It all started out so peaceful. I woke up on Sunday morning actually quite late, but who cares it’s Sunday. I decided to get an early start on my heavy homework/midterm preparations. I started out by watching NORTH BY NORTHWEST for my film class. It took longer than the 2 hours to get through it because I kept pausing to take notes and/or put laundry in the dryer (I needed to do laundry desperately, I never let it build up but school has been getting busier). I finally got through the movie, which was actually quite good (the ending was pretty abrupt, but hey I was ready for it to end so I could start on my response). I logged into my film class and began to write my responses to the Professor’s different questions regarding the film and the chapters from our text book. It probably took a total of 4-5 hours (that is including watching the film). I was so happy. I felt like this was a great head start on my week. Not only do I like to be a little ahead, but I also had a tentative plan to take Tuesday off to help a friend shop for her new business. So, my head start wasnt completely about just getting a jumpstart on the week for my other studies. It was really about hoping to have a day off to help my friend.
I woke up on Monday ready to take down the rest of Algebra, which was an entire Chapter. I usually will do a Chapter all in one day. It makes it easier to comprehend, but it also helps my sanity. I do not want to spend any more time than I have to on that damn subject! I do not want to spread it out if I dont have to. I digress…I had my coffee brewed and took my first sip as I sat down at my computer. I checked email and twittered a bit (thats my morning ritual). I had 1 cup of coffee done by the time I started on Chapter 4 in my algebra online book. I was on a roll. I poured more coffee. I was feeling good. Then about 4 hours later I began to get psycho. I began pulsate through the cortex of my brain. I thought, ok I need to take a break and eat. I had a little sandwich and right back to work. I started to get interrupted by too many phones ringing. My boyfriend came to my back door and banged on it like he was the damn police. I jumped. My heart was pounding. I didnt know who it was until I heard his voice talking to my doggie through the door. I ran to the door and swung it opened. I dont remember exactly what I yelled, but I yelled, loudly. He scared me, and I was already feeling nutty.
He left and I went back to work. I was feeling so bad for yelling at the poor sweet guy. I tried to call him to apologize and he tried to call me but we had awful service. There was so much static; very reminiscent of my day thus far. I tried to get back on focus. At some point in there I had text my friend to let her know I was on a roll and would most likely be accompanying her on Tuesday for a day of shopping in LA (for her biz, puhlease I dont have $ to shop). She called back, we chatted, she told me to be nice to the sweet b/f, and we got off the phone. I went back to work, but not before finally getting ahold of the b/f. We had a lovely chat and all was better:)
I was now entering hour 8 and started to feel as if I hadnt solved an equation correctly for the last 2 hours. Then it’s hour 9…10 and I have resigned to the fact that I was not going to finish chapter 4 in my 1 day (lofty) goal. I was a wreck. Too much coffee. Barely enough food. I felt myself becoming MAD, as in CRAZY. Yes, I do not like when they call something adding fractions, but you still have to incorporate multiplication. That is not adding! I felt so crazy I had to take a little video of myself. This is actually when I started to think that I may be on to something. I should document my entire college career, on video. If for nothing else, it will be a HOOT to watch in 10 years. I then sent out an email to my friend letting her know I am not able to go with her tomorrow, I think I may have cursed algebra a few times and who knows what else I was loopy (I need to go back and read it LOL). I finally shut it down at about 11pm. I watched Chelsea Lately and fell asleep on my couch. I woke up at 2:30 am not knowing where I was. I thought I missed my midterm. Realizing I was half asleep and in a panic I dragged myself to my warm bed.
I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. I was ready to finish this algebra. I made coffee and sat down for my morning ritual of emails and twitter(I get my news from twitter crazy huh, hey its up to the minute people). I was so excited to start the rest of Chapter 4. I just KNEW i was going tot be done by 4 or 5! I was even thinking “oh maybe I can go to my friends house and help her price her stuff.” Why did I think I would be done any faster than yesterday I have no idea. I’m telling you, it’s the MATH it drives you MAD. I honestly have not felt like myself. Now some of you may be thinking i am ridiculous, but think about when you have computer problems and you try and fix it yourself. Now imagine doing that for hours and hours and you are not allowed to stop, you have to finish! Yeah, not so ridiculous now huh? Also, I am an artist, I am a creative person, I am able to understand words. I can comprehend language, grammar etc. I have actually come up with a theory. I think people who like algebra are WEIRDO”S! Plus, I bet if you did some research you would find that serial killers love math! Yes, that is out there, but I’m telling you the human brain isnt meant to work in these terms. It is not NORMAL. I am not usually considered normal, bit compared to this math algebra crap I am totally normal.
Into my 7th or 8th hour today my b/f walked in and said “you look crazy, you NEED to take a break.” He was so kind when he said it, but I knew he was absolutely right. I still kept saying “no no I have to finish” “I will eat when Im done.” Finally I caught myself, and I realized how crazy that sounded! I was acting like a person that was addicted to math like I seriously did not want to stop. Well, I am not addicted, but i just wanted to get it done. I became addicted to the thought of doing that very last problem.
I took the break. I got in the shower. I got dressed. I went to Starbucks to get a yummy coffee (but strong) and a sandwich. I returned a phone call and came back home. I ate half the sandwich and returned to my work. I started to see the light. I was going to finish tonight. I pulled out my camera to capture more video. This was the finale of my first “all nighter” in college. This was my first “tough” time before a test, midterm etc. This is the beginning of it all. This was a milestone. I know even more now why that degree is such a huge deal. This is a committment and when it’s all said and done you must feel like you can truly do anything. My hats (yeah I have more than 1 hat) go off to any and all college graduates, you are amazing. I cant wait for that day. I cant wait to be able to contribute to the world. To give of myself in such an impactful way. In ways i could never have dreamed about. Until then i will take on the challenge, happily. I will kick algebra’s “ASK” (yeah yeah I know its ass BUT watch the lil girl monster video).
