Who knew?

May-Ling (my college roomie and best bud) sent me information about a feminist course being offered as an undergraduate course at Stanford. the course was titled "Violence Against Women: Theory, Issues, and Prevention". I am so amazed and impressed that such a course is being offered as a university course. There are actually several feminist studies majors at universities across the country now. when I got my bachelor's degree, i don't think such courses were being offered. It gives me hope that we are moving in the right direction and makes me feel better about my research focus. I was thinking about how my research focus is not very broad and I wonder if that will impact my ability to find a job. I have decided that I need to research what I am passionate about and the rest will fall into place.

In other news, May-Ling was in town this weekend on work and stayed a few extra days. We had so much fun. It was like we were back in the dorms again. eating, drinking, watching movies, and just talking for hours. It is so nice to be able to spend time with someone where just talking is so much fun. I miss you so much already, May-Ling. Maybe we will move out to cali one day when I am done with school, especially if I can be a part of a feminist studies program. :)

In school news, Michael took his first test and he made a 94. I am so proud of him. He is working very hard, but at least the work is paying off. :) My classes are going well. I am having trouble with the qualitative computer program I am using to analyze the data for the research project I am working on. It just keeps crashing, so I have been emailing with the tech support guy for the past week and a half and it is still not resolved. It is so frustrating to waste so much time on this, but i cant really analyze the data any other way, so I will keep working on it.

Other than that, this weekend is the 5 year anniversary of Michael and I's first official date and the 4 year anniversary of the date we got engaged. We don't really have anything planned except maybe just relaxing together and NO studying for one whole day. I am not sure if we can do it, but we will try really hard. :)

My brain and my eyes hurt...

If this post is a bit crazy, please don't hold it against me, this post is my study break. :) well, my brain hurts from constantly being used, I think it needs a break (or a drink :). My eyes hurt from looking at a computer screen and many, many, many (over 1000) survey responses that I am tallying in a qualitative computer program for my research project. So, I spent a good chunk of my day at the university phd lounge working on this research project in an un-air conditioned room. brings back memories of morocco. :) anyway, now i am home and have been studying for many more hours. Anyway, enough of that. Lets just leave it at...classes are keeping me very busy, but are going well. I really cannot believe this is only the 2nd week of classes. Michael is also doing well, basically if he is not eating or sleeping or in class, he is studying. enough said. Ok, no more class talk.

So, we bought a new laser printer since we are both printing tons of stuff this semester. Since I am married to Michael, you know it is the best laser printer out there for the price we want to pay. Michael is a researcher, so you know we got the best. there are many great things about it, (which michael can tell you all about) but the two i really love is that it is wireless and it prints superfast. so, i can print from my laptop while sitting on the couch and as soon as i hit print and get up to get the printout, it is all done. I love it!! You know you are crazy about technology when your little home office has two printers, 2 laptops and a desktop computer. Good times!!

In other news, May-Ling, my roomie from college is coming to town this weekend on work. She will be staying with us from friday night until monday night. i took the day off from work on monday so we can hang out. I am so excited. She will be working on saturday, so I will have some time to study while she is here. I cant wait to hang out. It feels like it has been forever since we have had some good girl time.

So, we put our studies away and met my parents for dinner on friday night. We went to the gaylord texan and ate a fancy buffet. it was quite delicious. and as always, it was so nice to catch up with my parents. Thanks mom and dad for being so supportive during this crazy time in our lives. :)

Well, I guess that is all my brain can handle right now. I am going to lay down and take my 10 minute break now before i hit the books again.

One week down...

well, We just finished our first week of classes for the semester. It has been very, very different. Here is a quick breakdown of our last week.

Monday - Michael had class from 8-5, then we ate dinner from 5-6:00, then he studied from 6-10. I worked 8-5, ate dinner from 5-6, did dishes and random housework, then studied until 10.
Tuesday - Michael studied from 8-12, lunch from 12-1, studied from 1-5, dinner from 5-6, studied from 6-10. Crazy!!! I worked 8-5, then had class from 6-9.

The rest of the week was basically one of these two days repeated. We did get a bit of time on saturday when michael mowed the lawn and i took the car in to get the tire fixed. we were also able to run a couple of errands, like costco and groceries. We cooked one meal to hopefully last most of the week and then we were able to watch a movie at home on saturday night. then, sunday, back to the studies. I think I forgot what TV shows look like. :)

All that to say, i think it is going to a be a crazy few semesters. anyway, i have class tonight and I don't really have much to report yet. my brain is kind of on overload. I am hoping we will get used to this constant studying. Please send brain power our way. :)