the rat race

First of all, as an employee at the University of Arizona, I can't say bad things about it. I'm unsure to what extent they meant, though. After all, the paper I signed saying I wouldn't slander was headed by the Department of Homeland Security or something, so they're more worried about bigger things. I don't know. But let's just say I had a heck of a lot of walking today, and I didn't emjoy it.

As you may or may not know, I've been trying to adjust my schedule from 18 units and a job. Naturally, this plan sucked, so I switched my Physics class (4 units of elective essentially) to an audit, which means I don't have to do any hw or take the tests, but I'm still on the class register. Obviously, I get no credit for this, but it doesn't show up on GPA as a 0.0 at all, which is good. But my mom was not pleased. Whaddya mean you won't get on the Dean's list? she says in a ever so calm voice. 14 units isn't enough, I say. Can't you add more? she desperately inquires. So I begin the search.

I email the professor who's teaching the regular version of the physics class I'm now auditing, and he says that I can earn credit for his class (which is at the same time as my math class so I couldn't sign up for it) independent study. Cool. Credits = dean's list. Mother will be pleased.

Long story short (after a lot of being directed which offices to go to), I print out the forms and see the professor this morning. He signs my papers, and tells me the first test is in 1 1/2 weeks. eep. Happily, I walk over to the Admin bldg so they can matriculate this new class. Late fees start Monday, and I don't have money to spare! I wait in line, and they tell me I'm taking too many units. In order to get the new class, I'd need permission from my college. But what about the audit class? That shouldn't count. True, they say, but you're still registered in the class even if yo're not gonna get a grade in it. Bugger. Ok thank you.

So I trot to the main Engineering bldg. Fortunately, getting someone to sign it was a piece of cake. Hooray for stamps! So off I go back to the Admin bldg. The bell for chem had rung, but today was just a review day. So Admin it was! I get back in line, and happiily hand over my form.

Um, that class doesn't exist....

What? But I got it from the professor this morning! Sorry but you need to go back down the the Physics department and ask them on what to do. Maybe they can add you from there. Ugh. Ok thank you.

Tra la la. I was quite emo on the way back to Physics. I sang one of my songs, quite possibly my most depressing one, but it made me feel better. So I guess it worked. ("I'm floating on an innertube face down in my kid's swimming pool") I finish as I enter Physics. Whaddya mean there's no class for it? It's right here on the wall. Oh, says the other lady in the office, but it's not on the schedule of classes. Did I miss one last April? Maybe I did. Sorry about that. I can get that up for you by 3 oclock. Ok, thank you. I didn't mind the wait. I had work and classes to not ditch. 3 comes, and at 4 I check the schedule of classes. It's there! That makes me happy.

I walk back into Admin. Ah, everything in order now? I sure hope so. Very well. clickety click. There you go. 20 units. You still have an outstanding balance. Don't forget to pay for your textbooks! Ok thank you!

And then I'm overexerting myself with English, but that's a different story. I work for easily 3, 4 hours on one poem assignment. I have one page filled up nicely. Then I see some people have 10 lines, each one 3.75 inches deep, cut off at the halfway point. Maybe I just think too much. But I like the class. And I need it if I'm gonna be a math major.