Monday, March 29, 2010
Reclaiming Monday!
Mondays are my personal do what I want and meditate days. I take it easy and go with the flow. Today started with breakfast leftovers and reading about zen and tea. After a call from the husband, I lit up the altar for meditation. The soft scent of Harmony incense has filled my home and eased my spirit. I reviewed the CMS Level 3 homework while comfortably lounged on the sofa. Intermittently I switched laundry. This is a very relaxed day.
Yesterday, we went to see the butterflies at Botanical Gardens. I had never been. It was such a wonderful and magical experience! They landed on me and flew all around. There were lots of different kinds. So so so pretty! I took a bunch of photos. Not sure how well they will turn out. I expect lots of blur...
Now, I will return to reading and planning my first part of my paper in a very chill way. Maybe I will also play some Dragon Age. I am taking a break from Assassin's Creed because the tension, while amazing, aggravates my thumb/wrist pain. I tried playing Fable... but I hate the interface. Not going back to it. So... I have two video games I like so far.
Hmmm... I am craving tea. A specific tea. I should just suck it up and order it.
Yesterday, we went to see the butterflies at Botanical Gardens. I had never been. It was such a wonderful and magical experience! They landed on me and flew all around. There were lots of different kinds. So so so pretty! I took a bunch of photos. Not sure how well they will turn out. I expect lots of blur...
Now, I will return to reading and planning my first part of my paper in a very chill way. Maybe I will also play some Dragon Age. I am taking a break from Assassin's Creed because the tension, while amazing, aggravates my thumb/wrist pain. I tried playing Fable... but I hate the interface. Not going back to it. So... I have two video games I like so far.
Hmmm... I am craving tea. A specific tea. I should just suck it up and order it.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
So it Begins...
I say goodbye to the rest of the world save for a few brief moments and some late night roleplaying. I begin the immersion into the world of Zen Buddhism and Tea for my paper due in less than 2 weeks.
Tomorrow is an outing to see butterflies.
Tuesday is Zen class.
Wednesday is work then CMS.
April 6th is Zen class (I have to arrange a film).
All other time is READING reading READING! Oh and writing writing WRITING!!! I must have an MA quality paper done in time. Everything else is essentially abandoned till after April 9th.
Today I am taking it easy. This was a very rough week on me on many levels. I have been a bit of an emotional wreck for stuff that isn't happening in my life. I have been a sick and cramped mess for the last few days (including today). Scheduling stuff has not gone well and I have dropped the ball on many things this week.
Please... I hope everyone can be a bit patient with me.
On top of it all... I injured of all stupid things my thumb and wrist. I thought... *laughing* that it happened playing Assassin's Creed on the X-Box. Overworked the thumb you know? But this is a whole different kind of pain on levels that I can't even try to define. Maybe i slept funny. Maybe I wrenched it. Maybe the joint issues that were debilitating in that wrist and thumb several years ago are recurring. Either way... NOT HAPPY!
off to research now. . .
Tomorrow is an outing to see butterflies.
Tuesday is Zen class.
Wednesday is work then CMS.
April 6th is Zen class (I have to arrange a film).
All other time is READING reading READING! Oh and writing writing WRITING!!! I must have an MA quality paper done in time. Everything else is essentially abandoned till after April 9th.
Today I am taking it easy. This was a very rough week on me on many levels. I have been a bit of an emotional wreck for stuff that isn't happening in my life. I have been a sick and cramped mess for the last few days (including today). Scheduling stuff has not gone well and I have dropped the ball on many things this week.
Please... I hope everyone can be a bit patient with me.
On top of it all... I injured of all stupid things my thumb and wrist. I thought... *laughing* that it happened playing Assassin's Creed on the X-Box. Overworked the thumb you know? But this is a whole different kind of pain on levels that I can't even try to define. Maybe i slept funny. Maybe I wrenched it. Maybe the joint issues that were debilitating in that wrist and thumb several years ago are recurring. Either way... NOT HAPPY!
off to research now. . .
Thursday, March 25, 2010
DELL
So, I am getting a Dell. Not my first choice, but they financed me so beggars cannot be too choosy. I get the external DVD drive in the mail today. But the laptop isn't expected to arrive till April 16th. *sigh*
Well, at least it is coming.
As a note. Outsourcing the phone calls to India is ANNOYING! Their telephone line connections are poor AND their annunciation needs work.
Well, at least it is coming.
As a note. Outsourcing the phone calls to India is ANNOYING! Their telephone line connections are poor AND their annunciation needs work.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday News
The husband is home sick. Still flu/gastro-like. I might get him some Boosts so he gets some nutrients in him. If he is like this tomorrow. It will be a trip to the doctor. Though, his fever is gone and he slept, so there is distinct improvements. He is also showing some interest in food. My poor beloved.
I got approved for a Dell Laptop. It is so much better than my desktop I may get rid of my desktop. My desktop is like 80Gigs and slow-ish. This is fast fast fast and 250Gigs. I think I still want an external hard drive for just music though. I will look into that after.
Today, I have done laundry... so much laundry! I also cleaned up my Dove's cage and he splashed me LOTS in his bath. He loves his bath. He is such a goof.
Today is full of errands, photocopies, and more errands. I will visit Roo and followup on my interview with her. When I get home, I will set up for my meditations and then work on homework and RA work.
UPDATE SEVERAL HOURS LATER
Managed half the errands. Didn't get to do the interview. Have no idea when I get my laptop yet.
I have lots of homework and feel a bit defeated already. Must be this grey depressing weather.
On the to do list:
- email SPF questions
- write intro and new outline for Zen & Tea paper for tomorrow
- work on RA paper
Tomorrow's agenda (tentative... cuz I give up on trusting to any plans):
- maybe breakfast and interview with Roo
- maybe get the car license and registration stuff sorted
- definitely get the laptop contract mailed (it was faxed already but not mailed yet)
- maybe photocopy a book I have to return to the library
- maybe read more stuff for my zen paper
- definitely have Zen class
- definitely plan CMS when I get home
I got approved for a Dell Laptop. It is so much better than my desktop I may get rid of my desktop. My desktop is like 80Gigs and slow-ish. This is fast fast fast and 250Gigs. I think I still want an external hard drive for just music though. I will look into that after.
Today, I have done laundry... so much laundry! I also cleaned up my Dove's cage and he splashed me LOTS in his bath. He loves his bath. He is such a goof.
Today is full of errands, photocopies, and more errands. I will visit Roo and followup on my interview with her. When I get home, I will set up for my meditations and then work on homework and RA work.
UPDATE SEVERAL HOURS LATER
Managed half the errands. Didn't get to do the interview. Have no idea when I get my laptop yet.
I have lots of homework and feel a bit defeated already. Must be this grey depressing weather.
On the to do list:
- email SPF questions
- write intro and new outline for Zen & Tea paper for tomorrow
- work on RA paper
Tomorrow's agenda (tentative... cuz I give up on trusting to any plans):
- maybe breakfast and interview with Roo
- maybe get the car license and registration stuff sorted
- definitely get the laptop contract mailed (it was faxed already but not mailed yet)
- maybe photocopy a book I have to return to the library
- maybe read more stuff for my zen paper
- definitely have Zen class
- definitely plan CMS when I get home
Reptiles!!!
I went to the reptile expo today.
It was SUPER small... but so amazing! Beautiful snakes of all kinds, lots of geckos of all colors and varieties, and Chameleons! I really REALLY want a crested gecko, feathers in lizard form! The are light and fluffy fealing and yet are like touching silky smoke floating in the air. If you have ever brushed a sift wormwood plant... you understand what I am describing.
I had gone with the intent of getting cheap lizard food, which i got, and maybe finding a partner to my skink. But now I am not sure my skink is a girl. There were only TWO blue tongued skinks in the whole show, baby girls. Their patterning of thin black stripes makes me think my female with wide black stripes might be a boy. Did some further research... very inconclusive. I will call the reptile vet tomorrow for proper advise.
I want to eventually breed skinks.
Other than that... the day was quiet. The husband has the flu/gastro. So I am staying home mostly.
I got some homework done. Prepared questions for follow-up interview. Reviewed my SPF and prepared questions I will email later about (after I have slept).
Waiting to hear if I am approved for a Dell laptop. *crosses fingers*
It was SUPER small... but so amazing! Beautiful snakes of all kinds, lots of geckos of all colors and varieties, and Chameleons! I really REALLY want a crested gecko, feathers in lizard form! The are light and fluffy fealing and yet are like touching silky smoke floating in the air. If you have ever brushed a sift wormwood plant... you understand what I am describing.
I had gone with the intent of getting cheap lizard food, which i got, and maybe finding a partner to my skink. But now I am not sure my skink is a girl. There were only TWO blue tongued skinks in the whole show, baby girls. Their patterning of thin black stripes makes me think my female with wide black stripes might be a boy. Did some further research... very inconclusive. I will call the reptile vet tomorrow for proper advise.
I want to eventually breed skinks.
Other than that... the day was quiet. The husband has the flu/gastro. So I am staying home mostly.
I got some homework done. Prepared questions for follow-up interview. Reviewed my SPF and prepared questions I will email later about (after I have slept).
Waiting to hear if I am approved for a Dell laptop. *crosses fingers*
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Skink surprises
I just discovered more food news about my skink. She loves loves loves, vegetables in baby food form. She still loves raspberries. She hates with a passion blueberries. And now... just tried her on butternut squash which she also super adores.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Surprising Discoveries
Heat seriously helped my hip joint pain.
Besides that... OMG ... IT LIVES!! or rather THEY live! They being the snails. Yes... snails. Last year, I was a kid and brought home snails in jars. One I gave to the neighbor to show their son. and one I kept. And a third... magically manifested in the windows at our house entry. I think it crawled off the gear I brought back from the excursion into the park where the snails came from. I thought it and mine had died. Like seriously. I didn't pluck or toss either though. Something ... some instinct told me not to. After our warm spring rain today, the one downstairs emerged from its shell and crawls about. Craw? is that what snails do? Slither... slide? whatever. Inspired, I took the spray bottle I use to discipline the cats with and spritzed my snail in the makeshift terrarium. Lo! and Behold! It lived too! It is not enjoying some lettuce. Apparently it needs VERY humid damp conditions. I will have to make a better terrarium for it.
Besides that... OMG ... IT LIVES!! or rather THEY live! They being the snails. Yes... snails. Last year, I was a kid and brought home snails in jars. One I gave to the neighbor to show their son. and one I kept. And a third... magically manifested in the windows at our house entry. I think it crawled off the gear I brought back from the excursion into the park where the snails came from. I thought it and mine had died. Like seriously. I didn't pluck or toss either though. Something ... some instinct told me not to. After our warm spring rain today, the one downstairs emerged from its shell and crawls about. Craw? is that what snails do? Slither... slide? whatever. Inspired, I took the spray bottle I use to discipline the cats with and spritzed my snail in the makeshift terrarium. Lo! and Behold! It lived too! It is not enjoying some lettuce. Apparently it needs VERY humid damp conditions. I will have to make a better terrarium for it.
Plowing slowly but surely...
This has been a busy busy weekend. It has been full of migraine and joint pain. It has been full of rest and homework.
The joint pain and migraine has eased with the rain that has finally came.
The RA / homework:
- ethnographic appraisal paper done
- readings for fieldwork class done
- RA minutes typed
- RA outline coding done
- title and abstract of SOTL interviews presentation done and emailed off
Yet to do:
- Zen readings
- Zen discussion presentation of readings
- SPF project for ethics approval
- participant observation of pagan ritual & tagging new informants
- learning to use the digital recorder
- recording a new interview
- recording a follow-up interview
Only the first three are due by Tuesday. Off to work!
The joint pain and migraine has eased with the rain that has finally came.
The RA / homework:
- ethnographic appraisal paper done
- readings for fieldwork class done
- RA minutes typed
- RA outline coding done
- title and abstract of SOTL interviews presentation done and emailed off
Yet to do:
- Zen readings
- Zen discussion presentation of readings
- SPF project for ethics approval
- participant observation of pagan ritual & tagging new informants
- learning to use the digital recorder
- recording a new interview
- recording a follow-up interview
Only the first three are due by Tuesday. Off to work!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Le Sigh...
My plan was to be up early (I was up at 6am fr no reason then again at 9am) but the back/hip pain was beyond the beyond. I stayed in bed till hurting in bed became too much. I am supposed to write a paper. I am going to try to finish it so I can deliver it on my way to work. I don't have time to get to the clinic though.
This will become Monday's goal. I have nothing for Monday but reading and my personal day.
:: ~ LATER - 3:45pm ~ ::
I soaked a bit and that helped the pain. heat, massage, and much less stress will do me some good.
I did some dishes now that the city is not working on water pipes and we have water.
I also worked on that paper. I am not finished it. ALMOST! But I have to go to work and run errands. I will finish it tomorrow and deliver it on Tuesday. This weekend thereafter is devoted to reading my ZEN chapters and preparing what I hope will be a kick-ass presentation and discussion to make up for last Tuesday's flop. I also have to title my RA presentation and send in a one-paragraph abstract to go into the program book of the conference.
I am almost back on track with school work and stuff.
This will become Monday's goal. I have nothing for Monday but reading and my personal day.
:: ~ LATER - 3:45pm ~ ::
I soaked a bit and that helped the pain. heat, massage, and much less stress will do me some good.
I did some dishes now that the city is not working on water pipes and we have water.
I also worked on that paper. I am not finished it. ALMOST! But I have to go to work and run errands. I will finish it tomorrow and deliver it on Tuesday. This weekend thereafter is devoted to reading my ZEN chapters and preparing what I hope will be a kick-ass presentation and discussion to make up for last Tuesday's flop. I also have to title my RA presentation and send in a one-paragraph abstract to go into the program book of the conference.
I am almost back on track with school work and stuff.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Painful Week
Monday was just horrible.
Tuesday... the class presentation was a flop. I hope my make-up presentation next week makes up for it. It flopped because of the weekend/Monday fiasco.
Wednesday was ok. Thanks to Sam, my coworker, I got to work on some homework during the quiet periods of the day. And teaching in the evening is always a joy.
Today, I did not finish the paper, but I can hand it in later. Thankfully. My presentation went real well though!
All through... hip pain. Going to stop by the clinic tomorrow. This is ridiculous.
Tuesday... the class presentation was a flop. I hope my make-up presentation next week makes up for it. It flopped because of the weekend/Monday fiasco.
Wednesday was ok. Thanks to Sam, my coworker, I got to work on some homework during the quiet periods of the day. And teaching in the evening is always a joy.
Today, I did not finish the paper, but I can hand it in later. Thankfully. My presentation went real well though!
All through... hip pain. Going to stop by the clinic tomorrow. This is ridiculous.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Wasted
Perhaps not the wasted some might think.
My weekend was wasted busting my ass on something to find out I didn't have to in the end. I could have done the other work due this week instead.
*AARRGGHH!!!*
Where do I now find the time to do this?
My weekend was wasted busting my ass on something to find out I didn't have to in the end. I could have done the other work due this week instead.
*AARRGGHH!!!*
Where do I now find the time to do this?
Monday, March 01, 2010
Beautifully busy!
I slept in. I woke to sunshine. I woke to warm weather outside! It feels like spring and spring is in my bones. That is a mixed blessing. I have a ton of happy go-go-go energy and also seriously aching hip and joints. Alas!
Anyways, I got a bunch of work done while visiting my mom's yesterday. All my research books have been scoured for the preliminary information and little tabs are in place. The books are hidden in my office now because Tsuki (my cat) LOVES loves LOVES nipping the taps and pulling them out of my books to play with. leaps and bounds of progress with my visit too! Both my nephews were chatty and affectionate with me. You might wonder why I consider this a HUGE experience. The thing is, my elder nephew (who is now 5) is clinically detrimentally shy. He has hardly spoken a word to me or even looked at me. This was a different experience as he was cuddly and chatty and everything! I introduced them both to my skink too!
So I am ready to work today and yet discovered the house is ... ugh... not fit for anyone... and I have an overnight guest tonight to keep me company while the husband is away.
So using that happy go-go-go energy to do stuff. Cleaned the bedroom and bathroom and kitchen, folded laundry, changed bedding and flipped the mattress (by myself), cleaned all reptile tanks, cleaned the dove cage, swept everything but the office and spare room, made a grocery list, washed dishes, and even cleaned out the fridge! I should have lunch. Then pack some of the refundable bottle piling up in the spare room to return while I do a grocery run.
I also took some time to meditate. With the warm weather, the heaters are all off and windows open and incense lit. It feels wonderful!
In the bit of time between groceries and company, I will try to plan my presentation for tomorrow's class. Also need to do minutes to a meeting and write up some preliminary stuff for my RA paper. Ugh... so much to so. *peeks back outside at the warm brightness* Lot's to do! Gotta go!
Anyways, I got a bunch of work done while visiting my mom's yesterday. All my research books have been scoured for the preliminary information and little tabs are in place. The books are hidden in my office now because Tsuki (my cat) LOVES loves LOVES nipping the taps and pulling them out of my books to play with. leaps and bounds of progress with my visit too! Both my nephews were chatty and affectionate with me. You might wonder why I consider this a HUGE experience. The thing is, my elder nephew (who is now 5) is clinically detrimentally shy. He has hardly spoken a word to me or even looked at me. This was a different experience as he was cuddly and chatty and everything! I introduced them both to my skink too!
So I am ready to work today and yet discovered the house is ... ugh... not fit for anyone... and I have an overnight guest tonight to keep me company while the husband is away.
So using that happy go-go-go energy to do stuff. Cleaned the bedroom and bathroom and kitchen, folded laundry, changed bedding and flipped the mattress (by myself), cleaned all reptile tanks, cleaned the dove cage, swept everything but the office and spare room, made a grocery list, washed dishes, and even cleaned out the fridge! I should have lunch. Then pack some of the refundable bottle piling up in the spare room to return while I do a grocery run.
I also took some time to meditate. With the warm weather, the heaters are all off and windows open and incense lit. It feels wonderful!
In the bit of time between groceries and company, I will try to plan my presentation for tomorrow's class. Also need to do minutes to a meeting and write up some preliminary stuff for my RA paper. Ugh... so much to so. *peeks back outside at the warm brightness* Lot's to do! Gotta go!
