Lucky Jacket

I decided to wear this suede jacket that used to be my dad's today. I've always loved this thing. Dad gave it to me a couple of years ago. For some reason it calms me down. I've always considered it lucky.

I wore it because I had a test in Classical Mythology. Before the professor started, he told us he won't be here for class on Thursday.

When I got into Shakespeare's Comedies, I asked the right questions and gave the right answers on a play I only scanned.

Then I went to Advanced Creative Writing II and the professor had a meeting, so we didn't have class.

So I had from 11:30 to 2:30 free. Had lunch with my best friend.

Also, I haven't fallen asleep yet in Macroeconomics. I'm pretty sure that's a first.

Random News

For a look at my WordPress Author Blog, click here! I haven't done very much with it, yet, but I plan on using it for all things related to my writing career.

In other news, I have QUIT the English/Language Arts Education program at Troy University, and am changing my major. I hated the education classes so much that it made me realize I could never be a teacher. They do far more work than is necessary for way too small a salary. I'm glad that there are people out there who have a capacity and a passion for that field. I, however, am not one of them.

I now plan on majoring in English and getting a minor in Business Administration. I want to work in the publishing industry, and eventually become a full-time writer.

I am almost done with the rough draft of Poisoned Apples, and I've run into a huge bout of writer's block. I don't know what's up, but it's really frustrating.

Musing in Class

I seriously need to get back on track. If I took school as seriously as I do my writing career...my life might be a little easier. This week, I promise myself that I'm going to get as much of my work done as possible, before I go home. That way, maybe, I can have the weekend to myself without having to be nagged. I hate nagging. I also hate how sick I make myself with stress. I'm just not healthy. I have a lot of things I need to get straight. You'd think I'd be pretty successful and put-together since I'm on college and I've already published my first collection of poetry. Fact is, I'm pretty much a walking disaster.

I'm getting ready to go in to my second day of Classroom Management, and I'm none too excited, just nervous. Another hoop I have to jump through to get this degree. This program really has a way of making a person feel like a strange mix between a circus performer and a lab rat.

In other news, I'm sick again. It's probably because I don't sleep much. I don't have a schedule, at all. I hate routines, but I think I need to get into one for my health's sake.

Chelsea's Log - 1/8/2010 - 12:55 p.m.

Well, I'm sitting in GAB107 waiting for IMC (Introduction to Mass Communication) to start. This is the first time I've been in one of the auditorium-like classrooms here at Troy. It's huge, and kind of intimidating. I think I'm going to like it, though. More later, Professor Colaco is here.

Chelsea's Log - 1/7/2010 - 3:30 a.m.

Okay, so I decided to start carrying a small notebook around with me as a log for my thoughts when I'm away and not immediately able to post them on my blog. When I get the chance, I'll post them on here under the heading "Chelsea's Log," along with the date and time that the thoughts/ideas/comments came to me. So, here goes my first one.

School hasn't even started yet, and I'm already stressed out about Educational Psychology. I got on Blackboard earlier, and it seems like this guy is hardcore. His name is Rolf Holtz, but I'll just call him Professor Holtz from now on. He's the only professor who already has stuff up on Blackboard. That makes me kind of nervous. Very nervous. I need to talk to Dr. Waters, though I will refer to her as Professor Waters in this log, about all the things I need to do for the TEP (Teacher Education Program) this semester. Oh, well...I suppose I should go to bed, now. Apparently, I'm driving back to Troy in the morning.

Dear Body,

It seems like you're really unhappy with me, lately. I'll let you know right now that I did not appreciate being awake all night, ill, because you just had to pull your usual going-back-to-school ruckus. I know you're not really fond of the place. Sometimes, I'm not fond of it either. But, let me tell you a secret, okay? We need a degree so that we can get a good career. Know why? Because we need to make a living. For ourselves. We can't rely on other people to do that kind of thing for us. I don't want us to ever have to depend on a man to put a roof over our head, food on the table, and money in the bank. Fact is, we can't depend on other people to do right by us. We shouldn't have to depend on other people. It isn't right. Now, let's get this good and straight right now: I don't want to be sick and worn out when we start school on Friday. We've got a long semester ahead of us, and there's a lot of work to be done. So, I'd appreciate it if you'd get it together so we can get some rest, pack, get our Godforsaken, chaotic room clean so Mom will stop stressing about it, and get to school well-rested. I'd like to start off on a good note. I thank you kindly for your consideration.

Much Love,

Chelsea

P.S. Do us a favor and kick this stomach virus to the curb, please?

I'm Starting Young Adult Lit. for Next Semester

And I have to read:

Walk Two Moons by Creech

Out of the Dust by Hesse

Zel by Napoli

Monster by Myers

Catcher in the Rye by Salinger

Romiette + Julio by Draper

The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book 1 by Pullman

The Giver by Lowry *

Feed by Anderson

Weetzie Bat by Block

Speak by Anderson

Hatchet by Paulsen *

The Outsiders by Hinton *

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Kinney

Joy? Any thoughts, opinions, and/or suggestions?

*Indicates a book that I've read previously, but that I still need to re-read for the class.

A Few Observations

I have finally hit that fork in the road where I feel I absolutely need to make a choice. I can either continue with Troy's English/Language Arts Education program, or I can choose something different. I'm considering several options right now.

I'm leaning heavily toward an English Major with an emphasis on Professional Writing, and a double minor of Print Journalism, and English with an emphasis on Creative Writing.