I'm so thrilled to have finished the semester on top of things. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I don't really study for finals, but I figured this time around I would just for the heck of it. And what a difference that made! I pulled all my grades up, and finished strong with a 4.0 GPA this semester. Usually there's always one class that screws up my perfect GPA every semester, but this time around it was all good.... well, I am getting ahead of myself because I still don't have a grade for my chemistry class (although I do from lab) so we'll see if I get to keep my straight "A" semester.
When I had met with my pre-med advisor, she informed me she wanted me to count my mentoring volunteering as my "Leadership" requirement for med school, and find something else to do for volunteering, which doesn't involve babies, or women (because I do so much with both populations). I looked and looked, but couldn't find anything except for making baby hats to newborns. It's the only thing I can do from home and not have to find a babysitter. I just may end up doing that unless I am able to find something else to do.
Now that I'm done with school, I'm REALLY bored. And the word "really" only expresses a small percentage of how bored I truly am. I feel like if my life isn't going 100mph, then I get bored. And I get lazy. For example: I clean my house from top to bottom every two weeks to the day, and I spot clean as needed in between (which is constantly since I'm a clean freak and borderline OCD about cleaning and organizing- it drives my husband nuts). This past week I was so lazy that I didn't clean until day 19. That's a long time. During those extra five days, I was constantly thinking about how I needed to clean, but didn't want to... I figured, "What the heck- I need a break. I can clean later." Plus I was diligently studying for finals, and felt like I could wait a couple of days. And then I thought that I may need to space out my daily chores and errand-running so I don't go one day without doing anything. I always feel like when I wake up in the morning, I should be doing something that day. I know, I'm weird, but I guess I'm a perfectionist and there's nothing I can do about that.
Speaking of spacing out my chores, I ended up Christmas shopping on friday. Now, let me tell ya something: I despise shopping so bad, the last two years I didn't start my Christmas shopping until the week of Christmas. I'm usually not a procrastinator, but when it comes to shopping, I'd rather get shot in the foot than have to go out and buy stuff. I believe it's because I'm such a thrifty person and grew up with not a whole lot, that I don't feel I need much more. Anyway. Got everyone shopped for except for my in-laws. Then I was told late friday night that my husband needed to go get a gift certificate for a gift exchange at work, and we ran out of money. So I guess his co-worker is getting something for Christmas and I'm not! Can't afford to buy for both. It sucks to be so financially tight.
This past week we also switched my son from a crib to a toddler bed. We figured it was time because our crib was one of the 2.1 million cribs that got recalled for having a dangerous drop-side, so I thought we might as well just take the whole side off and turn it into the toddler bed it's supposed to do. My son sleeps well in it and doesn't really get out. So far he hasn't rolled off, but I'm still looking to buy a cheap rail to put on there "just in case".
That's all for now, so I may write again during the week, and if not... Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Busy week!
Wow... less than one week until this semester is O-V-E-R!!!
Let's see... I'm busy with finals. But as you can tell, I'm blogging instead of studying. Oh well. I usually don't study for finals, but since I'm not working on general eds anymore, I should put forth an extra effort for getting a REALLY good grade on these classes that matter. Plus this cell biology final ain't gonna be pretty. I'm horrified.
I took my last exam for Anthropology this past week and that was a piece of cake- like always. I also finished up a take home final for Chem and turned it in on Thursday night. So I'm done with those two classes. I had to pass out my letter of recommendation packets this past week to my recommenders. I'm applying for three scholarships, and all of them require two letters of recommendations. Those packets were a pain to put together, but at least my recommenders won't have to do much except for writing the letters and sending them in the stamped, addressed envelopes I put in the packets.
Also, this past week, something really interesting happened: I was going to work on genome mapping next semester through the community college I currently attend, and I needed it to count as class up at the university I'm transferring to (because independent research counts as a class for my major). So I got in touch with the Anthropology Dept Chair and we got to emailing back and forth and I had told her that my research got published and that I wanted to continue it next semester... she writes me back and tells me that she sees potential in me and wants me to do real, human genetics research with this geneticist at the Dept of Human Genetics. Funny she says that because I look up information on this doctor, and he's an anthropologist that deals with a lot of genetics. BINGO. That's exactly what I'm interested in. I'm STOKED because this guy is a genius and has taught at both Yale and Harvard. I'm hoping I'll for sure be able to do my research under his supervision. I should know here in the next couple of weeks.
Then I ended up meeting with my premed advisor this week as well and I finalized my class schedule for next semester:
Gen Chem II
Genetics
Calc I
Independent Research
It'll be a busy semester and I'm worried because of babysitting issues on Tuesdays. I'm hoping a good soul will cross my way and I'll be able to leave my son with whomever is willing to watch him for free. My mom is about to move any week now and I won't have a reliable babysitter anymore :( This sucks!!!
My advisor is funny... well, not funny but interesting. I mean, she out of the blue asked me if I had kids, and obviously I had to say yes, but she said it was okay. I just have to work harder than other traditional students. It caught me off guard because I've always tried to conceal the fact that I had a child. I keep hearing from other premed moms and med students that med school faculty will think less of you for being a mom, and decide that because you are a mom, you don't have time to study or anything. It's conflicting information and I'm going to have to look into that some more. However, she introduced me to the AFFP and I'm going to apply for a membership. That can potentially be very helpful with my med school application and finding leadership opportunities.
Anyway. I think that's about it for now. I have a trig final coming up on tuesday evening and a cell bio final on wednesday morning. I'm a little scared but it'll be alright.
I still haven't bought anything for my husband or my son for Christmas yet and I'm running out of time! I think I'm just trying to push everything back until after finals, so I'll get all my shopping done then... it's not like it's anything different from past years :P
Let's see... I'm busy with finals. But as you can tell, I'm blogging instead of studying. Oh well. I usually don't study for finals, but since I'm not working on general eds anymore, I should put forth an extra effort for getting a REALLY good grade on these classes that matter. Plus this cell biology final ain't gonna be pretty. I'm horrified.
I took my last exam for Anthropology this past week and that was a piece of cake- like always. I also finished up a take home final for Chem and turned it in on Thursday night. So I'm done with those two classes. I had to pass out my letter of recommendation packets this past week to my recommenders. I'm applying for three scholarships, and all of them require two letters of recommendations. Those packets were a pain to put together, but at least my recommenders won't have to do much except for writing the letters and sending them in the stamped, addressed envelopes I put in the packets.
Also, this past week, something really interesting happened: I was going to work on genome mapping next semester through the community college I currently attend, and I needed it to count as class up at the university I'm transferring to (because independent research counts as a class for my major). So I got in touch with the Anthropology Dept Chair and we got to emailing back and forth and I had told her that my research got published and that I wanted to continue it next semester... she writes me back and tells me that she sees potential in me and wants me to do real, human genetics research with this geneticist at the Dept of Human Genetics. Funny she says that because I look up information on this doctor, and he's an anthropologist that deals with a lot of genetics. BINGO. That's exactly what I'm interested in. I'm STOKED because this guy is a genius and has taught at both Yale and Harvard. I'm hoping I'll for sure be able to do my research under his supervision. I should know here in the next couple of weeks.
Then I ended up meeting with my premed advisor this week as well and I finalized my class schedule for next semester:
Gen Chem II
Genetics
Calc I
Independent Research
It'll be a busy semester and I'm worried because of babysitting issues on Tuesdays. I'm hoping a good soul will cross my way and I'll be able to leave my son with whomever is willing to watch him for free. My mom is about to move any week now and I won't have a reliable babysitter anymore :( This sucks!!!
My advisor is funny... well, not funny but interesting. I mean, she out of the blue asked me if I had kids, and obviously I had to say yes, but she said it was okay. I just have to work harder than other traditional students. It caught me off guard because I've always tried to conceal the fact that I had a child. I keep hearing from other premed moms and med students that med school faculty will think less of you for being a mom, and decide that because you are a mom, you don't have time to study or anything. It's conflicting information and I'm going to have to look into that some more. However, she introduced me to the AFFP and I'm going to apply for a membership. That can potentially be very helpful with my med school application and finding leadership opportunities.
Anyway. I think that's about it for now. I have a trig final coming up on tuesday evening and a cell bio final on wednesday morning. I'm a little scared but it'll be alright.
I still haven't bought anything for my husband or my son for Christmas yet and I'm running out of time! I think I'm just trying to push everything back until after finals, so I'll get all my shopping done then... it's not like it's anything different from past years :P
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Research: done!
The biggest news this week is that my research is getting PUBLISHED!!! I'm so thrilled I can hardly stand myself! I've been bouncing off the walls for two days now... it's an amazing feeling to know that I can accomplish something that monumental and still be doing everything else- being a mom, working full time, going to school full time... I think it felt even better to know I'm capable of doing something like this while people thought I was a nutcase for having so much on my plate. It goes to show that anything is possible. If you put enough effort into it and you don't take your eyes of the goal, and determination is always there, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Which brings me to another point: if you thought this semester was bad, look at mine for next semester. I may just have to turn myself into a psych ward after it's all said and done:
Physiology
Gen Chem II
2 Anthropology classes
Calc I
and independent research (again)
Call me crazy, but I think I can do it, given I get enough help with babysitting. Plus I'll be dropping to part time work (thank the heavens!), so it'll make this whole thing a lot easier. I'm worried, however, because classes won't be so close to me anymore like they are right now, and they're on a university level, which just complicates everything. Dang it all!!!! But would I trade any of it? Never!
In other news, Chem lab is done and DONE! I was so happy to turn in my final paperwork for that class on thursday. To celebrate my research getting published and finishing chem lab, my family and I went bowling. It was really fun... well, there was a bit of trouble to start with, but mostly, it was good to do something with them. Even though they're crazy. HAHA
I've got three exams coming up this next week. I'm terrified. I'm just going to try managing not to get a D+ on my trig exam like I did last time... that was really embarrassing. And he's not letting us use a 3x5 card like he has been because he wants us to get used to testing without it for the final, so that could potentially be disastrous.
Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is why there aren't a lot more moms out there that follow their dreams after they get married and have kids. Just because you have kids and have to change 20 diapers/day, it doesn't mean you can give up on your own life. I understand some moms are content with doing just that for the rest of their lives, which is fine (more power to ya!) but for those who miss it and blame it on motherhood for not fulfilling those dreams... come on! Seriously! That should not be an excuse, but more of a power to drive that desire.
That's at least how I work, anyway. If someone tells me I can't do it, it gives me even more motivation to prove them wrong.
Which brings me to another point: if you thought this semester was bad, look at mine for next semester. I may just have to turn myself into a psych ward after it's all said and done:
Physiology
Gen Chem II
2 Anthropology classes
Calc I
and independent research (again)
Call me crazy, but I think I can do it, given I get enough help with babysitting. Plus I'll be dropping to part time work (thank the heavens!), so it'll make this whole thing a lot easier. I'm worried, however, because classes won't be so close to me anymore like they are right now, and they're on a university level, which just complicates everything. Dang it all!!!! But would I trade any of it? Never!
In other news, Chem lab is done and DONE! I was so happy to turn in my final paperwork for that class on thursday. To celebrate my research getting published and finishing chem lab, my family and I went bowling. It was really fun... well, there was a bit of trouble to start with, but mostly, it was good to do something with them. Even though they're crazy. HAHA
I've got three exams coming up this next week. I'm terrified. I'm just going to try managing not to get a D+ on my trig exam like I did last time... that was really embarrassing. And he's not letting us use a 3x5 card like he has been because he wants us to get used to testing without it for the final, so that could potentially be disastrous.
Something that has been on my mind a lot lately is why there aren't a lot more moms out there that follow their dreams after they get married and have kids. Just because you have kids and have to change 20 diapers/day, it doesn't mean you can give up on your own life. I understand some moms are content with doing just that for the rest of their lives, which is fine (more power to ya!) but for those who miss it and blame it on motherhood for not fulfilling those dreams... come on! Seriously! That should not be an excuse, but more of a power to drive that desire.
That's at least how I work, anyway. If someone tells me I can't do it, it gives me even more motivation to prove them wrong.
Friday, November 27, 2009
3 weeks!!!!
The semester is so close to the end I just want life to skip to the end, where I find out I got a 4.0GPA overall this semester.
Except that would only happen in a dream.
Starting from the top, in alphabetical order:
1) I finally got my Anthropology final paper done. What a pain that was. I woke up at 4am on wednesday morning (long story) and decided to sit down and do it. It only took me two hours, but it was still a lot of work, considering this professor has been the most laid back professor EVER, and now he asked for a detailed paper on concepts used from the book. Mind you he never cracked the book open this semester. Go figure. At least the paper is done, it looks good, and I'll get an A for it!
2) Cell bio: I think I'm warming up to the idea that a B+ is acceptable for that class. No joke: I got an 87% on my last exam. My overall average is an 87%... I was sort of disappointed, but I could be doing a lot worse, considering this class is used for the MCAT.
As far as the lab goes, I'm done with them. It felt AMAZING to turn in my last protocol last friday. My research is nearly completed. I'll be working on it tonight.
3) Chemistry: "Oh, the humanity!" *hangs head low* I'll never take an online chem class ever again. It's gotten to be a hassle. Good thing I have a study group otherwise I'd be in trouble. I may have mentioned my chem lab is done as well, I just have to turn in my final papers next thursday. WAHOO!
4) Trig: I skipped class on tuesday due to an inability to drive because of pure exhaustion. I learned from a classmate that the Math Dept has videos online on each section for what we're studying. It came quite in handy and has helped a lot thus far.
This week was a nicer week because there was school only monday-wednesday. I got saturday off (tomorrow) so that makes it even better! I haven't not had to work a saturday in ages... We may even make it to church on sunday! Sweet!
Thanksgiving was great! We went to my mother in law's house for dinner, which was delish! I ended up having to work that night, and that's okay. At least I get Christmas day off and New Years eve and New Years day off this year. That'll be fabulous, I can't wait!
My husband began shopping today (Black Friday) and got some good deals on stuff. I'm glad he was willing to do it because I don't have the patience for it. Hopefully we'll continue to find good deals because this year things are tight for us... but who isn't struggling?!
Hope the holiday was great for everyone!
Except that would only happen in a dream.
Starting from the top, in alphabetical order:
1) I finally got my Anthropology final paper done. What a pain that was. I woke up at 4am on wednesday morning (long story) and decided to sit down and do it. It only took me two hours, but it was still a lot of work, considering this professor has been the most laid back professor EVER, and now he asked for a detailed paper on concepts used from the book. Mind you he never cracked the book open this semester. Go figure. At least the paper is done, it looks good, and I'll get an A for it!
2) Cell bio: I think I'm warming up to the idea that a B+ is acceptable for that class. No joke: I got an 87% on my last exam. My overall average is an 87%... I was sort of disappointed, but I could be doing a lot worse, considering this class is used for the MCAT.
As far as the lab goes, I'm done with them. It felt AMAZING to turn in my last protocol last friday. My research is nearly completed. I'll be working on it tonight.
3) Chemistry: "Oh, the humanity!" *hangs head low* I'll never take an online chem class ever again. It's gotten to be a hassle. Good thing I have a study group otherwise I'd be in trouble. I may have mentioned my chem lab is done as well, I just have to turn in my final papers next thursday. WAHOO!
4) Trig: I skipped class on tuesday due to an inability to drive because of pure exhaustion. I learned from a classmate that the Math Dept has videos online on each section for what we're studying. It came quite in handy and has helped a lot thus far.
This week was a nicer week because there was school only monday-wednesday. I got saturday off (tomorrow) so that makes it even better! I haven't not had to work a saturday in ages... We may even make it to church on sunday! Sweet!
Thanksgiving was great! We went to my mother in law's house for dinner, which was delish! I ended up having to work that night, and that's okay. At least I get Christmas day off and New Years eve and New Years day off this year. That'll be fabulous, I can't wait!
My husband began shopping today (Black Friday) and got some good deals on stuff. I'm glad he was willing to do it because I don't have the patience for it. Hopefully we'll continue to find good deals because this year things are tight for us... but who isn't struggling?!
Hope the holiday was great for everyone!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
So close!
I need a break from studying. Nothing better than to write about pretty much nothing :P
Four weeks until I'm done with the semester. 4 WEEKS. I can even taste it!
So I got two tests back this past week. I got my cell bio exam (which I may have mentioned already but in case I forgot, here it is): I got an 81% on my test. I was quite distraught as you can imagine, because the harder I work on that class, the lower my grades get. Maybe I shouldn't study at all, then maybe I'll start doing better! Yeah, right. It's consistently been going down, so in order to remedy that one, I went to a lecture done by someone who works for the Nano Institute here in Utah about nanotechnology. That guy was a genius. The title of the lecture was "Engineering Nanoconstructs for Drug Targeted Delivery". It was a very interesting lecture, and it related a lot to cell biology and chemistry. He even mentioned there are open positions in the lab for research, and I wish I could do it, but that would require me going to the lab to do research. My research right now is all done online, which makes it easier with my son.
My other exam was my math exam. That *bleepity bleep* exam was just horrendous. It may be partly due to the fact I was sleep deprived going into the test to begin with and couldn't remember much of what I had studied the previous night (I worked the night before then had to stay up the majority of the day taking care of my son). Regardless, I got a 64.5%. I have NEVER gotten such a low score on an exam in my whole entire life. I was fuming out of my ears. The class average was a 65%, which bothers me even more, because this is also the first time I was below the class average. After much cursing in my head, our professor once again has pity on us and lets us rework the problems to add half of our original score. So I'll end up with an A again. It's scary because either he's making his tests way harder than what the departmental final will be, or they'll be even worse. UGH!
My cell bio lab has ended. FINALLY! No more experiments that don't turn out! Wahoo! We just have a lab midterm in 2 weeks and that's all. I finished the biggest part of the research, and now it only has to be put into a report. I'm super excited because my professor said it'll likely be published with my name attached to it. That just makes me want to bounce off the walls with happiness! We'll see, though, I may totally screw it up at the very end, but that's highly unlikely. My professor would say something about it.
Speaking of my cell bio professor, I asked him if he'd be able to write me a letter of recommendation for me. He replied he'd be more than happy to, which is so awesome because I need a good strong letter for a couple of scholarships I'm applying for, and eventually, medical school. I also asked my boss for one and she was happy to write one as well. Now all I have to do is get my Letter of Recommendation Packets ready and sent out by the 9th. AAAHHH!
These last few weeks are going to be pure chaos (even worse than anything I've experience thus far). I have at least two tests every week until my last final on December 16th. Which is why I made myself as unavailable from volunteering from the 1st-16th because I'll need all the time I can get to study. I should take time off work too but work allows me to do my homework, and if I didn't come, I'd waste my time sleeping and wouldn't get paid or get my homework done. Lame. I pray for strength as these last few weeks crash on top of me.
I really feel bad for my husband and my son. I haven't been able to be with them a whole lot lately. This is where the severe guilt comes in. Going to school makes me feel like I'm horrible, selfish mom. I know I shouldn't feel that way because I'm ultimately doing what's best for my family and myself, but still. I look at my other girlfriends who have kids and get to stay home with them and I think that maybe that would be fun, but what would I do with myself psychologically? I'd go nuts! So I'm not sure why I feel guilty knowing well enough that I would go bonkers if I stayed home. Strange.
This next week will be interesting because of Thanksgiving. I'm working thursday night instead of saturday night, and so we're going to have family pictures done for the first time on saturday. It'll be fun. And ask me if I've bought our matching brown tops to wear yet? No. I found them online, I just have to go to Target to buy them.
I hope on Thanksgiving I'll remember all the things I'm grateful for. It's hard to look for blessings when you're consistently getting bombarded with problems. I guess that's just how life is.
Happy Thanksgiving!... and back to studying now.
Four weeks until I'm done with the semester. 4 WEEKS. I can even taste it!
So I got two tests back this past week. I got my cell bio exam (which I may have mentioned already but in case I forgot, here it is): I got an 81% on my test. I was quite distraught as you can imagine, because the harder I work on that class, the lower my grades get. Maybe I shouldn't study at all, then maybe I'll start doing better! Yeah, right. It's consistently been going down, so in order to remedy that one, I went to a lecture done by someone who works for the Nano Institute here in Utah about nanotechnology. That guy was a genius. The title of the lecture was "Engineering Nanoconstructs for Drug Targeted Delivery". It was a very interesting lecture, and it related a lot to cell biology and chemistry. He even mentioned there are open positions in the lab for research, and I wish I could do it, but that would require me going to the lab to do research. My research right now is all done online, which makes it easier with my son.
My other exam was my math exam. That *bleepity bleep* exam was just horrendous. It may be partly due to the fact I was sleep deprived going into the test to begin with and couldn't remember much of what I had studied the previous night (I worked the night before then had to stay up the majority of the day taking care of my son). Regardless, I got a 64.5%. I have NEVER gotten such a low score on an exam in my whole entire life. I was fuming out of my ears. The class average was a 65%, which bothers me even more, because this is also the first time I was below the class average. After much cursing in my head, our professor once again has pity on us and lets us rework the problems to add half of our original score. So I'll end up with an A again. It's scary because either he's making his tests way harder than what the departmental final will be, or they'll be even worse. UGH!
My cell bio lab has ended. FINALLY! No more experiments that don't turn out! Wahoo! We just have a lab midterm in 2 weeks and that's all. I finished the biggest part of the research, and now it only has to be put into a report. I'm super excited because my professor said it'll likely be published with my name attached to it. That just makes me want to bounce off the walls with happiness! We'll see, though, I may totally screw it up at the very end, but that's highly unlikely. My professor would say something about it.
Speaking of my cell bio professor, I asked him if he'd be able to write me a letter of recommendation for me. He replied he'd be more than happy to, which is so awesome because I need a good strong letter for a couple of scholarships I'm applying for, and eventually, medical school. I also asked my boss for one and she was happy to write one as well. Now all I have to do is get my Letter of Recommendation Packets ready and sent out by the 9th. AAAHHH!
These last few weeks are going to be pure chaos (even worse than anything I've experience thus far). I have at least two tests every week until my last final on December 16th. Which is why I made myself as unavailable from volunteering from the 1st-16th because I'll need all the time I can get to study. I should take time off work too but work allows me to do my homework, and if I didn't come, I'd waste my time sleeping and wouldn't get paid or get my homework done. Lame. I pray for strength as these last few weeks crash on top of me.
I really feel bad for my husband and my son. I haven't been able to be with them a whole lot lately. This is where the severe guilt comes in. Going to school makes me feel like I'm horrible, selfish mom. I know I shouldn't feel that way because I'm ultimately doing what's best for my family and myself, but still. I look at my other girlfriends who have kids and get to stay home with them and I think that maybe that would be fun, but what would I do with myself psychologically? I'd go nuts! So I'm not sure why I feel guilty knowing well enough that I would go bonkers if I stayed home. Strange.
This next week will be interesting because of Thanksgiving. I'm working thursday night instead of saturday night, and so we're going to have family pictures done for the first time on saturday. It'll be fun. And ask me if I've bought our matching brown tops to wear yet? No. I found them online, I just have to go to Target to buy them.
I hope on Thanksgiving I'll remember all the things I'm grateful for. It's hard to look for blessings when you're consistently getting bombarded with problems. I guess that's just how life is.
Happy Thanksgiving!... and back to studying now.
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