Distracted

Maybe it's "senioritis."

I have four weeks of school left and, wait, did you really grasp that? I have FOUR WEEKS of school left!!!!!

I really am the busiest I've ever been with projects, papers, and exams coming at me. There's too many to mention. Seriously. And after spending one week in bed with a mean cough, I am more than behind. I am better now, and instead of jumping into work - I choose to blog. :0

I will start my research eventually, I think it's just difficult for me to dive right in after taking such a long break (not by choice, I was sick). So I am easing into it...

But even before this blog, I had other distractions: I had a mini photo shoot with Java. After that, I caught up with all the TV shows I've missed. After that, I finished a knitting project I've been working on for months! Oh and after that I started and finished a crochet project! Did my laundry. Cleaned my room (sort of).

At this point I've run out of distractions. I think I've done everything. Hmmm. Fine. I will put it all away now, and start on my school work. :/

Here's to the last stretch!

Sleepless In Anaheim

A funny thing happened to me yesterday (note that it was only funny because it all worked out). I just got home from work, exhausted, and was getting ready for the Jazz concert. Since I had furnished the tickets, Jackie elected to drive and she was supposed to pick me up at 5PM.

I have not been sleeping much at all the past week and was simply exhausted. Taking a shower did not help wake me up as I thought it would. I figured, the hell with my hair, I will take a quick 15 minute nap and just stick it in a bun and I will feel fresh and ready to go. Well, it was no nap. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out faster than five shots of tequila that one time in...nevermind.

Indeed I woke up fresh and rested. But quickly replaced that feeling with panic, embarrasement, and utter remorse. It was a quarter to 6PM and Jackie has been waiting patiently in my driveway! She called, but I did not hear it. I don't know why she did not get out of her car sooner; I would've banged on the front door!

After a quick change and several apolologies, we made it to UCLA in time. It actually may have worked to our benefit since the traffic was not so bad. I assume it had time to clear out and dissipate while I was sleeping - yes, I am resolved to keep telling myself this.

Group Work

What usually comes to mind when you hear "group work"?

In my history, group work usually means I get to do all the work. So it's no surprise that I was less than ecstatic, to hear that my final semester will be spent mostly on group projects.

Still, I had some hope it would be better this semester since my classes are all upper division and my classmates SHOULD be more responsible this time around. Yeah...I assumed wrong.

My Management 449 group have met twice now and both times, I was the only one with their assigned work done. What a great start! C'mon people! You're not going to learn anything when you slack off and have other people do things for you. Have some dignity for cryin' out loud!

On a much different note, there's my Tax group that blew my mind away. May I just say that I LOVE this group! This is what group work is supposed to be! We test each other's brains, we check each other's thoughts, we constructively argue, and it's wonderful! I have been so sleepless the past week due to tax code research; but the great thing is, I am not alone. I send out ideas and info via email at 3 o'clock in the morning, and I get a reply back! HA! We are all up working our asses off together. Sucks to be up that late/early, but I will get through it much easier knowing I am not the only one working.

All I can say is that I am greatful for finally being in a productive group. As far as my Management group, however, they better get their act together or I will leave their names out of the group paper due next week.

Summer School

I just finished my second of three exams for my summer class. Not Bad. I ended up writing a 5 page essay (by hand!) on Japan, which half way through, I realized the other essay topic would've been much easier to write about.

We were given two essay topics and we choose one to answer. I chose the history of Japan, and the other was regarding the French Revolution. I know the French Revolution. I've written many papers on different aspects of the revolution. And I know I could've easily pulled off an A if I just chose that as my topic. Oh, who am I kidding! I'm sure I will still get an A on the Japan essay, but I would've been out of that exam room sooner if I just went with the French Revolution.

So why did I go for a topic I was less comfortable with and knew would take longer? Boredom? Maybe I wanted a challenge? Who knows. This is probably something I would ponder about for a few more hours or so if this were the Fall or Spring semester. Heck! It's summer! And I don't really care to analyze my choices right now.

Who's up for tennis?!

Freshmen

I have been hounded by mean thoughts towards some of my classmates the past couple of weeks. There are such things as STUPID questions!!!

I try to give them the benefit of my doubt and assume they are freshmen students, new to the college process. Even so, after comments and questions regarding lecture we spent days on, I cannot help but loudly sigh, slump my shoulders, and roll my eyes.

Our professor was explaining the exam process tonight and one girl asked, "would you have extra credit?" "NO" he answered, and continued to talk about the essay portion. He was to provide us with two topics and we choose ONE to write about.

"If we write both essays, can you give us extra credit for that?"

Just then, my eyes widened. I tilted my head to the ceiling, shut my eyes, and started to shake my head side to side. Apparently, our professor was getting just as annoyed and while I still had my eyes shut, he exclaimed:

"Last I heard, this was a University."

I looked around the room and no one knew how to respond. Finally, to break the ice, someone from the back row shouted "OUCH!" and the entire class proceeded to laugh.

Glad to find out I am not the only one annoyed. There's a little over two weeks of class left, and if I burst of impatientness before then, here are parting words for those "freshmen":

- This is absolutely, NOT the hardest class you have/will ever take. In fact, it's one of the easiest.
- Attending lecture and reading the assigned textbook material, is the MINIMUM work you do to pass the class!
- Reading ONE chapter per day is expected. In a compressed summmer semester, it really should be 2-3 chapters per day. Stop whining! Instead, start READING!
- You want to pass? Simple. Do the work.
- Stop complaining about how hard the exam material was while admitting you did not read the textbook. You really set yourself up here. Foolish Idiot!
- Log in the hours first and do the work. After all that work and you still did not get a good grade, only THEN can you bitch about it.

Accounting and Snow Sports

I attended an accounting event last night where CPA firms have tables set up for students to introduce themselves, ask questions, and network. A representative from Singer Lewak put something in a different perspective for me when I claimed to be undecided between tax and audit. She said that tax has a shorter achievement curve compared to audit, meaning you'd feel a sense of accomplishment sooner compared to audit. It makes sense. You can work in audit for 3 years and have only done pieces of reports; but, in tax, you can finish full returns in a year. On the other side, once you know tax, that's it. In audit, you learn new things for years; it has variety. That's where I got the analogy between accounting and snow sports.

Tax is like snowboarding, and audit is like skiing. Tax/Snowboarding is frustrating to learn at first, but then it all clicks and you master it in 5 years. Audit/Skiing is a gradual process, you learn one technique, and then another that builds from the one before. It's an ongoing progression that can span a lifetime.

The question is, am I skier? Or a snowboarder?

Five Classes

I am attempting something this semester I have not done before - I am adding on one extra class to my load and taking a total of 5 classes in one semester. I know a few of you are probably thinking this is cake since you've taken 5 classes every semester of your college life. But me, this is my first. I've always thought 4 was just enough but I decided to tackle one more to give me a little more flexibility getting closer to graduating.

Two weeks into the semester and I am already behind. But that's because I lost one week to tennis sectionals. I am starting to get my bearings now and my schedule is beginning to come together.

Check back in a month - I will be crazy for sure; but, will I be manageable crazy or insanely regretting what I got myself into?

Hole In My Pocketbook

I HAVE NEVER SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON BOOKS IN MY YEARS OF COLLEGE!!!! Great timing on this economy too! Aren't you glad to know I stimulated the economy with these purchases?

Stat 2
Textbook: $90.00 - not even hard-bound.
Workbook: $15.00

Tax Acct
Textbook: $205.00 - I got an older edition for half the price but the professor insisted today that I get the newest edition.

Cost Acctng
Textbook: $115.00 - USED price! $185 for new.

Acctng Info Sys
Textbook 1: $95 - this is the older edition; I forgot to ask if it is acceptable. If not, I'd have to get the newer one for $130.
Textbook 2: $45 - can only get this from the publisher online. No competition; so, no cheaper price. This is a flimsy 60-page notebook wire-bound text.
Lab Manual: $15

Mngmt & Operations
Textbook: $80 - this is the USED price! Custom made crap.


$660 total. I am still in shock. Furious at the same time. But more in shock. Seriously?! $200 for ONE book!!! And another for $115?!!! And then several others nearing $100 each!!!! OMG! Speechless. I cannot believe I am paying this much for books. Mainly I am freaked because I have no idea how I am going to pay for these.

I do have money left over from my grant: $169. Oh but that went to pay for my semester parking permit. Yup, one semester of parking costs $160.

And people wonder why students are poor...

Crash Update

My insane Fall 08 semester has kept me from blogging. It has been a long time and I would like to say "hello."

So what did all my hard work turn into? Not as good as I wanted, or even believe to deserve. I received two A's, one B, and a C+ in Accounting. I am glad to pass my acctng class but never did I think that I would ever be so close in having to repeat any class (not counting Lupus flare moments of course). I studied so hard all throughout the semester; messing up only on the first exam, and I receive a crap grade. The average of the class failed with a C-. Aside from the first exam, all my scores were above the average; it really saddens me that so many have to retake that class. Guess, I would just have to be thankful that I won't have to. But still, a C stings.

On better news, my Fall Doubles tennis team made it to sectionals!! YAY!!! We will be heading off to Palm Desert/Indian Wells at the end of January to battle 3-4 other teams for the championship title. I am very excited. At least my hard work on captaining this team had a positive outcome. Wish us luck!

The Payoff

My test results are in and...not bad. Two As and one B. Nice that this time around, I have something to show from all that studying.

Although I have to say that I am a little disappointed. Can't help but think 3 As would've been better, especially when the questions I missed that fell short of the A, could've been avoided if I had just slowed down a little bit. It was the last of the three exams and I was at the end of my sanity.

I have this week off due to Thanksgiving. THANK YOU!!!! Then there are 3 more weeks of school and back to my crazy schedule. Almost over. My goal is to end the semester with truly satisfactory grades.

Sauvignon Blanc

It's been a hell of a month! I have been studying like crazy for round 2 of my exams, the last of which I finished two days ago. It's now Friday night, and you know what I really want to do? Crack open that bottle of wine I purchased while taking a break from my books a week ago - total perk when my coffee shop/study place sits next to a wine store, hehe. Alas, I cannot. Because aside from those books I've been hitting, I've also taken a few whacks at tennis balls. My USTA league team has finally reached the #1 spot, and to stay there, we have to win our final three matches in straight sets. That is a very tall order. The first of those three matches is this Sunday. No alcohol for me just yet.

Embarrassed?

I fell asleep in class today! I have never been that tired before, I knew I should not have fought against it and stayed home; but, there was an exam review I had to attend earlier that day. I figured, I am already here so, just stay the rest of the day. As far as my body was concerned, that was a terrible idea. I wanted to pay attention; my body wanted to sleep - and it won. I gave up and said "okay," I will close my eyes for 15 minutes.

Indeed I did wake up 15 minutes later, but not to me watching the clock. Instead, I was out like a log and awoke to my own snoring!!!!! During class!!!!!

Horrid! I know! Funny part was that I felt so rested, I didn't care that I was snoring. I was not even embarrassed! I realized what had happened and moved on. Just got that boost I needed to stay awake for my next class: accounting. Everyone knows how I really need to pay attention in that class.

My Pick Me Up

Life is crazy hectic, this I know. But the past couple of weeks have been filled with deferred taxes, bonds, and accrued interest. Yup, my first Accounting exam was upon me. I also had an Econ exam on the same day! So, when I say the past couple of weeks have been nothing but studying, that's no exaggeration.

October 1, 2:15 PM, I just finished my Econ test, not bad. Now I have to head to Accounting. I feel pretty confident. Just yesterday, I was doing some more practice problems and was getting them right. Walk in, sit down, breathe.

October 1, 3:50PM. "What the hell was that?!!!!??" I felt like I studied the wrong chapters! Yes, they were of bonds and tax but the format threw me off so badly I did not know where to start! I really don't want to get into how difficult that exam was; but, how I felt afterward was crap. Like the past few weeks were a complete waste! And they were! That's the worst feeling when you invest so much time studying and think you understand something the material then, BAM! Nope, you were wrong.

I have a Stat exam on Monday so I knew I had to move on from this. I was really depressed and stressed out about my grade that my entire body ached. I couldn't focus at work, I couldn't do my homework. I played tennis on Thursday but sadly, even that did not help. TENNIS DID NOTHING!! Now are you getting the picture of how in terrible shape I was?

I needed help. I realized I was holding on to lots of tension and could not release them by simply shaking it off or with exercise. Come Friday evening, I was determined to relax; so, I drove to the grocery store, picked up some pasta and a bottle of wine, and headed home to watch one of the funniest sitcoms of all time.

Halfway into that bottle, I was laughing so hard and I don't think it was even at the funny parts. Later on, I danced to every alternative song in my iTunes. Worries dissipated, tension melted. I finally got to rest that night. The best part? No hangover ;) Although, I still wonder how all my stuffed animals ended up scattered on my bed that morning...from storage...

It's SUMMER!!!!

Woohoo!!!!!!!

I just took my final quiz and turned in my essay - I am done with summer school!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Oh my. What possibilities lie ahead for me in the next five weeks? Let's see...

I want to knit, read a non-school related book, improve my tennis game, organize my room, CLEAN MY DISASTROUS CAR, give Java a bath, frame and hang my art collections, watch the entire season of Buffy, and RELAX!!!!!

The next five weeks will go by quickly.

Woohoo hoo!!!!

~Remembered that I also have to prepare for my accounting class in the fall. I should give myself at least one week of absolutely NO SCHOOL though. ;)

Budding Klutz?

It was the first day of the summer semester. With the previous semester from hell behind me and an interesting summer class, the day was not so bad.

I was in the parking lot walking to my car and I noticed the nice cool weather. It's summer, yet it's not hot. The leaves fell to the ground as if it was autumn. The leaves crunched underneath my gate, I take in the unusually fresh-smelling air as I think to myself: this is a welcoming start to a fresh semester and summer. I start to smile...

BAM! I hear a POP as I trip and twist my right ankle. My car is in sight, but I can't move towards it. Only 5 weeks have passed since I sprained my left ankle, now I injure my other ankle?! The wind blew, carried with it the foul stench of nearby exhaust from vehicles on the neighboring freeway. The wind also separated the leaves in front of me, revealing the source of my throbbing pain - a pothole.

I realize there was never a fresh start; just a temporary illusion. Misinterpreted. In front of me is the same system, same lifestyle - difficult and sacrificing, to be continued.

Here I go...

It's OVER!

That was the semester from hell!!!! Not exaggerating either, it was the toughest semester of my college career! Oh yes, it was tougher than the semester I had Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and Cellular Biology together. Hard to imagine right? No question that semester was also difficult, but I managed.

There will be hard classes everywhere, the difference about what makes them tolerable or even enjoyable is the one presenting you the information: your professor.

Anyway, that's semester is over with and I came out alright. I have 10 days until summer semester starts...what should I do with my time?

I Heart Peet's Coffee

Sleepless nights. No social life. Endless reading. Constant studying. Unimaginably rude professors. What made it all bearable?

I love Peet's Coffee and it loves me :)

All In A Day's Consumption

The typical breakfast, lunch, and snack towards the end of the semester; particularly finals week.

Unless You Come Bearing Coffee, Don't Bother Me

It's that time again! This week is the last week of the Spring semester and of course, the week after that is FINALS WEEK!

So here we go. The 2 weeks of no sleep has started. The even later nights have come. The irritability. The stress. The pressure. The caffeine.

Come on! Let's get this over with so that I can enjoy my 10 days off before summer school starts. HAHAHA - just laughing through the pain...

Temporarily Out of Service

This blog has been pretty quiet lately due to the ending of Spring 08 semester. I'm in the stretch; wish me luck...