I've been working on a group project that just started. We only had a few days to gather our info and present it to the group and the group leader will spend this weekend preparing a presentation for the class. It took me hours to research and I had to write 2 papers about specific topics, in one day. The first was good, but definitely not polished. The second was horrendous, but had all the information available for the group to use.
The professor monitors our contribution and grades us accordingly. She took my second piece and critiqued it. Unfortunately, I felt picked on, and I burst out in tears and couldn't sleep. I wrote her an email and she said she was only trying to help, but that she would save her "help" for the final project.
I am now concerned because I was being over emotional, but what am I being graded on? Content? Style? It's very hard to produce good work in one day.
I said I was going to take on a new attitude, but school is not helping me at all. I would love to quit, but I really believe that this is what I'm suppose to be doing. Dec is 12 months away. I can do this with God's grace. I must continuously run to His throne. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! I will pass and graduate in Dec!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Aculturation
Dan works at a warehouse that is a bus ride and mile walk away. He called me this morning and told me to buy 20 bus fairs because ticket prices are going up soon. I decide that this is a day to "mingle" with the Spaniards, even though I have way too much school work to do already.
I get to the bus station (which is not even a block away from our flat) and ask the woman inside that I want to buy 20 rides. She said that I had to do that on the bus. I was confused, but went to the bus. My Spanish is horrible, but I told him I did not want to ride now, just buy 20 rides. He was mad and confused and of course charged me a ride, even though I said no viaje ahora 10 times. He said I had to buy them in the station. I go back to the helpful lady and she said no charging here, but then got me another card (which cost 2 extra euros) and charged the other with 10 rides on the bus that I had just gotten off of. I was so annoyed and frustrated that I couldn't speak Spanish.
I called Dan to tell him about my experience and said I refused to go to the post office because I can't deal with more stress than I already have. He said I needed to go but I said NO. He said that he got yelled at by the bus driver for buying 20 rides, but he did recharged it anyway. I ask Dan, "so why did you put me into a situation where you already got yelled at?" He apologized, but I guess it leaves a story to laugh at later...much later after I calm down!
Ugghh. :P
I get to the bus station (which is not even a block away from our flat) and ask the woman inside that I want to buy 20 rides. She said that I had to do that on the bus. I was confused, but went to the bus. My Spanish is horrible, but I told him I did not want to ride now, just buy 20 rides. He was mad and confused and of course charged me a ride, even though I said no viaje ahora 10 times. He said I had to buy them in the station. I go back to the helpful lady and she said no charging here, but then got me another card (which cost 2 extra euros) and charged the other with 10 rides on the bus that I had just gotten off of. I was so annoyed and frustrated that I couldn't speak Spanish.
I called Dan to tell him about my experience and said I refused to go to the post office because I can't deal with more stress than I already have. He said I needed to go but I said NO. He said that he got yelled at by the bus driver for buying 20 rides, but he did recharged it anyway. I ask Dan, "so why did you put me into a situation where you already got yelled at?" He apologized, but I guess it leaves a story to laugh at later...much later after I calm down!
Ugghh. :P
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
It's official!
Yes, it's official, I'm stressed. I can't believe it is only day two and I'm stressed! I have to summarize Freud's developmental theory and then apply it to nursing. Wikipedia is a great summarizer, but not reliable and I definitely can't use them as a source, but I cannot for the life of me find a journal that summarizes him. 3 hours so far on journal searching. Am I an idiot?
Monday, January 5, 2009
First Day!
Yes, it's officially the first day of classes for winter quarter. I spent the day reading and reading and reading. My classes still are not completely organized, but I've decided that I cannot panic over everything that is out of my control, because (big epiphany here) everything is out of my control!
So, after looking at the freshly posted syllabus, I noticed that three professors were teaching a class, but I only knew of one. I was in contact with her since August, because it takes awhile for me to get books to Spain. Well, the class was developing, but in November she told me the two books to get. Yay! As I read the syllabus, it has four listed. I was a bit annoyed, contacted the professors and told them that I was unaware of the other two and that it would be troublesome to get the books, but I'd order them right away and I needed their understanding. I get a pat answer reply that says to order them on Amazon.com. Oh well. She was trying to be helpful, but she didn't quite read my email. Anyway, it is out of my hands, I did what I could, and the quarter is starting at full steam.
Wednesdays will be my long days. I'm in class all day till 11 pm. Ick! I only have four classes because I dropped the one I didn't need. I really wanted to take the class because it would allow me to write prescriptions, but it would be way too much make up work for an already overloaded summer.
So, it seems that my complaining is back. I will try to end this tone from now on. 2009 is a new year and I intend to have a positive attitude like days of ol'. I miss the young, naive Alicia. She was a happy little thing. Maybe it will be sunny tomorrow...that would help!
So, after looking at the freshly posted syllabus, I noticed that three professors were teaching a class, but I only knew of one. I was in contact with her since August, because it takes awhile for me to get books to Spain. Well, the class was developing, but in November she told me the two books to get. Yay! As I read the syllabus, it has four listed. I was a bit annoyed, contacted the professors and told them that I was unaware of the other two and that it would be troublesome to get the books, but I'd order them right away and I needed their understanding. I get a pat answer reply that says to order them on Amazon.com. Oh well. She was trying to be helpful, but she didn't quite read my email. Anyway, it is out of my hands, I did what I could, and the quarter is starting at full steam.
Wednesdays will be my long days. I'm in class all day till 11 pm. Ick! I only have four classes because I dropped the one I didn't need. I really wanted to take the class because it would allow me to write prescriptions, but it would be way too much make up work for an already overloaded summer.
So, it seems that my complaining is back. I will try to end this tone from now on. 2009 is a new year and I intend to have a positive attitude like days of ol'. I miss the young, naive Alicia. She was a happy little thing. Maybe it will be sunny tomorrow...that would help!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
starting again
I was getting bored, yes...it's true, so I decided to start my reading for class. Ugghh. I cannot concentrate. I want a nap despite not needing a nap after a very restful sleep. I hope this quarter does not drag on because it seems my brain is on a permanent vacation.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Rebajas
Yes, it's the after Christmas sale and I thought I'd shop this morning to avoid the crowds...wha whaaa. Everyone seems to be off today. I swear the Spanish never work. The stores were so crowded and everyone pushes...just not enjoyable.
I did get some accessories at a cute accessory store for a great deal! I'm not very good at picking these things out, but the stuff is so cute, I could buy out the entire store (except the punk stuff).
Dan is very patient with me when we shop. He wants me to buy stuff, but I just didn't see anything that I liked for the price I wanted. Maybe later.
Even though it's been rainy, the weather has been in the 60s and is quite comfortable despite the dampness. It's difficult trying to dry my clothes inside because it is damp as well, but the heaters are helping.
I'm feeling a bit of stress from school. Only one of my profs has posted the syllabus and the others talk about how the classes are online and so nothing is organized. I don't understand that, but maybe I'm too uptight. Soon I will have to buckle down and start my reading for classes. I decided to audit one class that I do not need, but I'm thinking of dropping it all together because it will help lighted the load a bit and I'll be able to enjoy our trip to Andorra a bit more.
Yes, we are going to Andorra. It's a country...who knew? The Spanish Fulbrighters are meeting there and I know I would never take a trip there, so it's a good experience. Until then...it's a day at a time.
I did get some accessories at a cute accessory store for a great deal! I'm not very good at picking these things out, but the stuff is so cute, I could buy out the entire store (except the punk stuff).
Dan is very patient with me when we shop. He wants me to buy stuff, but I just didn't see anything that I liked for the price I wanted. Maybe later.
Even though it's been rainy, the weather has been in the 60s and is quite comfortable despite the dampness. It's difficult trying to dry my clothes inside because it is damp as well, but the heaters are helping.
I'm feeling a bit of stress from school. Only one of my profs has posted the syllabus and the others talk about how the classes are online and so nothing is organized. I don't understand that, but maybe I'm too uptight. Soon I will have to buckle down and start my reading for classes. I decided to audit one class that I do not need, but I'm thinking of dropping it all together because it will help lighted the load a bit and I'll be able to enjoy our trip to Andorra a bit more.
Yes, we are going to Andorra. It's a country...who knew? The Spanish Fulbrighters are meeting there and I know I would never take a trip there, so it's a good experience. Until then...it's a day at a time.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Years 2009
New Years Eve started with Dan making tortilla de patatas. Yumm! We broke open our first little bottle of Cava (Spanish Champagne) and toasted to a good evening and a new year.
Dan wanted to check out what was going on in the town, but since it was chilly and drizzling, nobody was out and opted to go back to a "warm" home. Disappointing...
Well, we made the most of it. We watched a movie that brought us to 11:55pm, so we went into the living room, turned on the tv, and there stood the Madridian folks awaiting the New Year. Yes, we caught it in time and had more Cava as the "ball" dropped in Puerta del Sol.
2009 is pretty joyous! I will turn 30, I will hopefully graduate (along with Dan), and maybe I will get a job. We will see, but those are only the longer-term goals.
May God bless you and may you be ever present of His glorious works!
Dan wanted to check out what was going on in the town, but since it was chilly and drizzling, nobody was out and opted to go back to a "warm" home. Disappointing...
Well, we made the most of it. We watched a movie that brought us to 11:55pm, so we went into the living room, turned on the tv, and there stood the Madridian folks awaiting the New Year. Yes, we caught it in time and had more Cava as the "ball" dropped in Puerta del Sol.
2009 is pretty joyous! I will turn 30, I will hopefully graduate (along with Dan), and maybe I will get a job. We will see, but those are only the longer-term goals.
May God bless you and may you be ever present of His glorious works!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
