Life, the universe, and everything

Hello family! these last couple of weeks have been very busy, so I'm sorry I haven't posted recently. Lots of things have happened! One, which most of you know, I decided to withdraw from school for now. I had forgotten how burned out on school I was when I graduated, and I just want to take a few steps back and a few deep breaths and experience life as a non-student (official student, anyway) for a little while. I was loving what I was learning and I am going to go back when I have worked the apathy out of my system. For now, I'm working and trying to focus on creative endeavors and things that really make me feel whole.

In other exciting news, I am serving on a jury right now! Today we went through closing arguments in a sexual-assault-on-a-minor-by-one-in-a-position-of-trust case. Can't discuss it, but it's a great insight into daddy's world, and it kinda makes me wish I could be a lawyer without going to law school. I am not and alternate, I get to deliberate (which begins tuesday), and I've got lots of nervous anticipitationion. (To quote a great poet of our time.)

No other real news. MS symptoms have cleared up, for the most part. I still have to go down to CU Denver and clean out my locker. Branden's doing well; he's rising to meet the challenge of a very difficult semester and I'm proud of him. I miss you guys like mad!!! I hope you are all doing well. <3 <3 <3 Talk to you all soon!

PS. Cody, I'm getting a 404 on your site. =\

News News News

Well, Fam Damily, Just thought I'd post on this-here thingie. I don't have a whole lot of news, but a couple of significant things you should probably know about.

#1: I'm having an MS "Flare-up." It really sucks. It's affecting my balance and vision, and thusly, my ability to do my schoolwork. Happily, I've already made arrangements with Disability Services at school, but I don't like getting behind.

On a related note, I'm STILL having issues with my insurance and getting my medication. Hopefully it's getting worked out, but... *shrug* who knows. I think they're out to get me.

#2: it snowed today for the first time (here)! It was way cool heading out to work and seeing all the snowflakes coming down. I think it's over and I don't think anything stuck, but in any case, it's like winter has decided to start instead of just freakin' cold fall.

#3: I really like school. I'm interested in the topics I'm learning, and I feel as if I'm on the right path. However, I am starting to feel like I should probably have waited a year before starting grad school. I forgot how burned out on school I was by the time I graduated--it would have been smart to work a crap job for a year to remind myself why going to school is good. No worries, fam, I'm going to ace this semester, but it may be that after this I'm going to take a year off.

Anyway, I think that the 'rents should be more vocal on this blog doo-hicky. You whippersnappers. Love you guys!

Who's live?

Burning Tree's live. I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I dropped the class that was causing me so much grief, and now my schedule's much more manageable. I'm still on track and excelling in all my other classes (I accidentally turned in an assignment a week early in my digital drafting class, whoops, I'm so sad I had a whole week to do nothing in that class). I'm loving the concepts I'm learning and for some reason I feel so self-sufficient and independent coming down here every day. It's tedious at times but, I don't know, it's also nice.

Branden and I hung out with Jo, Ken, Whitney and Tim last night, only for a little while because Branden had a paper to write. We gave Jo and Whitney some of our body butter and everyone over there is very impressed. We're going to be getting them their favors (1/2 oz jars of BB) tomorrow when we have all the tags tied on and whatnot. The jars are so cute!

Noah and I are going to hang out this afternoon for a few hours in between my classes. He needs to go shopping for house stuff, and I'm gonna keep him company.

Code, I wish you were coming to the wedding! Whitney wanted me to let you know she's pissed at you, but she understands. We all wish you could make it, though. <3

I miss everyone and can't wait to see (most of) you this weekend! OMG! *wiggles*

What a week take 2

It's been a week from heck! Not quite hell, but close. I have a lot of homework due this week and a quiz tomorrow (*quake*), another (completely new) model due Thursday. AND I'm sick. I think I had more to say, but that's all for now, folks. <3

What? Lymans on the internet? How can this be?!

Code--your website looks awesome!!! Great job. =) BTW, though, the name's Conley. Yeh schmuck.

In my own exciting news... Branden, our friend Bridget and I are starting a company! Burning Tree Creations. We're strictly online, at least at first, but it's extremely exciting--we're doing Whitney's wedding favors and and OFFICIALLY OPENING that weekend! Dad's going to help us start up the LLC (with the help of Dave Bode, I think? We need to powwow about that. =) )

School's going very well. I've been working in the wood shop a lot, making models; working on the computer with Revit (essentially, 3D AutoCAD); and learning. Isn't that exciting.

I can't wait to see (most of) you all at Whitney's wedding! So exciting. Love you guys so!

Short post: UGH!

Well, what a day today will be. I had a tools seminar to attend at 8am this morning, so I had to get up at 5:15 to be on a 5:53 bus. I ended up getting to Denver about half an hour earlier than I had anticipated, which was nice, but for some reason I failed to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain caffeine. I have the tools seminar from 8 to 10, class from 10 to 11, and then a studio class from 1 to 5:30, then home again, home again, getting there around 7pm. What a long day.

I was supposed to take a shot last night, but I don't have medicine. CuraScript, my mail-order pharmacy, is trying to work out my insurance. I'm getting in touch with them after class today to get my dose for tomorrow.

Anyway, that's my very short update. Love you guys! Post more!

It's official...

I'm In Grown-Up School! It's quite exhilarating and scary, kinda like a roller coaster is scary. I'm seriously loving it, but when I try to explain what I love so much, it sounds really stupid. Like, I have never been so excited about pencils and rulers (but to be fair, I've never seen such cool pencils and rulers). Today, what we did was, we reproduced images of elevations (an outside view of a building from one face, not at an angle) and floorplans to a different scale. It involved drawing many, many straight lines. (I'm not advanced enough to draw curved lines just yet.) Tomorrow, we're doing measured drawings of elevations at angles, which means: we take two adjacent outside views (like, for example, the north and west views), and set them at an angle so that we see both, and draw both without using perspective. It's going to be cool. Just take my word for it.

I focus so hard on my work in this class and it stimulates my creative glands so much that I am starting to really really look forward to the real classes. I got a 16-page syllabus of my "Intro to Building Technology" class, and saw this: "Lecture 1: Mud". I laughed, but I think it's going to be challenging. It involves weekly site visits, and the final project is a "site report," which I'm not sure what that means. In any case, it's making me nervous.

In other news, the commute is actually quite pleasant. The bus is quick and painless, and downtown Denver isn't as stinky, ugly and dirty as I thought it would be (my way of saying, it's kinda pretty from 3-4 floors up). The rooms are air conditioned, and I haven't had to put up with any heat to speak of. Branden has been so wonderful, packing my lunches and making dinner and having it ready when I get home and cleaning the house. I'm gonna have to start pitching in more when his school starts, but for now it's been extremely nice.

I got together with Noah today for lunch. I had forgotten my lunch at home, and even though Noah only had, like, 15mins, he brought me some delicious Noah-made chicken and rice and onions and green peppers....It was really, really good. And it was nice to not starve :) We're getting together again tomorrow to actually spend some real time together. He got to see the studio and the project I was working on at the time (which I ended up scrapping and starting over, but that's okay).

What else? Shots are going fine, no complaints. I'll update again when "real" classes start. Ciao for now, lovely fam! <3

I am the champion, my friends

Whee! My last final was today, and I think I fully aced it. I'm excited! I'm done with undergraduate school! Now I rush headlong into MORE SCHOOL which will probably be SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT, but I'm looking forward to it. =)

However, being done with school isn't actually easing my schedule that much, I realized. Branden and I haven't written our vows yet, nor communicated in any way with Uncle Ken regarding the vows, and he's supposed to be doing the ceremony. Gotta get on that. I need to get undergarments, a crinoline, and shoes; I need to get my hair played with; I have to get fitted. Life is still very hectic for the next 3 weeks at least. That's okay though!! I get to see my wonderful family so soon!!!

I have a neurologist appointment tomorrow... I just realized I may have been supposed to get an MRI or something recently. I don't know. *worried*

Anyway, I don't have very much to say, but I'm just so excited! I love you guys so much! <3

Oh My Gosh...

I GOT ACCEPTED!!!

Big dumb-head

Hello everyone, posting sooner than I anticipated. Funny story, that. (NOT)

Well, things are going fine here, nothing much to report. As I commented to Cody's last post, I've been hitting the gym 2-3 times per week and I can definitely tell a difference. I have a paper due in Political Parties and Pressure Groups tomorrow, but I emailed my teacher to get an extention so that I can prepare for the tests I have to take this week. >_< She was really cool about it, and is letting me turn it in next week.

Other news...Mom and Dad know this story: on Monday I got an e-mail from CU Denver saying that they got my application, minus my portfolio. I was freaking out, because they said that they'd received everything else, including the stuff I mailed in the same envelope as my portfolio. This story has a happy ending, though...I called them after my physical therapy appointment (after a good hour, hour and a half of panicking) and told them the situation. The lady said that she maybe hadn't checked the mail yet, and did that right there while I was on the phone. Sure enough, she hadn't, and it was right there, so yay. Turns out that the things I sent in the same envelope (my application fee and the Statement of Purpose) were a confusion: you know how I had to write two essays which were essentially the same? Well, turns out that the one on the application counts as the statement of purpose; I didn't have to do the other one. She must just have assumed that she'd received my app fee. I shouldn't have paid them. >_<

I heard from John (Boo's son) about her website. He's not incredibly coherent and I wish I could talk to her about it, but we've got the show on the road for her website.

So, my not-so-funny story: Yesterday, when I got home from school, I took a nap that was supposed to be a half hour to an hour, but lasted about 3-4 hours instead. Whoops. Then, last night, after my shot, I started getting a headache. So, I took 1 IBuprofin and 1 Tylenol PM to help me sleep. I woke up this morning feeling like a zombie again, and managed to walk out the door without my backpack, and didn't realize I didn't have it until I was in the parking lot. I went back to get it and was zooming towards the bus stop. I saw the bus coming, so I started running (I can do that now, yay!!). The bus pulled up and I didn't see anyone at the stop, and the doors were closed, but the bus stopped so I thought they saw me. I kept running and was about 20 feet from the bus when it pulled away. >_< CURSES!!! So I'm taking the 9:25 bus and will probably be about 5 minutes late to my class. What a bummer.

Anyway, love to everyone! <3

WHEW!

Okay, so I've been absent for a while. There's a good reason for that. Only one. My Grad School Application.

I kinda thought that after I finished it and submitted it, I'd get on here and have a lot to say. Well, I don't. But I'll talk anyway.

So, for my grad school application, there were three things I had to do which were really work-intensive. 1, my portfolio. 2, my statement of purpose (essay). 3, my description of plans (essay). The portfolio was fun to put together. I took pictures/had my friend Shad take pictures of my artwork, got 8x10 prints of them at Target, and glued them to 8.5x11 black construction paper w/ a little title/medium/dimensions placard underneath, and put them into the portfolio sheaths. I also edited and printed out an old story of mine as an example of creative writing, and an essay I did last semester for an example of analytical writing. It ended up being 18 pages long, where it was supposed to be 6-12. I hope they don't look down on going over the limit 0o

Anyway, I finished it for good the day before it was due...in Denver. So, I borrowed Shad's car after I finished my workout, around 1:30, and 1. went home, printed out the final copies of the story/essay, checked over the portfolio to make sure it looked good. Wrote a $50 check for application fee. Wrote down the mailing address at CU Denver. 2. Went to the grocery store for mailers (and some groceries). In the parking lot I spent a good 5 minutes struggling to make the key turn in the ignition (the car is sometimes finicky like that). Finally got it started. 3. Went back home for all the things I forgot. 4. Went to the post office and got express postage for my package. I included my statement of purpose, check, portfolio, and a self-addressed envelope. I got the express postage just fine, but I accidentally printed out postage to Denver instead of to Boulder for my return envelope. No big deal, the lady told me to cut off the bar code and write in my own address on the postage itself. Problem solved (I hope). Then I mailed it. Yay! It got in on time. 5. Went back and picked up Shad from work. By this time it's dumping snow and the roads are ice rinks. Drive home, Shad stays for a little bit and then goes home.

So, that was my portfolio. The actual application (with accompanying essay) was due the next day (today), and I'd hardly started writing the second essay...but I was so relieved at having mailed my portfolio that I couldn't focus on it. I wrote it out this morning, typed it up, got it looked over by my former composition professor, Branden and Carlie, and then submitted it. GRAD SCHOOL APP DONE!!!! *victory music*

Then tonight I wrote a paper about The First Part of King Henry IV (1H4) by Shakespeare. Whee, fun. Well, it's out of the way.

I'm in negotiations with Ben Martinez and Stephanie Williams (two DIFFERENT photographers) about possibly getting a more acceptable price. Ben considers himself a web designer (though I tell ya, he'd never get hired at, say, Brainstorm) so he won't be taking me up on my offer to work his website for a discount, but I pitched the same proposal to Stephanie Williams, saying things like "please let me know if you're at all interested in this" and "I'd be delighted if we could work something out"...I think I was pretty low-pressure.

No bad reaction whatsoever to beginning the full dose of Rebif. Yay!

Oh yeah, and also, a couple of weeks ago Noah called and said he was gonna come up and hang out with me, do homework, get me to look at his hard drive, etc. That was a Tuesday. Then he said he'd probably do it the following Thursday. That was the last I heard of him... I bet he's alive, right?

Anyway...yeah. Not much more to say. Didn't work out today because of the essay, but back in tomorrow. Love yas! <3

Blech!

I'm in the last 3 stages of my grad school app:

1. Describe briefly your past work in your proposed or allied fields of study, including non-course educational experiences, teaching or other relevant employment, publications, theses, research in progress, other scholarly activities, and your plans for graduate study and a professional career.

2. Statement of purpose. Applicants to all programs must submit a statement summarizing career objectives and reasons for pursuing the intended program of study.

3. Portfolio.

I'm nervous cause the first two sound essentially the same for me, since I haven't had any work/research/publication experience in the field of architecture. Wish me luck, K?

Weekly Report

Hey dudes (and dudette), checking in for my weekly report.

As of Tuesday, I went up to the next dosage stage (½ the full dose). No noticeable change, in side effects or actual effect.

Completed the GRE on Saturday (yay!), got a 650 [out of 800] on verbal and either a 640 or 680 [out of 800] on Quantitative Reasoning (math). I've heard that's really good, from Chic. I'm still waiting on a score for my written section, but I think I rocked its socks.

Still need to finish up my actual application and get my portfolio constructed.

Classes are going well, doing a pretty consistent schedule of working out twice a week which I'd really like to get up to 5 days a week, but doctor's appointments and Physical Therapy appointments keep getting in the way. Next PT is tomorrow, the 5th. Been mostly keeping up with the PT exercises but I forgot yesterday, whoops.

Found a promising option for photographer for the wedding. Waiting on word from the 'rents to order invitations. Talked to Jay the cake man, he's still on task and on board. Brothas, I need to talk to you about your wedding-day chores >:]

Aunt Jo invited B and I to dinner tonight, and she's going with me for my PT appointment and neurologist appointment this week. She's such a babe. B went and helped Chic and Paula move some stuff around their house, made $70. Chic's so nice & cool, he's helping B figure out a strategy for his physics minor.

Got a letter from Grandma T yesterday. Wrote back today. Both letters I've gotten from her have said how much she regrets not being closer to us kids throughout our lives, so we're working to rectify that. I know I hate talking on the phone, so I'm gonna plug for you brother-types to write her letters, even a short note would make her day: 14 Greenwood Ct. Utica, NY 13501. It's so easy! and it only costs $.39 to send a letter. Too bad she doesn't have e-mail, that'd be a lot easier, but she still loves to hear from us.

Hmmm. I think that's all for this week. Ma, keep up the skating! Code, remember our goal: 1lb a week! Noah--write me e-mails or something! Dad! You can call me too!

Love to everyone! XOXOXO

News Report

Okay, I had my first physical therapy appointment today. It went very well, considering. Not a whole lot happened, but I think the first appointment is mostly dedicated to figuring out a strategy anyway. Aunt Jo picked me up from school, took me to the appointment, and then without being asked, she waited for me and then brought me home!!! What a babe!

I've made a lot of progress on my application for Grad School. I've got my letters of recommendation secured, I've got transcripts coming from Ft. Lewis, I've got my portfolio at least theoretically constructed (now I have to get the pictures taken/writing pieces printed), the app itself mostly done, and I'm registered to take the GRE this Saturday...Things remaining on the agenda: Finish the app itself, send them the fee, get the portfolio FULLY done (and mailed), get transcripts requested from Metro and CU, TAKE the GRE. Whee! this is so fun! (NOT) Oh well, I feel accomplished. If I can multitask like this as an undergrad, look out world!

Thursday I got two handouts that, when I tried to read them today, I saw that they were both even-sides-only. Whoops! Well, lightens my load for tonight (but probably makes it heavier tomorrow).

I move up to my higher (but not full) dose tomorrow. I anticipate more severe stinging, more severe side-effects and possible site reaction. Wish me luck! I go back to working out tomorrow, and that's a good thing.

Also, I'm thinking wedding! Just to let you parents know, I really want to be involved in selecting the photographer. WHEE!

Also, I got my FAFSA for next year filled out and my state taxes filed. Now I just gotta do federal. Look how on the ball I am!

Hmm. I don't know. Brothas, yous guys gots to post more. I miss you! You're both bad at calling and e-mailing (like I'm much better), but we can meet here...in cyberspace!!! Anyway, this concludes this broadcast of The Elly Show. <3