Confessions of A Working Girl

I've been telling people that I'm not coming back to walk in May because of the five hour drive. That's certainly one of the reasons. Anyway, mentioning the drive reminds me of the drive I'm making back home on Friday. And that reminded me of the keychain I found in the dollar store a couple weeks ago. Since everyone always complains about the way I drive, I laughed and impulsivly bought it, and attatched it to my car key.^_^

As the end of my last semester in college approaches, I should probably feel a mix of things. Instead, all I feel is that I wish the semester would be over faster. There's also a little regret, that I haven't tried my hardest in everything. A little of that is because that's how I've always worked in school. But a large part of it, this semester, is because of one class, and the group project for that class.

My group has met for a total of 72 hours or so. That doesn't count the hours we spent on our own. That doesn't count the hours in class, or in the lab for the class. Adding up the hours spent in class and lab...that's only 47. So we've spent almost double the time outside the class working on this project as we've spent in that class. And we're set to spend another five hours today, and more on friday, saturday and sunday. By the end of this project, we will have spent more than double the amount of class time working on the project for this class. Is it any wonder that everyone in class, not just my group, is stressed out adn doing poorly in all other classes? I literally have no time to do work for any of my other classes during the day...and when I stay up late to try to do it, I pretty much fall asleep in class the next day.

True, the beginning of the semester we didn't spend as many hours on the project...but that's because the teacher never gave specific instructions and format rules. And she refuses to. So we got a D on the midterm, which was to hand in what we had of the project so far. The highest group grade in class was a C. My group is just hoping to end the semester with such a good grade as that! And I'm worried about failing all my other classes. And finances. Those are always a big worry.

I know I can't escape financial issues, and I will miss everyone, but on the whole, I can't wait to go back to Japan, whenever that will be...

On the bright side, I just got an email saying that my writing folder earned a pass with distinction grade. Schoolwise, that's been the only bright spot recently.

On top of everything, the more work we do on this project, the more I hate it. I never thought that there would be a class that would make me hate school... plus, because I had to leave work early to meet with my group so we could work on this project, I missed decorating the christmas tree at the library.  T_T

So obviously, I am not going to manage every day. That's the confession. I thought it was doable, but its a lot harder then it sounds. >.< 

I'm still going to try, at least photos, but it was true that thinking of something to say every day is sorta exhausting.

So that's all. At the absolute minimum, I'll post once a week. 

Anyway, this was my thanksgiving picture. The dolls in the picture, to give an idea of size, are about the same size as Barbie's Kelly. 

There was frost on the ground again this morning. I guess winter is finally getting here...

It's occured to me recently...when I was in Japan, I didn't really eat much tofu. I mean, I ate some, especially when it was in something that my host mom made, but I wouldn't really go out of my way to eat it. But this year, more than any others, I've been eating tofu. It's not that bad, actually. I have it in miso soup, usually. Which, randomly, the price of miso soup needs to go down. It's expensive >.< Maybe I should just find a recipe...

Anyway, the school also had tofu curry for lunch one day and that was pretty good. But then, I love curry, so obviously the tofu would taste better covered in curry. 

Got more homework done today...am hoping that my group won't call a meeting, since it's already nine o clock. I better text and see, I guess...

One of these days, I'm going to go to bed before midnight. And post before midnight as well. Today was a lazy day, so there really wasn't much to write about... (I did do a little bit of homework at one point)

Tonight it was because Ki and I are starting a new story, with over 50 characters, and we needed to set the basics, as well as what the characters names are. That took a while to figure out! At least only half of the characters are mine, the other half is hers. But this will be fun, it seems. ^_^

Oops, again I stayed up so late that the date changed. >.< I need to work on that... (Have I ever mentioned that the game Dragon Age II is very addicting?)

Anyway, because "today" is actually over, all I'm posting is a picture. This was Elle at the library today while I was working. 

The lady I emailed...she gave me a website to check for jobs, but that was all she could help me with, apparently. So I'll create an account on that site and keep an eye on it. It certaintly can't hurt.

My computer hates me right now. My regular internet browser isn't working, so it's a good thing that I have a backup. And even that is slow! Part of that could be the amount of people on campus who are online, I suppose. But its quite aggravating.

Randomly, I heard of an online school today, that sounds interesting. They have a Master's Degree program in ESL! English as a Second Language, which is exactly what I want. The issue, of course, would be paying for it. I have heard rumors that applying for loans and aid for a master's degree is different than applying for undergrad, and there's more available. I'm not sure I believe that, but it couldn't hurt to check into. I'll ask the financial aid people at my school, since there's grad students here as well as undergrad, as far as I know.

Anyway, this online school, they have NO group projects! Apparently its one on one with a teacher. Ergo no group projects. There were other things about this school that sounded sorta interesting, and I have the information about it that I still want to look over. Cause if I could manage to do a couple of online classes while I work... then I could potentially end up with a master's degree as well, which would be sort of awesome. It all depends on financial aid though, I know that. Did I mention that this school doesn't have group projects? Let's see...what was the name of it...? They said that its an accredated school, if that's supposed to mean anything.  Oh, Northcentral University. That's what its called. They've been around since 1996, apparently, which surprised me. Internet was barely started then, wasn't it?

The whole group project thing is mostly because I'm completely fed up with the group project I have to work on right now. Everyone in my group is completely stressed over it, and we're starting to get on each other's nerves, big time.

I was talking to my spanish teacher today, about how I want to teach English in Japan, but that before that, I have to pay off what I owe the school. And hopefully some of my loans. 

She gave me the name and email of the person in charge of government jobs in the boston area. Said that to email her and explain my situation...and to mention that I was from Castleton. The teacher sounded pretty positive that that might have a job opportunity there, and I'm thinking that it certaintly can't hurt. Much as I've decided to go back to my summer job, or apply to the local schools, those are jobs that I don't have yet. So I can't count on them. Meaning that any connection I can possibly make could be for the better. So I'm going to email this lady, and at least see what she has to say.