SUYB: August Books

Erin's Challenge = COMPLETE!  I do not participate in the bonus round so I can give myself some time to read books that have been gathering e-dust on my e-shelves.

I fucking SLAYED some books this month.  Partially because many of these were in progress last month, but I kept breaking up my progress for library books, because return due dates are the wooorssttt.

Rating scale*:

1/5 - Hated it, didn't finish.
2/5 - Tolerated it on principle to finish, didn't like it.
3/5 - Eh, didn't love it, didn't hate it. Had some good parts/kept me interested/finished it on principle.
3.5/5 - I liked parts of it.
4/5 - I liked the whole thing.
4.5/5 - I liked it a lot, but not sure I'd read it again.
5/5 - I LURVED it and I'd read it again.

*Subject to change based on my mood, the phase of the moon, or other unpredictable variables.

Skimmers, stick with the bold text (TL;DR* parts).
PS. Possible spoilers included in reviews.

Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach  DNF/5 (library ebook)

Essentially, this book is a research paper on sex and orgasms and bodies and etc etc etc.  I think I would have been able to power through this as an audiobook because I could have just tuned the book out when it was droll.  As an ebook though, I had to pay attention to the words for, ya know, comprehension, and I just kept thinking to myself, this book is stupid and it feels like she just wants to talk about the clitoris to talk about the clitoris and I'm over it.  When the library took this book the first time, I requested it again, and then when it arrived I decided no mas.  #notsorry

This was a challenge book, so I substituted it with Beartown and had NO regrets.

TL;DR: Teenage Megan probably would have enjoyed the "educational yet risque" nature of this book, but Adult Megan was like, I'll figure it out myself, hard pass.

Morning Star by Pierce Brown  4.75/5 (Audible audiobook)

Books 1 and 2 of this trilogy sometimes felt like a slog, but this book SLAYED ME.  It was so good that at the end I was sending Kristen snaps about my feelings because I was so overwhelmed and needed to share them with someone who would understand.. and since she's the reason I read this trilogy, she was my victim.

Darrow finally ends the revolt that he started.  This entire series is a roller coaster and you never know who to trust and this book has ruined me for all other books because now I have trust issues.  #TRUSTNOONE  At the end, I had resigned myself to one ending, then BAM!  NOPE!  Megan was wrong!  All the tricksies were pulled on me and I was sad and glad and omg feelings!

In fact, when I finished this book, I didn't want to start another audiobook because I didn't want to end my book high from this book.  I have The Hope U Give on Audible waiting on me, but I just didn't want to lose my Golden Son feeling.

Also, there was great joy from all the Pax references.  That said, I didn't name our dog, Teh German did, but so much Pax in my life brought me so much joy.

TL;DR: This final book of the trilogy made up for the less enjoyable parts of books 1 and 2.  I WAS BLOWN AWAY by the ending and didn't see it coming.  I even almost cried at the very end and I'm heartless and it wasn't even PMS time.

A Dog's Journey (A Dog's Purpose #2) by W. Bruce Cameron  3/5 (hard copy)

A book about a dog who is reincarnated to take care of his human family.  This is book 2 and I probably could have lived without this book in my life.  Gloria was a horrible person and CJ's bulimia wasn't something I was super interested in.  I get it, people have problems that I shouldn't choose to ignore, but I just didn't dig this book (see what I did there?).  It is what it is.  If you want to read a from-the-dog's-perspective book, check out The Art of Racing in the Rain.
 TL;DR: I wanted to like these books, but I really didn't.  I finished this book since it was an easy enough read and there's a movie that I might watch one day.  Overall though, I'd pass on these book.  PS. Yappy dogs are annoying even in print, who knew.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate   3.75/5 (library ebook) 

I originally thought this was a kid's book, but I think the subject was a bit too heavy for a child.  It was a super easy read about an elephant and a gorilla who are used as an attraction at a mall with goals of eventually finding more of their own species.  Apparently, this book is based on a true story?  IDK.  It was entertaining enough and I used it as a challenge book substitute after a selection didn't get published.

TL;DR: An easy read that is geared towards NOT children about a showcase gorilla who can "paint".

Destiny’s Escape: A Greyhound’s Tale by Tony Feeherry  2/5 (free Amazon ebook)

Someone in one of my dog groups posted about this free book and I figured why not.  I'll tell you why not, this book is so obviously anti-greyhound racing, it was painful.  This is how children get brainwashed.  Horrible bias in this book and I was just not really that impressed.  I am mostly neutral on the subject of greyhound racing due to the increase in standards maintained at tracks now.  If this book had come out in the early 90's, then it would be different.

TL;DR: An anti-greyhound racing children's book.  Pass.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer  4.25/5 (library audiobook)  

After finishing Cinder last month, I knew I'd be continuing on with The Lunar Chronicles, especially with Marissa Meyer coming to Charleston in November for YALL Fest.  I really enjoyed Scarlet.  I didn't enjoy the narrator's accent inconsistency, but I'm trying to overlook my OCD problems for the greater good.

I thought that the characters in the books would run parallel with each other, but eventually they overlapped, which I really enjoyed.  Cinder is obviously based on Cinderella while Scarlet is based on The Big Bad Wolf/Little Red Riding Hood, if you didn't assume that.  After dealing with all of Darrow's betrayals, I thought the worst of Wolf, and we'll see if his good behavior continues.

I did keep thinking to myself, "My what big eyes you have.  My what big teeth you have," during all of the descriptions of the wolf characters.  I can remember stories from before I started school, but I can't remember math from 12 years ago.  #ItsHardToBeMe

TL;DR: A play on Little Red Riding Hood and Cinder does eventually join in, because it's a series.  It sound weird, but it works well.  Good jorb, Meyer.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley   4.5/5 (hard copy, own)

One of the books I bought from the bookstore in a trailer.  I had seen good things about it.  I wasn't disappointed.  This story follows Rachel and Henry.  Rachel doesn't want to tell people that her brother is dead and it makes things awkward, but I kinda get it.  She feels like a failure and doesn't want people to think that she's using her brother's death as an excuse for her poor choices.

Not to be punny, but this book feels like going swimming at night while the water is warm and you just float.  Refreshing, buoyant.  IDK, this was a book I didn't know I needed.  I enjoyed that it was about books and that the characters were original.

TL;DR: Coming of age story that isn't filled with too much drama and angst.

Cress by Marissa Meyer  4.5/5 (library audiobook) 

Continuing on with The Lunar Chronicles, Cress is based on Rapunzel.  As with Scarlet, all the characters eventually join up.  It didn't feel like there were too many characters, but maybe because you get to know them slowly in the first 2 books so it isn't overwhelming. 

In this book the characters pair off into couples, which I figured was bound to happen at some point.  I was glad and sad that Scarlet was abducted, because it would have been too perfect if she hadn't.  I mean, eventually, something bad has to happen, otherwise there is no book.

The little connect with Dr. Erlund and Cress were interesting touches, though I'm wondering if that will be relevant for anything else in the series.  I am interested to get more of Winter in the next book.

TL;DR: Book 3 of The Lunar Chronicles and probably my favorite of the 3 I've read.  Continuing on with Winter!

In Progress:

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy  */5 (hard copy, own)
-I bought this book at the traveling bookstore and I'm about halfway and so, so, so confused.

Winter by Marissa Meyer  */5 (library, ebook)
-Continuing the series. I need to get my hands on Fairest, but I own a hard copy of Stars Above so I can read the novellas when I finish.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas   */5 (Audible audiobook) 
-I started this after finishing Morning Star, but then library books came through, so I had to hit pause. I'm already hooked and I'm only 5% into the book.  I've heard so many good things about this one, so I'm excited to get to it.

On Deck:

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer  */5 (hard copy, own)

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver   */5 (library ebook)
-I started this one and got maybe one chapter into it when other library books for my challenge came in and this one was no longer a priority.  I was highly interested from the first few chapters, so I will probably check this back out before November since Lauren Oliver is one of the YALL Fest authors.

Nightmares! by Jason Segel, Kirsten Miller   */5 (library ebook)
Jason Segel is going to be in Charleston for YALL Fest and I already bought tickets to see his talk, so I wanted to read his book to be able to keep up with the conversation.  It seems to be aimed towards youths/young adults, but it's a "scary" book, so I'm not sure how young is too young.  The library took this back before I could finish it and I started the audio version (which is narrated by Segel), but I couldn't get into it and I needed to finish Scarlet before it expired.


The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson  */5 (Audible audiobook)

Outlander 4-infinity, including the novellas (most of which happen to be contained in one handy dandy book).





YAY for books!
*TL;DR = too long, don't read

Weekend Review {9/11}

FRIDAY

School was miraculously cancelled on Friday, so my math test anxiety could carry on for another week.  #GoodTimes  Actually, it means an extra week of studying, so I'm taking it.  I also worked from home since we had been instructed to do so, a gift I will never say no to.

When I woke up, I took care of some priorities:

like ensuring the battery supply was charged up.

I had my morning meeting and then after, I took a break to head to Walmart before the insanity started.  I needed to pick up my meds that the doc called in on Thursday and pick up hurricane supplies.

#hurricanesupplies

Yet another fuel to the anxiety fire: the doc didn't call in any of the prescriptions that we discussed, to include the anxiety meds, AND they weren't answering their phone when I was calling at 1130 on Friday.  Annoying.  I later decided I should try to call again around 1:30 and got a machine recording that said their office was closing at noon on Friday and they'd be closed through Tuesday because Irma.  Yeah, let's not talk about that amount of rage.

Teh German came home and left right away to go help Teh PT Husband upgrade truck things.  IDK.  I do know that I slaved away making broccoli casserole and he wasn't here when dinner was ready and I was mildly annoyed since I actually had to do work on this stupid thing.  It came out good, but still.. I hate having to cook shit, just to recook shit.

Beautiful broccoli casserole.

While Teh German hadn't been home, I had been doing work work and working on homework/studying.  Late last week I discovered this assignment section of my Chemistry class that I hadn't been aware of.  Oops.  So now I'm playing catch up on that and still trying to learn the stuff up to now and it's mostly a disaster.  To say I've spent hours studying/doing homework isn't an exaggeration.

When Teh German came home, I finished up what I was working on and we headed over to Teh PT House for some socializing.  Eventually, we were all having a yawning war, so we headed home and went to bed.

SATURDAY

I woke up to this on Saturday morning:

/swoon

I tried to talk Teh PT Wife into a run, but she was already committed to her coffee, so that didn't happen.  Instead, I ended up talking Teh German into a dog walk so I could actually focus on school work and not be distracted by dogs begging for my attention (MERI).  Teh German and Pax meandered behind me while Meri and I hoofed it around the neighborhood.

For hurricane prep, they moved the Porta Potties into the garage.  LOOOOL

When we got back from our walk, I opened the windows (so we could be attacked by allergens) since it was uncharacteristically cool outside (for Charleston in September).

I made time to repair Pax's caterpillar toy (which had undergone a lobotomy by Meri) and the baby Lamb Chop (who was about to missing a foot, again Meri).

After that was done, I headed downstairs to pergatory, aka the dining room table, where I do my homework.  I spent no less than 5 hours doing available German homework (20 mins) and then doing discrete math problems in the book.

Teh German was doing whatever he does when I'm occupied.  I do know he left at one point to go with Teh PT Husband to the butcher and picked up steaks for dinner.  When he got back, I put those in my marinade and went back to math.

When Teh PT Wife asked me if I wanted to walk the dogs, I said yes.  I was only going to bring Meri, but Pax was not going to be left out.  It was the first time Marcy and Meri have hung out together since their incident, but they were fine (and Dog Moms were extra diligent). 

After the dog walk, I showered and we headed over to Teh PT House for dinner.  Since everything was already covered for sides, I brought dessert: walnut brownies with caramel.  EVERYTHING was delicious.

The dudes went outside for cigars while Teh PT Wife and I broke out a stupid hard puzzle.  After we got tired of being frustrated at the puzzle, we sat outside for a bit until it was finally time to call it a night.

When Teh German and I got home, I went to the sink to pour out  my drink and discovered that Pax and Meri had a new sibling!  I should have let him stay to eat all the flies that got in the house while the doors/windows have been open, but I covered him with a bowl and carried the oil outside and freed him in the yard.  I had to shoo Meri and Pax away from trying to eat him!  Ruffians.

After all the excited, it was bedtime.

SUNDAY

Sunday was another slow start.  Originally, I wanted to go on a run since it was soooo nice out!  But then I remembered Ortho's face and decided that I'd not run for the rest of this month, but October was game on with no guilt.

I asked Teh German if he wanted to walk the dogs with me and he said no.  I was annoyed and I rolled over and stopped giving fucks about things.  Of course, THEN he was in a good mood and was like, "Let's walk the dogs!"  Me: No, I'll just give them bones.  He was persistent and I made sure to call him out on the fact that it wasn't a good idea when I mentioned it, but he wanted to do it after he suggested it....  Ugh.

Pax has the best ears, you never know what you're going to get.

There had been a package delivered while we were still in bed, so I opened it when we got back from our walk.  New rain boots!  YAY for not having wet feet when I walk across campus in the rain!!!

I warmed up leftover casserole for lunch and headed to my school station for the rest of the afternoon.  Sunday's subject was chemistry.  I worked 60 problems for 5-6 hours.  Many of those problems I did several times (up to 5 times).

Teh German had been working on blacking out his truck decals in the garage most of the day.  When he was waiting on the last coats to dry he came in and said he was feeling bad for me being trapped at the table all day and suggested going out to dinner.  I was down for that as long as I didn't have to change out of my lazy clothes.  We agreed to drive out and see what was open and opted for Bojangles.

We brought our food home and while we were eating I asked Teh German which he thought was better, Bojangles or Wendy's.  He said Bojangles and I had to clarify if he was just saying that for me or for him.  He said that the seasoning on the fries was on point and the spice of his sandwich was good.  #WIN  I ate way too much but it was so delicious, I didn't want to stop.

After we finished dinner, I headed over to Teh PT House to deliver a yard toy for Marcy that Pax and Meri had never touched and some skinny bully sticks in exchange for the cheese sticks that Marcy had gnawed on for Meri and Pax.  My dogs don't love their cheese sticks unless they've been previously chewed on by another dog....  #myweirdos

I got distracted doing puzzle and eventually, Teh German came over to fetch me to come home.  He had put Baloo back together and the blacked out grill looks really good.  We watched a few episodes of Parks and Rec before finally calling it a night.

______________________________________________

This doesn't necessarily seem like what a relaxing weekend looks like, but I've been very stressed about chemistry and math class, so studying for 10+ hours was better for me than avoiding my responsibilities.  After we realized that Irma wasn't headed straight for Charleston (sorry FL), we relaxed a little and knew that we'd be weathering whatever we got on Monday (so far rain and some wind).

The Citadel announced that classes will resume on Thursday this week, so that means that we will have missed a week of class.  This will be a delight to make up.  My goal over the next few days is to continue these intense studying sessions.  Weds and Thurs will include extra math cramming/study sessions to prep for the test on Friday morning.  Mostly, I just need to pass.  I'd like to do well, but passing is my minimum requirement for myself.

Hopefully, Irma hasn't treated you too badly, if you were affected.  Word on the street is that it should be nice and cool in Charleston now and I won't look that gift horse in the mouth if Irma did that for me.  I've been wearing long sleeves for a few days now and it's been deligggghhhtttffffuuulllllll.

Also, I would be a shitty American if I didn't mention 9/11.  It amazes me now that there are people who are old enough not to remember 9/11 or even know of it.  I won't lie, it's a heavy day for me because 9/11 and hurricanes and our mf-ing shit show government right now.  We have a lot to be grateful for, but we sure have a lot to work on, too.  As Americans, that's what we're good at, overcoming the adversity and succeeding.  We will persevere.

Tomorrow is SYUB!
Which means that September is almost half past.
Which means that October is almost here.
Which means that the wedding is like 1.5 months away.
Which means that I'm probably going to have a breakdown because I've got to find the time to do homework AND write my vows and make choices.  FUUUUCCCKKKK.

Five on Friday #122

EINS

In case you live under a rock, a Hurricane Irma is ravishing it's way up the East Coast in the next few days.  I'd prefer to stay home and weather the storm if it's Category 1/2 and evacuate if it's Cat 3+.  I can handle no power for a few days, it's ample reading and nap time and Chemistry time for me.

Originally, we had planned to evacuate to NC since we have a place there, but from the projections I've seen, unless it heads back out to the Atlantic, the mountains will also be getting dumped on and we'll have to drive back through all the mess to get back to Charleston, so I'm not sure how smart of an idea that really is.

We'll be making a final determination after Irma hits FL and figures out where it will be visiting next.

Unfortunately for me, The Citadel cancelled all classes after noon today, which does me ZERO good since my last class of the day ends at 1150.  So if you'd like to impersonate me and pass my discrete math test for me at 1000, that would be gggrrreeeaaattttttt.
Update: after drafting this post yesterday, The Citadel announced that all classes were cancelled today.  HOOOORRAAYYY no math failures today!  Maybe next week!  JK, because Irma translates into "Opportunity for Megan to become proficient at discrete math and chemistry."

ZWEI

Things I bought this week:

• Bojangles on Tuesday morning.  Turns out, I was preemptively treating myself before my day blew up.  #solidlifechoice
• A clean/dirty magnet for the dishwasher at work.  I'm over having to rewash dishes because my coworkers are incapable of looking for the signs of clean or dirty dishes.
• A power strip for my desk at work with a long cord.  I'm over hitting my head on my desk when I plug in my laptop.
• Socks and GU gels from Fleet Feet
• Fort Sumter tour tickets
• A new outside dog bed
• A mini stapler and colored staples #YOLO #notsorry
• Prescriptions
• Dr copay
• Rain boots

Things I showed restraint on and didn't purchase:

• A Cookout milkshake after my doc appointment on Thursday
• StoryPeople "sale"
• A new leash/gentle leader for Meri
• Coffee
• Vending machine candy when chocolate would have soothed me.
• A pretty running skirt (to go with all the ones I don't currently wear....
• Buying a new planner that has a weekly notebook format (days of the week on one side and a notes page on the other) that has pages where gel pens won't bleed through... #firstworldproblems

This weekend is for decisions, so next week's list will probably be long from some retail therapy.

DREI

From Dorothy:

Milk is the fastest liquid on earth...
It's pasteurized before you even see it.

OF COURSE I bought this shirt.
Thanks, Woot, for enabling the shit out of me.

We had math in my German class.
After my tearful breakdown on Monday, I just need to resign myself to this life.

I'm in the middle of challenging TWO parking citations now.
I'm just trying to follow the rules.

When you make your own scale because maybe kinda both 0 and 1?
What this really means is that Discrete Math is ruining me.

Couldn't resist a little hurricane humor.
Also, it's incredibly hard to find a joke that isn't about "holding on to your (coco)nuts".. ugh.
So I made this one up myself.  #solidgold
PS.  If you in Florida, my prayers are with you.  We will weather this storm (like all the others).

The battery pack being charged has 2 implications:
either we're going to Disney or a hurricane is coming...
And sadly, we ain't going to Disney.

Our Saturday plans got  nixed because Irma... so I appropriately updated our weekly menu.
Teh German didn't see me do it, but found it quite hilarious the next time he went to the fridge to get water.
Instead of our Saturday plans (9/11 5k and Couples Night, which were both cancelled), it reads:
Imra fucked up our plans.  Beeyoch.

VIER

From the internet:

I love Parks and Rec and Rob Lowe is spectacular as Chris.  Rob Lowe is just spectacular, but IDK of another actor that could do Chris like he does.  #girlcrush

You Know You're a Goodreads User When...  This list was an eerily accurate description of my life.  In other news, how do I get a job with Goodreads???  #HowPerfectWouldThatBe?!?!?!


The reality is, I don't really have much time for Internet-Tom-Foolery anymore, so pickin's were/will be slim...

FÜNF

10 things that made me happy this week:

1. Practicing our dance and actually remembering the steps without having to look at the sheet or Teh German getting frustrated!
2. Having generated my SYUB post as I read books rather than the Monday before the post.  Sooo much easier...
3. My coworkers being surprised at seeing me at work on Tuesday since they thought it was Monday and I wouldn't be there.
4. Finding a primary care doctor.  Poor lady spent 45 minutes with me discussing all my health problems.  Hello, my name is #HotMessExpress.
5. No one getting upset or frustrated at dance lessons on Wednesday night... at least about dancing.  I was frustrated at spending 2 hours in Yurtle driving from work to home to dance lessons.  #DogMomLife
6. Writing code that only needed a few tweaks to be correct.
7. Kinda starting to understand dimensional analysis for chemistry.
8. Getting to test out some anxiety meds...  let's see if they take the edge off without de-Megan-izing me.
9. A new power strip for my desk at work so that I don't have to go under my desk to plug in my laptop charger, which usually results in me hitting my head and cussing very loudly.
10. Using my planner to track my tasks.  This usually helps to quiet my head when I have too much shit going on.

MOST IMPORTANT!!!  SCHOOL BEING CANCELLED SO I GET EXTRA STUDY DAYSSSSS!!!!!!!

Happy Friday, Gentle Readers.
If you're in the path of the storm, make wise life choices.
^^I should probably heed my own advice.

Wednesday Dump {9/6}

-When Teh Running Bestie and I were in Orlando for the Princess Runs (Feb 2016), we went to dinner at City Walk and then did some shopping.  I'm a sucker for the Fossil store and I bought my current wallet and a full size perfume.  This information is mostly irrelevant.  Since Feb 2016, when I use the perfume, I make sure to put the lid back on the bottle with the side that reads "Fossil" on the same side as the sprayer.  Obviously, I've practiced this behavior for a year and half and it's ingrained at this point.  Wellllllllll... when Teh German put the cabinets up in our bathroom, I moved my stuff around and I kept consistently opening my perfume and the sprayer would NOT be facing me, like it should, since the Fossil side of the lid was facing me.

Gentle Readers... it took me a week of this conundrum to figure out wtf was happening.
Both sides of the lid say Fossil.

Sometimes, I extra mean it when I say, "It's hard to be me."


-Sometimes I thank automatic flushing toilets... like outloud.  It's weird.

-Textbook manufacturers are now doing this UNcool thing where they print out textbook pages on loose-leaf pages and then package it all up and sell it to students.  This is extra shitty because these books cannot be sold back (usually) and they don't even come with a binder to hold it all together!  WTF.  After several days of having to carry around a book in my hand because everything didn't fit in my backpack, I finally broke down and did some research and ordered, what I hoped, was a backpack that fit all my shit in it.  The same day I put the bid in on a backpack on ebay (i.e. a commitment I can't get out of), I had a revelation that the least shitty part of a loose-leaf textbook is that I don't have to carry the ENTIRE textbook with me!  I can carry the current chapter we are on ONLY.  Teh PT Wife donated a few of those folders with the brads in them to hold loose-leaf papers to my cause and Chemistry textbook underwent a physical change (class term in use, you're welcome) from weighing several pounds to a few ounces.  Sadly, I was still committed to the backpack, butttt I've already heard seams popping on my current backpack (probably from being overloaded) so I'll consider this other backpack my... backup plan.. HAHAH.

-I want to go back to Sweet Frog for more Dole Whip to NOT share with Teh German.  He likes vanilla milkshakes and he is not to be trusted with ice cream decisions.  EVER.

-My coworkers all pointed out to me last Thursday that I hadn't changed the joke all week.  Ya'll, I put that joke on the board on Tuesday morning.  I think they are expecting daily jokes.  I'll run out of jokes if I change them that often.  Nonetheless, this feels like TFLN Nuggets* responsibility all over again.  #Imokwiththat

*TFLN Nuggets was a M-F email that I would send out when I was stationed in GTMO to a special distro.  I would copy/paste the new posts from the Texts From Last Night website since it was blocked and I could see it through my Google Reader (RIP).  When I stopped sending "The Nuggets" when I got to Bahrain (because actual work), many, many people were disappointed.  #HeretoServe

-I learned last week that dry erase boards are "addicted" ONLY to dry erase board cleaner and that you should NEVER use anything else on them because it ruins the finish.  I learned that AFTER my boss walked by as I was using a clorox wipe to erase a joke.  PS. Specific cleaners for specific products work much better than other random cleaners.  #WhoKnew

-Sometimes I have these epic realizations about things I've been wrong about for a long time... FOR INSTANCE... While checking out Hurricane Irma trajectories (and putting NO confidence in ANY of them, because meteorology), I checked out the other side of the world to see what was going on and realized that Sri Lanka is NOT off the African coast.. That would be Madagascar.. Sri Lanka is the piece that broke off the southern end of India.  #HowDidIGetThisFarInLife

-We took a quiz in Chemistry on the first day to assess where we are in life in Chemistry.  I received an email last week directed towards people who got less than 50% of the quiz correct.  It encouraged us to go ahead and seek out tutoring from academic support.  Most excellent.  I'm hoping that as my rusty ass math skillz are polished up, my deficiencies won't be so bad.  Then again, it may not make a difference if the instructor continues to be as confusing in her explanations as she currently is.  She shows us 2 ways to do things, the standard convention and her "easier" way.. and I'm pretty sure that all she's seen from me is my angry do-not-understand face.

-This made me LOL:

Of all the classes where an old school pencil sharpener could be, this one is in my computer science classroom where 90% of us use our laptops.

-I had already planned to call the doctor on Tuesday morning to set up an appointment for some anti-anxiety meds (after, yet another, breakdown with tears over school (Teh German consoled me and held me while I snotted all over myself like the #bestfianceever that he is)), but after ANOTHER debacle with the Dan Ryan repair dude/builder, I almost lost my shit at work (i.e. crying at my desk, yelling isn't really that significant).  A perfect storm had me coming back home at 0930 on Tuesday morning to meet contractors that I didn't know were coming.  They, of course, had left the house and when I called the builder back 2x and he didn't take my call, I called his boss.  I was fed the fuck up with this shit.  It's not hard to communicate with people when you are scheduling people to be at their house or confirm when you say you are going to confirm.  When I checked my calendar, I had workers scheduled on Thursday with no time and a question mark (since the builder was supposed to confirm and didn't). 

TL;DR: After a month of my life being a shit show and me dealing with it as best I can, I'm going to the doctor for some anti-anxiety medication.  #ShowYourUgly 

The reality is, my life isn't likely to get less stressful in the near future and I'm sure that Teh German would appreciate less tears from me.  I'd appreciate feeling less overwhelmed all the time by everything.  So I'm getting help. 

-Cherries are delicious, but obnoxious because SEEDS.  Also, it's super unladylike to have to spit out seeds.

Weekend Review {9/5}

FRIDAY

After class on Friday, I headed to work.  Around 5 I headed home.  Originally, we had planned to stay home for dinner, but Teh Neighbors twisted our arm when they invited us to Carolina Ale House for dinner.  We joined them, leaving at 6:30.  Fortunately there was no wait and our server was awesome.  We were there until around 9:30 when we decided it was time to go.  When we got home, it was smoking hour. 

While we had been at the Ale House, Teh Mom and her friend had arrived at the house.  They weren't interested in going over to Teh PT House with us, so they continued watching tv at home.  When we got home after smoking time, Teh German went to bed while Teh Mom and I stayed up until 0400 talking. 

How cool am I?
500 followers.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning came too early, but by 10, I was awake.  Since Teh Mom's bday was on Thursday, I planned a Charleston outing for everyone.  We would have lunch at Page's Okra Grill then go on a Fort Sumter tour.  Good ideas in theory.  I purchased our tour tickets, then we got ready, and headed to Mt. P.

I did have a #meganfail when we got to Page's and I realized that it was a holiday weekend and even though it was Saturday, there was a 40 minute wait.  We needed to be at the ship at 2:40, so I had to come up with a different plan.  I then directed Teh German towards Charleston Cafe.  Google had me alarmed since it was saying that the restaurant was permanently closed, which seemed suspect.  When I checked Yelp, it said they were closing in 15 minutes and rather than be the assholes who show up at closing time, I re-redirected Teh German to Graze.  Thankfully, he didn't get frustrated with me, but I started to get a little hangry at all the other bitches on the road who wouldn't gtfo of the way.

As we sat in Graze, it started pouring.  I hadn't planned for rain so we had no rain ponchos or umbrellas.  After lunch, we had a few extra minutes and we went to Fleet Feet.  Teh Mom wanted to check out Oofos flip flops (because #solidlifechoice) and I wanted to pick up the new Toasted Marshmallow and Smores GU gels to try out.  They also had socks on sale, so I splurged and bought 2 new pairs.  #notsorry

Teh German braved the downpour and pulled up to the curb so the ladies wouldn't have to get AS wet.  When we got to Patriot's Point at 2:30, it was still pouring, but we could see the end of the rain cloud... it just wasn't coming fast enough for us to NOT have to run through the rain.  I made a dash for it and the rest of the party joined me a few minutes later.  It wasn't until we were all standing there that a worker announced that our ship would be leaving at 3:30, NOT 3, like several of us had planned for (including us).  Grumbly and wet, we went into the gift shop to look around to kill some time and headed back out to the link at 3:15.

Discovered these fossils at the gift shop.

The tour was pretty cool.  It was $21 per person, which isn't bad considering that it included the boat ride and access to the island.  Compared to some of the historical homes, it was cheap.  We returned by 6:30, which included an hour to tour the Fort on our own.  I had brought my DSLR to get photos (which I haven't reviewed yet).

When we got home, I started working on my homework.  It only took a few hours, thankfully.  After homework was complete, I joined Teh German on the couch and finished reading my book while he watched YouTubes. 

My TBR pile..

We headed to bed around 1230.

SUNDAY

Teh Mom and her friend left on Sunday morning.  After they left, Teh German and I ate, did some cleaning up, and practiced our dance.  There was a gathering to be held at Teh PT House later in the afternoon, so we were just burning time until it was time to go there.

My head started hurting and I ended up laying down for a nap instead of getting ready.  When I woke up from my nap, I realized that I had forgotten to do some homework.  While Teh German showered, I worked on starting our dinner that we were bringing over with us and completing the last bit of my homework, which only took about 10 minutes.  Once it was complete, I got ready and we headed over.

We ate and socialized with our Neighbor Cool Kids.  Around 8:30, I got super tired and headed home for bed.  When I got home, Asshole Dogs (PAX) had been so tempted by the prepped dog food that they had knocked their water jug off the counter trying to get to the food.  AN ENTIRE GALLON OF WATER.  I wanted to kill them.  Instead, I just cleaned it up and hoped that they hadn't destroyed Teh German's iPad or Go Pro batteries, like the douchewads they are.

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Overall, a pretty quiet weekend, which was nice.  I did some purging and these books are looking for new homes.  I just ask that you pay shipping.

The spiral book is the AP Style Guide from 2006.
SHUT UP, GOSH, I KNOW I'M OLD.
The bottom book is a German textbook and since I paid $368 dollars for the one for class, I think I can let this one go.

The Citadel has class today, so I'm in school all day while Teh German goes flying with a coworker.  I'm excited for him and I'm also a little bit excited that he won't be home until late and that I get some Megan time after school.  I'm planning a fun time of doing work (so I can have a shorter day on Friday) and doing homework.  WEEEE!!  You should totally be jealous.

Three on Friday #121

EINS

Things I spent money on in the last 2 weeks (I really appreciate the accountability of this.  If you don't dig it, you can skip these lists, I completely understand):

School has really curbed my spending habits.. That's good for me.  It was getting a little out of control for a bit there.  Granted it, a majority of it was school prep/house things, so I kinda get a pass, but spending money hurts..

• Textbooks/supplies (to the tune of $900+, but I got a $500 stipend for textbooks from the VA.  That $900 includes all my books, backpack, expensive calculator..).
• Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom subscription $10
• Alterations for my wedding dress  $140
• Chiro $25
• Major grocery restock, no beer ($200)
• Vet for Meri, included xrays and Pax's heartworm test.  $330
• Coffee x2 $10
• Gas, which I'm using a lot more of since I'm going all the way downtown for school, AND it increased in price because gouging errr Houston (it's still gouging since most gas stations haven't received gas since the events in Houston).
• Rita's $5.
• A new backpack since the awesome one I originally bought is really not big enough for all my shit.  Fingers crossed the new one can handle it all!  Also, it shouldn't be so complicated to buy a new freakin' backpack.  $100  
• Also, we committed $7k for a new screened in pergola for the house.  Ouch/YAY!  Payment isn't due until the project is complete, but I'm already counting the money as spent.  Now the permits just need to get pushed through so we can get this shit started.  Fall is coming and it's about to be PERFECT weather/temps for sitting outside in the evening with a hoodie on, and that's pretty much how I want to spend every day.
• $1250 for the HVAC warranty plan.  9 years with no bills from that damn thing.
• Chipotle for dinner since I had the buy 1, get 1 free coupon. 
• Bully Sticks for the dogs $100

ZWEI

From the phone:

Post-bath Meri.
She rubbed herself all over me and the couch and then I captured this moment of stillness while she was listening out for Pax.

NIGHTMARE also got a bath.
I wish the light was better for this picture because the expression on his face is like, "WTF just happened?!"

This is what my math homework looks like.
It's much easier now than it was the first few uses, but that doesn't make me like it.
Nonetheless, it's a pretty neat concept.

Teh PT Wife bought me a present!
She gets me.

A coworker suggested this one for labor day.

Seen at Chipotle yesterday night.
Just buy some crocs already and don't diss the Ninja Turtles.

DREI

From the internet:

You get 3 things since class is about to start.
You get what you get around here.  #YOLO

Happy SEPTEMBER, Gentle Readers.
PS.  It's not really fall until I can wear a hoodie and this is Charleston, so maybe next month.