Better By Nightfall

Recently I've been reading books for a potential prose piece for my speech tournament, but so far I have been unsuccessful. Most of this is due in part to the boredom that comes over me after reading the first ten pages of certain books. However, the book I'm currently reading isn't that bad. It's just confusing. I'm not sure I can turn it in to a prose yet, but I'm hoping to.

I guess that's the problem right now: I've got all these ideas for speeches (an idea for a CA, an idea for an ADS, and an idea for a Prose) for this semester, but I can't actualize on them.

I keep running into minor problems with the topics that I've picked (ADS) or I don't know how to do the event yet (CA), or I don't have a cutting to do anything with yet (Prose).

Hopefully I can shake this soon and get back on the right track or else I might have to deal with the vein, and that's something I don't want to experience...ever.

Yeah, Lacey, I'm calling you!

Recently I received all of my grades for this semester, and while I did amazing well in almost all of my classes, I've noticed something interesting about my overall performance per semester.

This semester my class/grade breakdown is as follows:

• Anthropology - A
  
• Debate - A
  
• Speech - A
  
• Japanese - C
  
• Energy - A
  
• Swimming - P
  

Not bad at all, by any means. Ok, so I dislike the fact that I got a "C", and I dislike the fact that it's in one of the required classes for my minor, and I dislike the fact that I got it from a fuckwad professor...but other than that I'm very happy with my performance this semester.

Still, a pattern exists per semester. A pattern also seems to be forming with my Math and Japanese classes as well.

The first pattern, I'm hoping, is solely coincidental. It seems that every semester I've managed to get at least one "C" while the rest of my grades are great. The first two "C"s (by semester) were both in Math courses (Pre-Calculus, then Survey of Calculus). Considerably, that's really not that bad either. However, in terms of GPA (which probably doesn't mean much of anything anymore; except to people like Nancy H. who would pull a motherfucking "H-Bomb" if she ever received a single "B" in her college career) it's not a good thing. If I average at least one C every semester, my GPA cannot be higher than a 3.6 when I graduate. Not that that's a big deal, but it just bothers me that I'm not getting a higher GPA.

The second pattern I've noticed lies in my performance by course, specifically Math and Japanese. Math, as a general rule, at my college is a horrible field to deal with because the department has a reported 72% failure rate and doesn't care that it's that high. So, getting "C"s in those courses is considered "decent" by typical standards (Typical being that a C is considered average). However, if the past two "C"s I have received are any indication of my grades to come in math, there might be some problems since I'm taking Calculus I next semester, and I want to do better in terms of overall GPA. Japanese, on the other hand, has had a declining grade average compared to math. During my first semester of Japanese I received an "A", then I received a "B" during the next semester, and, recently, a "C" this semester (but I believe most of it was in part to the douchery that infested the course during this semester [i.e. my shitty professor]). Regardless, my grades in Japanese have been slipping and it's kind of got me worried--especially since it's my minor. Now, I don't think I'll get a "D" in 202, but the thought has crossed my mind that I might not do well next semester if I have to juggle Math and Japanese again. After all, that's what led to my "B" in Japanese last spring semester. As such, I'm concerned that Calculus this semester might lead to the same thing or worse when added to the given douchery of the class this semester.

I'm probably jumping the gun in making these assertions. After all, classes don't start for another two weeks, and I don't even know what my Calculus class will require of me. And yet, it worries me given my past record. It worries me given the previous course in Japanese and all its douchery, especially since I have not one, but TWO classes with the aforementioned Japanese professor.

Play it by ear? Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. It's the "shock and awe" of it that worries me.

Making and decorating sugar cookies while watching Kill Bill with the family this holiday season...priceless.

There are some things money can't buy...for everything else there's Kill Bill and Cookies. ;)

I'm considering getting Moveable Type and hooking it up to my inactive website.

What do you think about that? (Veneliza, how does blogger work on personal websites? Does it work well?)

I wish I could stay in this sort of swing of things. I get 8-9 hours of sleep a night and wake up, naturally and very refreshed, at around 7-9 in the morning. Now most would say that this circadian rhythm is very unusual for me except when at a debate tournament or when I have to go to some appointment. However, I happen to find that when I'm not stressed and not too busy I naturally fall into this circadian rhythm. What's better is that I don't have to drink coffee or coke or anything caffeinated to stay awake. It's all natural (minus the staple of a coke I drink at lunch here). Conversely, at college, I'm always getting to bed late and waking up early after my alarm clocks (yes, I need more than one) beep for the hundredth time. I only get around 5-7 hours of sleep on weekdays and I usually feel that I need coffee to get through the day (which is why I spent roughly 130 dollars at Starbucks this year [damn their godly delicious toffee nut lattes with whipped cream!]).

Sadly, though, I'll be reverting back to the college circadian rhythm when I get back to Idaho. Granted that's about two weeks away, but it's still inevitable. If there were some way to keep this circadian rhythm I think I'd be happier, healthier, have fewer caffeinated expenses, and actually be able to get more work done.

And while the growing consensus will be that I won't be able to, and if and when it fades I'll most assuredly be nagged by Lacey or Barton or both, I still want to try and keep it going this way for as long as possible. I don't know why, but it feels good to be up early and fall asleep at night naturally--to have a full day. I don't think I've really had a single day like this back in Idaho since college started. So, while it might be lame, and even unusual, I'm going to try and keep this circadian rhythm--it's now an item on my New Year's Resolution.

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Just a minor note: if my posts appear to be at an unusual time (which really isn't that unusual since I'm usually still awake at this time in Idaho) it's because I'm 8 hours ahead of Idaho time here in Germany.

With my finals done, my bags packed, and my room somewhat cleaned, I'm on my way back to Germany.

Though, I have to say it has certainly been an interesting semester, and while I'd like to reflect on it now I think it'd be best to wait until I get home. Besides, I need to have some sleep before I fly out later today (at roughly 10 A.M.). Although it is trite and very cliche, I can say I learned a lot this semester and this year.

The reflections I have yet to write will consist of a lot more than what I'm about to write, but some of the most important things I've learned this semester and year are:

1. A real friend will take care of you when you're lost, down, upset, angry, emo-depressed, and bored.
   
2. Spending money on fast food isn't the best idea, but it's quick and easy.
   
3. Family is always concerned (and I love them for it).
   
4. Some professors do suck. (Dr. Parks and Ehara-sensei)
   
5. Some professors are amazing. (Marty and Dr. House)
   
6. College is about becoming educated. If you aren't here to learn and grow, then what the hell are you doing here? This is not a marriage institution.
   
7. Political Science as a major will get you nowhere.
   
8. Certain "rich bitch" up-class bullshit colleges really are vindictive. No matter, they still suck and can't match up with our amazing debate team. Which, in case you didn't know, has only recently gained recognition because of our amazing football team. Who knew we'd ride their coattails?
   
9. Friends become family when they watch your car. (And, of course, really care for you like family. My deepest thanks to them! :D )
   
10. You are never so alone when you have friends, family, and love all around you. It's always there. Sometimes, though, you have to quit being emo-depressed and see it's right in front of you.
    

Again, I'll reflect more later. It's been another great semester and I'm looking forward to the next...even if it makes me want to kill myself.

To my Spud Buds in Idaho: I'll drink a beer or two for all of you. :D I'll see you in a few weeks. Happy Holidays! Oh! By the way, part of my New Year's resolution is to kick those certain "rich bitch" college's asses at the next tournament. I can't wait! :D

I'm finally finished with all of my finals, now all I have to do is wait until my grades are posted. I'm not too worried. I'm seriously hoping I pulled all A's, but due to my dumbass Japanese professor, I really should only be hoping for 5 A's and a B. (I'll be lucky if it's a B.)

Anyway, that's besides the point. I've got one whole day until I fly back home to see my family and I can't wait. :D It's going to be a busy but hella' fun Christmas.

For studying finals, of course.

It's finals week with all the joy and great times that it brings. I have three finals to take care of before I go home and I'm probably studying as you're reading this for the following finals:

• Monday:
  
  
  
  • Japanese (Nihongo)
    
  • Energy for Society
    
  
  
• Tuesday:
  
  
  
  • Anthropology
    
  
  

Let's get it started.

I've had a total of 7 krispy kreme donuts over the last 32 hours.

So much for keeping Josefina at bay.

Judging (because it is our speech tournament) the weekend before finals...not a good idea.

I don't know what I'm going to do with the housing situation next semester, but I need to figure something out.

The funny thing about all of this is that I know I want to live in an OFF-CAMPUS apartment next year.

Life can be quite ironic.
Thanks Alanis.

Moving in with Brad was a bad idea, but against my better judgment I went with it. The rest of us in this apartment went with it. However, thanks to Brad and all his douchery and fucking up this semester, he's planning to move back home because he isn't going to be able to get a loan for next semester. As such he's dropping out of school, moving out of the apartment, and fucking things up in the process.

Thanks for being a procrastinating pot-puffing, selfish asshole, dumbfuck dickwad and telling the rest of the apartment about your decision one week before we can finalize for another roommate. I know I really appreciate it, fucker!

I'll detail more later today...after I get some rest. (Hopefully that relieves the tension and anger. Don't hold you breath though.)

I'm reading a book on globalization and conservation and I can't get through it. *SIGH* I think I have pre-final laziness (similiar to senioritis).

Earlier tonight the made-for-tv movie of Mitch Albom's, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" was on. Having read the book back in March, I was very interested in seeing how well the adaptation would be from book to boob-tube. Usually when I've read a book and then find out it is going to be on the silver screen in any form I start wondering how well it will be in comparison to the book. I also question who they pick for the main roles and why. (I still can't believe they picked Tom Hanks for the main role in The Da Vinci Code)

Thankfully the adaptation on to the boob-tube did the book justice. The adaptation followed almost perfectly with the book, save for a few small parts (cut due to time, I'm sure).

If you haven't read the book, I recommend you check it out. It's amazing. I don't want to spoil any of it for you if you haven't read or seen it, so check it out at your local library or, maybe, ABC will show it again.

I never thought that I would question whether or not I wanted to continue on with Japanese; however, lately it seems that this thought has been crossing my mind everyday whenever I think about anything associated with Japan.

I still love Japanese, but the fact that I have to deal with another semester of the worst language instruction methods since Ms. Feischtinger's Spanish class in high school (which, in case you don't know, consisted of Ms. Feischtinger saying random things throughout the lecture and then telling us to read the book because she'd rather just give quizzes [which almost everyone cheated on]) leaves me wanting to drop out of the whole program altogether. I know it's only one more semester and I know my problem is with the professor and the class itself...not the subject. However, I feel that I'm wasting my money and time on a pointless hour that's, as previous noted, nothing more than reading the book on my own.

Maybe it would be better if I did it on my own?

I don't know. I'll probably stay because I'm a intellectual masochist. Yet, at the same time, I might go insane because half my classes are with this professor and I'll have CALCULUS to worry about too.

I think I can clearly say that next semester isn't going to be pretty. Watch out, I might bite.

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P.S. The Youkoso (Yookoso) workbook SUCKS ASS! Whoever the dumbass(es) was that put it together deserves to be brutally tortured so he/she/they can suffer what thousands of students have suffered.
8 hours. That's how long this chapter took to finish, and it's not even FULLY done. Yookoso, McGraw-Hill, and Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku have good intentions, but they still predominately suck ass. Luckily I'm not Uma Thurman and this isn't the world of Kill Bill or there would be some revenge to exact.

Today my Japanese class got the evaluation forms to fill out on our professor and our education. I spent 20 minutes writing about how much I disliked the class and the professor. Here are some of my comments:

"Class time was not used effectively by the professor. He used nearly 20 minutes a day to discuss various things that didn't have any relation to the class." ; "The Professor was enthusiastic about the material, but never made it fun or culturally educational as upper-level language classes are supposed to be." ; "No, I would not recommend this professor to any other students. This class is the equivalent to buying the required books and going to the library to practice and read them on my own. My money could have been spent better." ; "Make the material more fun and interesting, be creative. The class consisted of reading, reading, writing, reading, reading." ; "Outline course objectives and due dates and stick to them. Don't change them and then say that the assignment is late when you never announced the new due date. Work on communication with students." ; "Either improve the method of teaching or get a new professor for upper level language classes. If not, just get rid of the department altogether because as of right now it's not that educational or interesting."

Yeah, that last one is harsh. I don't think I've ever been that mean on an evaluation before.