workout music?

Image via Flickr

I am in that phase of post-pregnancy where I finally have a little time to workout, and a lot of desire to lose the weight. I go on walks with Oliver a few times a week, I am attempting to jump rope in the evenings (um, my calves are killing me...I am so out of shape!), and I'm going walking slash jogging with a friend one night a week. We are also looking for a treadmill. It's not much, but at least it's something. All of this = I need a good playlist for working out.

So tell me, what songs motivate you to work out? Tell me your favorites and help me build my list. Thanks!

biology update

I passed! I can hardly even believe it. My teacher finally emailed me tonight and told me that I passed. Wendel and Bethaney (his sister who has been here for the past weeks helping me with Oliver while I have been studying all day, who really made passing this class possible) and I went out to celebrate as soon as I got the email. Unfortunately, it was almost 10:00 pm when I got the word, and living in the small town that we do, we didn't have many options. As much as I really don't like Red Robin, it was open, so Red Robin it was. We ordered nachos, which were incredibly sub-par (worse than that, even) and garlic fries (which were good at the time but not worth it). But hey, luckily I didn't work my butt off for the reward of that meal at Red Robin, so who cares. My real reward is being able to move forward in my program! Never again do I have to take a stupid general education class! From here on out, it's all social work classes (um, I thought that was the case a couple of years ago when I started my BASW...). In any event, I'm happy. I'm so glad that horrible experience is behind me. (No, I'm not just being dramatic.) Thanks to those who left kind comments after my ranting post last night. I was a bit frustrated, to say the least. It's nice to know I have supportive friends out there.

don't you hate it when your best isn't good enough?

Call me crazy, but I like to see the fruits of my labors, especially when I've worked as hard as I have on this [insert frustrated tone] biology class. I consider myself a good student. I study hard. I had a 3.94 GPA in my undergrad. I get the studying thing. I know how to be diligent in my efforts. I have spent countless hours at the public library over the past few months, working on this class. Literally every day of the week (except for Sunday) for the majority of the day. Away from my baby. So why is it that I failed the midterm and probably failed the final? My teacher is pretty much the worst teacher ever. Okay, I have no authority to make that statement, but she's pretty rotten. She doesn't give any sort of direction on what to study - anything in the book can be on the test. That means I have to memorize pretty much everything. She did tell me that there won't be any diagrams, charts or tables on the test that were not in the homework assignments. However, there was one diagram and one chart on the final that were not in any of my homework assignments. Many of the questions from the homework were nowhere to be found in the text, so I had to look them up online, and then got them marked wrong (but she didn't put what the right answer was). It's like if it isn't the answer she had in mind, it's wrong, end of story. Nowhere in the syllabus does it say that spelling counts on exams, and yet when I took the midterm and final, it was written at the top of the tests. She takes days to answer my questions (this is an online class!) and then is often unclear in her responses (and sometimes she hasn't ever responded at all). When I expressed my frustration to her about not knowing what to focus my studying on, she told me, "Just look over the homework assignments, get a good nights sleep and eat some protein a couple of hours before you take the test." Um, false. Just looking over the assignments and expecting to remember that information might work for someone with a photographic memory. I could go on and on. I checked her out on www.ratemyprofessors.com and I at least feel validated after reading comments such as these:

"The workload alone is equivalent to two on-site classes. As an independent study class, it is extremely time consuming and required me to research some of the information online as the assignment asked questions in a way that didn't clearly correlate with the book. Thorough assistance was rare, even when asked."

"She is a horrible teacher. Doesn't explain why things are wrong. Ask questions on homework and tests that could have multiple answers but doesn't know it. Some questions don't even make sense. Uses unreadable pictures that you have to diagram."

"Kathy frustrates students and drives them away from appreciation of the subject. I've taken her online course, which is HIGHLY recommended NOT to do. No study guide given for tests. Basically know the book. From e-mail encounters she appears to have an ego and much pride. There is no rebuttal or points given back on her mistakes for assignments."

"FYI, midterm went into questions not yet covered."

Okay, I'm sure you are all bored and don't really care about my biology woes. It is just so dang frustrating to me because I worked incredibly hard (I studied for about 80 hours for the final...seriously?!? This is a 101 class.) I deserve to pass, and I likely won't.

I took the final last Thursday and had the testing center mail it back to my teacher in an overnight envelope that I provided them with. My teacher consented to email my adviser at UW to let her know if I passed or not by Monday (yesterday), which was the deadline (the deadline for me being able to continue in my program or not due to this class). Of course she didn't do it, and though I have emailed her twice since Thursday inquiring about it, I still haven't heard from her and neither has my adviser. Class started tonight and I didn't know if I should go or not given the circumstances...I went but will have to drop if I failed the test.

Wendel just mentioned to me that it sounds like I am typing furiously. I suppose I am. I think I just need to vent about it. Again. (I already vented to him numerous times.)

In conclusion, I hate stupid policies and jumping through hoops. But I am determined to not let something as lame as a general requirement deter me from getting my MSW. So I will press forward through the minutia. I guess you could call me stubborn. I really feel like I'm following the Spirit and doing what we feel good about. I'm sure that there is some huge learning experience to be had here. Maybe when I'm not so frustrated I will figure out what it is and appreciate the experience. Maybe.

six years

Today marks six years since the day we were married. At this time on that day, I already had my hair done and was getting ready to leave for the temple. I was nervous and excited. It was the best feeling to walk through those doors and see Wendel standing there and to feel peace wash my nervousness away. Last night we were talking about all of the hurdles we've jumped through since we've been married (mostly having to do with school). I think they've made us stronger. Best decision I've made.

P.S. I thought I'd reach into my scrapbooking archives and post this page that I made several years ago (since I don't actually have time to scrapbook anymore).

oliver's nursery

I finally finished Oliver's nursery. Remember when it used to be my scrapbook room? I figured I don't need a whole room devoted to a hobby I haven't had time to touch in over a year (so it has now downsized and shares with the guest room). This is the view looking in from the door.



A close up of some items on the shelf. My friend, Nicole, gave him this wood block and each side has something engraved on it (his name, birth information, a quote, etc.). I love it. She got it here. The I Am a Child of God print behind it is from here.




These fun bookends, the dinosaur lamp, and the string of lights (which you will see below) are all from Khols. They were marked down and we had coupons and we just couldn't pass them up. Too cute. We also got a wood growth chart to match for when he is older, which currently hangs on the side of the shelf in his closet.





That's the cute blanket my mom made him that's hanging on his crib, and the sheets are Dwell Studio from Target. One thing I'm really glad I bought is this breathable bumper. It gives me peace of mind that he won't suffocate against it and it still cushions him from hitting his head against the crib. We got ours here. I also love his mobile, and so does he. He seems to be memorized by it, and enjoys babbling and sometimes even giggling at it. It's so cute.




This little string of lights is really fun. They make the room really cozy when all of the other lights are off at night.



My mom bought the changing table for him for our Christmas present last year (from amazon.com, of course). The print above it is from here.





This little stitching hangs above his cd player on the other side of the room. My mom embroidered it for him.



And the tour wouldn't be complete without a little peek in on the little man himself, with a drool soaked onesie and all.

three months old

Today my baby is three months old! I can hardly believe it. His smile gets me every time and those fat rolls on his legs? Love them! Happy three months little friend. So glad you are here.