Week 2...Whew

Let's just say I realized that I need to put more time and effort into studying. I'm taking the hardest and most boring courses now...Research Methods and Communication Theory...gotta get them out of the way. But damn it if they aren't causing me to glaze over. I'm keeping it in mind that it gets better after this semester. The problem I'm having is trying to find interest in something that isn't really all that interesting. I mean...one course is about finding stuff and the other...well I think Communication Theory will turn out to be interesting in a few weeks. But I need to refocus myself because I'm reading the literature to get it done, rather than reading for comprehension...and that's going to bite me in the ass if I don't get a hold of it now. Also, I have to devote more time to reading the literature. It's quite a bit of reading and it would behoove me to start reading a little each day instead of a ton of reading in four days. But I'll get it under control...no doubt about that. Well, I'm off to Deltona/Orlando/Tampa for the holiday...later!

Week 1

My first week of classes is now over. I only have classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. I went to my second class on Wednesday for the first time (its only held once a week). Its a Communication Theory course and I'm hoping it's going to be interesting. This semester I'll have to complete, between both classes, two group projects and presentations, a paper on one of the group projects, weekly one-to-two page response essays, a 10-15 page essay, and four exams. I'll also have to go to work at 7:30am and take half-hour lunches to make up my hours lost during class time. I have my work cut out for me but I'm up to the challenge. No complaints from me.

First Day of Classes

So I'm officially a grad student. I went to my first class today and felt good about the upcoming semester. The course is one of the foundation courses for my degree program so I'm trying to get it over and done with as soon as possible. They're two books for the course (I bought all three that are required for my two courses last week for a grand total of $284.00). Best of all, I noticed I didn't feel any dread or melancholy this morning as I drove to work/school.

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'm back...

Hey everyone, long time no blog. Like I posted a few weeks ago, my uncle died. I'll write about him in a future blog. I don't feel up to it today.

A few weeks ago I received an email informing me of orientation dates for my master's program. I have two later this month. For the most part I'm excited about going back to school. I hate the feeling of idleness and am not used to working towards nothing...I mean...I've been in school my whole life working towards something. I knew that I would continue my education past a Bachelor's degree, but I wasn't expecting to have an almost nine month break.

I found it hard to relax and enjoy this time...and honestly I haven't. Plus being out of school has kind of shaken my confidence. Sometimes I'll think in regards to getting a Master's "Is this really what I want to pursue?" Of course it is, but I'm not one that usually embraces change...I just go with the flow of the change. I felt the same way when I graduated high school. I was terrified of going to college and didn't think I was up for the challenge (even though I graduated high school with honors). And when I finally got to college, I wasn't so sure I wanted to stay there after about the third week. My saving grace is that I realize that moments of insecurity are fleeting and...moments. They sweep and swoop over my path, but never stall my journey.

I had to much free time during this break. And to circumvent fiddling my thumbs I decided to make a lifestyle change and get into shape. To date I've lost 27lbs...although I've dropped 41lbs from my heaviest weight. I tipped the scale at 211lbs, made a lifestyle change at 197lbs, and currently weigh 170lbs. I decreased my BMI from 29.4 (overweight but at the cusp of obesity) to 23.7 (normal). I've very pleased with my results and am almost enjoying working out lol. I strive to workout five days a week...I don't always make five though. Three days of weights and five days of cardio. And let me point out that I run..ahem..2 miles with relative ease...and walk two to catch my breath...lol. But that's all for now...I'll be back to write soon.

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.

Stopped by the Cops Again

My aunt who lives in Ft. Lauderdale was in town this past weekend. I think she had been here since Thursday. I called her Saturday night and asked if she wanted to do brunch before she left on Sunday. She said sure, but then called me back later that night and said my grandfather was going to cook breakfast and that I should come out there instead.

Normally, I would have been fine with that, but he lives in a neighboring city about 45 minutes away from me and breakfast is...breakfast, which meant that I would have to get up extra early to make it there on time...and at this point it was already after midnight. I told her "ok" and that I'd be there. I mean...its not like I can say "I'm not coming because I want to sleep longer."

So, the next morning I start my trek. I left my apartment around 9:10 am. Around 10:15 am...I tend to drive slow so it took longer than 45 minutes...I start getting into the city. Now the road I take goes from 65 mph all the way down to 25 mph in a very short amount of time. It was also at this time that my mother called me to see how far away I was (I don't know why...they'd already eaten dinner). So, I'm on the phone and she asks where I am..."I'm passing the sheriff's office. Oh...shoot there's an officer and he's pulling out...let me get off this phone." So of course the officer gets behind me... and trails me like they always seem to do before they stop you. And then the lights came on.

The officer told me he clocked me going 45mph in a 25 mph zone and asked if there was any reason for that. So, I told him exactly what I just wrote about my aunt, grandfather, breakfast, being late, mom called, and I wasn't paying attention even though I'm from the city and thus, familiar with the road. He said "Ok," took my license and registration and went back to the car. A few minutes later he came back and gave me my license, registration, and a warning. Yep, only a warning.

My parents told me the city was trying to raise money for whatever reason and that I should have gotten a ticket instead (thanks Mom and Dad). Truth be told...I never expected to get a ticket and have never been given a ticket for speeding (although this was the first time I was stopped for speeding, although there was one time that I...no I better not manifest that here). Like I've stated before, I'm a pretty good positive thinker. But I was also ready to hand that ticket over to one of the family members that was rushing me to get there in a hurry. But it all worked out, God is good, I saw the family, and ate cereal.