Student Life the 3rd Time Around - 2 classes at one time is not cutting it

 Taking 2 online classes while working full time may not sound like much to some people, but let me tell you, it's a whole lot for me to try and achieve.  And it's too late to change it, so I have to do what I can to get through.  Michael keeps reminding me that it doesn't have to be perfect, I just need to pass.  While, of course, I want to do well in the classes, my standards are slowly lowering because now I just want to pass and move on.  I wish I could say that I care about these classes right now, but I don't.  The stress is too taxing for someone my age...or any age of someone who works full time and has a home life.

That's the point of this little tirade today.  When I looked for a graduate program, I knew that it needed to be online because I need to work.  I can't live off of student loans again.  It's just not feasible.  This program was described as being designed for people like me...an adult who works full time and has other things going on.  At least, I try to have other things going on but work and school often interfere with that LOL  Still, even when I met with my advisor, there was lots of talk about how this is designed for working adults.  Oh, really?

One of my classes, to be honest, is just TOO MUCH.  The instructor is trying to cover way too much material in the 7 weeks we have of this class.  It should be broken down into 2 sections, which is totally possible.  That way, I might actually retain what I'm trying to learn.  As it is, I am simply regurgitating what I am reading.  Nothing more.  I can't tell you what we even looked at yesterday much less last week.  This week, I have 4 writing assignments due by Sunday.  3 of them are "group" work.  My group is only 2 people and that puts extreme pressure on both of us.  Luckily, my partner is pretty amazing but there is so much stress because her grade depends on me.  I am having to put aside the work in this class and my other class that is mine alone because I don't want to ruin her grades.  That's not fair to either of us.

Which is another problem.  This class is not designed for a full time student who is taking other courses at the same time.  It simply is not.  Now, you can spout all day at me about time management, blah blah blah.  But I spend almost all of my free time sitting in the front of the computer.  You can say that I signed up for this.  True, but if I'm not learning anything that defeats the purpose.  It's just frustrating.  So, so frustrating.  Oh, well.  Say a prayer for me that I get through the next 24 hours.  I've got way too much on my plate.

That is all

Quote of the Week

 Here it is Wednesday and I've got so much to do between now and Sunday.  I just need some good words to guide me!

Quote of the Week

 I needed a quote to inspire me for a day of homework ahead!  This should do it!

When answering the phone all day isn't enough

I want to start off by saying that I don't hate my job.  But, the truth of the matter is that I'm just no making enough money to make ends meet right now.  Yes, I'm in school right now to get a master's degree that will hopefully help me to get a dream job one day, but at this moment, I really think it's time to take a chance and find something that pays more than what I am making right now.

I have been thinking about looking outside of senior living for something else.  Don't get me wrong, I love working in senior living and that is where I want my career path to be.  I have made some wonderful connections in my job.  I just sat there today at work and realized that I can't put anymore of myself into what I'm doing for what I'm making.  When you live paycheck to paycheck, it makes you think and often change your priorities.  Also the fact that I'm taking a class on financial longevity has made me rethink so many things.  I have never been good at saving, but it is never too late to start.  It's just that I don't have anything left in my paycheck to save.  And I want to go for a time and not worry about how I'm going to buy groceries or can I afford to fill my gas tank up at least a third of the way?  It weighs on me and frankly it's driving me crazy.

So, I'm going to seriously start looking for something.  There are lots of places hiring for good incomes.  I have a great work ethic and am actually a very hard worker.  I need to look at my resume and get that updated.  That will be a good place to start.  I'll keep you posted.

That is all. 

The Dining Room Table

 One day, we'll have a home of our own.  Just like my parents had.  Just like my brother has.  Just like my Grandmother had.  It's a bucket list item for me.  To have a place of my very own that I can grow old (or older) in.  And one of the things that is on my list of things for a house is a dining room.  Not a dining area mind you, but a dining room.  Currently, we have a dining area and it is completely fine.  I just prefer an actual room, with doors and such.  I realize that in today's world, people prefer open floor plans.  Thank you every show on HGTV for that!  But I do not.  

But that desire brings me to my dining room table.  I love my dining room table.  It's solid cherry.  It can comfortable seat 8 people when the leaf is in.  It is a piece of Henredon furniture.  Grandmother acquired it in the 60's I believe.  I only say that because I've seen pictures of Mom as a teenager in the dining room and it's a different table.  

Grandmother got this table from a friend of hers who sold furniture.  I don't know if he sold Henredon exclusively or not.  But she got this table very cheap.  It has a manufacture flaw.  When the table does not have the leaf in it, it is flush.  When the leaf is put in, it is slightly offline.  Henredon would not sell this at the regular full price and she got it for a song.  I don't mind the flaw.  I think it gives it character and uniqueness.

The chairs she purchased at Belk's in Charlotte.  They just happened to be the same color cherry as the table and she was excited to get them.  She and Mom did the red needlepoint for the seats.  Grandmother also had her china cabinet and buffet restained to match the table.  I have had many glorious meals at this table and I fully intend to have many more.  You all know I love to set a nice table and entertain.  I come by it naturally.

So, one day we will get our house and I will have my dining room.  And you can rest assured that this table will be the centerpiece of that.  It's not particularly grand, but it's family and I will use it for as long as I can.  So ends today's episode of "Around the House."

Recipe of the week - Congo Squares

 

Conga Squares were a staple of my childhood.  Mom made them quiet often and I love them.  I had not made them in a few years and decided to make some this weekend.  Usually, I have all of the ingredients on hand, which is convenient.  They make a full pan, so they are perfect for sharing with friends!  

Congo Squares

1 8oz box of light brown sugar

2 sticks of margarine, melted

3 eggs, beaten

2&3/4 cups all purpose flour

2&1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chopped nuts

1 packaged chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Melt margarine.  Mix with sugar in large bowl.  Stir in eggs.  Add dry ingredients.  Stir in nuts, chocolate chips and vanilla.  Pour into 9x13 baking pan.  Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  Let cool then cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Taking some time for myself

 I am working some on refocusing my priorities in life.  As I face each day, with all I have going on, I am realizing that I need change some of my priorities so that my life has more meaning to me.  Even though I work full time and am in school online full time, I am recognizing that I need to take time for myself.  It's important.  One of the things I got from my social work degree is how vital self care is to all of us. Actually, way back in the day, my theatre professors also touted this.  Personal days were a godsend.  

Last Thursday, after work, I just decided that I was done for the day.  I did not want to think about work or school.  And I didn't.  Michael encouraged this as well for my own mental health.  And it was a great evening.  We went for a walk, had dinner and watched tv.  Just general relaxing.  Of course, I did feel guilty the next morning because I wasn't being "productive".  Michael talked me down off that ledge!

Looking back, it was one of the best things I could have done for myself.  We only have one life and I need to stop and smell the roses from time to time.  If I don't, life will pass me by and I will not have experienced some of the simple pleasures.  I tend to get so focused on what is at hand that I do not pay attention to what is going on around me.  And it feels nice to just take a moment or a night to breathe and just be.

Hopefully, I will have another night or two like that this week.  Well, I will have at least one because I'm going to make myself do that.  It's good for me and I need to be better for myself.

That is all.