Wilkes University Residency

I spent ten glorious days in residency at Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA kicking off my Master's Degree in Creative Writing. It was wonderful being surrounded by so many writers and aspiring writers. I knew for sure that I was in the right place and wanted to be no where else. Except for missing my beloved husband and dogs, I was inspired and found my writing mojo. My home sickness was culled by the fact that I was able to call my husband any time of day or night.

I got to meet so many wonderful people and I was even able to open the door just a bit and let my inner social butterfly out to play each day. What was more refreshing was the fact that the color of your skin wasn't even an issue, all that mattered was that everyone was there for a single purpose - to write, to become published authors, and navigate the master's degree waters as best as they could. The schedule consisted on 9am-9pm days so much so that after about day two all my days felt the same and actually ran into each other. It was information overload in a good way. Plus the fact that there was so much walking that had to be done and I totally enjoyed it. I even lost weight because of all the walking, nice! It was ten blissful days of walking, meeting new people, getting immersed into the writing life and being totally exhausted each night to the point where I didn't have any pain or had to take any muscle relaxers or headache relief medication. Now how to replicate that once I am home will be the challenge, but I sure am going to try.

I will be going back in January for residency part 2 and I am so eager. My 2 foundation classes, FIction & Screenwriting will begin online in about one week and I will be working on these for the next six months. In the meantime, I am trying to prepare myself by doing research and trying to come up with an amazing plot that I can turn into an equally amazing story. Engage writing muse, engage!

Namaste

What!!

For weeks now I have been fighting what I though was a series of monster migraine headaches which affected me so badly that I went to the emergency room on one occasion to try to get some relief. I have always had migraines as a child but unbeknownst to me it was something more serious, it was tonsilitis. Say what?! How in the heck did I get that!

It comes as no surprise that I would be inflicted with this airborne bacteria because now-a-days employees are afraid to take time off from work when they are sick, to rest and recuperate. WHEN YOU ARE SICK, IT IS YOUR BODY'S WAY OF TELLING YOU THAT YOU NEED TO REST AND RECHARGE. When will we learn that we cannot continue to run on empty? We must learn to replenish our bodies often and if that means taking time off from work to rest and get well from all forms of the cold and flu, then so be it. Do we not realise that if we were to die at this very moment, our employer will just fill our seats with the next able bodied human? So why do we willingly draw ourselves closer to our impending demise? In time we will be no more, but until then, it is absolutely necessary that we take care of ourselves and that does mean resting at home when we are sick.

At this point I am truly annoyed and pissed that people do not realise or even care that some germs and bacteria are carried through the air so when they infect your space by coughing, speaking and even laughing, it is downright unfair to the person who does all that they can to stay healthy. Yes when you cough, speak and even laugh your DNA and germs do escape into the air and land somewhere and that landing is most often on the person that your are speaking with or even the surfaces that other people must come in contact with.

Today I started a ten day antibiotic regime because my right tonsil is extremely swollen and filled with pus which is why the entire right side of my head, face and neck has been torturing me. I took my first antibiotic tablet at 2:30pm today along with two advil tablets and I am already feeling much better. This is the second time I have had to go to the doctor only to find out that I came in contact with dangerous airborne germs that were being spread at work because no one wants to stay home when they are sick. Do we not know that it doesn't make sense to punish ourselves unnecessrily? People, there are ways to know when you are too sick to work! Do the rest of us a favour and figure it out before you actually kill someone with your germs!

Namaste

School

Recently, I applied and was accepted to Wilkes University Creative Writing Program. This is a low residency program which means that while majority of the lessons are done online, I do have to physically go to the school for one week in January and June. My first term begins in June of this year.

I was bubbling with excitement when I received the news and though the excitement is still there, I feel I am being somewhat overtaken with fear. Fear because I know that I must get good grades to be accepted for the next level. Writing has always been my thing and though I enjoy it immensely, I am sometimes plagued with crippling doubt of my abilities to shine. I have almost completed my before-class assignment of reading three (3) books and making necessary notes in my analysis of them.

I have been primarily taught British English, yes the very way british people speak english and I am quite famous for standing my ground whenever it comes to writing English. I once had a row with a graduate student teacher who insisted that I write "Between you and me" instead of "Between you and I" to the point that he promised to fail me if I did not give in. Well you can just imagine that I saw all manner of red and blotches of intense black whenever he taught the class so much so that I couldn't help but request a conference with the course Professor. Needless to say the professor was none too pleased but he assisted me in the best way. I never understood why American English teachers have such a problem with british english! Ah, the fight goes on as I have decided to write in the verse that I was taught and thats that!

My sister had asked me to tutor her in Math, algebra to be exact and for her final exam she passed with flying colors, she got a 90% which brought her final grade for the course to a C. I am so proud of her and myself, especially since tutoring her made me realise how much I do know about the subject and why it was good that I paid attention in school. Next she has asked me to tutor her in English and I am definately looking forward to this one [cause it is the very reason why I am going back to school]. I will do all I can to make sure she aces this course as well.

So, I am off to getting my act together so that when the time comes for me to board that plane to Wilkes, I am ready. Wish me luck!

Namaste

The BIG birthday

So I recently had the BIG birthday and I am not sure why everyone else who had it before me was freaking out! It is definately not bad and I don't feel like I am old. I can still relate on some level to the younger generation as well as the older generation, so my question to everyone who has experienced 30, 40 or even 50 years old, please tell me how you felt when you hit that milestone mark.

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to get to another age such as I always wanted to get to sixteen, then twenty one, then twenty-five etc. and once I got there, I was never sad that I lived to that age. The fact is that I am living so i still have the chance to try and accomplish my goals that I have set for myself. One of my goals that I accomplished was to finally get married! Well, I accomplished that this past December and I secretly am wondering why I waited so long. I know that nothing ever happens before the time its supposed to and getting married this late in life is one such event. My husband is someone who is "the marrying kind" and I am benefitting from all the perks that comes with that even though we were together for 9+ years before we tied the knot, so I feel like I really know him well. He has been with me literally through thick and thin and best of all, my mother loved him and gave her blessing before she passed away. We laugh a lot and he has helped to keep my head out of the clouds and my feet firmly on the ground.

I was never the girl that wanted the fairy-tale marriage but I thought I wanted a football team worth of kids. That image crashed and burned the moment I became sick and realised that kids just might not be in my future. My operation saved me and I still have the opportunity to have children but I am clearly in no rush to do so. At this point in my life, I can say with a clear conscience that I am truly happy with all the twists and turns throughout my entire life though I still do have some things that I want to accomplish.

So,where is the BIG age milestone drama, definately not here and I plan to stop it in its tracks whenever it decides to rear its ugly, unwanted head. Here's to a lifetime of a happiness in my marriage.

Namaste

What I know for sure

So in the spirit of jubilation and all the fun stuff that comes along with christmas and new year celebrations, here is some of what I know for sure:

1. Everyday I awake, I am still happy to be married to the man I love and who loves
me dearly
2. I will continue to try to write that great novel that I can see looming out there
in front of me
3. I appreciate all the perks that come with my marriage
4. I am thankful for all the people and things in my life
5. I am thankful for the year I have had even with all its ups and downs because
going through it all made me more aware of my strength
6. I totally appreciate the woman I have become and look forward to being the kind of
wife I know I can be
7. All the love and laughter that continues to come my way
8. I am thankful for all my blessings be they large or small
9. That next year will be a better year for everyone and their ability to take care
of themselves and their families
10. I am more appreciative of christmas and new year and the joy of anticipating all
the good things to come
11. My mother is proud of me for the way I have continued to live my life and
that I finally got married especially since she gave us her blessing before she
departed this earth
12. I continue to look back on all the lessons my mother taught me and will continue
use them everyday
13. I miss my mother dearly and would love the chance to speak to her or just even
hear her voice again

I know that reading this some of you will say that I am delusional and while that may be so, there is nothing wrong with dreaming, praying and hoping for the very best.

As a newlywed, I eagerly look forward to all the joys and sorrows that make up a marriage and since I have been with hubby for the better part of nine years before we got married, I am more aware of some of the pitfalls that can lie ahead. Optimistically I say, bring it on cause after the years I have had there is not much that I cannot handle plus I revel in the challenge.

Namaste

My wedding

I got married today, finally, and I wonder what really took me so long to do it! I am just thrilled that I was still long enough to make and carry out this coherent and proper decision. Of course I had panic attack as the officiant was asking me questions where my only answer was "I do" but just being able to look into my hubby's wonderful face that had a soft smile and a twinkle in his eyes was enough to squash the attack and calm my nerves. Now I can begin to settle into 'married life' and enjoy myself. I am really looking forward to this new life as I feel that I have gotten a second chance to do it right and I am definately going to take full advantage of that!
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What I Know for Sure

I know that it has been quite a while since I have posted anything but life got in the way, so to speak. I intend to find more time to be consitent to my writing as it will help me in the long run.

I am still exercising and losing weight. I am now wearing a size 14 and yes I am quite thrilled!

As it is December 1st, 2008, I have decided that it is time to decipher all that I know for sure and write it down. In doing so, I might be able to expand on some things and even learn a new thing or two. Hence the title of this blog - What I Know for Sure. Here are my first 5 What I Know for Sure--

1. That if my mother was still alive, I would feel complete
2. That I want to write a complete novel in 2009
3. That I still want to absolutely learn to speak French fluently
4. That I want to refresh my knowledge of the Latin language
5. ThatI want to find a copy of the Student Companion book from my childhood days

Drop me a line and let me know What You Know for Sure.

Namaste