My Archives: October 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
So right now I am trying to figure out where I'm going to live next year. I wanted to get a single dorm room, meaning a room all to myself. I really like Kelly's dorm, so I was hoping to get one for just me. But I found out the single dorm rooms are over $3000 per semester, which I think is a little outrageous, but anyway. I have to apply before November 17th, so I basically need to make a decision before then.
Matt wants me to stay with him. I asked if he wanted to maybe stay in a dorm too, but he scoffed at that, saying that as a senior, he wasn't staying in a dorm. He said he would just have to find another roommate to replace me. But he seemed really sad, and told me he would miss me and didn't want me to move out. I thought I needed to save money and didn't want to have to work anymore. As it turns out though, my dad still wants me to work to help out with the cost of on-campus living expenses. I can understand that. I mean, the cost is kind of ridiculous, and when you add meal plans on top of that, it becomes a real issue. But at that rate, I might as well just stay right where I am.
We have calculated it out several different ways, and no matter what, it's significantly cheaper to have a third person stay with us, even if we were to just stay in a one-bedroom. I suggested an efficiency, but Matt said he doesn't want to live in a "tiny little square the size of our current bedroom". I don't see the problem with that. It's made for one to two people, according to the website. I'd stay by myself, but I'd have to work twice as many hours just for an efficiency. *sigh* I'm not really sure what I want to do just yet. I'll have to wait and see. :(
Posted by Katie @ 10:28 PM EST [Link]
Today I went to KC in the morning. The kids were totally wild and running everywhere. I guess it was because tonight is Halloween. Which, by the way, I don't really care too much about. It's fine when you're a kid or a parent, but when you're a college kid like me, you get kind of tired of seeing other college kids dressing up in mini skirts and fish nets with tiny pairs of ears on their heads, calling themselves kittens. I wanted to tell that to this girl I saw in the dorms the other night who was dressed like that: "YOU'RE NOT A KITTEN, YOU'RE A FUCKING HOOKER!!!! GET OVER IT!!!"
Anyway...*cough* I went to my soc class where Dr. Silver was dressed like a Viking and giving out free candy. After we left, I headed to the haunted house in the engineering building with Matt, Grace, and Chris. Grace was dressed like a pimp (SO FUNNY) and Chris like the gingerbread man from Shrek. Adorable! We went through these two haunted houses and I screamed like the moron I am. It wasn't terribly scary, but you know me. :P It was fun, and free food!!!!
After that...I went to Matt's class with him and Grace. And we made Chris go in his costume. He sat on the side grading papers (he's a TA) wearing his costume, head and all. I could not stop laughing. I copied all the notes, not understanding anything, but the teacher didn't even notice me even though I was sitting FRONT AND CENTER.
So it was a pretty good day...yeah...I'm going to Walmart with Matt soon to figure out our costumes for the party tomorrow night. I think tonight we're going to watch a scary movie. Yay! :]
Posted by Katie @ 06:21 PM EST [Link]
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I met with some people from my astro class tonight to talk about the semester observing project. We sat around at the Hub talking about it, and then decided to go up to the rooftop of Davey Lab to use the telescopes. It was about 7:30 at that point, but the telescopes wouldn't be open for another hour. Instead of waiting, we all just kind of left. I'm supposed to meet with them next week.
After that I met up with Kelly and we hung out in her dorm for a while. It was nice to see her again! We chilled and listened to music and chatted until Eric came in, and then I left to walk all the way across campus back to the car. Right now I am hiding out in my room because Matt's buddies are out in the living room playing poker and we all know how I feel about that. An outcast in my own apartment. *sigh*
Tomorrow I need to go to Kindercare in the morning and probably NOT learn anything new, and then I have SOC at 12:20. There is some kind of haunted house thing going on from 10 to 4, but I'm not sure if I want to go. I don't know, I'm just not that excited for Halloween this year. I'm not that excited for any holiday at all. Let's count the reasons:
Thanksgiving: I have to work the following day (Black Friday) and so I'll just be dreading that the whole time.
Christmas: I don't have any money. I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to buy too many people presents seeing as I can barely pay my rent for December as it is.
New Year's: I have to go back to work on January 3rd.
Valentine's Day: Matt and I have been fighting a lot lately. I'm not sure how I feel about this holiday right now.
Yeah, about the money. I basically will have nothing in my bank account until next Friday, so I'll have to go a week with NO MONEY AT ALL. And how I'm going to pay my rent for the month of December is a mystery to me. Plus buy Christmas presents on top of that. And in a week and a half I have a cell phone bill due. $70. NO CLUE how I'm paying that yet.
When I was at Kelly's dorm, she was telling me about the process of getting a single dorm room. That's something I'm definitely considering. I wouldn't want a roommate, but being by myself would be kind of nice I think. Especially because this whole apartment thing isn't exactly working out too well...
Okay, so this weekend...
Tomorrow: Halloween...not doing anything...
Saturday: work 10 - 5
Saturday night: Chris's kegger / costume party...probably not going
Sunday: nothing (probably sleeping in, then homework)What an exciting schedule.
Posted by Katie @ 11:39 PM EST [Link]
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
How can he treat me like this? How can he stand idly by while his friends tear me apart? How can he expect me to just know that he loves me? He never says it, and he's not nearly as loving and warm and affectionate as he used to be. I get the feeling maybe he's just lost his love for me. I'm not quite sure how it happened or even if it was my fault. I'm starting to doubt our love more and more as the days go by. I even shock myself sometimes by thinking that I DON'T want to marry him. I do, but I don't.
What should I do??? I'm in so, so, so much pain.....
Posted by Katie @ 01:05 AM EST [Link]
Monday, October 27, 2008
3 things I've learned in college:
1) Being able to do advanced levels of calculus automatically makes you the smartest, and therefore gives you the right to gloat like an asshole.
2) Being an engineer major of any kind makes you the best by default, regardless of whether or not your GPA < 3.0 and whether or not you're a good person.
3) If you're an engineer, you don't need anyone else, including the teachers and mentors who got you where you are, because even though you'd be nothing without them, you're an engineer, so you're the best.
I'm sick of sitting here and trying to do my astronomy lab math, and having them throw their heads back and laugh when Matt tries to explain something to me. I'm sick of them saying that their girlfriend was excited about doing an art project, and "That's nice, I just did some such-and-such calculus."
I would complain about how they talk trash about women and getting laid, but we're in college and there are some things I have to accept. However, I can't tolerate having them act like supremacists like that. It's really rude.
Posted by Katie @ 10:25 PM EST [Link]
Sunday, October 26, 2008
What a weekend! A Halloween party, a haunted house, a trip to the movies to see Saw 5, watching my sister and mom kick ass at the Belmont Plateau championship cross country meet, and a win by Penn State AND the Phillies (and another tonight, most likely!!!!)
Yeah, Penn State is 9 and 0 now woooooh!!!!
Okay I got some reading to do. Later!
Posted by Katie @ 10:16 PM EST [Link]
Thursday, October 23, 2008
I have spent pretty much the entire day studying for this soc exam. I went to my astro class and then came back to make more note cards, finish the readings and outline them too. I have been doing that for almost the entire day. I also found someone who can study with me, but he wants to work on his paper first. I'll just wait.
Matt made chicken and broccoli and I made rice for dinner. It was so good! Right now there are a bunch of people over to watch the Phillie's game, so I'm going to have to go somewhere else, probably the Hub, to study with this other guy. It's kind of annoying, practically getting booted out of my own home, especially when I don't give a damn about sports of any kind. Grr, I just want some peace!!!
Tomorrow morning I need to go to KC for my second official observation for E C E 451, and then to my soc exam. After that, I am done for the week. Yaaaaayee!! ^__^
Posted by Katie @ 08:24 PM EST [Link]
Accomplishments for the Day:
1) Laundry done
2) All readings done for SOC
3) Began hand-out for E C E 451 project
4) 4/11 questions from astro semester observing project done
5) Did dishesThings still to be done:
1) Study more for soc / make note cards
2) Read for astro and print out powerpoint slides for class tomorrow
3) Brainstorm list of supplies needed for 451 workshop
4) Finish getting together study group for astro observing project (on the way - got 4 people through e-mail!)
5) Get a hair cut
6) Start compiling a list of Christmas presents to get peoplePosted by Katie @ 12:20 AM EST [Link]
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I managed to finish my paper last night, and I think I did a pretty good job. Now all that's really left for the week is to study for my sociology exam on Friday afternoon. It really feels like a Friday today, but we're not quite there yet!
Right now I have my laundry over in the washer. Last night we did some grocery shopping after I finished my paper, so it's good to actually have some food in the kitchen! I'm happy that I actually got some of the stuff done that I wanted to get done.
This afternoon I want to get a few more readings done for soc and to start making index cards to study. Other than that, I don't have too much, except maybe to get some reading done for astro. Also, I need to start working on the Astro 001 observing project. It's only 11 questions and I answered 4 already, but some of them involve going to use a telescope on the rooftop of Davey Lab, so I need to get that done by December. Also, in Astro 011, I have things to do too. I sent a mass e-mail out to my classmates in Astro 001 asking if anyone wanted to work on the semester observing project. We'll see what happens.
Okay, so laundry is in the dryer. Shower time, then study time!
Posted by Katie @ 03:50 PM EST [Link]
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Last night I had work until 9. I worked in the women's department all by myself. I HATE working in that department. Luckily it was a Monday night and we are usually pretty slow on Monday nights. But really, I am so tired of cleaning up after people. They dump their clothes all over the fitting room floors, so there are tons of jeans all balled up and sweaters thrown everywhere. Not to mention I spent 45 minutes straightening the Levi jean shelves because a customer was shopping there and messed it up. Grrrr. It drives me nuts!!!
After that I met up with Kelly at the Hub. We grabbed a bite to eat and talked for a while. It was great to finally see her again. I really missed her!
Today I have three classes. After my second class, I'm supposed to go meet with the TA for help on my astronomy lab, which is due tonight. It's a math astronomy lab, and as everyone knows, I am terrible at math. So we are supposed to draw this triangle to scale, and I can't figure it out!!! So I'm going to ask Megan for help today. Hopefully we can get it done. I have the rest of the lab finished, so that's good.
I have to go to class. Also, I need to get some major soc reading done tonight. Wish me luck...ugh...
Posted by Katie @ 12:08 PM EST [Link]
Saturday, October 18, 2008
I am exhausted. It's not that bad though. I slept in until almost 1 because I was up till 5:30. Today I have work from 4 to 9. I really don't want to go, but I don't have a choice. I need the money!
Matt is playing Wii Sports right now and I'm relaxing. I made us Rice-Roni for lunch and it was so yummy. I think I'm going to get a shower around 3 and then leave for work about 3:35 or so. It's nice to be able to relax for a couple hours during the day. =)
Posted by Katie @ 02:13 PM EST [Link]
Friday, October 17, 2008
I've always wanted to learn how to dance. It's not that I'm horrible at it, I just don't know anything. Maybe if I had a chance to learn, I could actually be good at it...? I don't know. I've been looking around to find a dance studio to go to, and there's one in downtown State College. Actually it's on Fraser Street, and I walk by there all the time and never notice it. Anyway, I can't afford the tuition, so I was kind of thinking about asking my parents to help out as an early Christmas present (since I don't really want anything in particular for Christmas anyway).
Seriously, I'd love to learn. It'd be a great way to get exercise too, without trying too hard and having lots of fun in the process. I'm sick of not knowing any serious dance moves. And let's face it, I'm NOT learning Soulja Boy or the Percolator...those are the only two dance moves I know anything about, and they're...weird. I want to learn something worth doing. So I'll look into this. Okay, I gotta get a shower, pick Matt up on campus, and go to work. Later!
Posted by Katie @ 03:21 PM EST [Link]
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
My upcoming work schedule (not as bad as I had first thought):
10/15 (today); 5:15 - 9:30
10/17; 5:30 - 9:30
10/18; 4:00 - 9:30
10/19; 12:00 - 5:00
10/20; 5:30 - 9:30There is a little discrepancy with the end of next week, because I do want to be able to visit my hometown the weekend of the 24th, but they have me scheduled for Saturday the 25th from 3:30 to close. I am going to have to see if I can switch with someone maybe. I hope so...
Posted by Katie @ 04:47 PM EST [Link]
You know when you have one of those long, drawn out dreams and you keep waking up in the middle, only to fall back asleep and keep the dream going? I had one of those last night. I thought, after I woke up, that it would make for an interesting short story. So that is what I am doing. I already am starting part 5 and I just began writing yesterday morning I think. It is a good way to make all the stress go away, and I don't want to forget my CREEPY but very interesting dream. When I'm done, I'll post a link and then an entry about the original story (dream).
Bed time!
Posted by Katie @ 12:07 AM EST [Link]
Monday, October 13, 2008
The events of Friday night are still haunting me even three days later. I posted about it in my last preferred-only entry. If you want to know about it but aren't on the list, send me a message.
I don't know what to do to get it off my mind. I know it's not my fault. Matt and I got into another argument this afternoon over lunch downtown. He blames me, mostly. I don't think I'll ever be able to convince him otherwise...
Posted by Katie @ 06:46 PM EST [Link]
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tonight will be my first night out on the town. I'm going with Paige and a bunch of people to a bar or something. We might crash at her place later, I don't know. This will be interesting...
Posted by Katie @ 07:27 PM EST [Link]
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I'm sorry I haven't updated in such a long time. I've just been really busy and stressed out. I hope things will get easier from here on out, but I doubt it.
It's been getting harder and harder for me to get up in the morning. I have no idea why. I used to be such a morning person, and over time, I have turned into a night person, staying up late and then having to fight with myself in order to get out of bed. I really hate it. I wish I could be a morning person again. It's such an advantage!!!
To deal with the stress, I've started a new short story. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to end it yet but we'll see.
I'm exhausted, but instead of going back to bed, I'm probably going to go work on my story. Later!
Posted by Katie @ 09:08 AM EST [Link]
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
For some reason I have been exhausted lately. I could barely stay awake in soc this afternoon. I hope this does not continue.
I know I haven't updated in a while and it's because I've been so busy. I went to do my observations on Monday and Tuesday mornings. Being there seems to be a total waste of time. I'm not supposed to talk to any of the kids because I don't have my clearances. I understand that part, that they have some kind of legal obligation to do that, but it still feels like the director has it in for me. She's not very nice to me, and she hasn't been from the start. The kids, on the other hand, seemed to love me. Several of them have hugged me and asked me questions like, "Did you miss me?" and "When are you coming back?" See why I want to be a teacher?
I am very frustrated with the whole process of becoming a teacher. I love the kids, I do, but most of the adults I have come across have been so obnoxious (like this director) or they are just other teachers who are horrible at their jobs. It irks me to see people in the teaching field who don't belong there. But whatever, I'm only in my third year, what do I know, right?
I met with my adviser last week to get advice on what to schedule. There is a year-long internship coming up in a year or so. It's basically student teaching but it's for a whole year. So I would stay with a teacher for the entire school year instead of just one semester. Plus, it would also replace many of the classes I am supposed to take, giving me a shot at graduating on time. I needed to take prereqs for the math, science, and social studies education classes, and I asked my adviser if there was anything else I was missing. He proceeded to raise his voice at me and tell me to forget those prereqs, he was going to tell me all the classes I needed to take. Once again, the advising center at the university is crap. It was that way at Abington, and it's that way here at State College. But what can you do?
I have to go pick up Matt from his class soon. Later.
Posted by Katie @ 05:34 PM EST [Link]
Friday, October 3, 2008
I have to do a group presentation on the Head Start Program for E C E 451. Each group member has to come up with some kind of activity or mini lesson that has to do with a theme after we present the boring information. We want to do a health and wellness theme that would, or could, be done in a Head Start classroom.
At first, with help from my mom, I got together an idea to do a nutrition lesson. I was going to use an example from each food group. So I would have a good food (apple, chicken, carrot, milk, bread) and a corresponding "junk" food. I'd have flash cards with pictures of these food items and the words on them, and then I'd basically ask them (my peers, not actual preschoolers) which is healthier for them and then make a list on a pad of paper of which foods benefit which body part. For example, a carrot is good for your eyes, and chocolate cake is not good for you. And you get the idea.
Only problem is, another group member is already doing a nutrition lesson. She is doing something with the food guide pyramid. Chris is doing an activity with tracing the kids' bodies on giant paper (remember doing that?) and Annie is doing some kind of lesson in teaching what clothes to wear in what kind of weather.
So I thought to myself, "Crap, what else can I do?" Well, after being really upset, I decided to do something with the five senses. There are tons of online lesson plans for me to take ideas from. I think what I'm going to do is to either find a book about the five senses or write my own, and then give each member five cards with the different senses on them, read the story, and ask them to hold up the card with the sense on it that's being used on each page of the story. Now that I think about it, I think it'd be a lot better and a lot more fun to write my own story, though a lot more difficult.
Well...I wanted to do a nutrition lesson plan but I think my second idea still has the potential to be a great lesson too. I'm going to talk to my group members this morning at the meeting downtown, ask them what they think, and buy supplies over the weekend.
I also helped out at Kindercare yesterday morning. That was a lot of fun. I helped them mix ingredients for sugar cookies and THAT was interesting. So the teaching stuff is going well. We'll see how this meeting goes today.
And no work tonight, yay!!!!
Posted by Katie @ 08:06 AM EST [Link]
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Between school and work, I have been extremely busy and stressed out. I am working over 25 hours this week, and that is a lot to be doing simultaneously with all my classes. I am up late every night, I haven't had time to do laundry in over a week (my basket is overflowing) and I have to scramble just to have time to shower and eat. I'm gaining weight, I'm not doing well in certain classes, and I come home with sore feet and a head ache from work each night.
I went to see my adviser about scheduling classes. No matter what, I'm behind a semester. Matt seems to think the only way that I could have a remote possibility to graduate on time is to take lots of summer classes. Dr. J said I could petition out of one or two classes and he would sign papers for me. I don't want to have to do that though.
I broke down crying earlier this evening. I haven't had my medicine in over a week because I ran out of lamictal. So I sent my mom an e-mail askig her to mail me the prescriptions and a check and I could fill them here at the Rite Aid. Because I haven't been taking my medicine, I've been breaking down into tears at random and I seem to have a temper that gets more and more out of control as the days go by. I don't know what to do. I feel so hopeless.