Day 116: Do Professors (or Students) Bite When You Ask Them Certain Questions?

So.  This morning for me was a time of asking questions to people from whom I wanted something, whether information or an answer or a paper they recently wrote. 

Case One:  A classmate of mine wrote a paper about Sylvia Plath and her family and personal life situation and how such situations may have contributed to her death.  (I have read Sylvia Plath several times for the past 10+ years, and my classmate's perspective was a perspective I had never heard or read before.)  Would she send me a copy of her paper if I asked her?
Case Two:  I am interested in a position on my campus currently held by someone who will be moving toward the end of the summer; in order to find out more information, I must ask the Psychology Department Chair (a professor that I had a class with over the summer).

Case Three:  My philosophy professor (from whom I have taken 3 classes with the last 3 consecutive semesters) is teaching Social and Political Philosophy in the fall.  I have already taken this class and earned an A, but I really didn't understand what I was reading or studying; now that I've learned a lot more about the subject, I think I would be able to appreciate and understand the material better.  Will she let me sit in on the class next semester?

What if these people say no to my questions and think I'm stupid for asking them such things??

Result: 

Case One:  She said yes and was glad that someone actually wanted to read her paper :-)

Case Two:  I actually saw her go by in the hallway, so I stopped her and asked her about the position.  She said that you must already have a Bachelor's or Masters degree in order to qualify for the position; however, a student assistant position will be opening up in the fall, and I would be able to apply for that.  So that exchange turned out well overall :-)

Case Three:  I went to my professor's office and asked her if I could sit in on her class.  Without hesitation, she said absolutely.  Yay!

So today, I overcame my fear of failing and possibly being conceived as stupid, and it totally worked out in my favor! :-)

Day 115: I Heart Battlestar Galactica (Unfortunately)

So.  I have a week and a day left in this semester.  I have two papers due--one tomorrow morning and one a week from now.  Today's goal:  to start and finish the paper that is due tomorrow morning

Result:  I did start and finish the paper.  However, I was constantly deterred from said paper due to my new love for Battlestar Galactica.  I stupidly watched the first episode maybe a week ago, and I have been on a mission to watch every episode as fast as possible ever since. 

Yes, I did get the paper finished and turned in.  And it will more than likely get me an A.  But I can honestly say that I know I could have done a better job with the paper.  I edited the paper several times, but in actuality I am a better writer than one would suppose from the paper that I turned in.  I didn't work as hard on it as I could have because I just HAD to know what would happen on the next episode of said series. 

Also, although the paper didn't take up more than 2 hours or so of my time, I definitely could have used the rest of the day to work on research for the paper that is due a week from now. 

Note to self:  Never start watching a new series when you are close to the end of the semester.  Unless you do not care about your grades or GPA.  Which definitely isn't me.

Day 114: Face Off

Today is a really nice day out, so Carey and I decided to play cards outside on the deck.  We played a game called Face Off, which I had never played before.  It's basically based on poker, but you have 5 hands, and each hand is played against the other person's hand.  Keep in mind that I hate to lose.

Result:  We played 3 games.  I lost every single game.  He apparently pretty much always wins against other people.  Did that make me feel any better?  No!  But he and I kept reminding myself that the purpose of this whole thing was for me to lose in the first place.

It's Day 114, and I still hate losing!  But hey, at least I tried something I had never done before.  And I'm glad that I did it, even if I did lose every time :-)

Day 113: A Stroll in the Neighborhood

Today, Carey and I decided to go for a stroll in his super awesome neighborhood.  We stupidly decided to walk towards the bridge (seen in the picture) via the golf cart path.

Result:  About 5 minutes later, a guy who works for the neighborhood golf course came strolling down the course on his golf cart.  He says, You guys have to get off the golf cart path.  So we start walking the other way.  And then he says, Well, technically I'm supposed to get you off the path as soon as possible.  So we had to hop a ride on his golf cart.  It was kind of embarrassing, but at least we got a good breeze in the golf cart!

Day 112: Archery Lessons

Today was a birthday party at the office where Carey works, the owner's son was turning 7.  The archery trainer (who is a trainer for Olympians) was there.  I thought, "Why not try shooting a bow and arrow?  I have never done it before."

Result:  First, I had Carey try and teach me how to do it.  He didn't do a very good job of it lol.  So then the archery trainer came over and helped me, he was a much better teacher :-)  I have to say, I was scared that I was going to hurt myself somehow.  I did an okay job I would say, not bad for someone that was scared out of her mind of injurying herself!

Day 111: Tests, Tests Everywhere...

Today, I had a test in my cognitive psychology class.  And I really, really, REALLY wanted to get an A on this test.  Because if I get an A on the test, I will automatically get a 100 on the next quiz, and I won't have to take the final.  So I REALLY wanted an A because I didn't want to have to go to class on Tuesday and take a stupid quiz.

Result:  I studied a lot on Wednesday and about 3 1/2 hours before the test, and I got an A!!!!  After I took the test, I was really nervous and wasn't sure how I did.  So I totally failed at worrying over nothing :-)

Day 110: Trivia a No-Go

Today, friends of mine were playing trivia at a Mellow Mushroom in Decatur.  I really enjoy playing trivia with them, but I had a test to take the next day.

Result:  I didn't go to play trivia with them.  I was bummed, but I knew that I would have lots more time to study.  I have hardly played trivia with my friends this semester because of schoolwork getting in the way, but at least it has been paying off in my classes :-)