o.k. so this past week was a train wreck. i had three exams and i gained four pounds!!! yes, ladies and gentlemen, i pig out when i'm under stress; especially if i have to be up until all hours of the morning!!!! i had german choclate cake, tuna salad sandwich, cokes until i was high on sugar!! the stupid thing is that i'm so wired that when i'm finally finished, i'm too wired to go to sleep! i guess i need to quit the coke earlier. my mom has promised me that all of my teeth are going to fall out, if i keep drinking coke. i really must stop, but i find it hard. i think if coca-cola is my worst habit, i'm actually doing pretty good. (can you tell i'm in denial?)
o.k. so let's rewind:
anciet rome: i'm having to read the aeneid--again!! i read it for world lit with mrs. marez a couple of semesters ago. remember? when i read the iliad? oh, well....i really need to start working on my research paper. THIS WEEK WITHOUT FAIL!!!
language and culture: i had an exam in this class on wednesday. i did o.k., but i gave away 6 points!! is that stupid or what? of course, that is one of the days i stayed up until 2:30 a.m. and woke up at 6:00 a.m. my brain said one thing, and my hand wrote another. and on the other question, i didn't finish reading the entire question before i answered it. the last give-away was when i should have stopped for a second and REASONED WITH MYSELF!!! oh well, live and learn!!
mexican cinema: we've been watching Cantinflas. seriously, i don't get his humor. yes, it's kind of funny. but i think it is really for stupid people. i'm sorry, i'm sorry, i'm sorry!!! i just don't get it. what i really think is funny, is when my mom repeats one of his famous lines, "Que falta de ignorancia." when my mom says it, she is usually cutting someone down in the nicest possible way. that my friends, I LOVE!!!!
contemporary mexico: mas tragedia!! my goodness, did mexico ever get past the point of, "i'm going to shoot you because i don't agree with you!"??? let's see, madero, zapata, villa...and the hits keep coming. literally!!!!!
western civ: i have a test this tuesday. on a more serious note, my professor was speaking about elizabeth I on tuesday. he was saying that a woman's most important man in her life is that of her father's when she is a little girl. if she has a good father, she will grow up to be confident and have good self-esteem. if she doesn't...well the results could be sad. maybe it was the way he said it, maybe its that i have a more personal understanding of it, i don't know, all i know is that i nearly cried in class. what can i say? it's true.
that's it folks!! i have a new week ahead of me. i have a lot of things to do and very little energy to do it with on top of everything.
i bid you a good week! bonne semaine!!
good night, good people!!!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
12 weeks left
yes, i know, if i have this countdown attitude, i will not enjoy the "moment." but truth is that i can't wait for this semester to be over (and it technically just started)!
i feel like although i'm taking history classes, which i love, i'm taking history classes that i HAVE TO take. i really don't know what is wrong with me. i'm beat for one thing. i get about 4 1/2 hours of sleep on average. i have an awful pain at the nape of my neck. i'm really starting to get concerned. seriously. either i have just have some sort of permanent stress disorder, or i have some sort of malignant...i don't even want to mention the word.
i can't say that i have hated everything about these first couple of weeks. so, i will write about some of the things that i have liked.
1. in ancient rome: just learning about rome is interesting. i should probably use the word fasicnating, but i'm too tired to express myself in that way. i'm working on a research paper (at least trying to) on julian, whom some historians have lableled as the last pagan. my job is to prove it (or something along those lines?). i have read alittle. but i have a ways to go.
2. language and culture: today we saw a short clip of the "I Love Lucy Show." we saw it and did not hear any of the conversation. the purpose of this was for us to read their body language. this is pretty much the scene: ricky walks in upset, he calls lucy, lucy comes in and tries to hug ricky, who is apparently upset, etc., etc., i want to see the episode now.
3. mexican cinema: el compadre mendoza is the first film we watched. tragic and thought-provoking.
4. mexican revolution: yes, again it is tragic and thought-provoking.
5. world civ ii: we started in 1492--we have also learned a lot about spain. i really like the fact that the professor has taken the time to give us the historical background of spain.
what i know: i'm tired. i really need encouragement.
throughout my academic career, i have had some excellent professors that have taught me a great deal. however, i think the best professors, the ones that i hold dear, have been the ones that have always encouraged me, as well. it means the world to me when a professor will tell me to persevere. when someone takes the time to say, "you can do it." and beyond that, i have had professors that i continue to communicate with and reach out to for guidance.
tal vez esos professores no saben cuanto unas palabras de guianza puedan ayudar a un estudiante, pero yo he recibido esas palabras con mucha gratitud. me han dada aliento para seguir esforzandome. y la verdad, ahorita estoy desanimada y cansada.
i feel like although i'm taking history classes, which i love, i'm taking history classes that i HAVE TO take. i really don't know what is wrong with me. i'm beat for one thing. i get about 4 1/2 hours of sleep on average. i have an awful pain at the nape of my neck. i'm really starting to get concerned. seriously. either i have just have some sort of permanent stress disorder, or i have some sort of malignant...i don't even want to mention the word.
i can't say that i have hated everything about these first couple of weeks. so, i will write about some of the things that i have liked.
1. in ancient rome: just learning about rome is interesting. i should probably use the word fasicnating, but i'm too tired to express myself in that way. i'm working on a research paper (at least trying to) on julian, whom some historians have lableled as the last pagan. my job is to prove it (or something along those lines?). i have read alittle. but i have a ways to go.
2. language and culture: today we saw a short clip of the "I Love Lucy Show." we saw it and did not hear any of the conversation. the purpose of this was for us to read their body language. this is pretty much the scene: ricky walks in upset, he calls lucy, lucy comes in and tries to hug ricky, who is apparently upset, etc., etc., i want to see the episode now.
3. mexican cinema: el compadre mendoza is the first film we watched. tragic and thought-provoking.
4. mexican revolution: yes, again it is tragic and thought-provoking.
5. world civ ii: we started in 1492--we have also learned a lot about spain. i really like the fact that the professor has taken the time to give us the historical background of spain.
what i know: i'm tired. i really need encouragement.
throughout my academic career, i have had some excellent professors that have taught me a great deal. however, i think the best professors, the ones that i hold dear, have been the ones that have always encouraged me, as well. it means the world to me when a professor will tell me to persevere. when someone takes the time to say, "you can do it." and beyond that, i have had professors that i continue to communicate with and reach out to for guidance.
tal vez esos professores no saben cuanto unas palabras de guianza puedan ayudar a un estudiante, pero yo he recibido esas palabras con mucha gratitud. me han dada aliento para seguir esforzandome. y la verdad, ahorita estoy desanimada y cansada.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
week 1 1/2
well, my spring semester has officially started.
let me see, i'm not up to my eyeballs with homework, yet. i do have a lot of reading to do, however. i'm suppose to be reading "Mexican Mosaic" by Buchenau (?) and Cicero, and some other online readings that i have not yet gotten to.
so let's talk about what's going on so far:
in ancient rome: we are discussing the geography of rome. so we won't be lost and know exactly where the professor is when he speaks about the seven hills of rome. i think that pretty much covers the first week. we also had a trip to the library on friday, so that we can get started on our research papers.
i picked up an English class with Dr. Heckler on Friday. i had pretty much promised myself, my husband, and my kids that i would NOT take 5 classes. but, if i want to finish in this millennia, i really need to. so i'm taking language and culture...so far it has been a repeat or blend of grammar and descriptive linguistics from last semester. arbitrary rings a bell, and so does prescriptive and descriptive grammar/language.
in mexican cinema: we have literally sprinted through thousands of years of mexican history in a week. from the people that walked across the berring straits to the calderon election. a very compact, concise (not very detailed history), but enough to get us started on our first movie tomorrow.
in contemporary mexico: we are covering the same thing as mentioned above (it is the same professor) up until benito juarez (yesterday). the class will cover 1910-present. so, i think we are just about to start on the real class material.
in world civ. II: guess what? it is pretty much starting with columbus, cortes, the treaty of tordesillas....so my life and classes pretty much feel like groundhog day (the movie). yes, again, i have heard of ysabella and ferdinand. etc., etc. i think we are suppose to have a quiz today. lucky for me, i lost my folder with my notes on friday at pan-am.
what i know:
this is semester is going to pick up speed and come at me fast and furious. i need to prepare. i guess that means that i should stop blogging and get ready for class.
interesting coincidence, though. in my hemingway class, my professor explained to us the significance of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Well, my civ II professor in speaking of spain, said that the best paella he has ever eaten was in Santiago de Compostela. so i guess i have to someday visit the place for its historic significance and for its awesome paella. don't you think?
let me see, i'm not up to my eyeballs with homework, yet. i do have a lot of reading to do, however. i'm suppose to be reading "Mexican Mosaic" by Buchenau (?) and Cicero, and some other online readings that i have not yet gotten to.
so let's talk about what's going on so far:
in ancient rome: we are discussing the geography of rome. so we won't be lost and know exactly where the professor is when he speaks about the seven hills of rome. i think that pretty much covers the first week. we also had a trip to the library on friday, so that we can get started on our research papers.
i picked up an English class with Dr. Heckler on Friday. i had pretty much promised myself, my husband, and my kids that i would NOT take 5 classes. but, if i want to finish in this millennia, i really need to. so i'm taking language and culture...so far it has been a repeat or blend of grammar and descriptive linguistics from last semester. arbitrary rings a bell, and so does prescriptive and descriptive grammar/language.
in mexican cinema: we have literally sprinted through thousands of years of mexican history in a week. from the people that walked across the berring straits to the calderon election. a very compact, concise (not very detailed history), but enough to get us started on our first movie tomorrow.
in contemporary mexico: we are covering the same thing as mentioned above (it is the same professor) up until benito juarez (yesterday). the class will cover 1910-present. so, i think we are just about to start on the real class material.
in world civ. II: guess what? it is pretty much starting with columbus, cortes, the treaty of tordesillas....so my life and classes pretty much feel like groundhog day (the movie). yes, again, i have heard of ysabella and ferdinand. etc., etc. i think we are suppose to have a quiz today. lucky for me, i lost my folder with my notes on friday at pan-am.
what i know:
this is semester is going to pick up speed and come at me fast and furious. i need to prepare. i guess that means that i should stop blogging and get ready for class.
interesting coincidence, though. in my hemingway class, my professor explained to us the significance of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Well, my civ II professor in speaking of spain, said that the best paella he has ever eaten was in Santiago de Compostela. so i guess i have to someday visit the place for its historic significance and for its awesome paella. don't you think?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
spring comes early
well, so much for loving my semester break. :(
i received an early email from one of my professors, who is anxious to dive into Ancient Rome. hmm? what i'm trying to decide is whether or not this is a good thing. yes, i can get a head start on one of my classes. no, i don't to start worrying about my classes.
oh, well...
Shall we dive in?
the first book is The Nature of the Gods by Cicero. so, i made the long trek to the university bookstore today to buy it. i have started on the introduction and have had to stop to look up 2 things. (and please forgive me if i sound stupid!)
1. what does Hellenistic mean? i'm sure i was suppose to have learned that in my civ I class, but it just doesn't ring ANY bells.
well, according to the merriam-webster definition it is:
of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great.
of or relating to the Hellenists, which is a person living in Hellenistic times who was Greek in language, outlook, and way of life but was not Greek in ancestry.
2. what does the translator mean when he writes, "This early acquaintance with prominent figures...made him the most highly educate of emergent orators when he embarked on a forensic career in his mid-twenties.."
surely, Cicero was not part of CSI, right? or would it be RSI for Rome Special Investigation. what does CSI even mean? i never watch the show.
no, my dear reader, upon further investigation into the merriam webster dictionary, i believe forensic means his public career. the definition is: belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature, or to public discussion and debate.
o.k. so now i've moved past page xv. i still have a lot of pages left in the introduction. i wonder how much more "research" i will have to do in order to get through this book.
i'm going to spend another 10 minutes reading and call it a night.
bonsoir et bonne annee!
i received an early email from one of my professors, who is anxious to dive into Ancient Rome. hmm? what i'm trying to decide is whether or not this is a good thing. yes, i can get a head start on one of my classes. no, i don't to start worrying about my classes.
oh, well...
Shall we dive in?
the first book is The Nature of the Gods by Cicero. so, i made the long trek to the university bookstore today to buy it. i have started on the introduction and have had to stop to look up 2 things. (and please forgive me if i sound stupid!)
1. what does Hellenistic mean? i'm sure i was suppose to have learned that in my civ I class, but it just doesn't ring ANY bells.
well, according to the merriam-webster definition it is:
of or relating to Greek history, culture, or art after Alexander the Great.
of or relating to the Hellenists, which is a person living in Hellenistic times who was Greek in language, outlook, and way of life but was not Greek in ancestry.
2. what does the translator mean when he writes, "This early acquaintance with prominent figures...made him the most highly educate of emergent orators when he embarked on a forensic career in his mid-twenties.."
surely, Cicero was not part of CSI, right? or would it be RSI for Rome Special Investigation. what does CSI even mean? i never watch the show.
no, my dear reader, upon further investigation into the merriam webster dictionary, i believe forensic means his public career. the definition is: belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature, or to public discussion and debate.
o.k. so now i've moved past page xv. i still have a lot of pages left in the introduction. i wonder how much more "research" i will have to do in order to get through this book.
i'm going to spend another 10 minutes reading and call it a night.
bonsoir et bonne annee!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
break it down
i'm on break, and it feels wonderful...
for the most part, anyway. i need to figure out which classes i will take next semester. trying to see into a crystal ball is proving pretty tricky. what to do? what to do? yes, i really wish someone could take me by the hand and say, "look little patricia, you must take this class and this class and then all of your requirements will fall into place. not only that, but you will thoroughly enjoy your classes and quite possibly become an intellectual!"
this is what i know for sure about which classes i must take next semster:
i must dabble in latin american history. AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!! DEGREE REQUIREMENT MUST!!!
and that is it. according to the academic advisor (and you know that academic advisors have never steered students wrong ;) the world is my oyster. i can take any other class i want.
i'm sorry, my dear reader, i have rambled on long enough. i will put my soapbox away for now. good night.
for the most part, anyway. i need to figure out which classes i will take next semester. trying to see into a crystal ball is proving pretty tricky. what to do? what to do? yes, i really wish someone could take me by the hand and say, "look little patricia, you must take this class and this class and then all of your requirements will fall into place. not only that, but you will thoroughly enjoy your classes and quite possibly become an intellectual!"
this is what i know for sure about which classes i must take next semster:
i must dabble in latin american history. AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!! DEGREE REQUIREMENT MUST!!!
and that is it. according to the academic advisor (and you know that academic advisors have never steered students wrong ;) the world is my oyster. i can take any other class i want.
i'm sorry, my dear reader, i have rambled on long enough. i will put my soapbox away for now. good night.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
if...
if i was to tell you that this semester has been the most difficult one EVER, would you call me a crybaby? never in my years of college had i ever taken 15 hours. madness, i tell you, madness! i am glad it is all over! well...kind of...there is that nerd in me that loves to learn, you know!!
i still have my grammar test tomorrow. (the one i should be studying for--instead of blogging about.) perhaps i like blogging because it SO much like blabbing. i love to talk, and talk, and talk; just ask my husband. and i guess blogging is talking with my hands. but, i really must study...i have to review all the conjunctions, relative clauses, dangling modifiers, etc., etc.,
au revoir!! bon chance a vous!!
speaking of french, i am still actively pursuing my french lessons. j'etudie le francais les vendredi avec hana et pauline. mais, je dois etudie le grammaire anglais maintenant. un jour mon coeur me dit que je veux etre professeur en France. Je pense que je serais tres contente et j'aurais une vie heureuse. C'est un beau reve, n'est pas?
(i don't have my french dictionary handy, but i hope i wrote that correctly.)
i still have my grammar test tomorrow. (the one i should be studying for--instead of blogging about.) perhaps i like blogging because it SO much like blabbing. i love to talk, and talk, and talk; just ask my husband. and i guess blogging is talking with my hands. but, i really must study...i have to review all the conjunctions, relative clauses, dangling modifiers, etc., etc.,
au revoir!! bon chance a vous!!
speaking of french, i am still actively pursuing my french lessons. j'etudie le francais les vendredi avec hana et pauline. mais, je dois etudie le grammaire anglais maintenant. un jour mon coeur me dit que je veux etre professeur en France. Je pense que je serais tres contente et j'aurais une vie heureuse. C'est un beau reve, n'est pas?
(i don't have my french dictionary handy, but i hope i wrote that correctly.)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
it's almost over
if i could call a friend right now...
i would tell her that i DO NOT WANT to write my final exam essays for my literary theory course. i'm tired, and i'm tired, and i'm tired...
but i need to encourage myself in christ and finish my race.
happy tuesday to all of you!
i would tell her that i DO NOT WANT to write my final exam essays for my literary theory course. i'm tired, and i'm tired, and i'm tired...
but i need to encourage myself in christ and finish my race.
happy tuesday to all of you!
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