(4x + 5)(3x - 12)
It’s been so long since I’ve done FOIL, even this equation looks daunting. In fact, I totally forgot what FOIL means (First, Outside, Inside, Last) until just now. I’m not entirely certain how something so seemingly simple turns into this:
Ok, so I really don’t remember how to do any of that at all and it’s a wee bit intimidating. Yet I’m determined to somehow understand algebra in the next few months. FOIL is my friend.
I had one of those moments yesterday that’s hard to explain because when I say it out loud it sounds really dorky. It was more of a feeling, and a pretty extraordinary feeling to boot. And perhaps a gentle nudge from the Universe if you believe in that sort of thing. I do, I suppose, and I’m choosing to take it as such.
So I’m having a chat with one of the girls here in the office. We work for different departments and sometimes days will go by when I don’t speak to that side of the office at all. But it was quiet yesterday and I got to sharing my intentions of going back to school. Before I know it, she’s asking me what books I need and within minutes my algebra books are sitting on my desk.
I took this class earlier in the term called "Discover Your Calling". It was a bit new-agey and slightly hokey as we did these exercises like "if you could do whatever you wanted, what would you do?" (I, having just returned from my Brian Jonestown Massacre Pilgrimage, was chosen to speak first, and the only thing I could think of to say was to follow around my favorite band and document my experiences and suddenly the instructor is writing on the white board that I want to be a Rock Journalist… Well, not exactly…). But she did have some valuable advise that I took to heart.
Her main theory was that once you announce your intentions to the Universe - say them out loud or write them down, that the Universe works to make it happen. It has to do with energy and intention and quantum theory and all that stuff from that movie What the Bleep Do We Know? And on a very small scale, I must admit, this theory seems to be working for me. I mean, I’ve been thinking about school for, oh, the last several years, but when I started to take action, and speak it out loud, well, my algebra books literally materialized before my eyes. Coincidence? Some would say. I don’t really believe in coincidence, however.
I mean, for god’s sake, they are just algebra books. But what do you know? I work at a school and I can take algebra at the same campus. My Biology 112 class is within walking distance to my house. It’s not like I’m stretching myself to make this school thing happen. Oh, and I get a tuition waiver. And my husband is a math whiz. Um… hello? Live-in tutor! Path lit with bright neon signs people.
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I was so moved when I saw those books on my desk yesterday that I almost could have cried. I’m thinking I’m on the right track.