12/05 update. . .

I tried to do this earlier, but the router got funny and just as I tried to post the completed entry our internet dropped out.

It has been getting white and fluffy outside again today. It is pretty, but can be nerve-wracking to be driving on the wet sloppy when the driver's side mirror pops out of its mooring and begins flapping on the side of the truck on one's way to write a calculus final.

At least in the Westsyde area we are some what sheltered from the wind. As I got closer to school and the Siberia. . .uh, , um. . . Sahali side of town it was NASTY out. Cold and windy.

Once seated at my desk I was dumbfounded by the first question on the final. After 2 hours and 40 minutes I had had enough and stepped out into the cold and dark. I was met by several classmates on the sidewalk. Several of the kids commented the first thought they had was; Is this the right one? I knew EXACTLY what they were saying because I had the same fleeting thought followed quickly by the sinking feeling that it was the right test after all. We are all hoping for a generous number of "mercy marks".

12/05/07

This is what I should be doing right now. . . UGH! The funny thing about it is, I understand the calculus part, but the basic algebra trips me up almost every time. My final is in about 4 hours and the test anxiety has kicked in with a vengeance. I had another restless night of trying to sleep and thinking about mathematical formulas again. My stomach is upset and I am once again questioning my sanity (and wisdom) in going to school for a science degree at this stage in my life.

The stress of finances, the upcoming holiday season and vacation (towing a trailer 1400 miles in possibly inclement weather with 4 kids, 2 dogs and a very firm return date deadline) not to mention my upcoming finals (each of which is worth 40% of the total grade for the class) has me about ready to implode!

SO. . . in the interest of sanity, I am going to take a little break here and do a list. You know, one of those "100 facts about me" lists that I have seen posted on other blogs. I have read several of them and besides being interesting, they have caused me to reflect on who I think I am.

1. The word Paradox probably describes me best.

2. I expect perfection from myself, but Martha Stewart bothers me because she tends to portray herself as "perfection personified".

3. I am not a girly-girl, but like to dress-up and look nice sometimes.

4. I like playing in the dirt, wet cement, mud etc.

5. If I am told "you can't" I'm liable to die trying to prove I can.

6.-10. I can sew, quilt, knit, crochet, macrame, do stained glass, draw, paint, sculpt, and love to do anything artsy/craftsy.

11. I love to read. I read historical novels, non-fiction (History, natural sciences, word origins, cultural heritage stuff, and biographies), fantasy, blogs, poetry, scriptures.

12. I love learning new things.

13. I don't love being tested on my knowledge.

14. I love to stay at home.

15. I love to travel, see new (old) things ands meet new people

16. I took German, Latin and Spanish in high school. . .I can almost understand some Spanish.

17. I love music and have recently begun singing in the church choir.

18. I can't keep time, so I don't play an instrument and only sing in a choir because I can follow someone else and "hide" in the crowd.

19. I was a confirmed and dedicated agnostic until 5 years ago when I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

20. I was one of those little naked kids dancing in the park as a child, so there is still a lot of "hippie" in my soul.

21. I Love to cook, especially for a crowd.

22. I love to bake, and have taken cake decorating courses.

23. I love kids and have 4 to raise, but was never able to carry a pregnancy beyond 6 weeks myself.

24. I love watching decorating and home reno shows.

25. My mom, my aunt and my grandmother were all nurses, another aunt was a physicians assistant, my uncle was an orderly in an ER in Turkey and I was an EMT for 12 years, I am capable in a medical emergency but I hate dealing with them.

26. I have a lot of friends, but very few close ones, and none that I have kept in contact with since high school.

27. I am happy to be in Canada, but I miss California.

28. When I was in California, I skied 7 days per week for a few years. In 3 years in Canada I have been skiing about 7 times total.

29. My husband and I met on the internet and were married three days after we met in person.

30. I see myself as a cautious person.

31. In the early '80's I lived 8 houses from the beach in Ventura, California.

32. In the '90's I lived in my dream house in the mountains of Calaveras County, California.

33. I have a weak spot in my lower back and was told as a teen I would not be able to lift more than 50 lbs or do hard physical labor, like use a shovel.

35. When the doctors told me that I was already lifting 100lb feed sacks and I went on to 10 years of digging fire-line.

36. The doctors also wanted to do surgery.

37. My family said no

38. They then said 'she needs to take ballet.'

39. I took karate instead.

40. I was raped as a teen, but never told anyone about it until years later.

41. I am very noise sensitive. I like it quiet.

42. Did I mention I love kids . . .quiet kids?!?!

43. I love animals.

44. I don't love animals messing with my garden.

45. I feed the squirrels and birds.

46. I love to camp.

47. I love to hike.

48. I miss firefighting, but I don't miss climbing the hills and "sucking smoke".

49. I'm afraid of heights.

49. I love gardening. (especially the rooting around in the dirt part)

50. I often feel out of place in a group of people.

51. I love Disneyland.

52. I like to take things apart and see what makes them work.

53. My mom and I have an exceptional relationship and I miss living next door to her.

54. I went to a one room school from grades 1-5.

55. I lived in (and helped to build) geodesic domes as a kid.

OK, I have done enough diversion now, time to get back to the books one more time, besides my list seems so mundane and uninteresting to me. . .

12/04/07

Aurora was really having a great time rooting around in the snow yesterday morning. She gets so excited, she is a riot to watch.

This is a picture looking out the front door at the fresh snow yesterday morning.

The picture below is the same view this morning after last night's wind and rain storm. The kids (and Aurora) are sad to see the snow gone. I'm hoping it will stay nice for another couple of weeks, so we can safely tow the trailer to California and back over Christmas break.

I spent most of the day in the books yesterday and today will be more of the same. I had a few uncomfortable dreams last night and woke up at 3 am because I was overheating again. My hormones are still playing games with me. It hasn't gotten bad enough to force to me do anything about it yet.

Well, I had better get back to the books. . . two finals to prepare for this week.