Another Summer Over

August 9th marks the last day of the summer 2011 season. On one hand, I am relieved, but on the other I want it to go on forever. My kids are growing up--I'm not sure if I'm ready for that yet. The stress of my school year is already getting to me, and I still have 2 weeks. OR, you could say I only have two weeks. Books to buy, classes to prepare for, kids to take care of, houses to clean. The list goes on and on.

Despite it all, I look forward to the final reward. Having that silly little piece of paper means so much to me, I don't think I can stand it. Right now, I am not even sure what classes I am taking this semester, I just know there is going to be a lot of them.

For sure, I am taking experimental photography. And I know that I am going to experiment with fiber paper and paints. We'll see what happens.

I wanted to get my darkroom out, there's a few contests and things going on in the next month, and I wanted to turn in some of my work. The problem I am having now is buying the matte board that I need in order to present my pictures well. That stuff is expensive.

Ok, I really need to go research textbook prices now, and I have to get everything ready for the kids' first day of school. **sigh**

A New Semester

Registered for classes the other day. I may have overdone it. Fourteen credits this year. Photography--again, Math--again, English--again, and a couple of AIS classes--again. The new thing this year is my internship.

We have a couple of friends who have put their entire life savings on the line and opened a pet food/feed/hay store here in the White Mountains. With one employee, things are stressful and hectic to say the least. With my internship, I will be able to help them get caught up in the office, keep things organized, and just lend a helping hand when I can. This is a win-win for us--free labor for them, and school credits for me.

Now, all I have left to do is get my books, all $300 worth. At least I don't need a textbook for an internship.

The start of another semester

School starts today. For me, I mean. The kids started last week. My actual classes don't start until Monday, but my internet class has started today. Have I mentioned before that I dislike internet courses? I really like having an instructor there face to face. I struggled with my last class. Unfortunately, this required class is only available via internet. I could have chosen a different class to take--this being a 'pick a 3 credit course from Arts & Humanities'--but I have roots in theater, and decided to get back into it. Except Intro to Theater is not the same intro as in high school.
This is more of a History of Theater. Which is not what I expected, but it sounds fun. So, I will try the internet class one more time. Who knows, it may grow on me.
I am also taking business math. Let me tell you how much that terrifies me. I am no good at math. AND I am so worried about losing my 4.0 over this stupid course, that as soon as I got my book, I started working on the exercises. The first chapter is basic addition and subtraction, and I'm already having problems with it. Of course, the problems I am struggling with use millions and billions, but it's still sad that I am having such a hard time. 
After school starts, girl scouts starts again. Emma is bridging to Brownies this weekend. I still have my uniform, so she's going to wear it. She's also going to have a new sash with some of my old patches on it. I decided to recycle and save some money. Although it didn't really matter, I had $10 worth of gift certificates for the girl scout shop. Instead of patches, however, I decided to buy her a cute pair of leggings that she can wear under some of her skirts.
The kids are outside playing right now, having gotten ready for school 40 minutes early. I think I'm going to go throw some balls with them.

Textbooks

Are expensive. Like, almost as much as tuition itself. And of course the day I decide to go get my books, I decide to walk. Not that big of a deal, it's only about a mile away. Except I forgot that I would have to walk back home with my books.
Luckily, three of my classes are computer classes, and I didn't know what format I needed for the software that is required. So I walked home with 3 books instead of 6. Now, I have to hope that the bookstore is open tomorrow before my first class and get the rest of the stuff I need.
One of the books I got was an intro to photography text written by an instructor from the school back in 1980- something. It cost me 5 dollars. How come they can't all be that cheap?
*Sigh* I guess that I'll write about my first day of class tomorrow.