jakebe: (Default)
The past couple of weeks have been chock-full of trying to settle in to the new apartment, and writing my research paper for my English composition class. Between the two, I haven't had a lot of extra time to do...well, much of anything. Now that the paper has been written and we're a bit too sick to do much unpacking at the moment, I thought I would check in and catch up with things.

My English composition paper was on the parallels between the story of the Trask family in East of Eden and Steinbeck's personal fears about his clan at the time. It was actually pretty interesting to write about, but I was knee-deep in moving most of the time, and it was a bear to get down to the library. Ah, yes, I remember this: making excuses for my horrible essay-writing skills. College, how I have missed you. :)

Nonetheless, I think the paper turned out all right. The professor turns out to be a very easy grader, so I didn't put in the work that I could have making it great. I'm not ashamed to admit this (even if I should). I have a feeling it might bite me in the ass later; in fact I'm certain it will. Hopefully I can balance out this semester's laziness with self-study between the semesters. I really want to bone up on my grammar and trying to figure out my personal writing process before I take a class that requires more (and better polished) essays.

Next semester I'd love to take a mathematics course, but I'm not sure which side of the pool I should jump in to. There's Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry, Calculus, Finite Math, and a few other things. There's a cop-out course called Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Student that actually looks interesting, but I also know that [livejournal.com profile] bloofox would never stand for such shenanigans.

I'm waffling between Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology and Philosophy for my other class (I'm debating whether or not to even take a second class), though I'm leaning towards Anthropology and Sociology. There's just something neat about the concept of mass applied psychology and I'd love to get into it a little more.

Ryan and I are settling into the new place pretty well. I fell in love with our bedroom, which is this wonderful little hidey-hole in the back of the apartment hidden by a lot of doors. The living room is shaping up nicely, even though it doesn't have the books and art yet. We've had a bit of a lull in our unpacking because I got sick with some lame chest cold and then gave it to him. He's wheezing with me through Oliver and Company as we speak. :)

We've transitioned into living alone together really well. We're so comfortable with one another's habits that it's no big surprise we have. Married life is wonderful. :D

Speaking of marriage, we went to the "No on Prop 8" rally in downtown San Jose with [livejournal.com profile] cooner and [livejournal.com profile] fuzzybearca, whom we ran into entirely by accident. Awesome! :D The vibe was really great; folks were happy and hopeful despite this huge setback, and the one counter-protester was only politely heckled with quickly-made signs before police escorted him away.

I'm very hopeful about the cases going to court about the legality of Prop 8. Both sides want a quick decision by the Supreme Court, so hopefully we'll know by the beginning of next year what's going down with everything.

We're headed into the holidays, and all of the craziness that's coming with it. This is my favorite time of year, without a doubt. It only sucks that I'll have almost no discretionary income to actually buy a lot of presents. I hope people don't mind a batch of home-made cookies for presents or anything.

Long story short, I'm content and moving along pretty well. There've been setbacks with exercise, reviews and writing, but it's nothing that I can't handle. :)

Weekends

Aug. 24th, 2008 06:40 pm
jakebe: (Pride)
Weight This Week: 173.2 lbs.
Weight Last Week: 175.0 lbs.
Change: -1.8 lbs.

Time: 11 minutes
Distance: 1.02 miles
Top Speed: 6.5
Calories: 121

Chest Press: 100 lbs.
Bent Arm Cable Pulldown: 45 lbs.
Stomach Crunches: 30
Push-Ups: 25

I've lost three pounds in two weeks, but I don't really trust the readings. 173 lbs. is still within my 'normal' range, so I won't be convinced that I'm getting the weight loss thing down until I start flirting with 165. Nonetheless, I'm continuing to make gains with weight training, even though since I've upped the exercises my arms give out before I can hit 30 push-ups.

I couldn't make thirty minutes today because I started wheezing way too early on the treadmill, and it felt like my chest was tightening up. It was kind of alarming, to be honest. I'm pretty sure it's dehydration; I've had scads of coffee and alcohol this weekend, without much water. Woops. ;) I really need to get to the point where I'm OK drinking water from the tap; I've gotten spoiled on free bottled water from Adobe.

Elsewhere this weekend I've been really productive. I took my college placement tests on Saturday and did pretty well on those, though this is community college we're talking about. The math test kicked my ass a little bit (but I've rediscovered the joy of algebra and trigonometry, hooray!), but apparently I did well enough that I can take any beginner's math course I want.

I registered for English Composition IA, which is the highest beginner's course they have. I'll need to make an appointment with a counselor this week, though, to explain my situation and see if I *need* to transfer my credits over from St. Mary's. The way I see it, I would rather have a fresh start at secondary schooling, and I'd like to not mess with all that business unless I have to. If I can get away with it, I'd gladly take English Comp I over again; I don't mind taking the refresher course to get me back into fighting shape, as it were.

One thing this has re-awakened in me (in a hurry, I might add), is that perfectionist tendency, that desire to do extremely well. I scored a 97, 90, and 87 on my three English tests and I was *disappointed*. I miss that. :) I know I can do better, and I like pushing myself. I just forgot I did.

Went to the comic book shop and dropped a lot of money in celebration; Illusive Comics, my local store of choice, went from being "OK" to "Fantastic" because of their sale, their owner, and the fact that they gave me a...beverage...when I asked for one. If you're local and you're into comics, I recommend these guys. They're in Santa Clara on El Camino Royale, right next to Amal's Juicy Burger.

Comic reviews will be coming again in the next day or two.

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