It's a go!!!

Yay!

It is a done deal.....I will be able to take the honors class this fall.  As with everything that is fine and good, some sacrifices will be made, but I have no doubt this is the right thing for me.  My co-worker will work my Mondays and I will work her Fridays, so the only day of the week I will be gone for a bit is Wed.  Truthfully it was a bit odd to have four other people to intimately involved in something so important to me, but I think the glass is half full....

I have been thinking of my paper all week, while reading The Black Death and the Transformation of the West by David Hearlihy...which I finished this morning.  It's not a large book, but really packed with a lot of information and statistics.  It's rather old (1997) but obviously good or the powers that be wouldn't have put it in the recommended list, I suppose.  So I sat down at the computer an hour ago intending to start it, but instead started reading blogs to catch up, and obviously this isn't part of the paper, which is to write on how the AIDS epidemic has effected Africa.  Mr. Herlihy mentined AIDS a number of times in the book, comparing the societal, economic and culture issues compare.  Fun, fun.

I have to say, I was really shocked hearing about the suicide truck driver in France.  I continue to be baffled as to why someone would be willing to die killing others that don't believe the way they do.  And since I've been reading about Malthusian theory, but I don't think that terrorist bombings, shootings or using a truck to kill people counts.  If you are curious go here for a definition - explanation of what the Malthusian theory is.  Oh, and by the way, it's rather scary.

Well, I really am get started on my paper, so I ought to get going.  Enjoy your weekend!

Love, 365

Get me an aspirin, quick....

I'm sure y'all remember me talking about the honors class....I seem to think of nothing else, along with the issues at work with the time off I would need to take it.  Our OM (office manager) said it would be so much better if the class was on a Tues - Wed - Thurs, since that is when all of the staff is in the office.  We alternate Monday and Friday, so on those days, there are only two of us working up front.  I did admit that I could take the class in the fall of 2017, since it doesn't look like I will finish all class work by then & graduate.  Damn, wish I could quit and go full time....I would be done in 2017 in that case, but whatever...

So, on Tuesday of last week, I received an IM (instant message) from the OM saying that perhaps the Monday-Wednesday class would work better, as I would be out of the office fewer hours.  Because, I work every other Monday & Friday.  Got it?  Yeah, it is rather complicated, but it didn't take me long to find an app (for firemen, no less) that allows me to input the proper days, etc.  Anyhow, I leapt up from my desk & wandered into her office with "What???"  At any rate, I mentioned that I still think we should wait for our fourth member of the front desk staff to return from vacation & make sure she at least feels as though we waited to confer with her before making the decision.  This fourth person has been working at the office longer than any of the rest of us, and she might take offense if we made the decision without her.  AND to throw in some more interesting stuff, one of my co-workers offered to trade Mondays/Fridays with me (since we are on opposite schedules) so that it would not be an issue on Mondays as two people would be there to cover everything that comes up.

I might actually be able to take the class.  Something I have been wanting for a year.  And recall that I had not yet dropped the class in hopes of a miracle?  Yup, looks like I might have one.  Maybe.  I guess I will find out on Tuesday.  Crossed fingers, and all that........and of course, now that it might be a possibility, I'm really nervous about the class.  Hmmmmmm
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Romeo signed his contract with the charter school ~ so YAY!  we will be insured before you know it. We had to go through a very long outline of how much everything is, what is covered, etc., but truthfully I am relieved as hell that we will have coverage again.  I have gone 8 months without anything (because at $450 a month for the crappiest plan for one person) it's cheaper to pay the government the penalty for not having any.  Regardless, that law really rankles.  I get the idea behind it, but really?  Ah, well, I'm not going to rant about that.  I hate politics, and especially our politics, and most especially the current presidential election.  Pish.

Well, gotta go....just discovered I have to write a 3-5 page paper for the history class on how AIDS affected Africa - economically, population wise, etc.  You know how I love to write.  Ha ha

Have a great week, everyone!
Love, 365

Happy Birthday, America!

Bing Images....

This is our day to ~ put our flags out to flap in the breeze....

Enjoy a baseball game with a dog and a beer.....

Swim in the pool 'cause it's hot outside.....

Have a neighborhood cookout, and have a great time......

Grill your own brats & burgers, with chips and fries.....

Or grill up a pizza and eat it outside.....

Most of all we celebrate the freedom we love...

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Where is everybody???

Cedar Crest trail, Sandia Mountains

The view from Cedar Crest

Flowering pines

Keeping a strong grip on the cliff's edge

Not all the trees have leafed out yet

Alien life forms? ha ha ha

For us, Sunday morning is lazy......for awhile.  This is when I most often write a post, and try to catch up on my reading.  Lately, I've noticed a lag in postings, and why not?  It's summer, and the trails (or chores) call to us.  Our gardens need watering, the dog is begging for an early walk.   

As far as the letter to UNM, the words are still floating around in my head.  I've yet to feel motivated to put them down on paper.  I plan to outline the points this afternoon.  Exercise always helps me organize my thoughts.....at 9am I'll get dressed and head on out to the racquetball court.  It's easy, because I go no matter how crappy my hair looks.  No makeup.  Although to be fair, I do try to tame the locks so as to avoid gasps of horror.  I hope that "wailing on the ball" ~ as my friend Denise puts it ~ will help me separate the wheat from the chaff.

Enjoy your Sunday ~ and Happy July 4th, Americans!

Love, 365

Wimbeldon, Santa Fe, and why I'm so freaking far behind on my chores....

This photo was taken just outside the Santa Fe Convention Center.

Fishy Garden.

Romeo and I went to Santa Fe & stayed the nite in a nice hotel near the city square.....we had lots of nice walks, and saw parts of Santa Fe we were unfamiliar with ~ like the area pictured above.  I was charmed & wanted to do something really silly, but Romeo wasn't really into it.  I wanted to ride the fish.  Next time I'll take a cowboy hat and do that.....

We stayed at the Inn at Loretto ~ very nice touch on the kiva fireplace even if it can't be used.

View from our balcony.

It was funny that the front desk staff mentioned that we've been "upgraded" to include a balcony.  I was (& still am) wondering if they do that to eveyone who walks in.  We were there on a Thursday night, which wasn't terribly busy, so perhaps that is why.  I still think it's just a marketing ploy to make us feel better/special.  

Crab cake appetizer at Geronimo's in Santa Fe.

It was OMG fabulous, as was all of the food ~ and the service was incredible. 

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Novak lost in the opening games at Wimbledon....holy cow.

I didn't get a chance to watch all of the game between Djokovic and Querrey, only bits and pieces.  Just goes to show you that the #41 men's player can have a very good day and beat the world #1 player.  Never give up!  Right now I'm watching the Tsonga~Isner match.  It's very close right now....I would love to see Isner win!

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We didn't sleep very well in Santa Fe ~ I attribute that to their noisy air conditioner, and the occasional door slam from neighbors.  When we arrived home yesterday, I was tired and unmotivated to unpack and put things away.  I even took a short nap, which I rarely do.  I have so much to do, it's interfering with my enjoyment of watching Wimbledon.  I really need to go to Costco and do some shopping, but I keep telling myself that I should wait a little longer to go since it's probably at it's busiest right about now.  

In fact, I need to stop now and check the clothes in the dryer.  

Love, 365

And.......here we go.......

(Bing images)

Week in review:

~I am (once again) accepted into the anthropology honors program at UNM.

~I have (once again) discovered that I can't take the class ~ that would make me eligible to graduate suma cum laude ~ because of the time of day the class is held.  My coworkers were unable to help me make it happen.  I understand - it's a lot to ask.  But I won't say I'm not disappointed.

Now I have to decide if I want to wage a campaign to "encourage" the powers that be that honors classes should be available to everyone.  I am planning on writing to the head of the department, but really, that's probably as far as I will go.  I'm not a big fan of banging my head on a wall repeatedly.  

Then I had to explain to one of my coworkers why it's not financially feasible to quit UNM and go to an online college for my degree.  (Long story short, you must have a certain amount of credit hours with the college before they will issue you a degree.  For example, it's 92 hours at UNM.  Typical # of credit hours for a typical class ~ 3.  That's around 10 classes.  Cost of a typical 3 credit hour class is over $800)  I still don't know if she gets it.

Ha ha...

Otherwise, all is going well, Romeo is working on his class and will begin teaching in August, when the charter school begins the school year.  

It's summer, and I can happily run around in tee shirts, shorts and flip flops all I want.

I have a few vacation days coming up next week, and Romeo and I are planning a few days in Santa Fe, including spending the night at La Fonda ~ a really nice hotel that I've always wanted to stay in.

Did I mention it's summer?

Have a wonderful week...

Love, 365

Happy Father's Day!

For all you Dad's....

Romeo, oh Romeo......Such a great Dad, Husband and Best Friend....

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In other news, the Dogs Head fire is only 9% contained and has burned over 16,000 acres.

This is south of where we live.

This is 5 hours ago....note that the bottom one is magnified.

Not sure when this photo was taken.  

Apparently the fire was not started by lightening, but probably man made.  One of my coworkers might be impacted if the fire is not brought under control.  Shelters have been designated for people to bring their animals in case they need to evacuate.  I was so happy to hear they had done this....when you have to go, what would you do with your horse, cow, llama?  I'm sure it's a relief to people who are being impacted by this fire.  Luckily we don't have big wind right now, but the heat is not helping.  

Well, gotta run!  Have a great week ahead....

Love, 365

Good news comes our way.......

New Mexico sunset

Romeo has accepted a teaching position with a charter school teaching 9th grade algebra!  On Monday he meets with HR to complete the details.  I assume the pay/benefits will begin in July, when they begin their training twoard the end of July.  Although there may be a 30 day wait period.  

In other news.....

Holy crap, it's gonna get really hot around here......I'm really glad I don't live in Arizona.

And........

We had a retirement party for one of our hygienists at work, who has been working with our Doc for over 20 years.  She's always upbeat and fun, and we're going to miss her!  Her last day of work is next Friday, so I'm going to have to figure out what to make for snacks that day.  

Well, gotta run....enjoy your weekend!

Love, 365

Research brings out my ADD......

Thanks, Albert....

I suppose Einstein got it because.......wait for it.........he was one smart cookie.  

Oh, did you guess that I'm on summer research?  ha ha   This will be my last individual study course with Prof. Stewart, so I gotta pull some rabbits out.  I've already found a few.  But if you think for one stinking minute that I want to rewrite that damn paper and stick in some new data, you're mistaken.  I really really don't want to rewrite the paper.  Two is relatively reasonable, going past that is just plain cockamamie.

However, I will have to.  Which means that I must again go through and re-organize and polish up some of the stuff I currently have in there.  Prof. Stewart is a writer (he has written 3 or 4 books already) so he is rather stiff with praise and generous with criticism.  I suppose I should be glad that he's a stickler, so he doesn't let me off with some stupid piece of crap that a later Prof. will look at and think "what the hell".  

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Romeo has been complaining about the homework/study workload in his ONE class.....so I snicker about it behind his back.  

He does have an interview with a charter school on Tuesday.  I am hoping it goes well.  Mama needs some frackin' insurance.  This fall I have some routine tests I will need done, and some other medical appointments I am putting off until I'm covered.  My gynecologist office said I could make payments, but what if they find something?  I might as well wait, although I know that's a really dumb ass statement.  Still.........

Well, gotta go and organize thoughts and data.  Have a great week!

Love, 365

The bloom is off the rose.........

Letting go, Facebook style.....

Recently my eldest let me know that he and his wife were having some problems...rather serious ones.  Then he let me know he was moving into an apartment.  Then this past weekend I was scrolling though Facebook and noticed a thinly veiled rant against my son by his wife.  My first thought was how I could respond, but realized quickly that I should stay out of it.  I also didn't want to see anymore of these nasty rants ~ after all, I'm only human, and could be swayed to engage.  Bad, bad idea.  So I texted my son to let him know that I intended to "unfriend" her on Facebook and why.  He understood, and agreed that it was for the best.  

It wasn't an easy thing to do....but I told myself that if they do work things out, I could simply "friend" her again.  I doubt this will happen.  And truthfully she was always throwing out long bible passages to promote whatever message she wanted to spread.  And although I don't have anything against religion, I have always felt that Facebook isn't really the place for that type of rant anyway.  Funny, because based on the crap I see on Facebook, I suppose there is no holding back....people post their workouts, sleep patterns, crazy cat videos, etc.  So, I suppose that religion might as well be in the mix too.

I receive friend requests all the time ~ doesn't mean I accept any of them.  I'm sure anyone who has been on Facebook for awhile would agree that they sometimes have a friend request, and you have no idea where it came from.  I usually investigate a little bit (in case it is the friend of a friend, or perhaps someone I'm related to ~ Mom has a really large family), and if they aren't from a geographic area I live or lived in, or we don't share any friends, I just delete the request.

Last week I had a friend request from a cousin, and I quickly accepted it, which I shouldn't have because it turns out her account was hacked.  This became obvious quickly when I began receiving Messenger requests and that involve money.  Yeah.  So, I just as quickly reported it to Facebook & unfriended them.  So, oddly enough I "unfriended" two people in one week.   Worse, I realized she was already one of my "friends", so I should have checked before accepting it.  What can I say?  I was at work and just goofing off.

Does anyone simply use Facebook to keep in touch and share family photos anymore?  I'm not so sure.  Social media has a lot more power these days.  I just skip the ones I don't want to read....the whole point of choice.

Love, 365

Thoughts that roam......

In the news

A piece of cloth from Pope John Paul II, which happened to have 

a drop of his blood on it, was stolen from Cologne Cathedral

I like this photo 'cause of the dove in the foreground

Just a tad bit of propaganda, yeah?

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Oh, how graffiti has changed!

These are etched into the stone inside England's Medieval churches...

One of the most common motifs found, these are thought to trap "malevolent spirits". 

These examples of ships are meant to send travelers safely on their way....

I don't know about you, but I figured these would have been the most popular designs,

not only because duh, they're crosses

but also because it could have been done quickly.

However, apparently church officials encouraged it....and apparently they (archaeologists) believe that women were responsible for most of the images.  Admittedly only a theory...the thought is that the etchings were done with this tool:

which women tended to carry in their pockets.  

***If you want to read more, go here.  Because the story is pretty cool.  

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Otherwise, I don't have a lot of news, or happenings, or events.......ha ha, life is on the slow and steady these days, although Romeo is stressing out about his class (which he needs in order to obtain his teaching certificate).  Because it is in the summer, it has been condensed, so you rarely get out of class early, and the requirements each week are pretty intense.  

I start my last "individual study" class with Prof. Stuart today...I suppose we will be setting parameters for research.  I already know what I need ~ the problem is finding it.  I am hoping he will give me some ideas today.  

The past 3 weeks have been nice, I've had 3 four day weekends in a row.  The last two weeks I've only worked 3 days a week.....it would be so easy to get used to that!

Enjoy your week!

Love, 365