First, some good news. I got a perfect score on Psychology Exam #4. Again.
In Creative Writing, I recieved a grade so good on my paper that I was bouncing around like an excited little kid. This paper is 25% of our grade, and I knew that Matt had flunked it, and apparently others had as well because the professor announced he would allow re-writes. I've been worried since. But I got my paper back today with a circled letter A on it, with this comment:
I am so, so happy about that.
Also, it is snowing. Beautiful, could-not-be-more beautiful snow. It's absolutely dreamy.
For the bad side, I've suddenly realized that my peaceful semester ending is not peaceful at all. Whoa, am I overwhelmed. In Creative Writing, for example, it was just explained to me that "EITHER YOUR SECOND PAPER OR YOUR PORTFOLIO IS DUE TODAY" actually means we have to do *both* a five page paper, *and* a portfolio.
The problem with the portfolio is many. For one, I am an assignment behind, meaning to start with I need to write another five page fiction story pronto. Then, two of my poems and two of my prose writings need major revision so that I can include new and improved versions that reflect enough thought, effort, and craft to earn me a good grade for this which weighs at 30% of my grade. This is going to take time and thought that I don't feel like I have.
If you'd like to help, please contact me. I would like as much feedback as I can get on my poems and stories so that I have ideas for revision. I would greatly appreciate any feedback you can give, and I do mean you, whoever is reading this, please, please consider helping. Leave a comment or email me.
Finally I have some things for my senior seminar class to wrap up, including a massive project that is overdue. That's a priority. Focusing on my writing is a priority. Getting in touch with my attorney about the kids' situation is a priority. Cleaning my house is a priority; tomorrow--a day off, finally!--the kids and I are putting up our tree, doing crafts, and spending a nice holiday day together. But pn my day off I have to be dressed professionally, resume in hand, to do a videotaped and analyzed mock interview for class at 9am. I have a meeting to attend and the newspaper to proofread after that, plus I really need to run to the store. I've been out of bread for weeks and I scarcely eat outside of leftovers at work. Also, a friend is coming over Saturday night. I really need to clean. But like today, I got up, did schoolwork, ran to school, ran to the bank (they don't like it when your account reaches zero), ran home, and now I've got to run to work. I won't make it home until 9pm and I'll be tired.
I just reminded myself, though, that I've been through this before. Many times before. And yes, it seems impossible and it feels stressful, but I always manage, don't I? I always accomplish it in the end. So I'm going to do my best to keep my fretting to a minimum. It's a particularly lovely holiday season for me. I'm not sure why, but it feels happy and peaceful and all the things it should. When I'm at work with where the Christmas trees are up and tChristmas music is piped throughout the building, I'm doing my part to assist the elderly and I feel good. I need to focus on helping others, pretty snow and other blessings and trust that I can manage school, work, home, and family. Because I can.
Dear Mandy,
I am very glad that things continue to work out for you. You are taking on a lot of projects and/or duties at the same time. However, having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.
I am an old, retired, nut case. If you would like, I would be honored to review your works.
Once again, it is great that things are moving up for you. Not by dumb luck, but by your own personal strength.
Very Sincrely and Respectfully Yours,
- Chuck
Such a tizzy. Good work on the paper! Better get some good coffee and an extra quart of lamp oil, as you will have to burn up as much of it as you can to do evertything. You have some good pieces you can pull from your blog. I remember "Alcohol" to be stellar and insightful, beyond your years. It is your work, so pull it into the portfolio, quick, Let me know what to do to help if I can. I am back in Western Kentucky. Probably for Christmas and January. But if it starts to snow here I will get a blow dryer and make it all go away.