Random Thought

So a few weeks ago I thought I had lost out, but what I realize is that I more than likely dodge a bullet.

Time Flies

Where do I begin… My time has been consumed with my studies. I finished one degree this past December and started another in January of this year. The difference in the quarter system and semester system took some getting used to, still trying to decide which one I like better. Not that it matters because semester it is for the next couple of years. I’m doing a whole lot more reading and with an emphasis on theory and analysis which is making my head hurt. I’ve never been so exhausted after a week of classes as I’ve been over the past 7 weeks. I’ve got one more week before Spring Break starts, and when I say I’ve never been so glad to be having a week off, I mean that with every fiber of my being. I probably should have taken some time off to wind down before jumping out of the pan into the fire.

The level of maturity in some of these students leads me to question why parents even bother to send their children to college. If parents only knew how much time their children waste or how the act they might think long and hard about spending their earned dollars at a private college. Hell I’m questioning my decision to attend classes in person versus getting my degree online. Of course if I had to do it all online it would take me forever to complete it. I guess I can’t complain too much, I get to sit down face-to-face with my professors if I get lost in the material and the personal interaction helps me stay focused.

I think this will be a good place for me to unload. Facebook had been a good place but I think I just need to journal instead. I need to get back to writing anyway, plus I’ll probably feel a lot more comfortable venting and just releasing energy here. 

Focused

   My focus is paying off. I’ve gotten back in to my fitness routine and it shows, my muscle tone and energy level is up. I even did a 4-mile run a couple of weekends ago, although when I started I had no idea the run was going to be that long. After the run I just knew my knees were going to be mush but to my surprise they didn’t hurt or swell up at all. My clothes are fitting much better, no more snug feeling in the mid section.

   I’m re-taking this algebra class and I promised myself I would not fail this time around. So far so good, I’ve taken 2 test so far and I’ve gotten an A on both tests. Two more to go, the next one is a take home test and I have a week to complete it. I have to give a lot of credit to my professor, she is excellent at her job. Even with all the problems she is dealing with at home, she does everything in her power to make sure everyone understands the material, unlike my last math professor. I’ll be getting her an edible arrangement when this quarter is over, don’t want it to seem like I’m buying my grade. As much as I dislike politics and government I’m liking this political science class, I’m just glad my professor is a lively character.

   I was pleasantly surprised to recieve a letter from the college inviting me to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. I’m honored but also feeling a little bit of pressure on keeping my GPA at 3.5 or better because I have a few challenging classes coming up. I’m going to apply and see what happens, I’ll never know if I don’t at least try.

   Now if I can just stay focused on my writing, I start working on it but then get distracted which turns in to procrastination. I’ve got to find a way to balance out my school work, fitness, writing, and other activities. My writing group helps but it only meets twice a month, I owe a couple of clubs at school some pieces and some photos for the Reflections magazine and the Newsletter. Sometimes I feel like I’m spreading myself a little thin and now that I’ve written this note I can see that I have, but all these school clubs and other activities are what’s driving me. So even though it might seem like I’m complaining I’m really not because I could easily quit at any time.

   Time to get busy and re-write these math notes from today.

The Countdown Begins

Just one more week of classes. I’ve learned a lot about writing and done a lot of writing over these past few weeks. I also joined a writing group that meets every 2 weeks. Both of these have forced me to learn to write on the fly and have challenged me. I’m glad I took this course and glad I found the writing group, maybe now I can finish my writing.

Changing it up

I was just getting back in to writing peotry and now we’ve shifted from writing poetry to writing short stories. The last couple of class exercises have been writing short stories. The topics have been interesting enough, not sure if I’m going to stick with what I’ve already started or maybe find something else that peaks my interest. Whatever the topic I will not have time to procrastinate like I do in my other writing.

Some good information

http://writerswrite.co.za/cheat-sheets-translate-emotions-into-written-body-language

Ran across this list, time to go back to my writing to see if I have done this in my works.

Getting the Grades

I wish all my classes were as much fun and interesting as the 2 classes I’m taking now. On my first writing assignment (interviewing my name) I got 99 and my second assignment (sonnet) I got a 97. Feeling good about that. Took my first pyscology test last week and got an 86. Doing good so far.

The third assignment is to write a longer poem. Had to read the drafts in class last week. I actually had two, just need to decide which one I want to focus my attention on. May just complete both of them since I’ve already started. One is going to be a little harder than the other, it’s a list poem. I’ve got too many things listed and need to try and figure out how to make them work together.

Sonnet Reviews

So today in class, we each had to write our sonnet on the board. Afterwards we took turns readig them out loud and then showing where the poetry terms she asked for were written in the sonnet. Next we had to critique our own work as well as each other’s. Everyone did pretty good, I especially liked the one the guy that sits behind me wrote.

The only critique I got from the professor was about a coma I had placed in one of the lines. She said it interrupted the flow, I would have to agree. There is one line I’m not really satisfied with and she understood exactly what I meant. We have to submitt some of our writings to the schools “Reflections” collections. I think I’m going to submit my sonnet but I need to fix that one line.

Our next assignment is to draft a poem about any subject, this time she wants us to play with meter. Some examples we looked at were Robert Frost, Nikki Giovanni, and Carl Sandburg. I’m going to sleep on it and read a few pieces tomorrow, I think I have an idea for a piece but I’m not sure yet. Might jot down a few things tonight before bed.

Pyschology class is interesting enough, my professor is pretty funny, she keeps us entertained. These quizzes after class really do much me pay attention. First real test is on Weds.

Pushing the envelope

It’s taken me a couple of days to write this sonnet for my creative writing class but I finally got it done today. It might not have been so challenging if I only had to write 14 lines but my professor added a few stipulations to the assignment. The sonnet had to contain imagery (I don’t know how people write without it), alliteration, assonance, an oxymoron, a simile or metaphor, and contain the word ‘pop’. I think I did pretty good on it, but I shall find out tomorrow in class.

This class is giving me a boost in my creative thought process. I may just have to find a creative writing bootcamp when this class is over. I definitely need to dust off some of my previous writings and give them a good look.

3 Jun

My intentions to come here and write every day are good but actually finding the time has not been easy. Last school qtr kicked my butt with all those papers I had to write for my English Comp class. Yhe Art Appreciation class was a killer as well, trying to remember all those artists, what medium they used and what time period they were from was a challenge. Proud to say I passed both courses with an A. This quarter I’m taking Introduction to Physcology and Creative Writing. The phys class is not too bad, just have to make sure I pay attention because we have a quiz immediately after every class. So far so good. I’m liking this writing class, the professor is springing all these exercises on us. Tues she gave us our first assignment , we had to interview our names. Didn’t matter what format we choose (poetry, short story with dialogue, newspaper interview). That was really a challenge but I got through it. Today’s impropmtu assignment in class was to write a love letter to someone that we disliked. That was interesting. By Monday I need to write a sonnet. I really need this class and I’m happy I was able to squeeze right on in. I had to change my Major from General to English which was fine by me. Oh well, my eyes are heavy and I really need to catch up on some much needed sleep. I’ll be back tomorrow with a much bette update.