Done!

~ Guy Hall

And thus does another semester come to a conclusion. The results? One B+ and one A. Surprisingly, the A is in a subject I historically sucked at: English. However, the focus of the class was Science Fiction and Fantasy, which I have loved since I first started reading. And my confidence in writing has grown exponentially since high school. Hence my A.

The B+ was in Abnormal Psychology. And no, it was not a self-awareness class, smart asses. I see you all snickering in the back row. Behave yourselves or you’ll show you the airlock.

Anyway, it was a class focused on reading chapters and taking quizzes. Where I struggled is with the exams. I always struggle with exams.

Actually, I probably did better on the exams than I normally would have because of the benefits of the online text. Quizzes were easy because of the nature of the online book. It had a great review chapter with flashcards, plus it’s own quizzes that were a great practice. Hence all my quizzes for the class were 7 or more points. And if you got 6 or more on the quiz, it was automatically adjusted to 10 points.

My grade was hurt by my second exam. I didn’t take advantage of the review chapters and flashcards. But the last two I did, with which I had better results. To be honest, the improvement was significant enough that I raised my grade from a C-.

Also, I was able to save the online lectures until just days before the exam. That way the information from them was fresh. I was also able to speed the videos up so that the 1 hour+ videos took about 50 minutes. That meant about two lectures each day, with about 4 or 5 lectures per exam. Thankfully there was no big “FINAL” exam. Instead, just four ‘midterm’ exams which really were quarterly exams.

All in all this last semester was one of my best. And that was with a bout of stomach flu that put me behind on writing for the English class. Thankfully I had an understanding professor who allowed me to get caught up without any lost points.

One last point: I managed to write my first college essay. I created a thesis, present my arguments with proofs, and finish off with a summary conclusion that resulted in an A. And all without the benefit of having ever taken any classes for essay writing.

I know.

I was surprised myself.

One Class Done!

~ Guy Hall

I took my 4th and final exam for Abnormal Psychology today. I also did the post-class surveys. Now I just need to focus on my English Class. In another few days I’ll be ready for Summer Break.

However, I am eligible to register for fall classes. That means having to look up my Liberal Arts requirements – plus see about doing an online biology class. I guess I can now get a kit and do the labs at home. It’s the one class I am dreading.

I’ll also need to schedule to see my adviser so he can unblock me so I can register. I haven’t yet crafted my degree proposal.

Oh. And I think I have an A in Abnormal Psychology.

Clouds Light the Through

~ Guy Hall

Yet coffee have I not had enough of for today.

Don’t.

Keep what, seriously, to say you’re to yourself going.

Coffee I’m lacking, remember.

Pretty won’t be it.

An Update

Brighter Days
~ Guy Hall

So, yeah, I know. It’s been a while. The viral infection has been kicking my ass for the past 3 to 4 weeks. I am finally getting close to feeling 100%. And on top of that I tweaked my left calf muscle just above the Achilles tendon. So I’ve been limping for the last 4 or 5 days.

Yes, it’s all rather pathetic.

That being said, I’ve been doing all I can to catch up on my school work. I was a couple weeks behind in one class and barely managing to keep up with the other. Hence the dearth of posts.

However! Today I awoke to my calf muscle not bitching, my gut finally starting to feel less volatile, and my body not quite aching above and beyond old age. Also, I’ve gotten caught up on all but a few discussion posts – which will be finished tonight.

The sun is starting to come out from behind the clouds.

Education Update

~ Guy Hall

Now that I’ve finally gotten past the viral infection that knocked my out for the last 4 weeks I’ve been able to concentrate on my school work. Thankfully I was able to keep up with my Introduction to Abnormal Psychology class. I even managed to do well on my last exam. However, I did miss a quiz for one of my chapters.

Where I really struggled was in my Science Fiction and Fantasy class. Where the Psychology class was just reading and test taking, the SciFi/Fantasy class is writing intensive. And I was sleeping 10 to 12 hour days and still feeling exhausted and drained. And because writing is much more demanding than reading and test taking for me, I put that class off.

Thankfully I have an understanding instructor who was willing to give me more time for my late assignments. I have finished two of them, and have just one more to go. My plan is to be caught up before the weekend is done.

However, it turns out I’m still pressed for time as my Psychology class has two chapters due next week!

Sigh.

Feeling Better

Ill
~ Guy Hall

I actually was feeling better yesterday. However, there were lingering symptoms. My stomach was still gurgling a bit and I was feeling tired, though not exhausted. Today? I can tell already that my gut is finally finished with whatever hit it Thursday. So much so that I’m contemplating a run in this mornings rain. I’ll let you know if that happens.

Sick Again

~ Guy Hall

Yeah, yeah, I know. Two posts in a row about being sick. They are quite a few days apart. And to be honest, I did get a few runs completed in between these posts.

Anyway, I must have eaten something bad on Thursday because at noon my stomach instantly became upset. And not only that but I also experienced aches and the chills. I managed to make it from the dining room at work to the bathroom where I began the process of completely emptying out my intestinal track. After three more trips to the bathroom at work and feeling so miserable I thought I’d pass out I decided to go home.

In case you’re wondering – yes I was worried about not making it home, or to a gas station bathroom. Thankfully I’d already emptied out most of the contents of my gut. I only needed one more trip to the bathroom when I got home.

After that I have spent all my time laying on the couch, or in bed. My colon was so sensitive I couldn’t let the cats lay next to me on the couch. I also slept 13 or so hours each day – during the day! Even now I am exhausted after sleeping soundly throughout the night.

I was able to eat yesterday with only minimal grumbling from my gut. And I don’t have the need to empty it immediately. Yet my colon is still sensitive. That and I feel I could sleep the rest of the day away still. However, it’s time for me to get off my ass and get some homework done, some lectures listened to, and some shopping to do.

So, with that said, wish me luck as I foray into the world.

Yuck

~ Guy Hall

It was something I ate. Combined with a renewed sinus infection I was sick as hell yesterday. I made a quick appointment with my clinic for over lunch. It’s where I was informed my blood pressure was 139/90. Not good. I’ve no doubt it was the salsa and the soup on Monday. It inflamed my diverticulitis, making my gut feel like a lead balloon. So much so that when I ran after work on Monday (not yet fully aware of what I had done to myself) I was a minute slower on my mile pace.

Anyway, I now have an antibiotic for my sinus infection. Also, I am going to have to make a conscious decision to avoid all products tomato. Which sucks. I love spaghetti with red sauce, pizza, etc., etc., etc. It puts a damper on a majority of foods I like – and love. It also limits what Tina cooks. Sigh.

Attack of the Sweat Zombie, Part 2

Just Keep Running
~ Guy Hall

I don’t understand why Tina doesn’t want to give me a hug after I finish a run.

By the way, this is mild compared to how I look after a run in the warming seasons. It’s way cool downstairs. If this was spring and I ran outside the t-shirt would be soaking wet all the way to the bottom hem.

A Low, Guttural Moan

~ Guy Hall

Why? Because it’s Monday and the cats did not let me sleep past 4:45 AM this morning. And because I was a bit late in getting around to finishing my work for one of my classes. That is, I was up until 10:30 PM last night. Damn cats.

What? You think I’m going to take responsibility? Hell no! That’s what the cats are for. And since they are cats they really don’t give a shit.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how you work denial.

I know, I know. I’m a pro.

And please, don’t try this at home.