I’m Beautiful Like Me.

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 life has been overwhelmingly busy since I returned to school last fall. Here are the highlights:

I pulled through with straight A’s last semester, although only barely in one class. I really enjoyed my first semester back. Now, in the middle of my second semester, things are moving along. I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up and that is the biggest, most painful thorn in my side, but otherwise it’s okay. I have hit a few kinks earlier in the year, but I think we’re all smoothed out now. I hope!

Last October, my mom fell and broke 3 ribs. During the x-rays, they found she had pneumonia. She stayed in the hospital for almost a week. Then, just after Christmas, she suffered a stroke. They released her after only a few days. Her sister, my aunt, came up from Florida and spent a month helping her out. Meanwhile, I had another major falling out with Big Rob. Once again, we are not on speaking terms and of course, this only increases the tension between me and mom. In any event, I did nothing wrong and I’m trying to distance myself from the drama as best I can. And mom is doing really well.

Joy’s dad got himself into some trouble, as well. He has been on probation for a little less than a year and had a little less than another year to go, but he violated and then avoided going back to his PO. The police finally caught up to him in early February and last week he was sentenced to 13 months in the state penitentiary. Husband and I have been discussing adoption with Joy and she is very enthusiastic. She’s already told a few of her friends that she’s changing her last name to Husband’s.

Between the family drama, school stresses and the lousy weather, the past few months have been a bit tough on me with regards to mental health. However, the sunshine and taste of warmth we were blessed with this week was invigorating!

Just yesterday, P and I went for new tattoos! I’m terribly thrilled with them. They represent my beautiful kids. The yellow/orange one with the Libra glyph is Joy and the green/blue one with the Pisces glyph is Buddha.

Speaking of Buddha, he celebrated his 3rd birthday last week. Can you believe he’s 3 already?! Remember his 1st birthday?! How about his 2nd birthday? Crazy. I was taking it really well until the end of the day when I was adding the new videos I took of him into the computer with all of the old videos. Of course I had to watch the old videos and see just how much my baby has grown! Oy. I don’t think I cried, but I certainly could have. Nothing like becoming a parent to make a person feel old! Anyhow, I don’t like 3 so far. He’s whiny and prone to tantrums in recent weeks and I have little patience for it. Sigh.

All else is going well. I have very little time for leisure, so I haven’t knit or read (for fun) in too damn long. Heartbreaking! Between going to school full-time and Husband working and going to school, as well, it’s hectic. I’ll try very hard to be more consistent in posting! I miss you!

The weeks have been crazy hectic. I have looking forward to Jugband Jubilee 2009 since last year! I finally got word last week about the date, but had already committed myself to the department for which I work’s annual picnic. Hell, I planned the thing! In any case, we decided to attend the picnic first and then head out to the Waterfront Park to the Jugband Jubilee. Last year, I took Joy and went with Penny and her girls. This year, Husband and Buddha joined us. It was an amazing time.

The crowd this year was much bigger!

 

 

 

 

The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs

Just today, they erected this memorial for Earl McDonald, a Jug Band Pioneer. His lovely granddaughter gave a short speech of thanks at tonight’s performance.

 

 

 

 

These fellows are a Japanese Jugband and this was their first American appearance. They were very fun, extremely entertaining and, of course, amazingly talented. They are the Old Southern Jug Blowers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course, I had the opportunity to play with my new camera!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joy was particularly photogenic today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buddha made a new friend (with a VERY fancy camera). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louisville by day and by night….