I'm in another class now.

Let's pretend you don't speak English. Now let's pretend that you are in a class where everyone speaks only English. Now, we'll pretend again. We're pretending that we're trying to become a teacher and have to learn how to teach kids who don't speak a lot of English. This could be a cool process. It could also be pretty scary. Or it could become the most annoying thing on earth.

This is not NOT NOT NOT the kids' fault. The kids I've come into contact with in the process of learning how to teach ESOL classes are so cool I wish they were mine sometimes. The amount of ridiculous supposedly useful strategies are running rampant in my notebook right now. I also have no idea what my instructor is trying to get us to do or think half the time, and she is completely disorganized. I want to like her so much. I really do. But it's just not possible. We're in her class for 6 hours a week, and I come out of class more confused that I go in. She also obviously likes and thinks 2 kids in our class who annoy me more than probably anyone else I know are very funny. Seriously. These 2 guys talk constantly in my class and "contribute" to class discussion by saying really really stupid things, and I just don't want to have to be in the same room with them anymore. But this woman laughs at their jokes and obviously wants them to think she is funny or cool. No, no no no no. Stop. Alright, I'm trying not to pay attention to her and those 2 guys, but I need to pay attention to class or I'll get lost and not know what I have due next week.

Oh, Adolescence...

Today, in Adolescent Psych class, we reminisced on our own adolescent experiences. It's interesting to think back on that time in a more psychological way and wonder if hormones are the reason for the fights I had with my parents, sister, friends, etc. I really don't think so. I mean, yes, of course, there are important developments going on during adolescence, but that development affects your personality. Even as an adolescent, you're a person with a personality. Sometimes psychology forgets that the people being studied are human beings.

But it is interesting to see statistics and all of that.

So another thing that's been weighing on me recently are body image issues. Why? Why do I or does anyone have body image issues? I mean, I know that there are the big reasons like societal pressures and need for acceptance, self-confidence issues, need for control, and so on. But individually, why do I, why might you, have body image issues? It doesn't make any sense, to be honest. Not that I have a perfect body or will ever have that, but why do I want it in the first place? Does this mean that I'm not satisfied with my life and what I have? Are you satisfied? I just want to know where this comes from and how I can make it go away.

The point is, body image issues are ridiculous and unnecessary. The person having the issues is not ridiculous or unnecessary, but this thought process doesn't make any sense. You're good, I'm good, so let's stop this. Is it that easy? Probably not. But isn't making the decision to try a great step forward, at the very least?

Entering week 3

That's right, folks. We are entering the middle third of our 6-week classes. After this week, we'll be halfway done. I say "we" because I would've probably passed out and not made it through last week had it not been for my writing in this and talking to half of you about how stressed out I am. Honestly, it's probably not that bad. I tend to make things worse for myself by wasting time when I should be working... heh.

I may have done something pretty stupid though. I may have added an extra part-time job into the mix. Here's the situation: one of my professors just got married, and her new husband is an attorney. He needs help with organizing stuff in billing before he and my professor go on a month-long trip in July. So if he decides he needs me, he'll pay me $10/hr for about 3 hrs a day to move things around in an excel spreadsheet. I might even be able to work at my apartment some of the time. It'll be like rowing. If I force myself to do all of the things I NEED to do, I won't have time to waste anyway, unless I don't sleep. But either way, it would only be until the end of June, and it would be some extra money.

So that's part of what's going on for me right now. I should get started on my homework for the week on this Memorial holiday. I hope you all get a minute to take time to remember those who died in the name of our country.

In Class again

I'm posting in class again. She thinks the internet is out, so she probably thinks I'm taking really good notes. That might actually be a good thing to do...

I've been having some trouble making myself post lately because I wasn't really feeling like sharing my feelings. I've been stressed out about school, finding a job, working, figuring out the near future, and so on. That's not fun stuff to read, and it's not really fun to write about. Today, things aren't any different than they were yesterday, technically, but I feel like I can take a deep breath and think about other things.

We went to Boston this weekend. Matt's sister graduated from Boston University, and she won a bunch of awards and got some honors, and it was pretty cool overall. Boston is a fantastic city, and a lot of Matt's family members were there. Also, I love the way that Matt and his sister are together. They're friends who really really care about each other. I don't have a brother, and my sister quite a bit older than I am, so being that close with a family member is pretty awesome to be around.

We went to a lot of different ceremonies and things like that, but then we also got to enjoy Boston a little bit. I've never loved cities, but I could see myself spending time in a city like Boston. Comparing Boston to Gainesville is just sort of unfair to Gainesville. Gainesville is like a yard sale or an antique store or something. Parts of the town are really cool and quaint, like the good stuff in an antique store, but then there are parts that are just junk. Who needs an old ladder or a tin bucket? Why do antique stores sell that crap? I still love Bloomington like my favorite pair of tennis shoes, but that's because I walked all over that town and molded it to my feet.

I'll keep trying to learn Gainesville, but it's like trying to start a relationship after falling out of love with your first love. Can I use any more metaphors in this post? The point is, I'm not in love with Gainesville, but I'm willing to put forth effort to this relationship. I'll try to make it work. Hopefully we'll get along until it's time to make a change.

As promised....

Here's a picture of my hair. I'm dressed up in this picture because we're on our way to Matt's sister, Kate's, graduation.

And this second picture, I took of myself to check and make sure my hair looked ok... This new hair cut has made me more self-conscious or concerned about exactly what my hair looks like. Lame, I know.

I'll put up more pictures soon.

class

I'm in class. I shouldn't be disrespectful like this, but I'm feeling an entry coming on.

So I'm in an adolescent psychology class, and it's actually pretty cool. We're talking right now about how "adolescent moodiness" has been blown out of proportion. She's saying that moods aren't necessarily directly related to hormones and are more related to changes in context, and that adolescents are thrown into more different situations than adults. That makes sense, eh? Adults get up, go to work, run errands, and go back home. Maybe they do some other things in there, but that's pretty general. Adolescents get up, go to school, switch classes every 50 minutes, go to sports or after school stuff, then go home. They're all over the place.

Also, it's a biological fact that during adolescence, after puberty starts, kids naturally want to go to bed later and wake up later. AND they're supposed to be getting 9 hours of sleep!! Yeah right.

I'm still participating in class, which is funny. I just thought you should all know these psychological tidbits. I'm also eating White Cheddar Cheez-its, which as are delicious, I can't even begin to tell you.

Two updates: I'm less freaked out about doing work and stuff because I made a list and am slowly whittling it down. Also, I'll put up a couple of pictures during my next post. For real.

I bought a camera

I did it. I gave in. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to take many pictures yet, and I also haven't installed the software on my computer yet.

But you'll get pictures of things soon. I promise you that.

Today is a day of stepping back, de-stressing, and making a giant list or chart of EVERYTHING I HAVE TO DO. I'm going to space out and time how long it should take me to work on things, and then I'll have a big list that I can cross tasks off of when they are finished. Just thinking about that pleases me.