Don't you love it when you type your entire entry, try to open a new browser window to check on something you wrote, close the window you thought was a new window only to discover your dumb computer just used the same window you were typing everything in? I am now typing this entry for the second time, which is disappointing because the first time was pretty good.

So anyway, it's that time of the year again, and I don't mean Christmas. It's time for the joys of writing as many papers and doing as many projects as humanly possible over the duration of about two weeks and then taking several large tests. Stress levels have been pretty high. I've noticed the tell tale signs of stress for me: restless sleep, change in pH levels in my mouth, and a huge desire to procrastonate. That last one may not be a sign of stress so much though. The nice thing is that the stress is dropping. I've gotten several of the papers done to the point that I'm almost completely caught up. Too bad I still have two more papers and two presentations yet to go before finals.

Still, sleep is getting easier and the canker sore has pretty much healed up. That's good considering I like sleep and I don't enjoy biting the side of my mouth all the time. In other health related news, Friday was the three week mark for labiaplasty. That means stitches are clear to come out. I was sick of getting poked all the time, so I tried to get some of them out. Unfortunately they haven't been too friendly on being removed. Lots of pain. With each day more of them work their way to the surface though. Eventually they'll all be gone or dissolved. That'll be nice.

Money is my greatest enemy right now though. I have a grand total of $14 to last me for the next two weeks. I have to do my laundry sometime soon. I have no money on my food card again. My car needs an oil change. I'm in need of deodorant and other miscellaneous toiletries. I owe the TV studio money for a t-shirt. I have a bill waiting to be paid. And on top of all that, I have no Christmas presents for my family or friends. That really sucks. Thankfully I get a raise at the help desk for next semester. The standard raise for student workers is 25 cents. However, I put a lot of effort into the job. Every semester I've worked there so far I've gotten more than the 25 cents. I'm expecting somewhere around 50 cents. It's not much, but it will help.

I had planned on applying for this fellowship program in New York City for the summer, but I missed the deadline by a day. I have all these projects and papers to thank for that. Of course, I could have filled out the application a month ago, but I put it off because I had stuff to do then too. I wish I had done it then, because now I'm so much more busy than I was. The good thing is that I can apply next year still. I have that one last chance...unless I go to grad school for communications too. I don't know if I will though.

I'm surprised I haven't mentioned this yet, but I have a permanent job possibility at the University. This fell in my lap the Monday before Thanksgiving. I've known this guy, Bruce, for a while. He works as the media specialist for one of the computer departments. I used him as a source for a speech I gave recently. That Monday he walked in and told me he's leaving the University in two weeks. That two weeks is up this Friday, December 10th. He then told me he had been passing my name around as someone who could replace him. That floored me.

I didn't really know how to handle that at first. I let it sink in, got some advice, and then felt honored. I usually think of myself as amateur or just still learning. I wouldn't put myself on par with Bruce or consider myself capable of being the Media Specialist. Regardless, after a few days of thought, I was leaning towards the idea. Friday of that week, I talked to another person in the department and she seemed all for it. She later advised me to apply. So, that's a good sign. I have allies. I'm going to apply when the job is posted. I'm still not sure I'm ready for it, but who knows what'll happen. I'm also not sure I want to stay here in this town. I really don't have to though. I think I'd like to work for a few years and then go to grad school after I have some things paid off. I'll keep you all informed on the developments.

Well, I should probably start doing research for the presentation this week and also start writing the paper I have to turn in tomorrow. I will write again soon. Bye everyone.

Luv,

Jess