Mystery of the Day

How did a Canadian dime end up inside my shoe?

Whoever empties my garbage this week is going to see an awful lot of York Peppermint Pattie wrappers.  Maybe I should put them in the big garbage to protect my anonymity. 

Future Grad Students of the World, UNITE!

I have been studying for the GREs for a while now.  I was being diligent back in the spring, but took a break after my grandpa passed away and I just really didn't feel like reading a pointless book that will help me prepare for a test that bears no relation to the degree I am seeking.  The break was extended when I realized that I resented all professors for making my life miserable at work, and considered if I actually wanted to enter into the world of academia.  I finally committed to applying a few weeks ago, and have been diligently (sometimes) studying ever since.  And I am terrified that I will fail.

Everyone has told me that the GREs are easy.  This makes the fact that I am sucking on the math practice tests even more nerve-wracking and embarrassing, since I'm supposed to be smart or something.  It's not that I'm bad at math - I have done just as well in math as language classes.  But the difference between my high school math tests and the GREs is that I got to double-check my answers on the former. 

In case you haven't noticed, I have trouble focusing.  Call it ADD, call it whatever you want, my brain does not go in order.  I don't read word by word - I skip around the entire paragraph until my brain catches up.  On word problems, this can lead to a lot of errors the first time around, but I am generally able to correct it on the second review.  I can't do that on the GREs.

This would be more tolerable IF THERE WAS A POINT TO THIS TEST.  I am re-learning concepts that I used in high school and will most likely never use again.  Ever.  Including in studying for a Masters in Public Health.  Will anyone out there join me in revolting against the company that produces this unnecessary evil??  Or fix my brain before November 14th?? 

Everything But

Scout is making it very hard for me to work on my personal statement.  She is sprawled across my keyboard looking for a belly rub, and how can I say no to that little face?  If you've met her, you know that's not an option.

This was after cleaning the room I'd be working in, because we all know how crucial a spotless workspace is to get the creative juices flowing.  And I had to make a new playlist on iTunes, because I need songs with a very specific beat to keep me energized but not tempted to sing along.  Head bobbing is ok.  Then I needed something from my cupboard, and discovered bottles and bottles of expired prescriptions, vitamins, and some makeup I think I've had since high school.  That stuff is dangerous!  And since I finally found the essential oil I was looking for, I made another batch of deodorant.  I took pictures so y'all could see the process!  I'll post them later, because I really need to work on my application, but let me just say that  coconut and tea tree oil make a lovely combination on the 'pits.  My stomach started growling, so I had to make a snack, because who can think on an empty stomach?  No way to type while eating a sandwich, so I put on What Not to Wear.  OMG, why didn't anyone give me a heads up on the saggy butt on my "dress" pants??  You would think that the polyester pants I bought at Ross 6 years ago would have lasted longer.  There were a lot of other outdated items taking up valuable closet space, so I sorted some for the SPCA thrift store and some for consignment (those that still had some use in there for someone with a different shaped tush).  And now I have no pants.

I'll be sure to highlight my multitasking and prioritizing skills in the application.

Thank you, thank you, we'll be here all night

Me: I'm gonna go hop in the shower.

Dad: I've found that it's more efficient just to stand, actually.

I swore I would never do this...

You know how you saw your parents do things growing up and thought, "I will never, ever do that in a million years?"  That's what I said about the scotch tape on my mom's glasses.  And what has it come to?  Scotch tape on my cheap ugly glasses while I search for frames that will actually fit my face.  I call it, Operation Tiny-Head.  

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO FIND PETITE EYEGLASS FRAMES??

UPDATED**: The Perfect FibroFace* Weekend

1. Loose, soft clothing, since you don't want anything touching you.
2. Kitties that will curl up and keep you company, since a cat nap is about all the REMs you're going to get.
3. Leftovers in the fridge, or takeout if you're actually hungry.
4. A bank of mindless TV shows, or the discovery of a YouTube channel with full episodes of What Not To Wear.
5. A boyfriend who is somehow telepathic, and knows to bring you the salad and smoothie you were craving on his way back from a late shift at work, even though you never mentioned it.
6. Someone (again, in this case, the BF) who can talk you through the string of (not always rational) emotions and freakouts that surface with the collision of FibroFace and the cycle of the moon.
7. The understanding that it will (hopefully) pass in a few days, and determination not to take your bizarre sudden-onset depression too seriously for the time being.
**8. An awesome friend who brings Thai Tea and company, even though I haven't showered and am not totally mentally there!  (Thanks, Cheri :)

*FibroFace (TM) is a term I use to describe those days when Fibromyalgia catches up with me.  I can chase it off for only so long, and after an especially grueling month, I knew it was bound to happen.  Fatigue, headaches, foggy brain, sensitivity to sunlight, pain no matter how you position your body, bouts of nausea, feeling blue...it's the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink casserole of mysterious diseases :)