Senior Year Blog

My first Biochemistry test is this coming Monday. Biochemistry is the first class that I've taken under Dr. Bartley, an adjunct from UAB, so I'm more than a bit nervous about the test. I've been carrying my Biochem book around with me all week, studying a few paragraphs here and there. Earlier today I started making molecules out of modeling clay and writing them repeatedly on my dry erase board. Normally for my biology tests I highlight lecture material and write it on note cards, then just memorize those. I think this time I'll just memorize the few things that I know will be on the test, then focus on the broad concepts. There will supposedly be a lot of "thinking questions."

In addition to writing this blog, I've taken a few breaks from Biochem today. The first was the SaveFirst tax preparation program that I mentioned in previous blogs. I've committed to doing taxes Saturdays from 9am-3pm. Thankfully for my Biochem studying, there weren't any appointments today. This afternoon I called Judson alum Dr. Daveta Dozier to schedule shadowing. She and her husband, Dr. Frank Dozier, have a clinic in Thomasville and have been very kind to let me follow them around.  Throughout the day, I've been checking on my quail chicks and quail eggs.  My incubator thermostat hasn't been acting very well, so I'm monitoring as frequently as I can. This batch of quail was raised under a 20 watt plant grow light. Eighteen chicks hatched. Considering that no new ones have hatched in the last two days, that's probably all that I'll get from this bunch. My thermostat problems are annoying as I don't know whether the low hatch rate (18 chicks out of 50 eggs) is due to the thermostat or the light treatment. A girl from Judson who keeps birds took 10 of the chicks with her when she went home yesterday. Earlier today I took the remaining 8 to a guy who raises quail.

It seems like it was just an hour or so ago when I woke up. Actually it's 10:30 at night.. My first few years at Judson, I worried that I was socially awkward due to my shy personality, nerdiness and homeschooling. I pushed myself to participate in Judson traditions and other social events. Now it's all that I can do to keep up with my obligations. This weekend I was planning to visit a good friend in Tuscaloosa who is getting married soon. Last night, a Friday, I realized that I was already in jittery cram mode for the Biochem test and had to call and cancel. I wish I had photographic memory... Back to the Biochem!  

Today is Mardi Gras, the last day of freedom before the forty days of Lent! The day was a normal Tuesday - 8am Ballet, Chapel, Voice, Math Study Session. I'm trying to push myself harder in Ballet as I'm making it to the gym less than I used to. Chapel was neat... The speaker was Dr. Mike Shaw, VP of the Alabama Baptist Convention. He summed up his sermon with a quote from Martin Luther "We have as many teachers and preachers as there are little birds in the air. Their living example is an embarrassment to us." My voice lesson this afternoon was fun. My voice is miles away from where it used to be, but I need lots of improvement. Right now I'm working on "Habanera" from Carmen mainly, and working on some of my old Italian pieces. I keep flubbing French words and forgetting when to breathe. It's hard to believe that I'm a French minor. I haven't spoken or heard it in so long!..If you don't use it, you lose it..The same thing happened to Trigonometry, Organic Chem and Calculus. I totally need to set aside some time to review. Math study session work study was the norm. I got to use it to study for Biochem.  

I did celebrate Mardi Gras a little bit - went to two different parties. The first was at my church, St. Wilfrid's... a pancake supper complete with moonpies and beads. The church has college group every other Wednesday for Judson and MMI students, but this week the group leaders moved the meeting to today and invited parishioners. Second Mardi Gras fete was a party in the "J" (Student Union) at Judson. I had no clue about the J party until a few hours before because I deleted or deactivated my Facebook account. I'm really starting to miss it... The party was put on by friend Emily, who even brought a king cake! Friend Anna passed out a ton of beads. We had music, a little dancing, sparkling grape juice, and Apples to Apples. Much fun. Think I've had enough celebration though! I'm starting to feel the homework withdrawl..I'm completely ready for Lent...I just have to pick something to give up! So many ideas that it's a little scary! I may just resolute to study more..definitely feeling study withdrawal after today! Time to read some Biochem..

I have finally taken control of my life - I purchased an on sale $3 planner at Marion Dollar General!

I have no clue why I hadn't thought to get a planner until now. I'm an obsessive list taker! I find the ability to draw lines through accomplished tasks is quite liberating... Now I can have a comprehensive scratch-offable list. It's a big improvement over all of the tiny messy lists scattered around my computer, stuffed in the glove compartment of my car, and jammed in little pockets of my book bag...

My biology honors project mid-project report with the Judson honors committee took place last week. The committee members were very helpful and asked a lot of good questions that I hadn't considered. I'm desperately collecting all of the quail information I can get. My second honors project quail batch is in the incubator as of Saturday. In about 17 days they'll be popping out! After that, there'll only be one batch to go. I'm working on getting the project data that I have organized so that I can present at the Alabama Academy of Sciences. The Alabama Academy has an annual meeting March 30-April 1. I'm nervous, but it should be a good learning experience.

Due to classes and commitments like the honors project, I've pretty much given up working out on a rigid schedule. I figure that if I get into perfect shape through my running, that'll only last me as long as I keep working out... Grades, research papers and transcripts are much more durable!

By the way, I apologize for the dry looking blogs this month. My camera is dead, completely not working. I can't get any photos off of it. Luckily I had already stored the honors project pictures on my computer. Hopefully, I can do a camera shopping trip soon! I definitely need to have a good one when it comes time to take pictures of the hatching quail chicks!

Passed my SaveFirst Tax preparer exam! My Saturday volunteering will start next week. Today I meant to jog, but instead danced the afternoon away, then went to J&R's (a local restaurant) for karaoke with friends from Judson and MMI. Dancing was much more fun than jogging... and singing was practice for my Monday 9am voice lesson with Dr. Betty. (Or at least I convinced myself that it was!)

I had to study last night to make up for the day off and am intermittently drafting blogs and working on online Bioethics and Biochemistry homework right now because I didn't study today either, as I was volunteering at the Ultimate Trail Horse competition in Montgomery.   Emily Fitzgerald, a current Judson student competed. Kayla  Jones, a Judson alum did, as well. The competition was very impressive!

I've been practicing a little bit of Zumba Meringue in my study breaks tonight.. Everyone in Spanish 102 got to learn a little last class! It's nice having a workout incorporated into Spanish class! Not sure if it'll be a regular thing. Hope so!

Between all of my classes, I'm sure I'll stay in shape, even if there isn't time to jog. Not only is there the small bit of dance in Spanish, but there are required nutrition logs in Biochemical Nutrition via the government website mypyramidtracker.com, and then of course a good workout in ballet class! I love the idea of getting a grade for working out and keeping track of my diet!  

Unfortunately, being healthy is not required to do well in Biochemical Nutrition..I was halfway hoping to get a bit more work out incentive from the course.  E.g. You can't pass if you don't have a well rounded diet and exercise an hour daily! On the other hand, it's probably good for my sanity that the class isn't that extreme. It does take time to work out and eat well. The log will help me a lot I'm sure and mypyramidtracker.com is quite fun. I was excited to see that it even breaks diet down according to vitamins!