Finally?

I think everything is set with my transfer and classes. I say that hesitantly, because experience dictates that nothing is easy at this city school. But, I can gladly report that I received permission from the Chemistry Dept. Chair for Orgo Chem. Now, I can officially transfer and pay the cheaper per credit tuition. Tracking down the Chair wasn't easy (none of this process seems to be). After sending an email, calling, and leaving a message, I decided to stop by after work to see if he was still around. Fortunately, he was, and I had a really pleasant conversation with him. He was really interesting in knowing why I was taking the class. He had no problems approving me for the class and wrote down several things I should review in preparation. I felt he really wanted to help me succeed, and that was such a great feeling after the roller-coaster registration process.

As twisted as all this running around has been, I've found the people I've encountered to be incredibly helpful, pleasant, and really care. I think they can tell when someone is serious about furthering their education and when they meet them, they want to do what they can. Let's hope this attitude continues when classes begin!

More School Maze

It just doesn't end. I had been all set to officially transfer for the fall semester, and I stopped by to check that everything moved properly and I was still enrolled for Organic Chem in the fall. They seemed not sure if my two semesters of General Chem in college were really General Chem I and II because it said General Chemistry for both semesters. Nevermind the courses were 103 and 104! They called someone on the phone to confirm. Thankfully it was fine. But just as I was wrapping things up, I opened my big mouth and said, "Yes, it's been a while". *BIG mistake* They noticed it had been more than 5 years since these classes and therefore, I needed to get the Chemistry Chair to approve taking Organic Chem.

I really wanted to throw in the towel at that point. I had been visiting the school almost every day for the past week, and haven't even described on this blog the previous little hiccups that necessitated each one. I just want to get these classes done! If I have to take Chem 101 all over again, it will throw off my schedule. I bemoaned all this to M, who asked if I needed a prescription for Prozac. Ha ha. I wasn't truly about to give up, but it gave me pause and reinforced those days I wonder if this is worth all the headache. Sometimes I cannot fathom what the hell I'm doing. All this effort for a *maybe* shot to getting into this *one* school's PA program. My weekends are almost non-existent. I'm so exhausted, I come home from the hospital volunteer days and nap. I am already chewing off my nails wondering how I'll handle the summer accelerated classes. Will I be the only one who is working full time while also taking a crazy class meeting every evening of the week, save one? Can I keep this up for another year? I'm too tired to figure it out.

Itching for the Next iPhone

I want the next iPhone. I have been waiting patiently until my mobile contract expired in January, and I'm glad I did. The next one looks amazing! Sure, it's going to be pricey and ATT sucks. But I've wanted an all-in-one phone/pda for a while. I've even been adding apps to my iTunes wishlist as I find/learn of them. As you can imagine, I've listed a number of medical ones like, AnatomyLab, MedicalCalculator MD, and epocrates. I also have some fun ones: Backgammon, Brushes, and Pandora. The announcement of the new iPhone is June 7 at the WWDC. I just hope it won't take too long before I can buy one. It would sure be handy to have for my A+P I class!

Feel free to send me an iTunes gift certficate. :)

Another Trip Through the School Maze

Today was Summer/Fall registration for classes. I only had to spend 2.5 hrs in the school maze this time. But it was frustrating to find that no matter how prepared I tried to be, I seemed to have asked the wrong questions and ended up with an obstacle course. It didn't help that I was also still recovering from the tail end of a lingering cold with a hacking cough and congestion I couldn't shake.

I was trying to become a matriculated student by officially transferring. However, I didn't realize it required a recent official transcript for a certificate I earned long ago. The work-around was to continue as a "non-degree student" which would allow me to register and reserve a spot in the classes. However, to be matriculated means vastly cheaper cost per credit.

Although I arrived early to register, it turned out I still had to stand in an admissions line to roll over my spring non-degree status to summer non-degree status. Sigh. It never gets easier.

Buuuuuut.... it was all worth it! I got registered for Anatomy and Physiology I and II for the summer, evenings. They are 1 month long each. I'm excited but nervous of just how difficult it will be when juggling it with my work schedule. Oh well. I'll deal with it as it comes. In addition, I registered for my fall semester class: Organic Chem I. So I feel better now that things are squared away with classes. It's one thing off my checklist and so far.... things are going on schedule as planned. Next spring semester, I'll take Microbiology and be done with my requirements! But, for now, I although one worry is off my plate, I now need to be concerned with getting a good grade in my intensive summer classes. :-/  Wish me luck!

A Dream Deferred

My English Comp class assignment now is to write a research paper on a poem of our choosing. In trying to find a poem I could connect to, I recalled a short poem by Langston Hughes, "Harlem", sometimes known as, "A Dream Deferred". I first read it in high school. And I found it applied well to my situation these days. Keep pursuing those dreams!

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
     like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
    And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
     like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Geek

I've become a geek. Well, maybe I've always been one and never knew. In an effort to keep my "back to school" anxiety at bay, I've been spending some free time trying to get a head start on some class subjects. Organic chemistry is one of them. I'm terrified of it! Mainly because I know nothing about it except for the horror stories back in college days. A volunteer acquaintance who is headed to med school gave me her study aide book used for her Org Chem I class. I started reading it and doing the exercises a couple months ago. Surprisingly, I actually found it made more sense and was more interesting then General Chemistry in college. Maybe I just haven't gotten too deep into the subject yet, but it helped soothe my nerves.

Another class that I'm nervous about, solely for the sheer amount of information to be memorized, is Anatomy + Physiology. With any luck, I'll be taking both I and II this summer. With greater luck, I'll survive the condensed schedule without losing my mind. To help with that, I've scoured iTunes for anything useful in getting an edge. I found a great iTunes U vodcast of instructional lab classes going over each of the anatomical systems. They're basic and straight forward, easy to follow with helpful mnemonics and other tips. Excellent for a beginner like me. Let's hope the info sticks.