What's on my plate and Spring 2017 Semester stuff

This year's journey towards becoming a Registered Dietitian starts with my bullet journal and goal writing and lots of visits to advising.

Due to being a non-traditional student, I am not taking a full load.  Three classes in the spring, two in the summer, two in the fall.  My courses are as follows:

Spring 2017:

English 1023 Composition II
Math 1013 Financial and Quantitative Literacy
History 1013  Years 1492 - 1865

 Summer 2017:

NFS 1301, 1302 Food Preparation Principles
History 1023 Years 1865 - Present

Fall 2017:

BIOL 1111, 1113 Principles of Biology 98% scared 2% excited
GOV 2013 US Government


I chose to only take two classes in the fall because I want to focus on keeping my GPA up.  I hear that Biology is really hard and to be honest, I'm worried about it.  But it's only February and I don't have the energy to deal with that just yet.

English is a lot of work.  This is more reading and writing than I've had to do so far.  Writing isn't my strongest skill and I'm concerned I will not make an A.  Oh well, it is only February.

I like History.  I remember some of this from back in the day.  It's a fun class.  History is my jam!

This is a lighter load without a Statistics class using all my brain power!  Although I think I should have taken MATH 1013 before Stats.  Last semester might have been easier.

I work on assignments daily to keep up with the pace of the semester and so far that's working well. And like all previous semesters, I watch too much television and eat too much popcorn.

Shows I'm caught up on and now watching the current season:

Blue Bloods
Blacklist
How To Get Away With Murder
Grey's Anatomy
Scandal
Suits

mini rant.... seriously, House of Cards has been pushed back to May! I used to come out on Valentine's day! That's how hubby and I spent 02/14.  So romantic.

New network shows I like:

Designated Survivor
Timeless

Shows in the Que:

Mad Men
Goliath
The Mindy Project
Man In The High Castle


I'm open to suggestions on binge-worthy shows.   I really miss The Good Wife and haven't found another show close to it.


Only this week's schedule and menu.  We start the week with shouting out PLOT TWIST!  I have been puny since I returned from Mississippi.   Headache. Pressure.  Earache. Sore throat. Chills. Fatigue. No fever, just puny and tired.   Sunday afternoon I had to lay down and rest if the neighbor kid hadn't rung the doorbell I would have slept beyond three hours.  A three-hour nap wasn't enough.  I woke up with the same headache I laid down with.  Meh.

Went to bed early.  Slept eight hours only to awaken to an intensified headache.  Coffee, Water, Meds. Homework.

So, here's how the week should look.

Sunday:

Rest day
No Homework
No Exercise

Dinner:

Lemon Rosemary Chicken
Asparagus
Peas

Monday:

6 AM run  chose sleep
Homework/Study
Chores and Laundry

Dinner:

Skillet Chicken
Nope, not gonna happen
I made bone broth to sip on during the day and will use the remainder for Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup from Damn Delicious!

Tuesday:

Math on Campus
Study
Gym - Arm Day

Dinner:

Taco Salad

Wednesday:

6 AM Run
Meetings
Lunch with Bub
Homework/Study
Chores/Laundry
Gym - Leg Day

Dinner:

Stuffed Peppers - Stouffers
Hot Crash Potatoes - Pioneer Woman
California Blend Vegetables

Thursday:

Math on campus
Study
Gym - Back and Abs

Dinner:

Salmon Patties.  Pan "fried" cornmeal and panko bread crumbs.
Asian Salad - Taylor Farms

Friday:

Walk in the park
Study, Read, Write papers
Chores

Dinner:

Pizza Night - Make your own pizza.  Occasionally I make the dough, but most of the time I purchase it premade in the freezer section at Central Market.  Cento makes my favorite red sauce and our toppings vary from all cheese to veggie lovers.


This is what the week holds, as well as lots of bone broth breaks and naps.   Follow along on Instagram and Twitter "Salsa Is A Vegetable" Pix and Running Updates.

A dusting off...

I thought 2016 I would blog and talk about my college experience.  Classes, professors, classmates and the things said on the interwebs that make me want to silently screen scream and type in ALL CAPS!

Topics like:

Food Fads
Fake News
Nutrition Memes
Fake Foods
Running
Why I'm Injured, Meh!
Meal Planning
Metabolism, the truth.
The Biggest Loser, my thoughts
Orthorexia, it is a real thing

Moderation, what that looks like
Embrace where you are, just do it

Yea, so I did not accomplish much (or any) of that.  I cried over my classes, over my grades, over my homework.  So much homework!  When did college become such a chore?  I appreciate my husband for working to provide for our family and being supportive of my career/education choices.  

I've had this fire in my belly for years.  After I began running, losing weight, becoming cognizant of how nutrition affects my body, performance, my overall health.

Having researched "How to become a registered dietitian" at least ten times a year; in July of last year I made an appointment and sat for a college entrance exam.   My forty (something) year old brains test result were surprising.  I was eligible to enroll in courses and begin the steps necessary to embark on this career change...er...learning curve. 

And although this blog won't be full of pictures at least until I master that technology.  It will include the above and weekly updates about class, the good, the bad and the ugly cry about making a B.

eighty-eight point ninety-four (88.94).  Most students may be happy about a B in statistics.  I cried.  I emailed the professor, he didn't reply.  I asked for extra credit, he didn't reply.  I cried.   My four point oh was gone.  Bring on the tears.  All The Tears.  It is even hard for me to say the words three point six seven.  

So this semester, I work harder.  I study longer.  My new mantra is if Nothing Changes, then Nothing Changes.   I have resolved to get up early to run.

This semester's schedule begins January 17th.  I am taking (what I hope) is an easier schedule than last semester.   Contemporary Math (in person), English 1302 and History 1301 online.  

Monday and Wednesday are run days and will begin at 6:00 am either at the gym or running outside to give me more time to study.  Study time will be from 10:00 - 2:00.  Reading, writing, arithmetic.

Tuesday and Thursday are class days.  Contemporary Math or Quantitative Reasoning or scary math term.  Imagine me with a scary face right now.  It is possible I may begin a part-time job on class days.  TBD.    These are also gym days.  I meet the hubby at the gym after work.

Fridays are for turning homework in.  More reading, writing and arithmetic.  The goal being to keep weekends free of college stress, homework, deadlines, and tears.   I did not occur to me that there would be so much crying in college.

Here's to a successful semester, debunking the latest fads, more blogging, and (hoping for) less tears!