Thursday, January 29, 2009

Acid Indigestion

I got no relief.

The exit exam stopped me. Not only did it wear me out physically and drain me emotionally, but it flat out whipped my butt.

I didn't pass.

The only "bright" spot is that several of my friends will be joining me for the second opportunity to pass. Misery truly does love company.

Now I have to beat the time crunch I set for myself when I conveniently forgot that my application to sit for the bar exam must be postmarked before February 1. I did get the basic application done today with a few exceptions - places where they forgot to put a box for typing on the pdf form. I'll have to get my secretary to finish it on the typewriter for me. Then I must get it notarized and in the mail - along with four money orders totalling $465. It can be done.

I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

How do you spell relief? (Part 1)

I label this part one as it isn't over yet. That comes next week.

Today was my first opportunity to take the senior exit exam at my law school. It was a mock MBE - 100 questions followed by a 45 minute break - then 100 more questions. It was exhausting. And I can honestly saw that I am not sure if I answered any of the questions correctly. Now I have to wait until at least Tuesday to find out if I passed or if I get to repeat this lovely experience again in four weeks.

I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Memories

This morning I got up very early and found Prince 3 to accompany me on an errand. I chose him because he is the handiest of the three princes, and this job needed someone who can wield a hammer or a saw. We met a couple of friends and a dog and proceeded to a vacant, closed school - where I once taught for 19 years.

The place looks like a war zone now, but the memories within it are numerous. I went in search of a special one of my own - wanting of piece of dear old (Blank) high school for my very own.

My dad attended this high school and graduated in 1941. When I was first hired to teach there, I found it ironic that it already had a place in my history. My first day on the job - being an obedient and eager young thing at the time, I proceeded to decorate my classroom - and of course, put an appropriate educational theme on my vast bulletin board.

While placing paper on the board, I noticed the name TERRELL carved into the wall. That is my dad's name. Since this was before cell phones and even before phones in the classroom, I had to wait until I got home to call him and discuss it.

Sure enough, he did carve his name into the wall in that room way back when he was a student assigned to a boring study hall in that very same classroom, just after his shop class.

The old school is slated for demolition any day now. But I wanted just a piece of it before the walls come tumbling down - as well as a chance to be in that room one more time. I decided that the wrecking ball would not take my piece of history - nor will the school board miss that one piece of wall when the building is destroyed.

I am now the proud owner of my dad's carved name from the walls of his alma mater.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Back to the grindstone

Three days.

That's it.

Just three days.

I have been back at work three days after an 11 day vacation. I am still energized and ready to go. I am the first one in the office in the morning and the last one to leave. My work is all done. I even did my secretary's work since she is on vacation.

The question is: Will I still feel this energized after 30 days? or even after 60 days?

Guess we wait and see.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Winding Down

As I savor the last few minutes of my vacation, I have many thoughts about how I spent my time. I know I stayed in bed way too much and was down in the dumps even more.

At this point, I am energized. I had my B-12 shot and I am ready to go back to work. Eleven days off in a row is almost more than I can stand. How did I ever manage teaching with ten weeks off in the summer?

I have a list of at least twenty things that need to be done immediately in the morning. I just hope that I have a few minutes to take care of some of them before the crowd rushes in. We usually have a large influx of new students after the break - and I have to help get them registered. Add the fact that 7 of the 9 students that needed to come for conferences didn't show and will probably show in the morning. And I have hearings that start at 11:30.

It will be a busy day. I'm so ready for it!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

It's Time

I have been so busy since the new year started that I have failed to post. Sorry about that, my friends. I have been on a cleaning spree - not that it was needed, I promise. I just had to do my bimonthly laundry gig and some straightening up. I hope to run the vacuum in a bit. My dog sheds badly, so it is needed often.

I have decided that I will make every effort to be cheerful this year. My depression is showing through way too much in my musings. I have made a few resolutions that I will share with you:
  • I will take my meds on a fairly regular basis.
  • I will make an effort to lose weight by eating less and exercising more.
  • I will try to get my finances in better order.
  • I will make my kids more accountable for their expenses.

And to do all of these things, I have just ordered refills for all of my prescriptions and filled my weekly box. I have placed the "Shapely Secrets" DVD in the machine so I can do it at least once per day. I have registered for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and start next week. And I have handed each of the kids their phone bills, due tomorrow.

Just a few other things that need to be done. Think I'll go make a list.

That is one way to procrastinate against cleaning - make a list of the cleaning that needs to be done.