Thinking....

Its 11:00PM Friday night, I just got home from hanging out with friends...
In an attempt to be proactive I got online and started looking up classes that I need to take this semester.
Yes I know I've only got two weeks 'til school starts, but I did sign up earlier this year, however the payment date was yesterday, and I turned my financial aid information in ... today..

In an attempt to rectify my procrastination mistake in that I decided to see what I could/couldn't take this semester.

An hour later, my heart is pounding with a little bit of panic.

The available classes and times are all over the place. And the majority offered only at the campus furtherest from my house. 24 miles to be exact.

$$$$$$$$

In order to take a full load this semester my schedule would look like this:

M: (Work 4 hours) (School 2:00 -5:00PM) (Choir 6:30-8:00PM)
T:  (School 9:10-10:30AM + 10:45-12:10AM) (Work 4 hours)
W: (Work  7 Hours) (Church)
Th:(School 9:10-10:30AM + 10:45-12:10AM) (Work 4 hours)
F:  (Work 4 hours) (School 12:25- 3:25)

It would be a tight schedule on a "normal" basis...but the thing is, I have this dog. That's supposed to leave my house, by my side, in his yellow vest at LEAST five times a week. I should also mention, while this dog is welcome at my school, he's not welcomed at my place of employment.

Which means, that I would have to either go and pick him up before school, or drop him before I go to work. IF I I have the time, adding another seventeen miles to my already long trip.

So I've got some decisions to make.

Hard. Tough. Decisions. 

Another thing, in the back of my mind is the idea that perhaps...after two years..its time for me to look at other job possibilities...ones more "friendly" to the idea of having a service dog in training with them, ones with benefits..one that is.. (dare I say it..) Full Time?

One that would allow me to continue to raise without strain..

Cause being a puppy raiser is my life. But at what cost? 

That. Is the question. 

November 18: Feeling the Burn

Three weeks of classes left in the semester. I don't understand why the last weeks are the toughest. I wish they would reverse the process and just slam you with work, right out of the gate, then ease up as the semester ends. Man. I should have included that thought in my four page paper on ways the school system could reduce the stress placed on their students. 


Do you ever wonder if all this stress is worth it? All the time and effort we put into obtaining a piece of paper...but for what? Think of all the people you know with degrees...how many are actually using it? 

1. My dad has a Masters in Graphic Design...he was insurance adjuster for 24 years.  
2. My bosses at my one of my jobs had a Bachelors in Biology, yet they are running a doggie daycare.
3. My roommate has a Bachelors is Business..and she's a Special Ed (of  sorts) teacher...

The list goes on and on. The fact that not many people are putting all that education to use, played a big factor in my decision to attend a community college, over the University. It was cheaper, and I knew, regardless of whether or not I got a job in said field, it would be things that would help me. 


However, I'm still conflicted as to what major I should be putting most of my effort towards. Web Design? or Photography?  Which one will I use more of? What will be more of a money making venue? Decision, one would think I would have had settled by now..but I don't.  And now that I've finally received conformation that Financial Aid will indeed pay for this semester of classes, its time to turn towards getting prepared for Spring 2011. 


I'm scared, to tell you the truth. I can't do a third semester of paying for all my supplies. I.am.broke. I'm nervous. I'm seriously considering changing my major back to Web Design. I don't know what to do. 


Between me and God, we'll figure something out..but in the meantime I'm seriously considering taking a break next semester..or just taking one or two classes. I've GOT to recover from this year. 


Anyway.


Did you know I've had one class where I've learned. absolutely. nothing in. Seriously. We've had no homework, no assignments, two classes we did something with our cameras and photoshop. The other 98 hours #exaggeration - have been spent listening to him talk about his career.  Ok I like him as a person, he's a very entertaining to listen too...but. I have so.many.things I could be doing with that time!!! 

Oh man...its already 15 til 12AM...

Must.

Go.

To..

Bed..

G'Night. 

               

School Schedule

The End is Soon.

Five days of summer left. How depressing.

Friday I was able to get in and see my advisor, and get my last few credits that I needed. I also gave my schedule to the Human Resource department, so they could let my teachers know about Pompei. Last it worked out perfectly and I don’t expect anything different this time around.

The schedule breakdown would be this:

Fall 2010 

ENGL 1010 - English Composition 1 

3 Credit Hours

Tuesday & Thursday - 4:00PM - 5:20PM

Photography 2 

3 Credit Hours

Thursday - 6:15PM - 9:15PM  

Intro to Studio Photography 

3 Credit Hours

Friday - 12:25PM - 3:35PM

Photography Portfolio 1 Begins November 11th

1 Credit Hour

Wednesday 2:35-5:35PM 

Digital Imaging and Workflow 

3 Credit Hours 

Friday - 9:10AM - 12:05PM 

At first glance, it looks like this has the potential to be a relatively easy semester…despite the long class hours.  I am happy to report, that I didn’t get “the teacher” from last year, in any of those classes, which I am eternally grateful for. I don’t know if I could have done two semesters of him.

I have had “bad” teachers twice in the past, and it was not fun. At. All. *shudders*

 Thankfully I was able to skip the “Introduction to Mac” class, which was basically teaching me how to use an Apple Computer and Adobe software, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, but I was able to convince the instructor, that not only had I taken two Computer Art classes, which basically covered what he was talking about, but owned a Mac, so he said, he just sign that one off before I graduated.

That makes me happy, since I hate taking “filler” classes.

To tell you the truth, I am still scared about putting my photos out there for critiquing once again. Last year, I found out that I am an extreme visual learner, and having my photo teacher, give me text assignments, without any examples of what he meant, made it hard for me, to feel confident in..Anything..I turned in. But all I can do is my best.

Which brings me to a few things last semester taught me. Although I have been in college…a long, long, long time… 7 semesters, I still find myself, learning different things that may help me.

1. Homework First. 
2. I’m a procrastinator, and the harder the assignment the longer I put it off.
3.  Proper sleep and eating habits
4.  Push myself
5.  Work Hard
6.   Schedule and stick too it! 
7. Especially with my three little munchkins, I have to make sure they get the proper amount of attention…so I can concentrate on my assignments more.
8. Write, write, and write some more. :) Read what is needed. :) Which does not equal too what is required. Cause sometimes what is required is not needed. See? :)

Last semester, though extremely stressful, was a good one and I hope this one will be the same.

Just Another Day at Work

Last week I decided to change up my schedule, and work 4 days instead of 5...(yes its awesome I can do that)so that Pompei can come to school with me on Friday's. (The things I do for him, Thankfully I know his future blind person will appreciate it.)
To tell you the truth, I was not looking forward to going back to an 8 hour day after working 4 hour days since January,.. but I planned my day, gave myself limits (No Facebook-Twitter-Blogger-Google Reader-Gmail...etc..etc..until I finished my project) and it went pretty smoothly aka quickly and I got my job done. 
I also think it helped, that I didn't schedule myself to come int at 8AM...so I didn't feel so dead when I first arrived.

Spring Break 1 & 2

Spring Break Day 2

I wanted to write yesterday, but couldn't really summon the energy to post anything, other than Pompeii's 4 Month post. I spent most of the day cleaning, watching C move her stuff in, and helping them move some of my furniture around. I actually sat down and started reading a book, before I fell asleep for about an hour. (I rarely take naps) 

I did eventually run out and get some food,(yes I do pride myself on my *healthy* food choices) but am so looking forward to having a fridge again. According to my father, I am slated to get a today....but I'm not holding my breath. Eating out twice a day is E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E, and boring. Hence the Pizza.  Update: A fridge did arrive. It works. Thats all I need it to do. :)

But I digress

Spring Break - I'm actually going to do something useful this week, and really try to start some good habits. When it comes to starting new things, I normally start off really well (101N1001 for instance) but as life starts coming on, I start letting things drop off, unless is absolutely necessary. So I might be a little unrealistic to start working on new habits, when life is in an un-normal state...but the truth is, if I never start...I'll never get anywhere.

A few of my goals this week are:

• Go to bed/wake up earlier (....see already I'm snickering at this, and sabotaging the likelihood of this happening.)
• Start decorating the bathroom, or paint kitchen cabinets
• SEt up dentist appt for filling -(yikes)
• Spend less time on computer 
• Work 101N1001 #3, #13, #36, #41 (And I should probably stop there)
• Organize my closet!!! (by garment type)
• Restock Refrigerator (Had to pretty much throw out everything)
• Read a Book
• Do Homework X( >:( :(((( (you get the idea..)

And that's to new a small portion, of my page long list.

Just a little something to keep me busy. Can't wait to get started on it!!

Tomorrow.

March 5 - A "Typical Day"

So I'm sitting at work, browsing the intraweb, while I wait for my dear boss to get back to me.....And decided to participate in thid meme.... (Is that what they are called??)

At Kelly's Korner -This weeks topic, is a what a typical day is like...I don't really know what that is anymore...so I'll have to pick one day, out of the week, since everyday is different. On top of that I've just changed my schedule at work, so this is what my projected day on Monday will look like.

 MONDAY

6am - Alarm 1 Goes off - I hit snooze
7am - Alarm goes off - Snooze
7:05am - Pompei's head pops up over the side of the bed, and he starts walking around. So I jump out of bed, and run him outside. then come back in for ...just 5 more minutes...
730am - I realize I probably should get moving, and hit the shower.
745am - Finish getting ready, and let the dachshunds out to potty. (the refused to go potty first thing in the morning)
815am - Feed them and put them in their "room" for the day, while Pompei and I get our stuff ...ok while I get my stuff ready, and feed him.
825am - Pick up my sister from their house, and hit the road
905am - Arrive at campus, and drop sis off at her building, and then go to find a parking spot.
915am - "Busy" Pompei, gather up bags, and head for the vending machines for my daily allotment of caffeine. (Dr.Pepper, Mountain Dew Code Red, or Cherry Dr.Pepper) At the same time, walking Pompei around the buildigns to wear him out some...
9:30am - Head for our building, walk up the 3 flights of steps, then hang out with class mates in the hall until teach arrives.
940am - 1035am - Writing Class
1035pm - Leave class,hurry downstairs, for a quick puppy potty break, and walk to our next class.
1045am -1205pm - Photography Class
1205pm ~ Drop off Pompei at my house, grab some lunch, let the other dogs out to Potty and then head back to work.
130 - 530 ~ Work
600pm ~ Arrive home, exercise the dogs for about 15 minutes, feed them, grab something to snack on, put Pompei in his coat, and head to church for Choir Practice.
630 - 800pm ~ la la la la la la la la la  laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
800pm ~ let the dogs out, let the dogs in (repeat), eat dinner, straighten house, change into something comfy, attempt to do home work....but most go through my Google Reader.
1130pm - Let the dogs out for the last time, and put them too bed. :-) Devotions, read a couple chapters in one of the 10 books I just bought.
12am - 1am ~ Head to bed.

One of these days, I'd really like to get up at 6am. I could exercise the dogs, take my time getting ready, do my devotions IN THE MORNING, and feel less guilty about leaving the puppers for the day...and MABYE even get to work on time!!! But that would be in a perfect world....And that is one of the busy days....in my busy week.

Note: Pompei is a guide dog in training, so he is legally allowed in public places, that other dogs are not. You can visit his blog @ Pompei's Progress.

Its Friday! Thank God.

Random Ramblings of Me in a lot more than 140 characters...

{Is it the weekend yet? No?}

{Well wake me up when it is!}

• I had to set my twitter account back to private. Yeah I was kind of fun to keep track of what all I've tweeted throughout the day, but all the porn and spam bots I was getting, just isn't my cup of tea. 
• My refrigerator has stopped working, and its really bumming me out. It'll be next week until I can get something done with it...until then I guess I'll have to put stuff in my parents fridge and hop its there when I can get it...(family member male: Hey! whose pizza rolls are these? Family member that-didn't-get-the-memo: I don't know. Family member male, proceeds to eat them..all. probably.)
• Week of the wacky schedule is over, and I am soooo glad. oh geez. Switched back to my old supervisor, drove all.over.town. Every single day. A couple of days, I've come home and had to lay day for about 30 minutes, before proceeding with my evening. And who knows how much caffinene I've consumed. 
• My teachers have been ridiculously slow about grading our work, so I was happy to get two grades back this week. Both A's I think!!! Woooot!!! Alas I still have two exams, a report, and a paper to finish before the nights over. (hence why I'm on here) 
• My theater class will be the death of me. I hate it. With a PASSION. (To those majoring in theatre more power too you, but please understand as a photography major, I don't feel that this is doing me much good you see..) I don't care what the Greek Theatre look like, and I certainly don't want to pretend I'm there and right a story about it!!!!
• I want to start my career. I am tired of working part time jobs, bouncing here and there, worried that my position may not be needed. Yet at the same time, I’m not ready to give up the flexibility of part time. But then I think of the money I could be making if I worked full time........but with school....*sigh*
  I have been at current job for about 7.5 months now, so far my job “average” has been about 8 months, either due to me finding a better position, or other circumstances.
  I was extremely proud of myself for lasting a entire 11 months at my last job….
  I don't dislike my current job, I just wish I felt like I was needed, in a bigger part. Iono 
•  Stupid Weather changes, have really messed with my sinus/allergies/whatever, I don't care what you call them, but they are making me miserable.

Ok my head is now clear of all thses thoughts, and I can go finish studying.... 

AT least that's what I tell myself. :)

..But I was in Class!

#66. Start School - Spring 2010

Woooooo!

First day of actual campus classes is over. And a three day weekend to look forward too, just one of the few perks of working at a government/school based job.
Two class introductions are behind me, the first being my online theater class, and second Developmental Writing. I am so ready to get that class behind me, but I think it will be pretty interesting; the instructor for this class seems like someone who not only knows her stuff, but can teach it as well. Since she is the director of the English/writing program she decided today, to do an experiment without class. Most of us hadn't bought our book just yet,so she made the decision to go text book free this semester.Oooh YEAh! After that she told us though, that due to policy reasons we couldn't drop the class, unless there was some kind of emergency reason.

........Wow.

Tuesday I start General Sociology, and Wednesday Introduction to Photography.

My mind set for this semester is different than any other, one because whatever I've been doing up until this point, hasn't been working out so great.

So I think i'm going to have to break down, and follow some rules for this sememster:

• Allotting specific amounts of time, per class, per assignment (In stead of trying to tackle all classes at once)
• Turning off my computer & cell phones during my alloted study times (*Gasp)
• Setting up a study area in my home that doesn't change... (I have the hardest time settling down and working on something if I'm not comfortable)
• Eat healthier 
• Go to be earlier
• Stay in contact with my teachers, and get over my fear of asking questions
• Anyone else have any ideas?

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I decided not to take Pompei with me today, as I still haven't heard from my job if he can come with me or not, and since I was headed straight there from school, I decided not to risk having to leave him in the vehicle..which is a HUGE "No-NO" with GDF. Plus with the weather like it is, its way too cold for a 9wo puppy!

Looking forward to him accompanying me next week. *fingers crossed*
He is such a good boy.

{My Shopping Buddy}

This weekend, I have to finish up my things with Wilderwood, and began my new project of the month... see #32 on my 101 n 1001.

...But I'm trying to get that $4,000 charge off my account

Wow these titles are starting to get ridiculously long, but anyway...

So it’s Monday. Right?

I'm a complete bundle of nerves due to at least three situations that were being held in the balances as I waited for someone Else's decisions on them. I can barely remember what day it is, and I'm trying to adjust to having a new supervisor at my job.



For some reason I woke up at 7am, and didn't even try to crawl back in bed. (Cause I transferred myself, pillow, blanket and dogs to the couch) I should have than realized this day was starting off with an odd quality too it. But it didn't even cross my mind, as I got myself and the dogs ready for another work day. 

On the way to work I get a call it was my school's number so I hurried to grab it, and keep the car going in the right direction. But by the time I grabbed it, the person had already reached voice mail. 

It was the director of disabilities at PSTCC, and they wanted to know what student I was working my dogs with, and if I could get in contact with them etc...etc...

?!? 

Uh, no...I attempted to call her back right away, but once again got a voice-mail. Grrrr. I gave up and decided I would look up her email address when I got to work, and email her. I sent a long detailed explanation of what I do, and why I was contacting their office. 

(Basically I was just letting them know I was going to be on their campus on a regular basis, and wondered if they minded contacting my teachers, as that's what they did at AB-TECH. I was asking to bring the dog, since TN has this lovely law, which gives us puppy raiser the same access as fully trained guides.)

 Once again I was sent an email asking which student I was working with.....and to which law was I referring too? So I once again plainly stated what it was I was doing, provided the links and that they wanted.

Welll.....They haven't ever worked with a student that had a service dog, and didn't have a disability? But she said she'd forward it to their ADA and Security Guard People. 


Haven't heard from them since.

After work, I decided to get some shopping therapy in, before I had to run home, and get ready for choir practice.So I'm browsing through J.C. Penny's clearance stuff, when I get a call from my mother reminding me to pay for my classes, as the deadline was that day. I had until 6:30PM to get that done...it was about 4 pm at that time, so I hurried a little bit more, bought six shirts, and headed home.

The dogs needed exercise, so before I checked my class balances, I ran them for about 30 minutes, reveling in the fact, that we could be out there without getting frostbite.

When I finally sat down and went to confirm my attendance(aka pay for my classes)...I was in for a shock.Apparently I was classified as an out of state student, and there were some fees as a result of that. Something to the tune of $4k+ (btw WHY do they use a k to represent a thousand!?)

 

Plus the $1,000k of other fees.

Mega Panic Session, calls to my mom, the Cashiers Office, Records office, back to my parents...Apparently since I hadn't lived in TN for two consecutive years, I didn't qualify as an in state student. BUT I could prove my residency if my parents had claimed me as a dependent on their taxes. And I could get it to them by Tuesday, and still be able to confirm my attendance.

More phone conversations.

Nope. They sure enough hadn’t….

"Well we can set you up with a payment plan; you can pay half now, and two more payments later."

!?!?!?

By this time, we had other things to attend to, and since we were given a little more leeway to think things through. I got up and went about my evening. 

I can’t really say that I was stressed or even worried really. I know God is in control, and I know the steps he’s lead me to take up until this point. I was confident that he was going to make a way. Because that’s his specialty ya know!? But the thing was, I knew we had to take some action as well…but where what was the right one!?

Tuesday morning, I got up early, and got back on the phone with the school. Between my mother and I , we were able to get find out that one of the ladies, that was so helpful to my mom last year, was at the Magnolia Campus. So we both jumped into our respective vehicles and headed to that campus. My mom made it before I did. (Hey had to feed the baby lunch, and get the other dogs potty’ed before I could leave), and was able to get into the ladies office JUST before a line started forming down the hallway. (A God thing for sure. Anyone want to argue?)

Anyway when Pompei and I arrived, they’d already come up with a plan, to prove my residency. Since I’d filed my taxes to a TN address that would be enough to prove I’d been here. *wooooooshhh* Huge sigh of relief. I could pay the other fee, until FA came through, with the O.O.S. fee gone.

We kind of dazedly followed our “angel” out of her office, as she took Pompei to see some of her co-workers. Then I tore home to get that information, gave it to my mom, who was than took it out to the main campus and give it directly to the Records person. (Hey I had to work or i would have done it)

Three hours later, that deed was done, and the fees taken off my account. And as of today I have confirmed my attendance and am several hundreds of dollars poorer. (Good-bye Pontiac Vibe *sniff*)

Woooooooooooooooooot!!!

And it gets better!

Today I received a lovely email from the ADA office, stating that Pompei would indeed be allowed in the campus as the law states, and I just needed to bring my “credentials” and a list of my instructors and they would let everyone involved know that there would a dog in their class. 

Wow! 

It feels silly to be stunned when you asked God to do something and he does, but indeed I am.

...But I'm working on #23 and the weekend :)

#23 - Set A Strict Schedule for Puppy

I know this isn't my dog blog, but its kind of hard when they are like the 3rd most important things in my life right now (God, Work...Dogs).

After 4 puppies you start learning some tips and tricks of a little thing called potty training.

• Consistency. You have to do the same thing, every day the same way. 
• Go out the same door to go potty, to the same spot...always sit to eat, or to go outside, or to get a treat etc..
  
• Confinement. Letting a 8wo puppy roam the entire house is ASKING for accidents.
• Mr.Pompeii is limited to my kitchen unless I'm going to get off the computer/stop whatever I'm doing and watch him. Right now I'm using baby-gates, but have purchased an x-pen so that he can have his area, with out confining the dogs that have earned their freedoms. And so I don't have to do the crazy baby-gate-hop every time I need to go into my kitchen!

• Crates - What would we do without them?
• With my first 3 pups, I struggled with using the crate, just because if felt mean. Now? Not so much. This morning I woke up, took Mr. Pompeii out to potty, than put him and his food in the crate while I got dressed, and fed the other dogs. Most puppies have to potty immediately after eating, and  I knew I couldn't get him out that soon, so in the crate ya go.
  

On the days I'm home, my day gets to be broken down into 30 minute increments. Which for someone who has such a hard time focusing is actually a good thing. So when I get home, it'll go something like this:
The dots represent 30 minutes
(Hour 1)

• Pottying, Exercise and Play time 
• Potty,Crate Games/Nap Time/Hang out by yourself time
  

(Hour 2)
HOPEFULLY SLEEPING

• Potty, Indoor Playtime
• Potty, X-Pen Time/Playtime 

 And Hour 3 - 12 - Repeat

I know a lot of you are going OMG, that is too much work..well ok don't get a puppy than, and two you don't HAVE to do that.....but its a WHOLE lot easier later on if you do. Think of all the stuff you are saving, and the valuables that won't get chewed up.

I have actually upped that schedule to giving him an hour of free time in the room with me, and than napping however long he will in his pen, however long he will. Which as it turns out, he's put himself on the 30 minute schedule, so even if I don't pen him, he's crashed by the heater or on a bed, or under something after about 15-30 minutes of playtime.

The only thing with having him loose, is that I have a greater risk of having my carpet peed on if I don't see him as soon as he gets up.

But ok enough about the dogs. That's what my other 4 blogs are for.....

__________________________________________________________________

5 days till school starts.....

And its the weekend. Finally! I have survied my first week of 2010! Let's hope the rest of the year doesn't go this  "well". I think about 80% caught up on my sleep. Pompei is not screaming his way to tiredness anymore, but is still getting up in the middle of the night.

Since it started snowing on Thursday, I had to cancel all my puppy classes at the kennels today, due to the road conditions, so I got to spend the entire day at home with my puppies.I wanted to take a nap...that just didn't happen. Even still I'm planning on going to bed at ..10:30PM.
 
Yeah wish me luck, I'll need it.  I am a night owl if there ever was one.

Something that makes early morning classes detrimental to my grades....and so do early job schedules...though some how I rarely miss those!

But I did get the majority of my To-Do list down. (YaY Me) And Scrapbooked Pompei's first couple of days with done....

 And I think I might be ready for next week.
Anyway I trust you all had a great weekend, I'm off to wash dishes and go to bed.

TTYL