Semester update

This has been my busiest, least productive semester ever. Busiest, because the work is complicated and challenging and learning it takes me more effort than usual. Least productive, because I am utterly unfocused and finding it next to impossible to stay on task. I'm tired, I'm easily distracted, and my kids are hungry and growing. My blog needs attention, too, as you know.

So this upcoming week, I need to:

• Culture my biota (yes, grow my own personal collection of bacteria straight from my various body parts and, far worse, post pictures of it on a photogallery for all my class to see);

• Write a speech for delivery on Monday (my topic is going to be book-banning, inspired in part by Noah who recently told me he wanted to burn all his books and in part by the curiosity generated by the claim that Sarah Palin tried to do it while mayor);

• Adequately prepare for a Microbiology test on Thursday (involving truly insane amounts of "memorization," written in quotes because I can only claim to be doing some version of that) and

• An organic chemistry test on Friday (not as scary, but not quite fun either).

This morning, I prepared 7 plates for culture using all variety of growth mediums. I will post pictures when they're ready because they're very pretty, especially without my creepy crawlies growing in them yet. I have started to grasp the different phyla of the diverse world of bacteria, and the old cultures are getting some winter treatment outside before I bleach them and kill them. Microbiology class makes me very nervous. Apparently, my body flora need to be maintained in a cold environment. I imagine this is because, if placed near heat, they will flourish and grow until they burst out of their dishes and start to take over my house. Ewww.

On an exciting note, I did not have to sign up for any classes this week for next semester! I am finishing the last of my prerequisites and will now be able to apply for my place in the nursing school rotation.

I will, however, be finishing up my other Bachelors in the spring through University of Iowa. It is a Bachelors in Liberal Studies (ironic, as I am now a hawkish Republican), and I have been 7 classes away for years. Some of my UAA credit can transfer over and I will probably need to take 3-4 classes to finish that up.

Great day to you all. Time to wake up the kids.