simple and so stupid! Do you see why I need to proofread?Anyways, I've gone on my little tirade probably to long. I hope your final exams will be easy and done with soon. I know that's what I'm hoping for my exams!posted by Patricia 7:34 AM

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Spring 2007

Hi,Have you all registered for Spring 2007? I have and I'm taking the plunge and enrolling for 12 hours. I have only taken 6 hours up until now. But, I have finally realized that if I keep up that pace, I will never finish! So, here I go. Daycare is an issue. My youngest daughter is not in kinder, yet. However, we will see how it goes. God willing all of us in my little family will be alright. How many classes do you all take? I'm curious to see how other moms juggle school and family.On another note, have you all gone to see an advisor? I went last Monday and was suprised/saddened/upset to find out that two of my literature classes will not transfer to Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The literature classes they(A&M CC) want for an English Major are: World Literature and Writing about Literature. I have taken American Literature and currently taking British Literature. My point is that it is very important to see an advisor. I was only following the degree plan in the Del Mar catalog. I have come to find out that the degree plans in the catalog are "generic plans." Therefore, I encourage you to see an advisor to find out if the classes you are taking will transfer (if you are transferring) to the university you will be attending after Del Mar.Well, please feel free to post comments on this blog. Thanksposted by Patricia 6:22 AM

Friday, November 10, 2006

Calling all moms at Del Mar!

Hi,My name is Martha and I'm a student at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. I have often thought of having a blog for Moms at Del Mar. I don't think there is one in the blogosphere. So, here I go!As a mom trying to get the kids and myself off to school, I know how hard it can be. Trying to do good at school, while also helping your kids do good in school can be tough on a mama; not to mention, working outside of the home. This blog is dedicated to all the moms at Del Mar. I would like to encourage and receive encouragement to continue studying. We should not lose focus of our families. However,we should also remember that we study for our families, and a better future for us and them. So, feel free to comment on college, kids school, kids, professors, working, working out (which I seldom do now) education plans, courses, whatever you need help with. If I can't offer an answer, at least I can hear or in this case read your question, and offer support.So let's begin to accomplish our goals together! Some will finish before me, I won't graduate from Del Mar until Spring 2008. But, until then, I will be here.Thanks for reading!posted by Patricia 7:11 PM