hi, it's me again.
Ok, well I have good news... I got a job! I start Tuesday. I'll be a legal secretary at a law firm with 5 associates and about 3 other secretaries I think. It's about a 25 minute drive from where I (now) live. I'll be a "rotating" secretary between three of the lawyers - different day, different lawyer. So at least I'll have variety. Now, you may say, "But Allie, it's NOT in the medical field, what are you thinking?!?" Yes, I have thought of this. The medical field is still my passion and my love and I'll still be going in that direction. But this came along, and gives me a chance to learn new skills. (I get to learn to use a Dictophone - the device also used in medical transcription, which is awesome, because then I can apply that to the medical field later). Plus, it's $11.50 an hour... which is hard to get in the medical field, even with the experience I have. And this is with NO legal experience!! And then raises based on merit. It's 9-5, Monday - Friday. 10 vacation days a year, 5 personal leave days. Plus Jewish holidays off, because all of the lawyers are Jewish. Which is cool because 1) they are in the position (self-employed/employed by Jewish employers) that they get their religious holidays off and 2) I get extra days off, which will be nice for such things as schoolwork catch-up, relaxation, visiting such wonderful people like my Alanna. Plus, it makes Angel jealous, cause I'll get days off that he wont' get off, hehehehehe. Oh, and the law firm Angel works for is moving their practice from downtown Baltimore to Owings Mills (same town where I'll be working) so maybe Angel and I will commute together, which would be a big money saver. That has yet to be figured out, and won't be until October, as that's when his place of work is relocating. But I might convince him to have us commute before then, as the metro stop he gets on at is right next to where I'll be working. Wheee, I'm excited. Nervous, excited.
Oh yeah, more news. I moved into Angel's place this past Monday. Semi-moved anyway. His mom is still living there for the next month (she put her 30 days notice in a few days ago, yay). Then she's moving to California. So I'm only semi-moved in, and will be in a state of limbo for the next 30 days, kind of, as I wont' really have a room set up, won't be settled in. But it's ok.
Classes started this week. Descriptions/reactions behind cuts, to not kill your friends' page.
Sociology first - went well. I'm liking the class already. The professor seems really cool. There's a few weirdos in my class. I lie, only one lady seems like she's going to annoy the hell out of me. She's about 40 or so, but it's hard to tell. She's got that platinum, frizzy, bleach, white, blond with major roots look going on. And either fake tan or tanning booth. Ok, fine.... but she's sitting there making faces of disgust at the professor and rolling her eyes and all this shit. He was analyzing where we all sat from a sociological perspective, kind of as an introduction to sociology. It was actually pretty cool, and she's sitting there (a seat away from me, an empty seat away from me that is), turning to me, rolling her eyes in disgust, in the freakin FRONT ROW. I imagine (as the professor is an obviously perceptive guy) that the prof saw her at one point. I just wanted to slap her and say "if you hate it that much, just leave, bitch!" I don't know, she just irritated me.
Statistics next - I'm a bit worried about this. Math isn't hard for me, but I still dislike it. I think if I got through calculus okay, I'll be able to manage Stats. Except that I am not impressed by the professor's intelligence, or lack thereof. She had us do a problem (the second day of class, as this is two days a week) and she had her answers wrong!!! And apparently she doesn't have an answer key, which makes NO sense whatsoever. That, and she is teaching straight from the book, word for word, which gives the impression of her not knowing much about the subject. AND, one of her powerpoint slides (again straight from the book and accompanying CD) had a word problem that said "en route" - she says, "Oh, that should be an 'i' instead of 'e'." NO! "En route" is correct. Sorry, I'm a grammar/spelling freak. Not to be condescending to anyone, but it's just my nature, when I was in 7th grade and my mom was taking college classes, I was grammar proofing her papers. I'm a freak, grammar and spelling errors get under my skin. Anyway, I always feel uncomfortable when I feel I am more intelligent than the professor. Again, this is not to be rude or "holier than thou" but when a student has the correct answers to a problem, and the professor doesn't... and doesn't realize she doesn't have the right answers until a student points it out (kindly). Gah, it makes me nervous, cause I'll probably be teaching myself stats now, instead of learning it from a professor. But she is a nice lady.
Psychology next - Seems cool. This professor has taught from the high school level up to the graduate school level, he's a smarty. I was late (because I car-pooled with Angel, and he always runs late, which I hate), and I don't think the prof much liked that. Will be remedied. I've always wanted to take a psych class, so I'm quite excited. Yay. I should have more to say about this class, as I'm interested in it, but I suppose this will do for now.
Medical terminology - online. My first online only class ever, which has me worried. I have to set aside time slots throughout the week to do the work, as it won't get done otherwise. Some of the assignments are group assignments, and I am in contact with one of my group members, but not the other two, which worries me. I hate group assignments, because I'm somewhat of a perfectionist (I hate to use that word) and don't want work I'm not comfortable with being submitted for MY grade. I always end up doing the work for the group anyway, as I'm the one concerned with my grade! This other girl (whom I am in contact with) seems somewhat the same way, which relieves some concern. But I'll still end up doing all of the work (even if other people do their share too) so that I can learn the info. And I have to review everything before we submit it, so I'm comfortable with the work. I feel like an ass saying that, but damnit, it's my grade too!
I have to do homework, and organize my stuff (write important dates in my student planner, etc). I also have to re-write my notes from the classes (as writing and re-writing is how I remember things well). Need to read books, take notes from books (I am NOT slacking off this semester, I SWEAR. And with the classes being 1) only once a week and 2) in the case of stats - twice a week but not very helpful thus far, notes from books will be helpful).
I need to update more often, so you all aren't stuck with these long-ass entries. I'm going to switch my layout around, this color scheme isn't my favorite, for some reason I'm really loving reds/pinks/corals these days. Purple has always been my favorite color, but I'm VERY attracted to reds these days, it's bizarre.
OH!!! I'm so excited, I get MONEY! (from job, of course). I'm going to buy new work clothes (as I haven't much), and and and and! And new shoes for work, as I haven't really any nice work shoes, except the ones I bought last week, which are very cute! And and and and! And sometime soon (in the next few months) I'm going to get a car probably (I HATE the Paseo I drive now, HATE it). My mom said she'd co-sign on a loan through our credit union (if my grandparents aren't able or willing to give me a loan - they buy the car, I pay them back - which they've done for my sister TWICE now on cars). I want a Nissan Sentra probably, or a Honda Civic. I can't decide. I KNOW that Hondas last a long time (we have an '89 CRX that runs better than our '96 Paseo and our '00 Focus, except it needs its AC fixed). And I'm not sure about Nissans, how much mileage they can handle. I also have to look up the prices (used, 2000 or newer). AND! In the next year and a half, I'm going to get a new computer. Probably this as a G5 desktop is expensive (plus a monitor, which is just as expensive). But I know I'll need a new computer before going to Nursing school. Don't worry, I'm not easy with my money, I'm really not. I've always been a saver, not a spender. I'm going to have bills and rent to pay. I dont' go crazy with my money (like my sister does!) but I've been so long without money... I wont' be getting anything (besides work clothes and things for the apartment) for a while.
Is this long enough for you all? I wonder how long it took to read. I should be doing homework..................
edit (not that any of you probably read this in the last two minutes, at almost 4 am) I haven't made any new friends in the first week of class... I want friends! (I sound like pitiful, sorry). But really, I have LJ friends, I have Angel, I have Alanna and Katie (whom I never see), and that's it. It is sad, really. I intend to make friends this semester, but so far no luck. Then again, it's only the first week. The girl from my Med Term group that I've been emailing back and forth seems really nice. I'm hoping her and I may get together and study sometimes and what-not. Homework, Allie, HOMEWORK, damnit. It's so hard after being out of school for 9 months (ha, that looks scary, no, it has nothing to do with pregnancy/babies, hehe, 9 months is a coincidence). ANYWAY. I'm worried about working full-time, classes full-time. Monday is designated homework day this week (so I'm not behind on the second week of classes) as it's a holiday.
HOMEWORK...
Oh yeah, more news. I moved into Angel's place this past Monday. Semi-moved anyway. His mom is still living there for the next month (she put her 30 days notice in a few days ago, yay). Then she's moving to California. So I'm only semi-moved in, and will be in a state of limbo for the next 30 days, kind of, as I wont' really have a room set up, won't be settled in. But it's ok.
Classes started this week. Descriptions/reactions behind cuts, to not kill your friends' page.
Sociology first - went well. I'm liking the class already. The professor seems really cool. There's a few weirdos in my class. I lie, only one lady seems like she's going to annoy the hell out of me. She's about 40 or so, but it's hard to tell. She's got that platinum, frizzy, bleach, white, blond with major roots look going on. And either fake tan or tanning booth. Ok, fine.... but she's sitting there making faces of disgust at the professor and rolling her eyes and all this shit. He was analyzing where we all sat from a sociological perspective, kind of as an introduction to sociology. It was actually pretty cool, and she's sitting there (a seat away from me, an empty seat away from me that is), turning to me, rolling her eyes in disgust, in the freakin FRONT ROW. I imagine (as the professor is an obviously perceptive guy) that the prof saw her at one point. I just wanted to slap her and say "if you hate it that much, just leave, bitch!" I don't know, she just irritated me.
Statistics next - I'm a bit worried about this. Math isn't hard for me, but I still dislike it. I think if I got through calculus okay, I'll be able to manage Stats. Except that I am not impressed by the professor's intelligence, or lack thereof. She had us do a problem (the second day of class, as this is two days a week) and she had her answers wrong!!! And apparently she doesn't have an answer key, which makes NO sense whatsoever. That, and she is teaching straight from the book, word for word, which gives the impression of her not knowing much about the subject. AND, one of her powerpoint slides (again straight from the book and accompanying CD) had a word problem that said "en route" - she says, "Oh, that should be an 'i' instead of 'e'." NO! "En route" is correct. Sorry, I'm a grammar/spelling freak. Not to be condescending to anyone, but it's just my nature, when I was in 7th grade and my mom was taking college classes, I was grammar proofing her papers. I'm a freak, grammar and spelling errors get under my skin. Anyway, I always feel uncomfortable when I feel I am more intelligent than the professor. Again, this is not to be rude or "holier than thou" but when a student has the correct answers to a problem, and the professor doesn't... and doesn't realize she doesn't have the right answers until a student points it out (kindly). Gah, it makes me nervous, cause I'll probably be teaching myself stats now, instead of learning it from a professor. But she is a nice lady.
Psychology next - Seems cool. This professor has taught from the high school level up to the graduate school level, he's a smarty. I was late (because I car-pooled with Angel, and he always runs late, which I hate), and I don't think the prof much liked that. Will be remedied. I've always wanted to take a psych class, so I'm quite excited. Yay. I should have more to say about this class, as I'm interested in it, but I suppose this will do for now.
Medical terminology - online. My first online only class ever, which has me worried. I have to set aside time slots throughout the week to do the work, as it won't get done otherwise. Some of the assignments are group assignments, and I am in contact with one of my group members, but not the other two, which worries me. I hate group assignments, because I'm somewhat of a perfectionist (I hate to use that word) and don't want work I'm not comfortable with being submitted for MY grade. I always end up doing the work for the group anyway, as I'm the one concerned with my grade! This other girl (whom I am in contact with) seems somewhat the same way, which relieves some concern. But I'll still end up doing all of the work (even if other people do their share too) so that I can learn the info. And I have to review everything before we submit it, so I'm comfortable with the work. I feel like an ass saying that, but damnit, it's my grade too!
I have to do homework, and organize my stuff (write important dates in my student planner, etc). I also have to re-write my notes from the classes (as writing and re-writing is how I remember things well). Need to read books, take notes from books (I am NOT slacking off this semester, I SWEAR. And with the classes being 1) only once a week and 2) in the case of stats - twice a week but not very helpful thus far, notes from books will be helpful).
I need to update more often, so you all aren't stuck with these long-ass entries. I'm going to switch my layout around, this color scheme isn't my favorite, for some reason I'm really loving reds/pinks/corals these days. Purple has always been my favorite color, but I'm VERY attracted to reds these days, it's bizarre.
OH!!! I'm so excited, I get MONEY! (from job, of course). I'm going to buy new work clothes (as I haven't much), and and and and! And new shoes for work, as I haven't really any nice work shoes, except the ones I bought last week, which are very cute! And and and and! And sometime soon (in the next few months) I'm going to get a car probably (I HATE the Paseo I drive now, HATE it). My mom said she'd co-sign on a loan through our credit union (if my grandparents aren't able or willing to give me a loan - they buy the car, I pay them back - which they've done for my sister TWICE now on cars). I want a Nissan Sentra probably, or a Honda Civic. I can't decide. I KNOW that Hondas last a long time (we have an '89 CRX that runs better than our '96 Paseo and our '00 Focus, except it needs its AC fixed). And I'm not sure about Nissans, how much mileage they can handle. I also have to look up the prices (used, 2000 or newer). AND! In the next year and a half, I'm going to get a new computer. Probably this as a G5 desktop is expensive (plus a monitor, which is just as expensive). But I know I'll need a new computer before going to Nursing school. Don't worry, I'm not easy with my money, I'm really not. I've always been a saver, not a spender. I'm going to have bills and rent to pay. I dont' go crazy with my money (like my sister does!) but I've been so long without money... I wont' be getting anything (besides work clothes and things for the apartment) for a while.
Is this long enough for you all? I wonder how long it took to read. I should be doing homework..................
edit (not that any of you probably read this in the last two minutes, at almost 4 am) I haven't made any new friends in the first week of class... I want friends! (I sound like pitiful, sorry). But really, I have LJ friends, I have Angel, I have Alanna and Katie (whom I never see), and that's it. It is sad, really. I intend to make friends this semester, but so far no luck. Then again, it's only the first week. The girl from my Med Term group that I've been emailing back and forth seems really nice. I'm hoping her and I may get together and study sometimes and what-not. Homework, Allie, HOMEWORK, damnit. It's so hard after being out of school for 9 months (ha, that looks scary, no, it has nothing to do with pregnancy/babies, hehe, 9 months is a coincidence). ANYWAY. I'm worried about working full-time, classes full-time. Monday is designated homework day this week (so I'm not behind on the second week of classes) as it's a holiday.
HOMEWORK...