In tonight’s class our professor had our midterms graded from last week. The total midterm was out of 100 and I originally thought I would be in the B+ through A- range and I am happy to report that I got 100/100.
This should help to ensure my A in the class and help boost my GPA up closer to the 3.5 range that I want to have to graduate.
It’s somewhat typical for me to experience a wide range of emotions throughout the week you could equate my range throughout the week to the emotions that a southern Baptist preacher goes through when getting caught soliciting an undercover male police officer for sex.
I generally can pick myself back up, either by looking at photos of Ricky Martin with his “step brother” or working out. The working has been the most effective way I manage my depression. Not only does it help with my mood but I get the added benefit of a physical change with my body which in turns helps to raise my spirits.
The past few weeks however, the working out or Ricky Martin pictures have not helped pick me back up from my funk. I’ve gotten into fights with friends, argued with someone who doesn’t like me the same way I like him and just generally been very unfocused. The depression almost sent me spiraling back to a state that I have no desire to return to. Fortunately my doctor was able to see me this past Monday and with his help we decided to place me back on an antidepressant. We agreed when I started working out that we would slowly transition out the wellbutrin from my life to see if a consistent work out regimen would take the place of the antidepressants. In the beginning it did help and I felt great but as time progressed I could feel myself slumping back into that dark corner.
The end result is two years of an antidepressant treatment after the two years and a transition off of them I should be fine at least according to all statistical evidence.
Grandma is fine, it wasn’t a heart attack and I am relieved I honestly don’t know how mama t would function with her gone. She still refers to Grandpa’s birthday even though he has passed away years ago. I understand the loss that she felt because I’ve felt it as well. I loved him more than I love my own father, and his passing became a specifically poignant period of my life. I’ve accepted his death and incorporated the good memories I have of him. I just hope that in time mama t can do the same.
Some of the highlights of the past two weeks include a very positive review from work, a decent increase. Surprisingly I actually take more home from this raise other than keep my same take home pay. My benefit cost didn’t increase this year, and as Martha says “that’s a good thing.”
I applied to graduate school. I submitted my application for my MBA this past week. It was unbelievably nerve wrecking and now I’m going through and trying to figure out who to ask reviews and to update my resume to show significant work experience. I initially hesitated on my application to graduate school. Luckily for me a friend and former boss kind of kicked my ass into line and said I’d be a fool not doing it after I graduate. I have the significant work experience, more so than people my own age. I’ve had a great deal of luck with my job at the bank and while there are certainly things that aggravate the living shit out of me. I am gaining the most significant experience to my career.
I do wish to update everyone on one last major event. I’ve paid off my Apple MBNA loan. It was three payments that totaled above $1,500 but that’s one bill down. I would also like to add that no more of my money will go to MBNA and their huge funding of George W Bush or their right wing ideology.
Lastly, Transamerica has made it to good old Ohio and I do plan on going to see it as soon as possible. Brokeback has done exceedingly well at the box office and with their Academy Award nominations.
Typically my commute into work is forty-five minutes with minimal traffic after I get outside of Canal Winchester. Today it took me two hours and fifteen minutes to make it into work.
People in Ohio cannot drive when there’s the least bit of water, or snow on the ground. They don’t give enough room to stop behind you, and for more than half of my drive on 33 I had someone riding my bumper. My entire thought was that I hope he didn’t rear end me. Thankfully he turned and everyone else put distance in between my car and theirs.
I hate to think about New Years Resolutions. I don’t think many people keep them, and the idea of sticking to a plan for a short period of time doesn’t interest me much anymore. However, goals, is something that can be tangible and long-term. That’s why this year, instead of setting resolutions with no hope to obtain them. I will set actionable goals that I can measure myself against. It’s my hope with goals that I will keep with the spirit instead of letting Resolutions slip by my side.
The first goal is simple; continue to pay off credit card debt. The tangible aspect of this goal will be another $5,000 pay off this year. In comparing against my goal last year I did all right, and paid down/off a few cards. This year will be more challenging, where I ask myself if I need something before buying it.
The second goal is to graduate from Ohio Dominican with Honors. I am out of the running for Magna or Summa but I am still in the area for Cum Laude. I need to devote more time to studying and preparing for class. I graduate this year with my BSBA in November and it would be an amazing feeling to have the prestige of graduating with honors.
My third goal is to continue the workout regime I have in place with my trainer and to take it to the next level by working out on Tuesdays and Fridays days that I typically do not exercise on. I must continue to watch my nutrition and be resilient on my task towards dropping my body fat percentage down from an astounding 34.1% to a healthier 10-15%.
My fourth goal of the year is to read one book for leisure outside of the class room setting. I am getting sloppy with my reading abilities and need to sharpen them. This goal has a goal as well; I want to challenge myself not to read all popular Oprah book club suggestions. Dive into areas that I am not familiar with, pick up a few autobiographies, and even read some conservative authors to gain a perspective of their writing.
Lastly my final goal is to continue writing. I understand that my writing skills could use refinement and the only way to capture that refinement is to continue writing as often as possible.
Oh I forgot one last one, learn more about my heritage specifically my Jewish Heritage and if I feel comfortable embrace my heritage if not find a spirituality that I feel comfortable with.
I have started the move to WordPress and my own individual log. Please checkback as often as possible, as I continue to update my page.
**UPDATE** Thanks to Bryan I have made it so my posts show up in my livejournal account too for all of you over there.
Now if I could only get the headerbar to go away..
shawn