Just Enough...

Lately I feel like I have been doing just enough to get by. Have been waiting until a couple days (if that) before an assignment is due to even start thinking about doing it. I know that this may seem like par for the course, as it is the end of the quarter... but I'm not sure.

I need to complete the transition from undergrad to grad student. Or perhaps this is what being a grad student is all about? Well, teaching and research start next quarter, so we'll see how that goes.

School is almost over...

My Crazy Family

My family is completely and totally crazy. I spent Wednesday to today at home. Observing my family led me to two conclusions... 1) Each member of my family is a little crazy, irrational, bizarre in their own way. 2) I am like each and every one of them in both personality and appearance. Kind of makes me happy. Kind of makes me sad.

Anyway...

And then... there was Apple Pie!

Today Colleen, Susie, Sara and I did a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner. It was amazing! There was turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn and peas, cranberry sauce, and bread. It was really delicious. AND, we also made an apple pie. I think the apple pie was the best part. We actually bought apples, peeled and cut them up, added the spices, put them in the crust (actually a frozen crust, we didn't make that part ourselves) and covered it all with a crumb topping (that we did make). It was excellent! Oh, and apparently, I am skilled at peeling apples. Hadn't ever done it before, but I must say, I'm pretty good at it. All in all, I was really proud of us for the meal we created.

On a slightly sadder note, I feel like I am going to really embarrass myself during my preliminary interview on Tuesday. I feel like I really dropped the ball with this. Have thought that about a lot of stuff this quarter. But, I feel like I'm at the stage where I'm not sure how prepared I'm going to be. I'm studying and everything, but I don't know... I feel like this is one of those moments where everyone is going to figure out that I really don't belong here. I'm starting to get freaked out again. Oh well, after Tuesday there's just a day until Thanksgiving. Then a little over a week until my birthday. Then a few days later school will be out. Yay for that.

Am really excited about Thanksgiving. Super excited about winter break.

Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action

I have been complaining entirely too much. I complain incessantly. Forgetting that everyone has problems just as bad or worse than mine. Complaining just makes it seem as though I think less of other's problems. Which... I guess I do. I need to stop being so selfish with my sympathy. So, if you hear me complaining, do me a favor and say... "Steph, only complain if you have something to really complain about." Hahaha... still sounds really self-centered, huh? Anyway, it's my goal to complain less about all the work I have and actually do it. Cuz, funny thing, the less time I spend complaining and the more time I spend working results in more work getting done! Can you believe it? Hahaha...

Talking to Colleen today made me realize that some people just don't see me for who I am. Assumptions are bad, people! As many know, I get stopped and asked for directions and talked to by strangers a good deal of the time. This doesn't usually make me happy... but anyway... It seems as though people look at me and assume that I'm unassuming and approachable. For example... today I got asked for directions and talked to in the laundry room. Just because I look like a dork and harmless, doesn't precisely mean that I am. I can be cold hearted, cruel, self-centered, manipulative, and the like, as some of you know. I'm not always sincere when I smile and I'm not always joking when I say something and then laugh. I'm not always nice just to be nice, either. And while I don't always mean it when I say nice things, I usually do mean it when I say something mean. This isn't to say that I'm always a terrible person, but I can be. Just remember that next time you're asking for directions from someone who looks harmless and approachable.

Exhausted and Disgruntled

Didn't get much sleep last night (about 3.5 hours)... And had to give my proposal to Jim. Am not happy about it at all. I mean, most of it sounds okay to me, but I feel like it's going to be the first instance of him thinking... oh... wow, she's not very bright...

And on top of that... My math problem set is due pretty soon. And I'm not sure how to do about half of it. Perhaps more. Suck. Fuck. Yuck. Duck (just cuz they rhyme).

Yep, my life in a nut shell. Looking forward to a nap following math...

A Field Trip and A Bar

Today was the second grad student seminar field trip. A much better field trip than the first! We hung around beaches most of the day and played while doing a little bit of geology. It was also wonderful weather - warm and sunny - and better because we all knew that we'd be sleeping in our own beds tonight. A big plus!

The bar - So it was Lisa's birthday today and to celebrate everyone went out to Poets and Patriots, a so-called Irish pub. Not sure what was supposed to make this place Irish, but can't really be that picky. Anywho, it was pretty fun. Chatted with people, was social, and played darts (!). It was a good time for everyone. I have been acting pretty antisocial... or I guess... like a homebody. Not really going out and doing things like this. Everyone seemed pretty glad I was there. It was nice. I mean, of course there were awkward moments where I felt like I was on the periphery of all the conversations going on, but most of the time I was talking with people and joining in and all that good stuff. yay for me. Think I'll start being more social.

Did get some strange looks though when I went up to the bar and ordered a Pepsi... oh well, the alchies can think whatever they want. hahaha.

Anywho, am exhausted and going to bed. Yay for a Saturday well spent (and by that I mean a Saturday in which no homework was done...)

Teaching

In the winter I'm TAing for History of Dinosaurs. Sounds really cool and I'm actually pretty excited about it. Although... Just checked the schedule of classes- there are 9 discussion sections with room for 30 students each that last 1hr 30min.... And 3 TAs.... Meaning I'll be teaching 3 1.5hr sections! And have a total of 90 students (well assuming full enrollment...). My goodness! Oh well, I think I only have to take one class... so it shouldn't be too bad. Still pretty excited.

This is pretty darn funny!