katiethehappycat's Xanga

Board games

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:42:58 GMT

Math midterm done with a 93%. Pych Adolescence report submitted. Still LOTS to do.
But last night I went out with some friends for a board game night. Good friends, good game (Settlers, never played before and I won), and a lot of candy and chips and dip. Now that is a party.

Hoping to go back home next weekend. I want to put up the Christmas decorations, even if I'll only see it for that weekend. M has just booked tickets to Ontario for Christmas do that is planned to. I'll have a few days after exams to pack and clean apt and get back home before we leave.

Now back to work, next things on list; math presentation, science peer teaching lab, and readings for sociology for group paper.

essays due

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:13:49 GMT

Trying to write an essay and I am finding it difficult. It's partly the topic and partly there are other things I would prefer to be working on. But I need to get it done, so I'll get back to it after this.

It's snowing at the moment, the ground is nearly completely white. It seems to be slowing down, but it is still falling, and the temperature is dropping rapidly. Glad I don't have to go out tonight.

Yesterday one of my professors didn't turn up. Nobody knows why, we had no explanation or warning he would be absent. Times being what they are there is suspicion of illness. Some people expressed that they thought it was because he hadn't finished marking the midterms so didn't want to turn up to discuss them. I don't think so, or at least I don't think he would stay away because of that. They probably don't think that either, they are just frustrated in the delay. Due to an Observation Day on Thursday, we won't have another class with him to next Tuesday. Hopefully he will return (be well?) by then as there is a lot to cover before the end of the semester.

Lots to do over the next week, two group presentations, and several assignments (some major pieces) are due by next Wednesday. Even after that is still a lot to do. Less than a month of lectures left now.

Shattering

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:02:17 GMT

I have at this point almost completely recovered from being sick. Just a small cough that occurs when I rapidly change position (e.g. lying down to sitting up) or go in places of very different temperature (inside house, to outdoors). I have even had a few nights were I have had good sleep so I don't feel as weary during the day.

Yesterday was one of those days. I had planned to go into uni to the Friday lab, as I missed the Wed one due to illness. I got up and was getting breakfast, when I knocked a glass onto the floor which shattered. Of course I had bare feet at the time, and managed to step on a small fragment, and then bleed rather profusely when I pulled the fragment out. A band-aid was all that was needed for that, but then I had to clean up the blood I tracked on the floor, in addition to the glass. Suffice to say at that point I decided I was not going into uni but back to bed. (Would have missed my bus anyway.)

When I did get up I spent some time just cleaning up the house and washing clothes. Things were piled up more than normal due to 2 weeks of illness. And of course I made sure that I got all the glass, swept and vacuumed. House looks reasonably respectable now. Then I spent some more time sorting out my uni notes, and composing a list of all the things I need to do and their due dates. While doing this I discovered some due dates were much closer than expected, and there were more pieces of assessment (or more was involved) than I expected. Suffice to say I started feeling a little overwhelmed.

I have done very well so far in terms of grades, now I just have more due in a shorter period of time, and must also catch up from missed days. My goal is to try and knock a couple of things off the list, particularly the more valuable pieces. I think I will feel better when I have made some progress. I don't have time to just feel sorry for myself, I need to direct my energy into my work. As such I won't be using facebook, and limited here as well. Only about a month of lectures left (finish Dec 4th) and then I have 4 exams, so will be extremely busy for next month and a bit.

missing midterms

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:04:01 GMT

Yes I am still sick, coming up on 2 weeks sick, but I think I am finally starting to get better. Last couple of days I was mind numbingly tired so I think my cold was upgraded to a flu. Today I am tired but able to think clearly, and not coughing as much. Decided that I still needed today off, which means I miss my math midterm. I have let me professor know and she is fine with me doing it later. Have another midterm tomorrow. Will study for it today and see how I am tomorrow. Not sure how to get in touch with that professor, he doesn't seem to have any contact details. May have to contact the university if I am still to ill tomorrow.

illness continues

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:04:01 GMT

I am still sick, I just feel worn out today. In particular I feel tired behind the eyes. I am glad I made the decision not to go back home, I had trouble waking this morning. Missed classes again and started asking professors what I need to do if I am still sick for midterms.

My landlord E came downstairs to check on me this afternoon and see if I needed anything (apparently they can hear my coughing upstairs). She brought me fruit, tea, a bag popcorn, some fisherman's friends, and a couple of boxes of tissues. I am very grateful, as I really don't have the energy to wonder out of the house right now. E also told me if I started having trouble breathing etc to let them know. It is nice to have someone who I can ask for help if I need it (and will offer it even if I don't ask).

The fisherman's friends I have tried before, with a distinct memory of them tasting horrible. I tried these because my throat was really sore and they helped. They don't taste nice but were not as bad as I remembered either. I also took a shower and had some soup for lunch, and I am feeling a little better but still tired. Need to do a little bit of study today, maybe I'll read my notes in bed.

Still sick

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:57:26 GMT

Still sick, though my throat hurts less, other symptoms are just as bad. Starting to wonder if I can go home this weekend. Will miss out on a concert/speaker that I wanted to see if I don't. But honestly driving 5 hours feeling like I do, I really can't face it. Spoke to my husband today and he is completely supportive. That means I won't feel bad if I choose not to go, disappointed sure, but not guilty. I also was going to be ride-sharing and so I warned my passenger that there is a good chance I won't be going. I think she is a little disappointed, but on the other hand she has midterms and assignments due next week too. If I miraculously get better between now and Friday, may still go. I just don't think I will recover by then. I've had this thing for a week and it doesn't seem to be improving. Probably extending it by getting out of bed and going to class but I am worried about falling behind or missing assessment pieces like talks, or Observation Days.

It is a little worrying to be sick right now, everyone so hyped up about swine flu, the vaccinations not yet available. Have pretty much decided that I will get the flu vaccination if it is offered to general public as I really can't afford to get flu. Based on the symptoms I am reasonably certain that I have a cold now. M doesn't plan to get the vaccination as he think he might have already had the flu. He was really weak for a couple of days, though that seems to be as bad as he got. He so rarely gets sick and when he does he recovers very fast. Wish I could say the same.

cold

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:14:09 GMT

I have been sick with a cold for the better part of a week. While I don't feel terribly miserable, I am coughing a lot, and that is diminishing my sleep. I am not sure that I am getting worse, but I don't seem to be getting any better either. I had my math talk on Monday, I was worried about losing my voice but it held out, and our group was received well. Today was our second observation day. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first but I think that was mostly due to being sick. At any rate it was good experience even if I did see some teaching styles that I won't be adopting.

Two more days of classes this week and then I am heading back home to house and hubby. We need to prep the garden for winter, and we will also be going to a show on Saturday evening. I am looking forward to it, and really hope I am over my cold by then. A 5 hour drive is not pleasant at he best of times, even less so when you are ill. Between now and then I am preparing for my remaining 2 midterms which will be right after I get back in the first week of November.

midterms

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:42:56 GMT

I have gone through my first three midterms this week. I am certain I past in all of them. The one I have the marks back in I did very well. I was hoping just to pass it and ended up with 90% on the exam. I course I didn't like but I am apparently an A student for it. Should find out the marks for the others next week.

Been coming down with something, and not feeling well for the last few days, mostly a sore throat and cough. Not terrible miserable but unpleasant. Nevertheless got through exams. Just hope that my voice doesn't give out for my math talk on Monday.

Two more midterms to come in about two weeks, and quite a lot of study to do before then. Plan to go home for the Halloween weekend (not because of Halloween, just worked out that way) which is right before the exams. So got to make sure I am where I want to be for those subjects before then. Apart from my math talk I don't think there is anything else due in that period. Though I now have an Observation day at a school once a week. My next one is on Tuesday and I am looking forward to it (even though I expect they gave me my cold).

So busy busy, but at least some of the main assessment is out of the way. I may even take the time to go see a movie this week, a reward for my midterm study.

Observation Day!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:05:41 GMT

I am about half way through the first semester I have the first two of five midterms scheduled for tomorrow. But today I had my first observation day. First period the five "pre-interns" had a chat with the principal about the school, or more he had a chat with us. Then we went our separate ways to our assigned classrooms. I had Environmental Science and Math in the morning, and technology and English in the afternoon. I essentially sat in class and watched what happened, in one class I got to interact a little bit. All the classes had teachers with very different styles and it was I think actually good to see that they didn't always have the classroom on task. (More realistic than the ideals portrayed in class). It was mildly amusing with the younger students assumed I was the teacher, and in one of the classes when introduced, one of the students said that he had thought they had a new student. It went so quick though, and it was kind of surprising when at 2:20 it was the end of the day. After today I actually felt energized, and now I am much more motivated to do well in this course. But midterms tomorrow, so better get back to the study, got to use up this positive energy.

Busy Busy

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:44:58 GMT

I have been in St John's just over a month now and have been in classes for about three weeks. I wasn't expecting it to be such an intense course. Apart from studying, and doing what I need to take care of myself I have little time for anything else. Well I suppose I have gone to Church a few times, and one night a week a work for a few hours too. So busy or recovering from being busy. I had thought I was just feeling this way having being out of school for 3 years, but everyone I talk to seems to be saying the same thing, there is so much to do. There are a lot of assignments, a lot of reading, and several group projects. I am barely keeping up with it all. In fact I am not keeping up with all the reading currently as the assignments, particularly the group ones, have to take precedence. Though now at least my brain seems to have got into a higher gear and I am able to retain more information and push myself further. The thing is this is probably what it will be like to be a teacher, always feeling behind always more you could do.

I have also been having some troubles with my new secondhand vehicle. It seems to be stalling. Now I am pretty sure it is a problem with the choke as it occurs within the first few minutes of driving and generally when the outside temperature is cold. Will see if I can take it in for Monday to a mechanic. It is rather stressful to not know if your car will be reliable and it has prevented me from going places. So far I have always been able to restart the car, and once it heats up it is fine. But still I don't like suddenly loosing power when I am driving.

M was up here two weekends ago. I showed him the markets and the local walking trails. It was really good to see him. I am going back home for Thanksgiving (next weekend in Canada) . I actually have a midterm break then so I will have a solid three days home, plus two half days. (Driving in Friday and back Tuesday). I will also be ride sharing, as someone in my course is from the same town. So it is only going to cost me half as much for the trip. But an extra reason why I need to get the car looked at soon. The way things are working out we are seeing each other once every three weeks. Of course I am talking to him a lot more often then that.

Anyway got to get ready for Church.