School Sucks

Last week I had a major research/case study paper due. The class was Public Relations Theory and what we had to do was find a PR practitioner who could give us a PR problem he or she was having and we had to apply two of our theories to said problem to solve it. I chose my aunt who has a Masters in Communications and 10 years experience. She gave me the Nestle Nutrition Institute who provides feeding solutions to hospitals for a variety of patients. I won't go into the details of the problem because that's not what my post is about. Well, after I got my problem I went to my parent's house, two hours away, so that my mom could help me write my paper. I had never done a research paper and I needed help. I drove down after class last Tuesday, worked on the paper. I came home Wednesday morning so I could take a test in one of my classes, finished the test and went back to SC, worked on the paper that night. I came home early Thursday morning to attend class and turn my paper in that afternoon. I turned in the paper and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Fast forward to yesterday, Tuesday, morning. I checked my email and I had a message from my PR Theory professor. She told me she needed to see my about my paper as soon as possible. I went to her office and learned that part of my paper is considered plagiarized. The paper needed to have information  about the organization, Nestle. I found exactly what I wanted in my paper on the website and copied and pasted it into my document. Without thinking, I failed to cite the source. I wasn't trying to pass the information from the website off as my own work; I simply failed to cite my source. My professor understands that I didn't do this intentionally and she is not going to report me to the Dean. However, my paper fails which means that in order to pass this class, a class with only three grades, I need to make at least a 91 on the final exam.

Mostly, I'm just embarrassed that I made this mistake. I am better than this. I don't plagiarize- I do my own work! It's infuriating to think that a lack of two of these " can ruin my whole semester where this class is concerned. This means I might have to take this class again. That means I wasted this whole semester in this class and have nothing to show for it but plagiarized work. This means I probably won't graduate when planned. It's frustrating and embarrassing and infuriating.

I think I'm ok with it. My parents and my aunt were more up-in-arms about it than I was. I mean, I understand that I made a mistake and with every mistake there is a consequence. I don't even know that I disagree that the punishment fits the crime. Honestly, I think I just chock it up to "that's life." Life isn't fair. Sometimes, life flat-out sucks and this is one of those times. Now I have to suck it up and study my butt off to make an A on this test. I'm frustrated, but that's the choice I have. If I want to succeed, I know what I have to do.

Progress

I am wicked sore! I have been working out with a trainer for about a month now, and he kicks my butt regularly. I don't know what progress I have been making; I weighed about 2 weeks ago and we are going to weigh again next week. I never did do my measurements before we got started, so I won't ever know what progress I have made thus far, but I can know from this point on. I haven't noticed any major, noticeable differences, but I think (and hope) that I am starting to get smaller, more toned. It's going to take several months for any considerable improvement, but my trainer says he can get me there. I haven't been making it easy on him though because I pretty much fight him every step of the way. It's hard. It hurts. I'm sore. My muscles ache. But, I have to keep going. Pain is beauty. No pain no gain. All that jazz. Ok, I'll stop now. Anyways, it's going to take a lot of time and even more hard work, but I know that I will get there. I just have to be diligent!

Game Plan

I'm not going to say that I am unhappy with my size or curves, but I do see room for improvement. Like I already said, I have joined the gym and am going regularly, but I also have to watch what I eat. That is so hard! I ate Subway today and realized I couldn't get my usual steak and cheese sub, but I did find a healthy alternative that I actually liked. Basically, I just have to take it one bite at a time. Really, knowing that certain foods could undo the progress made in the gym, I don't want to eat them; they no longer appeal to me. Don't get me wrong, I am still craving Marcos pizza and some yummy Crazy Turks, but those have to be "treats." Something I can eat after I have made significant, noticeable difference. Seeing as how I am only just getting started, that's going to be a couple of months. :) But that's ok! I am going to look fabulous in no time, assuming I stick to the game plan!

I'm gonna look like Jessica Alba soon.....

Ok, probably not, but a girl can dream. Seriously, though, my BFF, Raychel, and I worked out today and plan to work out frequently until she moves to Texas in March. After that, I am going to have to hold myself accountable and take myself to the gym. Really, I don't expect that to be much of a problem. I enjoy working out, but it's taking that first step and joining/getting comfortable going to the gym that I have to overcome. Thankfully, I have my Raychel! Anyways, I have had harder workouts at school, but I am still definitely going to be sore tomorrow. Oddly, I'm excited about that. No pain, no gain!

Me

I am....

Loved. Fabulous. Descriptive. Educated. Adored. Intelligent. Faithful. Sincere. Loyal. Curious. Funny. Decisive. Short. Efficient. Kind. Productive. Considerate. Happy. Fearless. Important. Enthusiastic. Sophisticated. Talented. Difficult. Cherished. Mature. Guarded. Serious. Responsible. Old-fashioned. Helpful. Quick. Remarkable. Thoughtful. Coordinated. Diligent. Beautiful. Fierce. Simple. Courageous. Dynamic. Smart. Thankful. Aggressive. Shy. Curvy. Elegant. Obedient. Loud. Bossy. Rude. Sassy. Inquisitive. Forgetful. Dramatic. Protective. Selective. Sharp. Well read. Hilarious. Classy. Truthful. Sarcastic. Ruthless. Likeable. Entertaining. Fortunate. Naive. Puzzling. Trustworthy. Defiant. Sensitive. Friendly. Hospitable. Energetic. Capable. Paranoid. Clumsy. Dazzling. Organized. Interesting. Efficacious. Poised. Joyous. Knowledgeable. Kindhearted. Lackadaisical. Magnificent. Worthy. Precious.

Funky Monkey

I am in some kind of funk today. I even went so far as to ask my male best friend to agree to marry me just so I don't have to worry about dealing with douche bags anymore. He didn't go for that. I am just over the whole dating scenario. Men suck at life. I'm really only thinking about one person, and I am so confused about how that went soooo far sour, I don't even know what to think. I mean, we only dated for a month and you would think we had this big long "courtship" that ended because I left a dead cat on his pillow and slept with 10 of his closest friends. Get. Real. And now I have a hater club at work. How did this happen? Petty people, that's how. And stupid, but we won't get into that, lest I be accused of cyber-bullying. I just want to live in a cave and never have to deal with people outside my inner circle ever again. Sounds good to me. But no. Shea Anderson doesn't back down and she refuses to allow stupid, ignorant people to intimidate her. Shea Anderson is the bigger person (only figuratively speaking ;) )!!

Anyways, I need a pedicure...BAD! My feet are 10 different kinds of terrible and those poor Korean ladies, or wherever they are from, are going to be having some kind of fit in their native language. That'll be good. Nothing like being talked about in a foreign language. I think I prefer that though- ignorance is bliss!

Ugh, I need a vacation. Or maybe some kind of medication. Or maybe both. My siblings and I have briefly talked about going back to Universal this spring break but I don't know how that will work out. I would really like to though, or something. Must get out of town!

 I'm rambling but I'm ok with it.

 I recently upgraded my Nook to a Nook tablet and I am in love! It is just like the Nook Color but has a faster processor and it is just amazing. Like a computer on the go. You should invest.

I think that's all. For today. Probably for a while. Goodnight.

Oh, the Beauty of My Life!

I have a really hard time waiting on God's timing. I want a husband, or a boyfriend, or something and I want it NOW! Not 5 yrs from now, not next year, NOW! While I don't necessarily think now is the best time to be married or trying to get married, I would at least like to have my significant other and know that he is mine and know that we will be together soon. I don't know, maybe it all has to do with my rush to be past this phase of my life and be starting my "big girl" life and in my head a husband, or boyfriend, is part of that. On the flip side though, I would like to be established on my own before I start trying to build my life with someone else. I need to know that if something were to happen, I would be ok. I could take care of myself, pay the bills, get by on my own if something horrendous, Heaven forbid, should happen to my husband or our relationship. So, needless to say, I am torn. Not that it matters- I don't have a boyfriend to worry about and have no choice but to be self-sufficient right now.

On another note, I have been thinking a lot about what I am going to do once I graduate college. Where will I go? What will I do? What if I don't find a job? Will I finally be able to be totally self-reliant? Am I going to be able to make my student loan payments? Should I get my masters?

So. Much. To. Think. About!!!!

I have actually thought that maybe I would like to move out west, like Texas or Colorado. They have nice weather there and I would be closer to the man of my dreams- Timmy!! But, I don't know about the job market there and I would be forever away from my friends and family. That would be the epitome of starting fresh, I do believe. It's all very interesting to think about and very overwhelming, to say the least. I just feel like while I am single, and yes this does sometimes annoy me, I need to take advantage and take the opportunity to go and be and do wherever and whatever I want while I don't have anyone I have to consult or consider. I don't have children or a husband who would be affected by such a huge transition and now is the time to make those kinds of transitions. THEN I can find my man and start my family and hopefully make life transtitions together- Like when Tim gets traded to another NFL team. Yes, those will be nice! So, yes, lots of thoughts, and of course, stress to go along with! Thus, is the beauty of my life!