Week # 2
So far so good! I am really starting to like my classes, and I am becoming more eager to continue with school. I am looking forward to what the rest of my classes are going to be.
I have also decided that I am going to save money so I can visit Europe. I want to tour everywhere to look at the different architecture, art, history, etc. My professors have been showing slides that have pictures of different places in Europe. I have always been yearning to go! So, all I have to do is save money.
So, this might make me want to get a part time job.
Or, the other thing I was thinking about doing is getting a new car. A Honda Civic Hybrid. Since Ken got his new Hybrid truck, it has made me think about how economical and environmental friendly it is. I wouldn't want anything like the leather, sunroof or navigation. Just the basic model, which would run about $23,000. I owe about $8,500 on my car now and I can probably get around $14-15,000 to trade it in, which would make it a $330 monthly payment.
Sigh. I know. It's not going to happen, but it's nice to think about.
I have been working out every Tuesday and Thursday when I have my 3 hour break between classes. I wanted to go Monday and Wednesday, but I have been lazy. I will have to change that and start going those days. I have been using the sit down bike and the elliptical.
Today I was at the gym for an hour and a half and used the elliptical for 45 minutes. I went 3.5 miles and burned 350 calories. Woohoo! I will start working out longer as well.
I feel great!
So far my first week has been awesome. I definitely need to make a nice schedule of when all things in my classes are due. I know I have problems with forgetting assignments, or procrastinating to get them done. It's homework .. no one really wants to do homework. But it needs to get done. I can't let homework be my downfall. I need to get all A's in my classes to be able to apply to the College of Design so I can continue my education.
All of my classes are really cool. I feel like I am going to learn a lot of useful information in these classes. Most of my classes the grading is really simple. Homework/Attendence + Mid-term + Final = Final Grade. No in-between tests, quizzes or exams. All I really have to do is pay attention, show up and do the homework. How easy is that?
Other than classes I've been going to the SRC to work out. Ok, the past 2 days I went to the SRC to work out. I ended up renting a locker for the semester. I figure once I get things situated, I can bring clothes for the whole week at the beginning of the week and leave them there and not have to carry them with me all day.
I did 40 minutes yesterday on the sit down bike, and about the same today. It's really good exercise and I figure it's much easier than my mountain bike because I don't have to worry about cars or falling off the bike. And if I have to worry about either of those while I am at the SRC, then I have major issues.
I feel great otherwise. I feel like I actually accomplished something in the 3 hour break I have between classes. Although I should have brought a book to read for class, I can always do that at home tonight. But tomorrow.. I don't have classes, so I am going to work on my homeork for next week. Reading and whatnot.
It's kind of fun to watch the other people who go to ASU. All different walks of life. I haven't really spoken to anyone in my classes, I'm not much of a socialite. I just like to people-watch and make little comments to myself in my head. It amuses me.
Shrug. Oh well. Still about 30 minutes until class. I'm going to read a book.
So I am officially a college student, again. Today is my first day of classes. It isn't so bad yet, and I really don't think it will be. I have a lot of time between my first and second classes on Tuesday and Thursday, so I have decided that I will work out at the SRC (Student Recreation Center).
Unfortunately for me, I forgot my lock, so I cannot go today. I am also going to have to figure out a better way to carry my gym stuff around. Right now, I have my clothes in a small grocery bag on top of my books in my backpack. The bad thing about that is that I have to take the bag out if I want to get to any of my books, or my laptop. That just won't do.
I figured out how to get on to the ASU wireless network .. GO ME! .. and so I've just been messing around with school stuff, and writing this blog.
So far, all of my classes are using this online program called Blackboard. I don't recall ever using it, so I've been trying to familiarize myself with it. Ken says that some teachers like to hide assignments and information within different parts of Blackboard, so I'm just rummaging around in it seeing what I can find.
I'm also taking an online course, but I haven't been able to sign in to the course website. I emailed the professor, so hopefully he will be able to help me out on this one.
Ugh. Still over an hour to go. I just finished watching an episode of Prison Break. I'm gonna have to get the other ones from Ken's computer. It helps to pass the time.
Well, I guess I am off to class. It is 12:30. It's freakin cold outside, so it will take a bit longer to walk to class.
Horray!
"When You Come Back Down"
Nickle Creek
You got to leave me now, you got to go alone
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own
Before it slips away
When you're flyin' high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song
That you learn to play
When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down
I'll keep lookin' up, awaitin' your return
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line
Connectin' in between your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire
And I'll be on the other end, To hear you when you call
Angel, you were born to fly, If you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall
[Bridge:]
Your memory's the sunshine every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel, let me help you with your wings
When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
Take every chance you dare,
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down
Man, I have just been in the best mood! Well, I mean, who wouldn 't be?! I 'm ENGAGED!
I still have to go get my ring sized. It is way too big, so I either have to wear it on the wrong finer, or wear it on the correct finger with my promise ring holding it on :) I don 't want to part with it though. I don 't know how long it will take them to get it sized .. a week maybe? I should call some places to see how much it will cost and how long it will take to get it back.
Ken started his new job today at CVL (it 's an engineering firm). I am so excited for him. I know he is going to do awesome there. It 's a company he is really looking forward to working for.
I can 't believe I start school in only 13 days!! Ack!! I am super excited, but a bit nervous. I know I am going to do totally awesome this time around. I have gotten a lot of things straightened out in my life, so I know I am prepared going back. I really want to get school done quicker than Fall 2008. But I don 't know if I can handle more than 15 credits (about 5 classes) per semester. After this spring, I will need 45 more credits. I don 't think there is a way I can cut it a semester short. I will have to look into it. I also need to look into how much longer it would take if I were to go into the Masters program for Architecture. If it is only a year longer, I might stick around and do that as well.
Oh so much is happening so quickly! How exciting!! I love it when things are like this. I am just in the bestest mood ever. Friday is my last day of work, and I have all next week off before school. I don 't know what I am going to do with myself. I need to order/pick up my books. I know that much. I 'll probably exercise - either ride my bike or just go for a walk.
Sigh.
Things are so wonderful!
Picture this.
New Years Eve, Flagstaff Arizona. Ken and I get there around 8 p.m. and grab some dinner at the Olive Garden. Afterwards, we head to the camp site. Oh yes, snow camping. I wasn't crazy about the idea at first, but I thought 'Hey why not?'
So we head to Munds Park, and take the road that goes towards Mormon Lake to hit a camp site that Ken has been to before. But, alas, the road is closed due to poor driving conditions (yes, snow and ice). There is a plowed parking lot surrounded by forest that Ken wants to check out, but I suggested trying another route to get to Mormon Lake.
Ken decides to get off at the next exit to find a place. There is a "road" that leads into the woods a bit. Ok, so it was more like a snowy path that some type of motor vehicle has been on. So he decides to take that for a while, then decides that it isn't be best place to go due to the poor traction conditions. Although we don't find that out until we try to start moving again. Yes, we stuck, but through some maneuvering, we get out, and back on the highway to the first area we found.
So, as Ken finds a decent place to set up camp, I get bundled up and ready to brave the cold. We get the camp set up and go back to get the pillows, blankets and the air mattress. It took about 15-20 minutes to fill the darn air mattress up with air. We finally get everything set up and cuddle inside the tent. My toes were so freakin numb I didn't think they would ever thaw! But they did, and the tent was pretty warm after a while. Approximate time, 1:30 am.
We end up talking and stuff since neither of us were really tired and it was really too cold to sleep. And that's when it happens!! Ken proposed!! Uh-huh, no jokes. I am so happy. There really aren't any words to describe how I feel. I love him so much!
Here are some pictures::
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