Guess what I got today! OK, don't really guess. I got an official copy of my transcript. The news contained, while not great, was actually better than I'd expected. My last two semesters didn't count at all (Fall because I got a "trauma drop" of all my classes because of the bus accident...and I think I would've failed them all anyway, and Spring because my Dad never paid the tuition and I was never officially enrolled in any classes). Financially that sucked, but it's a lucky break because I don't have two straight semesters of F's on there. Even with that "good" news, I still left with a pretty dismal 2.2 GPA, and only 82 credits completed.
But the transcript provided some good laughs for Scott and me this afternoon. I mean, I don't remember taking Arthurian Legend (D) or Astronomy (B-), but apparently I did. I vaguely remember Genetics, Ecology and Evolution (B), which was basically a re-hash of AP Bio. Scott was dismayed to learn that I got a D in Criminology, but I did get a B+ in Intro to American Criminal Justice 2 years earlier (which I also don't remember). Honors Freshman Comp? B+ Three semesters of Italian? C, C+, C+. My proudest semester was the last one I passed: Summer of '99, when I got a B+ and an A in two 400-level communications classes and an A- in nutrition.
Mostly, looking at the transcript just makes me sad. My priorities were never what they should have been, and that I passed any classes at all after my Freshman year shows how damn smart I was, because I almost never went. And having taken 11 years to dig out of the financial catastrophuck I left behind, I wish that I could go back and smack some sense into my 18-year-old self and also go back and (while not blaming them) tell my parents to force me to show them my grades at the end of the semester.
But that's enough of looking backwards. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to start taking classes again in January, though thinking about it for more than two minutes at a time makes me nauseous. I'm hoping that the re-applying process is quick and painless so that I can actually make plans (and find out how much more I have to go) instead of this purgatory I'm in now.
27 July, 2011
26 July, 2011
Definitely Not Free, but Clear
So...I spent $2,520 today and am having a bit of buyer's remorse. Perhaps because I don't have anything to show for it. Literally nothing, not even a receipt!
Actually, more than buyer's remorse, I have a little bit of pride and a lot of cautious optimism. Pride, because I have officially paid off every last cent of college debt (two years after I found out about the last 252,000 cents I owed) (and not counting the personal loan that I got two years ago, which still has almost three years left on it). Cautious optimism because I no longer have any financial holds on my transcript, which means I'm free to continue my education. There is a hold on there, but I just needed a note from the DoE that said my Perkins loans were paid off. They said they'd fax it over to Penn State in two business days.
Would you like to hear the ironic part?
After a few hours of Google searching (that's how one picks a school nowadays, right?), the most intriguing degree program I found is from Penn Freaking State's online campus! At least most of my credits would transfer... theoretically... if I were to be accepted... and get some more lovely student loans that I promise not to default on as long as I live, so help me God. Anyway, I'm still looking, and I'm not going to talk more about the degree or anything until I have a plan in place. You know, a plan that will cost more money and take more time and brainpower than I've put in to anything in about... umm... ever.
But, you know, cautious optimism.
*vomit*
Actually, more than buyer's remorse, I have a little bit of pride and a lot of cautious optimism. Pride, because I have officially paid off every last cent of college debt (two years after I found out about the last 252,000 cents I owed) (and not counting the personal loan that I got two years ago, which still has almost three years left on it). Cautious optimism because I no longer have any financial holds on my transcript, which means I'm free to continue my education. There is a hold on there, but I just needed a note from the DoE that said my Perkins loans were paid off. They said they'd fax it over to Penn State in two business days.
Would you like to hear the ironic part?
After a few hours of Google searching (that's how one picks a school nowadays, right?), the most intriguing degree program I found is from Penn Freaking State's online campus! At least most of my credits would transfer... theoretically... if I were to be accepted... and get some more lovely student loans that I promise not to default on as long as I live, so help me God. Anyway, I'm still looking, and I'm not going to talk more about the degree or anything until I have a plan in place. You know, a plan that will cost more money and take more time and brainpower than I've put in to anything in about... umm... ever.
But, you know, cautious optimism.
*vomit*
14 July, 2011
Slippery When Wet (with blood)
The dentist had trouble removing my last wisdom tooth. The top-left one pretty much popped right out (along with the filling on the tooth in front of it. see you again Monday morning, Doc!), but the bottom-left one was holding on for dear life. This was the least "erupted" of all of them, and the one I was dreading the most, so I wasn't entirely surprised.
I was, however, surprised when he stuck the large fancy dental pliers in my mouth one more time and the tooth popped out like a watermelon seed at a spittin' contest (too... much... time... in... Florida!). I laughed, a hearty single "HA!" at the sight of the dentist recoiling in horror and the click click as it bounced on the floor. It also felt it hit my hair on the way down, and checked for a bloody toothprint when I got home, but there was none.
Anyway, I'm home now, most of the numbness having worn off. I still hate the taste of blood (remedy: lots of water drinking - but not swishing), and am still grossed out by the same things that grossed me out last time. Luckily for me, the tooth I'm having the most trouble with is also on the left side, so I'm thinking I'll be on solid food on the right side faster than I was last time.
For now, bring on the yogurt and pudding! (whilst I enjoy the smell of Scott's lunch)
I was, however, surprised when he stuck the large fancy dental pliers in my mouth one more time and the tooth popped out like a watermelon seed at a spittin' contest (too... much... time... in... Florida!). I laughed, a hearty single "HA!" at the sight of the dentist recoiling in horror and the click click as it bounced on the floor. It also felt it hit my hair on the way down, and checked for a bloody toothprint when I got home, but there was none.
Anyway, I'm home now, most of the numbness having worn off. I still hate the taste of blood (remedy: lots of water drinking - but not swishing), and am still grossed out by the same things that grossed me out last time. Luckily for me, the tooth I'm having the most trouble with is also on the left side, so I'm thinking I'll be on solid food on the right side faster than I was last time.
For now, bring on the yogurt and pudding! (whilst I enjoy the smell of Scott's lunch)
12 July, 2011
One of Those Days
The following happened between 7:00 and 8:00 this morning:
* I walked out of the house, locking the door behind me, only to discover the my keys (house and car) were still inside. This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have a key stashed in the garage.
* I narrowly avoided being hit head-on by a speeding dirt truck who was in my lane "sharing the road" with a bicyclist.
* I narrowly avoided being side-swiped by a convertible BMW merging onto my road off of the local toll road. I recognized this car because he zoomed past me a few days ago on my way in. Apparently road rules don't apply to BMW convertibles. I know where he works...considered leaving a note, but couldn't come up with wording that wouldn't get me fired.
The following happened between 8:00 and 8:30 this morning:
* I found out that the trainer I had scheduled for a class with 6 learners called in, and that I would need to cancel the class.
* The new guy who started yesterday had parked himself in my office waiting for something to do. His stuff was on my desk when I got in, and he literally hovered over my shoulder while I got logged in. He's a nice guy. I blame this morning's little incident on the fact that he is brand new to the company and his manager likes to pawn off work on other people. "Just see Jamie in the morning - she'll get you set up" doesn't fly when his regulatory training is done. OJT is out of my jurisdiction.
While none of these individually were such a big deal, my defenses were down *cough*PMS*cough* and everything together was more than I wanted to handle.
I did have some bright spots, including well-meaning co-workers bringing me some pretzel m&m's, a lunch to celebrate something awesome that happened yesterday (which gave me indigestion...sigh...), and a new electric stapler by the copy machine that has a red light on the front (which I have named K.I.T.T.).
Still, now I'm home with no desire to go back and do it all tomorrow. I'm tired and defeated, and the only thing stopping me from crying my eyes out is the knowledge that I have no good reason to cry my eyes out (tell that to my sad gland though).
And thus concludes my whine. Sorry if you tuned in expecting something interesting or non-pathetic. I hear I'm having my left wisdom teeth removed on Thursday...perhaps that will yield something interesting.
* I walked out of the house, locking the door behind me, only to discover the my keys (house and car) were still inside. This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have a key stashed in the garage.
* I narrowly avoided being hit head-on by a speeding dirt truck who was in my lane "sharing the road" with a bicyclist.
* I narrowly avoided being side-swiped by a convertible BMW merging onto my road off of the local toll road. I recognized this car because he zoomed past me a few days ago on my way in. Apparently road rules don't apply to BMW convertibles. I know where he works...considered leaving a note, but couldn't come up with wording that wouldn't get me fired.
The following happened between 8:00 and 8:30 this morning:
* I found out that the trainer I had scheduled for a class with 6 learners called in, and that I would need to cancel the class.
* The new guy who started yesterday had parked himself in my office waiting for something to do. His stuff was on my desk when I got in, and he literally hovered over my shoulder while I got logged in. He's a nice guy. I blame this morning's little incident on the fact that he is brand new to the company and his manager likes to pawn off work on other people. "Just see Jamie in the morning - she'll get you set up" doesn't fly when his regulatory training is done. OJT is out of my jurisdiction.
While none of these individually were such a big deal, my defenses were down *cough*PMS*cough* and everything together was more than I wanted to handle.
I did have some bright spots, including well-meaning co-workers bringing me some pretzel m&m's, a lunch to celebrate something awesome that happened yesterday (which gave me indigestion...sigh...), and a new electric stapler by the copy machine that has a red light on the front (which I have named K.I.T.T.).
Still, now I'm home with no desire to go back and do it all tomorrow. I'm tired and defeated, and the only thing stopping me from crying my eyes out is the knowledge that I have no good reason to cry my eyes out (tell that to my sad gland though).
And thus concludes my whine. Sorry if you tuned in expecting something interesting or non-pathetic. I hear I'm having my left wisdom teeth removed on Thursday...perhaps that will yield something interesting.
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