I GOT A C IN INTRO TO POLITICS! I'm not going to fail my last semester of college! YAY! I got an A in my other two classes so double yay! This month is going MUCH more smoothly. I'm just taking intro to philosophy. We only have four multiple choice tests (and the lowest score is dropped) and the professor is late (and hungover) almost every day and lets us out about an hour early. Don't get me wrong, he's a really intelligent guy and the class is interesting, but the workload is so much lighter than last month- especially since the professor seems as distracted as the rest of us.
I've been applying for jobs back in the cities-translation and interpretation positions, mostly- and I think I found one I really like. It's a receptionist job at a bilingual charter school in Minneapolis. It would be great to work in a school environment so I can decide if I want to pursue teaching, I'd be able to incorporate my Spanish into the job, and I'd get to live downtown! The school is right on the bus and lightrail route, so I wouldn't have to worry about transportation. I mean, the neighborhood the school is in is kind of sketchy, but let's face it, if I want a job where I can use my Spanish I'll probably end up somewhere inner-city no matter what. I'll just get a nice purse-sized can of pepper spray. The coordinator just emailed me back today, so that's promising. I'm just hoping she doesn't mind waiting a few weeks for an interview; considering school doesn't start until September, I think I should be okay.
I really hope my Spanish is up to par with what the school needs. I'm pretty out of practice considering I haven't taken a Spanish class in over a year and haven't tutored in over a month. It looks like they mostly use Spanish there too-they split the curriculum so it's taught half in English and half in Spanish from fifth through eighth grade, but the younger students are mostly taught in Spanish. Most of them live in Spanish-speaking households, of course, and a lot of their parents don't know any English, and I'd be working with them a lot. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I think I can handle it.
Now I can't stop thinking about how great it will be to be a real grown up. I can't wait to have my own place. Not a dorm, not some crappy house renovated into a crappy apartment, but somewhere nice-old, but sunny and spacious, close to a lightrail station. A window seat would be nice too, but it's not a deal-breaker. OOH. I want to get a cat. A black cat. And I'll have to get work clothes. I get to dress all cute and professional (I mean, it's not exactly the most important part of the job, but I wear jeans and t-shirts ninety percent of the time, so it'll be nice to have an excuse for a wardrobe change). I don't know if I'd want a roommate or not; it would be cheaper and safer, but I like having a place to myself.
I don't have much else to say. I know I said I'd write about my trip to Milwaukee, but I think I'll do that later.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thank God June is Almost Over
Seriously, this month has been hellish. Taking three classes that are usually a semester long taught in five weeks is HARD. I know it was unavoidable, but MAN. I am going to be so happy for July to get here. Advanced Expository writing was surprisingly easy, considering we had four papers in one month; the professor says I have an "artful style of writing." Environmental Policy was tough, considering I don't have much of a background in environmental studies or politics, but it was interesting enough. I think I did well on my presentation, and as long as I do well on my essay test I should be fine.
The one class I'm nervous about is the one I thought would be easiest: online intro to American Politics.I have come to discover that online classes are an awful idea. For one thing, we only had three multiple choice tests. This sounds easy, but considering the questions are based on the reading we did, they were actually a nightmare. Each chapter was SO dense, and we had to get through one a day. I know that doesn't sound bad, but considering how long they are, how many terms, concepts, and examples are packed into each one, and having to juggle the workload for two other classes at the same time, it was tricky getting through them in time and actually absorbing what I was reading. The only other "assignment" we had was to respond to the questions the professor posted on the discussion board. She only posted three, so that doesn't provide a lot of cushioning for my poor test grades.
She hasn't posted my grade for the last test (which is stupid because it was multiple choice and the online program the class is posted on has the ability to automatically grade tests for her), and I'm super nervous. I don't THINK I failed, but I didn't think I'd fail the last one either, and I did. I don't know what to do if I did fail the final test, because I need this class to graduate. At worst, I think I could appeal to the dean or something, since I've never failed a class before, I've gotten consistently good grades, and I'm THIS close to graduating, so clearly I'm not a slacker or I wouldn't have made it this far. For now, though, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't come to that.
In addition to my academic frustration, I'm a little bummed that I have to miss my family vacation to Park Rapids this year. In twenty-one years I've only had ONE summer that I haven't gone there, and that was so long ago that I barely remember it. Unfortunately, the trip is the same week that my first week of my last class starts, which I can't miss. On the bright side, I'm going to Milwaukee with a friend this weekend, so at least I'll have some sort of vacation.
Don't get me wrong. Life does not totally suck right now. It's been really nice spending the summer in Winona so far. I've gotten to know my roommate and have had a lot of fun hanging out with her; we've gotten lunch together a couple times at this great cafe downtown, drunk margaritas and played cards on the porch, and stayed up until 1 AM going over old poems we wrote (she was originally an English major too, so she likes writing as much as I do).
The Great River Shakespeare Festival started last week, so I went to the preview of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was phenomenal.I read the play in high school and college, but this was the first time I'd seen it performed (besides the movie version that came out in '97 or '98, and that doesn't count; Callista Flockhart should stay away from Shakespeare). They're also performing Henry IV, and while I'm a little hesitant to see a history play (I had to read Henry V for my class last year and hated it), I've heard really good things about this one, and the preview video they posted on their site looks really promising.
Wow. Sorry about the rant. I'm sitting in the science building (again) with an iced coffee, so I'm fueled by caffeine, sugar, and slight panic right now. Also, sorry to the maybe three of you who actually read this for not updating more often. I'll try to write more this next month, and I'll definitely post pictures from my Milwaukee trip as soon as I get back.
The one class I'm nervous about is the one I thought would be easiest: online intro to American Politics.I have come to discover that online classes are an awful idea. For one thing, we only had three multiple choice tests. This sounds easy, but considering the questions are based on the reading we did, they were actually a nightmare. Each chapter was SO dense, and we had to get through one a day. I know that doesn't sound bad, but considering how long they are, how many terms, concepts, and examples are packed into each one, and having to juggle the workload for two other classes at the same time, it was tricky getting through them in time and actually absorbing what I was reading. The only other "assignment" we had was to respond to the questions the professor posted on the discussion board. She only posted three, so that doesn't provide a lot of cushioning for my poor test grades.
She hasn't posted my grade for the last test (which is stupid because it was multiple choice and the online program the class is posted on has the ability to automatically grade tests for her), and I'm super nervous. I don't THINK I failed, but I didn't think I'd fail the last one either, and I did. I don't know what to do if I did fail the final test, because I need this class to graduate. At worst, I think I could appeal to the dean or something, since I've never failed a class before, I've gotten consistently good grades, and I'm THIS close to graduating, so clearly I'm not a slacker or I wouldn't have made it this far. For now, though, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't come to that.
In addition to my academic frustration, I'm a little bummed that I have to miss my family vacation to Park Rapids this year. In twenty-one years I've only had ONE summer that I haven't gone there, and that was so long ago that I barely remember it. Unfortunately, the trip is the same week that my first week of my last class starts, which I can't miss. On the bright side, I'm going to Milwaukee with a friend this weekend, so at least I'll have some sort of vacation.
Don't get me wrong. Life does not totally suck right now. It's been really nice spending the summer in Winona so far. I've gotten to know my roommate and have had a lot of fun hanging out with her; we've gotten lunch together a couple times at this great cafe downtown, drunk margaritas and played cards on the porch, and stayed up until 1 AM going over old poems we wrote (she was originally an English major too, so she likes writing as much as I do).
The Great River Shakespeare Festival started last week, so I went to the preview of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It was phenomenal.I read the play in high school and college, but this was the first time I'd seen it performed (besides the movie version that came out in '97 or '98, and that doesn't count; Callista Flockhart should stay away from Shakespeare). They're also performing Henry IV, and while I'm a little hesitant to see a history play (I had to read Henry V for my class last year and hated it), I've heard really good things about this one, and the preview video they posted on their site looks really promising.
Wow. Sorry about the rant. I'm sitting in the science building (again) with an iced coffee, so I'm fueled by caffeine, sugar, and slight panic right now. Also, sorry to the maybe three of you who actually read this for not updating more often. I'll try to write more this next month, and I'll definitely post pictures from my Milwaukee trip as soon as I get back.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
3 Reasons Why my House is Like the Setting of a Horror Movie
1. My refrigerator growls. It's not just the usual mechanical churning noise refrigerators sometimes make; I'm talking about a guttural, animalistic noise that I only seem to hear at night when I'm sitting alone in my poorly-lit living room. The first time I heard it I thought it was one of my roommate's dogs until I realized that neither of them were in the house. This can only mean one of two things: my refrigerator is alive and wants to eat me (like the lawn mower in that Stephen King story in Night Shift ); or there's a monster living in it that is going to jump out and attack me the next time I try to grab my orange juice.
2. My bathroom has one of those above-the-sink mirror cabinets. Okay, I know that doesn't sound scary, but every time I open it, I'm scared I'll see someone standing behind me in the reflection when I close it. I feel like any time I go for my toothpaste or aspirin I'm making myself vulnerable by temporarily limiting my vision.
3. I have a REALLY creepy basement. This is probably the worst part, because the basement is where the washing machine and dryer are so I can't avoid it.Despite being dark (there's only one functioning light at the top of the stairs), dank,spider-infested, and smelly, it isn't exactly secure. We share it with the other tenants, and while we have a door that leads directly from inside our apartment to the basement, the others can get in through a door outside-and it doesn't have a lock. This means ANYONE can get in. Some hobo/serial killer/rapist could be living in a corner down there, and he could easily get into our apartment if Katie or I forget to lock our door; even if we DO lock it, it's easy enough to break; the only thing that keeps it locked is a shaky, sixty-year-old latch.
Dun dun DUNNNNNNNNNNNNN.
2. My bathroom has one of those above-the-sink mirror cabinets. Okay, I know that doesn't sound scary, but every time I open it, I'm scared I'll see someone standing behind me in the reflection when I close it. I feel like any time I go for my toothpaste or aspirin I'm making myself vulnerable by temporarily limiting my vision.
3. I have a REALLY creepy basement. This is probably the worst part, because the basement is where the washing machine and dryer are so I can't avoid it.Despite being dark (there's only one functioning light at the top of the stairs), dank,spider-infested, and smelly, it isn't exactly secure. We share it with the other tenants, and while we have a door that leads directly from inside our apartment to the basement, the others can get in through a door outside-and it doesn't have a lock. This means ANYONE can get in. Some hobo/serial killer/rapist could be living in a corner down there, and he could easily get into our apartment if Katie or I forget to lock our door; even if we DO lock it, it's easy enough to break; the only thing that keeps it locked is a shaky, sixty-year-old latch.
Dun dun DUNNNNNNNNNNNNN.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Oh, What a Night
I went out with a couple of my English buddies last night-one just got back to Winona and the other left today. I have not had a serious night out in quite some time, and I didn't do that much drinking this past year-I just never really had the time with all my school and club stuff- so I'm definitely feeling it today. After I finish writing this I think I'm going to take a nap, which I never do; even in Spain, where they have a designated naptime, I usually just wasted time online or read or did my homework. Today, though, I'm making an exception. I spent the night on a friend's floor because none of us were in any condition to drive and I had no desire to walk back to my sketchy neighborhood in heels at two in the morning, and while I was grateful to have a place to crash, floors are not the most comfortable places to sleep.
We only went to two bars, and I only had a couple drinks at the first place, but they hit me pretty hard; I don't know if it was because I hadn't eaten much that day, or if my tolerance has just gone down a lot since the last time I went out, or if they were stronger than I'm used to, but by the time we left for the second bar I was really feeling it. Oh. And I had a couple glasses of wine before we went downtown. That probably had something to do with it too. I sobered up pretty quickly once I got there, though, because as soon as we arrived I ran into my English professor-the one whose class I'm starting in a few days.
Well, "run into" isn't a really accurate description. Once we got there we went to the back room where they have a few tables and booths for people who want to be able to hear each other talk (they usually have a band playing in the main part of the bar) where the professor happened to be sitting with a friend. I hadn't talked with him at length in over a year, and the last thing I wanted was to do was attempt a conversation with my professor (who, I have to add, is kind of adorable, which made me feel even more awkward) when I couldn't even look at a fixed point without the scenery in front of me appearing to move. While my friends went to get drinks, I sat at a table, staring resolutely at my lap, thinking "Don't notice me, don't notice me, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT notice-"
"Hey, Laura!"
"...Heeey...."
I survived, though. He asked if I was looking forward to his class and what I thought about his book choice, and he was surprised to hear that I was already almost done with it, saying I was "already the star pupil" (dammit, now I'm going to have to put an effort into the class). And I did enjoy talking with him.
All in all, it was a really fun night, but considering I'm STILL nauseous, I don't think I'll be repeating it anytime soon.
We only went to two bars, and I only had a couple drinks at the first place, but they hit me pretty hard; I don't know if it was because I hadn't eaten much that day, or if my tolerance has just gone down a lot since the last time I went out, or if they were stronger than I'm used to, but by the time we left for the second bar I was really feeling it. Oh. And I had a couple glasses of wine before we went downtown. That probably had something to do with it too. I sobered up pretty quickly once I got there, though, because as soon as we arrived I ran into my English professor-the one whose class I'm starting in a few days.
Well, "run into" isn't a really accurate description. Once we got there we went to the back room where they have a few tables and booths for people who want to be able to hear each other talk (they usually have a band playing in the main part of the bar) where the professor happened to be sitting with a friend. I hadn't talked with him at length in over a year, and the last thing I wanted was to do was attempt a conversation with my professor (who, I have to add, is kind of adorable, which made me feel even more awkward) when I couldn't even look at a fixed point without the scenery in front of me appearing to move. While my friends went to get drinks, I sat at a table, staring resolutely at my lap, thinking "Don't notice me, don't notice me, for the love of all that is holy, do NOT notice-"
"Hey, Laura!"
"...Heeey...."
I survived, though. He asked if I was looking forward to his class and what I thought about his book choice, and he was surprised to hear that I was already almost done with it, saying I was "already the star pupil" (dammit, now I'm going to have to put an effort into the class). And I did enjoy talking with him.
All in all, it was a really fun night, but considering I'm STILL nauseous, I don't think I'll be repeating it anytime soon.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
DANGERRRR....?
A cop showed up at my apartment a few minutes ago. He was looking for the tenant of the house right behind mine and asked if I knew who the landlord was. I told him I didn't, because I'm a subleaser and just moved in. I'm assuming it's nothing serious because he just thanked me and left-didn't ask any other questions or for my information or anything- but, of course, now my imagination is running wild and I can't help but think that one of my neighbors is a serial killer or a member of the Russian mafia or something. I mean, this part of town DOES look kind of sketchy. There aren't a lot of businesses around here (most of them don't even look open most of the time), the houses and buildings are all pretty old and run-down...I don't know. It just seems like the perfect setting for something shady to happen, and after that little visit, it seems like whatever shady happenings there are are going down about ten feet away from where I live. AWESOME. I know, I know, it's probably nothing; the guy probably needs to pay a parking ticket or something. Otherwise the cop probably would have said more-right?
Either way, I'm avoiding walking home after dark.
UPDATE
I told my roommate about what happened, and according to her the tenant the cop was looking for is a total creep. He pretends to be nice to the neighbors, but he beats his girlfriend and his dog and deals drugs- not a serial killer or a member of the Russian mafia, but a massive douchebag nonetheless. I hope they found him.
Either way, I'm avoiding walking home after dark.
UPDATE
I told my roommate about what happened, and according to her the tenant the cop was looking for is a total creep. He pretends to be nice to the neighbors, but he beats his girlfriend and his dog and deals drugs- not a serial killer or a member of the Russian mafia, but a massive douchebag nonetheless. I hope they found him.
Monday, May 23, 2011
I could fall asleep right here
I'm curled up on a super comfy couch in a secluded lounge on the third floor of the science building. I don't know why this has become my default hang out place on campus. I think I just need a break from Minne and the library. It's so comfortable here. Two of the walls are just windows so I have a gorgeous view of campus and the bluffs, it's completely silent in here besides the hum of the printer, and this couch is so squishy and wonderful. With the overwhelming comfiness combined with the lack of sleep I got last night, I'm seriously considering taking a nap here.
Ooooor not. A guy just walked in and is now sitting at the table around the corner. LAME.
I'm ready for classes to start. I'm enjoying the break-not having to worry about homework, getting to sleep in (well, on Wednesdays and Fridays, anyway), going out with friends during the week-but I'm getting bored. Besides a few hours of tutoring I don't have that much to do during the day. I know I'll be sick of classes about two days into the term, but right now I'm just looking forward to having something to keep me busy.
I'm taking intro to American politics, which is online; politics and the environment, which is a 300 level class (I was going to take an easy science class that fulfilled the science/social policy university studies requirement but it was cancelled), so I'm a little nervous; and advanced expository writing. I'm looking forward to the last one the most, obviously, since it's an English class. I've never taken a class with the professor teaching it-actually, that's not entirely true. He was in my poetry class a couple years ago as a student. He always called my poetry "badass," so hopefully he'll remember the good impression I left on him as a classmate when I'm one of his students.
I should probably head home. It's really cloudy now and it's getting kind of windy, so I feel like I should leave before it starts downpouring.
Ooooor not. A guy just walked in and is now sitting at the table around the corner. LAME.
I'm ready for classes to start. I'm enjoying the break-not having to worry about homework, getting to sleep in (well, on Wednesdays and Fridays, anyway), going out with friends during the week-but I'm getting bored. Besides a few hours of tutoring I don't have that much to do during the day. I know I'll be sick of classes about two days into the term, but right now I'm just looking forward to having something to keep me busy.
I'm taking intro to American politics, which is online; politics and the environment, which is a 300 level class (I was going to take an easy science class that fulfilled the science/social policy university studies requirement but it was cancelled), so I'm a little nervous; and advanced expository writing. I'm looking forward to the last one the most, obviously, since it's an English class. I've never taken a class with the professor teaching it-actually, that's not entirely true. He was in my poetry class a couple years ago as a student. He always called my poetry "badass," so hopefully he'll remember the good impression I left on him as a classmate when I'm one of his students.
I should probably head home. It's really cloudy now and it's getting kind of windy, so I feel like I should leave before it starts downpouring.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
settled in
I moved into my new apartment a few days ago and I love it so far. It's already a million times better than my old place just because it's not a basement apartment. My room's small-ish, but not uncomfortably so, and it's painted dark red and the furniture (the girl I'm subleasing from is kindly letting me use hers) is black, which kind of appeals to the wannabe goth in me that I haven't completely gotten rid of since high school. My roommates are both incredibly nice. One, Brooke, is only here for a couple more weeks, but she's been really friendly and talkative and I'm kind of going to miss her when she moves. The other, Katie, invited me out for drinks before her humane society coworkers' volleyball game about two minutes after we met, which was really nice of her. Her coworkers were all really nice too, and I think I impressed them with my crazy ninja reflexes when I stopped a rogue volleyball from slamming into my face.
Both roommates have dogs, which has been loads of fun but also has taken a little getting used to. Brooke has a pitbull/boxer mix named Spud, who is super hyper and affectionate. Katie has a Newfoundland the size of a pony named Abby-the most chill animal I have ever met- and a shih tzu named Minnie, who looks like a mop with little legs and one blue eye and one brown eye (which makes me think of David Bowie...I want to watch Labyrinth now...). They're all really sweet and entertaining, although I'm still adjusting to the massive amounts of shedding and the dog smell everywhere.
Besides the move, there's not much else going on right now. I'm working a little and apparently I will be through June; I just found out there's one more Spanish class next session. It's only a few hours a week, but it's better than nothing.
Some highlights of summer so far...
-I went to Book World last week and got Everything's Eventual (a collection of short stories by Stephen King) and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (which is by the same author who wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). I'm also reading Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut for my English class next month. I'm enjoying it, but not as much as I did Cat's Cradle; I couldn't put that one down. I'm almost done with it, but I'll probably read it once more before the class starts just so I'm prepared.
-I went kayaking last week and I'm going again in about fifteen minutes. This is definitely something I plan on doing a lot this summer; it's fun, it's relaxing, and it keeps me from being a lazy ass, sitting around on my computer all day.
-I MET PIRATE STEVE. I'd heard people in my classes talk about him wandering around downtown but last night was the first time I'd ever actually encountered him. Unfortunately, he was not dressed as a pirate, but he was still plenty entertaining. He says our big dipper is amazing; apparently it's bigger in Winona than it is where he used to live ("180 degrees on the other side," wherever that is). He is certifiably insane and I love it.
-Winona is FINALLY green and warm and beautiful. It was a little cloudy yesterday and this morning, but it's perfect now. I'm sitting on a bench in the middle of campus right now and I could stay here forever (if I didn't have to meet my friends for kayaking in two minutes). As it is, I plan on spending lots of time reading outside, sprawled out under trees or by the lake or in any nice sunny patch of grass.
Anyway, I have to run. Hasta luego!
Both roommates have dogs, which has been loads of fun but also has taken a little getting used to. Brooke has a pitbull/boxer mix named Spud, who is super hyper and affectionate. Katie has a Newfoundland the size of a pony named Abby-the most chill animal I have ever met- and a shih tzu named Minnie, who looks like a mop with little legs and one blue eye and one brown eye (which makes me think of David Bowie...I want to watch Labyrinth now...). They're all really sweet and entertaining, although I'm still adjusting to the massive amounts of shedding and the dog smell everywhere.
Besides the move, there's not much else going on right now. I'm working a little and apparently I will be through June; I just found out there's one more Spanish class next session. It's only a few hours a week, but it's better than nothing.
Some highlights of summer so far...
-I went to Book World last week and got Everything's Eventual (a collection of short stories by Stephen King) and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (which is by the same author who wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). I'm also reading Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut for my English class next month. I'm enjoying it, but not as much as I did Cat's Cradle; I couldn't put that one down. I'm almost done with it, but I'll probably read it once more before the class starts just so I'm prepared.
-I went kayaking last week and I'm going again in about fifteen minutes. This is definitely something I plan on doing a lot this summer; it's fun, it's relaxing, and it keeps me from being a lazy ass, sitting around on my computer all day.
-I MET PIRATE STEVE. I'd heard people in my classes talk about him wandering around downtown but last night was the first time I'd ever actually encountered him. Unfortunately, he was not dressed as a pirate, but he was still plenty entertaining. He says our big dipper is amazing; apparently it's bigger in Winona than it is where he used to live ("180 degrees on the other side," wherever that is). He is certifiably insane and I love it.
-Winona is FINALLY green and warm and beautiful. It was a little cloudy yesterday and this morning, but it's perfect now. I'm sitting on a bench in the middle of campus right now and I could stay here forever (if I didn't have to meet my friends for kayaking in two minutes). As it is, I plan on spending lots of time reading outside, sprawled out under trees or by the lake or in any nice sunny patch of grass.
Anyway, I have to run. Hasta luego!
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