Top 10 Tuesday: Ten Reasons Why College is Stressful

(aren't alliterations fun?)

1. Each one of your professors think that their course is the most important and expect that you put the corresponding assignments, projects, and exams at the top of your priority list. Hard to do when 6 different people are telling you that.
2. Instead of getting paid to work, you pay to work.
3. You are supposed to treat school like a full time job, but you have to survive so you also need a full time job. You usually end up settling for school as a part time job, finding the closest thing you can to a part time job, and being poor.
4. If you get accepted into the social work program, they mandate 12 of the credits you have to take and each course is only available at one time. Say goodbye to your awesome box office job because you have two classes a day with a giant break in between, making it impossible for you to clear the block of time necessary to keep your awesome job.
5. You won't find out if you've made it into the social work program until 2 weeks after registration has started (even though you turned in your application two months early)...which is 2 weeks before you are supposed to start the social work program. Is it bad juju to register for your back up plan?
6. Sometimes, you have to take religion classes that have nothing to do with your major or future career, causing additional stress; which is sad, because you actually really enjoy your religion classes. But because of your (potential) social work program requirements, taking a religion class pushes you to 20 credits. Which is suicide, if you don't actually commit suicide.
7. There's no time to get sick. If you do get sick, you can either be 1) the nasty sick person who should have stayed home or 2) the nasty sick person who stayed home while their grades go down the crapper.
8. Your Todo list literally. never. ends. Ever.
9. Pinterest mocks you because your apartment is cluttered, you're getting fat, your eyebrows don't match, you haven't cooked in a week, your clothes are faded and have holes in them, your hair sucks, and you go on the same date with your husband every weekend.
10. You get stuck doing group projects where either a) you're the group leader trying to lead a bunch of idiots to an "A" or b) you should have been the group leader because your group leader is an idiot and you won't get an "A" even if its the easiest project ever!

***HAHA! So, I just published this....and realized that it is actually Wednesday. I just thought I'd tell you so you aren't confused like me.***

Grumpy Monday

I have bipolar feelings about Mondays. Some weeks, I couldn't be more excited for a fresh start, to get stuff done, to take care of business. Others...I'm grumpy, demotivated, and bitter because the weekend is over.

Today is grumpy Monday.

What's getting me through this Monday?

Biggest Loser and Castle are on tonight back to back.

I found this in my stash of Victoria's Secret loot. Eyeshadow heaven.

My hair was semi-cooperative this morning.

My husband made me laugh this morning. Smiling just thinking about it.

I have a double-chocolate Muscle Milk chilling in the fridge at work.

I got a decent parking spot, so I won't have to walk a long ways after I get out of class.

Chris and I get to start CTS360 today! (Post on that later)

***Update: I read this talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard. Warm fuzzies. Read it!***

If You Give a Girl Some Ice Cream

If you give a girl some ice cream, she'll definitely want some caramel and crushed Oreos to go on top.
Once she's eaten the ice cream with the caramel and crushed Oreos, she'll be craving something salty to counteract the sugar.
When she thinks of something salty, french fries immediately come to mind.
If she goes through the drive-thru at Wendy's, she's going to want to get a hamburger to go with it.
Once she's eaten the hamburger and french fries, she's going to feel sluggish.
If she feels sluggish, she won't be able to do anything productive.
If she is unable to be productive, she'll lay in bed and watch Grey's Anatomy on Netflix.
If she starts watching Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, it's likely that she'll be unable to stop until her husband comes home from work.
Chances are, when he husband gets home from work he'll be tired and want to unwind by watching Duck Dynasty.
She'll probably just watch Duck Dynasty with him.
While she watches Duck Dynasty, she'll realize she's hungry again.
She'll mention said hunger to her husband, who also realizes he's hungry.
He'll get up to find them something to eat, and he'll return with a carton of ice cream.
Despite the unproductive, sluggish day...she'll eat the ice cream with her husband-wishing she had saved some crushed Oreos and caramel to go with it.

A sigh of relief

Guys. A one million ton weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
For the past month I have been working on my final for an English course. We had to write a big research paper and give a presentation on our findings. I chose to argue the benefits of natural childbirth against all of the hospital interventions that happen...all of this applying to normal, low risk pregnancies.
Know this, I'm not a technology or medicine hater....I know that technology saves lives and that we are lucky to have it. However, I feel like our perception of childbirth has become really, really skewed.
Anyway, I was super nervous to give my presentation. My class is full of people who are too smart for their own good and who love to argue and create confrontation. I wasn't sure how my views would be received; there were mothers/fathers and college boys in the class for crying out loud! I've been stressing for two weeks, just wanting it to be over.
So this morning, I got up at 5 and exercised and then spent the remaining 2 hours until my class getting ready, stressing, tweaking my presentation, stressing....
Finally, I give my presentation. I remembered everything I wanted to say and it went fairly well. At the end of my presentation the professor asked the class if there were any questions or comments for me--and 75% of the class raised their hand.
Long story short, everybody was super positive about my presentation and most of my questions were people who wanted to know more or wanted to know my thoughts on similar subjects. One guy from my class even asked for my presentation so he could learn more (he and his wife are trying to get pregnant).
I am so glad that it went well and that, for the next two weeks, I get to sit and relax through the rest of the presentations.
Here is a clip from my presentation that got a lot of feedback, if you're interested:

Remember this?

Few things feel as awesome as a completely crossed off to do list....

Blog about how accomplished I am.

Overboard

I have been bitten by the organization bug...

Sorted by class, color coded by due date

Too much?

Ramblings of an overwhelmed college student...

Everyone is sick of me talking about how much homework I had/have/will have. I get it. But I am not sick of talking about it; it makes me feel better. Sucks for you guys.

My history professor wants me to watch The Odyssey. Which is 3 hours long. Normally, I wouldn't mind so much....but I don't have internet at home, which means I have to watch it at school...wearing clothes and makeup and such. Also, I watched it with Chris and did the EXACT SAME ASSIGNMENT two years ago when we were dating. Boo. Children, this is why you keep all of your assignments your whole college career....you never know when your wife might need them.

(**For those of you who think using his assignment would make me a big cheater, you would normally be right, however....I sat through the whole movie and filled out Chris' entire worksheet. So, if anyone is a big cheater it's him.**)

Lately, I have been clenching my jaw while reading. Homework requires an inhuman amount of reading. My jaw hurts constantly. Anyone have any tricks for stopping unwanted subconscious jaw clenching?

Word Vomit

I enjoy going to bed at 8:30 and waking up at 7. Just what the doctor ordered.
I love that Chris loves Diet Coke just as much as I do, making it clear that we need 4 twelve packs for 12 dollars.
Its the best when your husband scratches your back until you fall alseep.
Greek yogurt. Its like ice cream.
It's getting chilly, sometimes I can even justify turning on the heat in the car. I'm ok with that.
Cupcakes from Cocoa Bean. Better than ice cream.
I haven't been to the gym all week. I'm ok with that.
Never ending pasta at olive garden. One million calories.....worth it.

I like living in a studio apartment. I get to lay in bed more because we don't have a couch.

I got blonde in my hair. I quite like it.

Chris is teaching me to play Risk. He destroys me every time. I love him for that.

Long ToDo lists.....I should be doing homework right now.

Obviously, I need to charge my phone....

I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

let the semester begin...

Today is the first day of Fall semester. This may come as a shock to those of you who started 2+ weeks ago....to you I say, "ha, ha!"
 I only have classes on Tuesday and Thursday. Awesome. Then I work Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 8-12:30 at the box office. And that's it! I honestly couldn't ask for a better schedule, or a better on campus job.
Chris, who is a lot farther into his major, is getting into his core classes. His days start with a 6:30am class. He is such a trooper!

You can tell he's sleepy...but still so handsome!

I am such a cheeser for taking first day of school photos.

Hmmm?

Do you like the new look?

I was going for light and airy....

I only have 2 finals left. Too bad they are both the ones I have been dreading the most. 

Having a husband around does make things quite a bit easier. 

This is what I came home to last evening after final #2:

 

I can't wait for the weekend to be here. 

Mom & Sissy are coming up to spend Easter with us and to hear me sing in sacrament meeting.

I haven't performed in over a year. 

This will be interesting. 

Wish me luck (mostly on finals, 

but for the other stuff too)!

nintey-four

First Lab Exam in Anat & Phys: 94%

Yeah...you're probably just as surprised as I am. 

I can do hard things! :)

Happy Friday!

Its been awhile....

...and not much has changed. School is stressful. Work is stressful.
Speaking of work....

I think getting up at 3:30am is taking its toll on my poor husband (well, on both of us). I'll hopefully have a new job soon. I interviewed this week and am DYING to get this job. I don't want to talk too much about it because it might jinx me. And we most definitely wouldn't want that.
Oh! I also became an aunt this morning (at 4:17am....isn't it wierd that I was awake to get the news?).
Isn't she beautiful?

This is Lillie Herlevi. She was 8 pounds, 15 ounces, and 22 inches long. I am so excited to have a niece and am so happy for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Congrats to them on making such a beautiful baby. I cannot wait to meet her!

A&P

Anatomy & Physiology is brutal.
Behold. My super cramped/ink-stained hand after 2 hours of studying/4 pages of written notes.

Ok, maybe it doesn't look that bad. But it hurts. So does my brain.
Is it possible for me to do well in this class and not hate every waking second between now and April 6?
I miss my acting/choir classes.
On the plus side...my hubby is in the class with me and will already be there when I pass out whilst observing cadavers. Pray for me friends.
[3 posts in one day....anyone annoyed yet? :)]

Productivity

Today has been a very productive day. Before 9:45 am I...
-Worked for 3 hours
-Cleaned the whole apartment
-Did a 35 minute yoga workout
-Showered and got ready for the day
Getting up at 3:30am has its perks.

Now to only continue this motivation/productive streak the rest of the day....

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

This semester I somehow landed six finals...six seems a bit excessive to me, but whatever.

2 Online (Take Home) Finals
2 Testing Center Finals
2 In Class Finals

Good news is I've just finished my two online finals. Thank goodness. I am so grateful that I didn't have any internet problems. I might have had a break down.

But the thought of 4 more tests is quite discouraging. Good thing I have some things to get me through the next few days...
These yummy treats:

 And some pictures of Chris eating that I found on my phone:

 That boy loves to eat & is great fun to eat with. :)
Dear Remaining Finals-Please be kind to me.  No love, Mel

Insanity

Good news, kids! Chris and I are FINALLY employed! After searching for jobs all semester long we have both finally landed something---We will be custodians on campus working Monday-Friday 4-7....(wait for it)....AM! Yep, that's right. Starting December 19 we will be rising around 3:30am and going to bed at 7:30pm.

All jokes aside, this job really is a blessing for us for the following reasons...
1. Although we start work during the Christmas break we will still have about 4 days in Utah to spend with family, including Christmas Eve & Christmas day.
2. We will be making 8.20/hour....which is about a dollar more than people who work "normal" hours.
3. We will be done with work AND school every day by 1:00pm...giving us time for homework, going to the gym, and getting to bed early.
4. We will both be able to work 15-20 hours a week each- most on-campus jobs range from 5-7 hours a week.

This opportunity came at just the right time and is such a blessing. We are so grateful- just had to share the good news!

I hope everyone is doing great and that those who are finishing up fall semester do great on their exams and have a great Christmas Break.

Love you guys!

Hobby Crisis

For those of you who don't know...I have changed my major to Social Work with the hopes of becoming a Marriage & Family therapist. I think its great, and am so excited to learn and work in this field. There's just one downside: I miss singing and doing theater. Up until about April of last year it was my whole life. I didn't think I was capable of doing anything else. I am glad to have found a new path in life, but I want to make room for something I still love and hold near & dear to my heart. Theater is so time consuming; how do I make room for something in my schedule that has a tenancy to take over? School is hard, I want time at home with my husband, I want to sing again. Is it possible to have everything that you want? Or am I being totally selfish?

How do you make time for things that you love, that aren't your #1 (or #2) priority?

Media Management

Well, my Media Management Unit in Family Foundations has come to a close. I thought you might be interested in the final result. I am proud to say that I have not logged into Facebook since October 26. I'm not particularly proud of the rest of the results, but I will definitely learn from them. Here is the finally tally of my media use in the last two weeks:

So...In the last two weeks I spent 42.1 hours watching TV or movies. That's a part-time job. Yikes. The thing is, 12.1 hours of TV is about 52 minutes a day- which equals one episode of a TV show. In the last two weeks I watched 8 movies. To me, that doesn't seem like an insane or unreasonable amount, but when you look at the actual number of hours it seems a whole lot worse. 42.1 hours is 8% of 14 days. Now I see that there is no excuse for me not to go to the gym, not go to the temple, not read my scriptures, not write in my journal...etc.

I also wanted to include a few quotes from my paper I submitted. I will keep it short so I don't lose you. :)

"I was the most surprised with how much I didn’t miss Facebook. Its amazing how something that was a part of my daily life really didn’t matter. I didn’t feel disconnected from my friends or family. I wasn’t dying to know what was going on in random "friends" lives. I was more productive and on my computer a lot less. I also found that I would be inclined to want to check my Facebook at school, usually during class. What a waste. I’m paying to be here and to get an education; no class is too boring or seemingly “unimportant” that Facebook should take precedence."

In closing...

"I plan to continue monitoring and minimizing unnecessary media use. I have too many things I want to do and more important things to do with my time. I have things I want to accomplish in my life; sitting on the couch fulfills none of them. I think if I can continue to improve, this “plan” will help me be better in all aspects of my life. I will get more done- helping me to achieve more goals. I will have real relationships that will develop and grow; relationships that exist and thrive on real communication, not cyber communication....I won’t be too caught up in that show or the “he said, she said” that goes on in the Facebook world."


OK, maybe not as short as I originally thought....I have a lot to say, I guess. Now, get off your computer and go read a book or something. :)

Things As They Really Are

My Family Foundations class is divided into 6 two week units. Every two weeks we make a new "Provident Living Plan" to follow that coincides with the unit. The PLP for this unit is Media Management. I have to track all my usage of media outside of homework and work (all time spent listening to my iPod, watching TV or movies, or using my cell phone). In addition I am currently on a "Facebook Fast."
I had Chris change my Facebook password and log me out so that I am unable to log in. I have already noticed a change in my productivity. Instead of checking Facebook in between classes, I worked on some homework. There isn't really much for me to waste time on when I can't get on Facebook (except for blog stalking...but no new posts yet today). I have been kind of amazed how many times I usually get on Facebook during the day.
The above video was shown in class before we formulated our plans. It really made me think about my media usage and how it affects me, my relationship, and the companionship of the spirit. It is really scary how dependent we are on media and technology.
My hope is that at the end of the two weeks I won't really have a desire to get back into my Facebook habits. I haven't missed it so far...
Chris is also in the class with me. He doesn't really like Facebook and doesn't get on much, so he is on a "YouTube Fast" and is limiting time he watches TV. I have a feeling there are a lot of Battleship Tournaments in our future. :)
Wish us luck!

Fumptastic

So....lately I've been feeling frumpy

meaning basically I hate most of my clothes and I don't like getting dressed

-or getting ready

-or looking in the mirror

It doesn't help that I have beautiful, fashionable friends. 

So, my question is...how do you look cute on a budget?

I get $5 a week for my allowance.

I don't seem to have much luck at DI.

Any suggestions are welcome, so are donations. :)

Maybe someone could nominate me for "What Not to Wear?"

Also, my wise sister-in-law says that "the best thing you can do for your wardrobe is lose 10 pounds."

Weight loss can be free, right?