Finals Week is HEEEERE!!

I learned a lesson this week about not holding on tight to my expectations. It's finals week here, and I see tired faces all over the campus. Sleep deprivation is the norm and people are studying well into the night, and waking up exhausted the next day. So, what is the lesson, you ask? Ah, listen my children! It's not complicated at all.  I was dreading this week, because unlike last semester, I had to actually TAKE my German final...and tests in German can send me into a tailspin like nothing else. I also have a final in Anthropology and a final paper in Western Civilization, so there are MANY hand grenades in the air at the present time. 

Monday and Tuesday evening I was able to work with a German tutor, which eased my concerns about that particular final. The University also makes free food available to those who are attending late night study sessions, so I didn't have to stress about my dinner for either evening.  The University also makes tutors available in almost every subject taught here, and there is a wonderful Writing Lab where you can go for help. I have been using the Writing Center a great deal, and my final paper is nearly finished. This is important to note as it is also due TOMORROW. No pressure!

Finally, I was able to secure extended time for my German final, which meant that I could take as long as four HOURS to finish. I was so much more relaxed...it made all the difference!  Then we had a study session for Anthropology which went really well, and I was able to work some more on my paper for Western Civ. Ran into a good friend from German class and bless her heart, she bought dinner for me! So you see, if you just let go of the controls, God can bring all things into their proper order and supply all of your needs!

And now, dear friends, I must finish my delicious dinner and get back to work on that paper.  Western Civ waits for no man!

Well, It's Been AWHILE...

I looked up finally from the crushing weight of homework, papers,classes and more of the same, and realized it's been like...since February? since I last posted on this...oh well,I'm maintaining a respectable GPA and getting my course work done and turned in, so something's happening as it should. We're getting down to the wire with less than 2 weeks of classes left before FINALS WEEK...aaaauuuuuggghhhh........................alles is GUT. 

Signed up today for Fall 2011 classes...I must be insane. German 201, English 121 (Literature), Physical Geology and...last but not least....PreAlgebra! Shoot me, just SHOOT ME NOW.

Thoughts on Writing College Papers

Did I mention that I HATE WRITING papers? Reeeeeallly hate it. Don't like it at all. Would rather stick NEEDLES in my eyes, in fact.  I'm fine if you tell me, "Write something! Be creative!" but when you tell me that I have to write NO MORE than TWO pages (who the sam hill writes that little?!?) and that it has to be 1/2" from the top and bottom of the paper, with left and right margins at 1", and that you have to use this stupid style or that stupid style (APA, MLA, Chiacgo-Turabian)....screw that!! Bite me.

Okay, done venting now.....back to writing about something I DO NOT CARE about....and I'm paying to do this...isn't that AA's definition of insanity?

Life is Like Juggling Hand Grenades: Midterm Report

Life is Like Juggling Hand Grenades: Midterm Report

Midterm Report

Hi guys...holy wow.  This semester is more than twice as tough as last semester, even though I'm only taking two more classes. Every professor figures that theirs is the ONLY important class you're taking and none of them cares whether or not you're swamped in any other class....go figure. Kind of like life, nu?


So far my grades are so-so, but the first test in German 102 was AWFUL....a real wakeup call. The next one was much better, so pray for me with the third chapter test, next Thursday! And I have a test in Anthropology 250...a paper in Western Civilization....a paper in Critical Thinking...followed by a nervous breakdown on Friday...hahahahahha....


Received an email from my dear friend, Kathy McEwen, who lives in Washington State. She started walking half-marathons a couple of years ago and is working her way up to actually RUNNING a marathon - and she's 64 years old! WAY TO GO, KATHY!! Check her blog out and be inspired to change YOUR life - http://toenailsareforwimps.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas...Or, Thank God For the Holidays!

After sweating literally buckets of blood over Linguistics 101, I am thrilled beyond measure to report that my final grade - drumroll, please! - is an earthshattering C! Thank you, Jesus...it's a great load off my mind to know that I will NEVER ever have to take that class again...!!!! Whew!

And the best news of all? My grade in Elementary German 101 is...are you ready for this?!? An A!! God is so good...He does help those who help themselves!

I studied hard in both classes - but German was where I really clicked. I'm so looking forward to next semester! I'm privileged to have Frau W again as my Professorin and I know at least four of the students in the class already. We're planning to work together on the group project, if there is one.

So now I can truly relax and enjoy the next 5 weeks of peace and joy...Froehliche Weihnachten, y'all!

Perhaps Some Explanation Is Necessary...

I just gave the link for my blog to my German professor - who I like a lot (and I am not just saying that to get a good grade, meine Frau W...wirklich!) and so I thought that perhaps I should explain the etymology of the title.

Some years ago a woman wrote a book called "I'm Running As Fast As I Can!" in which she detailed the story of her life and her struggles with either prescription drugs and/or alcohol, amidst the stresses and struggles of her life. It was an extraordinary book and has remained with me to this day.

So how did I get from there to my blog? Well, at divers times my life has closely resembled a three-ring circus, one in which the ringmaster is juggling hand grenades....with the pins pulled out! As most people know, it is generally considered inadvisable to hold onto a hand grenade after one has removed the pin, as it will in most cases explode...hence the need to juggle the grenades, so as to keep as many in the air at the same time as possible, whilst looking for somewhere to throw them and thus deal with the potential for explosion. The hand grenades, quite simply, are a metaphor for the stresses and demands one's life makes of one...and the trick is to get through it with most of your body parts (and your mind!) intact....and if I can help someone else to avoid some of my pitfalls, so much the better - hence the blog.

Also, I seem to have  a rather strong need to write as I get older...I wonder why that is...?

Shalom!