The Void

Exams are done. No papers due. No projects to work on. No lab reports, no homework, no concept maps, no study groups, no notes to read, no essays to memorize.

I have no idea what to do next.

There are a million things I have not been able to do- books to read, cleaning to do, movies to watch. But right now I feel this massive empty void, because I don't have any specific things I have to do next. The immense pressure is gone, but I kind of MISS it right now!

I'd love to go enjoy the weather with my new found freedom, but it's cold and wet and gray. I don't have any money, because I missed a lot of work during the last few weeks for exams and while I had the flu. I did dig up some left over gift cards, holiday presents from my students and their parents, so I had a free lunch at Panera Bread yesterday (while in the last throes of anatomy study) and a free dinner from Borjo Coffeehouse after work tonight. I have enough left for one more free/ cheap meal at Borjo.

Good news though: relief is coming on all counts. I am working a lot this week, and summer school starts next Monday. Only two classes, both online: Statistics, and Nutrition. Let the studies recommence!

Testy

So in the natural course of things, it became test time once again. Unfortunately, I have the kind of teachers who prefer a cumulative Final, with the final lecture test happening just before it. I also had a Faerie Festival to work right in the middle of final lecture tests and final exams. I also came down with the flu during the first day of that three day festival. I drove 5 hours to PA on Friday, developed a major sore throat while working that afternoon, felt bad working on Saturday, and went home early on Sunday. I took closer to 7 hours to get home, because I stopped at several rest areas to nap and study- I simply could not stay awake for long.

The flu was a major drawback. I had one anatomy test, one chemistry final and one biology final to study for from my bed. I also was asked to stay home from teaching at the dance studio during the borderline end of my illness, to make sure I did not infect the children right before the recital. I needed to stay home though- to rest, and to study. I did get an A on my Monday anatomy test and in my chemistry course. Biology final was this morning at 8am.

I had previously rescheduled my biology final from Tuesday to Friday (so I'd have more time to study chemistry). I've never rescheduled a final exam for a later day, so I was nervous that something would go wrong. Sure enough, when the teacher walked in he looked surprised to see me, and asked why I was there. I reminded him that I had asked to reschedule my test and that he had okayed it. Turns out, I had an A in the class even without taking the final, so he thought I was going to skip it. (When I had asked him about that option two weeks ago he said to just take the final. Apparently he had not done the math yet at that point.) So I did NOT take the final, and I have an A in biology! I wish he had told me earlier- I could have used the time I spent studying biology for studying anatomy, or for sleeping in this morning- I am ALMOST healthy, but need a few more days to feel normal again.

So, let me know if you'd like me to diagram the carbon or nitrogen cycle for you, or describe important features to keep in mind when designing a nature preserve. In the mean time, I will start to focus on anatomy, my final final.

I made a quick video in honor of not having to take my biology final: