Wow...it has been awhile

And I'm sorry about that. I didn't realize how busy graduate school would be. Last semester was supposedly the hardest I'd face in the program. I completed my two foundation courses and finished the semester with 3.375 gpa...which means I satisfied the requirements to upgrade from provisional graduate student to graduate student. I met some good and cute people along the way, and just as many that I won't to forget and hope to not have to deal with again.

I also found out how hard it is to blog about everything that goes on in grad school. Therefore, I'm going to focus more on whatever is on my mind. If it's grad school, my love life (more on that later), my social life, or whatever...I'll blog about that. And since all of that is still being guided by my education the title still fits lol. I'm a stickler for stuff that.

I'll post again sooner rather than later...maybe tonight before I go to bed. Gotta head to class now...every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00. Whew...

Fear/Change

A few days ago I came across II Timothy 1:7. It reads "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." In these last few days before the start of classes, I found myself dreading this 2-3 year journey.

Part of it was due to realizing that I will be living in Tallahassee for another few years...I'm hard-pressed to find any good that has occurred to me while living here and a change of scenery would do me good. While my personal experience living here shouldn't be a reflection of the city as a whole, I really need to dive into another area. I look back and see how fast my time in undergrad went by and I'm hoping this will progress swiftly and fruitfully.

I had a series of graduate student orientation sessions yesterday and found myself increasingly somber, afraid, and near tears as they progressed. I can't explain why...I kept thinking I don't want to be here, I'm not sure this is the right for me, and Hell, its to late now. The sessions began at noon and were scheduled to end at 6:30 pm. It was four in total, with only one being specific to my degree program and it was to start at 5:30pm.

I was expecting to register for classes in the last session. But it turned out to be something of an info session. I was handed a folder full of forms that needed to be filled out and a list of classes offered. We were prompted to introduce ourselves and tell why we chose the program and who influenced us in doing so. And this...this is where my fears began to alleviate. As the introductions started I found out that I would be working closely with a group of people that chose this program for reasons similar to my own. Among my classmates are a former FOX Studios employees, a hilarious gay guy that reminds me of Perez Hilton but only nicer, a female sports newscaster, and a former USAToday reporter with 25 years experience in the communications business (who I promptly asked to have coffee with me later in the week so that I can may gain helpful tips on succeeding in the world of Communications). After the session ended I felt relieved, refreshed, and no longer afraid and fearful of this endeavor. I realized that I was in the right place and that everything was as it should be. And all I could think about was II Timothy 1:7.

I know it's been awhile..

I'll write something soon. I had a death in the family and simply haven't been up to blogging.

Getting it back...(Body, Results, etc.)

Not much has been going on lately. Just living, working, and exercising. I’m 17 days into Dr. Ian’s Fat Smash Diet and have lost around ten pounds. I tweaked the program a bit. I’d been exercising and doing weights for about a week or two before I started the diet. However, the program suggests waiting until Phase 3 to incorporate weights into your workout routine. I didn’t want to stop so I kept on doing the weights. I’ve noticed a significant change in my body. I’m visibly thinner, and my limbs are more toned. I have a goal to be beach-ready in September (although I’m sure I won’t be going to a beach as I don’t do open water like that). Also, I got my STD test results yesterday. Everything was negative. While I’m getting my body in better shape and taking personal inventory I’ve chosen to become celibate. I wasn’t getting any on the regular anyway...LOL


On the downside of things...I think I'm developing feelings for someone. And I don't want to...

Oh nothing much...

I've just been living and working, not much going on at the moment. I've started Dr. Ian's "Fat Smash Diet Program." I'm on Day 4 of Phase 1. So far, its going pretty good. The first day was the hardest, but now I'm settling into it. It lasts for nine days and I'll be finished with the detox/first phase on Wednesday. My mom was supposed to be doing the diet with me, but she's cheated every day...except for today...well I don't know what she's ate since I spoke to her this morning. At any rate, I've lost 4 pounds already. Wish me luck...

I hate first impressions...

Just in general, I hate first impressions. I once went to a "meet and greet" with some people from a message board that I frequent. We were all cool on the board and I thought it would have been an enjoyable experience. However, when we actually met up it was something off-kilter...me LOL. I attribute that to them not knowing I was gay and trying to cover it up. Oh well, I'm glad I grew out of that. I spoke to one of the members recently and he said that I seemed like I didn't want to eat in front of them, LOL. That's kind of an odd observation though because I distinctively remember enjoying corn on the cob and then making a joke about it. I just don't like first impressions. They are too weighted...like an honors course in high school. I'm the type of person who has to warm up to you. My first impressions are cordial at best and are in no way warm and personable. But I mean really...is that my fault?

50 FIRST REACTIONS

This is called 50 FIRST REACTIONS. Type what comes to your mind FIRST whenever you see these 50 words. Don’t think and don’t go back and change. Doesn’t matter how random it is, just type it!

1. Beer: Yuck
2. Food: Love
3. Relationships: Ha!
4. Your CRUSH: I’m crushed out at the moment.
5. Power Rangers: I always wanted to be the black one.
6. Life: Great
7. The President: He reminds me of an uncle.
8. Yummy: Tummy
9. Cars: Eh
10. Movies: I need to check out the latest.
11. Halloween: Don’t celebrate it.
12. Sex: Hehehe…not a regular occurrence
13. Religion: Why did religion have to be right after sex?
14. Hate: Why?
15. Fear: Perfect love (God) casts out fear.
16. Marriage: Maybe…
17. Blondes: Ummm…what about them?
18. Slippers: I need some new ones but I never think to buy some when I go to the store.
19. Shoes: Its time to buy some
20. Asians: Love their food.
21. Past time: Good company…come sit with me by the sea.
22. One night stand: Yuck
23. My cell phone: I need a new one…I have my eye on the Palm Pre
24. Smoke: Tried it a few times, but not my thing.
25. Fantasy: Trying to make it a reality.
26. College: Been there done that…about to do it again.
27. High school life: Hated it.
28. Pajamas: Love them.
29. Stars: In the sky?
30. Center: My mom has a daycare center.
31. Alcohol: I’m not big on it.
32. The word love: As a noun or a verb? I prefer loving…noun and verb hehehe.
33. Friends: Oh man…I love them.
34. Money: Ooh child.
35. Heartache: Been there done that.
36. Time: Too much and not enough.
37. Divorce: I hope to never experience it.
38. Dogs: You know…I like them, they’re funny, but I don’t want one…at the moment.
39. Undies: What about them? They’re clean.
40. Parents: Cool people for the most part.
41. Babies: Oooh no. Just had a nightmare about that very thing.
42. Ex: Never had one.
43. Song: “There Goes My Baby” by Charlie Wilson
44. Color: Black of course
45. Weddings: Who’s getting married?
46. Pizza: Mmmm….cheese with pineapple and extra sauce. Oh and don’t forget the extra garlic sauce cups.
47. Hangout: Home…friend’s house.
48. Rest: Yes…I need some.
49. Goal: Working on it.
50. Inspiration: People…where they’ve come from, been, and are going.

I was pulled over by a police officer...

The Grad is on his way home Sunday night after doing laundry at his parents’ house. It is shortly after dusk when he makes his last turn to go down the road his apartment complex is on. He is talking to a friend and notices the infamous blue lights behind him. The Grad tells his friend he’ll call her back. He pulls over in the parking lot of Papa John’s and rolls down his window.


Officer: Good evening sir, may I see your license?
The Grad: Sure… (slightly frustrated)
(reaches for wallet to find license)
Officer: The reason I pulled you over is because your taillight is out.
The Grad: Oh it is? Well at least its not for a [speeding] ticket. (Gives officer license.)
Officer: No, no. We try not to give out tickets for taillights being out. You could have just replaced it and it could have gone out. Wiring get crossed up sometimes. Ms. Grad, I’ll be right back. (Walks over to police car and calls in license number.)

The Grad texts the friend he’d been on the phone with and thinks that the officer must have a lisp since he referred to him as “Ms.” He is slightly agitated and can hear the officer communicating with whomever it is that checks license numbers at the precinct. The officer begins approaching the Grad’s vehicle.

Officer: Here you go Mr.Grad. You’re all set to go. Try and get that taillight fixed as soon as possible.
The Grad: Alright. Thanks.
The Grad drives away and calls friend.
Friend: Hello?
The Grad: Ain’t this some bull…

The Grad and his friend talk about the incident. It's no big deal, but that's what they do anyway.

The End