I Should've Probably Thought About This Before Now

It occurred to me today while sitting in BIOL 408: Cell Biology that I really could give a frick about cell biology.  I mean, really.  Cisternae in mitochondria?  Who cares?  Western blots, Northern blots, Southern blots, Eastern blots, blah blah blahts.  This is, of course, perfect timing to check out mentally, considering I'm just one microbiology class away from earning a Bachelor of Science degree in--you guessed it--cell and molecular biology.


I've reached an interesting point in the program, actually.  There are those people, like my new found friend Ryan, who are serious brainiacs (and ipso facto, make me feel slightly retarded in comparison).  This dude is that kid in high school you hated because he got straight A's without doing any work.  I, however, forgive him for being obnoxiously intelligent because he brings me coffee every class.  Plus, he's entertaining.  For instance, when we had to get up in front of the class to present a diagram, he pulled up a circa-1998 jock jams song on his iPhone and sashayed to the podium, so as to make a "proper entrance".  He's also been known to have Tourette's-like outbursts of "I'mabout to make a scene!" or "I know that's right!".  Tonight during a fellow classmate's journal presentation, he busted out, "I'mabout  to knock that gum right outta her mouth!".

Which brings me to the second type of student:  the Idiot.

Thank sweet Jebus for the Idiot, really, because without them I'd probably cry myself to sleep.  I do think it's more than slightly shameful for a senior in college to lack the skills required for an oral presentation.  Yes, sweetheart, you look adorable in your little Ugg boots and freshly bleached hair, but power point slides are meant for bullet points, not the entire journal.  If I wanted to read the journal, I would, well...read the journal.

I'm neurotic today because...
...I can't wait to graduate college, be tens of thousands (!) of dollars in debt, and find a career only slightly related to the BS degree it took me 8 years to earn.  (At least 8...I lost track.)

Physics Will Solve Itself

If ever you receive $200 worth of speeding tickets in one night and find yourself *not* angry, you know you're in a good place.

It's not that I have an extra $200 laying around to fork over to the state of Maryland, but it seems silly to be upset (about being penalized for something for which I'm totally guilty) when I have so much Awesomeness in my life.  Sure, I could (and do) spend time complaining about my miserable 9-5, or the classwork I rarely understand, or the constant challenges of motherhood (or as I like to refer to it, Just-Survive-The-Next-Ten-Years-Without-Major-Catastrophe), but it's important, I think, to just visit Misery...don't take up permanent residence.

Goddess of Universal Compassion

Life is hard.  And interesting.  And complicated.  And beautiful.  I say, if you need to cry, cry.  If you're angry, be angry.  If you're joyful, scream it from the proverbial mountaintop.  Own your emotions.  Allow yourself to be wherever you are...but then let tomorrow be a new day.

Have compassion for others and do good work...and believe good things will come full circle (see: Tara.)  I've been blessed with friends who accept me in all my nerdy, neurotic glory; I have siblings who are my best friends; I have children who respect and admire me, despite my many, many flaws; I have parents who unconditionally and enthusiastically support all the things I get myself into; and I constantly have new people come into my life to show me the value in slowing down, enjoying quiet moments, and focusing on all the Awesomeness of Life.

Be these things to other people, and allow the people in your life to be these things for you.

I'm neurotic today because...
...I have spent the greater part of two hours sipping coffee, philosophizing,  and revamping the blog layout.  I suppose physics will solve itself.