CSUDH: History Department Class of 2009!

What on Earth are these strangely dressed people doing?



Are they waiting FOREVER to walk across a stage?



Or do they just want to take a nap?



Oh! They are graduating!




Graduation was a blast!

life update

So, the semester, and for the most part my CSUDH career is coming to a close.

I do have one more class to take, but I have to leave my beloved Dominguez Hills.
It has been an absolute blast, and I am so grateful for the experience the past two years have been.

I have learned so much, not only about history, but also about myself.
I have learned that I am a stronger person than I give myself credit for.
I have learned that by stepping out of my comfort zone, I can experience amazing things.

I have learned to be more social.

I have made some amazing friends that I hope to keep even as we move on in our lives.

Finals start tomorrow.

After tomorrow, I have one more paper, and two tests, and my undergraduate education will be 99.9% complete.

I really need to get into the one summer school class being offered that will help me complete my degree and finish my grad school application. I have until June 15 th to complete my application to CSULA. If this doesn't work out, I will be attending DH in the fall, and then CSULA in the winter, unless they don't accept me.

trying day

Today was a trying day.

Not just a long day but a "try"ing day. As in let's try these aspects of your character to see what you will do.

I had to learn some new things today that I hope to never have to put to use, but at the same time, know that it is a distinct possibility.

I had to learn that sometimes you shouldn't listen to someone when they say they are okay.

I went from feeling slightly concerned, to worried sick, to feeling immense relief all within the period of an hour.

Tomorrow I will be at work and then school and I have a lot of work to do for school, so I hope I get it all completed. But then I will be at the last film of the International Women's Film Festival. Thursday I have a paper due and a midterm. Friday is a working day and so is Saturday. Sunday is church and then the 20 somethings bowling evening. It should be fun.

Just a reminder that you have until Monday to submit your plastic Easter egg entries for this months challenge... And images are acceptable!

Today

I got my cap and gown today! I feel very official and such. And I get to buy a stole to wear because I am a member of Phi Alpha Theta. I also got to spend the morning with my friend Ashley who I haven't seen since December.

In embarrasing moments. I have been dealing with snot all day and it likes to fly out at embarrasing times.

Schedule Says

So, I have officially finished my first week of insanity at school.

My schedule is

Intro to Cosmology 10-1115
African Diaspora in the US 1130-1245
Film as History 1-215
Terror and Totalitarianism 230-345
Ancient World 4-515

On Tuesdays I leave school at 5 and go to work until 8
and on Thursdays I stay late to work for Dr. Talamante.

I already have obscene amounts of homework to do, and I still need to finish my paper from last semester.

Then I need to get my space cleaned up and get organized for the next week.

This is just a random update. Know I am going to be obscenely busy this semester.

To Do:

Find Library books
Return Library Books
Pay Fees
Get Hold Removed
Pick Classes
Register for Classes
Meet with Prof #1 to receive letters of recommendation
Meet with Prof #2 to discuss work schedule
Go to Dollar Tree
Purchase Yellow and Green Streamers for Library Craft if possible (must go elsewhere if they don't)
See if they have gold glitter for same craft
Look at 1 dollar storage ideas
Work on Paper
Dinner with a friend
Clean for a bit
Sleep


This is what my day is probably going to look like. I should also do laundry at some point. Hopefully tonight.

My boss doesn't think that me having Saturday off for women's retreat will be that big of a deal, but I will have to work on Fri. Especially since I do believe I have an international art activity that day... But it is a quick one and I'll have someone take over for me if it is still going at 4 which is when I plan on leaving.
We will be making Australian Platypusses.

This Friday we are making Chinese dragon puppets, because Monday is Chinese New Year.... I LOVE Chinese food!

Iron Chef Photos

Photos from Iron Chef...

It was a lot of fun, there is a chili cookoff in the spring, maybe I'll try that too LOL!

 

Iron Chef

So tonight was our campus Iron Chef competition. The secret ingredient was lamb. I don't eat lamb. I have never cooked lamb, and I was the lead for our team.

We made three dishes and came in third place. I don't think the judging was fair, but I am just glad it is over. I am very proud of all my team for working together and making three pretty tasty dishes out of an ingredient that none of us had encountered with zero professional training.

I get to keep my chef coat and we all got certificates for participation.


Our professor complimented our food and we all liked it, so that's all that matters. We had fun and did something new. I hope to post pictures soon.

cds.....

As I don't really have anything to report as of yet, hopefully I'll have the news I was anticipating tomorrow night.

I am on a big music kick right now. I can't wait for the Cds I bought today to come. I purchased some cds of my youth from amazon and a couple of them were only like 3 dollars with shipping! A total win.

If anyone has Dogwood's Through THick and Thin, I would love to listen to it.

Friday...

Okay so the website is:

www.bakerella.blogspot.com

I goofed when typing it. She makes really cute stuff.

I just went through a massively long all day orientation for the History club. Jessica was with me and we both wanted to stick chopsticks in our eyes.

Apparently, I am not only hated but am also a racist. I think its funny. I am neither, but people don't get that we are grownups now. Jessica has offered to start a rumor of my membership in the klan. This, I feel would be hysterical, except for the fact that I am afraid the klan would come after me for pretending to be one of them while hanging out with non-WASP peoples.

Today my friend Louise posted her trip pics finally and it made me want to go back to St. Petersburg. I <3 it there.

I have a really long weekend ahead of me, and all I really want to do is get some rest, chill with Jesus, and in general relax. I am at least doing better than the guy sitting next to me in the lab who keeps falling asleep.

I have to work tomorrow, and then I have a paper to write and an outline to do. After that I have to at some point get a gift ready for the baby shower I have to go to on Sunday in between church gatherings. Tonight I am going to the Bower's Museum to see the clay Chinese dudes. Monday I work for Dr. Talamante and then it is a normal week for me, I hope...

At least being so busy is helping with the sleeping issue although I probably should take some melatonin tonight...

Daily Recap

Today was long. Not in the I've had a horrible day type of long, but a I feel like everything is in slow motion type of long. My day was actually not that bad.

I had a test in my humanities class on everything up until WWI and I got 109 out 100 on it, Total Hermione status, I know. I love that this professor hides extra credit in her exams.

Then I had a long break in which I had a yummy blueberry banana smoothie, my first of the year (they are my faovrite) and did some web surfing.

In my next class we discussed war movies and the importance of television in the 1960 Presidential election.

After that I got lunch with Ashley and Chris (we had yummy pizza)

Then my 490 class happened. It is a fun class. But I found out some guy is telling people that the reason that the history club doesn't have that many members is because everyone hates me. Before that would've made me cry. Now, I just don't care. Also, I know it isn't true. My friends don't hate me, some girl was listening to our conversation and got upset on my behalf. I thanked her and then was like, "If he has so much extra time to waste on hating me, then let him have fun, I don't have time to worry bout it."

Besides the history club has 18 members. That is approximately 12% of the department total, not bad for a brand new academic club.

Tomorrow we are going to the Bowers Museum to see the Clay Chinese Dudes. It should prove to be fun and entertaining.

I only had to take pills twice all day. I was excited.

I am kind of sad that my usual Friday schedule is being interrupted for some riddikulus all day orientation of doom, but I'll get over it.
I think that's it for today.

So, I am at school ungodly early.

I have four things to work on, but in reality, I just don't want to.

I really shouldn't have taken this Colonial America class. It isn't really my interest, and it is a LOT of work. I also don't need it. But it is basically too late. It should be interesting though.

I am kinda hungry but just ate like 3 hours ago and so I shouldn't be.

I did get my grad check done, I just need to have Dr. Jeffers sign off on it and I am good to go.

I have been asked what I want for my birthday and the reality of it is that I just don't know. Anything I want isn't something anyone could give me (except for God) and although I know there is stuff I want, it isn't anything I would ask for lol.

I feel like I am going through a Eustace experience with God lately.(Eustace from Narnia LOL) He is stripping things away from me, and while I recognize the neccesity and benefit of this, I wish it wasn't so painful. I can't wait for this period to be over.... I especially dislike the removal of my guard walls, I HATE feeling vulnerable all the time.

My cousins are taking me out for dinner for my birthday on thursday. It should be fun, I like hanging out with them.

Bleh... I hate being angsty all the time too....

okay Rant over.....

On a lighter note I saw that they have created this kit for slice and bake cupcakes....Yum.. the epitome of laziness......

Hooray for Magic!

So, I magically got into a closed class today. I am sooo excited. I am now taking War and the Human Experience instead of Colonial Latin America. I would love to have been able to take both of them, but they are at the same time. And I need the Humanities class (War and the Human Experience) Whereas I don't need a fourth non-U.S. history class.

I have been to all of my classes except for U.S. Colonial Period and this looks like it will be an excellent semester.

Next Week is Welcome Week and my first full week of classes. I am excited about both!

Yay for Today!

Today was amazing!

I didn't realize just how much I missed all of my school friends until I saw them today.

I really, really, really am sooooooooo happy that school has started again. Even though I can already feel the business. I LOVE my school friends and school and history and everything!

Yay for school!

I went to two of my classes and I like them both, but I found out today that I might be able to take another class I really need instead of one of them that I was taking because I did need it but not anymore! But if I can't take the other class I need at that time, I will stay there because it looks like a good class.

Back to School!

Tomorrow I go back to school.
This, as many people know, makes me happy.
I never thought that life would be the way it is right now, as I am entering my last year of my undergraduate education. Come May of next year, I will no longer be Stacey Atkins girl who is never going to graduate from college. I will have gotten a four year degree and will be off to seek my fame and fortune in other activities.
Right now I would love to be able to proclaim what they are, but in reality, I just don't have any clue what might be in store. Last year at thise time, I honestly couldn't have guessed that I would've done half of the things I have done in the last year, and would've laughed at you if you had told me I would do some of them.

I know that some people are still waiting for a full report on my trip, but I am still in a stage where I can tell you stories of what happened while I was gone, but I am still digesting the impact it had on me. I can declare, with no reservations, that I want to go back again some day. At least to Russia. I would also like to spend more time in Finland and in Denmark. Sweden and Norway were great and so was Estonia, but I really liked Finland and Denmark. I LOVED Russia! But this we already knew.

I am taking at least four classes this semester and although I am signed up for six, I feel that two of them will get dropped this week. I also need to figure out my schedule.

I am also starting a diet as of tomorrow. This is not because of my appearance, but for my back. I am still quite happy with the fact that I am so much smaller than I used to be, that my appearance doesn't bother me. But I know that losing more weight will be better for my back, and I want to help it out. Good news is that jalepenos have no points and since I have been craving them like a crazy person, which is weird because I don't like them usually, this is good. Also low in points is Golden Spoon, which I love.

I am going to try to blog more because in the midst of craziness, which is going to be the next four months, it help to have a place for decompressing...

2 pages to go....

And then I am done... I want to be done before 9 so off I run...

Tonight is hardcore!

Tonight I am planning on going to church to pray at 1 am as a part of our 24 hour prayer activity. I am going to pray for my church that I love. I am going to pray for the leaders of the church, all of whom are a blessing to me personally.

I really have no clue why I just wrote that. But I felt it needed to be written so there it is.

The last week has been amazingly crazy and next week is going to be too. Some stuff I can look forward to:

Monday: School! Yay!
Tuesday: School, Work, Back to School for the Film Festival (maybe)
Wednesday: School, Work
Thurday: School, History Club Meeting, French Film Festival (Sorry Daniel Girls, I'll have to catch up with y'all next time!)
Friday: Work and then I have been invited to attend the Honors Convocation because I have tight schoolish skills (LOL!)
Saturday: GWE at 7 am then Work until 1, then The last of the French Films
Sunday: Getty Villa with School Peeps and Evening Service @ church...

It is going to be another amazingly busy but fun week.

I often find myself trying to fit more stuff in my schedule than I should, but I like to experience life.

I hate having to feel like I should explain this but maybe it will help put my strange obsession into perspective. In high school I was a major slacker who put no effort into school and I barely graduated. Then I went to Harbor College where it was easy to pass classes even if I put zero effort into them. Then I went to Cal State Fullerton, where not only did I not put much effort into my studies but I didn't care about what I was studying. At that point I basically gave up on ever graduating college. I was going to find some no education required job that would pay the bills and be happy with that. Then one day I realized that I would never be happy if I just gave up like that, I then prayed for God to give me another chance and that I would work really hard if he did. I applied to Dominguez Hills and although most other schools would not have accepted me(because I was expelled from Fullerton) they did. And I know that me being at Dominguez Hills in the classes I have taken with the major that was randomly chosen, is all of God. I am soo thankful, that my heavenly father, who knows me better than I know myself put the right people in place to interact with me and opened all of the neccesary doors. Two of the fculty members I am closest to were not on staff at DH before last semester. I fully appreciate thier presence and guidance on both a professional and personal level.

I worry about neglecting the important things in life when I get so busy, but I know that if I concentrate even a small portion of my day, far less than I know I should on the important things, God will use them to bless me immensely.

Today, God used something that ordinarily would have seemed inconsequential or even have irritated me to Bless Me.

I serve an amazing God who loves me, even when I get too busy with the not so importnt stuff.

Correction

Ok...It is Simmons College in Boston for the Dual Masters Program, and Boston College for the Ph.D. LOL!

I went to school today, I learned about California in the Cold War, and PostModernist Approaches to History.

I went to work today and discovered that my project didn't save on Saturday and now I have to redo 5 hours worth of work.

The house closed this morning. WooHoo!

I don't really have much to say today. Will prolly have something better tomorrow.

Hooray! It is Friday!

Tomorrow I am going to the Graduate Diversity something or other at UCI. I am very excited about it!

I am going to make a cute mini resume/business card to hand out to recruiters.

I just put this up so I would have a post for today, but I have lots to do. So I am gonna go do it...


Edit:

Shanna Made me a really cute resume card thingy....now we just need to get it to print!

It's Just An Average Day.....

....and nothing really stands out...

I have lots (okay maybe not a lot)of things to share today.

First of all, Dan the tight guy on Biggest Loser got sent home tonight. It makes me kinda sad, first of all because he cried and everything, second of all cuz he was adorable...

Second of all... I finished my paper, even though I was super frustrated and then I went to my professor's office hours at noon (my paper was due at 2:30) and he said that I could have turned it in the way it was, but he (after being horribly mean and teasing me) gave me some suggestions on how to improve it. So I did, and considering that I didn't really understand the paper prompt at first, I was kind of proud that it was turn-in-able when I went to see him.

I am really glad that I did get my paper done and that I went to school today. I was randomly sitting in class and I remebered just how much I love history. I had nearly forgotten with all of my frustrations over my paper. But I was sitting in class and we were discussing how this one historian wrote about how there should be more freedom for historians, and class was just really fun, and it hit me... hey I do like this, I remember now.

Work was aight, and I do work every day we are open this week, but Thursday is only for a couple of hours.

I have a lot to read for tonight, both for school and my Bible so I am gonna sign off...