Class is a bit Frustrating

So, here are a few things I'm frustrated about in my class. The lack of participation. I mean really, it's just not fair that during these weeks of group work that two of us have to do everything (instead of having help from the other three.) My group sucks. It may as well just be the two of us. And then... these are supposed to be fun. Yes, they are a learning experience, but it should be fun at the same time. No one is letting loose and having fun with this. Come on... I mean my friend, who is one of the judges this time around, wrote a post critical of the prosecution. And while that didn't thrill me, it was his opinion. And the lead judge had the professor remove it to maintain impartiality. WTF? Isn't he allowed to have an opinion? Grrr... oh and this was after the lead judge left a comment from another member of their group that said, and I quote: "the civilians killed, were they harmed?" (yep, re-read that one more time... I'll wait.) To that I desperately want to answer, "nope, other than that pesky death thing, they are just fine." Good Heavens! Anyway, final briefs are due at midnight... hopefully things will go well for us!

Just an Ordinary Week

This was one of those comedy of errors days. I woke up kinda early, but that's okay, I actually got a lot more sleep than I have lately, so I was feeling pretty good. Then I went to get the mail. I thought it was only rain on the porch. Boy was I mistaken. One false step and suddenly my legs were up over my head and I had fallen on my back. Flat out on my back. Glasses went flying...
I was sharing this story with Lead Momma and the way I described it to her was I must have looked like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls the football away when he goes to kick it... have the visual now? Yep it sucked. I have some huge bruises just all over. Ow.

It's another mock trial week in class. I like these, but sometimes I feel pretty overwhelmed in the classroom. I know it's about my own confidence in myself, but I tend to back down really quickly. Preschool Queen thinks that it's maybe because I'm afraid of offending anyone. Sometimes I think it's because I don't feel like I know what I'm talking about, or rather more like I feel that everyone else knows more than I do. But anyway, today, when I knew I was right, I finally stood up to one of the guys who is forever telling me that I am wrong. It felt good.

My Favorite Medium

I was asked last night what medium really gets me thinking. And once I figured out what was being asked, I knew the answer immediately. It's the written word. Books. And then I was asked to list my favorites. There is of course the love of Harry Potter; but there are so many other books out there that I love...

The Sound and the Fury
Death Be Not Proud
To Kill a Mockingbird
All Quiet on the Western Front

are just a few of my favorites. Yes, I do consider some of these classics as my favorites. And I have to say, it's only because of the amazing teachers that I've had in my life. They made these books come alive for me. So, yes, it's the written word. Because of the schedule I have, it tends to be the easiest way for me to communicate with those in my life.

My to-be-read pile includes Guests of the Ayatollah, Ghost Wars, Londonistan, A Question of Torture, And If I Perish...not exactly light reading. I do have a few books that are simply mindless, but there just seems to be so many important things that need reading...and so little time!

How it's going

I've been working on the gratitude journal; and I have to say...it's pretty neat. Even after having some REALLY bad days this past week, it forced me to find just a little bit of good. And I have. Somehow it makes the bad not so bad. This week has been an incredible mix of highs and lows. (very high highs and very low lows)
Unfortunately, I can't talk about what went wrong this week, and at this point it may even be easier not to. Hopefully the advice I was given by a friend will be helpful in the long run!
We finished our mock trial in class and surprisingly enough, the defense (my side) won. After all the trash talking the head of the prosecution team and I had done all week, I was amazed at how graciously he took the defeat. (although there was some teasing that went along with it...)
As far as the reading for pleasure, I've tried this week...I need to work harder on that one. I'm not sure how much I'll get done, but I must try. I need to stay balanced with what I've got for reading. You can really only read so much on terrorism laws, extraordinary rendition, the UN, radical fundamentalists and human rights before it's just too much...:)
I altered my priorities a bit this week, not without serious thought. I spent a good chunk of time with a friend online; and it's been great. Absolutely no regrets about the fact that I could have used the time to do X,Y or Z in my class. And I think that's an important thing to realize. (now I just have a bunch to do this week!)

UPDATE

Okay so I figured it all out! Finally! YIPPEE! So proud of myself. (Hey, those of us who are technologically not the brightest need to revel when things go right!)

No Longer Behind the Times!

So, I know, I know...Dr Spaz bought me a wireless router for Christmas way back in November. And I've just finally gotten it all set up...I think. Well, I'm sitting on the couch posting from the laptop, so I must have done something right. I just thought there would be a password part and there's not. Hmmm... Maybe I did miss a crutial step. But anyway, I can finally use my pretty new laptop on the couch where it's super comfy! Yeah me!
Oh and with the wireless connection, I've been able to download Skype as well. Have you checked this out yet? The audio part works really well and I'm looking forward to chatting with my friend who told me all about it. Anyway, if you haven't heard of it, skype.com provides free calls over the internet. It's a great way to stay connected with those people who are overseas!
Anyway, this was just a short post to prove that I've finally gotten my butt in gear!
I'll be busy this week, I'm leading the defense in the mock trial we are having in class. This is too funny: as I was lying in bed this morning before I was completely awake, I was starting to formulate ideas as to how I wanted to proceed with this. And I had a bunch of ideas...and was pretty excited about it, until I realized all my planning would be helpful for the PROSECUTION. See, I'm just on the wrong side of these things!
Oh well, off to meet mom and dad for lunch.

Happy New Year!

I have been simply terrible at posting lately. I know! I hope everyone's holiday season was wonderful. I think I probably could have done without them, but somehow I haven't figured out how to make that happen. Anyway, I've survived them and already find myself about 5 weeks into my second class. I'm just loving this one. It's on international law and I'm amazed at how interesting I'm finding the case studies and material that we've been reading and discussing.
Since it is the new year, I did make a few resolutions, and in a hope to maybe hold myself a little more accountable for keeping them, I wanted to post them here. So, here goes:

1. Improve my GPA. Right now it's a 3.0 and I'd like to get it higher than
that.
2. I'd like to work on getting things lined up for a new job once the
degree is finished.
3. I will post here at least once a week.
4. I will read one book for pleasure at least once a month.
5. I will keep a gratitude journal daily. (sometimes I forget that I have a
ton to be thankful for. This will remind me of that!)
So, help me out folks! Hold me accountable for these!

I have been IMing with a guy in my classes. He seems to be very cool, we have a similar sense of humor, I believe. It's been fun for sure. I can't wait to meet him when we have our residency next June. It's almost hard to believe that at this time next year, we'll only have 6 weeks of classes left. This is certainly going to be a busy year! But it'll be over before either of us know it!

I guess that's it for now...I should really be writing the essay that is due tomorrow by midnight. Only 3 more pages to go...enough procrastinating! Until next week!