First, I want to catch up on the ovary thing - I had my visit with the oncologist. I really liked him and feel very reassured that what I have is not cancer. He seemed quite positive based on blood tests, pt history, etc. On the other hand, he felt fairly certain that he would have to remove my entire ovary while he was in there. It won't affect my fertility (well, by 1/2 it will, but in the long run, whatever) or hormones, it's just a little jarring to have my girl-parts removed. I will miss you, little Right-y!
I will be in for surgery on April 10. Wish me luck, i'm quite nervous.
On Sunday, it just so happened to be Easter Sunday, which we don't celebrate or observe in any real way, Lucy, Todd, and I went out for Brunch at our very favorite local haunt. (http://www.stclouds.com). On our way, an older gent with a grizzly white beard and ratty clothes approached us. He seemed friendly and obviously homeless. He gave us a long story which amounted of course to being hungry and without money. We listened to him and told him that we would bring him some food after our breakfast if he was still around.
Through breakfast, Lucy had many questions. Does that man have no house? Does he live on the street? When we told her about the mean world and how sometimes no matter what people do, things happen to them where they end up without money and without a house and they need our help, the help of people who have money and houses. People who are lucky like us. She was so thoughtful about this. She was glad we would bring him food and she insisted on drawing a picture for him, too.
She said, "When I go home, I will get my piggy bank and count the money in it and bring it to him."
"When we move to Connecticut, that man can have our house."
The thing that was so amazing about her response was that it came from a place of love and compassion. Totally. There was no guilt or remorse or discomfort or pretense or fear in her response. She had generous concern for the welfare of this man. In her heart she knew that she wanted to make him feel better.
When we were done with our lunch, we went out in the rain with a boxed veggie omelette breakfast. The man was still out there on the street, and he was clearly grateful for the food. But I think he was more grateful for the way Lucy talked to him, openly and again without pretense or fear. She said she wanted to draw him a picture. He looked so genuinely pleased by her presence as he squatted low to hear what she had to say. I think it was this interaction between them that meant more to him than the simple gesture of food.
How I love that little being!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
On and Ovaries
So, I've been kinda busy with, well, nothing. It's hard to remember to blog when life has no exact rhythm and is more up and down and focus-free. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed it, and I've remained somehow completely busy, but it's not the same as having a predictable (though stressful) school or work schedule.
That said, I'm also having some freaky health issues. Those of you who have known me for some time know that I've had this silly ovarian cyst for years. In fact, I went the ER on my wedding night 5 years ago to find out what the pain in the abdomen was. I've been following it with a gynecologist since that time and recently went for a formal followup ultrasound. Long story short, it is now classified as a "complex, septated ovarian mass", which means that there are walls (septations) and that it has some fluid-filled and some solid compartments. New to this ultrasound, they ran a doppler and found that there is blood flow to the mass. These things are not good.
So I have to get it removed.
The gynecologist said i had to see an oncologist, which is the first thing that made me freak out. Of course, the word oncology being synonymous with cancer and certain death, I began to mentally plot out my funeral and make arrangements for Lucy and Todd's care (what, you think they take care of themselves?) Then the earliest the oncologist could get me in was April 10, over a month away, and the earliest they could schedule surgery would probably be mid-May, perilously close to our departure date.
I freaked out.
When I calmed myself down, I managed to remember (with Todd's help) that I have connections in the Medical world who could probably point me to someone with more immediate availability. I called Dr. C and she recommended this guy who is apparently top dog around here in gynecological oncology and he is getting me in tomorrow for the consult and April 10 for the surgery. Phew.
I am going back and forth between being relatively secure that this thing is benign and totally freaking out and trying to figure out how long chemo treatment will last and what other treatment I will have to endure... I will keep you posted, but I do think chances are good in my favor. My age, the fact that I have carried a child, the lack of ovarian cancer in my family and the family history non-malignant ovarian growths (my mom) all play out in my favor. But there is always a chance (furiously knocking on wood).
Other than that, our move date looms near.... 2.5 months to go! We fly out to New Haven in a couple weeks to sign for our house and register Lucy for school (she got into the good school we liked... Hurray for public school!)
I got this awesome xtracycle attached to my bike (http://www.xtracycle.com) and there are some ape-hanger handlebars so Lucy can ride on it. It rocks! New Haven is relatively flat so I imagine that Lucy and I will make many bike trips here and there and I will certainly ride to school when weather permits.
I am beginning to grow deeply sad about leaving the life I've made for myself here in Seattle for the past 14 years and don't know whether or not we will return... we just might! My friends, kung fu, small things like the restaurants I go to and the parks we play in... *sigh*
But, there are many things I'm looking forward to in New Haven. Having a built-in community of friends is pretty amazing - Joe, Sarj, and Lisa will all be there. My dad close by... it will be pretty great.
That said, I'm also having some freaky health issues. Those of you who have known me for some time know that I've had this silly ovarian cyst for years. In fact, I went the ER on my wedding night 5 years ago to find out what the pain in the abdomen was. I've been following it with a gynecologist since that time and recently went for a formal followup ultrasound. Long story short, it is now classified as a "complex, septated ovarian mass", which means that there are walls (septations) and that it has some fluid-filled and some solid compartments. New to this ultrasound, they ran a doppler and found that there is blood flow to the mass. These things are not good.
So I have to get it removed.
The gynecologist said i had to see an oncologist, which is the first thing that made me freak out. Of course, the word oncology being synonymous with cancer and certain death, I began to mentally plot out my funeral and make arrangements for Lucy and Todd's care (what, you think they take care of themselves?) Then the earliest the oncologist could get me in was April 10, over a month away, and the earliest they could schedule surgery would probably be mid-May, perilously close to our departure date.
I freaked out.
When I calmed myself down, I managed to remember (with Todd's help) that I have connections in the Medical world who could probably point me to someone with more immediate availability. I called Dr. C and she recommended this guy who is apparently top dog around here in gynecological oncology and he is getting me in tomorrow for the consult and April 10 for the surgery. Phew.
I am going back and forth between being relatively secure that this thing is benign and totally freaking out and trying to figure out how long chemo treatment will last and what other treatment I will have to endure... I will keep you posted, but I do think chances are good in my favor. My age, the fact that I have carried a child, the lack of ovarian cancer in my family and the family history non-malignant ovarian growths (my mom) all play out in my favor. But there is always a chance (furiously knocking on wood).
Other than that, our move date looms near.... 2.5 months to go! We fly out to New Haven in a couple weeks to sign for our house and register Lucy for school (she got into the good school we liked... Hurray for public school!)
I got this awesome xtracycle attached to my bike (http://www.xtracycle.com) and there are some ape-hanger handlebars so Lucy can ride on it. It rocks! New Haven is relatively flat so I imagine that Lucy and I will make many bike trips here and there and I will certainly ride to school when weather permits.
I am beginning to grow deeply sad about leaving the life I've made for myself here in Seattle for the past 14 years and don't know whether or not we will return... we just might! My friends, kung fu, small things like the restaurants I go to and the parks we play in... *sigh*
But, there are many things I'm looking forward to in New Haven. Having a built-in community of friends is pretty amazing - Joe, Sarj, and Lisa will all be there. My dad close by... it will be pretty great.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Corrections
I read it on the internets so it must be true!
Well, I just wanted to correct my previous blog on 2 counts. Shannon Harps's (the stabbing victim) killer was found and arrested.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004145603_webharps25m.html
There were two men shot at Philly's - only the owner was killed. The other man, presumably a customer but possibly an employee, is in critical condition at Harborview.
Well, I just wanted to correct my previous blog on 2 counts. Shannon Harps's (the stabbing victim) killer was found and arrested.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004145603_webharps25m.html
There were two men shot at Philly's - only the owner was killed. The other man, presumably a customer but possibly an employee, is in critical condition at Harborview.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Where's my handbasket?
I just got back from Kung Fu where I learned that the new owner of Philly's Best, the sandwich institution on 23rd and Union was shot dead at 11:45 am yesterday in the shop. I don't know what I find most alarming about this. He is the second owner of the shop to be shot dead - the previous owner was killed 4 years ago in a robbery, I believe. This was not a robbery, apparently, it was personal.
The killer was on a rampage - first he went to his girlfriend's apartment and shot the place up, nobody was there. Then, he had some beef with the Philly's guy and so went straight there and killed him and a customer. In the late morning, broad daylight, weekday, right before the lunch rush.
One month ago, a young woman almost exactly my age was carrying groceries to her apartment on Capitol Hill, the wacky east-village-like white ghetto of Seattle. A man came up to her, stabbed her to death amidst her screams and before witnesses, ran off and was not ever caught. This death deeply affected me. I could be that woman. I lived on Capitol Hill for many years and have always wanted to move back there, I love the hill. I would not think twice of being on the street at 7 pm alone and unarmed.
This woman's death has brought a new sincerity to my kung fu training. I have always questioned myself, would I truly be able to defend myself against an assailant? Would I have the stomach to rip someone's eyes out, break their knees, their nose? I could never picture it, no, that's not it, I could never FEEL it. When I read about the woman on Capitol Hill, I knew that i could. I KNOW that I could. That I would fight against an assailant with all the tools that I have.
I bring that to my training now. When I practice street-fighting techniques, it no longer feels like playacting. I can feel the results of my attacks without it actually occurring. When I elbow someone's jaw (with friendly contact), I feel it breaking. I feel myself smashing it in, and instead of feeling frightened or disgusted, I feel empowered. I know that I have some tools to help me against an attacker.
i also realize the fragility of my body against any attacker who is on drugs or is carrying weapons or has friends. I know that my little body stands little chance against many things and I also know that I am likely to lose a real fight that befalls me. I also know that I will have the spirit to say to an attacker, YOU PICKED THE WRONG BITCH TO FUCK WITH TODAY and i will fight them with all the tools that I have. That woman's death reminds me of that fighting spirit.
I am scared that so many violent and horrific things are happening so close to me, all around me. I am terrified for Lucy and the world that sometimes seems so uncaring and upside-down. I am grateful for the tools I have, but I am never going to stop getting new tools, new weapons, new abilities to protect myself and my family. The world may seem like it's going to hell in a handbasket right now, but I am going to do what I can to keep it a good and safe place for me and my family to live.
My thoughts are with the families of the victims tonight and my heart goes out to all of them.
The killer was on a rampage - first he went to his girlfriend's apartment and shot the place up, nobody was there. Then, he had some beef with the Philly's guy and so went straight there and killed him and a customer. In the late morning, broad daylight, weekday, right before the lunch rush.
One month ago, a young woman almost exactly my age was carrying groceries to her apartment on Capitol Hill, the wacky east-village-like white ghetto of Seattle. A man came up to her, stabbed her to death amidst her screams and before witnesses, ran off and was not ever caught. This death deeply affected me. I could be that woman. I lived on Capitol Hill for many years and have always wanted to move back there, I love the hill. I would not think twice of being on the street at 7 pm alone and unarmed.
This woman's death has brought a new sincerity to my kung fu training. I have always questioned myself, would I truly be able to defend myself against an assailant? Would I have the stomach to rip someone's eyes out, break their knees, their nose? I could never picture it, no, that's not it, I could never FEEL it. When I read about the woman on Capitol Hill, I knew that i could. I KNOW that I could. That I would fight against an assailant with all the tools that I have.
I bring that to my training now. When I practice street-fighting techniques, it no longer feels like playacting. I can feel the results of my attacks without it actually occurring. When I elbow someone's jaw (with friendly contact), I feel it breaking. I feel myself smashing it in, and instead of feeling frightened or disgusted, I feel empowered. I know that I have some tools to help me against an attacker.
i also realize the fragility of my body against any attacker who is on drugs or is carrying weapons or has friends. I know that my little body stands little chance against many things and I also know that I am likely to lose a real fight that befalls me. I also know that I will have the spirit to say to an attacker, YOU PICKED THE WRONG BITCH TO FUCK WITH TODAY and i will fight them with all the tools that I have. That woman's death reminds me of that fighting spirit.
I am scared that so many violent and horrific things are happening so close to me, all around me. I am terrified for Lucy and the world that sometimes seems so uncaring and upside-down. I am grateful for the tools I have, but I am never going to stop getting new tools, new weapons, new abilities to protect myself and my family. The world may seem like it's going to hell in a handbasket right now, but I am going to do what I can to keep it a good and safe place for me and my family to live.
My thoughts are with the families of the victims tonight and my heart goes out to all of them.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Shiva
While I was in Connecticut scoping out kindergartens for Lucy, I learned that my beloved companion of 13 + years was killed by some sort of wild creature in the neighborhood.
Shiva has been with me longer than anyone I know, - 13 years, minus the few he spent with my brother while I went to college. He was adopted by Todd, who loved him as much as I did.
I got him when he was a sickly but wily little orange kitten. He had a cold of some sort that lasted for so long that it scarred his tear ducts and was plagued his entire life with a drippy eye. It was because of this that I became interested in nutrition and supplements (for pets) which led to my general interest in nutrition and health, which in turn leads me to where I am today.
He slept on my pillow when he was tiny and gradually grew and grew until he took over the whole thing and I had to get one of my own. He slept next to me until Lucy was born at which point he took a hiatus from the screaming and then from the bouncing and general loudness of children. He recently began to join me in bed again each night even if just for a quick scratch and purrfest.
He wasn't too crazy about the new addition we got to the family last year, either. Stellaluna tamed him, and though he pretended to merely tolerate her, but I knew he secretly loved her.
Though he was a curmudgeon, he always knew when I was sad or sick and came to sit and cuddle with me. He killed MANY rats since moving in here and left them partially eaten or intact as lovely gifts. I joked that the rats had an uprising and ultimately got him back in the end. You never know...
He began to become more ornery of late, pissing on the oven when we were too slow in feeding him. Though impatient about food, he also became more affectionate as he grew older. Sitting with us on the couch to get scratched and to fart.
I miss him terribly. I loved him as a real member of my family and it is hard for me to come home without his warm greeting.
Shiva has been with me longer than anyone I know, - 13 years, minus the few he spent with my brother while I went to college. He was adopted by Todd, who loved him as much as I did.
I got him when he was a sickly but wily little orange kitten. He had a cold of some sort that lasted for so long that it scarred his tear ducts and was plagued his entire life with a drippy eye. It was because of this that I became interested in nutrition and supplements (for pets) which led to my general interest in nutrition and health, which in turn leads me to where I am today.
He slept on my pillow when he was tiny and gradually grew and grew until he took over the whole thing and I had to get one of my own. He slept next to me until Lucy was born at which point he took a hiatus from the screaming and then from the bouncing and general loudness of children. He recently began to join me in bed again each night even if just for a quick scratch and purrfest.
He wasn't too crazy about the new addition we got to the family last year, either. Stellaluna tamed him, and though he pretended to merely tolerate her, but I knew he secretly loved her.
Though he was a curmudgeon, he always knew when I was sad or sick and came to sit and cuddle with me. He killed MANY rats since moving in here and left them partially eaten or intact as lovely gifts. I joked that the rats had an uprising and ultimately got him back in the end. You never know...
He began to become more ornery of late, pissing on the oven when we were too slow in feeding him. Though impatient about food, he also became more affectionate as he grew older. Sitting with us on the couch to get scratched and to fart.
I miss him terribly. I loved him as a real member of my family and it is hard for me to come home without his warm greeting.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Go Out With a BANG.
For those still hanging by a thread to see how I did this quarter:
Microbiology - 3.7
Lab - 3.3
and.... drumroll please....
Statistics - 3.9!!
I rock.
Microbiology - 3.7
Lab - 3.3
and.... drumroll please....
Statistics - 3.9!!
I rock.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
My Brain Shook
I'm done. I'm done! I'm DONE! I'm absolutely 100% completely done with being an undergrad. I took my last finals last week and now all I have to do is prepare my house, family, and self for moving across the country. I'm so glad! I'm not sure yet how I did overall, but I'm pretty confident I did well on my finals and finished out with a moderate bang. (is that a bing? a bap? whatever... i'm giddy)
In other news, well, there really is no other news. I was just feeling a bit neglectful of my blogging duties.
Today Lucy has been having a rough day. Well, we all have. She does something we don't like, we tell her not to do it in a grumpy way, which makes her do it again, because she feels bad and mad about having been told and then boom. A fight. It culminated tonight, after her best friend's birthday party and a long day of running around, cake, candy, and bad food.... Todd was clipping Stellaluna's (our black kitty) nails. Lucy made a loud noise which scared Stella. Stella scratched Todd. Todd told her in a grumpy way to not make noise and proceeded to continue with claw-clipping (i was *trying* to butt out) and she felt bad and mad and did another loud noise, the kitty really scratched todd and todd YELLED so LOUD!!!! I've never seen her yell at her like that ever... I've done it, but it's a first for papa...
Anyway, after the crying ended (major bigtime crying) and I was talking it over with her, she looked up at me with her tear-stained cheeks glistening and lip quivering and said, "He yelled so loud my brain shook."
Sometimes the imagery she comes up with astounds me. Especially in light of her extreme four-year-old behavior. She speaks with such clarity and beauty about feelings that she doesn't understand. It's miraculous.
Recently, she went through a phase when she was feeling not so well and I would pick her up at school and she looked so sad. Happy to see me, but like she was waking up from being sad. She told me each day, "I was feeling jealous for you." I thought she was just using the wrong word, a word I'd explained to her recently but that she wasn't grasping correctly. I would reply, "you missed me today?"
"Yes."
A couple of weeks later, I was alone in my car and the Writer's Almanac on NPR was on. It was Emily Dickenson's birthday and Garrison Keillor was reciting a poem, "The Last Night that She Lived". I realized that her word was so aptly chosen, it couldn't have been more real to what she was feeling. I was just too dense to understand. Not the last time, I'm sure.
The last Night that She lived
It was a Common Night
Except the Dying—this to Us
Made Nature different
We noticed smallest things—
Things overlooked before
By this great light upon our Minds
Italicized—as 'twere.
As We went out and in
Between Her final Room
And Rooms where Those to be alive
Tomorrow were, a Blame
That Others could exist
While She must finish quite
A Jealousy for Her arose
So nearly infinite—
We waited while She passed—
It was a narrow time—
Too jostled were Our Souls to speak
At length the notice came.
She mentioned, and forgot—
Then lightly as a Reed
Bent to the Water, struggled scarce—
Consented, and was dead—
And We—We placed the Hair—
And drew the Head erect—
And then an awful leisure was
Belief to regulate—
In other news, well, there really is no other news. I was just feeling a bit neglectful of my blogging duties.
Today Lucy has been having a rough day. Well, we all have. She does something we don't like, we tell her not to do it in a grumpy way, which makes her do it again, because she feels bad and mad about having been told and then boom. A fight. It culminated tonight, after her best friend's birthday party and a long day of running around, cake, candy, and bad food.... Todd was clipping Stellaluna's (our black kitty) nails. Lucy made a loud noise which scared Stella. Stella scratched Todd. Todd told her in a grumpy way to not make noise and proceeded to continue with claw-clipping (i was *trying* to butt out) and she felt bad and mad and did another loud noise, the kitty really scratched todd and todd YELLED so LOUD!!!! I've never seen her yell at her like that ever... I've done it, but it's a first for papa...
Anyway, after the crying ended (major bigtime crying) and I was talking it over with her, she looked up at me with her tear-stained cheeks glistening and lip quivering and said, "He yelled so loud my brain shook."
Sometimes the imagery she comes up with astounds me. Especially in light of her extreme four-year-old behavior. She speaks with such clarity and beauty about feelings that she doesn't understand. It's miraculous.
Recently, she went through a phase when she was feeling not so well and I would pick her up at school and she looked so sad. Happy to see me, but like she was waking up from being sad. She told me each day, "I was feeling jealous for you." I thought she was just using the wrong word, a word I'd explained to her recently but that she wasn't grasping correctly. I would reply, "you missed me today?"
"Yes."
A couple of weeks later, I was alone in my car and the Writer's Almanac on NPR was on. It was Emily Dickenson's birthday and Garrison Keillor was reciting a poem, "The Last Night that She Lived". I realized that her word was so aptly chosen, it couldn't have been more real to what she was feeling. I was just too dense to understand. Not the last time, I'm sure.
The last Night that She lived
It was a Common Night
Except the Dying—this to Us
Made Nature different
We noticed smallest things—
Things overlooked before
By this great light upon our Minds
Italicized—as 'twere.
As We went out and in
Between Her final Room
And Rooms where Those to be alive
Tomorrow were, a Blame
That Others could exist
While She must finish quite
A Jealousy for Her arose
So nearly infinite—
We waited while She passed—
It was a narrow time—
Too jostled were Our Souls to speak
At length the notice came.
She mentioned, and forgot—
Then lightly as a Reed
Bent to the Water, struggled scarce—
Consented, and was dead—
And We—We placed the Hair—
And drew the Head erect—
And then an awful leisure was
Belief to regulate—
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
DUUUUUUUDE!
So, i went to Yale for the interview. It was awesome. First, some first-year students hosted a dinner for us interviewees - very informal, just a chance to ask a lot of questions and eat some free food and enjoy a free beer. I had been feeling a bit sick all day - some weird infection that I will get into later - but I managed to have a great time and get a lot out of it. The most remarkable thing was that all these students seemed, well, happy! They were all very happy, well-rounded, relaxed people who seemed to be very diligent intelligent people who also had time for lives outside of the classroom.
(This is in opposition to the first program (and most others) who tried to scare us all with how much we would be in class and pretty much have no time for outside activities. Students seemed less healthy and happy, and a bit overwhelmed....)
At any rate, I was very impressed with the caliber of the students I met and with how much they seemed to feel supported in this very intense program by faculty and each other.
That night, i had a fever and a bad stomach thing and I couldn't get to sleep until about 4:30 am. I had to get up at around 6 to get to my 8:00 interview - so needless to say, I was not in prime condition. I slogged my way there after being unable to eat breakfast or (gasp) drink a cup of coffee. I was incredibly nervous and shaky and exhausted and a bit out of it. Luckily, my interviews were early in the day - so I got them over with rather quickly.
The first one was with the program director. She also had someone following her around, so he chimed it a bit as well, but she was in charge. It was very relaxed (I wasn't) and conversational. I felt OK about it, but I also felt like i kind of babbled on a bit, being a little out of sorts. Anyway, the next interview went very well, it was much more "interviewy" - 3 PAs - a faculty member and 2 practicing clinicians - were asking me questions. I relaxed a bit and felt very good about this one. The rest of the day consisted of info sessions, lunch with students, sitting in on a lecture, and a tour. By the end of the day, I was absolutely sure this was the place for me. I was ready to blow off all other interviews and acceptances, even if I didn't get in, I would reapply next year. I loved it.
As I told the director at the end of my interview, it seemed to really live up to the "hype".
"We have a hype?" She asked, at which point I was certain I'd blown it.
I walked off to my hotel, not really knowing how I did, but feeling OK about it. I was told time and again that they would likely let me know one way or another by the end of next week or 2 weeks from now at the latest. I was ready for the torture of waiting 2 weeks.
I got back to the hotel, told my dad all about it (he'd been watching Lucy all day, since Todd had to go to Nashville for work) and called my mom to fill her in. I hung up the phone and saw that it was ringing with a connecticut area code - I thought it would be my friend Lisa. Or Yale to ask me for some more information on an essay they'd had me write. Or to reject me and get it over with.
It was Mary, the program director. She was calling to tell me how much she'd enjoyed meeting me. She went on to say that sometimes they like to call a few people they are particularly excited about right away to invite them to join the program. She said she hoped I would complete my PA training at Yale.
Oh. My. God.
I told her how excited I was and we had a short conversation after which I yelled and screamed and had a jump hug with Lucy and my dad.
I did it. I got into YALE!!!
I can't wait.
(This is in opposition to the first program (and most others) who tried to scare us all with how much we would be in class and pretty much have no time for outside activities. Students seemed less healthy and happy, and a bit overwhelmed....)
At any rate, I was very impressed with the caliber of the students I met and with how much they seemed to feel supported in this very intense program by faculty and each other.
That night, i had a fever and a bad stomach thing and I couldn't get to sleep until about 4:30 am. I had to get up at around 6 to get to my 8:00 interview - so needless to say, I was not in prime condition. I slogged my way there after being unable to eat breakfast or (gasp) drink a cup of coffee. I was incredibly nervous and shaky and exhausted and a bit out of it. Luckily, my interviews were early in the day - so I got them over with rather quickly.
The first one was with the program director. She also had someone following her around, so he chimed it a bit as well, but she was in charge. It was very relaxed (I wasn't) and conversational. I felt OK about it, but I also felt like i kind of babbled on a bit, being a little out of sorts. Anyway, the next interview went very well, it was much more "interviewy" - 3 PAs - a faculty member and 2 practicing clinicians - were asking me questions. I relaxed a bit and felt very good about this one. The rest of the day consisted of info sessions, lunch with students, sitting in on a lecture, and a tour. By the end of the day, I was absolutely sure this was the place for me. I was ready to blow off all other interviews and acceptances, even if I didn't get in, I would reapply next year. I loved it.
As I told the director at the end of my interview, it seemed to really live up to the "hype".
"We have a hype?" She asked, at which point I was certain I'd blown it.
I walked off to my hotel, not really knowing how I did, but feeling OK about it. I was told time and again that they would likely let me know one way or another by the end of next week or 2 weeks from now at the latest. I was ready for the torture of waiting 2 weeks.
I got back to the hotel, told my dad all about it (he'd been watching Lucy all day, since Todd had to go to Nashville for work) and called my mom to fill her in. I hung up the phone and saw that it was ringing with a connecticut area code - I thought it would be my friend Lisa. Or Yale to ask me for some more information on an essay they'd had me write. Or to reject me and get it over with.
It was Mary, the program director. She was calling to tell me how much she'd enjoyed meeting me. She went on to say that sometimes they like to call a few people they are particularly excited about right away to invite them to join the program. She said she hoped I would complete my PA training at Yale.
Oh. My. God.
I told her how excited I was and we had a short conversation after which I yelled and screamed and had a jump hug with Lucy and my dad.
I did it. I got into YALE!!!
I can't wait.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Chugga chugga choo chooooo
So now Cornell has contacted me for an interview as well! I'm not entirely keen on their program, it's very type-A, surgical focus, etc. etc. I mean the first year class days are Monday - Friday 8-5... in class... not to mention the time needed to study. Also, Cornell Medical School is in New York City, which i would love, but I think todd is extremely trepidatious about it. He loves his car and that would be a big deal. But... Well anyway, I'm interviewing there, just to see what it's all about. I'm still really hoping for YALE.
Did I already write about sweet Lucy's comment? She asked me when we were moving to Yale, and I told her that I hadn't been accepted yet, I was still just hoping to get in. She said, "Magic, magic, magic.... Mama get into YALE!" I love that girl.
She has been fantastic company lately. Like I said earlier to my friend Sarjan, having a four-year-old totally ROCKS.
I have been slacking on my kung fu lately... just don't have time for it between school and panicking about PA school and being a parent and whatnot. I did go last night and I learned a very cool knife form in its entirety. Sifu encouraged me to get a live blade to practice with. Yikes. I asked her after class about teaching while I'm away. I figure, I will have no time to really train on my own, but if I can commit to teaching a couple lunchtime classes per week, then I'll still be training! I got her seal of approval... she told me i'm certified to open my own school if i want. (i don't, but it's nice to be told that it's OK). So, i'm kind of vaguely thinking that's the direction my training will take while I'm in PA school - it will certainly take a backseat, but I don't want to lose it. It is part of who I am.
I've been doing well in my classes, but not as well as I keep expecting. There's still time, but Microbiology is the only one i'm vaguely certain of getting an A in... I will also be missing quite a lot of class to fly to the East coast for my interviews - 2 days the week after Thanksgiving (Yale) and two days the week after that (Cornell). Then the following week is finals week - it will be hard to focus. Still...
Then, if I get into Yale, the next six months are FREE - well aside from the packing, moving, school-hunting (for Lucy) and re-settling that will ensue - I just mean I won't need to be taking any more classes. Which would be nice.
We'll see.
Time to go put my little friend to bed.
Did I already write about sweet Lucy's comment? She asked me when we were moving to Yale, and I told her that I hadn't been accepted yet, I was still just hoping to get in. She said, "Magic, magic, magic.... Mama get into YALE!" I love that girl.
She has been fantastic company lately. Like I said earlier to my friend Sarjan, having a four-year-old totally ROCKS.
I have been slacking on my kung fu lately... just don't have time for it between school and panicking about PA school and being a parent and whatnot. I did go last night and I learned a very cool knife form in its entirety. Sifu encouraged me to get a live blade to practice with. Yikes. I asked her after class about teaching while I'm away. I figure, I will have no time to really train on my own, but if I can commit to teaching a couple lunchtime classes per week, then I'll still be training! I got her seal of approval... she told me i'm certified to open my own school if i want. (i don't, but it's nice to be told that it's OK). So, i'm kind of vaguely thinking that's the direction my training will take while I'm in PA school - it will certainly take a backseat, but I don't want to lose it. It is part of who I am.
I've been doing well in my classes, but not as well as I keep expecting. There's still time, but Microbiology is the only one i'm vaguely certain of getting an A in... I will also be missing quite a lot of class to fly to the East coast for my interviews - 2 days the week after Thanksgiving (Yale) and two days the week after that (Cornell). Then the following week is finals week - it will be hard to focus. Still...
Then, if I get into Yale, the next six months are FREE - well aside from the packing, moving, school-hunting (for Lucy) and re-settling that will ensue - I just mean I won't need to be taking any more classes. Which would be nice.
We'll see.
Time to go put my little friend to bed.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Another Quick Update
Yale!
They contacted me for an interview. I interview on November 26th. I am VERY excited! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!
Wish me luck.
They contacted me for an interview. I interview on November 26th. I am VERY excited! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!
Wish me luck.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Are We There Yet?
Milestones here, some candy there... it's been a long couple of weeks.
I was accepted at Arcadia. I was going to turn them down until I received my official letter including an offer for a substantial scholarship and some mysterious "Merit Award". So I am giving them a second thought. I sent them a deposit, but am still hoping to get other offers for interviews at my top choices. Yale, where are you?!
I'm obsessively checking e-mail because Yale's timeline approaches completion... they said that we should be hearing regarding interviews by the end of October or early November - Halloween is tomorrow! Nobody has heard yet, according to a message board to which I'm subscribed. I'm also waiting to hear from George Washington in D.C. (i've kind of written that one off, they're already conducting interviews, but they've not yet rejected me) and Cornell, as well as the school in Boston. I'm interviewing in Philly in January.
Lucy turned 4!! She poops regularly in the toilet, is delightful fun, and will be a witch tomorrow for halloween. She told me yesterday that she wanted to be Batman instead, but I'm not buying any prefab plastic batman suit... I offered for her to be Batwitch - i could put the Batman emblem on her witch dress, but no dice. "That will be make me look crazy, mama!" Isn't that what Halloween is about?
Tomorrow her school does the best thing ever: All the kids go out in their costumes - ages 1-5 - and do a Halloween parade around the block. I think I will pee my pants.
School sucks.
I'm doing OK in Statistics. It's better than I thought it would be, but I haven't had any exams yet, so ask me next week (exam Friday).
I'm doing very well in Microbiology despite the fact that my prof could make the most interesting and exciting subject so boring i feel like repeatedly poking a pencil in my eyeballs for entertainment.
The one class I really enjoy - my microbiology lab - is going to be the death of me! I have totally SUCKED on all my quizzes and quizzes are what count. Those and the final exams. I mean, i LOVE the lab - it's interesting, I know what I'm doing, I really enjoy it, but i really suck at taking the tests in it. I will totally cry if i get a shitty grade in lab.
In any case, I don't think i'll be at UW next quarter. I probably don't have to do school at all after this until I start PA school depending on where I go, but I think I'll do the medical assisting thing anyway, just in case. That should be fun. And the schedule is super-flexible, so i can have a whole day with Lucy again. Hurray!
I was accepted at Arcadia. I was going to turn them down until I received my official letter including an offer for a substantial scholarship and some mysterious "Merit Award". So I am giving them a second thought. I sent them a deposit, but am still hoping to get other offers for interviews at my top choices. Yale, where are you?!
I'm obsessively checking e-mail because Yale's timeline approaches completion... they said that we should be hearing regarding interviews by the end of October or early November - Halloween is tomorrow! Nobody has heard yet, according to a message board to which I'm subscribed. I'm also waiting to hear from George Washington in D.C. (i've kind of written that one off, they're already conducting interviews, but they've not yet rejected me) and Cornell, as well as the school in Boston. I'm interviewing in Philly in January.
Lucy turned 4!! She poops regularly in the toilet, is delightful fun, and will be a witch tomorrow for halloween. She told me yesterday that she wanted to be Batman instead, but I'm not buying any prefab plastic batman suit... I offered for her to be Batwitch - i could put the Batman emblem on her witch dress, but no dice. "That will be make me look crazy, mama!" Isn't that what Halloween is about?
Tomorrow her school does the best thing ever: All the kids go out in their costumes - ages 1-5 - and do a Halloween parade around the block. I think I will pee my pants.
School sucks.
I'm doing OK in Statistics. It's better than I thought it would be, but I haven't had any exams yet, so ask me next week (exam Friday).
I'm doing very well in Microbiology despite the fact that my prof could make the most interesting and exciting subject so boring i feel like repeatedly poking a pencil in my eyeballs for entertainment.
The one class I really enjoy - my microbiology lab - is going to be the death of me! I have totally SUCKED on all my quizzes and quizzes are what count. Those and the final exams. I mean, i LOVE the lab - it's interesting, I know what I'm doing, I really enjoy it, but i really suck at taking the tests in it. I will totally cry if i get a shitty grade in lab.
In any case, I don't think i'll be at UW next quarter. I probably don't have to do school at all after this until I start PA school depending on where I go, but I think I'll do the medical assisting thing anyway, just in case. That should be fun. And the schedule is super-flexible, so i can have a whole day with Lucy again. Hurray!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Quickie
Got official acceptance from Arcadia. I think I will turn it down, but i'm not for sure yet.
Got another interview offer from another school in Philly. Still deciding when I'll go...
Still waiting to hear from Yale (they say late October/eary November but it doesn't feel too early to be obsessed with waiting.... I want Yale.
First exam in Micro today did not go as well as expected. Yada yada yada - we'll have to see about the curve. I *hate* this quarter. I'm so done doing PREREQUISITES! I'm ready for the real thing already!!!
Got another interview offer from another school in Philly. Still deciding when I'll go...
Still waiting to hear from Yale (they say late October/eary November but it doesn't feel too early to be obsessed with waiting.... I want Yale.
First exam in Micro today did not go as well as expected. Yada yada yada - we'll have to see about the curve. I *hate* this quarter. I'm so done doing PREREQUISITES! I'm ready for the real thing already!!!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Tick Tock Tick Tock...
So, my classes this quarter are B-O-R-I-N-G.. I have a feeling I won't do all that well - I'm so bored in both my lectures that on Friday I actually tried to write down the names of the 50 states (I came up with 49 - I STILL can't figure out what the last one is... I think we only really have 49 and I just never before bothered to count).
I flew out to Philly on Tuesday for my Arcadia interview, back here on Wednesday. It was exhausting. My interview went very well, the first professor with whom I interviewed practically told me i would get in - without actually telling me. ("you'll be hearing from us soon... I mean, I'm not supposed to say anything, but... you'll be hearing from us soon...). I liked the Professors, it's a highly ranked school, academically very good. There were some things about it though that made me think I would not be happy there.
First, I was very surprised at how young my interview group was. There were several people just finishing undergrad. This is not typical for PA school. Second, I sat in on a class. In a class of around 60 students, I saw one person of color. ONE. Of any color. It was a sea of white - not only just white, but blonde. The town seemed very remote and not at all, well, wonderful for me. The school was not particularly family-friendly (probably a side effect of the young factor). I asked about families and got the "Yes, there are people with kids and families - I don't know how they do it." (from students). And the final thing - a seemingly small thing - there was no recycling on campus. I don't know if they don't have recycling in that town, or what, but any answer I could come up with for it was, well, a tiny red flag. (Yes, I am a goddamned tree-hugging hippie.)
So, I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do if they accept me. Perhaps I will accept them and just wait and see what happens. I am not leaning towards them, but it was nice to go through the interview experience and feel successful.
I'm also considering alternate methods of entry - more gentle progress. I have applied to many schools - they all have a minimum of required clinical experience (I have almost none) - but that leaves out UW and many other schools that interest me. So, I'm thinking of taking some time here to become a medical assistant, actually GET the experience I need to get into a school of my choice. That means I'll have some experience, KNOW it's what I want to do, and be able to get in here or many other interesting places. It just puts it off for a few years... i have mixed feelings on this.
I mean, I want to START already. I'm done with prerequisites, so SICK of them. On the other hand, Lucy will be much more ready for me to be gone a LOT in a few years. The program is incredibly intense - class times are generally 8-5 each day - not to mention study time or any of that. I will be overwhelmed with work. If Lucy is 8 or 9, she will be in school herself, much more involved with her friends and school activities, much less in need for mama.
One thing that has sent my thoughts down this route is how she has been since school started. I don't have my mama day with her any more and I'm in school almost full-time. She has been a total nightmare. Screaming tantrum fits that are completely out of control and for seemingly no reason. I have been exhausted and unhappy and so has she. When I returned from my 2 days away, she had the biggest, longest fit ever. The next day after that, I made a huge effort to be there for her and snuggle and pay attention to her and she became a giant love bug. She is intense, sensitive, anxious and very tied to her mama.
I feel so torn about heading directly into such an intense program.
So here's the current plan: I wait.
If Yale contacts me for an interview, I will go and hope they love me. I think their program would be a wonderful fit for me and I would be insane to turn them down.
If they don't want me, I start M.A. training in January. I get a job the following January and work for a couple years in the field and then apply to programs that i really WANT. Then I go.
Less insane?
More inane?
WTF?
*sigh*
My friends B & K tied the knot last night. They had a gorgeous fun wedding. Katy glowed like crazy. It was great. Lucy wore this red and black plaid polyester number with a ribbon and frills. Even I have to admit she looked adorable (i initially wanted to barf when it was the one she picked out at the store). She wore her polka dot Vans and mardi gras shamrock beads. What a fashionista. When she saw Katy in her wedding dress, she dreamily sighed, "I need to get a dress like THAT, mama."
She's been on-and-off pooping in the toilet. Hurray! She made the switch completely for weeks but then had a difficult one that sent her back to diapers. Yesterday, she pooped in the toilet and she ran down to tell grampa, "It just came out so fast! It was like brown lightening shot out of my butt!"
I will leave you with that.
I flew out to Philly on Tuesday for my Arcadia interview, back here on Wednesday. It was exhausting. My interview went very well, the first professor with whom I interviewed practically told me i would get in - without actually telling me. ("you'll be hearing from us soon... I mean, I'm not supposed to say anything, but... you'll be hearing from us soon...). I liked the Professors, it's a highly ranked school, academically very good. There were some things about it though that made me think I would not be happy there.
First, I was very surprised at how young my interview group was. There were several people just finishing undergrad. This is not typical for PA school. Second, I sat in on a class. In a class of around 60 students, I saw one person of color. ONE. Of any color. It was a sea of white - not only just white, but blonde. The town seemed very remote and not at all, well, wonderful for me. The school was not particularly family-friendly (probably a side effect of the young factor). I asked about families and got the "Yes, there are people with kids and families - I don't know how they do it." (from students). And the final thing - a seemingly small thing - there was no recycling on campus. I don't know if they don't have recycling in that town, or what, but any answer I could come up with for it was, well, a tiny red flag. (Yes, I am a goddamned tree-hugging hippie.)
So, I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do if they accept me. Perhaps I will accept them and just wait and see what happens. I am not leaning towards them, but it was nice to go through the interview experience and feel successful.
I'm also considering alternate methods of entry - more gentle progress. I have applied to many schools - they all have a minimum of required clinical experience (I have almost none) - but that leaves out UW and many other schools that interest me. So, I'm thinking of taking some time here to become a medical assistant, actually GET the experience I need to get into a school of my choice. That means I'll have some experience, KNOW it's what I want to do, and be able to get in here or many other interesting places. It just puts it off for a few years... i have mixed feelings on this.
I mean, I want to START already. I'm done with prerequisites, so SICK of them. On the other hand, Lucy will be much more ready for me to be gone a LOT in a few years. The program is incredibly intense - class times are generally 8-5 each day - not to mention study time or any of that. I will be overwhelmed with work. If Lucy is 8 or 9, she will be in school herself, much more involved with her friends and school activities, much less in need for mama.
One thing that has sent my thoughts down this route is how she has been since school started. I don't have my mama day with her any more and I'm in school almost full-time. She has been a total nightmare. Screaming tantrum fits that are completely out of control and for seemingly no reason. I have been exhausted and unhappy and so has she. When I returned from my 2 days away, she had the biggest, longest fit ever. The next day after that, I made a huge effort to be there for her and snuggle and pay attention to her and she became a giant love bug. She is intense, sensitive, anxious and very tied to her mama.
I feel so torn about heading directly into such an intense program.
So here's the current plan: I wait.
If Yale contacts me for an interview, I will go and hope they love me. I think their program would be a wonderful fit for me and I would be insane to turn them down.
If they don't want me, I start M.A. training in January. I get a job the following January and work for a couple years in the field and then apply to programs that i really WANT. Then I go.
Less insane?
More inane?
WTF?
*sigh*
My friends B & K tied the knot last night. They had a gorgeous fun wedding. Katy glowed like crazy. It was great. Lucy wore this red and black plaid polyester number with a ribbon and frills. Even I have to admit she looked adorable (i initially wanted to barf when it was the one she picked out at the store). She wore her polka dot Vans and mardi gras shamrock beads. What a fashionista. When she saw Katy in her wedding dress, she dreamily sighed, "I need to get a dress like THAT, mama."
She's been on-and-off pooping in the toilet. Hurray! She made the switch completely for weeks but then had a difficult one that sent her back to diapers. Yesterday, she pooped in the toilet and she ran down to tell grampa, "It just came out so fast! It was like brown lightening shot out of my butt!"
I will leave you with that.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
My First Rejection...
From University of New England (Portland, ME) arrived today. I didn't make it past the first cut to even be interviewed... so sad.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Humpty Dumpty Revisited
I have been feeling out of sorts lately. Not just a little, but real curl-up-in-a-ball-question-the-world-we-live-in-and-my-place-in-it out of sorts. Not only that, but I've discovered a nasty monster that lives inside me over which i have little control. I have been completely out of step with and disconnected from Lucy for many days, and the days were turning into something longer and I was beginning to feel disconnected from me and my friends and my life and my self.
My disconnect manifest itself in a fuse much shorter than is normal for me, and when the fuse came to its explosive demise, the monster emerged and I would say things to my child I didn't expect and be angry in ways I didn't understand. It was like I was standing outside my body until it was over. (Before anyone goes calling CPS, I just mean that I would yell at her at slight provocation - she tested me more than usual and I yelled - there was no hitting or abuse of any kind) It was just not ME in there and I was beginning to wonder if I would return or if for some reason I was sliding into a new me, one i didn't like too much.
I started school this morning and in an attempt to reconnect, I promised to pick Lucy up from school early and take her shoe shopping - she'd just outgrown 2 pairs of shoes this week. Then we were going to go Halloween decoration shopping. We arrived at Northgate mall, a place I've frequented probably twice in my life, but I figured it was an easy Nordstrom to get shoes and it was near the halloween store. As we drove through the parking lot, a couple was crossing into the mall. There was no crosswalk. They were not yet in the road (no, i did not nearly run them down). They flipped me off for not stopping to allow them to jaywalk.
I flipped back
(did i mention I was out of sorts?)
I took Lucy in for shoes
"mama, what did you do?"
"A rude gesture."
"What's a rude gesture?"
"It's like when you are angry and you feel like saying something mean without using words, it was maybe not the best way to express myself."
"oh."
It took for-fucking-ever for us to agree on shoes. She wanted pink sequin slippers. I wanted black vans with cherries. She wanted silver and pink (ugly!) mary janes, I showed her black ones. We FINALLY agreed on some bronze mary janes. I just wanted to get out of there. I carried her and our shoes out to the car.
Those fuckers keyed my car! And not just a little key scratch either. Nope, my mini was gouged all the way around. From rear bumper down the passenger side, across the hood and back again. As you might imagine, I was FURIOUS! That is an understatement. I felt so simultaneously outraged and impotent, I actually wished for very bad things to happen to these people. I'm not the kind of person who does that. I mean, I'm not superstitious, but I don't like to tempt fate, if you know what I mean. I sobbed in fury.
When I finally got hold of myself, I went back inside and to the security surveillance camera area. We spent a good half hour in there looking at footage and we were able to see the couple go to an entrance, meet up with two other people and then split off. The man of the couple went with another guy up and down aisles looking for my car. I'm sure they would not have bothered had I been driving a blue Honda sedan or Ford Taurus. But no, I have to drive a mini Cooper with checkers on the roof. Not hard to find.
They hid, made sure noone was looking and then walked all the way around it and hustled off.
And no, the camera does not zoom in, we could not see any faces, and we did not see where they went. It was all pretty low-tech. But it gave me time to calm down and people with whom to commiserate. Lucy and I grabbed a snack and drink in the food court, snuggled, and made our way back to my poor marred car.
On the way home, Lucy asked why they keyed my car.
"Well, sometimes when you say or do something mean to someone, they only feel mad and want to do or say something mean back to you. They did a mean thing. So I did a mean thing back. So then they did a really mean thing back. When someone does something mean to you like that, you have two choices. You can do something that's mean back to them or you can let it go and end it. I should have let it go and so that's what I'm going to do now." (feeling very proud of my little speach)
"Well, I think you should just run them over!"
?!
At least I got a good laugh over that one.
Then we talked about it some more and she had another solution. When I told her again that I was going to let it go, she said, "You could have said, 'I don't like it when you key my car, so can you please not do that any more?'"
Eureka!
As part of letting it go, we went to the park and then out to dinner. After sharing my tale of woe with friends and family, playing at the park and enjoying a delicious glass of wine with dinner, I was feeling much better. I sank back into myself and had a wonderful evening with Lucy. I didn't feel all tight and pinched inside and she didn't mess with me. All I needed was to be on the receiving end of a little spiteful vandalism to put it all back into place.
And it didn't hurt that Lucy pooped in the toilet at St. Clouds!
And that papa returned from four long days away.
The mundane housekeeping:
School started today.
Statistics seems as though it will be as boring as expected. The prof spent a good half the class time futzing with the computer and not getting it to work and then the second half holding our hands through a very short scientific article. Oh yes, and he has a terrible stutter... I have compassion for the man, but at 8:30 in the morning, I just need a little ZAP in my day....
Microbiology will probably be very much fun. My first lab is tomorrow and i think i get to swab things and make cultures. Huzzah!
No word from any other schools yet...
My disconnect manifest itself in a fuse much shorter than is normal for me, and when the fuse came to its explosive demise, the monster emerged and I would say things to my child I didn't expect and be angry in ways I didn't understand. It was like I was standing outside my body until it was over. (Before anyone goes calling CPS, I just mean that I would yell at her at slight provocation - she tested me more than usual and I yelled - there was no hitting or abuse of any kind) It was just not ME in there and I was beginning to wonder if I would return or if for some reason I was sliding into a new me, one i didn't like too much.
I started school this morning and in an attempt to reconnect, I promised to pick Lucy up from school early and take her shoe shopping - she'd just outgrown 2 pairs of shoes this week. Then we were going to go Halloween decoration shopping. We arrived at Northgate mall, a place I've frequented probably twice in my life, but I figured it was an easy Nordstrom to get shoes and it was near the halloween store. As we drove through the parking lot, a couple was crossing into the mall. There was no crosswalk. They were not yet in the road (no, i did not nearly run them down). They flipped me off for not stopping to allow them to jaywalk.
I flipped back
(did i mention I was out of sorts?)
I took Lucy in for shoes
"mama, what did you do?"
"A rude gesture."
"What's a rude gesture?"
"It's like when you are angry and you feel like saying something mean without using words, it was maybe not the best way to express myself."
"oh."
It took for-fucking-ever for us to agree on shoes. She wanted pink sequin slippers. I wanted black vans with cherries. She wanted silver and pink (ugly!) mary janes, I showed her black ones. We FINALLY agreed on some bronze mary janes. I just wanted to get out of there. I carried her and our shoes out to the car.
Those fuckers keyed my car! And not just a little key scratch either. Nope, my mini was gouged all the way around. From rear bumper down the passenger side, across the hood and back again. As you might imagine, I was FURIOUS! That is an understatement. I felt so simultaneously outraged and impotent, I actually wished for very bad things to happen to these people. I'm not the kind of person who does that. I mean, I'm not superstitious, but I don't like to tempt fate, if you know what I mean. I sobbed in fury.
When I finally got hold of myself, I went back inside and to the security surveillance camera area. We spent a good half hour in there looking at footage and we were able to see the couple go to an entrance, meet up with two other people and then split off. The man of the couple went with another guy up and down aisles looking for my car. I'm sure they would not have bothered had I been driving a blue Honda sedan or Ford Taurus. But no, I have to drive a mini Cooper with checkers on the roof. Not hard to find.
They hid, made sure noone was looking and then walked all the way around it and hustled off.
And no, the camera does not zoom in, we could not see any faces, and we did not see where they went. It was all pretty low-tech. But it gave me time to calm down and people with whom to commiserate. Lucy and I grabbed a snack and drink in the food court, snuggled, and made our way back to my poor marred car.
On the way home, Lucy asked why they keyed my car.
"Well, sometimes when you say or do something mean to someone, they only feel mad and want to do or say something mean back to you. They did a mean thing. So I did a mean thing back. So then they did a really mean thing back. When someone does something mean to you like that, you have two choices. You can do something that's mean back to them or you can let it go and end it. I should have let it go and so that's what I'm going to do now." (feeling very proud of my little speach)
"Well, I think you should just run them over!"
?!
At least I got a good laugh over that one.
Then we talked about it some more and she had another solution. When I told her again that I was going to let it go, she said, "You could have said, 'I don't like it when you key my car, so can you please not do that any more?'"
Eureka!
As part of letting it go, we went to the park and then out to dinner. After sharing my tale of woe with friends and family, playing at the park and enjoying a delicious glass of wine with dinner, I was feeling much better. I sank back into myself and had a wonderful evening with Lucy. I didn't feel all tight and pinched inside and she didn't mess with me. All I needed was to be on the receiving end of a little spiteful vandalism to put it all back into place.
And it didn't hurt that Lucy pooped in the toilet at St. Clouds!
And that papa returned from four long days away.
The mundane housekeeping:
School started today.
Statistics seems as though it will be as boring as expected. The prof spent a good half the class time futzing with the computer and not getting it to work and then the second half holding our hands through a very short scientific article. Oh yes, and he has a terrible stutter... I have compassion for the man, but at 8:30 in the morning, I just need a little ZAP in my day....
Microbiology will probably be very much fun. My first lab is tomorrow and i think i get to swab things and make cultures. Huzzah!
No word from any other schools yet...
Saturday, September 22, 2007
An Update of all Things
Well, vacation is nearly coming to a close. And, like most people, I didn't get anything done that I'd planned as far as projects around the house. Lucy and I drove to PAWMA in Petaluma CA, camped a coule days in the van, and then picked up papa from the airport and drove down to Monterey to spend a few days with my brother and his family. PAWMA camp was great, as usual. The classes were not as varied and exciting as in years past, for me at least, but I had a great time and my practice was invigorated.
I've been thinking of directions I want to take my training and it was great to hobnob with all sorts of practitioners. One thing I realized as I watched all the demos on Saturday night was how incredibly awesome my particular art (Kajukenbo) is and in particular, our branch (Bones family Gaylord method). Even though I might need to add this and that from other arts, the thing that makes this art so special is that you can add others and use them to improve your Kajukenbo.
Speaking of demos, our demo ROCKED. We were certainly one of the crowd favorites and it went off nearly without a hitch. I was so jazzed. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a video glitch and it didn't get recorded, but trust me, we were great. Good music, headsprings, handsprings, sword play, staff work... oo la la.
Lucy and I flew back and papa drove the van up the coast for a little solo time. A few days after his return, the three of us took off for Albany so that we could meet my close friends' new baby, Ruby Rae. She was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. We all fell in love. I've met a lot of babies since Lucy came along, but this was the first one that got my ovaries jumping up and down, if you know what I mean. Thank goodness I have an IUD, or I would have been pregnant immediately.... well, maybe not, but I had a great time helping out with that baby.
We also visited our friends who moved away to Vermont. We met with them for an afternoon halfway between - and their daughter and ours had a great time. It was great for us to see them, but too short and then we said our goodbyes and headed back to NY. I took my dad in for his annual test (he has had bladder cancer in the past, and so has frequent checks) and it came out clear. Hurray for that! He spend the night in our hotel with us to celebrate and then he headed back down to Woodstock. We were there for a whirlwind 6 day trip and it was jam-packed with activity.
Then, back home with 6 days to spare before classes start: Microbiology with lab (hooray!) and Statistics (ew). I'll be taking 10 credits - twice as many as in quarters past.... we'll see how it goes. I'm a bit nervous, but I'd better get used to it.
Speaking of school, my applications were submitted on August 27 and I've already received my first call for an interview. I'm flying out to Philadelphia to interview at Arcadia. I never expected to hear so quickly, but I'm excited! I'm still very hopeful about Yale. I mean, not only is it a reputable program, but the location can't be beat. Accessible to NYC, my friends in Albany, my dad, my friends in Brattleboro... it's very central. One of my dear friends actually lives in New Haven, but unfortunately she is moving back to Berkeley next spring. Alas.
Back home, it's great to be back, eating good food and exercising once again. I made it back to kung fu this morning for the first time in nearly a month. It felt great. My friend B has started with us after supporting Clayton, his fiancée Katy, and me in the art for 8 years! He finally succumbed to the dark side and we are VERY glad to have him.
School Wednesday
Grampa arrives on Oct 2 for a month
First interview in Philly Oct 10 (flying out the 9th, back the 10th so that I miss a minimum of school, but still...)
Lucy pooped in the toilet when we were in NY, but now back at home is back to the diaper *sigh*
She is however completely out of diapers at night and has had nary an accident (furiously knocking wood)
Lucy and Kita had a playdate with papa at the zoo today. By all accounts they all had a great time together with much love to go around. Hurray for that!
I guess that's all the news that's hardly fit to print.
Signing off.
I've been thinking of directions I want to take my training and it was great to hobnob with all sorts of practitioners. One thing I realized as I watched all the demos on Saturday night was how incredibly awesome my particular art (Kajukenbo) is and in particular, our branch (Bones family Gaylord method). Even though I might need to add this and that from other arts, the thing that makes this art so special is that you can add others and use them to improve your Kajukenbo.
Speaking of demos, our demo ROCKED. We were certainly one of the crowd favorites and it went off nearly without a hitch. I was so jazzed. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a video glitch and it didn't get recorded, but trust me, we were great. Good music, headsprings, handsprings, sword play, staff work... oo la la.
Lucy and I flew back and papa drove the van up the coast for a little solo time. A few days after his return, the three of us took off for Albany so that we could meet my close friends' new baby, Ruby Rae. She was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. We all fell in love. I've met a lot of babies since Lucy came along, but this was the first one that got my ovaries jumping up and down, if you know what I mean. Thank goodness I have an IUD, or I would have been pregnant immediately.... well, maybe not, but I had a great time helping out with that baby.
We also visited our friends who moved away to Vermont. We met with them for an afternoon halfway between - and their daughter and ours had a great time. It was great for us to see them, but too short and then we said our goodbyes and headed back to NY. I took my dad in for his annual test (he has had bladder cancer in the past, and so has frequent checks) and it came out clear. Hurray for that! He spend the night in our hotel with us to celebrate and then he headed back down to Woodstock. We were there for a whirlwind 6 day trip and it was jam-packed with activity.
Then, back home with 6 days to spare before classes start: Microbiology with lab (hooray!) and Statistics (ew). I'll be taking 10 credits - twice as many as in quarters past.... we'll see how it goes. I'm a bit nervous, but I'd better get used to it.
Speaking of school, my applications were submitted on August 27 and I've already received my first call for an interview. I'm flying out to Philadelphia to interview at Arcadia. I never expected to hear so quickly, but I'm excited! I'm still very hopeful about Yale. I mean, not only is it a reputable program, but the location can't be beat. Accessible to NYC, my friends in Albany, my dad, my friends in Brattleboro... it's very central. One of my dear friends actually lives in New Haven, but unfortunately she is moving back to Berkeley next spring. Alas.
Back home, it's great to be back, eating good food and exercising once again. I made it back to kung fu this morning for the first time in nearly a month. It felt great. My friend B has started with us after supporting Clayton, his fiancée Katy, and me in the art for 8 years! He finally succumbed to the dark side and we are VERY glad to have him.
School Wednesday
Grampa arrives on Oct 2 for a month
First interview in Philly Oct 10 (flying out the 9th, back the 10th so that I miss a minimum of school, but still...)
Lucy pooped in the toilet when we were in NY, but now back at home is back to the diaper *sigh*
She is however completely out of diapers at night and has had nary an accident (furiously knocking wood)
Lucy and Kita had a playdate with papa at the zoo today. By all accounts they all had a great time together with much love to go around. Hurray for that!
I guess that's all the news that's hardly fit to print.
Signing off.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
The Shame and the Vacation
So, I didn't do as well as I thought on my O. Chem. I was shocked, seriously, to find that I did so-so on BOTH finals and that I got a final grade of 3.0. I mean, I loved O. Chem, I thought I was doing well on the exams and then I come out with a B, I was surprised, let's leave it at that. I HATED Physics and managed to pull much higher grades in it. What's up with that?
Anyway, as soon as my last final was over, I ran up and grabbed Lucy and the two of us went on a road trip to Portland. We had a GREAT time! We hustled all over the city, stayed in a hotel and had room service, watched cartoons, ate ice cream and generally had a blast. We went down there for the original purpose of attending a friend's wedding, but we made a great vacation out of it. The wedding was awesome, by the way - I mean, how can you beat a wedding in which the bride walks down the aisle to AC/DC's Back in Black. Holy shit, that's the best walking-down-the-aisle song I've ever heard of. The juxtaposition of the blushing bride walking down amid pews of standing attendees, glowing with joy and BAOW-BANAOW-BANAOW....awesome.
Then we visited with my extremely pregnant former college roommate and her wonderful husband. Laura was always an outspoken, hilarious, witty, intelligent, and independent artist in college. Now she is an outspoken, hilarious, witty, intelligent, and independent public defender, wife, and mother-to-be. It's astounding to see someone so unchanging, so essentially the same amidst the changing roles she assumes. It was great fun to be with her again and she always makes me laugh (so does sam, her husband, who Lucy was really taken with - we spent much of the weekend discussing him as she tried to figure him out).
All in all, it was a much-needed mother-daughter experience.
I don't know if I ever followed up my whole reference letter saga - but my former professor who previously opted out recently sent me a letter informing me that she would indeed write the letter. Apparently, there were circumstances, devastating deaths in the family and she was suddenly adopting her 4-year-old niece having absolutely no experience with children and no friends with children. wow. So Lucy and I had a playdate with them the other day. The kids took a while to warm up to each other but were holding hands and chasing one another by the end of the afternoon. It was lovely. I truly cannot imagine what they are all going through.
Lucy and I are driving down to Petaluma, California on Thursday for PAMWA camp (http://www.pawma.org) and sleeping in our van for a few days while I train in various martial arts all day. My mom is flying out and will take Lucy during the day so I can really train all day. I love pawma camp, it's my favorite thing all year! I can't wait. This year, there will be 5 of us from Seattle Kajukenbo and we are doing a demo performance which is going to be COOL on Saturday night. Then Todd will fly down and meet us and we will drive to Monterey to see my brother and his kids. Lu has not seen her cousins since last time PAWMA was in CA, which was over 2 years ago, making her about 21 months old at the time. It will be a blast.
Speaking of Lucy (or Sally - have I mentioned that she changed her name?) - there has been no more pooping in the toilet. She claims she will do it when she is 4. I'm a bit concerned, as she is extremely anxious about it. She has a similar issue with blowing her nose, which is what really concerns me. I mean, she'll blow her nose now, but only after she screams and freaks out about it and refuses and is finally threatened with the nose snorker (the suction device used to snork snot out of babies' noses). She's got a phobia about it and I really think she is developing a similar phobia about pooping in the toilet. I'm growing concerned. I'm thinking if birthday comes and goes and this is still going on, I might want to seek some help, because I don't know what to do to help and to not make it worse at this point. And I really don't feature changing poopy diapers through grade school.
*sigh*
My close friend Sarjan had a beautiful baby girl yesterday. Actually, I don't know that she's beautiful, I haven't seen her, I can only imagine from the genes that went into her... She was 9 pounds 1 oz. Lucy, Todd, and I are flying out to NY shortly after our return from CA to see them all. I'm excited, but also exhausted thinking about all the traveling, travel food and bad nights of sleep ahead...
I suppose that is the update for now. My applications to schools are all submitted, now all I have to do is sit around and wait and wait and wait....
Anyway, as soon as my last final was over, I ran up and grabbed Lucy and the two of us went on a road trip to Portland. We had a GREAT time! We hustled all over the city, stayed in a hotel and had room service, watched cartoons, ate ice cream and generally had a blast. We went down there for the original purpose of attending a friend's wedding, but we made a great vacation out of it. The wedding was awesome, by the way - I mean, how can you beat a wedding in which the bride walks down the aisle to AC/DC's Back in Black. Holy shit, that's the best walking-down-the-aisle song I've ever heard of. The juxtaposition of the blushing bride walking down amid pews of standing attendees, glowing with joy and BAOW-BANAOW-BANAOW....awesome.
Then we visited with my extremely pregnant former college roommate and her wonderful husband. Laura was always an outspoken, hilarious, witty, intelligent, and independent artist in college. Now she is an outspoken, hilarious, witty, intelligent, and independent public defender, wife, and mother-to-be. It's astounding to see someone so unchanging, so essentially the same amidst the changing roles she assumes. It was great fun to be with her again and she always makes me laugh (so does sam, her husband, who Lucy was really taken with - we spent much of the weekend discussing him as she tried to figure him out).
All in all, it was a much-needed mother-daughter experience.
I don't know if I ever followed up my whole reference letter saga - but my former professor who previously opted out recently sent me a letter informing me that she would indeed write the letter. Apparently, there were circumstances, devastating deaths in the family and she was suddenly adopting her 4-year-old niece having absolutely no experience with children and no friends with children. wow. So Lucy and I had a playdate with them the other day. The kids took a while to warm up to each other but were holding hands and chasing one another by the end of the afternoon. It was lovely. I truly cannot imagine what they are all going through.
Lucy and I are driving down to Petaluma, California on Thursday for PAMWA camp (http://www.pawma.org) and sleeping in our van for a few days while I train in various martial arts all day. My mom is flying out and will take Lucy during the day so I can really train all day. I love pawma camp, it's my favorite thing all year! I can't wait. This year, there will be 5 of us from Seattle Kajukenbo and we are doing a demo performance which is going to be COOL on Saturday night. Then Todd will fly down and meet us and we will drive to Monterey to see my brother and his kids. Lu has not seen her cousins since last time PAWMA was in CA, which was over 2 years ago, making her about 21 months old at the time. It will be a blast.
Speaking of Lucy (or Sally - have I mentioned that she changed her name?) - there has been no more pooping in the toilet. She claims she will do it when she is 4. I'm a bit concerned, as she is extremely anxious about it. She has a similar issue with blowing her nose, which is what really concerns me. I mean, she'll blow her nose now, but only after she screams and freaks out about it and refuses and is finally threatened with the nose snorker (the suction device used to snork snot out of babies' noses). She's got a phobia about it and I really think she is developing a similar phobia about pooping in the toilet. I'm growing concerned. I'm thinking if birthday comes and goes and this is still going on, I might want to seek some help, because I don't know what to do to help and to not make it worse at this point. And I really don't feature changing poopy diapers through grade school.
*sigh*
My close friend Sarjan had a beautiful baby girl yesterday. Actually, I don't know that she's beautiful, I haven't seen her, I can only imagine from the genes that went into her... She was 9 pounds 1 oz. Lucy, Todd, and I are flying out to NY shortly after our return from CA to see them all. I'm excited, but also exhausted thinking about all the traveling, travel food and bad nights of sleep ahead...
I suppose that is the update for now. My applications to schools are all submitted, now all I have to do is sit around and wait and wait and wait....
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Can't talk. Studying.
Just wanted to mention that LUCY FINALLY POOPED IN THE TOILET! A real poop. A big one. Hurray!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
I think i can i think i can i think i...
Well, I'm almost done with O. Chem. I have been studying for a couple hours with a friend, which was good, but also freaks me out a bit about how much I have left to do. I didn't realize how much a shorter quarter (2 weeks shorter) would make it SO MUCH CRAZIER. Ay. Well, Friday I'll be all done with it and I won't have any more O. Chem to do. One thing that is both annoying and exciting is that my prerequisites are different now for PA school than they were for med school. I never have to take another quarter of Physics. Hurray! But unfortunately, the prereq's are different for each program that I look at.
I've officially applied to 11 programs. Most of them on the East coast, a couple in the Southwest, but I'm thinking East Coast is my best bet. My current faves are Yale (long shot), MCPHS in Boston (could be a kind of long shot), George Washington University in DC (who knows?!). There is also a school in Maine, which is probably a better shot, but it is far away in Maine. There are also a couple in Philadelphia that appeal to me, so we'll see.
I have to take the GRE again, which is annoying, but my close friend Elise and I are going to take it together next month, which should be kinda fun.
The more progress with all this, the more I realize that it's the right decision for me. Becoming a PA will no doubt be extremely challenging and consuming, and take me away from Lucy more than I like, but for 2 (or possibly 3) years, it's doable. The light will be right there at the end of the tunnel and when I come out, I can practice in an area that needs me. I can finally be a contributing member of society again. I can do something meaningful, worthwhile, that i love... oh dare i dream....
Right now I'm procrastinating. I have a FAWKING hard exam coming up for O Chem followed by another FAWKING hard O Chem exam 2 days later. Todd is going on a kayak/camping trip on Wednesday so I had better use my time wisely, but right now (it is now the next day from when I began writing this one) my brain needs a little respite.
I can't wait until Friday afternoon. I'm picking Lucy up directly after my final exam and we're piling in to the car and driving down to Portland. We're officially going for a friend's wedding, but I'm making a weekend of it, going to see my old college roommate and dear friend who is about to pop out a new baby and hang out in a nice hotel with my lovely girl for the weekend. I'll probably never want to come back!!
Speaking of lovely girls... we've had more pooping problems. She didn't poop for FOUR days, she holds it when she's at school and then her body gets all messed up - also she's transitioning (mentally mostly) to toilet pooping and I don't know if you've picked this up, but she's a very intelligent, extremely sensitive, and quite an anxious little poopster. She's freaked out about pooping in the toilet, but she really wants to do it... it's stressful for her and all of us. Anyway, we are giving her mineral oil, per doctor's orders, and her poops are coming out finally. Phew. She even pooped a tiny pea-sized one into the toilet this morning. There was much hullaballoo over that and the fancy white dressed re-emerged from the drawer.
We went to the worst party ever yesterday. I won't go into detail to protect the innocent. Suffice it to say that one of Lucy's friends is turning into a real monster, such that I can't even stand to be around her and it pains me to see the way she treats Lucy and everyone around her. It's so hard not to intervene. I will not be making much effort to get them together in future. It is difficult due to other circumstances to maintain distance, but I have decided that it's important for me. It was so bad there that Todd couldn't even stand it more than 20 minutes and he left early and walked home.
Anyway, I'd better get cracking. 4 days and counting... and then I AM SO ON VACATION!!!!
I've officially applied to 11 programs. Most of them on the East coast, a couple in the Southwest, but I'm thinking East Coast is my best bet. My current faves are Yale (long shot), MCPHS in Boston (could be a kind of long shot), George Washington University in DC (who knows?!). There is also a school in Maine, which is probably a better shot, but it is far away in Maine. There are also a couple in Philadelphia that appeal to me, so we'll see.
I have to take the GRE again, which is annoying, but my close friend Elise and I are going to take it together next month, which should be kinda fun.
The more progress with all this, the more I realize that it's the right decision for me. Becoming a PA will no doubt be extremely challenging and consuming, and take me away from Lucy more than I like, but for 2 (or possibly 3) years, it's doable. The light will be right there at the end of the tunnel and when I come out, I can practice in an area that needs me. I can finally be a contributing member of society again. I can do something meaningful, worthwhile, that i love... oh dare i dream....
Right now I'm procrastinating. I have a FAWKING hard exam coming up for O Chem followed by another FAWKING hard O Chem exam 2 days later. Todd is going on a kayak/camping trip on Wednesday so I had better use my time wisely, but right now (it is now the next day from when I began writing this one) my brain needs a little respite.
I can't wait until Friday afternoon. I'm picking Lucy up directly after my final exam and we're piling in to the car and driving down to Portland. We're officially going for a friend's wedding, but I'm making a weekend of it, going to see my old college roommate and dear friend who is about to pop out a new baby and hang out in a nice hotel with my lovely girl for the weekend. I'll probably never want to come back!!
Speaking of lovely girls... we've had more pooping problems. She didn't poop for FOUR days, she holds it when she's at school and then her body gets all messed up - also she's transitioning (mentally mostly) to toilet pooping and I don't know if you've picked this up, but she's a very intelligent, extremely sensitive, and quite an anxious little poopster. She's freaked out about pooping in the toilet, but she really wants to do it... it's stressful for her and all of us. Anyway, we are giving her mineral oil, per doctor's orders, and her poops are coming out finally. Phew. She even pooped a tiny pea-sized one into the toilet this morning. There was much hullaballoo over that and the fancy white dressed re-emerged from the drawer.
We went to the worst party ever yesterday. I won't go into detail to protect the innocent. Suffice it to say that one of Lucy's friends is turning into a real monster, such that I can't even stand to be around her and it pains me to see the way she treats Lucy and everyone around her. It's so hard not to intervene. I will not be making much effort to get them together in future. It is difficult due to other circumstances to maintain distance, but I have decided that it's important for me. It was so bad there that Todd couldn't even stand it more than 20 minutes and he left early and walked home.
Anyway, I'd better get cracking. 4 days and counting... and then I AM SO ON VACATION!!!!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Blazing Ahead
Well, I've completed my PA applications (to NINE programs!!!) in a record one week. I was in a huge hurry because my favorite program (a long shot - Yale) has a deadline for application submission of September 1. That might seem like a lot of time from now, but as you may know, I went to Evergreen, where they have no grades and my transcripts are a Tolstoyesque novel of narrative evaluations.... The central application service has to process my transcripts and spit out a GPA (?!) for me in the time before the deadline. So, not too optimistic about that, but fingers crossed. I've also had several friendly e-mails with the director of admissions there, so we'll see.
As far as my current work - I'm doing pretty well in O. Chem. I did OK on the first exam, not as well as I'd thought, but waaaay better than I felt about Physics. There is still hope for an A, though probably a low A, looming in my future.
I did get kinda screwed on part of my application to CASPA (the PA central application organization...) My letters of reference have to be in to the agency to pass my application on to my prospective programs. I had asked a former professor back in March if she would be able to write me a letter of recommendation. She agreed without hesitation and interviewed me for about an hour to get material for the letter.
I recently sent her an e-mail letting her know that I would still need that letter, but it would be for PA programs instead of med school. I didn't hear back for a couple days, so I called her office and left a message to the same effect. She then sent me an e-mail informing me that she had a family emergency and was having to leave town and would probably not be able to write me my letter of reference.
Now, I totally understand that emergencies happen and I feel for her, it sounded serious, whatever it was. But, I did ask her in MARCH and I assumed she would have had something written down by now that she could just send off. So I got screwed. It sucks, because I've been out of school so long that I don't have a relationship with any more of my former professors. All the recent classes I have are large lecture classes where the professor barely knows who I am.
My Physics professor has agreed to write my academic letter of reference, but it will be impersonal at best. But required, so not much I can do. I asked my O Chem prof to write one, I laid my situation on the line for him, but he didn't feel comfortable doing it, so I let him off the hook. But I have good ones coming from a former employer (and good friend) and another from Dr. C. at the Clinic, so I should be OK.
Fingers crossed, everyone! By this time next year, I could be starting school!
Lucy funny:
She climbed into bed with us the other morning to snuggle and Todd says dreamily, "This is Lucy, she's my daughter..."
Lucy retorts, "I think mama already knows that."
She cracks me up.
As far as my current work - I'm doing pretty well in O. Chem. I did OK on the first exam, not as well as I'd thought, but waaaay better than I felt about Physics. There is still hope for an A, though probably a low A, looming in my future.
I did get kinda screwed on part of my application to CASPA (the PA central application organization...) My letters of reference have to be in to the agency to pass my application on to my prospective programs. I had asked a former professor back in March if she would be able to write me a letter of recommendation. She agreed without hesitation and interviewed me for about an hour to get material for the letter.
I recently sent her an e-mail letting her know that I would still need that letter, but it would be for PA programs instead of med school. I didn't hear back for a couple days, so I called her office and left a message to the same effect. She then sent me an e-mail informing me that she had a family emergency and was having to leave town and would probably not be able to write me my letter of reference.
Now, I totally understand that emergencies happen and I feel for her, it sounded serious, whatever it was. But, I did ask her in MARCH and I assumed she would have had something written down by now that she could just send off. So I got screwed. It sucks, because I've been out of school so long that I don't have a relationship with any more of my former professors. All the recent classes I have are large lecture classes where the professor barely knows who I am.
My Physics professor has agreed to write my academic letter of reference, but it will be impersonal at best. But required, so not much I can do. I asked my O Chem prof to write one, I laid my situation on the line for him, but he didn't feel comfortable doing it, so I let him off the hook. But I have good ones coming from a former employer (and good friend) and another from Dr. C. at the Clinic, so I should be OK.
Fingers crossed, everyone! By this time next year, I could be starting school!
Lucy funny:
She climbed into bed with us the other morning to snuggle and Todd says dreamily, "This is Lucy, she's my daughter..."
Lucy retorts, "I think mama already knows that."
She cracks me up.
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