I'm a Graduate Student

I've been excited about going back to school for a while now. I even stayed up until midnight to register for classes on the day my letter told me I would be able to register. Instead of registering though, I was only highly annoyed to learn that for my specific classification, I couldn't register for 4 more days.

On the new day I was supposed to be able to register, I found I was unable to get into any of the classes I had though looked interesting: all claimed to need instructor approval, first because it was a 600 level course, then at the lower level because I wasn't formally accepted into the program for which the classes were offered. I called the Graduate division at UH only to be told I had to email the professors teaching the courses I was interested in. They even told me not to call, as classes hadn't started yet, it was unlikely I would reach anyone in their office. I sent out emails, but on the morning of the first day of classes I still hadn't heard from anyone.

Next best step: show up in person. Before leaving the house I found that I could take 600 level course so long as the department approved. Upon arriving at the campus I was told the parking garage was full, I would need to find street parking. Getting lost and wasting half an hour looking for a place to park led me to pay for parking - $8 for two hours. Once at the Anthropology department, I was informed I needed to go to the professor directly. Lucky for me, the professor of the course I was most interested in was in his office. He had emailed me back, but by the time he sent his reply I was already on my way in to see someone. He assured me he would put in the waiver so I could register for the course, and said he would see me in class the next day. Happy about finally getting in to a class it was off to the bookstore to see what I'd be reading for the semester.

Before arriving in class I was still unable to register - but the professor went through the process again for me and now I'm in. Turns out the system was too busy from everyone trying to get things taken care of. But it all worked out, and now I am taking Linguistic Anthropology. The class only meets on Tuesdays and I've decided taking the bus is far better than dealing with the driving/parking issues on campus - even though it means a mile and a half walk.

Outside of the University I have also put myself into another course: one for getting certified to be a substitute teacher. Once I am done it will be interesting to see just how much of all those elementary education classes I took can be put to work. I've been told that there is such a need for subs that I can work everyday if I wanted to. I suppose I'll have to see how much I like it first.

Just for Fun

I've received this email from a few people now, and rather than email it again, I thought I would just place it in my blog, since it's been awhile since I posted anyway. Welcome to the new 2009 edition of getting to know your family and friends. Here is what you are supposed to do, and try not to be Lame and spoil the fun. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who Sent it to you. Some of you may get this several times; that means you have lots of friends. The easiest way to do it is to hit 'forward' so you can change the answers or copy and paste. Have fun and be truthful! I want to see your answers! 1. What is your occupation right now? - Student of sorts 2. What are on your feet now? - Nothing. I live in Hawaii. That means leave your shoes at the door. 3. What are you listening to right now? - An airplane flying over head. 4. What was the last thing that you ate? - A slice of cold pizza. 5. Can you drive a stick shift? - Only because I was taught in the last year (thanks to Red and Doug) 6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? - Err, my boss. To tell her I hurt myself and the ER doc said I can't work for 3 days. I would recommend NOT falling up concrete stairs. 7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? - Yip 8. How old are you today? - 27 9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? - The summer Olympics weren't bad. 10. what is your favorite drink? - Carbonated water. I like the fizz. 11. Have you ever dyed your hair? - Yep, but not since someone called me Barney after the last time. 12. Favorite food? - I'm gonna go with sushi. But really, I just like food in general. 13. What is the last movie you watched? - The Visitors. Next up: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (required for my grad class). 14. Favorite day of the year? - The sunny ones. 15. How do you vent anger? - I complain to others around me. 16. What was your favorite toy as a child? - My books. Not really a toy, but they were all read more than once. 17. What is your favorite season? - Summer! (the only season we have here) 18. Cherries or Blueberries? - Blueberries. In my pancakes. 19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? - Or they can cut, paste, and repost on their blogs. 20. Who is the most likely to respond? - No idea. 21. Who is least likely to respond? - People who don't read my blog. 22. Living arrangements? - In a house with no heater. 23. When was the last time you cried? - Eh, when I thought no one was looking. 24. What is on the floor of your closet? - Shoes. 25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending? - ? 26. What did you do last night? - Went to my knitting group. 27. What are you most afraid of? - I think snakes are pretty scary. 28.Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? - Cheese. Blue cheese. 29. Favorite dog breed? - Mutts. 30. Favorite Day of the week? - Tuesday 31. How many states have you lived in? - Five. And 3 Countries. 32. Diamonds or pearls? - Neither really - my latest favorite jewelry is made of glass. 33. What is your favorite flower? - I don't know enough about flowers to answer this question. So there you go. A blog with some random information that you might have already known. Til next time.

A Christmas Kidnapping

Ahh, the holidays were fun, but it is nice to be back in Hawaii and warm again. Mostly because when you get used to the weather around here, 60 degrees (F) feels a bit chilly - making the near freezing temperatures experienced on the Mainland feel even colder.

There was a lot of pre-planning on Doug's part for this adventure, but seeing as he was the kidnapper, I suppose that is to be expected. He started by waking me up on the 24th and telling me I had two hours to be dressed in my dress and ready to go.

Now you might be wondering why I had a dress in California for Christmas break when it was freezing. I might have wondered too if he had told me to bring a dress, "just in case." This was covered up with family photos. His Mom wanted to get family photos when everyone was around because there was a new baby in the family. Doug convinced me that it might be nice to wear a dress since I don't dress up much, and I agreed. Somewhere along the line he even got me to decide that green would be the better dress choice. Knowing that it would be a bit chillier than we were used to, and that I tend to freeze while sitting indoors when I'm not dressed in jeans and a sweater, he also suggested I find a shawl and boots to go with the dress. Deciding that it might be fun to get decked out, I went ahead and found the necessary accessories, all the while believing that this was for a family photo.

So I got dressed and off we went. For the entire drive he still wouldn't tell me where we were off too. He wouldn't even let me see the directions he had copied from the internet. I had to wait till we turned a corner and I saw the signs for Wicked. Yep, he took me to see the musical Wicked. It was the coolest theater experience I have had yet, and I'm sure the little local theater here in Hawaii will seem a bit sub par after that show.