Random Ketchup Thoughts

While I do so love ketchup, I titled this blog entry that way because of the way it sounds. So many days have passed that included times I wanted to include here but haven't been able to, so today I'm trying to catch up.

In seventh period today, a couple of my students brought to my attention the big news of the day, namely the man who crashed his plane into the IRS building in Austin. A few of us read through cnn.com's report of events. I continued reading past the article to the comments section. I don't know why I do that since it always annoys and frustrates me with the usually idiotic responses people post. The main issue that kept coming up was the political leanings of the pilot. People were actually arguing about whether the guy was tea party, left-wing, or right-wing. Really? That's what you go out of it? Has the disparity between political beliefs really gone so far that people are trying to be the first to blame the other side? Bleh.

I've been sick for a week, and on Tuesday I finally took the day off to go to the doctor. I must say the customer service at reception has improved, which is nice. I'm not saying it was awful, but I could tell there were new standards the receptionists were trying to reach, and they were doing a great job. When I was called back (shockingly in under fifteen minutes) I waited a bit for the nurse the come in and do all the vital information stuff. Then I waited a little for the doctor--only it wasn't the doctor who came in. It was a young man who I can only guess is an intern or student of some kind. He was very thorough with his questions about my symptoms, which was nice since I wasn't in any hurry to get back to work since I had taken the day off. I probably would have been annoyed if I had been in a hurry to get back to work. After his session of questioning, I could hear him in the hallway discussing what was probably his diagnosis theory for my symptoms. Then, my doctor came in and talked for a bit and gave me a prescription. All in all, it was probably one of the most pleasant times I have ever spent going to the doctor. (About the possible intern, I put two and two together when I realized he was the same person who was telling the nurse that he had gotten something right and how proud they both were of him. It was cute.)

Speaking of cute, Joy and I spent Valentine's Day together. We went to brunch at the zoo and met some awesome animals including this teensy tiny screech owl (apparently they are small birds even when full-grown)

and a gigantic rabbit that tried to jump into my lap.

We then went to the movies. We wanted to see Wolfman even though it got bad reviews because, really, who doesn't want to see a movie with Benicio Del Toro? Unfortunately, we arrived ten minuted too late for one show and an hour and a half too early for the next one, so we decided to watch Valentine's Day. I didn't care for it. I thought there were too many threads to follow, which left little time for me to grow attached to any one of the characters, so in the end I didn't really care about anyone in the film--besides my opinion that the entire movie was completely predictable. What was unpredictable, though, was the loud shock that spread throughout the theatre when a certain couple was revealed. Joy liked the film, though, so that was good. For Valentine's Day, she gave me the Siouxsie and the Banshees CD that I'm listening to right now. I loved that band so much when I was in high school, but somehow in the intervening years, I had lost track of all my Siouxsie music, but now I have a Best of CD. Yea! (Oh, and I surprised her and went over the agreed upon budget and got her a ring from Tiffany. She loved it, but who doesn't love Tiffany?)

Well, I think that's about it for catching up. Oh, wait, I forgot to say that Joy will be one of the DJs at Bunnies on the Bayou. Yea! I can't wait.

Regret

There isn't much I regret in my life so far, so I hope I don't regret what I did today. I told my department chair that I would not be returning in the fall. She was sad and gave me a nice compliment and said I would be missed. I felt bad, but I really feel like this is the right move if I, indeed, want to seriously pursue a career in the library field. With the economy the way it is I know I am taking a giant leap into the deep end, but my father said if I don't take a great risk, I won't ever get the possible pay off of having done it. Good thing he loves me enough to take me back in if this plan backfires and I don't find a job. (Sending out positive energy into the universe)

Wonderland

We went to the Alley Theatre to see the musical Wonderland last night. I really wish I hadn't been so sleepy. I was fine for the first half, which was really good, but I don't really remember what happened during the second half because I kept dozing off--and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the play's fault. Like I said, the first half was really funny, especially the scenes with the White Knight and his boy band.

The audience was pretty mixed--age-wise, and during the scene with the White Knight, Joy turned to me and said, "I bet some people here won't get that it's a boy band." And she was right. During the intermission, two rows above us, a woman turned to her friend and asked, "why was everyone laughing? Because they were being silly?" I didn't say anything. Then a man two rows behind us tried to explain why the Mad Hatter was mad, but he only got it half right, and the woman in the row behind us tried to help by adding a weird detail that wasn't quite right. I wanted to turn around and correct them, but Joy wouldn't let me and said I didn't have to be a know-it-all all the time or something rude like that. So I sat there ignoring a perfectly good teaching moment. It was hard, but at least she complimented my restraint.

Second Semester

Today was the last day of the face to face potion of my web institute. From here on out, my classes are all online. I must say after this weekend I am very excited about my new career path into the library field. I can't believe the variety of jobs and environments my library degree from University of North Texas (I had to mention the name) can take me. I went into the program thinking I wanted to be a librarian in children and youth services, but now I think I want to do something more technologically based. I want to make the (digital) world a better place.

In 5600 we have to do a group service project and I came up with a grandiose plan that could actually become something more than just a project for one class. My team is terrific, and they are just as excited as I am about the project, which is thrilling since they, too, believe it could go beyond this class. We'll see how that goes. Now, to complete homework!

Happy New Year!

First day of the new year so far has been pretty good. I got to spend it relaxing with loved ones and tonight we're going out for 80s night at #'s. It should be fun. When I arrived at my parents' house, I smelled something I wasn't expecting but had been craving: menudo. My dad learned how to make it and today was his first attempt. For a first try on a difficult dish, it was pretty good. It definitely needs the chile my grandmother always has freshly prepared at her house when she served menudo, though.

Last night was spent at Boheme. I worked the door while DJ Joy De La O played a very eclectic mix. It was a pretty great night of music, as it usually is when DJ Joy De La O is spinning. Wikki wikki! Another great thing about last night is that we contributed half of what was made to HATCH.

One Week Down, One Week to Go

Last month I took part in--wait. Edit that. Last month I signed up to do NaNoWriMo at the prodding of my FPA. I had a brand new terrific idea that I got two pages into and three pages worth of character description. And that's about all I did because I was wrapping up my last paper for my very first grad class for my library science degree. I finished it on Thursday with one hour to spare. Yikes! I really need to stop procrastinating--especially since next semester I'll be taking two classes and then, with a little luck, a mini-mester class.

I also joined a gym this month and I've been three times since signing up last week. I went today to meet with my personal trainer to find out he resigned. Eh, I was fine with that since I wasn't crazy about him. He was nice and all, but I think I want to work with someone who practices what s/he preaches.

We went to see New Moon today. What a waste of good money. I think my favorite actor by far in this one was Dakota Fanning. Sad she was only on screen for about five minutes.

Finally, the mayoral election ends today. Unfortunately, I did not get to vote since I changed my address too late and my old address was out of the city--by far (since I was living in Japan). I really do hope Annise Parker wins. I really do think she is the better candidate. I also think it's silly that there are actually people voting based on her sexuality. Ridiculous. What does it matter? Some say they're worried she's going to push a gay agenda. Really? Is that what she's been doing all these years in office? Eh, I think I'll leave it there for now. [Later edit--it's official. She won! Yea!]

I have one more week of school left before the holidays. Won't it be glorious to be off for two weeks! I guess I should enjoy it while it lasts since I doubt I'll get the same benefits when I become a librarian.

Looks Like I Have a Little Catching up to Do

I left Okinawa almost four months ago and got my old job back at my the school I left to go to Japan. This year I am teaching seniors. I like my classes. I like most of the students. Actually, I pretty much like all of them, which is nice. It makes the job of teaching easier. It makes it hard when one decides to drop out. I cannot fathom why a student would drop out in senior year. Anyway...

I started graduate school. I am working on my masters in library science. I am two drafts away from being finished for the semester. Yipee! It's been tough. Well, it isn't the class that's been tough. I've started procrastinating. I don't understand why. Maybe it's because the class is online so I don't have that drive to do my best in class when I'm not sitting in class. Hmm...and all along I thought I was a self-starter. Learn something new everyday.

At the prompting of my FPA, I signed up for NaNoWriMo. I know. I know. What's one more writing assignment on top of grad school and lesson planning and grading? I'm glad I'm off all next week to get to work on the novel. I am excited about it. Maybe I'll work on it a little tonight and this weekend. Half the month is gone already. I need to get to it now. Ah, isn't blog writing a great way to procrastinate. ;)