Just knew it...

I was going to be very surprised if I passed phonology. And I didn't. I have to rewrite on Thursday. Poopy.

So, off to study hard... learning a few names and the theoretical framework of Optimality Theory. Very exciting. :P

Life Update

Time... continues...

Drat. I'd been hoping it would stop for a bit, just for me.

Anyhoo, I feel the need to post a life update for Pete and I, 'cause much has changed and will continue to change, I'm sure. Neither PhD program Pete applied for took him, so that keeps us here in So. Cal. for a bit longer. He is starting to look for a full time job, but that always starts slowly; neither of us knows where to start. Ideally, he could us his math, physics, astrophysics undergrad background. So, we'll see what God provides.

I am, hopefully, done with comprehensive exams. I sat for the final question on Friday afternoon, though I'm not confident about my answer. Luckily, there is time to re-write that question should it be deemed inadequate.

I am now wondering what to do with myself. I came home from China in May '03, and started this graduate program in Sept '03. This will be the first time in 5 years I won't have some academic pursuit I must finish. Oh, dear. Whatever will I do? I'll have time to read WHATEVER I want to read. I can write those ESL computer lessons I've been thinking about for a month. I can clean to my heart's desire!

"Ha, ha, ha" she cackles evilly. "I could take over the world!"

"Oh, drat" comments her husband.

2 questions down, 1 to go

My brain feels like fried beans. or scrambled eggs. I'm not exactly sure which, but its definitely mushy.

I took the first part of comprehensive exams today. I had the general question and 1 elective question. I'll get the 2nd elective and follow-up on the general question next Friday, the 25th. I think all went well, though I'm sure there are holes in my answers. Lets just hope the holes are few enough that I'm given a PASS.

The questions weren't as hard as I expected them to be, which was nice. At the same time, they did ask for more than I was sure of, so I fluffed some of the answer. If the prof doesn't notice, that will be good.

Now, to finish preparing for next Friday.... no sweat!

Apartment living can really stink

Only sometimes, though.

The pool and hot tub are really nice, and we have a very nice mainteince man, who is quick about fixing things.

However, we recently acquired a downstairs neighbor who loves LOUD music. And, unfortunately, his/her music choice is not what we would chose. Whoever it is, they like particularly crappy music, and they like it loud. So loud that my chair will vibrate sometimes, and I can hear the words via the wall heater. And its constant, from when I get home after lunch till bedtime.

Generally, I'm all for background noise. TV, radio, book on CD... any of these are nice... sometimes. But when it is constant and I can't turn it off, I find myself most passive aggressive. I want to stomp around, drop large books, scrap the chairs across the floor. Maybe I'll get up and vacuum at 2 am tonight, just to annoy the neighbor. Maybe tonight, after 10 pm, I'll get up, and purposely pick up the sofa from one end just to drop it. I hope that some of the bumps on the ceiling fall off and hit the dude in the eyes and mouth. Maybe I'll be sure to drop something heavy in the bedroom in the morning, to startle the dude from sleep.

Yes, I know that none of that will effectively communicate that I want the music turned down. But what will? I've complained to the office once. We called security on them one night when the music was loud after 10 pm. Maybe a nasty note on the door.... or maybe I'll just complain to the office again.

Weekly home blessing hour

I did it! I actually did it. I usually do my cleaning in bits and pieces, but this week I downloaded the Weekly Home Blessing Hour, done by Flylady. I listened and used my timer, and I did it!

Such a feeling of having it done. And I got some exercise to boot!

Dude, comps stress me out

Back in January, I decided to drop my thesis and just take comps. Guarrentee graduation in May was the idea. My comprehensive exams are scheduled for April 19 & 25, the first one less than a week ahead. I am so stressed out over it.

It will be over soon enough, I know.

On top of all that, its stinking hot. Its in the 90s, and all we have is a small ac in the wall, for one room. Good thing we only have the two rooms! Anyways, I'd forgotten what it was to be so hot, this seems quite adnormal in my mind.