Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Goals and Punctuality


I started classes at the community college on Monday. I'm going for a Medical Office Specialist certificate. While I was a bit nervous, I like challenges. Now, I'm considered a very punctual person. I have issues with lateness. I don't do tardy. I didn't do tardy in school. Until Monday.

I left for school on time and arrived with time to spare. I didn't expect to park in Texas. I pounded pavement loaded down with anything I might need, and then some. The college grew before my eyes. We're talking crazy big. It looked like a gigantic parking garage with a courtyard in the center. Oh, and there are a million halls. I had about two minutes to track down one of them.

It took longer than two minutes.

I finally found my class, six minutes after it started. I walked in late. And the one empty seat had a crappy computer monitor and a freakish keyboard. No one else had to type on a freakish keyboard. I hate being late. I'm never late. I spent the bulk of the class waiting for my pulse to regulate. I think I have homework? Not sure. Guess who's going to get to class super early next time? Yep - ME!

I felt like such a nerd. At least I know where ALL the halls are now. Oy. The next class went better, even though they changed the room number.

So despite a harried and chaotic start to schoool, I still ended up with a productive day. I worked in the morning, and then after I got home I worked until dinner. Tuesdays and Thursdays are night classes, so I'll have more time during the day. It's too soon to say how much homework I'll be assigned, but I'm confident I can work out a schedule where I fit everything in. At least I'd better! I have much to do.

I'm in charge this month and super pumped to accomplish my goals. I've worked out each morning, and then some thanks to parking in Texas. I'm done coming up with excuses for not working out. I feel better when I exercise. Even my post-it note says so.

I'm reading like a fool, which always makes me goofy happy :) Some great books I've read over the past couple of weeks are:

We Are Not Alone - The Writer’s Guide to Social Media by Kristen Lamb
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia
Dead Iron by Devon Monk (review coming soon at Clockwork Reviews)

I'm polishing the sequel to Iron Butterfly so I can submit it. And I've started with the first 5 pages of deep-edits on my steampunk mystery novel. They're more intensive than regular edits. If you've ever taken a workshop by Margie Lawson, you know what I'm talking about.

To help with my blog goal, I've decided to embark on a weekly blog series. I have two ideas that I'm toying with, so once I know, you'll know.

How about you? How are your goals coming along? Are you diving right into the deep waters? If not, what's holding you back?

Maybe you need encouragement? For this round, I'm looking for people to poke, prod, and push me to make my goals if I even think about slacking off. I mean it. If I'm falling behind then I'm losing focus, and right now my focus is strong. So I will ask for some rough housing if need be!

If you're looking for motivation and encouragement, ROW80 will deliver.

And as I tend to do, I'm leaving you with some steampunkery goodness:

Very cool Steampunk Star Wars artwork by Bjorn Hurri.

Twittertape Machine by Adam Vaughan



Thanks for stopping by! Now I'm off to cheer on the lot of you :)

Marie Andrews

12 comments:

  1. Oh! I have nightmares about being late sometimes. Not cool! :{ Sorry your first day had to be so stressful. One bright spot ... on the first day, instructors realize that you may have gotten 'turned-around' in the halls or on campus. It's sort of a 'freebie'. :}

    Love that title, 'Iron Butterfly' ...ha! reminds me of the late '70's music. You've got a great reading list going as well. I'm currently reading 'The Magnificent Ambersons', 'What The World Eats', and 'The Third Fate' (which is my own book, but I'm checking for any errors in the Kindle version...so far at 77% through, only one error found, a missed period. GGrrrrr. I hate errors. Please! No More!..ha!)

    Have a great week, Marie.

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    1. Thanks Nadja - and yes! Nightmares about being late - constantly - scares me! It's been...we'll just say eons...since I've been to school and oh my goodness, I was already nervous. The lateness just didn't help. Fortunately today went much better, phew!

      Sounds like great books to be reading! The Third Fate - now that one will be added to my TBB pile :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by!!

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  2. Hi Marie - you're cracking the whip I see. Edits *groan*... I can't get into mine and they more I try to cut it down, the more I add? Grrr!

    And it has to be with beta readers in a few months! GHM!

    Party on and Row safely :) X

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    1. Yes, that whip isn't comfy at all, that's for sure. Edits aren't my strong point, but I'm determined to get them done. Even if I have to threaten myself, lol.

      I hope your edits get easier - the looming threat of going out to Beta Readers is definitely a good motivator!! :) See you on the dance floor!

      :)

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  3. Being late just means you're human ;) It's quite ok. Now you have even more incentive to be there early. I love how you always provide steampunk "toys" or pictures at the end of your posts. Since you're talking Star Wars, have you seen this R2-D2? http://randommization.com/2011/11/03/monocle-wearing-steampunk-r2-d2-made-from-recycled-materials/

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    1. Thanks Ryan :) WOW!! Thanks so much for that link :) Very freaking cool! I so love what people build and create. I'm not good with objects, my creativity is with food, decorations, and words. I'm so appreciative of what others can do that I have to share, no matter what :)

      I hope you're enjoying the beach! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by :)

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  4. Sorry your first day was so stressful!! I hate it when you have left plenty of time and everything conspires against you!!

    Seems lik you hav started strong and thank you for our lovely comment over at my place :)

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    1. Yes, exactly - I left early, got there early, but I wasn't fully prepared for the size of the place. I blame the flu and weather for not getting out there earlier to find out all that information. But today I got to class no problem, and was prepared for the extra time from the parking lot. Oy! lol.

      Going for it this round - no excuses.

      Always enjoy stopping by your place Em :) I know we're going to hit our goals - I just know it! :) *hugs*

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  5. I am the same way about being late--I have to get everywhere like 15 minutes early or else I get squirrely and can't concentrate! You seem to be very organized and ready for the semester--good luck rest of the week! (and I need to have a 'no more excuses' attitude about working out too! I really need to get that back into my daily schedule somehow, instead of 3 days a week!)

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    1. Exactly - I couldn't concentrate because I was so flustered from being late. Fortunately I've been early the rest of the days this week :) Phew! lol.

      I managed to get in 4 days of workouts this week, though I am doing extra walking each day at the college - and climbing stairs.

      Hoping your week is going well and you're hitting your goals :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. Hi! Thanks for your comment on my blog. It's great to meet a fellow Oregonian in the ROW80 group!

    Sounds like you're off to an awesome start.

    If you find you're losing focus and need those little prods you were talking about, let me know. I'm always up for a Twitter or FB chat (are you on the FB group?). Drop me a line, and we can give each other a friendly push. :)

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  7. I just may take you up on that offer! Now here's hoping Oregon sees some spring around here - have had enough rain, lol.

    :)

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