Procrastinating? Yes.

The quarter started out nice and slow, low stress since the first test was 4 weeks away. And now here we are. Blargh. I like the material we're learning for the most part, but the stress of the tests is just overwhelming. And I'm finding that the stress makes me shut down and study less. Which is clearly counterproductive. First test is over with and well, it didn't go as well as I would have liked. Didn't fail, so really, it's a minute point.

Now I'm studying for the next test, which is on Monday. Clearly should have started sooner, but there's nothing to do about that now! I didn't want to have fun on my weekends anyway.

Ah well. It's life. This weekend at least I'll get a respite in the form of dinner with the future in-laws. That'll be good.

But still, STRESS. Ack. No wonder I got sick this week for the first time in ages.

I should try to update this more often...but life gets in the way.

2009 Meme

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

I went on vacation with my fiance. It was actually the first vacation just the two of us have taken together.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make any concrete resolutions last year. Just the usual.

This year, I'm giving up soda/pop for as long as possible. I don't drink that much of it, but it's still a huge temptation. I need to stick to juice, milk, and water. I'm also not going to buy "stuff" for three months--like, clothes, video games, earrings, etc etc. Just the essentials like food and toiletries. Basically, curbing my spending. Not give up "shopping" because I can shop without buying! And the usual--eat healthier, try to be active, bleh.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Well, Troy's lady had a baby, but he's the one close to me, not her. Though we've hung out several times, and I'd love to be friends with her!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my paternal grandfather. It was my first experience with a relative passing away (one that's close enough for me to go to the funeral). In the end it was kind of cool, because I reconnected with my dad's family because of it.

5. What countries did you visit?

Canada! I loved it!
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

I'm not going to wish for anything. I wasn't lacking for anything in 2009 that has made an impact that I can think of.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April 24th--Jeremy proposed to me with arson.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being accepted into the College of Optometry at the Ohio State University.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Getting a low grade on my first exam back to school. I definitely bounced back well from that experience.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not other than little cuts and bruises. And perhaps a minor cold. But nothing that sticks out in my mind.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My baby laptop. I can have a computer in class but it doesn't weigh a million pounds.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Erm...everyone has a moment that merits celebration, right?

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

While it's never a permanent feeling, my fiance manages to pick tiny things to do that appall me regularly.

14. Where did most of your money go?

School. Though technically that wasn't my money. Most of my money goes to food, clothes, and rent.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going back to school!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Probably the whole Folie a Deux album from Fall Out Boy. I listened to that a lot in the last few months while studying.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? This could go both ways. My bank account is certainly a bigger number, BUT it's student loans. I'll call it a wash.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Physical activity. I'm too lazy sometimes.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Sitting around watching TV or playing video games.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas with my family in my hometown. Then after-Christmas "Christmas" with Jer's family in Pittsburgh.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Nope! Already was in love. Though, a certain baby did catch my eye :-)

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I'd have to say The Office since I watched all seasons of it over the summer.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope. I don't think I really hate anyone. I hate behaviors and actions.

24. What was the best book you read?

Wow. This is hard because I read over 52 books. Cold Mountain was pretty good. I'd have to look at my list to refresh my memory. Oh! There was the book about the library cat! I do love cats so that was close to my heart.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Didn't have one.

26. What did you want and get?

I wanted to be engaged. I wanted to get into OSU for optometry. I got both!

27. What did you want and not get?

Oh, you know, winning the lottery. I think you have to play to be able to win...

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Up

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Turned 24 this year. We went to the Melting Pot and it was amazing.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Being a homeowner.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

I spent a huge part of the year wearing black for work. Other than that...comfy? I tried to buy more shirts that were casual dressy.

32. What kept you sane?

Reading. Cooking. Me time.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Uh...none.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

I don't follow politics closely enough to have been stirred by anything.

35. Who did you miss?

I always miss not being able to spend time with my two families.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Oy. There's quite a few. My new study and relax friends from school.

Success!

Just a quick note to say that I survived my first quarter of optometry school. And I could not be more pleased for a break!! Now it's time to bake holiday treats and RELAX.

Quick Update

School has been...going. It's a lot of studying and quite overwhelming. My first exam didn't go as well as I would have liked. I'm chalking it up to poor test-taking skills (multiple choice--yuck) and second-guessing myself. I'm moving on and will do better on the test I'm taking tomorrow (and another on Friday). I did not fail, and I will not fail, and that is what matters! On the upside, I've connected with several of the gals in my class and it's great to have people to study with, ask questions, and do "group" things with.

In another facet of my life, my paternal grandfather had a major prolonged heart attack 2 Fridays ago. There was extensive heart damage (now operating at 20% capacity) and complications due to diabetes. He's also in renal and liver failure. However, he's fairly lucid and not in pain (nor on any pain medications). He's currently in hospice care where they're doing their best to make him comfortable without trying to treat and necessarily prolong life (ie, no monitors, no dialysis, a DNR has been signed). The long and short of it is that he doesn't have much time left on earth. He'll be my first grandparent to pass, and while I'm not having a terrible time coming to terms with it (we are not as close as we could be), it does put the age and health condition of my maternal grandparents in the forefront of my mind. Both of whom have had a bigger role in my life since my parents divorce and their passing will affect me much much more deeply.

Sam and I did get the chance to go visit him (in Cincinnati) last week, and I am very glad we did. He was happy to have visitors and that means a lot. We were also able to connect a bit with my uncle who lives out in Wyoming, so that was really great.

So, prayers, well-wishes, happy thoughts, whatever are greatly appreciated in the direction of my grandfather and my family, especially my cousins who have a much closer bond with him. I wish them the strength they need to get through this time and to cope with our eventual loss.

Excited!

I'm feeling a little dorky for this, but today I had a class that got me really excited for my (financial) future! I knew going into this that I would have a great career, but this class will also teach us how to invest our money to secure a great financial future. How to set goals aligned with our values and how to achieve those goals.

My biggest career goal as of now is to own an optometry practice. I thought that goal would be far down the road (10+ years after graduation, but apparently it can be a reality in half the time. There is a credit union for optometrists that helps doctors to buy practices--even with student debt still outstanding. The credit union helps along every step to help ensure success of the practice. It would be great to own a practice around 5 years out of school--I'll be 33. Even more ambitious would be to own several practices and to really make a business out of it. I never really thought about that until today, and it really seems like something I want to investigate further.

I am so excited. I think this class (and the subsequent classes) will be vital to the eventual success of my career--just as much as the "optometry" knowledge.

My future is mine to mold and create. I hold the potential and I will have to be the one to capitalize on that potential.

I am so filled with hope! I need to make sure that I have goals in place to focus on when things get tough in school (which will happen soon, I'm sure!)

Gasp! An Update!

Well, I've just finished my first week as a Professional Student. It was a bit tedious at times, but mostly enjoyable. Orientation was overly long and could have been converted into a few hours, rather than two days. The highlights?

1. Study all the time and don't fall behind.
2. It's going to be harder than anything you've done before.
3. I am now part of a huge family--OSU's College of Optometry faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

They told us the above about eighty billion times. I feel like most of us get it--no slacking off like we may have done in undergrad.

We also had a day of "diversity training", which while mildly interesting, also seemed to be a bit wasted. Such is life!

All negatives aside, I'm really excited to finally be HERE in my life. I haven't quite grasped the fact that I'm going to be a DOCTOR, but I'm getting there. I think it will really sink in during the spring of my second year, when I start having patients. (Come one, come all, I'll accept volunteers!) By the time I get my degree and license, I will have seen anywhere between 1800-2000 patients. That boggles my mind!

So that's my life now--studying! Currently my classes are Human Histology, Pathophysiology, Optics, Genetics, Optometry Career Options and Financing, and a survey class of the profession. It seems like a lot, but the last three courses are "baby" classes. It's the first three that will occupy all of my time!

Off to study. Whee!

Plants

When I started my mini-garden this summer, I bought basil, dill, parsley, and cilantro plants. I stuck them in claypots on my windowsill (outside). I watered them daily and all that. They grew, certainly, but not enough to really harvest more than once. And the basil. What trouble it gave me. The leaves started out the beautiful bright green of basil leaves, but slowly slid into a sickly yellow green. Two plants, same thing. I suppose I'll have to do some windowsill herb gardening research.

It surprises me that my plants that did the best were the tiny pots of lavender and chives that I bought from the Target "see Spot save spot". $1 for two little pots that have a weird expanding soil pellet. Both have been transplanted now, and are thriving!

And just as I thought my African violets were goners, all three pots bloomed! Yay.

Hopefully I'll remember to water everybody when I go back to school--exactly ONE MONTH from now! I am so excited! Eeeee! Look for updates then as I will update to avoid real homework.

Mini-Update

Went on a great "double date" road trip with my brother, his girlfriend, and my fiance. We started out at Greenfield Village on day one and the Henry Ford Museum on day two. Fun!

I only have a handful of serving shifts left. Once school starts, I'm only working my Friday night bar shift. I'm pretty happy about it. I most likely will not be serving next summer, unless business at my restaurant drastically turns around.

I really look forward to school starting for a variety of reasons. One of the less obvious reasons is a regular eating schedule. No getting home at 11pm and eating dinner. Hopefully when combined with riding my bike to school I can stay in shape.

The most exciting part of the next several weeks is our trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto. Our first real vacation together! We are going to have so much fun. Can't Wait!

Twitter

In an effort to be more...in touch? Writing more? I've added Twitter to my sidebar.

Expect more updates when school starts!

Quickie Points

My good friend (and fellow Friday night bartender) and his girlfriend had a baby today. I'm very excited to meet (and snuggle) him. This is my first fairly close friend to have a baby. It's another step toward being an adult--friends with kids. Eek.

Another friend and I planted a very ambitious garden last weekend. Four types of tomatoes (Cherokee, Big Beef, Roma, and Yellow Jubilee), four types of peppers (Chocolate Beauty, Anaheim, Jalapenos, and Blushing Beauty), watermelon, eggplant, cucumber and zucchini. We are very excited! Hopefully we'll have a good bounty of produce.

My little sister is graduating tomorrow. I'm in disbelief that she's possibly old enough to graduate high school. Isn't she still 12?

I have a birthday this week. I'm excited because my fiance (!) and I are having a date night at the Melting Pot and then seeing Up. Yay! Other than that, I don't really care too much about it. I'll be 24. Uhm, what? Crazy.

While I was bartending last night, a gentleman invited me to freelance serve or bartend with his event catering company. He even gave me his business card. To be honest, it creeped me out just a little. I'm sure the bartending gig would be pretty good money. I don't think I'll give it much more thought.

I'm getting sick of work. Not the actual work, but the work atmosphere. It's been pretty tension filled since the whole management upheaval. Meh. I'm looking forward to the schedule change so that I won't be working Saturday nights anymore. I haven't had Saturdays to do whatever I want in a very long time. It will be awesome. I'm also looking forward to cabrewing trips with several of my friends. (As a side note, bartend and its derivations come up as misspelled, but cabrewing is apparently a word. Weird.)

Enjoy the weekend!