Archive for November, 2006

Solve for X

Tuesday, 28 November, 2006

(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:

= (4x)(3x) - (4x)(12) + (5)(3x) - (5)(12)
= 12x^2 - 48x + 15x - 60 = 12x^2 - 33x - 60

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.

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I’m going to need a new outfit

Sunday, 26 November, 2006

I’m surprised with myself. Seemingly out of nowhere I up & decided, nay, committed myself to going back to school. It’s done. I mean, 9 credits beginning January 8th. I’ve sort of got this jump start on my New Year’s resolutions. I fiddled around and took a career exploration class on-line this term. And as we all know, I’m sick to death of my job. My own boss brings me job postings and encourages me to apply elsewhere. I know it comes from a good place and I know she’s just trying to help me. But me and my bad attitude have just about warn out their welcome.

So it’s back to school. Maybe this seems like it’s coming totally out of the blue for those of you who may know me, especially through my blog. But I’m going back to school with the intention of knocking out some pre-requisites and getting myself into Nursing School. I have this sort of dream that I’ll not only get into Nursing school, but that I’ll achieve a B.S.N., and then, who knows…. a Master’s in something or another. I’m attracted to careers such as Nurse Practitioner, or perhaps some sort of nurse anesthesiologist.  And those kinds of careers require master’s degrees.

There’s a long way to go, but, hell, it’s not really all that long. I never did take math or science in college. Instead I got credits galore in writing and history, sociology, theatre, music and art appreciation, and some crazy 9 credit class in the "literature of pre-history" which totally makes me laugh. 196 credits: none of which have anything to do with science or math. As you can imagine, I have a long haul ahead of me. 9 credits while working full time feels like a lot. But shit I don’t do anything else. I’ll have to cut back on television and god knows I could use the break by fulling my brain with knowledge.

I have this sort of generalized anxiety about taking math, so I’m starting at almost the very beginning. Honestly, my fears around math are totally psychological. It got hard, I didn’t know how to ask for help, I was not encouraged so therefore I just dropped out before I could ever get out of Algebra II. So I know it sounds kind of hokey and silly, but I’m going into this time with this attitude that I can do it; I will do it. I’m not afraid. And if it starts to get a little hard, I’m going to get help. I’m sort of embarrassed to admit that I have to start with Math 60, then go through 65, 95, 111 & then somewhere down the line Statistics. 

Biology I’m not worried about really at all. I mean, I’m not saying it’s going to be a piece of cake, but I do think it’ll hold my attention. There’s a lot of Biology to be had, too. I’m starting at the beginning with BIO 112, then I think I can jump right into 1 of 2 terms of Anatomy & Physiology, followed by Microbiology and then I believe I need a term of Chemistry.

Oh, and then I’m quite sure I’ll need Nutrition and perhaps another credit or two in Psychology and Sociology, depending on what will transfer from Evergreen. Now, I don’t need ALL of this to get into Nursing School, but I do need quite a bit of the math and the A & P before I’ll even be considered for Nursing School. All the other classes I know I’ll need eventually in order to earn a B.S.

Perhaps I’m dreaming. Perhaps not. All I have at this point is time. I have this goal that by 2008 I’ll be accepted into and in fact attending one of the many fine schools in the area. And I’ll take advantage of my tuition waiver for as long as I can, hopefully without completely wearing out my welcome at my job. In a way this is the best I’ve felt about my job for quite some time. It feels like a means to an end. Perhaps at some point I will take a leave of absence and go to school full time. Wow, that would be radical. I don’t know when I’ve ever done that! Point is, I’ve just made up my mind that I’m going to be a good student, and get good grades and damnit if I won’t be a great nurse.

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