A Long Absence

Hey everyone! Glad to be back after one of the hardest years I have ever faced in school and in life. It's good to know that even with the times where you feel like you'll never get out, there are some constants that can keep your focus away from the dark night ahead. First off, a disclosure. On February 12, 2012, I lost one of my driving forces. My father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 56. It happened 22 days before the start of the semester and 26 days before my 30th birthday. I was at a bowling tournament when I got the call. The whirlwind of activity really got to me for some time and it didn't help that with school coming and Dad's passing, I got an assignment change at work that I've yet to become comfortable with. This semester, I had originally signed up for three classes: -Honors Microeconomics with Professor Kone (again) -Fundamentals of Speech Communication with Professor Greco -Profiles of Businesses in NYC with Professor Lipitz I had to drop Microeconomics because I did not feel like I could focus on the subject. My brain kept flying off into other directions, so I had to leave and not let this affect my group mates or my GPA. Fundamentals of Speech Communication with Prof Greco was probably the most profound class I've had in a very long time. We spoke about the history of communication and went through the course materials very quickly (We were finished with the syllabus about three weeks before the end of the semester), so we began group work and experiences in self-disclosure, which is something I tend not to do because of my own neurosis, but it was done in this class. I spoke about how Dad's passing, more specifically the lack of a cause of death, has prevented me from even attempting to move on because there is no closure (even as of the day of this writing, 6/12/12, there is no cause of death). The kinds of things these classmates of mine had dealt with in their lives and the fact that they were still standing, it's nothing short of amazing to see that fire burning so brightly. This made things a bit easier in dealing with my own issues because it really wasn't only me dealing with the death of a loved one. Profiles of Businesses in NYC was a fun class and Professor Lipitz was an animated old man for damn sure. This man knew his stuff, had an amazing background as an educator, and could tell you plenty of amazing and fun stories. I liked his class very much, so I tried to keep up, but it was a lot floating around in my head. His tests were hard because even if you have 4 examples in the essay, it was never enough. Kind of approached this half assed and suffered for that. Grades for the Semester: Fundamentals of Speech Communication - A Profiles of Businesses in NYC - A- New cumulative GPA: 3.94

New Semester Begins!

Oh. My. God.

This semester is a bit rough because of a two reasons:

-Honors level courses are ridiculously hard.
-I have not taken a math course in 12 years.

Macroeconomics...I guess it's a culture shock. I'm the oldest person in the class, definitely have fewer math classes than the others have, and the teacher essentially told us to help each other because he won't.

Intro to Information Systems...The teacher does not seem as comfortable with the computer as other students are, but he does have some skills. Problem is he's trying to make more jokes than teach.

Principles of Marketing---Three hour Friday morning class. The professor openly admits the subject is not her expertise. She is trying to be funny but is sadly so far removed from the times. She reminds me of a borscht belt comedianne with a Ph. D. in Organizational something.

This is honestly the first time I've experienced a semester like this where I'm not too certain about my course load or the quality of the professor leading the courses. All three are looking gloomy. It also really hurts because I'm not in my ASL class and learning the language I love dearly...and Carole was teaching it, which makes me really want to take the course. Rachel is in it with Tamika, but they both were spooked a bit by the skill of the others in the class.

Let's hope for the best. I want to keep the streak running, so here's hoping!

The Grades Are In!

Got the 4.0 again this semester. GPA is now at 3.95. Yay!

Bigger news, the students I've been tutoring ALL PASSED! Yay! I got to work with 23 failing students from Intro to Business and Business Law and each one of them passed the class. It was an amazing experience to be in front of the classroom and has solidified my desire to teach at the college level. I know that I will get there.

For next semester, I had to make a difficult decision. I had to drop ASL 3 in favor of an Honors level Macroeconomics class. Honors courses trump ASL.

BTW - Going to take driving lessons this summer and get my license. Yay!

Be back in September!

I'm still here...

I spoke with an advisor today because I was forced to by a stop on my flow.

I'll most likely be taking ASL 3 next semester and may drop my summer course because I need the break. We're looking at Accounting in the fall. Kind of an imposing class because it's 6 hours a week over two days. I'm hoping it won't conflict with ASL class. If it does, I'll take Marketing instead because I don't want to break my rhythm in the language courses. This would also set me up for my Liberal Arts elective requirement. Yay!

Finals are coming up soon. Need to finish a research paper for next week Wednesday. This is going to be 20% of my grade, so I gotta get it done.

Current averages:
Principles of Management - A
ASL 2 - A

I'm trying to maintain the 4.0 for the semester. This would move me up to a solid 3.95. Wish me luck! I'll update after finals. For now, I'm off to study!

The Semester has Begun

We're about to enter week three of the semester and it's been rather uneventful. The first week, I was sick as a dog, but managed to survive. My Management teacher is great. He's got a strange sense of humor and wants to know everything about his students. My ASL teacher is someone I had already met last semester. She subbed for Carole when she went out of town. She's hearing and has been teaching ASL for 9 years.

My classmates seem cool and I know half the class in the ASL class.

I'll update after my first tests!

The new semester begins!

The new semester begins tomorrow and I can't wait.

In the past two months, I've had some changes happen. I've moved, I've broken up with the boyfriend, I have no Internet access at home because of a fight with Time Warner, and I've gotten more sleep since I don't live in the middle of the ocean anymore.

That said, I'm still excited for this semester.

Btw- this is being posted via my phone because of the no Internet. Fun times.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones and that you survived the 2k10BLIZZZZZZZZZARD!

Here's to 2011! Cheers!

What are your plans for NYE? I'll be with the boyfriend, maybe go out for a drink with him before champaign time and a nice night in.

Whatever you decide to do...be safe and if you're drinking, don't drive.

It's Official

Got my 4.0.

Business Law is an A
American Sign Language 1 is an A

Next semester:

Session 1:
Principles of Management
American Sign Language 2

Session 2:
Evolution of Mass Media - Online

I'm a little nervous about doing my first online class, but it will be a good experience. I'm sure of it!

One down, one to go

I officially got my A in ASL. Just waiting on the Business Law grade, but I'm extremely optimistic. Happy times ahead!

The End of the Fall 2010 Semester

So here's how it's gone.

American Sign Language 1 - Hoping for the A. My final was part written and then two PPT presentations where I was signing in front of the class.

I must say I loved this class. It was interactive and I had some great people in my class and an amazing teacher in Carole Lazorisak. She is such an encouraging and engaging teacher, the only way to do bad is to just not try. There was one person in the class who did nothing at all and still came, but it may be that she was just really high all the time and didn't know work was supposed to be done.

Business Law - Pretty much just waiting for the A to be put on the transcript. The final is on the 20th, but it's just about a done deal. All I need is a 85 or better and I have the A.

This class was fun, but a little frustrating. I was the only one reading the chapters before class and the only one participating until the last month where the teacher asked me not to participate. Never had that request before, but I honored it because she wanted the other students to try. Of the two tests we had in the class, the lowest grade I got was 100. Seems like it's a slam dunk, so I'm hoping for the 4.0 this term.

Next semester, I have Principles of Management and American Sign Language 2. Carole said ASL 2 is easier than ASL 1, so it should be a good class. I trust her, so if she says it is easy, I believe it. She told me to keep participating and practicing and having a good time with the language and I'll become fluent in it. I need to start meeting Deaf friends to really feel comfortable with it. I'm hoping for the best.

I'll post my grades when I actually get them, but I am fully expecting the 4.0 this term and that will bring my GPA to a 3.925. Still can't get the 4.0 at graduation without honors courses, but they're all scheduled for when I'm working! UGH!

I'm still here!

Sorry, I've been ignoring this blog for a bit because of studying and other committments, but I'm still around.

I'm flowing through my two classes pretty well this semester. Busines Law is fun. I'm enjoying the class and the discussions about the applications of law and contract law in particular. The teacher is very good if you participate, but unfortunately, I'm pretty much the only person participating and reading the chapters.

ASL is the really fun class. I was scared at the start of this class, but I'm understanding it and can communicate with the teacher, who is Deaf. The downside is that only me and one other person is really getting it, the rest are floundering, including my friend Shelley, who has been having a rough go of it.

Finals are in two weeks. Amazing how fast this semester went!

The Slow Start

This semester is not starting off on the right foot.

My Business Law class is going decently, but it is dreadfully boring. My ASL class has met ONCE and will not meet again until Sept 28th. How the hell am I supposed to learn anything at all when I don't have class? These books are also costing me over $250 for the ASL class alone!

I got my BTM110 text already, but ordered the ASL ones online and hope they get here soon because I need to practice. Knowing LaGCC, you will be responsible for learning things on your own for a class that has yet to meet a second time. I am not going to let that stop me from getting the A in the class. It is just extremely frustrating.

A Week Away

Next week is the start of classes at LaGCC. Starting Monday, I will be having classes 4 days a week...Mon-Thurs, 6pm-7:30pm. Of course, I'm back in the C Building all day, but that's all good, I like that building.

I'm wondering how the counseling internship will go. I have already started with a few students and will be working more on this next week. I have a few advisements to take care of and start the mentorship of about 10 first year students for the fall.

I hope all goes well.

BTW, I have ASL 1 and Business Law for this term.

New Semester Coming...

Sorry that I haven't been around much, lots of work and it has been a very hard summer. Be that as it may, I have registered for my two classes this semester and will be in training as a student counselor. In the Spring 2011 session, I'll be TEACHING!!!!!!

That's right! Yours truly will be teaching the New Student Seminar for incoming freshmen! How amazing is that??

So my classes this term are Business Law and American Sign Language 1. It should be a fun term.

I'll be better at updating...I promise!!

Semester Complete!

I got my grades and couldn't be happier.

English 102 - Writing Thru Lit: A-

Business 101 - Intro to Business: A

3.85 GPA for the semester! Huzzah!