Mission: Climb out of Rut. Step: One

Let it be known that this entire summer, I have been stuck in a huge rut. I haven't volunteered at the hospital at all, I haven't babysat as much as usual, I've worked out maybe 10 times, and I haven't done much blogging (but you all probably noticed that). While I've enjoyed the weather and being outside, as the days pass by, I realize how much bigger that rut keeps getting and how desperately I need to pull myself out. The list of ways to get my life back on track is quite extensive, but I'm hopeful that a change will come sooner rather than later.

First up on that list: class.

I'm the type of person that thrives on routine, which is funny considering I know I'd hate my life if I worked an 8-5 office job. Anyhow, staying busy and having something to do daily is best for my mind and body. Unfortunately, any sense of strict routine went out the window when I went to college, and has yet to return. I go to bed late, wake up late, eat, maybe babysit, watch TV, maybe lay outside, take my dogs for a walk once in a blue moon, go to bed late, etc. Tell me that's not depressing. I dare you.

However, even though college took away most of the routine I was accustomed to, the consistency of class at least gave me something productive to do almost daily. So it came as no surprise when, after only two short weeks of being out of class, I was ready to get back into the swing of things. Last night, my 5-week business statistics course began. Next week, I will begin advanced physiology. And then, later in the semester, I will take lifespan development and abnormal psychology.

Let's talk about my statistics course, shall we?

The class is only 5 weeks long, thank God. I find this subject to be more boring than watching paint dry. I need to continually remind myself that it could possibly help me with charting (am I reaching?) when I'm finally an RN (which seems eons away), so that I quit dwelling on the fact that I find it to be an immense waste of time and money.

Being 5 weeks long, the class is two days a week, from 545-945 in the evening. Can I get a gross?

Here's some interesting facts I made note of during the four hours of boredom:

1. I'm 99% sure my instructor's bedtime is BEFORE 9:45.

2. I'm 99.6% sure my instructor was the voice of ALF. This "fact" makes it really hard to not laugh when taking notes and all you hear is his voice and you picture a furry little creature from Melmac lecturing from the front of the room.

3. I am the youngest person in the class of 20, by at least 10 years.

4. I am one of three without a child.

5. I am the most educated in the class, aside from the instructor. No one else so much as holds an Associate's. This fact makes me slightly uncomfortable, although I'm not sure why.

6. I'm probably the only one not worried about the level of ease/difficulty in this class. But I also am at a major advantage in that I don't have a real job, I don't have a kid, and I don't have a spouse to take care of.

7. If this class was any longer than 5 weeks, I surely would die of boredom. Aside from an all-too-quick 10 minute break, the man talked for 4 hours! How can one possibly talk about numbers and frequency charts for four hours?! Plus, he's not even that good of an instructor. I feel like this class is going to be the kind where I show up because I have to, but will really be teaching myself everything.

8. I can afford to teach myself because both exams (midterm and final) are open notes, open book. The homework is graded based on completion. He also will go over, in detail, the homework problems and show us how to correctly do said problems so that we may have the proper methods to use as part of our "notes" when we take our exams. Is this college?

9. I'm so ready to start nursing school and move on with my life.

So with one session down and nine to go, I'm hoping I come out on top and don't have to put my money where my mouth is.

As my other classes begin, I'm hoping I'll be closer and closer to being back to normal. I also plan on joining Weight Watchers and really, really need to work out daily. With all of my health problems, I know working out is one of the best (and natural) medicines for it, so I need to get my head out of my bum and start doing something good for myself. I'm sure getting moving and developing better eating habits will make me much happier, as well.

Anyway, I'm hoping to not go days on end without anything substantial to say on here, as I find blogging to be extremely cathartic, but I make no promises. For now, I'm just going to take it day by day and see what happens.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Oh, ps. I'm blown away by how many people don't know the awesomeness that is Carmen Sandiego. Re-look at the picture in the post before this one and observe the lady in the red hat and coat (ignore the guy with the blurred out face). Read the caption just below the picture. Then click here. Now is that picture more funny?!