I’m Beautiful Like Me.

The past weeks have been crazy-busy ’round these parts.I had some yucky funk two weekends ago and during fall break and just slacked far too much last weekend that I’m up to my eyeballs in reading and writing. I’ve also been reading a lot (and rediscovered LibraryThing - how I’ve missed it and they’ve made all these fantastic improvements!) and picked up a knitting project.

My brother is visiting from Spokane this week. My house needs to be cleaned.

Spring class registration begins next week. Scheduling nightmare: three people attending school and needing to find balance so that one (really cute, obnoxious) boy is supervised at all times. I’ve got to get caught up on my community hours for my ASL class and JA club.

Busy, busy!

Since Monday, October 4th, for the first time in her life, I share a name with my Joy! It was very stressful for me leading up to it, but it was well worth the absolute jubilation she experienced at the news.

Last night, P and I went to see Clutch. That was a bit of a rude awakening. I have denied the gray hairs and faint fine lines in the mirror, but there was no denying how fucking loud that show was. I am obviously ill-prepared for Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax next Tuesday!

School is very busy: exams, papers, club meetings, volunteering in the community and participating in Deaf events (Have I mentioned how very much I adore ASL?! ‘Cause I do.). There is so much reading. Good thing I’ve had lots of practice!

Considering that, I should be in bed. I’ve had a few manic episodes in the past week and that interferes with my ability to rest well. I’ve been in bed for hours, watching a bit of television between hours of reading and then rediscovering LibraryThing. Getting the nook for my birthday has really bumped up my ability to read more often. In the first month I owned it, I read every single Sookie Stackhouse novel. Right now, I’m reading Lamb by Christopher Moore. It’s fabulous.

Goodnight. Blessed Be.

Today, I had an advising appointment. As I was passing the time before my appointment, the mail came. In the mail was a letter from the Dean’s office. I was reluctant to open it; after receiving the letter about not receiving the state grant and feeling uncertain of how the interview went, I was not feeling confident.

I’m curious by nature so of course I opened the letter. And it said I won the scholarship. And the scholarship is for twice as much as I thought - $6000! Holy shit. I was completely stunned. I read the letter multiple times to be sure I had read it right.

I have always treated my education with great seriousness. I work hard to secure grants, fabulous grades and scholarships. This is not my first scholarship by a stretch. It is, however, the most substantial! I opened the letter at around 10am this morning and the shock didn’t wear off until just a few hours ago. The joy has finally set in!

I made my appointment on time (actually, I was there early!) and the advisor and I spent an hour and a half pouring over my transcripts, prerequisites and required courses, she edited my proposal and we squared away my curriculum for the remainder of my undergraduate career. She advised me to call the Doctor before the day’s end to make my appointment with him to get approval for my degree proposal before the end of May. I didn’t have anywhere to go or anything much to do, so I found a spot in the sun on campus and tweaked my proposal until Husband called. I needed to call the Doctor before I headed home because I’d just forget about it once I got there. I pulled up my Google calendar and dialed him. He asked if I was busy now, to which I responded, “Let’s do this!” Less than an hour and a handshake later, the Doctor welcomed my to Liberal Studies and congratulated me for being the first ever U of L student to major in Forensic Science! w00t!!!

I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling very overwhelmed and humble. But I still played lotto!

A few weeks ago, I began to find some old friends on Facebook. People I really missed and am so happy to find back in my life. It’s bittersweet, because some changes are so profoundly negative that it’s hard to see people the way I used to while other changes shine a new light on a previously hidden beauty that I always suspected was there. Memories take hold at various moments, too and that can be troubling and even painful to sort through. All in all, though, it’s been a lovely experience that I’m grateful has happened. The laughter more than makes up for the quiet anxiety.

Today, I met with a scholarship committee. I’ve never done anything like that before. It was a bit awkward. I’m never sure what it is these people want to hear. Why can’t my stellar record speak for itself? With all the budget cuts in education, I was told the state had exhausted its funds; that I won’t be receiving state aid. And I received a “thanks, but sorry” letter from another scholarship I applied for. I guess they are getting extra-selective since there is such a crunch for cash. I was myself: honest and humble. I should know by next week.

Meanwhile, I finished all my classes this week. I haven’t been so thrilled about impending summer since I was a high-schooler! So far, I’ve received a B for my (first ever senior-level class) Forensic Anthropology class and two As for Criminology and Justice Admin. I fully expect an A for American Sign Language, as well. While it isn’t my best work, it is certainly worth being proud of – and I am.

Next week, I meet with Advising to plan my curriculum. My areas of concentration are going to be Justice Admin, Biology and Forensic Anthropology. Since they are thisclose to implementing the Interpreter program, I’m strongly considering adding that to my degree plan. I was informed that it may be possible to double major, too. I’m nervous and excited to be creating long-term goals.

In the meantime, I am very happy for the time off. I intend to take the kids to the zoo a lot, read for leisure, do some more knitting (I haven’t touched the needles since at least January!) and go on vacation with my amazing husband. I want to go hiking. I want to meditate regularly. I want to go to a concert, volunteer somewhere, really get to know my camera…

Oh, and have backyard barbecues… starting Sunday. Stay tuned for pictures!

My university doesn’t offer a Forensic Science B.S. but I can tweak a Liberal Studies degree. I have done a LOT of research into this – prolly way more than I should have! – and I think it’s possible that I might actually have my future decided on. It’s terrifying! Especially since the real test is tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I dissect pig feet to extract bullets and evaluate the sequence of the wounds caused by the projectiles.

I’m oddly not disturbed by the prospect. In fact, at the beginning of the semester when the professor told us it would occur at some point, I was almost excited. I’ll admit that I’m a bit concerned about the smell. I’ve been more and more sensitive to smells since my last pregnancy. I am also nervous about what it’s like to handle soft tissue. I have managed really well with the bones in Human Osteology and Skeletal Forensics, but this will be my first time with soft tissue.

If things go well tomorrow, I’ll only have to decide between a focus in Chemistry and Biology (and of course, finish college). I meet with an advisor Thursday.

My first week back to school has been really wonderful. At least the school part. The part of not having all my books on hand, switching a class at the last minute, and home adjustments hasn’t been great. But the classes are awesome. I’m taking a basic Geography course, one that relates to humans (more social than scientific), Anthropology that deals in skeletal forensics (a lot of new terms to get familiar with!), American Lit (Reading! Critical thinking!) and Existential Philosophy (more critical thinking!).

Coupled with my new job at the school’s Department of Neurology is exciting. I’ve been working for the Chair and his secretary. I’m in absolute reverence of the Chair - he is a brilliant man that has had more publications than any other faculty member at the school. If I had to guess, it would be somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three hundred. The rest of the staff is really great, too. My boss is really cool and laid back. And I’m encouraged to study in my down time! Awesomeness.

Husband has had a little difficulty adjusting to me being gone a lot. But he’s been a good sport about it all. On Thursday, when I was gone all day working, I came home to a clean house and hot dinner. He’s so sweet. I’m lucky to have such an amazing support system with him.

The hardest part for me is finding time to study. Because I’ve had to tweak my sleeping schedule, I’m pretty tired by the time the kids are in bed and am falling asleep on my books! But I feel pretty good that I’ll figure it all out.

I haven’t enjoyed a weekend so much in a long time! I spent a good portion of yesterday crocheting myself a sleeve for my new HP Mini netbook. I also finished another pair of fingerless gloves and have another one ready to start. Busy, busy!

Tomorrow is my 32nd birthday. Besides the netbook, going back to college, Husband bought a camera for me! I expect it to arrive in the next day or two. I’m really excited about it, but it is a much nicer camera than I have ever used and I hope I can find the time to learn a little bit about it!

Until next time… hopefully it won’t be too long from now, but I’m obviously going to very busy!

I’m all set for my first semester back to school in almost 4 years. It’s my first semester at University, too. I’m taking 13 credits: Physics, Anthropology, Geography and American Lit. I’ve got my parking issues (mostly) covered, my backpack, my books are ordered, syllabi printed, notebooks, folders, pens and pencils, etc. all gathered up. I’ve just got to get a couple of last small things to get. Oh and I’ve got to talk my husband out of his laptop or else I’m going to just get my own. I really like those little HP Minis. But my guess is Husband will just let me use his.

It’s just as well. We both would really love to move and that’s going to cost us a pretty penny. I’d like to get one of those really spacious apartments down by the University. Unfortunately, most are only 2 bedroom apartments, but they are similarly priced as our current apartment and have a ton more square footage. Another good aspect is that I’d be much closer to school and we’d overcome the parking issue altogether. That sounds really good.

I’ve also gotten a part-time job through Federal Work Study. I was hired by the Department of Neurology at the school. They are extremely supportive of my school schedule and the work is right up my alley. I start school on Monday the 24th and my job on Thursday the 27th.

It’s going to be a challenge going from full-time mom for the past two and a half years to being a full-time student with a part-time job and still have the demands of a mom and wife. I’d like to think I’m ready for it. Only time will tell.