Monday, October 27, 2014

Sleepy Monday

I didn't have much of a weekend this past weekend.  I spent it at a workshop for college credit.  It actually wasn't too awful, but I missed getting to sleep in, spending time with the chi's, and just getting to relax at home a bit.  Four more days, then I'm off for three - with a TON of homework.  It's always something, and it never seems to end, does it?  lol
Took this from here.

1.  Do you wake up to a CD, a radio, or a buzzer?

I wake up to a very rude sounding buzzer.  Typically, I press the snooze button several times before forcing myself to crawl out of bed and face the morning.

2.  What household chore is your favorite?

I don't have a favorite.  I don't mind doing laundry or vacuuming though.  Those would be the two chores that I dislike the least.  Now if I could only find the time to do them more often...  :(

3.    Describe your day yesterday in detail.

I woke up to the aforementioned rude sounding buzzer, crawled out of bed, let the chi's in and out, gave them their treats, then jumped in the shower.  When I climbed out, I blow dried my hair, put on makeup, got dressed, and finished fixing my hair.  Grabbed my breakfast and lunch out of the fridge, kissed the boys goodbye and told them I loved them, then got in the car and drove away.  I stopped at a convenience store just around the corner and bought myself a cappuccino, which I sipped as I devoured my breakfast on the drive in.  I drove about 45 miles in the rain to the workshop, parked in a parking garage, walked about a block down the street and into the workshop.  

We started by talking a little bit about the two movies we watched on Saturday, then watched a third movie yesterday.  We had a little over an hour for lunch, so I used the time to look up various political candidates and marked them on my absentee ballot.  
Murphy and Stanley will be excited to know I voted for them!

Lunch went quick, and before I knew it we were back to the workshop again.  The lecturer discussed the themes running throughout all three movies, then we talked about the upcoming paper we'll have to write.  He gave us time to think a bit on what we wanted to write about, then we went around the room and everyone gave their topic.  We were dismissed a bit early, so I walked back to the parking garage and drove home in the rain.  I spent not quite two hours with the chi's, relaxing and giving them loves.  

A little bit later, I drove to my mom's house for Sunday dinner.  We ate pork chops, mashed potatoes, and apple sauce.  Later, we had a slice of cake for dessert.  We talked some, but mostly did stuff on our computers when we weren't eating.  The TV was on, but I wasn't paying any attention most of the time.  Then I came home and got stuff ready for today as much as I could, before climbing back into bed to sleep.

What did you do?

It's titled "nasa-space."  It reminds me of when the weatherman is showing what the weather will be like in the coming week.  

Monday, October 20, 2014

What I've Learned This Semester

I make a point every semester to share my wealth of knowledge with you, my lovely readers!  I'm saving you a BUNDLE in college tuition by doing so, so you should be thanking me! 

POLS 200 - Introduction to Politics

This is just an elective.  It's an OK class --  kinda boring, with lots and lots of homework.  I've actually learned this fact before, but had forgotten it. 

Aristotle was a student of Plato, Plato was a student of Socrates.

POLS 398 - Advanced Political Science Methods

This is an advanced stats class, and I *HATE* it with every fiber of my being!  I don't feel like I've learned a damn thing from this class, it's so far over my head!  Luckily I have a friend taking it with me, and he's been extremely generous in helping.  Otherwise there is no way I could possibly pass that class.
This is a multiple regression equation that we used recently. 

POLS 407 - American Policy Process

This has been one of my favorite classes in my entire college career.  It's a fun class, and I think it'll be valuable for the career that I hope to get into. 

Policy Design Tools
Authority tools
Govts use their authority to urge or require people to behave in a certain way.  The use of such tools, not always effective or democratic, depends on the perceived legitimacy of govt.  These tools may be particularly effective during times of crisis, when favorable responses by the govt are more likely.
Inducements and sanctions
Govts provide incentives or penalties to appeal to individuals’ rational pursuit of their self-interest.  Inducements encourage people to act in a certain way because they will gain from doing so.  Sanctions are negative incentives or penalties that are thought to discourage behavior that is inconsistent with policy goals.
Capacity-building tools
Govts make available training, education, information, and technical assistance, and they can aim to inform or enlighten and thus empower people, either those in the target population or policy agents.
Hortatory tools
Govts invoke images and values through speeches, proclamations, and other communication to exhort people to behave a certain way.
Learning tools
Govts can encourage policy agents and target populations to participate and learn, for example, through citizen advisory panels and collaborative processes.

Monday, October 13, 2014 Review

So yesterday was my birthday.  It was an OK day -- didn't do anything to celebrate other than doing homework with the chi's.  It was a shockingly light homework weekend, which means there will be double the homework next weekend.  :(  The best part of the day really was getting to sleep in.  :)

Sadly, I didn't get the four day weekend I'd hoped for.  It's OK though, at least I still got a three day weekend.
The boys have plenty of treats at the moment, so this month we decided to choose something different to review.   We chose the Tropiclean Fresh Breath water additive. 
It's super easy to use.  You just pour in a teaspoon (about a capful) into a fresh bowl of water.  That's it!  If you pour it into the bowl first before adding the water, the water bubbles up.   
I wondered if Shiver or Chico would be bothered by it, but they didn't even seem to notice.  The bubbles fade quickly , so no need to worry if your dog or cat doesn't like it.  Yes, that's right -- your dog and cat can use this!
Shiver has had this annoying habit lately in that he wants to get right up in my face and breathe all over me.  So I can honestly say that this has helped him enormously!  It lasts for up to 12 hours, so he can drink some in the morning and still have fresh breath when I come home in the evening.  It's not minty fresh like he just brushed his teeth, but it does help considerably!  I've noticed a definite improvement in Chico too!
I've been using this every day and the boys have been drinking the water like normal, so they seem to like it. 
**They both got super camera shy once they realized I was trying to take their picture when they were drinking the water.
Other reasons to use this product? 
  • Removes plaque and tartar 
  • Soothes irritated gums 
  • Safe for both cats and dogs 
  • All products are eco-friendly, all natural, and made in the USA

In the past, all of our orders took exactly one week to the day from order to delivery.  This one only took a matter of days to arrive!  Sydney from Chewy says that they just added another shipping location, which means some places will get their orders even quicker now. 

The chi's give this product 8 paws up - four paws each!﻿

Monday, October 6, 2014

Funday Munday

My first three day weekend this semester was over before I knew it.  It's like I blinked and it was gone.  How does 4 days of work, school, internship, and homework drag on so so long, yet a day off is over so quickly?

My birthday is this coming Sunday, and I have a FOUR day weekend!!!  Sooooooooo excited, I can't even tell you!  It's gonna be filled with homework, as usual, but I hope to fit some fun things in there too.
Took this from here.

1.  When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?  

Last week.  One professor gives us random quizzes.  I didn't remember most of the material the quiz covered since I'd read it several days earlier.  I got 7 out of 10 points, so I was telling a classmate that I did better than I thought I did.  My professor said, "Don't strain yourself too hard trying to pat yourself on the back there!  I graded these very lightly."  Still, I was happy that I got a decent grade.

2.  In public restrooms, do you hover or sit?

Thankfully, most public restrooms these days have those toilet seat covers, so I sit.  I'm sure those covers really don't do much to protect you, but it makes me feel better.  

Without the cover, sometimes I'll sit and sometimes I'll hover.  It mostly depends on how clean the restroom looks overall.  If the seat is wet, I hover for sure.

 3.  If you could take back something you did to someone, what would it be?

I used to work with this chick who took personal calls all day long and they never seemed to last any less than 20 minutes -- in fact, most seemed to last considerably longer!  I don't know how she managed to get any work done.  I was still pretty new there, so I didn't say anything for awhile.  Then I had my first evaluation.  The boss kept asking me repeatedly what I liked/didn't like about the job.  I kept telling her that I really liked the job, but she wouldn't let up.

I finally told her that there was a certain coworker who was on the phone all.the.time with personal calls.  My boss didn't say much.  The coworker found out that I'd told on her, and suddenly we weren't as friendly anymore.  

This coworker then became pregnant.  She often came in late and left early.  She took extra long breaks, fell asleep at her desk, and still continued with the personal phone calls daily.  I hadn't said anything to my boss about it, but knew that she was aware as other coworkers had complained repeatedly.  I'm not sure if my boss let it slide because the girl was pregnant, or maybe she just didn't know what to do about it.  This went on for a couple of months and I grew fed up.  

So I called the 1-800# for HR and left an anonymous complaint.  Nothing happened and this coworker did not change her behavior.  I finally told a different coworker that I'd complained to HR.  This particular coworker told everyone and anyone who would listen that I was a snitch and that everyone should watch their backs around me.  This completely shocked me, since she complained the loudest about the pregnant coworker!  I got lots of flack for it from everyone, and it severed the relationship with the pregnant girl for a long while.  

I would take back turning her into HR because I do think there were other/better ways to have handled the situation.  My boss quit shortly after and we got a new boss who was extremely unpleasant, so a lot of her behavior was stopped thereafter.  Not all of it, but a lot of it.

I thought maybe it was a dirty window during a rainstorm, but it's labeled concrete.  So it's dirty concrete.

My dad had a very good friend who used to lay concrete down for sidewalks.  For whatever reason, he asked me to come work for him one day.  I did, and I hated every second of it.  It was hard work!  Luckily, it was only a one day job.  That's what this picture reminds me of.  
