Discombobulation

Dear Diary, I haven't written for a while because I have become totally discombobulated. This is because my life made a quick change. My dream job just became full time, so now I have become not only a full time student, but a full time employee; thus I am discombobulated. This is my definition of the word discombobulation:
dis/com/bob/u/la/tion: Origin: Derived from an extreme amount of stress.
Dis: Disfunctional. I have become disfunctional trying to manage my time.
Com: Calm. I am no longer calm (not that I ever was, but now the situation has escalated).
Bob: The motion my head makes when I am trying to pay attention in class after staying up late doing homework.
U: You cannot understand discombobulation unless you experience it.
La: Lay. as in I want to lay my body down to sleep. (desire usually occurs around 3:00 p.m.)
Tion: Shun. The response I experience from others when I am discombobulated. Others may tend to find me annoying.
Please be patient as I deal with this affliction. I'm sure I will eventually get over it.
Anyone else have a definition?

Homecoming!

Dear Diary, I attended my first social activity since returning to the University... a pep rally for homecoming week! It was very exciting. Of course, I didn't have to go alone (I don't know that I would have the courage to do that), I took my husband with me. He was a very good sport about it and patiently watched the cheerleaders and dance team perform (he watched a lot of dancing when our daughters were growing up, probably enough for a lifetime) and he bought us matching homecoming T-shirts. (Special!). I was really bummed out that we didn't get to go to the dance because we had an out of town commitment, especially since I had a date. (I am sure I could have coerced my husband into going). Well, not to be too disappointed, there's always next year (I probably couldn't have fit into a slinky dress anyway).

Self Analysis

Dear Diary, I discovered two disturbing things about myself today. I realized one all by myself, and the other I learned through requested feedback. First of all, I was very nervous because I had two tests today. Last night when I was studying, I became so frustrated with trying to remember facts, that I began to cry. After some tearful moments and mumblings about dropping out of school, I fell asleep. This morning, I woke up a bit more confident, went to school and took my tests: however, I discovered that my nerves were not under control. I was much more verbal in my classes. The more nervous I got, the more I talked. I talked to fellow students before class, I made comments during class, and I talked to students after class. My chatting was incessant. I raised my hand to answer every question the professors asked, and I was anxious to know about the lives of all my classmates and to tell them all about my troubles. If I had been in second grade, I would have most likely been sent to the principal's office for time out. Now that I have discovered this about myself, I will put some duct tape in my backpack for use on test days to keep myself quiet. Secondly, I learned my health age is 61. My Wellness Dynamics Class inspired me to seek feedback at a local gym concerning a workout program. After I was through with the assessment (I was still chatting incessantly, because my nervous system was still in overdrive), I learned that for as little as $50.00 per session, I could benefit from personal training. The assessment was done on a computer program, which draws a little picture for you of how your body looks based on your current weight. Well, I looked nine months pregnant. It was disgusting. The trainer was worried because when asked to rank my motivation on a scale from 1-10, I said that I was only motivated at an 8. You see, not only do I chat incessantly when I'm nervous, I also can eat as much as a pro linebacker for the NFL. Anyway, I really do want to stop being obnoxious and to look better, I just don't know if duct tape and $50.00 per session will be enough to get the job done.

Harvest Holiday

Dear Diary, I haven't written for a few days because we had a break from school. The ironic thing is that we held school on Columbus Day... you know, in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. State agencies and the banks were closed, but we continued to learn. However, our learning came to an abrupt halt so that individuals could participate in the deer hunt aka Harvest Holiday. Now, I am not a hunter. The thoughts of tramping around the mountains in freezing cold weather, wearing camouflage and bright orange, hoping not to get shot by another hunter, but to shoot Bambi instead, does not personally appeal to me. I do not dislike individuals who are hunters, though. I guess shooting Bambi is no different than killing Bessie the cow or Mary's lamb. We all have to eat. And I am grateful for a holiday from school no matter what the occasion.

Me and Technology

Dear Diary, I think one of the toughest challenges of going to school is dealing with the changes in technology. When I first attended the University in the olden days, computers were a relatively new concept and filled an entire room. There was no internet: google, facebook or e-mail (oh my gosh how did we survive?). All research had to be done in the library and then typed on the typewriter, now a thing of the past. There were no worries about uploading, downloading, or retrieving files. You just shoved in the paper, hit the carriage return and prayed you didn't make mistakes (unless you had a self-correcting typewriter). It took weeks to research and compose a college paper; one which can now be created, spell checked, embellished with pictures and printed in a matter of hours. This technology stuff is still hard for me, though I think I'm getting pretty good at it. Still at times I struggle, and then I have to call one of my children on my cell (it takes me too long to text). I know this annoys them. I am amazed they even answer the phone (they are probably hoping that I have inherited some fortune and am going to split it with them; that could be the only reason they don't let me go to voice mail). Anyway, bless their greedy little hearts, they do answer the phone, and rather pleasantly. "I need help", I say. Long pause. I know they are thinking, "not again." "How do I download a file to the F drive on the University's internet sight?" Now they are not so pleasant. Child #1, Master's Degree in Business says, "Mother, you should know this by now. How do you think you do it?" (if I knew how I wouldn't be asking) "Never mind," I say and call child #2, who just finished law school. "Well he says, define download. Maybe you want to upload it?" I say, "What's the difference?" "Why don't you look it up?" Argumentative little bugger. I say, "talk to you later." I call #3, my oldest who is also well educated, but has learned patience with me. He talks me through it, I thank him. (I am remembering that kid in my will, which by the way I prepared on my computer, so I hope I saved it correctly).

Wellness Dynamics

Dear Diary, This semester, I am taking a class entitled Wellness Dynamics. This is actually a very helpful class. I thought I would share what I have learned so far. First of all we studied the seven components of wellness. These include the areas of spiritual, educational, intellectual, emotional, occupational, physical, and social health. So far, I have learned that going back to school is probably contributing to to most of these areas in negative ways. I find myself too tired to go to church and socialize, I have cut my work hours and also my income in half and I am eating a lot more sugar, drinking more caffeine, and feeling a lot of stress. I am contributing to my educational and intellectual well being, however, as I am learning why I have high cholesterol, that my resting heart rate is abnormal, and that I am not exercising enough. On the positive side, I have learned that even though I am over 50, I can still keep my muscles from atrophying and that I definetly do not want to use steroids, because I already have enough hair on my face. Looking ahead in the book, I find hope, because so far I don't have cancer or diabetes, I am not a drug addict and I don't have any STD's. If I can just increase my flexibility, form a good plan for nutrition and achieve a healthy weight (yeah, right), I may become a responsible health care consumer and live through the semester.

Shout Out

Dear Diary, Today I have finished week number seven of my first semester of being a full time student. I have been thinking that I have been pretty much consumed with myself these past few weeks, i.e. my appearance, wanting to fit it, feeling sorry for myself blah, blah, blah. As I walked around campus today and attended my classes, I really didn't notice anyone's hair, shoes, or backpacks, but tried to pay attention to what my fellow students were doing and feeling. I felt some deserved a shout out so here goes:
To all you moms attending school....You deserve a medal of honor. You nurture your children and do your homework. You juggle textbooks, bottles, and diapers. Kudos!
To the Veterans back from active duty and pursuing a degree....I can't thank you enough for keeping me safe. You were putting your life on the line while I was worrying about what to make for dinner.
To the Students who overcome physical and pyschological handicaps....You are inspiring! You make the best of your circumstances and are pursuing your dreams. My character is superficial when compared to yours.
To my Professors....Thanks for becoming teachers and for your wisdom and encouragement. (a little less homework would be appreciated).
Last but not least....
To my Comm 1010 and my Engl 2010 classmates....Your acceptance and friendship mean so much! Thanks for laughing at my jokes, saying hi to me on campus and sharing your thoughts and insights.
Until next week.....