First day on the job

So I know I don't update this regularly anymore... I seem to be having less and less recreational time, and when I do find it, I either drift off into conscious la-la land, facebook, or lay in bed with my boyfriend (the last of which is preferred), so here is a quick synopsis on what has been happening with me...

Summer school was started last week. I'm enrolled for Physics 1 (which I received the incomplete and full plan to get at minimum a B this semester), and as well am enrolled in Genetics (most interesting course I have taken so far... then again, we're starting to get into the upper division requirements, which is all I have left to complete for graduation, so it is only befitting that the courses should attain to my interest more and more). Speaking of graduation, I am officially a senior in college... not that it made me jump for joy like it did in high school, and it certainly doesn't mean I can slack off as I did in high school (hello horrible senioritis). In fact, this is the year I will be working the hardest, both in and outside of class, to prove to graduate schools and prospective jobs that I have what it takes!

Which of course I do, I just have to show them that... which can sometimes be a bit difficult for me, but it'll get done!

As far as work, today was my first official day in the lab, although we started getting paid from last week I believe (I'll have to confirm that tomorrow with department... I'm hoping for a nice check this Friday!). I didn't do much, just cleaned out the lab, got my own work bench (complete with personal pipettes, tube racks, and so on and so forth) and was anointed with my cell culture hood... I am so excited to start work on that. I should be culturing some human embryonic kidney cells as practice before we start the neural work (which is much harder to keep those cells happy!) and doing some PCR, Gel electrophoresis, and other lovely techniques. I also get a nice tour of the animal facility this Thursday, and my own pair of mice to breed... how exciting!!

Other than that, everything is lovely. Love my boyfriend more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow (likewise for my lovely baby Max, who is not such a baby anymore, weighing in at about 90 pounds, give or take a few...), and I'm looking to possibly become independent and move Max and myself to our own apartment for this last year!

Let's see how it works out...

Toodles!!

:)

Hello from a RISE Fellow!!

I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE RESEARCH PROGRAM!!

Thank you lord, I am so happy :) I am officially under contract starting Monday, have to go in and present all my identification tomorrow before my orientation... this is such a big deal for me. I almost was broken hearted when they sent me the email that I was on a waiting list (usually that means death to your application), so when I got this new email, I couldn't stop jumping up and down!!

:)

And on top of that, I got a higher GPA thanks to all A's, one B, and (a C in chemistry, but we'll ignore that). I am now a proud owner of 3.5 semester GPA and 3.32 overall GPA :) I know it's not must to boast about, but I am happy that it has gone up... next goal is a 3.5 GPA :) Maybe I can graduate with honors after all!!

Well, today is cinco de mayo and I will probably go out to celebrate at least a little bit with some friends. I can't drink too much, as I have to go early tomorrow morning to register myself and then come to work... I am so sad to have to leave this place :( My boss has been such a good person to me, and this job has encouraged me to do better in other areas of my life.... I might yet be able to stay one day out of the week here, depending on my work schedule at school, so let us see...

Anywho, I'm off to read some Genetics. Summer school starts in a week!

<3

Summer is near!... and so are summer classes -.-'

At long last, only 2 finals remain between me and my week of break.

Of course, which is not really a break, but more of a work and sleep break... hopefully somewhere in that time I will be able to go to the beach and shop :)

I just finished my last bio exam, which I am confident I aced, no problem :) But of course, that's Bio, and it's not hard to ace those exams...

I still have Stats and Chem to go... I can't wait to be done with it. By this time next week, I will be sleeping, go into work for 5 hours, come home, shower, change, and go partying for the first Friday night in some time! :)

But anyway, that's a week away... and so is my possible acceptance letter from the research program I interviewed for 2 weeks ago. I'm so darn anxious for that email already... I wish they wouldn't take so long to deliberate... only a handful of people applied from what I'm aware... why is it taking so long?! Does FIU just like to torture me?! Am I really that gullible?!

-.-'

Blah.

But at least I have my week off before Genetics, Physics, and Stats 2 begin in the summer.

This should be fun.

Let's see what happens... positivity to the max!

Wow, time to update?

Not like I really do have time to be on this thing, speaking to no one in particular, more like rambling to myself about my hectic studying schedule and complaining about my daily life struggles...

Actually, today I don't have anything to complain about.

Except maybe the endless chapter of chemistry, biology and statistics ahead of me for finals...

But I've been in such a great mood lately :)

Hooray for happiness!!

You can thank my wonderful boyfriend for that :)

Toodles!

Success

Today was a successful day.

I hosted an event with a friend to raise money and volunteer to clean out a large area for a wildlife rehabilitation center.. everyone loved it. They got to meet tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars up close, and got to be licked by a tiger (Krishna is so sweet). It was amazing experience for them, we were able to get so much done in that extra area so that now the tigers have a place to play in, and donations were wonderful... It was a great time. My friend, who is a photographer, took along his camera and took some amazing shots... I will post them up later so that some of you can see them :)

On the other hand, I'm also exhausted lol. Pulling out weeds from almost half an acre of land by hand took a lot of strength, especially in the sun (I have a nice farmer's tan to prove that, lol!). And on top of that, I had a sleep over with someone who is becoming a very close friend of mine, and we stayed up pretty late (even though we had to wake up early), watching movies and eating crap.. lol. Finals are coming, so I kind of appreciated being able to relax and enjoy some time with my friend, but now it's down to the nitty gritty.

I have a paper due Tuesday morning, I have a Chemistry exam Tuesday night, I have my Chemistry Lab Final on Thursday... things are just getting so hectic and out of hand towards the end of the semester... but at least I know I only have about 3 weeks left of torture and I'm done! I don't need to take a Bio final, so I'm saved there, and I also don't need to worry so much about my spanish final since it is online and my boyfriend can help me...

I can't believe that in just a year I will be graduating... I am so excited and ready for the next stage of my life. I'm still waiting on the email confirming my placement as an official researcher in the neurology lab on campus, getting paid (FINALLY). But let's see.. let's wait. Let's be patient.

Although that is horribly hard.

But it can be done.

With willpower, anything can be done.

Big Day

Well, the day has arrived...

I have both of my interviews today, one at 2pm and one at 4:30pm... I'm super nervous to say the least, but trusting that whatever happens is what God wanted to happen, and I'll be alright with that.

But I still have my fingers crossed!!

Please pray, meditate, wish me good luck... do everything you can to get the universe to shift in my favor, LOL!!

I'll get back to you guys later

<3

Finals...

are around the corner.

& I am most definitely not looking forward to them.

Besides the fact that I'm deathly sick today and hella tired, I'm just not up for studying. I did manage to get through my biology lab and 2 chapters from my 7 chapter exam this Friday... hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day. I really need to get through this bio stuff and stats also... my stats exam is scheduled for next week and I have not studied one bit. I know that I can do really well if I don't slack off, but at least I know that my final will replace my lowest grade if it sucks... so far the lowest I've gotten on my stats exams was a 90, so I could afford losing one exam, but I don't want to do that :/

Besides that, I'm just studying, volunteering and other things. I forgot to tell you guys that I got to pet tigers, panthers, cougars and work in a wildlife rehab center yesterday. It was a very rewarding experience. I'm sad to say that they really need donations to help keep the place open (it's privately owned, the owner lived in Africa for 15 years and decided to dedicate his 5 acre home to these abused and neglected wild animals, he was formerly an ASPCA officer here) and I'm hoping I can arrange some kind of something for them. They need $2500 by the end of June and I would really like to help out, so let's see what I can get done on that front.

Besides that, my interview for the position to get paid for my research are this Thursday, and I am so incredibly nervous!! You have no idea... I'm flipping out to say the least lol. Hopefully I do really well... I bought new pants and everything for it, so let's cross our fingers!!

Well, let me get back to studying. Max wants me to pet him and it's difficult to type, study and pet all at the same time, so I must eliminate one of my activities lol.

Have a great day wherever you are.

<3

Goodbye spring break, hello tons of work :(

Hey everyone,

Been a while. Spring break is officially over, and I'm super sad about that. Not that I got to fully enjoy it though, I worked the majority of the time and only got Friday and the weekend off so I could party, sleep in, and hit the beach and pool. Albeit, I got a nice tan for such a small amount of time in the sun :)

But now it's back to full time school until my birthday comes around :/ Only weekend off, no summer off... makes for a sad sad Karina. But I know I can pull it off, especially when it means I'm working towards graduating next year (at long last!) and moving towards my ever wanting dream of starting my family :)

Well, no family thoughts for now though. Work, school and vacation on my mind!!

Catch up with you guys later, hope everything is well <3

Quick Update

Hello everyone!!

I know it's been a while since I've updated... plenty of things going on. Research is blasting off (I had to lug home 3 very heavy books on dissecting and culturing mice brains, including fetal ones :( But I guess it'll be worth it in the end if a discovery is made, or even a new piece of information is found)... my work is doing pretty well (hopefully I get accepted into the research), and me and the boyfriend have been attending church every Friday, which I'm finding to be my weekly dose of "you're not super woman, it's ok to take the back seat and let God drive for a while... even though he really is always driving..." lol. It's relaxing, I feel like we connect more, and next Friday we are going to be paintballing and playing some games, which I'm very excited about!!!

My baby's first birthday is just in 2 weeks!!! Mommy is so very proud of him and excited to share his birthday :) We finally found a shirt that fit him (he's a big boy at almost 90 pounds), and got some blowing bubble thingies (because you know dogs love to chase those around), as well as paper cups, plates, and some football/soccer bowls... everything is 1st birthday themed of course, with little sports balls and things like that. I have yet to find his cake... I need to get it in the shape of a bone preferably, but let's see.

Other than that, school is going well, I've started a diet (my jeans are way too tight for my liking right now)... and yep, that's about it!!

Well I'm off to study... have an exam Wends, oh joy!!

<3

Finally, a break..

Well, this last week was hell.

I can't even remember the last time I blogged lol!

But at last, I've finished all my exams and come out victorious!! I'm not sure if I blogged about how much of a disaster I was in Chemistry last semester, and how much I was dreading each exam and would probably fail the class... well, my average for the exams last semester (excluding the final) were somewhere in the D range... 65 or so, which is still above the class average of 60 on these things. This semester, guess what I got on my very first chem exam (of which I freaked, had a panic attack and guessed on a good amount of problems)....

An 80.

YES.

AN 80.

B.

WOOHOO!!!!

You have no idea how much I jumped for joy. And my A in stats before that was the highlight of my week. I managed to scrape by on my bio exam, and my formal lab report, and now I am home free.

Not exactly, because there was a stack of research papers waiting for me on my desk today when I got to lab, and lots of reading up to do to prep for the research study we'll be doing in the next year (and remember my new job as well), but it'll be worth it, and at least it's not examinations!!

AAANDDDDD

I have my lovely spa day to look forward to in less than 48 hours!!

But for now, I'm going to go find myself my good friend Patron and have a nice margarita to celebrate my accomplishments :)

Stressed!!

Why is it that everyone loves to put their exams in the same week?!?!

I want to shoot some heads off for this atrocity!!

I have Stats tomorrow, Chem tuesday, Bio wends, and I also have a quiz due for each bio and chem on sunday, a literary topic with 5 abstracts on a 5 page paper due tuesday for my bio lab, and a formal lab report due thursday for chem!!!

And then of course, after all the hulabaloo is over...

Nothing.

Nada.

The rest of the next 2 weeks is pretty much empty with only a quiz scattered here and there on random crap.

-.-'

I mean, really... I feel like I'm hussling for a drug dealer to make the month's quota and then I'm let off the hook as soon as I make those 10 extra dollars.

But goddamn those 10 extra dollars are hard to make!!!

Tired Tuesday

This whole getting up at 7am and not getting home until 6pm to study for an hour and then hit the gym really takes a toll lol.

But I can't complain too much... I need to trudge through the next week and get over any obstacles in my way so I can do really well on all of my exams and be able to enjoy myself after next Wends' bio exam. I have a spa day for myself next Saturday that I am SOOOO looking forward to (and more than ready for!), and then Valentine's Day that Monday!! Hooray!!

Alright, let me get back to my work. It's my front door neighbor's, and very long time friends birthday tonight and he's having a little get together at 9 that I'd like to attend.

See you guys later!!

Namaste

Rediscover

So I went to a yoga class today just to start my week off right, get back in the groove of working out, balance out my stomach (which is acting up thanks to aunt flow and greasy foods over the weekend) and just basically relax...

I'm astonished how quickly I got back in the groove, like I had never left it and it was second nature to me.

I took a friend with me, who looked at me the entire class period, asking herself "how the fuck does she do that?!" LOL. To say the least, it was very stress relieving... I guess I've been holding some anxiousness in my body, because every time I flowed, or did a good stretch position, my bones were cracking all over the place, I was stretching like never before, and by the end of the class, I was more flaccid than a tree needing some serious turgor pressure... (sorry, plant exam coming up next week, it was the perfect opportunity to study).

I also paid for and am ready for my luxury day at the spa next Saturday. I decided to treat myself, since I've been saying for almost a year now that I'd get a facial and a massage... and I lucked out because there was a special for $155 that included 1 hour swedish massage, 1 hour facial with peel, a tanning session, manicure and pedicure... can you say CHA CHING!!

So I'm very happy. Just have to get through this week's work schedule, studying schedule, and get things done asap!! I have 3 exams coming, assignments due, and I need to be on top of my gear... which is why I'm about to go to sleep early so I can have some good sleep for class tomorrow, then work, then studying, then gym!!

Namaste!

Playing Catch Up

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while... it's not like I have readers, but more for myself to keep sane. Even though I haven't really needed to keep sane much lol!

I got a position as an assistant from a customer of mine whom I used to service at the Bux. It's been great so far, received my first paycheck last Friday for my work, and it's nice to finally see my efforts go to fruition! Lol. The position is great, it's flexible, I'm learning new things, and I'm hoping to get to a level where I can handle the office by myself in case he ever needs to go out on business. I don't think it's going to be a difficult job, and I'm enjoying it so far, so I'm very happy :)

Other than that, school is starting to weigh down on me. I'm heading to Starbucks to study now in about half an hour after I shower... I've got some Chem assignments to do, some bio notes to finish, and a review to start for Chemistry. Tomorrow I need to focus a little bit on Stats, then back to Chem and Bio... my exams are next week for Chem, Bio AND Stats, so I gotta be prepared... even though I've been keeping up with the courseload pretty well.

As far as boyfriend front goes, very happy, even though we haven't been able to see eachother much since we got back from our lovely trip. He has yet to give me the pictures (hopefully tonight! He comes over for some family time) and I'll upload them as soon as I get them... or rather, just a couple because there's hundreds. I honestly can't wait until we're able to move in together and get married... this whole going back and forth thing is annoying to crap out of me already -.-' Lol. It just sucks when you want to be able to go to sleep and wake up with that person, but instead go to sleep, wake up, and have to drive home. I told him last night no more his house for a while because... well... I don't want to do that anymore lol. He can come over here for a week or so :)

Alrighty, see you guys later. There was my quick update! Maybe I'll have some time to blog about my research goals soon :)

Have a great day wherever you are!

Back to Reality

Hey everyone,

Just giving you a quick update. I'm obviously back from Chicago, and thankful to be back in hot weather from the frigid cold of the North (talking about -5 degrees, snowing, and very windy). It was an amazing experience... I hadn't been in a city with so many tall buildings since Boston, and even then, Boston wasn't all that tall. I actually enjoyed the architecture a little more than Boston's, but I have to admit that the little brick houses hold a tender spot in my heart :)

I'm back on the grind of school work, of which I need LOTS of catching up to do. -.-'

For starters, I've missed about 2 chapters in Bio and the ending of a chapter for Chemistry, so I have to catch up there. I need to do some lab work for Bio lab, I also have a lab report to complete for Chemistry lab, and at some point, I need to hit the gym every day this week to work off the crap I ate over the weekend... you know, no such thing as diet on vacation :)

I'm currently getting ready for a prospective opportunity with an old customer of mine at the store I used to work at. He so lovingly extended his hand for a part time as an assistant / administrative worker, and I'm very excited to say the least. It would be excellent hours (just the amount I need), decent pay, and something new to learn... so let's hope it goes very well!! I'm going to work my butt off if I get it to shine the brightest I possibly can. Hey, stop snickering at my corniness!!

Anyway, I'll post some pictures from Chicago when I get the chance later tonight or tomorrow...

Hope you're having a great time wherever you are!!

Chicago!!!

It has finally arrived... tomorrow we are leaving!!

:)

I'm going to go pack now, I just finished some more assignments that are due Sunday night (which I probably won't get to finish hence why I'm doing them now!). I managed to get 90% on both of my biology quizzes with only a skim of the chapters (teehee, gotta love my biology mind), and 75% of my chemistry homework done, which I'll finish while I'm up there... or actually, I'll finish on the plane ride up there, more like it :)

Unfortunately, I was an idiot and signed up for the wrong PLTL section at school, which is like an extra credit thing for bio students so you don't have to take the cumulative final (and it helps, believe me), so I had to sign up for the only available spot in a 6:25pm class tonight -.- It's about an hour long, which isn't bad, but I was trying to avoid having to go to school at night... I hated going last time for Precalculus and I stopped going pretty much towards the end of the semester... how I managed to get a B, i'm not sure.

Anyway, let me stop being lazy and hop to my packing. I have to leave in an hour for school.

See you guys later!! I'll try to upload some pictures when I get back :)

Have a great day wherever you are.

Tea & Hope

Earl Grey tea must be one of the best remedies for sleepiness... and for getting off a diet full of fat and concentrated carbs.

I can't tell you how upset I am that last week, I hit the gym almost every day, doing everything from running on the treadmill, to cycling classes, to machines, to playing racquetball with my boyfriend... and I managed to gain 4 pounds.

4 POUNDS.

IN A WEEK.

So upset -.- I know that at least one of those pounds is muscle because my jeans are a little tight in the butt and thigh area (which are the ones I'm working out), and that has so graciously been granted to me by my hispanic heritage, as "endowed" as Max (because Max has a big butt and back legs as mommy and daddy). But honestly, sometimes it's quite frustrating to deal with these things.

Really.

Really!!

Anyway, besides my rantings about me working hard and getting nowhere on the scale (or rather, I should say, going upwards when I want to go backwards), I've received a call yesterday for a position I applied a very long time ago... a clerical position, which makes me very excited because I love to organize, plan and carry out duties... The phone interview seemed to go well enough that I've been called for a second interview (I suppose you'd say?) next Tuesday at 3, and I'm quite excited. Hopefully I get the position... it's part time, 3 days a week... I mean, couldn't be better for me, especially with my schedule. I could see this as a long term position for me :)

In other news, I'm going to attempt to finish the majority of my homework as soon as I finish this blogging here. I've got Spanish, Biology and Stats to take care of today, and if I can get to it... Chemistry. Then I'm hitting the gym for an extra long cardio session to see if I can nick this weight gain in the bud.

I'm not sure if I told you that I'm going to Chicago this weekend with my boyfriend, and if I didn't... well, now you know! Lol. I'm very excited, I can't wait for this adventure of ours. We always have a great time when we go visit a new place, and especially now that we've been doing phenomenal (because there really isn't any other word for it), I'm sure we're going to be having a great time :) Super, very, excited.

Well, I guess I should stop procrastinating and hop to my work. At least school isn't so tough this semester... for now.

Have a great day wherever you are!!

Friday Night!!

And the feeling's right!

Oh yes it's Friday night! Oh what a night!!

I know those aren't the lyrics, but it's nice to know it's Friday, isn't it?

:D

Nothing much to update about my life... still jobless and waiting on call backs... going through school pretty well... going dress shopping for my sister's wedding tomorrow (which I'm excited about)... and life is the same old same old.

Oh yeah, & Max just keeps getting cuter and cuter :)

Hope everyone is having an awesome 3 day weekend!!

Happy MLK weekend, and continue to live your dreams :) (corny, I know, but hey, it's good to be corny every once in a while!)

:)

6 am is worth waking up to when you get to be home by 1pm from school.

I know it's a hassle, and I'm sure I've complained more than once this week, but damn it feels nice to be home early... and to not just have come home from class, but to have come home from class, studying, and chit chatting... all before 1pm.

The miracles of taking advantage of your time.

Of which includes 3 hour naps before hitting the gym.

So I can recuperate my sleep.

Hip hip hooray for early mornings!!!

:)

Love

It's crazy.

It's overwhelming.

But damn it's fun!

:)

Spring 2011

Welcome!!

Not even 4 hours into my school day and I have lovely reading and assignments to complete :)

I got started on them... actually finished my online assignments for Spanish already, and am on to reading for Biology before I go hit the gym now at 4:15 for a cycling class, then some machines, and then back home for some more reading and maybe, hopefully, get to see my wonderful boyfriend tonight to book our Chicago trip <3 But that's a maybe unfortunately :/

Other than that, school looks like it will be loads of fun. I'm not planning on going to my Stats class... my teacher is an ass, has a horrible accent, and it's not mandatory to go to class, so eff you! I will study stats on my own, go to class the week of the exam to make sure it doesn't get moved up or down, take my exam, and soñara until the next exam week!!

It looks like this semester will be a breeze for me, and hopefully straight A's are in the cards for me :)

I'll update you later, have a great day!!

Faith

Hey everyone...

So it's been tough trying to find a job.. I've been applying like a maniac... albeit, I haven't applied in the restaurant yet, which is my last resort... I just applied for another tutoring company, and I'm hoping that they receive me with open arms. They look pretty desperate for people in the Doral / Hialeah Gardens area, so hopefully that works out for me. I'm really hoping for a tutoring job because it just pays better, and its more rewarding than serving coffee, which looks like what I might be going back to doing. Oh well, I should be grateful either way if I get a job, since a lot of people can't find any right now...

I went to church with my boyfriend last night... it was a very nice and rewarding experience. He has some history there, and it was nice to see him let go and be received again by the pastor, and a whole mess of things going on. I got prayed for as well, which I appreciate so much from the pastor's wife, because I really feel that this year is the year to make a difference, for change and to grow, and I'm ready to embrace it all. I feel a lot of positive things coming my way after a rough 2010, and it's time to shed the negativity and move forward... I think the way me and my boyfriend communicated last night was great too... I haven't felt so close to him... ever, I think, lol.

Well, back to job searching. Just wanted to update you briefly.

See you guys soon! School starts Monday, oh joy!

2011 is here!!

A day late in blogging, but that's alright...

I kept up my resolution so far... then again, it's only 2 days into the year, but its progress! I went to a spinning class yesterday that kicked me in the ass so nasty, I had to take a nap. My boyfriend surprised me by coming over unexpectedly, and we spent the day at the neighbor's, waiting for a pork to be cooked (disgusting, I didn't have any of it), and playing dominoes (a cuban past time) and other board games... it was a nice evening :) I had wanted to go dancing and out to dinner, but it was nice to spend it at the neighbor's, like when I was little, and especially in my boyfriends, and his sister and moms, company.

Today I've decided to pick up my room and throw away at least a trash bag of clothes (or rather donate, not throw away). I've accomplished said goal, and picked up a little, ran the broom to pick up all of Max's hair, which seems to permeate every corner of this room. It actually feels really stuffy... I don't know if it's the dog hair or the color of my walls (which I so pleasantly painted red and gold in an era of chinese love in my life), but something needs to change. I'm waiting to see what happens until around summer, especially since I don't have the money right now to be changing things around, and if I'm going to be moving out, I don't want to waste the money in a room I won't be living in any more. The color actually doesn't bother me too much, but it would be a nice change to be in a blue and white room, or something serene of the sort...

Anyway, I should go shower. My boyfriend got really sick last night, and I'm going to take him soup... I wanted to make it, but my mom didn't get the stuff I need, and I don't have the time now to go buy it and then make it, so I'll just have to buy it at the local cuban restaurant down the street, which I've heard is excellent. And of course, his vitamin gummies that he loves so much.

Alrighty, have a good second day of the year, wherever you are!! Back to school in a week!