I took a break before supper and now I’m lounging. I got a lot done today but there is still so much left to do. I think I’ll write up my accounting study sheet and then use it to take a practice test. At least my final today wasn’t too draining; one down, four to go.
I should be stressed but I’m just too tired. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not a pitiful grad student. I’m just tired. I’ve had a head cold for the last few days and I just can’t last as long as I normally do.
Despite being tired, I’ve been in a good mood all day. I turned in my statistics project and my team turns in the microeconomics project tomorrow. Even though I only have a few more days until finals begin (plus one take-home final), I’m optimistic. Today was the first day this week I’ve felt really well. My head didn’t hurt and I didn’t feel exhausted walking up the stairs in my apartment.
The only depressing part of the day was attending the accounting help session. I’m totally lost on bonds and long-term leases aren’t much better. I take comfort in the fact that the majority of my classmates are as bewildered as I am. Therefore, there might be a curve on the exam.
It’s funny, I’m acting like I’m going hiking through the desert or that I’m leaving the country for an extended period of time. I called my parents tonight to visit before “the weekend.” I expect to be too busy to return any phone calls for at least five days. I gave them fair warning and got plenty of sympathy in return. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, but it does help to have a little parental pity now and again.
Danny is doing well. He went on a brief business trip earlier this week. It went well and now our homelife is back to normal. However I do get a few more pity points because I got up at 4am on Monday to take him to the airport.
As far as studying goes, my classmates and I already have that giddy, bewildered look of people who are half way through finals. This is bad since we haven’t even started yet. We are all overwhelmed and don’t really know where to begin. I’m trying to remain optimistic but I know I’ll be reading up until exams start. All I can do is lay off the caffeine, remember to eat, try to get enough sleep, and pray. Okay, I’m being a bit dramatic but our tests are going to suck. At least we get free beer when we’re done. More on that later.
To all (or any) MBAs who read my site, good luck and don’t commit ritual suicide if you get a less than stellar grade on your Stats final. There is too much good vodka in the world for that.
Last week, Seattle broke the record for rainiest month ever. The last bits of precipitation came in the form of ice, snow, and freezing rain. Although I had to go to school during the freeze, I did spend the rest of my time curled up under a warm blanket with two fat cats smushing my feet. I also did a little cooking.
Aside from blogging, cooking is my other favorite form of procrastination. I have, however, found a few simple and relatively quick comfort food recipes that don’t pull me away from my books for too long. Here is my recipe for chicken soup and biscuits.
3 or four thawed chicken tenders (approx 1.5 chicken breasts)
1 T olive oil
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1/4 cup chopped onion
8 cups water
four cups regular chicken broth
2 cups egg noodles
poultry seasoning
salt
pepper
garlic powder (optional)
Heat the olive oil on medium in a large stock pot. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook for about five minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning the onions.
Add the water and two or three shakes of poultry seasoning. Bring water to a boil and add chicken pieces. Reduce heat and simmer on medium heat for twenty minutes.
Remove chicken and let cool on cutting board. Add four cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, add the noodles and boil for ten minutes. While the noodles are cooking, cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Once noodles are done, turn off the heat and stir in the chicken. Voila! Chicken soup.
Biscuits
Bisquick or Pioneer biscuit mix
milk
Follow the directions on the back of the box for easy drop biscuits. They take about 15 minutes to make (5 for prep and 10 to bake). Put them in the oven when you add the noodles and everything will be done at the same time.
I made this three days ago but I might have to make it again. Plus, you get a lot of soup so there’s enough for two very hungry people plus leftovers.
On Friday, I was “that guy.” You know. That guy who talks way too much when asked a simple question and who thinks HIS jokes are the funniest things he’s ever heard.
I was asked, along with five of my other classmates, to sit in on a new-student panel and answer questions from visiting prospective students. Normally, I would hold back a little, but I’d had a lot of caffeine and I was ready, even downright excited, to share all of my new knowledge about getting an MBA, UW, and dealing with the accursed GMAT.
I had an answer for every question. About halfway through the Q&A session, I realized that I was “that guy” and tried to tone it down a little. Later, at our TG or MBA happy hour, I apologized to my panel-mates for being a jackass. Either they were a bit buzzed or feeling generous, but they told me that I was fine. They are kind, kind people.
So anyway, I either convinced people to come to this school or I scared them away with my bug-eyed jittery enthusiasm. We’ll see who is brave enough to face the nutty Sarah next year.
I have a little over a week before finals begin. I should be elated. I should be rushing to finish all of my assignments and write up flash cards for each of my classes. I’m not. I’m being lazy. This is my biggest weakness: to significantly slow down right at the end.
Where is the enthusiasm/terror from my first two weeks of school? I’ve worked this hard, so why can’t I gather the strength to even LOOK at my economics assignment?
I blame Thanksgiving. My family came to visit and it was wonderful. Too wonderful. I was RELAXED and I got to SLEEP. My day-to-day fear dwindled.
Now, I have to get back in the swing of things. I know I’ll be fine but c’mon, accounting is hard. I need to get my butt in gear and start practicing for the final.
As RuPaul says, “you better work!” And yes, I am that lame.
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