Just once in my life, I’d like to have at least one month without drama. Just one month. Is that too much to ask, Universe?

Wow, four weeks since I last posted something. And I was doing so well too.

In summary, we’re now working 2nd shift. In some ways, there’s less drama and in other ways more. On 3rd shift, the drama was way more personal. On 2nd, it’s nothing personal — they’re just short handed and some machines keep deciding to take dirt naps at inopportune times. Had someone go home sick and I’m the natural choice to take their place. Let me tell you: It’s novel actually sleeping at night again!

College is… tough. (Not new.) I got a D+ in C++ Programming II, so I’m retaking it next semester. Passed my Web Usability Design (i.e. Planning Web designs) with a B+.

I’m re-taking C++ Programming I right now and while it’s not tough, my classmates can be pretty difficult. There’s one person who I really hope is a non-native English speaker. I can barely read anything she’s written because her posts are so garbled. The others can’t actually do the work without the professor holding their hands. They post help requests for every step of a simple program the book practically walks you through anyway. *sigh* Fortunately, I’m taking it online so I can just close the window whenever they get too annoying.

Last week, the car decided the middle of winter was the perfect time for the head gasket to wear out. (That’s a gasket actually inside the motor…) So, it was into the shop so they could tear the motor apart to replace this stupid little gasket. Since they were going to have to keep our car overnight, they gave us the loaner car to use. Well, it got us to work, got us home, and refused to start when we had to go to the shop to pick up our car. So, we got to squeeze into the cab of the tow-truck and ride all the way to to the shop. A $540 bill later, we have our car back.

Here’s hoping we don’t get hosed when we do our taxes. I need a month off.

Public Service Announcement to anyone in my C++ class!

This might come as a shock to you, but I don’t possess psychic powers. I have no talent in ESP. I can’t read your mind. I have no idea what you’re thinking, so you don’t have to worry about me snooping in on your thoughts or whatever.

If you want me to do something, you’re going to need to communicate.

Speak! Tell me what’s going on. Inform me to what happens in the group. I only have 3 - 4 hours to get homework in before I have to go to work, so I don’t have time to play guessing games with you.

We have a group discussion board, use it. I read it daily. It’s shocking that there’s only been 2 new posts this week. Don’t reply with the project guidelines when I ask what’s going on or say I don’t know what we’re even supposed to be doing. I already know.

You submitted almost the entire first half of the project without communicating with any of us. Either keep going or start talking.

Over on LiveJournal they had a topic asking what users are looking forward to in 2008.

I think the one big thing I’m looking forward to in 2008 is the continuation and possible completion of my bachelors degree.

I’m enrolled in accelerated coursework through a local college. Each class is only 6 weeks long, so they go by pretty quickly. Some classes kick my ass and others go by so quickly they’re over and done in a flash. This semester I’m taking Network Security, C++ Programming I, C++ Programming II, and Web Design III. Depending on how hard I study and the number of classes I take each term, I could possibly be completing my degree as soon as late 2008. I’m ready to graduate and move on to a new stage in my life.

Additionally, there’s also a lot I need to learn on my own such as Ruby on Rails, Flash, and more advanced web design and development topics. I’m also saving up to purchase more web development and graphics design software. Most of the positions require knowledge of titles such as Photoshop, InDesign, and more. Adobe has an entire suite of software aimed at web developers, which costs about $600 for students. I’m up to about $450 right now, so hopefully by the end of this semester I should have these titles. I have a lot to learn and I’m hoping to see some real progress this year.

Finally, I’m hoping to connect more with my Aunt Karla. I hated her when I was a teen and it was plainly obvious I wasn’t her favorite person either. We were never close and came to blows more times than I care to remember. Over the last ten years, one — and probably both of us — have changed. I don’t know what’s changed, but there’s been a subtle change of some kind that I can’t define. I enjoy spending time with her and she seems to enjoy spending time with me. But either way, I would like more time to bond with her. She’s… a cool aunt now. She also has Type 1 Diabetes and I find her experiences and knowledge extremely valuable.

I suppose those are the two big things I’m looking forward to this year. This last year, as trying as it was at times, was probably one of the better years I’ve had recently. I’m hoping the trend continues in 2008… ~ ♥

I’m having one of those months where I’m just kind of “blah” about everything. My favorite character is back in the Naruto manga and I strangely can’t dredge up the energy to feel excited about it.

Anyway… good news: Everyone, including me, is now employed. I’m starting over at Kalfact Plastics tomorrow night. Mom works there, same shift, so there’s no extra gas being wasted to get me someplace else.

The bad news? It’s third shift. Well, depending on how you look at it, I guess. I’ve always been a night owl, now I just get to work through the night instead of aimlessly surfing or reading. I’ve just kind of been sitting here wondering “What on Earth have I gotten myself into?”

Good news: Three weeks left before summer break starts.

Bad news: I don’t think I can get any more burnt out on school. I do not want to do my homework, I don’t want to attend, I just don’t want to do it. I really hate my geography class, even though I’m doing really good. It’s just… troublesome. lol I learned APA format years, they hammered it in all my English classes here at Baker, but yet now I’m suddenly not doing it right according to this instructor. I’m doing it the way I was instructed to in all my English classes. *huff* I need the summer off, badly.

Gotta get the newsletter out for Lunaescece, this month it’s just going to be random. I don’t have the time to waste waiting for people to nominate things.