Getting oh so close

The semester is once again coming to a close. Classes are winding down, professors are closing out there 16-week long lecture series, and final papers are being written. As of May 12th, I will be one semester away from ordering my Aggie Ring. The fact that I'll have accumulated over 100 hours of completed course-work come this December is a little overwhelming, for it seems as if it were only yesterday I was walking into my very first college course at a little community college. A year from now, I'll be getting ready, along with thousands of other eager Aggies, to receive the coveted artifact, an item I have dreamed about receiving since the tender age of 8. So long I have waited for this moment, and at times it seemed as if I would never reach it. Now, I am only one semester away. 17 course-hours short to be exact. I have watched numerous older siblings and cousins have their turn in the light, dropping their rings in a pitcher of beer and wear it proudly on their finger each and every day.



I can't wait to do the same.

As anxious as I am, I know there are many things I must complete first. 9 hours of summer school are waiting to greet me at the start of June, and 13 more hours have been registered for the fall. Time flies by faster every day and it's becoming easier to lose track of the important things. However, to me it seems impossible to ever lose sight of that beautiful and very meaningful ring after you've been eying it for more than a decade.

I am soooo ready.

In other news, life will begin to slow down in the next coming weeks. As soon as finals commence, I will be a free woman for about a month. There are so many summer activities I am greatly anticipating, such as my trip to Jamaica, Cozumel, and the Grand Caymans with Jordan on June 7-14!


Of course, to fully appreciate my list of summer events, a job is definitely in the order. So...I guess I could fill out applications...and maybe go on a couple of interviews...or I could live on bread and beer all summer....

Maybe Layne's is hiring.

- Shirley

No Motivation = Olympic daydreams

So I successfully made it through an hour of studying before I got the extreme urge to QUIT. I have absolutely no motivation to study. None. Maybe it's because I know achieving an A in the two classes for which I have tests in tomorrow is a far reach now. Nothing wrong with a solid B right? I wish all of this information would just leap into my brain and stay there without the tiniest bit of effort made by myself.

God, I am SO LAZY today.

Truth is, I can't concentrate. My eyes are dancing across the pages in my British Politics and Foreign Policy in the Age of Appeasement 1935-1939 book without my mind registering a single word. How this is occurring I have no idea because I mean, come on, who doesn't enjoy reading about a bunch of British Parliamentary actions in the mid 1930s? Everyone who wishes to appease Hitler say "I"! Doesn't make a difference. He isn't going to listen anyway. The Anschluss is coming. Hate to break it to you ole' chaps.

No desire lies in reading my Sociology notes either. My trilingual professor is a little difficult to understand, thus making taking notes a whole new challenge. They should make that an Olympic event. I could win the Gold Medal in that one. Forget curling, track and field, high diving, or swimming the 800. Note taking could dominate the ratings. I can hear my victory speech now:

"I just want to thank all of my multi-lingual professors who could barely speak a word of English for enabling me to be turn all of their constant jibber jabber into legible notes so that I could pass a test over American social problems".

It could be phenomenal.

Or disatrous. Depending on whether or not I actually get to studying anything today or not.

Amidst the chaos

Wow. It has most definitely been a while. So long, in fact, that I have absolutely no idea what to write about. I know there is no possible way to catch you all up (cause I know there are so many of you) in one post...or maybe there is because, well, my life really isn't that exciting.

Just busy.

Really busy actually. Having almost only a year left until I complete my undergraduate studies has thrown me into a routine that is constantly bombarded with books..the boring ones too. The closer I get to my coveted Aggie Ring, the more hours I am forced to spend in a studious state. Lately, I have been coming home from class and locking myself up into my room until way after it gets dark. If I have a test at the end of the week then you are likely not going to see me reappear anytime soon until the following Monday. Luckily, I have two tests to prepare for on Friday and a MAJOR paper due in just a week and a half's time.

But I won't get into excuses. Not now. I have been neglecting my love for this hobby for far too long. In fact, it's been so long that I have even contemplated the idea of not getting my M.A. degree and diving head first into my life goal straight out of college. Of course, this would require some EXTREME persuasion on my part. How willing will my future husband be to let me stay at home everyday and write my heart's content while he works every day to bring in the bacon? Eh, maybe not so much. I actually got a yes out of him last night and to my non-surprise, I laughed. He didn't even object, not once. I couldn't help but laugh at how unbelievably willing he is, to go to these extents just to make me happy. Automatically I withdrew my offer and assured him that I would work, to make life easier on both of us.

But still, it was sort of a serious thought.

Cause if I could have it my way, I would never sit at a desk from 9-5, doing a job that I loathe, or even, partly tolerate. I know I would enjoy lecturing American History to a bunch of 18-20 year olds, but only partially. If it were really up to me, I'd sit in a room all day with a pen and a piece of paper (or computer, or typewriter, preferably the latter) and write, write, write. Write until my hand was just moving across the paper out of shear habit, the words not making any sense at all. Ideas for short stories and novels jump into my mind every day and the urge to do nothing but purge all of the artistic nonsense out of my head and into words can become so overwhelming that sometimes I feel I might go crazy if I never get the chance. However, I never have the time. My mind grasps onto this bit of realistic truth and I settle back into my every day priorities.

-School.
-Trying to muster up 10 hours of sleep every night.
-Finding time to squeeze in my social life amidst the scholastic assignments.
-Relay for Life fundraisers and events.
-Supporting Jordan in all of his recent achievements (new job with John Deere, election of President of the Agricultural Systems Management club, Aggie Pullers contest, and outstanding grades).
-Reading something that isn't about the British Imperial century or the Industrial Revolution.
-Deciding on if I'd rather have ravioli or a Hot Pocket for dinner, because both sound SO appetizing.
-Waiting for my banana's to ripen, cause now I am addicted to them as if they were a drug.
-Finding a new place to live for this fall
-Making sure I have enough money so I can actually have a place to live in this fall
-Helping my sister heal her aching heart
-Contemplating on how to purchase groceries in the near future...my cabinet is looking a little empty.
-Fitting in time to see family
-Fitting in time to see my favorite puppy (quickly unbecoming a puppy)
-Looking for a job
-Sorting out all my tax crap so I can get loans to pay for tuition this summer and fall
-Signing up for summer school
...and the list goes on and on.

But no really, sometimes being busy doesn't always bring on stress. It just means you're having fun.


Amidst the chaos, life is great.

- Shirley