Tsunami Watch in California

Due to the after affects of the devastating 8.9 earthquake in Japan. The U.S. west coast is on wave watch.

Some evacuations in San Mateo and Pacifica. Some schools are closed in Pacifica and Marin. People told to stay away from the coastline.

Ferry service to San Francisco is cancelled. I'm waiting for BART to announce they will shutdown subway service. If I can't get on BART, I can't go to work/school. :/

My Crazy Ass Schedule.

It's no surprise I woke up with a 101 fever this morning. I feel torn about calling in sick at work (it's only my third week) and I'm seriously debating whether to go to class today.

Ever since the semester started, I have been running my body ragged. My immune system is shot with the lack of sleep. I have a crazy ass schedule and I feel like there isn't enough time in the day to do anything. Even the basic necessities like brushing my teeth and eating is measured in increments. Here is my day, 5 days a week:

4:35 AM - Wake up and get ready
6:05 AM - Stand in line at the bus stop and freeze my ass off
6:29 AM - Run frantically through the BART station to catch the San Francisco Train.
6:35 to 7:35 AM - Study and do homework on the train
7:35 AM - Drag my heavy backpack up 3 large hills from the BART station to School
7:45 AM - Report for work and I am the first to arrive at the office
7:50 AM - Proceed to do various tasks assigned to me.
12:00 PM - Eat lunch at my desk and study
1:00 PM to 2:00PM - Head to the building next door where my first class is and sit in the hallway and do homework.
2:10 PM - My first math class
3:10 PM - My second math class
4:00 PM - Run across campus to the tram stop
4:20 PM - Catch the K tram to head to the gym
4:45 PM - Change into workout clothes
5:00 to 5:30 PM - Eat a light snack while studying lecture notes
5:30 PM - Yoga
6:30 PM - Zumba
7:30 PM - Change out of workout clothes
7:45 PM - Run to the tram stop to catch the train
8:05 PM- Run to catch the BART train
8:10 to 8:59 PM - Study and do homework
9:15 PM - Catch the bus
9:35 PM - Get picked up by Dad
9:50 PM - Home
10:00 PM - Prepare lunch for next day
10:20 PM - Eat dinner and watch t.v.
10:45 PM - Shower
11:00 PM - Email HopAlong and tell him I love him
11:02 PM to 12:00 AM - Study
12:00 AM - Sleep

See what I mean?

I GOT A J.O.B.!!!!

It's part time work on campus working for the Dean. Part time is all I can handle with 15 units this semester. 2 math classes, Chemistry, and C++...dog help me!

The people I'll be working for are nice and laid back. They even encourage me to study if there is downtime.

Now I can cross off GET A JOB off my 2011 list.

About to Lose My Shit

I've been thinking lately that I got more than I bargained for when I volunteered to help my aunt out with her dialysis b/c nobody else would do it. (My aunt has end stage kidney disease). I never realized how my aunt is VERY DEPENDENT, HIGH MAINTENANCE, AND DEMANDING, she is constantly calling my name which means I havent been able to properly study. Understandble if she were bed ridden, but she is not. If she can walk around the mall and shop for hours on end, I wouldn't label her as an invalid just yet.

She has to watch what she eats and she hasn't been following her diet, doc said I should do all the cooking for her. I have to dress her, clean her catheter site everyday, run back and forth to the pharmacy. Her first month of dialysis will be 4 times a day. It looks like I will have to do the entire procedure because she has done nothing to practice. She refuses to take an iota of personal responsibility which pisses me off.

Last night I studied for my math exam until 3AM. She jarred me awake at 4AM by barging into my room turning on all the lights asking me to tape up her catheter tube against her stomach so it is out of the way. I mean seriously? I thought, "You woke me up for this? Couldn't you have done this yourself?" I did it anyway because I'm not allowed to say anything because she is sick and potentially dying.

On top of that, my dialysis training session is scheduled at the same time as my midterm exam. She really gave me a massive guilt trip about that. What can I do? I have to take my exam! Should I put my life on hold for the next 3 years or however long you are on dialysis? Now I'm starting to worry that this may affect my studies. The professor is annoyed as it is that I'm taking so much time off. This is also a crucial class for me to get into upper division science courses. If I fail this class, I will be set back.

I feel bad for saying this but I feel like my future is compromised here and I can't fulfill my end of the promise of taking care of her. It's like I'm not allowed to complain b/c I'm not the one sick and dying. I feel like I'm being selfish b/c all I've been thinking this week is about passing my exam when my aunt's life is at stake.

I called my cousin (her son that lives in L.A.) and I told him what was going on. Told him I'm concerned that I'm only here for two months but afterwards she will need someone care for her. Since she refuses to take responsibility for herself, I do not have faith in her that she will be able to do the dialysis alone. I told my cousin he should start thinking about hiring a caregiver, particularly someone who is professionally trained to handle difficult patients.

I feel awful for writing this post but I had to vent somewhere because I do worry and care about her. I know she is feeling like crap and is lashing out at others to express her pain. But my cousin said so himself, "She likes to dump her burdens on whoever is there." I'm learning this the hard way.

The home dialysis hasn't even started yet, and already I am exhausted emotionally and physically. I will be a prisoner in the home as much as she is. 4 times a day, every day. :/

My patience is going to be tested to the limit for the next 2 months.

Upset

I am having a really hard time getting into this one particular chemistry class. I tried to register online last week but the system wouldn't let me register for the class because I took it 16 years ago! So I call the registrar and they said I have to go to the first day of class, get an add number from the professor and they will add me.

Chemistry classes are highly impacted and they fill up fairly quickly. By the time the first day rolls around the class is full. So if this is the process of trying to add a repeat course, then who is to say that there is a guarantee I will get in this semester or the next or the next? There is no guarantee. This will set me back god knows how long? Being a science major especially pre-pharmacy the courses are in a series and you can't jump to the next course without taking the pre-requisite of the previous one.

The registar's solution wasn't enough for me. So I emailed the Department Chair of Chemistry and he said I needed to pick up a repeat course approval form from the registrar's office and have it signed by the Dean of Math and Science. Great!

But I look at the schedule and the chemistry class is completely FULL. All the labs and lectures are full. It's now full and classes don't start until mid August!

Sucks for me. This means I'd have to go to the first day of class and attend every lab and lecture hoping the professor has room to add which is a big pain in the ass.

Crap.

Ballet and Tai Chi

I woke up early to practice Tai Chi at the park. Every morning 5 days a week, a group of elderly chinese men and women do Tai Chi. It was beautiful and serene. They were very nice and welcoming too. I love Tai Chi it's so graceful and relaxing. I think Tai Chi at the park will be a regular event for me.

After Tai Chi, I went to my first ballet class. It's very basic ballet. I decided to take this class because I want to strengthen my core for when I do turns in flamenco (turning is my weakness), to improve my balance and become more fluid and graceful. After class, one of the students asked if this was my first class. I told her yes, I've never taken ballet before. She was shocked and said that I picked up the choreography really fast, it took them months to learn it. I thought that was flattering but then again it wasn't really rocket science and it is a beginning class.

I had a half hour break, there was another Tai Chi class right after ballet. Different teacher. I've been taking Tai Chi from this teacher for a month now. He showed us practical self defense application from the poses we were doing. I thought it was really neat. He used me to demonstrate some moves, I felt like a rag doll being flailed about.

So 2 hrs of Tai Chi and an hour of ballet. Now 5 hours of study. Finals in two weeks.

I'm Awesome

because...

1) I was the only one in class who answered a very difficult question right, and I was awarded extra credit points!!! My average is now A+++! :D

2) I'm now able to get through Zumba class without huffing and puffing! AND we were introduced to new choreography which was tricky and I was the only one who got it! Yes, I do believe I can call myself a dancer now. A sign I need more of a challenge.

I'm a BADASS!!!

We finally got our midterm exam back! I got the highest grade in the class!!! I scored 103%! Not only did I score perfect but I also earned extra credit points. Thus, 103%!

Woohoo! Party time!

Exam Day and Sushi

I gave my exam a good spanking today! I owe it all to the sushi!

(via Flippin' 365)

Pet Peeves and Good Deeds

I was very annoyed at people today. This is partly due to the fact I have been sleeping at 4am and getting up early to study for an upcoming exam. Also, because it has been pissing down rain this past week. I have been a grouch monster and it ain't pretty. The littlest things were setting me off today like...

1) People who stand at the BART ticket machine like a deer in headlights for like 20 minutes trying to figure out how to purchase a ticket and people totally unprepared when it's their turn and dig forever in their purse for change. Hello? There are a million people standing behind you waiting to purchase a ticket and will be late for their train hence late for work or school. Can you step aside and get yourself sorted? FUCK!!!!

2) Know-it-alls who spontaneously yell out during lecture. Who gives a fuck you that you read ahead, shut the fuck up and let the professor finish her damn sentences!

3) People who turn up their ipods way too loud so that you can hear their shitty taste in music filling up an otherwise silent and tranquil subway car. It was Swedish death metal by the way. Ugh!


4) People who have no regards for other people's personal space on the bus. Um hello? Your backpack is shoved into my face. Seriously, I got so fed up, I elbowed this person in the back and they fell forward.

Ending on a positive note, on my commute home on a very crowded bus again I noticed the lady sitting next to me was a bit uncomfortable. It was like looking at a mirror image of myself. She was squirming in her seat and could not sit still. She unbottoned the top of her shirt and she was grasping her neck struggling to breathe, I can tell she was breathing pretty heavy with the rise and fall of her chest. She was fiddling with the air vents for more air. This woman was on the verge of hyperventilating.

I asked her if she was ok and she said she didn't feel well. I asked her if she was feeling like she was having a panic attack. She said "YES!" I told her that I can empathize and that I suffer from them too. She was surprised and said it totally sucks. So I gave her some tips about how to calm down and relax which basically means don't fight the panick, just let happen. She miraculously felt much better, her panicky feelings disappeared, and thanked me.

Glad I was of good use to humanity today.

This is What I'm Learning At the Moment...

It's 4:38AM

and I'm still awake studying about the hepatic portal system and the function of hormones in digestion and absorption.

PAR-TAY!!!!

Overwhelmed

I missed school today. I didn't sleep at all last night and have had this problem for two weeks. Everything is hitting me at once for some reason. I don't know why.I feel so overwhelmed with school and thinking about the future, and the long road of school, and the visa process which I haven't even begun yet because I'm still in SCHOOL and I NEED A JOB but how am I going to finish SCHOOL on schedule if I am WORKING FULLTIME because I need a steady paycheck so I can sign the affidavit of support. And how am I going to put in my VOLUNTEER HOURS AT THE HOSPITAL to get into PHARMACY SCHOOL if I'm WORKING FULLTIME. And how am I going to get a HIGH GPA and get into PHARMACY SCHOOL if I am WORKING FULLTIME?!?!?! Blah, blah, blah....This is the chatter in my head that keeps me awake.

When I am overwhelmed, I want to hide from the world. I want to stay in bed with the covers over my head hoping I could disappear. But this just makes it worse.

This is my second week of school and I'm already starting to burn out. I have a shitload of chapters from 5 books to read. I have to read The Wall Street Journal every day from front to back. I have to do a dietary assessment every day. It seems like the hours and hours and hours I spend studying, I feel like I'm never caught up. I'm about to go postal. And missing class today isn't helping my situation.

So, when things get really tough. I always call HopAlong. He always makes everything alright. He sang me a few songs to exorcise the "crazy chatter" out of my head. This is why I picked him.

And to end with another high note, I just came back from Zumba class tonight and discovered that my stamina has gotten better. I also danced like nobody's business. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like a dancer. Good 4 Me.

Quiet

I love the quiet of early mornings. It feels as if time has stopped and I can have the whole world to myself. This is the time of day where my head is at peace and empty; information seeps into my brain with the ease of osmosis. My most productive studying gets done at this time.

FAFSA, FAFSA, FAFSA!!!

I love saying "FAFSA" but I hate filling these damn things out. They're so tedious and boring! But if you want free money for school, you MUST do it! At least I didn't leave it until the last minute like I usually do.

*FAFSA is the acronym for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. American college students need to fill one out every year in order to qualify for grants and unsubsidized or federal loans.

First Day of School

Winter break was officially over yesterday. My first day of school started for the Spring semester, now my nose is back on the grind. I think it will be an exciting semester!

For my nutrition class, we will be using our own bodies for experimentation. It should be interesting. I will learn a few things and at the same time lose more weight in the process, I hope.

Anyways, if you will excuse me, I have 3 chapters to read in 5 different books. Time to get to work!

I'm done with finals! I'm FREE!!!

That is all.

Beautified

I got my hair cut today and this is how much was cut off...



Now my hair looks something like this...


I love it! It's cute and chic. When I showed my hairdresser this hairstyle, she was like "are you sure?" My hair was really long down to my butt! I told her, cut it all off, no regrets here! So she had fun and other people at the salon were nervous for me. Nevertheless she did a great job! I am donating my hair to locks of love. :)


Then I went to Walgreens and Sephora to buy makeup which burned a big hole in my pocket(why does makeup have to be expensive?)...


But that's ok I deserve it because I got this today...

Ass Kissers, The Secret Post Office, and A New Food Find

Word has gotten out that I got the highest grade on the exam. Now people are approaching me asking if I want to be in their study group. There's this one girl who was really weird. She went up to me in the restroom as I was washing my hands and said, "You're in my class aren't you?". "Yes", I said. She then said, "You're my role model! Please help me study for the next exam so I can get a good grade!". Role model? She asked me where I was headed and asked if she could tag along. In my mind I was like, "oh HELL no!". I said I had an important appointment and booked it out of there. WEIRDO!

Downtown was loud and thunderous today. The Blue Angels were tearing up the sky, flying in between the skyscrapers. I went to Macy's basement to look for the secret post office since I had something to mail. Born and raised in SF and never knew about the secret post office. It was pretty neat!

I also found out that Macy's basement has a small food court. And I saw that Rick Bayless has a fast food restaurant here, Frontera Fresco. The first time I fell in love with Rick Bayless was when I watched Top Chef Masters. He is an awesome chef and was responsible for giving regional Mexican cuisine street cred to the gourmet world. He won Top Chef Masters and beat French chefs like Hubert Keller (even though I love Hubert Keller too). His restaurant, Tampolobampo in Chicago, is in my top three culinary destinations. I debated trying Frontera Fresco for fear I may go crazy and blow my diet, but instantly gave in when I read the menu. I had the sweet corn and green chile tamale and a chicken chipotle taco. Man, it was good and the ingredients tasted fresh, not fast-foody at all! The chicken was hormone free and all-natural, even better! The prices are reasonable too! I am definitely coming back here and taking HopAlong with me!

My First Grade of the Semester

I got 53/55! The highest grade in the class! Boo-YAH! I was so afraid having worked in a cubicle farm all these years killed all my brain cells. It's nice to know I have a few to spare.