OT: Update of the Month.... :wavey:
same planet...different world
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
OT: Update of the Month.... :wavey:
Hi everyone :hugs:
Haven't had much to say
in case you've wondered where I've been.
SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW!
SO that's been a bit of a priority.
Signing papers, sorting papers,
getting supplies, renting books, etc.
I decided not to go with the Vocational Rehab
as they KEEP any extra money from student loans
and I"ll be needing that to live on.
You know -
they were just too 'opaque' and downright VAGUE
about that the did,
(with *my* money)
and I was not comfortable with them.
SO!
I'm boring as ever,
and other than cleaning the apartment
top to bottom
and getting everything 'in order'
for the new school year
I've been a bit of a buzzkill
as I get tired really easy
my shoulder OFTEN hurts
down into my hand, elbow, etc.
so I don't sleep well
and that makes me a CRAB.
SO!
I'm around,
am sober,
and have even lost a little weight!
It's the equivalent of taking two chairs
out of the auditorium
but it's a start
after a full summer of watching portions
'eat.real.food.'
and that sort of stuff.
And good old Slim Fast.
My elderly friend
has taken a good bit of my attention lately, as well.
She's not ... herself.
And her dog, while a bit better,
will not ever be 'well' ...
and she knows it.
She Keeps trying to 'convince' me the dog is better,
and it's not MY dog.
It's HER choice, HER dog, HER thing.
I think she considers me a family member
and her family tends to be overbearing
so she 'defends' anticipated arguments with me
before tackling her family.
I just remind her I'm just a friend
and what she does is okay with me.
Her driving has begun to worry me
and I try to 'be around' when she gets the need
to go places that are outside the 'neighborhood'
just because
her top speed is around twenty mph.
So I'm keeping her company
more than usual, really-
because she just needs someone around
who can do stuff, you know?
I use the 'laundry excuse' a good bit
and as a result have the CLEANEST closet in town!
She's saved me a FORTUNE in laundry bills, though.
I've no computer access down at her house
and am usually so tired when I get home
I don't even go online for longer than it takes
to get my mail any more.
I miss everyone,
and will be back as I can!
Love,
Deb
PS-
A week from today (8/29)
I'll have five years clean and sober!
woot.:day6
BARB~!! your post made me laugh.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 31,179
(((Barb))) - so good to see you posting again. I'm so glad your friend has you.
I start school tomorrow, too, but unfortunately am driving to CA for my cousin's funeral. Will have to e-mail instructors to find out what I can do (their all online courses) and can't GET to them until tomorrow or dad and I would have left tonight.
I found out I graduate early next August, assuming I pass the classes. It's really cool to be going to school with you, even though were miles and miles apart.
Happy early birthday, and really glad to see you here.
Love, hugs, and prayers,
Amy
I start school tomorrow, too, but unfortunately am driving to CA for my cousin's funeral. Will have to e-mail instructors to find out what I can do (their all online courses) and can't GET to them until tomorrow or dad and I would have left tonight.
I found out I graduate early next August, assuming I pass the classes. It's really cool to be going to school with you, even though were miles and miles apart.
Happy early birthday, and really glad to see you here.
Love, hugs, and prayers,
Amy
Today is a New Day
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,766
Not sure they'll ship a birthday cake that far, but I can give you the world's easiest homemade cake recipe.
GERMAN POUND CAKE
Ingredients
6 eggs
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of flour
1 cup of oil (I use vegetable oil)
1 tsp of extract (can use lemon, almond, vanilla, orange, or other suitable flavoring)
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (~175 C).
2. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan.
4. Cook for 40-50 minutes. (Test with a toothpick).
same planet...different world
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
Well, got through the first day.
Algebra teach handed out a three page quiz
"just to find out where we're at" says he -
*I did not know how to do ONE thing on all three pages!*
Total freakout - I got up, handed him the page and said
"I think I need to drop this class, I don't know ANY of this."
He sez -
Deb, how long since you've been in a math class?
37 years.
He said-
even if you DID remember how to do it
it wouldn't be valid now
because you're the lost generation of the 'new math'.
Then he gives me a paper with a phone #
for a great tutor.
I was told
(while inching to the door to drop the class anyhow)
that nobody can score that high on algebra entrance test
who has had no form of algebra what so ever-
who doesn't have a natural ability for it.
I told him maybe I just guessed and got lucky.
He is convinced that there's no way.
And I didn't guess-
I just put what looked like it made sense.
he said that I didn't realize
how amazing what I'd just said really was.
(He's right - I don't- LOL)
He said 'algebra isn't math'.
'Not like YOU were taught.'
YOU ... just don't remember how to do fractions and conversions.
SO-
he talked me into going to a second class (LMAO)
So it was a good day other than the TOTAL FREAK OUT.
I went straight to my advisor's office
and luckily-he's the head of the psychology dept.
He talked me down from the self-destruct ledge
for another day.
He reiterated what the teach said
about the unusual-ness of someone who never had it
to come away with such a high score.
This ....
is going to be another 'major life change' thing.
This has been a black spot in my life for all my life.
ANother jabberwoky.
Just like
stopping drinking.
rebuilding my life.
finding and contacting my kids.
It's just another one of those things
that I've always believed I'd never be able to do.
... right?
I suggested to my advisor
that maybe I should let one of my other personalities
take the class.... LOL
He didn't buy it though.
dang.
I'm exausted.
And the evening and the morning... was the first day.
Algebra teach handed out a three page quiz
"just to find out where we're at" says he -
*I did not know how to do ONE thing on all three pages!*
Total freakout - I got up, handed him the page and said
"I think I need to drop this class, I don't know ANY of this."
He sez -
Deb, how long since you've been in a math class?
37 years.
He said-
even if you DID remember how to do it
it wouldn't be valid now
because you're the lost generation of the 'new math'.
Then he gives me a paper with a phone #
for a great tutor.
I was told
(while inching to the door to drop the class anyhow)
that nobody can score that high on algebra entrance test
who has had no form of algebra what so ever-
who doesn't have a natural ability for it.
I told him maybe I just guessed and got lucky.
He is convinced that there's no way.
And I didn't guess-
I just put what looked like it made sense.
he said that I didn't realize
how amazing what I'd just said really was.
(He's right - I don't- LOL)
He said 'algebra isn't math'.
'Not like YOU were taught.'
YOU ... just don't remember how to do fractions and conversions.
SO-
he talked me into going to a second class (LMAO)
So it was a good day other than the TOTAL FREAK OUT.
I went straight to my advisor's office
and luckily-he's the head of the psychology dept.
He talked me down from the self-destruct ledge
for another day.
He reiterated what the teach said
about the unusual-ness of someone who never had it
to come away with such a high score.
This ....
is going to be another 'major life change' thing.
This has been a black spot in my life for all my life.
ANother jabberwoky.
Just like
stopping drinking.
rebuilding my life.
finding and contacting my kids.
It's just another one of those things
that I've always believed I'd never be able to do.
... right?
I suggested to my advisor
that maybe I should let one of my other personalities
take the class.... LOL
He didn't buy it though.
dang.
I'm exausted.
And the evening and the morning... was the first day.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 273
I too took Algebra for the first time since 1982 a semester or so ago.
I remember asking the teacher, umm, when might I have learned this stuff because I don't remember much of it. He said, I don't know maybe 6th grade! YIKES. (That would have been in the 70s for me)
What I can tell you is to use the tutor when you need him or her.
Also, most of the books have the answers to the odd or the even problems in the back of the book. Everyday do a handful of problems and see if you get them right. If you don't and you can't figure out why ask your teacher or your tutor and the once you "get it" practice those.
Do all the steps in Algebra.
Don't skip, even the easy ones as that is where people make careless errors and get problems wrong on the test.
Practice really does help.
I know you are nervous but I have absolute faith that you can do it!
If I did, anybody can
You will have no problems by the end of the semester, do well and feel so accomplished!
I remember asking the teacher, umm, when might I have learned this stuff because I don't remember much of it. He said, I don't know maybe 6th grade! YIKES. (That would have been in the 70s for me)
What I can tell you is to use the tutor when you need him or her.
Also, most of the books have the answers to the odd or the even problems in the back of the book. Everyday do a handful of problems and see if you get them right. If you don't and you can't figure out why ask your teacher or your tutor and the once you "get it" practice those.
Do all the steps in Algebra.
Don't skip, even the easy ones as that is where people make careless errors and get problems wrong on the test.
Practice really does help.
I know you are nervous but I have absolute faith that you can do it!
If I did, anybody can
You will have no problems by the end of the semester, do well and feel so accomplished!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 10,182
Oh boy, do I remember the abysmal math score I got when I first tested for college 21 years ago. I had been out of school for 12 years at the time.
I got put in beginning algebra. I found a study partner, who just happened to live across the street from me, and we slogged our way through it.
Then I took intermediate algebra, and again, found a study partner.
I had a terrible time "getting it", but once I did, the light bulb came on bright!
Don't be discouraged. We're all there with you in spirit!
I got put in beginning algebra. I found a study partner, who just happened to live across the street from me, and we slogged our way through it.
Then I took intermediate algebra, and again, found a study partner.
I had a terrible time "getting it", but once I did, the light bulb came on bright!
Don't be discouraged. We're all there with you in spirit!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 4,719
Uggggg Algebra! Big hugs for you, Barb. Like Freedom, I tested at beginning algebra and took 3 semesters remedial before I could take college algebra, at no credit.
Here's what I learned from that: its not that hard because it builds on itself. Don't miss a class!
Tutors are amazing! Sometimes all it takes to "gel" is someone else's words. I used tutors for every class.
My experiences in algebra led me into being able to pass 3 semesters of bio statistics in grad school. Even then, I had some tutoring and worked with a study group.
And finally, you won't be the only one struggling in this class. Don't forget that. I don't know what it is about math that makes us all go quiet about struggling. When I got over it and began to ask questions in class, more people started to talk about their own struggles too.
You will do great!
Here's what I learned from that: its not that hard because it builds on itself. Don't miss a class!
Tutors are amazing! Sometimes all it takes to "gel" is someone else's words. I used tutors for every class.
My experiences in algebra led me into being able to pass 3 semesters of bio statistics in grad school. Even then, I had some tutoring and worked with a study group.
And finally, you won't be the only one struggling in this class. Don't forget that. I don't know what it is about math that makes us all go quiet about struggling. When I got over it and began to ask questions in class, more people started to talk about their own struggles too.
You will do great!
same planet...different world
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
Well, I took my paper in today and told the prof about the youtube tutor
and that the other tutor has yet to call me back.
His eyes bugged out
and jaw dropped to hear
I'd gone ON MY OWN and found a source.
And 'taught myself' so to speak.
He let me grade my own paper.
I missed three of 21 problems.
It was the second highest score in the class!!!!!!
He asked me to share what I did
because the whole class saw me freak out on monday.
He let the class vote whether the score should count
and they voted that it should.
WOOPITY-WOOP-WOOP-BOOYAH!!!!!!!!
*I'm SO putting the test on the fridge!*
and that the other tutor has yet to call me back.
His eyes bugged out
and jaw dropped to hear
I'd gone ON MY OWN and found a source.
And 'taught myself' so to speak.
He let me grade my own paper.
I missed three of 21 problems.
It was the second highest score in the class!!!!!!
He asked me to share what I did
because the whole class saw me freak out on monday.
He let the class vote whether the score should count
and they voted that it should.
WOOPITY-WOOP-WOOP-BOOYAH!!!!!!!!
*I'm SO putting the test on the fridge!*
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 273
I feel so happy for you.
It is incredibly empowering to realize that you CAN do it despite all the self doubt!
I love youtube.
I've used it for Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, you name it!
Google is very helpful too.
Don't forget to use other professor's resources.
There is an adjunct at Midland Tech whose web-site I've used for everything. His notes and practice tests for his students were amazing.
It is incredibly empowering to realize that you CAN do it despite all the self doubt!
I love youtube.
I've used it for Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, you name it!
Google is very helpful too.
Don't forget to use other professor's resources.
There is an adjunct at Midland Tech whose web-site I've used for everything. His notes and practice tests for his students were amazing.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: behind the viewfinder...
Posts: 6,278
My most favorite Language of Letting Go meditation has to do with algebra.......
L
Monday, May 9, 2011
You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Learning New Behaviors
Sometimes we'll take a few steps backward. That's okay too. Sometimes it's necessary. Sometimes it's part of going forward.
—Codependent No More
Life is a Gentle Teacher. She wants to help us learn.
The lessons she wants to teach us are the ones we need to learn. Some say they are the lessons we chose to learn before we were born. Others say they are the lessons that were chosen for us.
It's frustrating to be in the midst of learning. It is like sitting in algebra class, listening to a teacher explain a subject beyond our comprehension. We do not understand, but the teacher takes the understanding for granted.
It may feel like someone is torturing us with messages that we shall never understand. We strain and strain. We become angry. Frustrated. Confused. Finally, in despair, we turn away, deciding that that formula will never be available to our mind.
Later, while taking a quiet walk, we break through. Quietly, the gift of understanding has reached that deepest place in us. We understand. We have learned. The next day in class, it's hard for us to imagine not knowing. It is hard to remember the frustration and confusion of those who have not yet caught on. It seems so easy . . . now.
Life is a Gentle Teacher. She will keep repeating the lesson until we learn. It is okay to become frustrated. Confused. Angry. Sometimes it is okay to despair. Then, it is okay to walk away and allow the breakthrough to come.
It shall.
Help me remember that frustration and confusion usually precede growth. If my situation is challenging me, it is because I'm learning something new, rising to a higher level of understanding. Help me be grateful, even in my frustration, that life is an exciting progression of lessons.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation.
You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go
Learning New Behaviors
Sometimes we'll take a few steps backward. That's okay too. Sometimes it's necessary. Sometimes it's part of going forward.
—Codependent No More
Life is a Gentle Teacher. She wants to help us learn.
The lessons she wants to teach us are the ones we need to learn. Some say they are the lessons we chose to learn before we were born. Others say they are the lessons that were chosen for us.
It's frustrating to be in the midst of learning. It is like sitting in algebra class, listening to a teacher explain a subject beyond our comprehension. We do not understand, but the teacher takes the understanding for granted.
It may feel like someone is torturing us with messages that we shall never understand. We strain and strain. We become angry. Frustrated. Confused. Finally, in despair, we turn away, deciding that that formula will never be available to our mind.
Later, while taking a quiet walk, we break through. Quietly, the gift of understanding has reached that deepest place in us. We understand. We have learned. The next day in class, it's hard for us to imagine not knowing. It is hard to remember the frustration and confusion of those who have not yet caught on. It seems so easy . . . now.
Life is a Gentle Teacher. She will keep repeating the lesson until we learn. It is okay to become frustrated. Confused. Angry. Sometimes it is okay to despair. Then, it is okay to walk away and allow the breakthrough to come.
It shall.
Help me remember that frustration and confusion usually precede growth. If my situation is challenging me, it is because I'm learning something new, rising to a higher level of understanding. Help me be grateful, even in my frustration, that life is an exciting progression of lessons.
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation.
same planet...different world
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
The 'breakthrough' came
when I realized
(on a gut level - further than simply 'intelectually')
that this is just another jabberwokky.
All the other jabberwokkys I faced have been defeated.
And I remembered
(intimately - not just a mental note-
took the time to let the FEELING return)
that nothing I would EVER do again
would ever match
the courage it took
to write that first email to my sons
after fifteen years of no contact.
That remains the greatest act of courage
that pales all thrown in my path .... ever since.
THis is DO-able.
This is ALL .... do-ABLE!
That doesn't mean
I'm not going to have to WORK
and keep on my toes
and not let up for a MOMENT.
I'll barely be ahead of the avalanche
like Indiana Jones in front of that huge stone ball-
but the key is FOCUS.
Thanks you guys.
I'm exausted.
Went to the grocery- and the car died.
Had to call my friend to come get me.
I just went inside
and told the manager I'd be back tomorrow.
I'm too tired to freak out about it right now.
I got a ride to school in the morning
and just ...
can't spare the energy tonight.
I didn't know you could be this tired
and still be moving.
Night-night, all!
when I realized
(on a gut level - further than simply 'intelectually')
that this is just another jabberwokky.
All the other jabberwokkys I faced have been defeated.
And I remembered
(intimately - not just a mental note-
took the time to let the FEELING return)
that nothing I would EVER do again
would ever match
the courage it took
to write that first email to my sons
after fifteen years of no contact.
That remains the greatest act of courage
that pales all thrown in my path .... ever since.
THis is DO-able.
This is ALL .... do-ABLE!
That doesn't mean
I'm not going to have to WORK
and keep on my toes
and not let up for a MOMENT.
I'll barely be ahead of the avalanche
like Indiana Jones in front of that huge stone ball-
but the key is FOCUS.
Thanks you guys.
I'm exausted.
Went to the grocery- and the car died.
Had to call my friend to come get me.
I just went inside
and told the manager I'd be back tomorrow.
I'm too tired to freak out about it right now.
I got a ride to school in the morning
and just ...
can't spare the energy tonight.
I didn't know you could be this tired
and still be moving.
Night-night, all!
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