Breathe in, breathe out.

We will shortly be hearing no more from the thesis.

In the meantime, I realized yesterday that I am one of those dreaded bloggers who only updates once every few weeks. I apologize; I never realized until now how involved I have become with my thesis. I would say we're having an exclusive relationship, except that sometimes, I neglect it for doing laundry or running to the grocery store. My roommate's friend was over last night and we started chatting, and I realized that except for Family Home Evening on Mondays, I haven't really done anything truly social for the past few months. Yikes! And since I got released from being a Family Home Evening leader three weeks ago, I haven't even had that. Wow. Can we say one-track mind?

Anyway, I now make the promise now that shortly, we will never have to mention the t-word again. No more blogs about it, no more phone calls, no more e-mails. Aren't you excited? I certainly am.

My advisor has a completed draft of everything, and barring any major changes, I will most likely have an official defense date by tomorrow. The university says I have to have it scheduled by Friday if I want to graduate in August. Eek.

In the meantime, I'm going breathe in and breathe out. I come from a long line of overreactors, and right now, I'm doing them all proud.

Gotta love those genes!

Speaking of which, I found a good side benefit to all the stress. I'm now down to a smaller pants size.

Talk about loving your jeans. . . .

If I had a brain, I'd be dangerous

As you can tell, I've been obsessing over the computer lately. Fortunately, this is not a computer related post! I just have to update periodically to let my family know that I'm still alive, since I seem to have trouble keeping my cell phone charged. It is the tale of the cell phone charger which leads me to today's installment.

I keep forgetting to plug my phone in at night so it can charge while I am otherwise occupied with my unconscious mind. You'd think I would remember easily, seeing as how I set the alarm clock on my phone every night, but oh, no. That would be entirely too easy. Of course, I tried to do it yesterday, and after spending half an hour looking for my cell phone charger, I had to give up and hope that the battery would last another day if I didn't actually call anyone. Now, I should mention that while I have my own room, it is rather small, and there are a limited amount of spaces where said charger could be hiding. Given that I've been working like a mad dog for the past two weeks and have left the house only to go to a) school, b) work (at school), c) church, or d) to go get the mail, I know for a fact that my charger had to be in my apartment somewhere. But, after all of my efforts, I managed to find the charger this morning. Any guesses as to where? That's right! It was sitting on the counter in my bathroom. How, you ask, did it get there? I have no idea.

I realized, though, that I have been misplacing things left and right. I am infamous in my apartment for losing my keys, but not having gone anywhere for a few days, it's been a few days without loss. I put my glasses on top of the computer this morning before showering, so I'd remember where they were, but I spent twenty minutes looking around before I finally saw them. Since I haven't driven anywhere for a while, I actually know very well where my car is right now, but we all know how easy it is for me to lose my car in the parking lot. I find it somewhat ironic that my thesis experiment has a memory component. I can't remember where I put things 5 minutes later; how the heck are my participants supposed to remember things for an entire month?

I guess the only safe conclusion is that I have officially lost my mind. I let it wander away, and it refuses to come back. If you see it, hold on to it for me, okay? It'll fetch a high price. It hasn't been used for days. I've had tunnel vision, trying to get this done. And since the latest draft is in, I think I'm going go play hooky today. I've forgotten what the real world looks like.

Further chronicles of computer crises. . .

I have decided yet again that I hate computers. Let's just start from the top. About a month or two ago, my dad sent me my little brother's laptop, which is super speedy and absolutely awesome, and I've been happily writing my thesis on it. However, a couple of weeks ago, the USB ports failed, so I had to find my old USB card adapter from my old computer, but things were working fine for a while. Then, a few days ago, the internal wireless adapter decided it couldn't pick up our wireless network. So, I pulled out the old dinosaur (aka my old computer) and have been working on both computers for a few days. It's been kind of interesting to read e-mail edits from my advisor on one computer while making those edits on the other computer. Let's also mention that on the dinosaur, the 5, 6, and dash keys, as well as F1 and some of the other function keys, are not working. My data has 5s and 6s in it. I'm sure you see the problem.

So, I pulled out a keyboard my dad gave me the last time the dinosaur's keyboard failed and have been using that to type stuff. My roommates have been highly amused laughing at me. I have one bulky computer with really slow Internet, on which I finally got a stats program to run (super slowly), and one speedy computer without the Internet. Did I also mention that the only place I could pick up the wireless network was out in our living room, with the laptop positioned on the coffee table? Just imagine two laptops, side by side, on a coffee table, with me sitting on the floor, bulky keyboard in hand. I should take a picture, if only to remember how much of a pain theses can be.

At least my roommates have also been having trouble with the wireless network, so it's not just my computer having issues. On Thursday or so, a friend of ours came over and encrypted a wireless account just for apartment (thanks, Ryan!), but of course I couldn't connect to it. Despite all of these adventures, I managed to get my latest revisions in to my advisor early Monday morning (or late Sunday night, if you prefer). It was fortunate that I had saved copies of everything I had done on my IPOD (my jump drive hasn't really been working, but the IPOD is a wonderful file storage device) because this evening, the dinosaur decided it had had enough and gave me the blue screen of death. I believe I get to re-install the entire operating system for the third time. Let me tell you how excited I'm not. At least I still have the CDs my dad sent a few months ago the last time the dinosaur tried to extinct itself. I can't wait to re-install Windows 2000, especially since I've had to use Open Office software because I can't get Microsoft Office programs (like Word for Windows) to run correctly. I swear, I should go into business or something to give computer scientists a run for their money. I know I've stumped my dad many, many times in how to keep this old thing running! He fixed the keyboard and battery and also reinstalled everything last summer, for which I'm eternally grateful, but I can't help but think that this laptop is on life support. Maybe it's time for the laptop to make a living will; I'm not sure it's going to live much longer.

Anyway, at this point, I have no internet, and the wireless adapter card from my old computer won't work on the new laptop without having the driver installed. And did I mention that I have to go on the Internet to find this driver? AUGH! I can't win. Anyway, my roommate fortunately has a working computer, and I saved the email from last fall when Dad sent me the Internet links to get the drivers I needed. For once, I used something I had saved! Makes me reconsider changing my slightly packrat-ish ways (I don't care if it's a word; I'm going to use it as one!). Using my roommate's computer, I downloaded the file to my IPOD, connected it to my brother's laptop, and managed to install the driver. I also managed to connect to our encrypted wireless connection, which means I have fast, reliable Internet service now. On the downside, though, I have to deal with the old problem of switching the wireless and USB cards, which means I can't print stuff at the same time I'm surfing the Internet. I don't know if I have some sort of electromagnetic field surrounding me or something, but my computers sure seem to pick up something off of me. Maybe I'm just a viral carrier, or maybe the machine is just sick of thesis writing. Heaven knows I am!

Tag, I'm it.

I can't help but think about how being tagged on a blog is like those awful chain letters I used to get in elementary school. You know, the ones that say something like, "pass this on, or you will die a most gruesome death." Still, in the interest of having something to post, I will give in.



First, for the book tag from Karon:



Directions:1- Get the nearest Book to you, or one you're reading that contains over 123 pages.2- Go to the 123 page.3- Find the 5th sentence.4- Post the 5th sentence.5-Tag five people.



Here's my sentence: "Part C shows the situation that would be expected if no correlation existed between the two variables; an equal number of objects falling into each of the four cells."

I'll give you three guesses what sort of book it is, and the first two don't count.

Tagging: Amy, Erin, Dana, Somer, and Michelle.

Now, as for Erin's ABC tag:


A-Attached or Single: Single...
B-Best Friend: I can only pick one? It seems rather exclusive to only list one best friend; I have many very good friends.
C-Pie or Cake: If the cake has frosting, it wins hands down. I don't like pie crust. If it's homemade strawberry pie, though, the winner has to be pie.
D-Day of Choice: Saturday
E-Essential Items: Computer, car, keys (I lose them frequently)
F-Favorite Color: purple (although I'm also very partial to blue)
G-Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Bears. It's kind of fun to eat the ears first.
H-Hometown: Rochester
I-Indulgence: Ebay, books, fabric, assorted other craft projects
J-January or July: Depends on where I am in the world. The weather can be pretty gross both times of the year.
K-Kids: my inner child hovers around 2 or 3.
L-Life is incomplete without: family, friends, religion, craft stores
M-Marriage Date: Ha ha.
N-Number of Siblings: 4, but if I count in-laws, 6
O-Oranges or apples: Granny Smith apples are my favorite, but my favorite fruit is the peach.
P-Phobias or Fears: I'm always afraid I'm going to get stuck in an airplane bathroom as the plane crashes. I'm also super scared of dogs. I think it goes back to the few times I got chased by them when I was subbing for a paper route.
Q-Quotes: It's quotation. Quote is a verb. You quote a quotation (It drives me crazy when people read "quotes" in church. Blame that on my freshman English teacher!)
R-Reasons to smile: The gleam in your eyes makes people what you're plotting.
S-Season: Fall. I love watching leaves change colors, especially when I don't have to rake it up.
T-Tag Friends: Karon, Heather, Dana
U-Unknown fact about me: It's not really unknown, but I have to qualify and analyze everything. Blame it on the psychology. I do. Another one is that I hate doing laundry. I love having clean clothes; I just don't like to sort dirty clothes or fold clean ones when they're done. I would never have made it as a pioneer washing laundry in a stream.
V-Very Favorite Store: Hobby Lobby. I wish they were located out here. On the other hand, though, maybe it's a good thing.
W-Worst Habit: I was born ten days late, and I've never been on time since.
X-X-Ray, Ultrasound or mammogram:
Y-Your Favorite Food: Believe it or not, I don't really have one.
Z-Zodiac: Aries

We have data. . . .

I have my data! If you don't hear from me in the next few weeks, it's because I'm going to be spending quality time with SPSS (a statistical program) and my computer. Hot dates all the way. Anyway, hopefully, I'll have good news soon. :-)

Does anyone even read this any more?

Well, it happened. I recently discovered the joys of Ebay and have now participated in the phenomenon that is an online auction. Yes, last week was my first Ebay purchase. Feel free to laugh, but I think I may have found a new hobby.

Anyway, boring seems to be the nature of life these days. For once in my life, I actually finished my taxes early, so this past Tuesday was just a normal day. I finished teaching my last evening class, and since I decided not to teach spring or summer in order to finish the thesis, I'm pretty much done as a college instructor. I'm now just waiting for the data to start the stats portion of the thesis. It should be in soon, so I shouldn't have to wait much longer. I'm hoping it'll be sooner rather than later. It's been snowing here for the past couple days. This is the coldest, latest spring I can remember in all of the years I've lived here. Blech. I am not a fan.

In the midst of all of this waiting, I've been going through my stuff and trying to de-junk. Who knew that I had so many textbooks and school papers lying around? I think I've gotten rid of a garbage sack full of old assignments. I've kept a few of the good ones as writing samples, but there's something rather cathartic about purging old memories. I'm contemplating trying to sell some old books online, since the bookstore doesn't want them, but DI might just be getting a rather large donation. That might just be the cost of education. Either that, or there's going to be a very large celebratory bonfire in August. . .

So, while trying to develop my academic skills, I'm also trying to branch out in other interests. I got an Ipod for Christmas, but so far, it's only half-full. Does anyone have any recommendations of good music for me to try? Herein lies the test to see if anyone actually reads my blog. :-) I'm willing to listen to almost anything at least once, so I figured I'd ask for the opinions of my respected friends. I've decided I kind of like alternative rock, and I'm pretty much game for anything right now. So, please, tell me something to try! I've got the time to do it. My sewing machine is in the shop, and we all know that a Sarah without a project is a menace to society. And honestly? Cleaning my room doesn't count.

Pictures and projects

A few weeks ago, I went up to little shopping place called Gardner Village. It was snowing, but I had my camera and got some really nice shots. I can't help but want to share them. Enjoy!

Also, it's General Conference weekend, which usually means that I get to have eight hours to sew and/or craft. However, since my sewing machine is in the shop getting repaired this weekend, I'm having to resort to hand work today. In that spirit, I did some work on my flower garden quilt this morning. I think the name Grandmother's Flower Garden comes from the fact that I will be a grandmother before I finish it! I started this quilt when I was 16, and the pieces are entirely hand-cut and hand-sewn. Yes, I was crazy. But, as you can see from the photo, I'm making progress. Maybe in another ten years, it'll be ready to quilt! I don't have the calluses any more to spend more than an hour or two hand sewing (I'm working on building them up again, but school work killed my hobbies!), so during the afternoon session, I pinned the pieces for the next step of two other quilts. I admit I have a fabric problem. At least I'm out of denial, eh?

Birthday pictures!

Streamers and balloons from my birthday party.

The potential fire hazard known as my birthday cake.

I finally get to wear the crown. :-)

The perils of being a grown-up

It's Friday night, so you'd think I'd be out doing something to amuse/entertain myself, right? Nope, not in the least. We've had yet another leak in our pipe, so I'm waiting here at home for the plumber to come and fix things. Seeing as how this is the fifth or sixth time the plumber has had to come and fix a leak in our apartment in the last six months, one would think that it would be a good idea to replace and or renovate the plumbing here, right? Nope, not at all. It's apparently easier for the tenants to notice and/or call when trouble arises. Somebody from the management company came and turned off the water, and now we wait. At least I was home to hear the water running this time around, so it looks like there's no flooding and no seepage of water to the apartment below us. And I don't have to move all of my stuff so the carpet pad can get dried out. Ironic that the condo I live in is for sale, isn't it? I wouldn't want to buy it.

Maybe I should go train as a plumber, though. I'd certainly have job security.

Okay, the plumber just came, did an estimate, and left to get his tools. I think it's a bad thing to be on first-name terms with the plumber. At least maintenance now comes right away if we call them about a problem. Because, you know, we're really just a bunch of exaggerating women, and our maintenance requests really aren't that serious. Can you tell I'm still bitter about previous experiences (see my post from October)? Well, at least there's one good thing about all of this: I don't have to pay for it!

Happy news

For all of my faithful fans, I am happy to say that I am neither dead nor completely buried in piles of school work. I've been back at school for a little over two weeks, and I am happy to say that my latest thesis draft has been both submitted and returned. And, lest I keep you in suspense, I will just say that I am doing a happy dance over the feedback. My references check out (phew!), my content is good, and I have a pretty clear explanation of what I'm studying and why. Now, on to the fun part of analyzing the data.

At any rate, now that that's out of the way, I can return to the fun-filled world of posting my thoughts online for the world to see. I don't really expect that the world is reading them, but I do know that they are available. And that's enough philosophy for now. I will shortly be posting a few of the funny pictures from my last adventure in being a soccer mom, but I have to find my camera cord first. I haven't quite finished unpacking everything, but I did find one of Max's socks and a pair of Grace's tights. Remind me never to pack when I'm in a hurry. :)