Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Storage
We have a large storage unit about 5 minutes away from where we live. We have a ton of stuff we're not using right now... keep in mind that we used to have a large 2 bedroom townhouse and now we're living in the equivalent of a studio apartment. Anyway, I was there today organizing all of Leilani's outgrown clothes and other stuff. It was overwhelming. I'm keeping all this stuff in hopes that we'll use it again, I guess. I don't want to get rid of it, but I have no use for it. I don't know. I'm rambling.
Level 4
Today was Leilani's first time in a level 4 class at Gymboree. The class is meant for toddlers between 16 and 22 months, but it was suggested that we move Leilani up early because she has all the physical stuff down and it would be good for her to be around kids that are a little older.
So today we tried it out. It was crazy. They do a lot more 'directed' activities. They follow what the teacher tells them to do and are all so aware of what's going on around them. Leilani isn't even 14 months old yet, and doesn't understand verbal commands, she just kinda does whatever she wants to. So we had a little bit of a hard time in the beginning. It was weird for us that Leilani was the kid in class that was behind everyone else as far as ability. She had always been the over-achiever in level 3.
I think this will be good for her. This class will really give her the opportunity to learn new things. I kinda like the fact that she's behind the other kids and needs to really 'try.' Level 3 was just too easy for her and she wasn't getting anything out of it anymore. I also hope that because she's around older kids who are vocal, she'll start to catch on to talking.
So today we tried it out. It was crazy. They do a lot more 'directed' activities. They follow what the teacher tells them to do and are all so aware of what's going on around them. Leilani isn't even 14 months old yet, and doesn't understand verbal commands, she just kinda does whatever she wants to. So we had a little bit of a hard time in the beginning. It was weird for us that Leilani was the kid in class that was behind everyone else as far as ability. She had always been the over-achiever in level 3.
I think this will be good for her. This class will really give her the opportunity to learn new things. I kinda like the fact that she's behind the other kids and needs to really 'try.' Level 3 was just too easy for her and she wasn't getting anything out of it anymore. I also hope that because she's around older kids who are vocal, she'll start to catch on to talking.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
I Need Sleep
Tonight is the second night in a row that Leilani has decided sleeping is optional. She woke up (both nights) around 1am and just sat up and started screaming. And nothing seems to calm her down. Both nights took at least 1-2 hours to get her back to sleep.
I was fine with it the first night because it is SO rare that she doesn't sleep straight through the night, and I figured it was because she seemed to have a little cold and it was no big deal. I'm willing to nurse her through a rough night when she's sick. Tonight was different. We accidentally trapped Cole in her room when we put Leilani to bed and he was meowing to get out which woke her up. Admittedly this happens on occasion (sneaky little cat) but she normally sleeps right through Cole's noise. Tonight she woke up and would NOT go back to sleep. Ugh.
So here I am, still awake because it takes me forever to fall back to sleep after being woken up. I'm exhausted and typing in the dark.
I was fine with it the first night because it is SO rare that she doesn't sleep straight through the night, and I figured it was because she seemed to have a little cold and it was no big deal. I'm willing to nurse her through a rough night when she's sick. Tonight was different. We accidentally trapped Cole in her room when we put Leilani to bed and he was meowing to get out which woke her up. Admittedly this happens on occasion (sneaky little cat) but she normally sleeps right through Cole's noise. Tonight she woke up and would NOT go back to sleep. Ugh.
So here I am, still awake because it takes me forever to fall back to sleep after being woken up. I'm exhausted and typing in the dark.
Friday, September 17, 2010
More School Headaches
First, I don't feel like typing a novel right now so I'll make this short and sweet.
English- The class is divided up in two groups for peer essay reviews. In my group there are eight people. The other has eleven. The point of the groups is to 1) submit your essay so the rest of the class can access it online, 2) review one other person's essay, 3) comment on what people have said about your essay. I submitted my essay over two weeks ago. The actual due date is tomorrow. Guess how many other people in my group have submitted their essays. ZERO!!! Guess how many people have reviewed my essay. ZERO!!! So what this means is I have to sit on my hands until someone submits their essay so that I can review one AND I also have to wait for someone to review mine so that I can comment on their review. I hate hate hate having to rely on other people for things like this. I know everyone will leave this until the eleventh hour and I'll be up late tomorrow night doing school work. Grrr.
Psychology- It's three weeks into this course and the instructor has only released three weeks of work. I know that sounds like he's right on schedule, but in reality it's far from that. He should have ALL of the semester's work available by now. I could be getting ahead in that class right now, but noooo. We'll see what happens this week... I may go to the Dean of his department about this.
Lab Skills- The instructor had a list available to all of his students about what to bring to class last Monday. (The first assignment, the syllabus receipt, etc.) I made sure to bring everything. Did everyone else? Noooo. But it didn't matter, he went over everything anyway. What's the point of telling us to bring stuff if you're not going to care? Also, he made it very clear online that we need to show up to the classroom on time. Out of 12 people, 3 came late. The last one walking in 1.5 hours late. Did he care? Nope. He basically just started the whole class over again each time someone would walk in late. My time is valuable. This pissed me off hardcore.
Okay, so it was a novel.
English- The class is divided up in two groups for peer essay reviews. In my group there are eight people. The other has eleven. The point of the groups is to 1) submit your essay so the rest of the class can access it online, 2) review one other person's essay, 3) comment on what people have said about your essay. I submitted my essay over two weeks ago. The actual due date is tomorrow. Guess how many other people in my group have submitted their essays. ZERO!!! Guess how many people have reviewed my essay. ZERO!!! So what this means is I have to sit on my hands until someone submits their essay so that I can review one AND I also have to wait for someone to review mine so that I can comment on their review. I hate hate hate having to rely on other people for things like this. I know everyone will leave this until the eleventh hour and I'll be up late tomorrow night doing school work. Grrr.
Psychology- It's three weeks into this course and the instructor has only released three weeks of work. I know that sounds like he's right on schedule, but in reality it's far from that. He should have ALL of the semester's work available by now. I could be getting ahead in that class right now, but noooo. We'll see what happens this week... I may go to the Dean of his department about this.
Lab Skills- The instructor had a list available to all of his students about what to bring to class last Monday. (The first assignment, the syllabus receipt, etc.) I made sure to bring everything. Did everyone else? Noooo. But it didn't matter, he went over everything anyway. What's the point of telling us to bring stuff if you're not going to care? Also, he made it very clear online that we need to show up to the classroom on time. Out of 12 people, 3 came late. The last one walking in 1.5 hours late. Did he care? Nope. He basically just started the whole class over again each time someone would walk in late. My time is valuable. This pissed me off hardcore.
Okay, so it was a novel.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Thoughts on Inés Sainz/Jets Locker Room Controversy
In my opinion, Ines Sainz should never have been in the Jets locker room in the first place. No woman should be. Sound sexist? Maybe. Were the Jets players acting out-of-line? Maybe. But here's the rub: How would a woman's professional sports team feel about a male sports reporter in their locker room while they are showering and changing their clothes? I don't think they'd be thrilled.
The point of a locker room, and the reason locker rooms are not co-ed, is privacy. And if you are willing to breach someone else's privacy, expect unfavorable consequences.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Toes: Full Disclosure On Mommy & Daughter
If you know me really well (and I mean REALLY well) then you've known my shameful little secret about my baby toes. I've only let a handful of people know the secret. Now it's time to tell the world.
The buffer of non-personal communication on the internet allows me to say to the world: My baby toes are weird. There, I said it. "Hello my name is Lacey and I have weird toes." They're extra fat and each have two nails. Yeah, that's right... TWO. Good Lord, why am I typing this?!?
I have always assumed they were some sideshow birth defect I received from my birth mom who probably smoked and drank while pregnant with me. That was the only cause I could think of to explain why they are this way. I thought I was part circus freak like Jimbo the crab clawed midget or the elephant man.
As it turns out, that's not the case. Well, they aren't "normal" by any means, but they aren't due to any birth defect... that's for sure. And it only took 28 years and having a baby to learn this!
Here's the story:
Seconds after giving birth, as all the NICU doctors were examining Leilani on the table next to me in the delivery room, I started hearing mumblings that something wasn't right. Holy cow... I was frightened. (You don't know fear until you experience something like that!) Then one of the six doctors huddled over my newborn baby turns to me and Mike and says, "There's something wrong here, do either of you have a weird baby toe?" For the first time in my life, I was so happy to blurt out, "YES! I do!"
Turns out, the toe thing is actually hereditary. I had no clue. Neither did my parents, Mike, anyone else I've talked to about this.
The really amazing thing (aside from always being able to easily identify my newborn) is that I'm adopted and have no information about my parents or any real family. At times, I feel very alone in the world. So Leilani is the only real family I have. She's the only blood relative I have. And in addition to that very special bond, we also have this. Our own little special connection that's completely ours.
The buffer of non-personal communication on the internet allows me to say to the world: My baby toes are weird. There, I said it. "Hello my name is Lacey and I have weird toes." They're extra fat and each have two nails. Yeah, that's right... TWO. Good Lord, why am I typing this?!?
I have always assumed they were some sideshow birth defect I received from my birth mom who probably smoked and drank while pregnant with me. That was the only cause I could think of to explain why they are this way. I thought I was part circus freak like Jimbo the crab clawed midget or the elephant man.
As it turns out, that's not the case. Well, they aren't "normal" by any means, but they aren't due to any birth defect... that's for sure. And it only took 28 years and having a baby to learn this!
Here's the story:
Seconds after giving birth, as all the NICU doctors were examining Leilani on the table next to me in the delivery room, I started hearing mumblings that something wasn't right. Holy cow... I was frightened. (You don't know fear until you experience something like that!) Then one of the six doctors huddled over my newborn baby turns to me and Mike and says, "There's something wrong here, do either of you have a weird baby toe?" For the first time in my life, I was so happy to blurt out, "YES! I do!"
Turns out, the toe thing is actually hereditary. I had no clue. Neither did my parents, Mike, anyone else I've talked to about this.
The really amazing thing (aside from always being able to easily identify my newborn) is that I'm adopted and have no information about my parents or any real family. At times, I feel very alone in the world. So Leilani is the only real family I have. She's the only blood relative I have. And in addition to that very special bond, we also have this. Our own little special connection that's completely ours.
I love that little toe.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Blog Idea
I need a partner for a new blog that I want to create.
Here's the gist of it:
What I'm looking for is a friend that doesn't live in the area or even in the same state or area of the country who knows their way around a camera, camera software or PhotoShop, and Blogger. Weekly, we would agree on a new photo theme (love, up, down, dog, etc.) that we would each take a single photo of. We would then post each of our pictures to the blog. Really, it's as simple as that.
Here's an example:
Let's say we agreed that the theme this week was "Autumn." I would go outside and probably take a picture of yellow leaves on a tree or whatever. The other person (who let's say, lives in Hawaii for fun) would end up taking a completely different picture because they have a completely different climate and culture. They may take a picture of kids on returning to school on a bus. Without discussing the pictures themselves, we would post these pictures to the blog, side-by-side. The next week we agree on a different theme, and so forth.
The idea is to show the difference of location, personal perspective, etc. I think this would be a really neat thing to do. I know it sounds simple and may not make any sense, but once we started, I think it could really be fun and interesting. The great thing about this is that it would be super simple, would not be time consuming, and would showcase creativity and individuality. And if an old friend and I did this, I think it would be a nice bonding thing.
And if it turns out to be super lame, then we'll stop.
I know of two friends that do this in Europe, one in Finland and one in Scotland. They have over 800 followers. I'm not trying to copy them totally, but I think this would be interesting from our point of view... from a completely different country and side of the planet. The images would be unique to us.
Here's a very simple example:
"High"
These photos aren't quality shots, they're just some old vacation photos that I found on my computer, but they work for the theme. They're both examples of "high" from two very different perspectives and locations.
I haven't made the blog yet, this is just the idea stage. So one of us would have to create the blog, and we'd both need the password and login. We'd also have to come up with the blog title and design. If my partner wants to take care of that, then that's fine, otherwise I can do it. Either way is no problem. If you're interested, let me know, if you think this is stupid, let me know.
Here's the gist of it:
What I'm looking for is a friend that doesn't live in the area or even in the same state or area of the country who knows their way around a camera, camera software or PhotoShop, and Blogger. Weekly, we would agree on a new photo theme (love, up, down, dog, etc.) that we would each take a single photo of. We would then post each of our pictures to the blog. Really, it's as simple as that.
Here's an example:
Let's say we agreed that the theme this week was "Autumn." I would go outside and probably take a picture of yellow leaves on a tree or whatever. The other person (who let's say, lives in Hawaii for fun) would end up taking a completely different picture because they have a completely different climate and culture. They may take a picture of kids on returning to school on a bus. Without discussing the pictures themselves, we would post these pictures to the blog, side-by-side. The next week we agree on a different theme, and so forth.
The idea is to show the difference of location, personal perspective, etc. I think this would be a really neat thing to do. I know it sounds simple and may not make any sense, but once we started, I think it could really be fun and interesting. The great thing about this is that it would be super simple, would not be time consuming, and would showcase creativity and individuality. And if an old friend and I did this, I think it would be a nice bonding thing.
And if it turns out to be super lame, then we'll stop.
I know of two friends that do this in Europe, one in Finland and one in Scotland. They have over 800 followers. I'm not trying to copy them totally, but I think this would be interesting from our point of view... from a completely different country and side of the planet. The images would be unique to us.
Here's a very simple example:
"High"
These photos aren't quality shots, they're just some old vacation photos that I found on my computer, but they work for the theme. They're both examples of "high" from two very different perspectives and locations.
I haven't made the blog yet, this is just the idea stage. So one of us would have to create the blog, and we'd both need the password and login. We'd also have to come up with the blog title and design. If my partner wants to take care of that, then that's fine, otherwise I can do it. Either way is no problem. If you're interested, let me know, if you think this is stupid, let me know.
School Frustration
I feel like I take school more seriously than my teachers do, and I HATE that. The two online classes that I'm taking right now are each taught by instructors that don't seem to give a crap.
In English, the instructor has such convoluted instructions that it's hard to understand what he wants from us. He also hasn't released the entire semester's assignments yet, so at this point, I've done all that I can do in the class and now it feels like I'm in Limbo.
In Psychology, the instructor really seems to either a) not have a freakin' clue what he's doing or b) just doesn't give a crap. He didn't actually get the class up on the internet until 9 days after the class was supposed to have started and now that the class is available, he has only released 3 weeks of work and has no link to our grades. Oh, and he also wants all assignments sent to him via email instead of through the actual Blackboard site. I'm guessing he doesn't know how to use Blackboard and that's probably why the class started out so half-assed.
In English, the instructor has such convoluted instructions that it's hard to understand what he wants from us. He also hasn't released the entire semester's assignments yet, so at this point, I've done all that I can do in the class and now it feels like I'm in Limbo.
In Psychology, the instructor really seems to either a) not have a freakin' clue what he's doing or b) just doesn't give a crap. He didn't actually get the class up on the internet until 9 days after the class was supposed to have started and now that the class is available, he has only released 3 weeks of work and has no link to our grades. Oh, and he also wants all assignments sent to him via email instead of through the actual Blackboard site. I'm guessing he doesn't know how to use Blackboard and that's probably why the class started out so half-assed.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Leilani "Tornado" Reich
Every time we leave Leilani in her room to play on her own for a little bit, this is the sort of scene that greets us when we go and get her...
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Original Pancake House
I've been wanting to go to the Original Pancake House in Brookfield for a loong time now. We always drive by it, and I love breakfast food. So after Gymboree today, Mike and I finally went.
We had to wait 30 minutes for a table. That's not good, but I understand that it was Saturday morning, so I was prepared for a long wait.
I ordered a Diet Coke with my meal. This is what I got: one of those tiny 8 oz. glass Diet Coke bottles and a glass to pour it into. And no refills. Are you kidding me?!? Think about it: a CAN of soda is 12 oz.!!!
They gave Leilani a complementary plate of banana slices and whipped cream. That was nice of them.
The food itself was alright. Nothing special. I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage links, and pancakes. It was comparable to any Denny's or Perkins. I kinda wish I would have ordered their special apple covered pancakes. Mainly because I don't think we'll go back and I wish I would have ordered something that I couldn't get elsewhere. Oh well.
We had to wait 30 minutes for a table. That's not good, but I understand that it was Saturday morning, so I was prepared for a long wait.
I ordered a Diet Coke with my meal. This is what I got: one of those tiny 8 oz. glass Diet Coke bottles and a glass to pour it into. And no refills. Are you kidding me?!? Think about it: a CAN of soda is 12 oz.!!!
They gave Leilani a complementary plate of banana slices and whipped cream. That was nice of them.
The food itself was alright. Nothing special. I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage links, and pancakes. It was comparable to any Denny's or Perkins. I kinda wish I would have ordered their special apple covered pancakes. Mainly because I don't think we'll go back and I wish I would have ordered something that I couldn't get elsewhere. Oh well.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Really? REALLY?!?
So I was willing to give my psychology teacher the benefit of the doubt that maybe he had a boat load of classes to teach this semester and that might be one of the reasons that he's been behind on getting his online course up and running. It's not a good excuse, but I figured he was human and we all get behind now and then.
NOPE!!!
I looked him up in the school registry and guess what: this online course is the ONLY class he's teaching this semester. HIS ONLY CLASS!!! Why oh why has he yet to get this class going?!? He obviously didn't start putting this class together until the start date of the course.
I am definitely worried about this. For so many reasons.
If I come to find out that we have to cram a full semester's work into a shortened time span because of this, I'm gonna be really upset. What I mean is since the class is supposed to be 15 weeks long and now we've lost a week, we better be assigned only 14 weeks of work, and not expected do make up this first week of work. That's the least this teacher could do for us.
I'm so mad right now.
NOPE!!!
I looked him up in the school registry and guess what: this online course is the ONLY class he's teaching this semester. HIS ONLY CLASS!!! Why oh why has he yet to get this class going?!? He obviously didn't start putting this class together until the start date of the course.
I am definitely worried about this. For so many reasons.
If I come to find out that we have to cram a full semester's work into a shortened time span because of this, I'm gonna be really upset. What I mean is since the class is supposed to be 15 weeks long and now we've lost a week, we better be assigned only 14 weeks of work, and not expected do make up this first week of work. That's the least this teacher could do for us.
I'm so mad right now.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
When Did We Become More Reliable Than Our Teachers?
For anyone who doesn't already know, I'm taking classes at the local community college so I can switch careers and get into a more stable profession. I love doing interior design, but I have been laid off from two separate employers within a 2 year span. I just can't handle worrying about getting laid off from a third. So I'm getting a degree in Phlebotomy, which is a pretty in-demand profession right now and it's in the medical field, which we all know is about as stable as professions come.
Anyway, I'm taking five classes this semester. Two online and three on campus. After this it's just my short six(ish) week internship, and hopefully I'll get a nice full time position at some clinic in the area.
If it were only THAT easy...
So far this semester, two of my classes have already started: English and Psychology. And they're both online courses. My English class has been troublesome. I usually have no idea what the instructor is trying to convey in his assignment descriptions. And it's not just me. Mike has no clue either. And I know that other students aren't understanding the instructor either. I've already gotten an email from another student asking if I knew what was expected in one of the assignments. Did I mention this is actually a communications class? How can you successfully teach communications if you can't clearly communicate with your students?!? The instructor seems like an okay guy (from what our little correspondence has shown) but I think it takes a very articulate kind of person to teach an online course... you have to be able to clearly explain what you want your students to do (in writing), without confusion. The instructor did post in his welcome letter that he is constantly working on improving the clarity of the instructions. So I get the feeling that, over the years, he has become too involved in it. He needs to step back and look at the instructions for assignments from an objective point of view. As if he is a student and is looking at the instructions for the first time.
On the other hand, my psychology class that was supposed to have started on Sunday has yet to begin. Most online instructors make the course content available to students a few weeks in advance of the actual start date of the class. This give students the ability to get a jump start on the assignments. But after checking in everyday for two weeks, there was nothing. So on the start date, I emailed the instructor to ask him if maybe I was doing something wrong. (Even though I know it wasn't me.) I got a response saying that he was having technical difficulties and that he hoped to have the course available sometime this week. I get the impression he didn't start putting the course together until the eleventh hour. I mean seriously, he had weeks, if not months, to make sure his course would be working online. Why did it take until the night of the start date for him to realize it wasn't working? Instructors at any school, elementary, high school, or college always emphasize the importance of keeping up with the work and not procrastinating. So why do we as students need to just roll over and take it from the teachers when they don't heed their own advice? The only thing keeping me from going to the dean about this is the fear of getting on one of my teachers' bad sides. However, if the class isn't loaded in full by this Sunday (one week after the start date) I'm taking it up with someone.
Anyway, I'm taking five classes this semester. Two online and three on campus. After this it's just my short six(ish) week internship, and hopefully I'll get a nice full time position at some clinic in the area.
If it were only THAT easy...
So far this semester, two of my classes have already started: English and Psychology. And they're both online courses. My English class has been troublesome. I usually have no idea what the instructor is trying to convey in his assignment descriptions. And it's not just me. Mike has no clue either. And I know that other students aren't understanding the instructor either. I've already gotten an email from another student asking if I knew what was expected in one of the assignments. Did I mention this is actually a communications class? How can you successfully teach communications if you can't clearly communicate with your students?!? The instructor seems like an okay guy (from what our little correspondence has shown) but I think it takes a very articulate kind of person to teach an online course... you have to be able to clearly explain what you want your students to do (in writing), without confusion. The instructor did post in his welcome letter that he is constantly working on improving the clarity of the instructions. So I get the feeling that, over the years, he has become too involved in it. He needs to step back and look at the instructions for assignments from an objective point of view. As if he is a student and is looking at the instructions for the first time.
On the other hand, my psychology class that was supposed to have started on Sunday has yet to begin. Most online instructors make the course content available to students a few weeks in advance of the actual start date of the class. This give students the ability to get a jump start on the assignments. But after checking in everyday for two weeks, there was nothing. So on the start date, I emailed the instructor to ask him if maybe I was doing something wrong. (Even though I know it wasn't me.) I got a response saying that he was having technical difficulties and that he hoped to have the course available sometime this week. I get the impression he didn't start putting the course together until the eleventh hour. I mean seriously, he had weeks, if not months, to make sure his course would be working online. Why did it take until the night of the start date for him to realize it wasn't working? Instructors at any school, elementary, high school, or college always emphasize the importance of keeping up with the work and not procrastinating. So why do we as students need to just roll over and take it from the teachers when they don't heed their own advice? The only thing keeping me from going to the dean about this is the fear of getting on one of my teachers' bad sides. However, if the class isn't loaded in full by this Sunday (one week after the start date) I'm taking it up with someone.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
July 1st, 2011
I'm putting us on a 300 day plan. 300 days to move out of this house and into our own place... whether that be an apartment or rental house. July 1st, 2011 is actually 302 days away, but that's the day that I'm aiming for. It means that we will be celebrating Leilani's 2nd birthday in our own place, as it should be. To be able to make this happen we will need to:
1) Both have graduated from school.
2) Both have full time jobs.
3) Have very little debt.
I think this is manageable. I'm going to start my internship in January (hopefully) and Mike should start his in May or June. Mike's timing regarding his internship may be the biggest potential setback but I'm hopeful that he can get in and started and get hired on full time.
This has been a long time coming. When we moved in here, we originally said it would be for 2-3 years max. It's been about 3 1/2 years now. We have just had bad luck and setback after setback. It's been really hard for me especially, going from a beautiful 2 bedroom townhouse that I loved into, basically, a small studio. And I have always hated having roommates (with one exception), and this experience has been like having a roommate that is always around. But knowing that I can put a time line on living here makes it easier.
So 300 days... let's start the countdown.
1) Both have graduated from school.
2) Both have full time jobs.
3) Have very little debt.
I think this is manageable. I'm going to start my internship in January (hopefully) and Mike should start his in May or June. Mike's timing regarding his internship may be the biggest potential setback but I'm hopeful that he can get in and started and get hired on full time.
This has been a long time coming. When we moved in here, we originally said it would be for 2-3 years max. It's been about 3 1/2 years now. We have just had bad luck and setback after setback. It's been really hard for me especially, going from a beautiful 2 bedroom townhouse that I loved into, basically, a small studio. And I have always hated having roommates (with one exception), and this experience has been like having a roommate that is always around. But knowing that I can put a time line on living here makes it easier.
So 300 days... let's start the countdown.
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