Click HERE! Do it. I dare you.

I made it through the week! I took my four tests. Two of them were for my crazy hard math classes and I'm so happy because a got an 82 on my advanced calc test and a 96 on my stats test. I know that the 82 doesn't sound great, but I came out of the test thinking I didn't do well, and I have never, EVER gotten anything close to a B on an advanced calc test because that class is so hard. I literally almost cried with joy when I got that test back. I'm not kidding. My other two tests I won't get the results of for about 6 weeks, but I'm pretty sure I will be taking them again next semester. Oh well. That is why I took them early, so that I had more opportunities to take them before I graduate.

The Praxis was insane. They are so strict about everything you do. You can't drink water during the test in case someone gulps too loud. You can't use mechanical pencils. If you have a cell phone in the building they can kick you out of the test. You can't replace the batteries in your own calculator if they die during the test (the guy has to do it for you). They told someone that they were coughing too loud. They check your ID three times during and after the test, even though you have never left the room. Yeah...it's a bit extreme, and all of this was at 7:30 on a Saturday morning when I was already exhausted and already kind of grumpy. After this test, I came home and took a really long nap and then spent the rest of the day watching Gilmore Girls and hanging out with Colt. I gave my brain a break from math. I think I would have exploded had I thought about math for one more minute.

7 more days of school until Thanksgiving break. 12 more days of class total, 3 finals and then I'm headed to Salt Lake to see the lights and the Motab Christmas concert. Then I get to go home for Christmas. I can't wait!

I'm allowing myself a five minute study break. The only things getting me through this week are Colt, Dr. Pepper, white chocolate candy cane kisses, and of course my family and friends.

Anyone want to take over advanced calc for me?

Back to studying...maybe I should put a picture up of the review sheet. Then you would all understand that not only is the material horribly hard, but the professor's handwriting is impossible to read, so it is like translating a foreign language that you don't speak. Fun.

I am still sick! I can't remember the last time I could breathe through my nose.

Next week I have 4 tests.

One in probability and statistics...it will be ok.

One in advanced calculus...why don't you just shoot me right now. I hate that class...I'm so sick of writing proofs that I don't really feel like go anywhere.  I'm also tired of the professor that states a theorem and then says, "you know this, you know this." Well, no. I don't. That would be why I'm taking this class. 

Another test is the exit exam. I have to pass to graduate. No calculator, no scratch paper, just me for two hours calculating things and remembering formulas that I haven't used in two years. I'm hoping the nation in general is dumb because my score is based on my percentile in the nation.

The last test is the praxis. I have to pass that one to graduate too. It's Saturday morning at seven. There's a nice way to start the weekend.

Oh and I have a paper to write.

I'm feeling overwhelmed! Anyone have words of encouragement? What are you looking forward to this week?

Dear Baking Soda,
We are no longer friends. That is really all I have to say to you.

Dear KitchenAid,
Sorry I made you work so hard today, it will never happen again. Actually, I can't promise that.

Dear Kitchen,
Sorry you are such a mess. Maybe someday I will learn how to bake without spilling flour and powdered sugar everywhere.

Dear Mom,
Do you think you could come out here and make your amazing Halloween cookies? I am apparently incapable and that is all I really wanted today. Please?!

Dear Colt,
Sorry you have to deal with my craziness, and eat my gross baked goods. Thanks for cleaning the kitchen!

Dear Dan,
Fine! Keep the stupid cookie gene! I didn't want it anyway! At least I got the sewing gene...until you steal it from me.

Dear Cookies,
I hope you enjoy being in the trash.

Love,
Karen

I had my last show this weekend, and I thought I would be sad, but I wasn't. I was so thankful that my mom came to see it. She has always come to all my shows, so I was really glad she could be at my last show ever. I'm glad Colt was there and that we could both dance one last time with the Ballroom Dance Company. I'm still a little sad to not be dancing, but I'm doing much better since I have been able to dance just a little bit more.

Now that I quit Lin's and dancing, I have had time to do fun things with Colt and our friends. Last night I made dinner for Colt and Alli and I decided to be brave and try a new recipe. I made roasted chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, and rosemary, with onions, bell peppers, and red potatoes. I was really nervous, but it actually turned out well, and Colt and Alli didn't get food poisoning or anything, so that is definitely good news. Then we went to Maggi Moos for dessert and to celebrate me being done with my advanced calc test (aka the test from hell).

I have loved getting to be a little more domestic in my spare time. This morning I wanted to wear my long pink button up shirt with my big black belt over it, but it was wrinkled, and honestly, normally I would have just given up on the outfit and dealt with it later. Instead, I pulled out my new aqua rowenta iron and ironed my shirt. I remembered that I actually really enjoy ironing. It feels good to have crisp, smooth clothes.

My family can no longer tease me about not cooking or doing other things of that nature. All I needed was a little time on my hands.

Close friends of our family have a tradition of telling the good and not-so-good of their lives at dinner, so I decided to blog about my good and not-so-good things as of late.

Not So Good:
-For the last 5 days I have been horribly sick. I have had a sore throat (swallowing has been horribly painful), fever, head ache, stuffy nose, and basically I have done nothing but lay around our apartment being sick. I did drag myself out of bed last week to go to class, but that is pretty much the only time I left the house. Unfortunately, all of these things are symptoms of the swine flu, but having no insurance, a doctor has not confirmed that diagnosis.

Good:
-I have a husband that takes such good care of me, especially when I'm sick.
-Since I have been stuck in the apartment so much lately, I have had time to start making Colt's Christmas stocking. My Mom bought me the stuff to make our Christmas stockings this summer, and being sick gave me an excuse to watch Gilmore Girls and sew stockings. It is so fun! I feel so domestic.
-I have something to get me through this week...my Mom is coming to visit this weekend! I have my last ever ballroom dance show this weekend, and since my Dad will be traveling for work, my Mom is driving out to visit and see my show. I am so excited!