Hello world!!

I know I haven't blogged in sooooooo long, and I apologize. I got sick a few weeks ago, which totally threw everything off for me. It took me THAT long to kick my butt back into high gear and get things accomplished.

For anyone who is wondering, yes, I went to the Jay-Z Concert. I had the time of my LIFE, but still cant figure out which concert was better: Jay-Z or Lil Wayne. Both artists are amazing, and in my top two. I also got to see Pharrell(with N.E.R.D) and Wale. My boyfriend was 10 times more excited than I was; I have never saw a grown man that excited over another grown man :) For 50 dollars, I got a 3 1/2 hour concert, and over an hour of Jay-Z--I'm satisfied. Tickets were JUST released for his 2010 tour, and my boyfriend and I are planning to attend that one too!

As far as academics are concerned, me getting sick(no not H1N1) put me way behind in my classes. It took me a while to catch up, but I'm back to my usual self. Pharmacology is still causing me a headache, but I currently have a B in the class; I consider that exceptional in my book. Of all of my classes, this is the one that has really pushed me to get on my grind. I'm stressed out each time I'm preparing to take an exam, but it will be all worth it in the end!

English is going well, but I was just assigned a group project to add to the mix of writing a research paper. I'm actually not a fan of group projects- I like to study by myself, and do projects by myself. My professor was nice enough to let us pick our own groups, so I know it will be a success in the end. Nutrition is still going nicely for me and happens to be one of my favorite classes I've taken so far at IPFW. I'm not a healthy eater, or a person who has time to workout. Throughout the semester, I've learned plenty of tips that help me eat healthier and have time work out, even if its only 15 mins at a time. Music Therapy is the best class in the world. Throughout my busy schedule, I am thankful I have an easy going class. We do learn about the art of music therapy, but we also participate in actual exercises that may be used for patients under a music therapist's care. Relaxation exercises have been my favorite to do thus far.

Again, I'm sorry for being away for so long, but now that I'm on track I'll be able to blog more!

Posted by Rachel at 9:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First & foremost, I am so happy to be on fall break! I was starting to feel the crunch from my classes, so this break is doing me justice.

Remember my car incident last week? Well, because it was still acting a little funny, I came home to Marion Saturday & had my dad get it checked out. I know nothing about cars, but basically a piece in my transmission had to be sealed. It's okay for now, but eventually I will need a new car. Good and bad news.....good because I'll get a G6, but bad because my mom doesn't want to get me a new one just yet. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping my neon will last me for quite a while. On the bright side, it's running a lot smoother and not jerking anymore.

I'll probably be in Marion until tomorrow afternoon. Coming home is nice because I do miss my parents a lot, but after a while I'm ready to jump back on the highway. Studying at home is a challenge for me; I think I feel so relaxed while I'm at my mom and dad's house and doing homework just doesn't feel right :). I'll be kicking it into high gear this week to prepare for two exams I have next week in pharmacology and nutrition. It's not ideal to have two exams on the same day, but my reward will be the Jay-Z concert next Wednesday!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful fall break! :)

Posted by Rachel at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well what a start to my week before fall break....

Monday, I was driving my lovely 2003 neon that I've had for a couple of years. Even though it is almost 7 years old, I haven't had any major problems out of it...until now. I made it to my destination, and it started "puttting"! My lever to let me know if my engine is running hot or cold went all the way up to hot & started dinging. Because it was so late, I couldn't get it fixed until early the next morning.

By Tuesday morning, there was NO way I could drive it. I had to call a tow truck & have it towed to the nearest shop! After the mechanics inspected my car, they gave me the terrible news- My radiator went out and transmission fluid leaked into my coolant! $500 gone just that quick. Luckily, I have the best parents in the world who are going to take care of it for me, but it sucks that my trusty Neon would do such a thing to me! I thank God that it didn't blow my transmission, but it's still acting kind of funny, so my dad's going to take it to get it looked at again.

Stay hopeful for me please.

--Rachel Ray--

Posted by Rachel at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, I promised an update on how my pharmacology exam went!

Boy, was I extremely nervous right before the test was handed out, and all the information I learned seemed to leak out of my brain. During the test, many of the answers I felt I knew, and many I felt like I did not. I answered each question to the best of my ability and handed them in!

Later that evening, I slowly scrolled down on Blackboard to check my grade. Either way, the grade was already determined. With both eyes open(usually I look with one :) ) I saw a 71 out of 80! Before I looked I truly thought I didn't do that well, but this shows the studying really did payoff. The whole time I studied my material I never felt prepared & it turns out I was. Thursday class was cancelled, so I'm glad I finally get a weekend where I don't have to study for this class.

As a gift to myself, I upgraded my cell phone to my first touch screen phone. No, not one that is completely touch screen. I'm always afraid that if the touch screen goes out, I won't have anything else to use. For those of you who know anything about phones, I got the ENVTouch & I love it. The front is touch screen and the inside has another screen with a keyboard. Good present for doing so well on a test, huh?

Everyone have a safe & fun weekend!

Posted by Rachel at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know I'm not the only person wondering whats going on with the weather. Just recently the sun was shining and I had on my capris and flipflops. This week, however, I have switched to hoodies, sweats and my boots! I guess my mom bought them right on time. I wore them yesterday thinking people would be lookin at me crazy, but PLENTY of other ladies of IPFW wore their boots. With the ruthless wind blowing, my hair was all over the place, so the hoodie came in handy:)

Today is the day of the pharmacology exam I have been dreading. I feel more comfortable with the material, but I wish I had more time to review all of the drug names & their effects. The review in class went pretty well, so hopefully the exam will go over smoothly. Even though I've been studying everyday for hours I still get things mixed up. (Probably because I felt like I had to rush and learn the material.) I'm a slow learner sometimes and it takes me a minute to organize all of my thoughts. Just piece of advice: Do not wait until the last minute to study!! Study lecture material everyday right after class, or soon after. Doing so will help you retain information better! I'll give an update on pharm. later, for the better or worse.

Posted by Rachel at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I haven't written much this past week with so much going on in my life. All the studying, projects, and papers are piling up on me....

Also, I experienced a loss of someone I was soon to meet, but the end came too soon. A friend of mine had her baby girl three months or so early this past July. Although she was just as small as she could be, she fought strong. Myself and all of my roomies pretty much were aunts to her. Two of us, myself and my other roomie had not yet saw our niece since she had to stay in the hospital until she gained enough weight & got well. One of my friends showed me pictures of her since I couldn't go to Indianapolis & visit, and she was SO small, but a cutie. Unfortunately, she didn't make it past 2 months.

This isn't something I really wanted to experience in the midst of studying for my pharmacology test. Although I never met her, I still felt very connected to her, and thought of myself as her aunt. Because she was born so early, my friends & I were going to have a baby shower for her mother not too long from now. It hurt my heart that the first time I got to see my niecy in person, she was in a casket. Everything really does happen for a reason, and God knows what he is doing. Because I had this and so many other things on my mind, studying hasn't been going the best, but I am trying to get back on track. Hopefully, I will pull a decent grade for this exam, but I honestly can't promise it to myself.

Dedicated to my Niece, Myi' Myi', We Love You.

Posted by Rachel at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All I can say is..this week held a heavy load for me! I'm so happy my weekend pretty much began today; I only have one one class tomorrow, music therapy, and I'm done!

Tuesday, I took my first nutrtion exam. To tell the truth, I studied for it, but not too much. So much of the material I covered in Bio. 203 & 204 and felt like a review. I don't know what it is with professors & exams with so many questions, but this one had 75 questions! Several people, including myself, went through the exam quickly & left. An 86% isn't too shabby for the first 75 question exam of the semester!

After classes, I spent time with my "Little" at our favorite place again, the arcade. As exhausted as I was after my long day of 12-4 classes, I still had fun. It's always good to try to take a step out of the college life and just enjoy life itself.

In pharmacology, we've learned more & more types of drugs, and I have to have them mastered by next Wednesday. I do have faith in myself, but this is one of the hardest things I've had to do as a college student. My class was told by a former student to not be disappointed in ourselves if we receive even a C, because the class is so demanding....but I don't want a C, I want an A or B! So that's what I'm striving for, an A or B. If I just so happen to get a C, I'll be a tad sad, but it's still a passing grade. :)

One minute until Friday!

Posted by Rachel at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It feels so good to be back in Marion again! Although there is NOTHING to do in this little town, I'm happy to see my mom & dad because I haven't been home in almost a month! My hyperactive poodle was the first to meet me at the door. As I walked inside, the sweet smells of mom's home cooking greeted me. I have gained a few cooking skills while in college, but it will never compare to my mommy's home cooking. :)

My "Little Sister" called me today! I only hang with her once every week or every two weeks, and I kind of miss her! I think she's getting more comfortable with me and opens up more. Like I've said before, I've never had a little sister, so this is really a learning experience, but I like it (It's like she's REALLY my little sister). Next week we're going to one of our favorite places, the arcade! If any of you need a stress reliever, the putt putt arcade by the mall is so much fun! Being 19 years old, I still feel like I'm nowhere near too old to go to the arcade.

Tomorrow, my mom and I are having a mother/daughter day! I can't wait; I swear my mom is truly my best friend.

Posted by Rachel at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm just waking up from my lovely evening nap, which was nice, but I have the worst headache!

I always feel like I have so much to do, even when I only have a few things that need to be done. Studying is always a must, but with studying, meetings, spending time with my little sister for the Big Sisters program, a long distance relationship, and finding time for myself life can be a bit stressful.

In my previous blog, I talked about how wonderful my first pharmacology test went, but everytime I reach a high point, I always return back to the bottom. We of course started a new section today, and if I'm not overwhelmed by it I don't know what you would call it! My professor reviews the basic breakdown of the nervous system, and began talking about neurotrasmitters, where they are release from, different kinds of receptor types-It's okay if this is going over your head.- But basically, theres different categories, and each has subtypes, and different functions and.....well it's just a lot of information, more than my brain could process at the time! By the time I got to this class at 3, I was already extremely tired so that didn't help me at all. I know I can learn the material, but with so many other things on my plate it gave me an instant headache.

On a brighter note, I met with my English professor to discuss a paper I got an A-/B+ on! (That's how he grades when he can't decide which grade we should get.) I usually struggle on writing papers, but I did well on this first one. I love the way my professor has structured the class, taking everything slowly & step by step. I feel like I am actually learning how to become a better writer and researcher!

Since class is cancelled for me on Friday, I'm going home to spend time with my mom, dad, and Paris(my poodle). Whenever I feel VERY stressed out, I assume that I just need to go home and get level headed again! It really does help me regain my focus and feel so much better; I'm sure many of you can relate.

I'll be relaxing while many of you will still be in class using your brains. Have a good weekend! :)

Posted by Rachel at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well I did say I would give everyone an update of my grade on my Pharmacology exam. Truth is, I wasn't expecting this at all...75/80 correct, 93%! When I first viewed my grade, it just said 75 which made me think I got a C, but then I saw that was how many point I got right. I'm pretty sure no one can imagine how ecstatic I am about this grade; this is now the highest accomplishment of my college career:). As I was studying, the material started to become too easy, which always worries me, but I guess that was a good sign.

My next big obstacle is my Nutrition test next Tuesday, so I'll be spending plenty of time in the Helmke Library. People sometimes don't step foot into the library unless they HAVE to, but it really helps me to do studying there. The upper floors are usually really quiet, unless students are having study groups. For some reason, I can concentrate better in the library than I can at home & this may be true for others, too. Don't be afraid of the library, I promise it's your friend. :)

Posted by Rachel at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)