Trying desperately not to freak out...

Need to be productive. Afraid. Setting some publically (somewhat, as no one reads this) accountable goals.

1. Find latest copy of Masters/Research draft--reread
2. Meet with GA--get GA working on lots of stuff I need done
3. 13 items left to be written for exam (write at least 7)
4. Plan out timing for next few lectures of: Introduction to Basic Understanding class
5. Work on exam for Introduction to Advanced Sub-Discipline class [Worked on it, still needs work. Must be done by Thurs at 3]
6. Blog about complex feelings about Introduction to Advanced Sub-Discipline class
7. Prepare survey for Introduction to Basic Understanding class

Today, is supposed to be a writing day, but I am behind in my courses. I know I only have the energy for about 3-4 more hours of work today.

Current update: Attack of the Publisher Reps--Got ambushed by book rep. He was very nice, not particularly knowledgeable (he just took over for a merger of two major publishing houses, so he wasn't as down as I was), going to send me lots of books (yea!). As he left, he gave me gift certificate to our local coffee house, what a peach! I know that it is to make me like him and order his books, but I also like being paid (in coffee) for my time. Of course, now I it is nearly 5pm and I am way behind in this growing list of things to be done.

Next update: Almost an hour later, going home. An 8 hour on campus day is enough. going to take a bit of a break at home with some TV and dinner. Then back to work tonight. Must cross a few things off the list. Also need to read for tomorrow mornings class. Damn.

Also, still pissed at student who came by asking demanding my notes from a class she missed. This student has had classes with me before. My syllabus clearly explains that I do not give students my notes. I finally just had to respond, "I don't give out my notes." to each whine she was giving out until she finally left. Ugh.

Or perhaps this...

Assume an Awesome, if you have it not.

Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?

Get your own quotes:

My man Shakespeare

I owe him little Awesome and less love.

Which work of Shakespeare was the original quote from?

Get your own quotes:

The week ahead....

So, most weekends I run away from TinyTown to Arty KickAss Nearby City (AKNC) to escape, to enjoy sushi & anonymity, to run all the errands I can’t run here in town. This weekend I stayed home. I didn’t get as much done as I should have, but I feel mostly prepared for the week ahead. I am going to need to put in an hour before each of my advanced classes tomorrow to do the reviewing I didn’t do today, but I feel I am mostly ready for classes. I did some work this weekend. Crossed some things off the to-do list. Feeling slightly good about that, but I have some major projects to accomplish that I have not begun.....ah the stress.

Neat

Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti

Totally freaked out....

So, earlier this week, I was sitting on the couch curled up next to the space heater watching episodes of Dexter on my netflix. Then I started to see waves or flashes out in my 'periph' (Dane cook fans, anyone?). At first I thought it was heat waves from the space heater. But when I got far away from the turned off heater, the flashes/waves were still there. So, then I figured it must be something in my contact. Took out my contacts--still there. It was there no matter where I looked, it was there when I closed my eyes. I was really freaked out. Turns out, it was a symptom of a migraine called a migrane aura. It tripped me up a bit because it occurred with no pain.
I think it was actually an ocular migraine (because it only occurred in one eye). I was so scared. It was to late to call anyone--I am trying to avoid calling my folks when stuff happens. I feel this need to be independent--that calling them with my troubles means that I am not handling things well.
It really made me miss having someone boyfriend-y in my life. Someone who could have googled the symptoms (while I was in bathroom freaking out wondering if I lost an old contact in my eye or if I was going to go blind), someone to hold my hand--that would have been nice.
So, this is probably the second migraine I have ever had (the other had no visual freakiness--just intense headache (I was crying it hurt so bad), light sensitivity, nausea). Ironically this one occurred while I was driving cross country to see my parents for Christmas holidays. Luckily, kid sister was with me and she took over the driving for me. That makes for 2 migraine headaches in 2 months.
Of course, among the recommended treatment is avoiding stress and being relaxed.
At least I am not alone. I am going back and reading some new blogs (from the blog's beginning) and found this. So, I should probably put down the computer and get a good's night sleep. Untenured Professor, who I learned from recent blog posts just received tenure (kudos to her), found this article saying some headaches are more common in those with more education. Fricken PhD.

Another school shooting...

Northern Illinois University; 7 dead

I can't figure out if school shootings are getting more common. I know the odds are insanely rare that this would happen at my school, but it feels scary in a way that I never thought academia would feel. My thoughts (with so many other peoples thoughts) are with NIU.