PiscesGrl

Whoops.  I missed last week.  I was still a little freaked out about my midterm (I got an 85...lower than I wanted but better than I thought lol).  I haven't taken an in-class exam in years, and I nearly had a panic attack when my teacher dropped the blank test on my desk.  First, I read the questions to find the best place to start, and I started to panic that I'd studied the wrong stuff.  BUT!  I found some questions that I knew right off the bat, and I went from there.  I really thought I was going to fail outright. 

Today is my last grantwriting class.  We're handing in the summary and budget planning for our project, and I'm hoping we get all of the points.  So far, we've only lost one point, and that was because we didn't state the need clearly.  I'm fixing that for the actual grant package.  As we're writing the grant, we're supposed to schedule time with Professor Lavin to make sure we're on the right track.  We shall see.  Hopefully we'll get the grant. 

And, my other organization finally got back to me.  I should have their information by next week so I can begin to prepare the grant documents.  I'll need to schedule some time with the head of fundraising for the group...we shall see. 

Other than that, I just had my one-year wedding anniversary, and we're rapidly approaching Thanksgiving.  I guess, the more you try to relax, the larger the number of outstanding tasks.  I need to prepare an outline for my term paper (outline is due on Friday 11/13, and the paper is due 12/9 with a presentation).  It's like it never ends!

Score one for the good guys...

Our teacher reviewed the mid-term for next week: 10 short answer questions, all on stuff he's covered in class.  This means I just have to review the group project, go over my notes, and I should be good.  If this class kills my average....let's just not think about that, mmkay?

Today, we have to hand in our Goals/Objectives/Methods section for my Grant class.  The only problem?  All of our information is based on last year's program, which was 4 months long and covered 26 people.  The 2010 program?  12 months w/ 12 students.  We're definitely going to need to get the new information ASAP if they want a grant proposal to send out.  Otherwise, we're going to end up putting together a grant for the class and it probably won't help the organization.  Oh well...we shall see. 

We went through an article in my HR class today discussing the differences in compensation between the private and public sector.  While the article was skewed, you could definitely tell the skewed views of my classmates as well.  The disparity between the "average" salaries was something like $49K (private) to $72K (public).  The thing is, the public sector is obviously more homogenous.  On the other hand, you can't compare apples to apples anyway, even if you tried to compare the "public" sector to...my life insurance company.  My company has highly paid executives, as well as support staff who rake in about $36K per year.  There is no cap on compensation, so that leaves large outliers skewing the average.  And, most of the workers are support staff, which skews the median.  There really isn't a way to compare the sectors.  Though, we can all agree that the benefits for the public sector far outweigh those in the private sector...retirement, healthcare, etc.  Many of these just aren't offered to private sector employees. 

In the end, it really comes down to a comparison of benefits.  The public sector offers a better health insurance plan, which is much more expensive than those offered by private companies.  Private companies try to cut costs by limiting employer match for retirement plans; the public sector tends to have defined benefit pensions.  The public sector also tends to get more paid time off (what with holidays and such).  My office has 8 solid holidays (including an extra day for Thanksgiving and Christmas), as well as 2 "floating" holidays.  My boss allows me to take all of those holidays, plus Patriots Day, New Years Eve, 1/2 day Fridays, and 3 weeks of vacation. 

Hmm...maybe I should stay in the private sector...

Well, we didn't have a summer, so let's go straight to winter!

I woke up yesterday morning and scraped FROST off my car!  I can't believe we're 1/2 way through October, and I might need to turn the heat on soon. 

Yesterday, we handed in our Needs Statement and our Grantmaker Search.  We are now halfway through the project.  And I'm a little annoyed.  We spent one of our classes in the library, and the research librarian was supposed to run us through the grantmaker search sites and books at the library...instead, it ended up being a lesson on how to do research at Sawyer.  Something that is covered very early on in the program.  The next class, our teacher provided a bunch of information for searching, and we completed the assignment on time.  Unfortunately, some of my classmates DID NOT understand the assignment and blamed it on the library session.  And the teacher waived the assignment...the day before it was due.  We're all getting full credit, but seriously.  WE'RE IN GRAD SCHOOL!  Most of this stuff is self-directed or minimally guided.  There's no real hand-holding here.  Sometimes I wonder about my generation.

Also leaving me wondering - apparently, there are people out there who blame Erin Andrews for her stalker (you know, the guy who filmed her through a modified peephole and then posted the tapes on the internet?  That one.).  Apparently, it's her fault because she's blond, attractive, and on ESPN. 

Let's get some facts straight here.  The guy taped her without her permission, NAKED.  Posted it on the internet, WITHOUT HER PERMISSION.  I'm not seeing how her being blonde, attractive, or in the public eye makes ANY of this okay.  Ever. 

And, for the record, many people are stalked each year.  Not all of them are blonde, in the public eye, or Erin Andrews, or women for that matter.  And none of them ask to feel like they need to change their locks, their phone number, block people on the internet, close all of their blinds, and constantly look over their shoulders.   In the internet age, it might behoove us to remember, a victim is a victim...not someone who caused their own misfortune because some mentally unstable person couldn't handle not being in their life.

Arrg, classes, arrg!!

So, my grantwriting class postponed our assignment to next week because our teacher was sick.  And now we have 2 assignments due, though they're relatively easy.  I need to type up another bit from HR and email it to my group, so yay for that, plus reading for both.  Oh, did I mention I have a mid-term in a week and a half?  AN ACTUAL TEST!!  I don't think I've taken a real test in like 8 years.  lol

I really need to get moving on researching my term paper for HR, even though it isn't due until December.  I just really should get a head-start on that. 

So, Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.  I'm a little weirded out, since nominations closed on 2/1, and he wasn't even inaugerated until 1/20.  So, I'm not quite sure what they were basing this on.  And I wonder who he beat out...as far as I understand they keep that information confidential.  Iunno...I'm kind of getting the backhanded complement theory - you know "Well, you aren't George Bush, so you must be okay!"

And, the Repubs have decided to level impeachment at him...again, for what?!  I'm so over "impeachment" proceedings...it's just another term for a circus.

3 - Did you know we launched a rocket at the moon in June?  And people are calling it an "attack" on the moon.  Not for nothing, but I'm pretty sure that would be the worst attack plan ever.  "Oh, hi there!  Launching a weapon that will hit you 4 months from now.  Good day!!"  What happens if they do find water vapor and ice?  Are we just going to move the US to the moon?  I understand all of the scientific theory behind it...I guess I just don't understand why we really need to determine if there is water on the moon. 

And, lastly - a Horrorcore rapper was arrested and charged with 4 murders in...I believe it's West Virginia.  The write-up made a point of mentioning the horrorcore genre several times.   And 2 teenagers were arrested in NH after they murdered a mother, stabbed her daugher and robbed their house.  That news article in the Herald attempted to lay blame at the feet of horrorcore artists and television shows (using pictures of Insane Clown Posse and Showtime's Dexter).  I'm sorry, the MUSIC and TELEVISION doesn't make you DO IT!  Marilyn Manson was blamed in part for the Columbine school shooting.  Are you kidding me?  I listen to both MM and horrorcore.  I have no "intense urgings" to kill.  Maybe we should look at the mental state of these guys...you know like Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris.  They weren't all that stable to begin with. 

I get so annoyed when people try to say "oh no, it's not the person, it's all of these outside influences that caused the situation."  In that case, how do I know so many people who listen to similar music who would NEVER do these kinds of things?

Assignment #2 is due tomorrow for Grantwriting.  I met with the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern MA to discuss preparing a master grant proposal and finding seed grants.  And, we have an assignment due for HR tomorrow.  Straight from the frying pan into the fire.  Though, I'm slightly more motivated this year...lol.  I've actually finished the readings way ahead of schedule!  That never happens. 

Also, for your viewing pleasure - Maslow's hierarchy of needs, as interpreted by dinosaurs - http://www.qwantz.com/index.php?comic=1562

Apparently, Spain has relatively stiff rules about protecting the privacy of children of public officials.  This is interesting, as we never would have heard anything had the Prime Minister's daughters not been splashed around the American media and criticized.  Apparently, they're goth...you know, because anyone who wears BLACK is GOTH.  (How about no?  Just because you wear black and shop at Hot Topic does not make you goth...just like looking depressed/miserable does not make you emo.) 

Meghan McCain was surprised by the backlash from the Spanish government after the pictures were published, stating "I want to start out by saying I can't believe there is a country that exists where the media protects children of public figures, let alone the prime minister's daughters. It is literally hard for me to fathom that there is a place that respects the privacy of underage children of politicians and diplomats. The second part of this that makes me very sad is that these two girls are enduring a sort of baptism by fire with the media scrutiny that surrounds their family portrait with the Obamas. Not only are they not used to being photographed, but their first foray into being photographed and criticized is on a very public scale with the most famous and powerful politicians in the entire world." 

I feel bad for the PM's daughters, just like I felt bad for Chelsea Clinton.  Growing up in the media during your awkward and formative years...I mean, come on!  Who wants to look back on public pictures of their braces, frizzy hair, awkward limbs...there isn't a single person who didn't have a slightly awkward period.  And, adolescents tend to be much more emotionally vunerable to criticism.  Maybe it would be better for all countries to adopt a higher level of privacy for the children of public figures...you know, since the kids weren't elected and probably had no say in their parents' aspirations. 

Monday, monday, blah blah blahblahblah blah

I woke up this morning and seriously didn't want to move.  That doesn't normally spell good things for a day.  And then I had an email from a cousin telling me that part of my family (who my side doesn't really talk to) is continuing down a slippery slope.  I was like "really?  How did I end up in the normal family?!"  I'm sure you've all had that feeling at least once. 

Wednesday, we have our first portion of our grant project due.  We decided to go with Groundwork Somerville.  We were trying to decide between Groundwork and the Animan Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (they took over the Brockton MA MSPCA shelter, which is official October 1st), but we determined that the APCSM wouldn't be as viable for a project/program grant right now.  I'm going to work with them about getting a seed grant, since they are such a new organization. 

So, we are pulling together all of the information from Groundwork, and one of my partners has a meeting tomorrow.  We should have a couple of good ideas for the project proposal at that point. 

It's interesting how much information you can find online.  All 501(c)3 Form 990s are made public, and guidestar.org has been updated to list everything through 2007 (which would have been filed in 2008).  So, if you ever want to know what an organization is doing with its money, go searching. 

For my HR Management class, it seems more like a history class right now.  We're going through the civil service system and learning the background about HR management.  Hopefully, it will get more interesting.

President Obama was on 5 different programs on Sunday.  I listened to NBC's Meet the Press this morning, and I am constantly impressed by David Gregory's ability to cut straight to the issues.  He even commented on President Carter's statement about most of the opposition to President Obama being due to racism.  While I'm sure there is some racism out there (and I've seen it), I agree with Gregory (and Obama) that most people are concerned about how much of a hold the government has on everything.  There's always fear when changes are implemented.

I will say, though, I like the fact that Senator Baucus' healthcare bill does not include a public option.  I think they should implement the exchange and many of the other reforms (I mean, it's obvious that change NEEDS to happen), but I'm leary about a public option.  I'd think the public option would drive OUT competition instead of creating competition.  Besides, there are so many companies out there...how isn't there competition anyway? 

It's like the Moon Landing, the Kennedy Assassination...you remember where you were when you found out. 

It was a normal, beautiful, comfortable Tuesday.  I headed home from my boyfriend's place around 9 because I had a 10:15 class.  It took about an hour to get home from Quincy, and a good chunk of that was underground.  I booked it from the Fenway stop because I was basically going to skid into class right on time. 

I didn't know the world had changed. 

My friend Laura was sitting outside my building, looking ashen.  I was like "dude, are you okay?  What's going on?"  She was trying to get a hold of her father and sister.  I was like "Are they alright?"  Then she told me, and I walked into my classroom, the media classroom, just in time to see a replay of the South Tower falling. 

Over and over, the tower fell, and then the North tower followed.  I honestly couldn't feel anything...I was completely numb.  I didn't even know anyone in NYC, nevermind anyone who worked in the towers. 

Class was cancelled, and I headed back to my dorm.  I finally got a hold of my mom and told her I was okay (I guess there had been threats against the MBTA as well), and I cracked.  I still get a pain in my chest every 9/11, but I think I'm still numb.  I'm not sure I ever processed that morning. 

I went to NYC for the first time that next year.  We hit the Macy's Parade, walked around Rockefeller Center, saw the  window displays.  But there was a palpable difference.  You could just tell that the hard NYC facade had cracked, but it made me feel like I wasn't alone in the middle of the massive crowd waiting to see Kermit and Mr. Peanut. 

I'm a true Masshole - born and raised - die-hard Sox fan.  But I do love New York...I know I could never live there, but visiting is nice.  We may have a sports/state rivalry, but that didn't stop MA from lending NY a hand in any way they could.  I hope they never have a reason to return the favor. 

Fall 2009 begins much the same...

Except for the fact that this should be my last year!  That's right, I should be graduating in May, provided my last requirement and one elective line up.  I feel like it's been forever, and yet, I feel like I just started. 

I have 1/2 an hour before my next class.  So far, I have a ton of reading, a mid-term, group exercises, a final, peer evaluation, a term paper, and a grant application package to complete my 2 classes.  One class ends super early, so I'll have a month to write the term paper for the second class.  No slacking off this semester (feels like Jr. year all over again!). 

Somehow, I still have a 4.0, and one of my professors sent my project to the Town of Concord for review.  That was interesting, unexpected, and pretty freakin' awesome, if I do say so myself.  Mine was the only project sent.  So...I suppose I have some standards to live up to. 

I'm thinking I'll write my term paper on Affirmative Action, which is always a heated topic.  I think, since there are so many views, I'll definitely be able to find enough information for 15 pages.  That's always the issue...finding enough material for the number of pages required.  Sometimes, a topic is too broad, and other times there just isn't any information out there.  I think I'm going to go in with a negative hypothesis that Affirmative Action doesn't make any difference in hiring, so it isn't necessary and shouldn't be legal.  I would assume the evidence would prove me wrong. 

Other than that, I've been trying to keep up with the healthcare debate, but it seems that the news stations only want to put the shouters on the airwaves.  That's disappointing, because Al Franken's impromptu town hall at an MN fair should be getting more attention.  There were differing opinions, but he explained his point of view and everyone handled themselves in a proper manner.  I learned early on that shouting wouldn't get me what I wanted.  And throwing around the terms "Nazi" or "Brownshirts" isn't helping either.

Obviously, something needs to be done about the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, but trying to rush the bill through by the end of August didn't do anything (other than ruffling feathers).  We shall see. 

It's the final countdown...

7 days and counting.  I have a 2 page memo/journal entry, a 6 question project and a 5 page paper due next week.  So...buckling down starts today.  =)  Nope, I'm not procrastinating too much. 

My Quantitative class has the 2 big projects, and Intergovernmental Relations has the 2 pager due.  I've basically finished the 6 question project, and I'm formulating my ideas for the paper.  I already know what I'm writing the memo/journal entry about, so I feel like I'm in good shape.

I don't know if anyone saw or attended the TEA parties last week.  Apparently, there has been a huge amount of backlash after the fact, along with some interesting terms from reporters like Keith Olbermann.  The more I watch the news, the more I wish we didn't have to have the reporter's quirky and funny comments added in.  When did the news stop reporting NEWS?  Why do channels like MSNBC and FoxNews and others feel the need to direct it toward one opinion or another?  Oh, and that reporter from CNN?  She's a whole other story.  Talk about embarrassing.  Reporters are supposed to report the news, not become it.

In the event you don't know what the TEA parties were for, it wasn't just taxation or government spending.  Attendees and supporters are angry their tax money is being thrown at different corporations with no real direction or rules.  And they aren't just Republicans...they're conservatives.  Specifically, fiscal conservatives.  "Cutting taxes", "halving the deficit" and "rampant spending" do not equal out or work together.  "We're angry and we're very frustrated because, you know, we feel helpless."  It's not the taxes alone, and it's not the spending alone.   It's everything together.  Eventually, we won't have a shovel big enough to dig future generations out. 

Spring Break!!

Though, I'm not going away until the 26th, but hey...no classes!!!  I have a week to catch up on reading.

Just finished my presentation for my Intergovernmental Relations class. It went well.  I wish my section had gone first, since I had more of an overview of everything.  It seemed strange to put the overview last, but it's done.  I emailed the draft of the paper to my partner, and it will be turned in by Tuesday. 

This week I'm also going to be working on the project for my Quantitative class.  That's going to be brutal, though I have already analyzed the data.  Now, I just need to write up my findings.  And I need to read the article for my final in that class.

I feel like I've had alot more work for these classes and this semester.  At least, provided everything lines up appropriately, I'll be graduating next May.  Then, I might go for a masters in Economics or my CPA.  We shall see.  I figure, having the CPA means I'm always employable.

Other than that, things have settled down a bit.  I actually had a day to myself today...which was well needed.  And I'm leaving for North Carolina on the 26th to see a couple of friends.  That will definitely reorganize and recharge me.