I ran out of ink today.  Blue ink.

I like to use blue ink to write on handouts that a few of my teachers (graciously!) provide.  I find the blue stands out better against the black printing (duh) and makes it so much easier to read and study.

Anyway, there I was, nearing the end of Chemistry and my writing slowly began to fade.  It faded and faded until it just about died.

I wasn’t surprised.  While this was the first time in class that I’ve run out of ink, it is not the first time this semester.  Or the second.  Or the third.

Five pens.  I’ve gone through FIVE pens this semester so far, and we aren’t even half-way through.  No matter about tuition; it will be the cost of INK that will eat us out of house and home (or hotel) before I’m finished with school!

In their defense, I do take a lot of notes.  But still–five?  In as many weeks?

Yikes.  I do believe they sell refills for this particular brand (my ultimate fave), so I’ve saved the empties.

Only two pens left before I run out!

Did I mention yesterday was MONDAY?

I definitely have a HUGE Anatomy test tomorrow.  And then another one NEXT Wednesday.  Thankfully, it’s all memorization and I’ve kept up with my studying-as-I-go habits, so I’m not stressed.

Good thing I worked NONSTOP Sunday on all sorts of different homework/note-taking/studying so I can just worry about all the “bigger” things I have this week:

-that Anatomy test

-another Biology test

-my first Chem quiz (not sure what to think about this one…it’s one of those online, timed things)

-Anatomy lab quiz

-start Psych book report?

I’m telling you, being an early-riser (hello, 5:30) is a HUGE advantage.  I’ve already studied for both tests, had coffee and breakfast and set Andrew’s breakfast out as well.

Whew!  I’m a busy girl!

Oh, and we’re seeing The Lion King here in Buffalo Wednesday night–so excited!  I’m going to try to find a neat place to go to dinner beforehand, too.

It’s a return to the pool for me this morning!

I SO am.

But then, does that surprise anyone?

I’m an older, more mature, interested student who sits in the front, doesn’t talk to my neighbor or goof-off, takes good notes and gets good grades (I would say a 91% on a test in which the class average was 65% is pretty good!).  What isn’t to love?

I mean, I was pretty “teacher’s pet-like” in high school too, but not in college the first time.  I think a lot of that was because I was so overwhelmed at Penn State.  Not in a bad way; but being in a class with 800 people certainly makes it hard to make an impression on the teacher.

Anyway…  I’ve hit it off pretty well with my Chemistry teacher–he’s in his mid-thirties (which makes it hard to call him “Mr.”) and runs a winery up in Niagara County with his wife–ever since I came into class about a week into the semester stressing about not understanding everything on the homework, to which he replied:

“We’re not even there yet.”

Silly me, here I was thinking I was behind when we hadn’t even gotten there yet.

My Biology teacher is a soft-spoken Indian man who, I believe, in a Christian.  He’s brilliant and writes novels on the chalkboard–which I then furiously copy into my notebook.  His test was directly from the notes and included minute details; I studied hard and it paid off.  He came up to me after class today and asked me what I was majoring in.  He said I was a ‘good student.’  Awww.

Then, after my Anatomy and Physiology class (which I love, by the way) I went up to ask the teacher a question.  After we chatted, she mentioned that she’d heard people talking about me.  Turns out she shares office space with my Chemistry and Biology teachers; they were remarking about my heavy science courseload and what a good student I am.  She said she chimed in with a “She’s in my class, too!”  AWWWWWWWWW!

I don’t really know what the fuss is about; I’m doing my job to get good grades, which includes studying and listening in class.  I realize, however, that many of ECC’s “traditional” students don’t feel the same way.  I wish I could bottle-up my enthusiasm and force-feed it to the slackers walking the halls.  Teachers the world over would sing my praises.

Guys, I LOVE school.  LOVE.  It’s taken me this long to find my passion, but it’s so worth it.  I love that at least once a day, there is some mention of nutrition in at least one of my classes, if not more.  I love learning and getting smarter.  I love my backpack.  (I do…)  I love that every day I’m closer to doing something with the rest of my life.