 | Current mood:  cheerful Category: School, College, Greek Just wanted to get down my initial impressions of my first week of school. So far I really like it! The campus is very nice…though kind of scattered about a not so lovely area of Ummm…thanks. So I asked him how old he was. He sighed and said, "24." I told him there was no way in hell I was telling him my age…but since then he's been following me around and keeps telling me that my hair smells good – so I guess I'm not that disgustingly old to him.
My first class was Philosophy. There are about 19 students in the class. As I watched one tiny adorable blonde file in after another – I got a little anxious. Scott has made me promise to hold all study groups at our house. This isn't looking good for my marriage. Anyway – my teacher is a total stoner and I've discovered that I hate Philosophy…mostly. It doesn't help that I've had to quit my 3 cigarette a day habit that I pick up every time we move. But I sit there wanting to throttle him most of the time…or at the very least say, "Are you friggin kidding me?" Hopefully once the nicotine cravings subside it'll be more tolerable.
All of the girls here sound like Paris Hilton – but I'm finding them to be so much fun. I just hope I don't start talking like them. If any of you care about me at all – you'll intervene if this becomes the case. I am so serious!
So my second class is Cultural Anthropology – which I'm much more enthused about. I was sure – at 20 minutes early, I was again going to be the first student in the class – but there was another guy sitting there by himself when I walked in… I looked at him and felt quite relieved. Clearly he had to be older than me. (Just teasing, Chris! You don't look a day over 25!) Only he wasn't…by six months. But I can explain his beating me in the classroom. He was also in the military. We are now bestest friends and have exchanged Myspace pages.
My anthropology teacher is extremely nice…if a little over-excited about the subject. The first thing I noticed about him was that he was wearing one brown shoe and one black shoe (which made me sad because I thought of my bff Tanya doing the same thing…but she had an excuse at 8 months pregnant!) The first class felt like he was recruiting us for the field. We had to watch an hour long 'careers in anthropology' video during which at least 3 of the kids fell asleep. Not joking.
I honestly feel bad for these professors. They seem to be so passionate about what they're doing and want very much for the students to get excited with them…but the majority of them are doodling in their notebooks or texting people. And thus far I'm one of the only ones who answers their questions…some times after a long period of silence. (Most of you know I cannot stand an uncomfortable silence!) I've actually said some really stupid things just to end a silence.
Example:
PH Professor: What IS knowledge? Me after at least 60 seconds of silence: "Things you know?" (Hey – I was tired and I hate this friggin class. I refuse to talk 'philosophically' until my nicotine withdrawals wear off.)
The kids don't seem to think I'm really old, despite the fact that I feel like a complete imposter carrying around a backpack. I had a conversation like this with one of the very white kids in my anthropology class who dresses like Eminem with lots of bling and sparkly braces, but is really cute and I think probably very insecure.
Eminem Kid: "You're married?" Me: "Yup, with two kids." Eminem Kid: "How old are you?" Me: "How old would you guess me to be?" (I know this is self-indulgent…but I'm insecure, OK?) Eminem Kid: "I would say early 20's." (Military guy is now no longer my best friend.)
I then gave him some additional facts about myself and he went up to 'mid-thirties'…but that's hardly worth mentioning.
Another conversation with one of my 'Paris Hilton' buddies.
Me: "Yes – I hate it." Me: "Blake Hestir." Another Parissy girl pipes in. Other Me: I guess so… Other Me: "He's not that old."
So I guess what I'm trying to display with the above conversations is the fact that the kids don't seem to think I'm that old…which you all know I was concerned with. I've already decided I'm going with a 'tote' next semester. Just can't do the backpack. Also I'm going to have to come to grips that I will never be able to dress like my classmates. The typical attire (with exceptions, obviously) is really short shorts and tight t-shirts. I don't care how hot it gets. I am not wearing short shorts. And I am especially not wearing short shorts with words written across the butt.
All in all – I'm adjusting well. The work isn't too bad…lots of reading and some short papers the first week…plus two quizzes. Though I have to advise against reading 30 minutes of Curious George followed by 12 excruciating pages of Socrates…it makes for some really weird dreams later on.
I've also made friends with the admin in the
So school is going well. I'm actually loving it. I love the professors…even the annoying, kinda old Philosophy teacher and the Doctor of Anthropology who makes industry related jokes that none of us get and laughs about them throughout the class. On the bright side – he hasn't worn mismatched shoes since the first day. I love the kids. They're rich, over-privileged and silly…but they make me laugh consistently every day and some of them surprise me with their insight.
On to life… We had an offer accepted on a house today – so we'll be moving in next month. It's in a beautiful neighborhood. I think at 3100 square feet, it's actually the smallest house on the street. So we're tripling our space and it cost roughly half of what our house in
Scott's really enjoying his job – but hating the traffic out here. Hopefully he'll get used to it - because I don't think it's going to get any better. Yesterday we went to a Rangers game with his new company. It couldn't compare to a Red Sox game, but it was fun and they actually won. I think they have the worst record in baseball right now!
It's really friggin hot here. I mean…really hot. If I had male parts - I would be sweating them off. And it's only going to get worse as the summer wears on. It's so annoying because my hair will look really good in the apartment – but as soon as I walk outside…done. Nathan hates the heat. I'm hoping he'll get used to it. It's not helping that the AC in my car is acting up. It's either on full blast or not at all. So I'm either driving down the street with my frizzy hair blowing all over the place or sweating to death. Have to get that fixed! |
Friday, February 12, 2010
First Week of College
May 9th 2007
| Current mood:  melancholy Category: Life May 9th will be my last day in Massachusetts. I just booked a one way flight to Dallas for Aaron and me. Scott and Nathan are driving. (I just smiled and nodded when he volunteered to do that... Any revenge I feel the need to inflict on him due to the fact that he's been a complete bastard lately will take place on that several-day trip. Talk about passive aggressive behavior on my part!) I'm sad to be leaving. I'm sad because my sister isn't talking to me right now and doesn't realize the pain she's causing me...the irreparable pain. I'm sad that I'm leaving behind my sisters, life long friends and my niece who I won't get to see grow up. I'm sad that the whole reason I moved back to this place was to get closer to my family and it seems I've only grown further apart... Moving away - to some degree lessens the reality of that situation and makes it easier to explain to my children. But there is much to be happy about too. We'll live in a big house and I won't have to trip over toys in the livingroom or my husband when I'm fighting for the sink in the morning. I won't pay 2000.00 a month for daycare on top of 2000.00 a month for a mortgage. I won't have to come to a job every day that I feel demeans me. (Maybe not the job...maybe some of the people??) I'll get to go to school!! (Still haven't been accepted where I want to go...still waiting...) I'm happy that we'll have Scott's mother and sister close by to support us. Massachusetts for me holds so many conflicting memories and emotions. Honestly I'm not the person I was when I grew up here. So many people misunderstand me and my intentions. I'm looking forward to starting over. But I guess that's what I always look forward to. Some day I suppose I'll have to settle down and deal with things in a way that doesn't involve up and moving - but for the time being...Yee Haw. |
I Got Accepted!
| Current mood:  hopeful Category: School, College, Greek To UNC Charlotte. OK, OK. I know I'm probably not going to end up in North Carolina this time around - but it's still an acceptance! I've also applied to: Framingham State - No response yet. Boston University - No response yet. Northeastern University - No response yet. North Carolina State - No response yet. It's hard doing this having no idea where we're going to be. I don't recommend it. The application fees for random schools around the United States alone make it difficult! But I am SO committed now that I know a school will even accept a 31 year old woman with credits in 4 different schools. In other news - Scott has a second interview this evening for a company in Braintree. It's a great deal...but obviously it keeps us in the Northeast...which won't be awful if I'm accepted at BU! He's also flying out to Dallas on Thursday for another interview. Texas is kind of...let's just say...not my favorite place - but his mother and sister are there and it would be nice to have some support with the kids. I should have some definite news by Friday afternoon. I know those of you who are pulling for Virginia aren't going to be happy - but he's just not finding anything in that area right now. :( This is all very exciting...when it's not entirely terrifying! |
A Candy Bar
| Current mood:  irritated Category: Jobs, Work, Careers I walked into my boss's office to hand him his mail…which is ridiculous in itself. I mean – the guy walks by the mail area at least 5 times a day... "Shut the door and sit down," he said, waving me in with one hand and moving piles around with the other. I knew what was coming. White Sheets. Every year in the first week of February every employee of TI is given their annual raise. This happens right at the same time we receive our profit sharing…I'm convinced to soften the blow. I was a little impatient and wary. I knew for a fact that he'd had my information for at least a week…and I knew that he knew that I knew. My two previous raises had been more than I'd expected and he couldn't wait to let me know as soon as he had the sheet in his hand. I pulled out the chair and sat down. He made a big show of pulling the piece of paper from his all important folder of top secret stuff. He held it in front of his face - letting my anticipation build. I wasn't hating him this week…which was pretty unusual. I don't know if it was the realization that I'm going to be leaving one way or another in the next 6 months or so...or if I just didn't care that much anymore...but I was kind of amused that he thought he had me on the edge of my seat. I stifled a yawn. He slid the paper in front of me…but upside down. "So last year you made 'this much'", he pointed to the figure that I clearly couldn't read... "Yes," I agreed, nodding. "Congratulations (I'm not kidding…he really said 'Congratulations') you've been given a raise of 3.4% which amounts to 80 cents per hour. (Those of you who are dying to know my salary – do the math…I'm not trying to keep any secrets!) "So if you multiply 80 cents by 40 hours…" (Does he seriously think I need him to explain this to me?) Yes…I'm now making 32.00 more per week. But wait – when you take out taxes it's actually closer to 21.00 per week… And when you take into account that I promised my daycare provider that I'd pay her actual set amount (of which I talked her down 25.00 initially) when I got my raise – I'm actually losing 4.00 per week. I can speculate that this decision was made last year when I was close to 9 months pregnant and probably not the most competent (though definitely more so that most of the other admins!) of employees… I was uncomfortable…forgetful…and I did snap at him the third time he so considerately imitated my 'waddle-walk' for the other managers. But 80 friggin cents?? Congratulations indeed. |
Major Decision
| Current mood:  optimistic Category: Life I've finally made the tough decision to quit my job (don't get excited...not yet!) and go to school full time in September. This is scary to me for many reasons. It's going to be interesting trying to hold it together financially on just Scott's salary...but not only that...I've invested 5 years of my life in this company...albe them very boring and frustrating years! I'm also not sure if we're going to be able to keep the kids in daycare...which could prove a logistical nightmare. Oh - and did I mention I'm going to be 13 years older than the majority of my classmates? I love my nieces - but I cannot imagine having to deal with teenagers for several hours a day! But despite all of that - the time is now. The GI Bill (which was the primary reason I joined the Army 10 years ago) is going to expire for me at the end of next year. If I started school tomorrow I'd still lose a ton of money for waiting too long...but I'm not willing to lose all of it. I also feel like I'm at a cross roads where I have to make a decision to either a. fully support my husband and children and let my career take the backseat or b. give something that I KNOW I would be good at and I know I would find rewarding - a shot. So I'm starting really late - and I honestly don't know where we're going to be living in 6 months - but I applied to my first school 5 minutes ago and I'm going to keep on applying until I cover every area that we could potentially be in. (Applications are going to get expensive -but whatever!) So hold me to it - and some day you may here 'And now reporting for NBC - our political correspondent, Heidi Lee!' (Or CNN or CBS - but NBC sounds better for obvious reasons)! |
Is He Serious?
| Current mood: stressed Category: Blogging I smelled the cologne as soon as he walked out of the bathroom. "Tomorrow, honey," I said - moving our 6 month old (who was covered in red, bumpy hives) to my other hip. His face fell and he grabbed a beer and sat down in the rocking chair. I handed him the baby. "I'm sorry. I just can't today, OK?" "It really bothers me that you don't want to have sex with me." There it is. That statement. Again. Allow me to introduce you to a sexy day in the life of Heidi Lee. The day I'm describing is Saturday - but could be any given Saturday or Sunday. I'm going to write as though speaking to my husband...because these are certainly the things that I would have liked to say to him after hearing that statement. - It really bothers me that I've changed not 1, not 2, but 3 poopy diapers today. I realize you changed one or two yourself and I don't blame you for this - but someone should have told us that children are capable of having so many bowel movements in one day! - It really bothers me that part of poopy diaper change number 3 ended up on my pants. - It really bothers me that I didn't have a chance to shower today and that I look like utter crap. - It really bothers me that I haven't had time to shave my legs in a week. (Short time to shower - and arm pits always win.) - Walking by the bathroom and seeing you scratching your butt really bothers me. - These little bumps on the back of my upper arms? Really bother me. Maybe if you gave me a little time to moisturize I wouldn't have them! - Your passing gas in my presence 4 or 5 times doesn't necessarily REALLY bother me - but don't expect me to be in the mood later, OK? - Barney, The Little Einsteins and the stupid Backyardigans theme song playing in my head all day really bothers me. - It really bothers me when my three year old accidently wacks me in the nose and then huffily tells me I'm not his best friend anymore. - My precious baby covered in hives really bothers me. - Watching you watch tennis because evidently there is no other 'game' on? Really bothers me. - Reading 2 Batman, 1 Spiderman and 2 Superman stories over and over really bother me...and we won't even go into the alphabet and number learning puzzles. - Four loads of laundry really bother me. - It really bothers me that I'm losing massive amounts of hair due to 'hormonal' changes...ridiculously massive amounts. - It really bothers me that I'm still breastfeeding and that you're still looking at these things. - On that same token, it really bothers me that my right breast is producing twice as much milk as my left - and is therefore TWICE the size. And YOU think it's funny! - Oh - and nursing bras? NOT SEXY. - It really bothers me that you pat me on the butt when you walk by me on a day that you think you're 'getting some'. That is SO NOT a turn on. - It really bothers me that while you think I'm in good shape - my skin was very recently stretched out to capacitate an 8 and a half pound baby and hasn't exactly snapped back into place yet. - It bothers me that we had to schedule this little trist three days in advance. Guess what? I don't feel like it! - It REALLY bothers me when you wait until 5 minutes prior to going to the bedroom to put on cologne!! A little subtlety please!! - But what bothers me most of all is that you are always ready to go no matter the circumstances... It's just not fair. |
Explanation for the Posts Above
OK - so I know I'm getting off track here...but I thought I should probably consolidate my two blogs. There's a seven-year gap from where I left off below and where the posts above start, but some how, my creative brilliance will fine a logical way to tie it all together. Bottom line is that I'm pasting my old, neglected Myspace blog into this one and I'm going to add some new posts soon.
Having just graduated I have a completely different perspective on life, but there are a lot of relevant things that got me here that I'll eventually explain.
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