I'm not one to focus solely on the crappy things in life. I enjoy when things go my way, as anybody does. I like it when things go well for people I care for. Take for instance, Drew, who has been officially accepted to the Medical College of Wisconsin. I am ecstatic for him because he's worked so hard and really deserves to go to med school. I'm happy for my brother, who after tossing ideas back and forth about what he wanted to do with his life, will be graduating in May from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and, as far as I know, will be pursuing his Masters. That's way more dedication to school than I have. I wonder when we switched roles. I always thought I was the one who wanted to be in school forever. I'm happy for my dad, who seems to have found his niche in Community Theater. And I'm happy for Mr. K, who is almost two years old and is still kickin' (a very big accomplishment for a rat, indeed.)
However, life is never perfectly peachy for everybody, and sometimes we just need to let it all out. So I apologize as this post now turns downward. Here is my rant, in no particular order.
#1 This is the second weekend in a row I've gone outside to leave (both times to go to the library, in fact) and have been greeted by a roadblock and a myriad of runners. When I go over to Drew's place, I usually park my car in a lot at the end of a dead-end street near his building. The street ends because if you kept going, you'd drive yourself right into the lake. The street is also crossed by a footpath that runs perpendicular to it along the lake. Apparently, every time a sponsored run takes place in this city this intersection is along the route, meaning that every time a sponsored run takes place, they block off the street. I'm all for running, but I really question the judgment of whoever thinks it is a good idea to block off the only outlet of a DEAD END street. A street, no less, that has three parking lots attached to it. I know I'm not the only person who needs to leave during these things. Today was even worse because Drew was already late for a group meeting and because of this little mishap, he was forced to walk to the library.
#2 For the most part, I like my classes. However, sometimes my English teacher makes me want to pull my hair out. I'm taking a grammar and syntax class. It's incredibly easy. Unfortunately, my teacher always seems to find a way to make something so easy that it's hard. On top of this, it's completely pointless trying to argue a point because she is absolutely unswaying in her opinions about what the correct answer is, even after being presented with information from the book that contradicts her. It's extremely frustrating knowing that I am right and being treated like I am merely stubborn and obtuse.
I do not claim to know everything there is to know about the English language. In fact there have been things in this class I just didn't understand until somebody else explained it to me. Nevertheless, I do claim to know--and better yet, to understand--many things about the complexities and intricacies of English syntax. Yet, it seems that she has this uncanny ability to oversimplify things to a point that I get tripped up:
"It is a noun working as a possessive determiner."
"So, it's a possessive determiner. You just said so yourself."
"No. It's a noun."
This is completely insane. Yes, that conversation did take place.
I'm not stupid. I understand this stuff way more than a lot of the people in class. Of course, it's only fair to penalize me for knowing too much. Ugh.
#3 On another academic note, it's now the tenth week of classes, and I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in my Sociology of Law discussion who's name the TA hasn't even attempted to learn. It's a little discouraging. Why should I show up to class, participate, and ask questions if I'm otherwise invisible. I guess it's because I'm not a Legal Studies major.
#4 I can never do my laundry when I actually have time to do my laundry. Four roommates, one washer/dryer... enough said.
To end on a positive note, here's a short list of things that have been going well for me lately:
The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately, and it looks like it's gonna stay that way at least for the rest of the week. I guess it's supposed to rain on Saturday, but who cares?! I'm leaving for Florida the next day anyway! Speaking of Florida, I'm really excited. Hopefully the weather will be nice. I'm really looking forward to relaxing for Spring Break.
Drew and I have an anniversary coming up. And I'm talking a real one, not like one of those BS month-iversaries. Mark your calendars. March 26. <3
I am graduating in less than two months! I still don't have a job, but I'm taking things in stride. I'm going to start applying for at least one job every day or every other day (depending on how much work has to go into the application). I think that's doable, and it means I'm being proactive. Plus, I have Rob hounding me to find a job for fall so that I can afford to live in Madison and so that he has a roommate.
My rat is the cutest, laziest little thing on thing on the planet. He is lying down in his little corner of the cage, exerting the least amount of effort possible to drink his water. He hasn't gotten up. He just stuck his head out far enough to reach the bottle. I'm telling you, so lazy. But absolutely adorable.
This has been much longer than anticipated. Thanks for listening.
